Disciples is undeniable Paul mentioning the Institution unto the Corinthians mentions both as 't is evident the Bread represented his Body the Bread of Life that nourishes the Soul to eternal Life the Wine his Blood which they came to witness to cleanse them from all sin as they kept to the Head thorow the Ligament of living Faith they came to the End of all Figures to partake of the one Bread one in all but in the dark reign of Apostacy they re-assumed the Shadows and divided Christendom into Clergy that is Teachers and Laity that is all others out of Holy Orders so called but all the Faithful are the Lord's Lot as Acts 26.18 translated there Inheritance but properly signifies Lot if the Greek Copies be consulted and makes nothing for but against the distinction of Clergy and Laity Leighs Crit. However the Distinction hath found continuance in the Church and in the year 1215. Pope Innocent the third did first of all as 't is recorded forbid that the Lay People should receive their Communion in both kinds he would allow them Bread but no Drink this kind of Communion as 't is said was not before the Council of Constance where in the thirteenth Session they deprived the People of the Cup yea and a Canon was put out saying in down-right and express terms If any one shall deny whole and entire Christ the Fountain and Author of all Graces to be taken under one Species of Bread c. let him be Anathema accursed Thus in this as in other things it appears that not only the Power of Godliness hath been lost but great Confusion hath followed Of Mixed Wine Alexander if I may use the Language of my Author the seventh Pope from Peter being about to consecrate was the first of all that mingled Water and Wine together Polydor lib. 5. Of taking Money for Bread and Wine I have shewed before how Pope Innocent the third and the Council of Constance denyed the Cup to the Laity so called one Eckius complying with this Doctrine gives an irrational Reason for it The Laity saith he ought to content themselves with the Bread only because equi donation sunt inspiciendi dentes that is a gift Horse is not to be looked in the Month Apud Manlium in loc com He though belike that Lay Men could not claim any Right to the Bread neither Bellarmine grants that they have Right to the Bread but adds that in eating the Bread transubstantiated by the Priest into the Body of Christ they drink his Blood also But Lombard his Master contradicts this his Doctrine saying That the Bread is not turned but into Christs Flesh nor the Wine but into his Blood Let him that is crowned with Heavenly Wisdom judge whether these Contradictions bespeak them to be Builders of Sion a City of Unity the Joy of the whole Earth or Builders of spiritual Babel a City of Confusion The Council of Constance acknowledged that Christ instituted and administred both Bread and Wine tamen hoc non obstante yet notwithstanding the Authority of the holy Canons and the Custom of the Church hath and doth deny the Cup to the Laity But to return Neither did Christ take Money for the Bread and Wine which he gave to any but as the spirit of Selfishness entred the Temple of the Church it produced other Effects surely there was occasion why the six the general Council of Constantinople decreed That no Bishop Priest or Deacon administring the Communion to people should take any Money whatever of them for the same and that who as did should be deposed Summa Concil et Pontif. Yet notwithstanding the Constantinopolitan Canon in Protestant Churches now the Parish buyes Bread and Wine and the Priest sells it them again that the Priest may have an Offering at Easter so that many otherwise zealous for the established Ministry blame their Ministers their spiritual Hosts as they call them that first the Parish must buy Bread and Wine and give it to the Minister and then the Minister give it to the People and after call for a Reckoning yea and force such as neither bite nor sup thereof to reckon and pay Let us hear the Lord's Proclamation Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters to the Water of Life the Cup of Salvation Consolation and Blessing a spiritual Thirst is called for neither Money nor Price And further He that hath no Money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price Here is Bread and Wine and Milk at the Lord's Hand without Money or Price Isa 55.1 2. but such as are made Ministers by the will of man through the strength of Arts Sciences Natural Parts Abilities Qualifications Endowments Acquisitions they have another Language so another Spirit forcing Money and Price not only from Receivers but from Non-receivers also so that the Practice of many I say not all bespeaks them saying We preach the Gospel tantum ut nos pascat et vestiat meerly for Food and Rayment to pick a living by Trap on 1 Pet. 5. Yea and Revel 22.17 The Spirit and the Bride say come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is athirst come and whosoever will let him take the Water of Life freely Here is Communion Royal Communion Water of Life Bread of Life the Cup of Blessing freely without Money or Price But their Voice is not the Voice of the Spirit nor of the Bride nor of him that heareth nor of him that is athirst who forces Money and Price for Bread and Wine the Shadow not only from the Receiver but the Non-receiver also for where Christ's Doctrine and the Apostles is transgressed his Institution for Gospel-Maintenance violated their Voice is the Voice of Balaam who was for Gifts Rewards Wages of Unrighteousness filthy Lucre who have nothing but the Shadow which maketh not alive they make Gain of it sell it but who are Members of Christ's Body of his Flesh of his Bones as freely they have received the Bread of Life so they freely give Of the Kiss of Peace and of the Pax. David the sweet Singer of Israel exhorted Kings and Judges of the Earth to kiss the Son lest he be angry Psal 2.12 These are Greetings cordial Embraces not known but in the operating Virtue of the Seed of Regeneration and in spiritual Submission to his Heavenly Will Let him kiss me saith the Church with the Kisses of his Mouth Cantic 1.2 In the sense-restoring Life these are felt as Seals and Assurances of divine Favour and Acceptance Earnests and Fruits of the Spirit like Balm to the Wounded Paul writing to the Romans said Salute one another with an Holy Kiss Rom. 16.16 This Peter called The Kiss of Love 1 Pet. 5.14 In after Ages as Fellowship with the Lord and with one another in the Light in a high measure came to be loft then the Observation of Shadows more and more got entrance then their
ΒΑPΤΙΣΜΑΛΟΓΙΑ OR A TREATISE CONCERNING Baptisms Whereto is added a DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE Supper Bread and VVine Called also COMMUNION By Thomas Lawson Printed in the Year 167â— READER IN this following Treatise is presented to thy â—ye 1. The Temporary Baptism of John with Water 2. The Permanent or Continuing Baptism of Christ with the Spirit 3. The irrepititious Custom of Rantism that is Sprinkling of Infants Herein also thou mayst see that after the Primitive Times the Fall of the Star from Heaven was manifested Sun and Air thorow the Smoke of the Bottomless Pit Maman Wisdom Heathenish Learning Spoiling Phylosophy School Divinity was darkned thorow the steaming in of which Christ's Baptism in and with the Spirit came to be lost then Water-Baptism and Rantism came to be reassumed 1. One while baptizing or sprinkling Old People on their Death-Beds 2. Another while baptizing of People sooner as when they were capable of being catechised 3. After this Baptizing or Sprinkling of Infants 4. Some Baptized People after they were Dead and put the Sacramental Bread as 't is called in their Mouthes 5. Hence sprung in the Custom of Baptizing the Living for the Dead 6. Hence arose the Custom of Baptizing Children in the Womb before they were born 7. Some have had the Character of a Cross made in their Fore-heads with a Burning Iron which was called Christ's Baptism with the Holy Ghost and with Fire 8. Many yea almost all for Ages were Baptized Naked 9. Many Baptized Themselves every Year And these various Unscriptural Proceedings were and are cryed up by the Observers thereof to be of Divine Institution Here also thou mayst read how that in this Night of Apostacy which hath come upon the Churches professing Christianity sprung up the use of Godfathers Godmothers Gossips Fonts Exorcisms Sign of the Cross Albs Salt all which things with others are more or less touched in this following Treatise ΒΑPΤΙΣΜΑΛΟΓΙΑ Or a TREATISE concerning BAPTISM I Confess I have often been very serious concerning the Doctrine of Baptisms and have not let any thing slip from me written or spoken in Vindication of Baptism and Rantism that is Dipping and Sprinkling without serious Consideration so to answer the Desires of some sober Persons but primarily Divine Requirings I was induced to sharpen the Neb of my Pen and to commit to writing my Belief in reference thereto and to the end I may the better be understood of such as read me I have reduced the Contents of the ensuing Discourse into four Heads or Assertions which be as follow I. The Baptism of John with Water and the Baptism of Christ with the Spirit were not one and the same but two that is to say Distinct Baptisms II. John's Baptism in or with Water was a Figure or a Shadow of Christ's Baptism in or with the Spirit so thereby fulfilled and ended III. Christ's Baptism in or with the Spirit is the Baptism only to continue in the Church of Christ to the End of the World IV. Rantism that is to say Sprinkling of Infants is a Case unpresidented in the Primitive Times an irrepetitious Custom sprung up in the Night of Apostacy after the Revolt from Christ the Captain of the true Israelites the Fall from the primitive Order The First ASSERTION The Baptism of John with Water and the Baptism of Christ with the Spirit were not one but two that is to say Distinct Baptisms THE Truth of this is clear and evident to every one whose Eyes are opened by the Influence of the Almighty and I may produce a Cloud of Witnesses for the Confirmation thereof though indeed many late Writers and Teachers have and do affirm That John's Baptism and Christ's Baptism make but up one Baptism that the Spirit goes along with the Water making up one Baptism or that the Water thorough the Word of Institution hath a super-natural Virtue effectual to the Sanctification Ablution that is Washing and Regeneration of Man this is an Antichristian-Doctrine to ascribe such things to visible elementary Water which are the Effects and Products of the Blood of Christ the Water of Life John Christ and Peter make them distinct Now for the determining of this Controversie observe the Record of John the Baptist that is John the Dipper so call'd because he was authorized to Baptize in Water as also to distinguish him from John the Apostle Mat. 3.11 I indeed baptize you with Water c. saith John but he that comes after me to wit Christ he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Consider this John makes them distinct Baptisms as if he should have said I am to baptize with Water only that is my Work my Office thereto I am commissioned from Heaven even to wash the Body the Filth of the outward man but when Christ is come he shall have another Work of a more Heavenly Nature what is that he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire he doth not say he will baptize you with Water neither doth he say he will baptize you with Water and with the Spirit but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit only so that John absolutely concludes them to be distinct Baptisms he with Water Christ with the Spirit See also Mark 1.8 where the very same Record is born of John's Baptism and Christ's Baptism I indeed have baptized you with Water but he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit Mark this I have but he shall this denotes the two Baptisms See also Luke the third there was a great musing about John as whether he was the Christ or no people entertained high Thoughts of him as being born in an extraordinary manner and living in the Wilderness his Apparel and Diet being unusual as a Raiment of Camels Hair Locusts and Wild Honey being his Food his Baptism was new and strange these things being considered occasioned much Reasoning among the people as whether he was the Messias or no now for a removal and scouring away of such Reasonings John tells them plainly and evidently he was not the Christ Luke 3.15 16. saying I indeed baptize you with Water my Work is to wash your Bodies with the visible Element of Water that 's my Ministration but saith he Amightier then I comes after me and he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit Here John holds out his Ministration of Water-Baptism and the Ministration of Christ's Spiritual Baptism to be distinct See also Joh. 1.33 where the very same Record is born I with Water which reaches to the Ablution of the outward Man Christ with the Spirit which is effectual to the Ablution or Washing of the inward Man The four Evangelists who were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is divinely inspired are unanimous in the distinction of the Baptism of John and of the Baptism of Christ Further In Heb. 6.2 the Apostle speaking of some of the initial Points of the true Religion makes meniton of the Doctrine of Baptisms not Baptism but
Godfathers and Godmothers such a near Relation as that a Council decreed as followeth Let none Marry with Godfather or Godmother whoever doth this let the same be accounted as a Heathen until they be seperated and let them de Pennance Twenty Years Canon Nicaeni Concilij ex Codice Arabico Summa Concil et Pontif. Christ and the Apostles taught not so but that true Fellowship Brotherhood and Sisterhood is in the Light of Life Now to what hath been spoken concerning John's typical Ministration of Water-baptism which many would not have to be a Shadow I further add that the Jews before John's time under the first Covenant had their Baptism or Washing if any one was made unclean by the touch of a Dead Body he was to be made clean by the Water of Seperation so that the Jews had their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Baptism or Washing after the touching of a Dead body thus much saith Godwyn in his Jewish Antiquities He that is washed or baptized as the Septuagint renders it after the touching of a Dead Body if he touch it again what avails his Washing Eccles 34.25 In the first Covenant saith the Apostle there was much Observation of Meats Drinks and divers Washings or Baptisms as the Greek renders it Heb. 9.10 Now Christ the End of the first Covenant he put an End to the Shadows and Figures to the Water of Separation without to the divers Washings or Baptisms without as Legal and Figurative ordained to continue till the time of Reformation the Prerogative of Christ Jesus who introduced a Spiritual Baptism by a Living Water having a Living Effect washing inwardly John 7.37 38 39. A TESTIMONY FOR THE Evangelical Communion IN THE Bread of Life IN THE Cup of Blessing Thomas Lawson A PREFACE to the READER Reader in this following Testimony is spread before thee how after the Primitive Times when thorow the ingress of the Apostacy the Bread of Life the Cup of Blessing where the true Fellowship is was lost within then they let in a Sea of Confusion about Bread and Wine without wherein their Communion hath stood 1. Some would have it ministred to all 2. Some would have it ministred to Believers only 3. For many Ages it was ministred to Children 4. Some have ministred it to Dead People 5. Some would have both Bread and Wine given 6. Some are for giving Bread only 7. Some say Christ is present Transubstantially 8. Some say he is present Consubstantially 9. Some say he is present Sacramentally 10. Some say Bread and Wine are Figures of Christ 11. Some say they are the same Christ that was born of the Virgin after Consecration hence Corpus Christi day and the Feast of the Sacrament of the Altar 12. Some are for taking Bread and Wine before Supper others after Supper others at any time 13. Some would have a whole Meal of it some are for a Sup others for a Draught 14. Some would have the Bread and Wine standing some sitting some kneeling some any way 15. Some would have the Bread broken by the Minister some would break it themselves 16. Some would have it in an upper Chamber some in the Church so called some matter not where if they get it 17. Some are or have been for the Kiss of Peace some are for kissing the Pax so called 18. Some are or have been for a Glass Cup some for a Wood Cup some for a Cup of Gold some for a Cup of Silver some for a Cup of Pewter 19. Some are for Wine only some for Wine mixed with Water 20. Some have been for taking it every day some on all Sundays so called some for once a year some for thrice a year 21. Some would have the Bread and Wine given freely many are for taking Money for it 22. Many give it as Dinner time yet call it a Supper Most of these things if not all are more or less touched in this following Discourse and may be read and seen by such as trace the steps of Ecclesiastical Writers A Testimony for the Evangelical Communion in the Bread of Life in the Cup of Blessing BEfore the Armies of Israel went harnessed out of Aegypt the Lord instituted a Passover so called because in slaying the First born of Aegypt both of Man and Beast and in executing Judgment upon all their Gods the Houses of the Israelites were passed over What were the Israelites to do Every House was to take a Lamb without Blemish c. and eat it within the Doors with Unleavened Bread How were they to eat it With their Loyns girded up with Shoes on their Feet with Staves in their Hands Who were to eat of it The Israelites no Stranger was to eat thereof no Uncircumcised Person Exod. 12. Who pass thorow the Ministration of Condemnation to Christ the Evangelical Passover the spiritual Paschal Lamb they truly read this thing Now Christ who came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it before he was sacrificed up or the Hand-writing blotted out or nailed to the Cross the Hour approaching of his departing out of Aegypt as I may say a perverse froward gain-saying contradicting life-opposing World to be glorified with the Father as he was glorified with him before the World was he enjoyned his Disciples to prepare the Passover a Figure a Shadow now he being offered up the thing was to be read within the Cross to be known within which crucifies Flesh with the Affections and Lusts thereof the Word of God quick and powerful sharper then a two-edged Sword to be known within cutting down captivating Flesh and the Fruits thereof and passing over the Seed which bears his Image thus they came to Christ the Evangelical Passover to the Lamb without Blemish the Food of the spiritual Israel in the House of their sanctified Hearts which is not come unto but where the Loyns of the Mind have been girded up Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel Staff in the Hand on this no Stranger no Uncircumcised Person feeds Christ said to his Disciples as Luke relates it Luke 22.15 16. With Desires I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer for I say unto you I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God Mark the outward Passover was to be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God in the Church How By abolishing the old Passover and introducing that is bringing in the Evangelical Passover the Substance Christ the spiritual Paschal Lamb. Paul gave record to this to the Corinthians Purge out the old Leaven that ye may be a new Lump for even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us 1 Cor 5.7 Who are come to this Lamb without Blemish they are crowned with a continual Festival At the Passover Christ took Bread and blessed it brake it and gave it to his Disciples saying Take eat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this is my Body From these words no small Confusion hath risen among School-men and
I will come into him and will sup with him and he with me This is the Gospel-communion here was no outward Bread nor Wine Cup nor Chalice but here is that which the bread and wine pointed at the cup of blessing If we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have Fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin 1 Joh. 1.7 In the Light Fellowship with the Lord is known and Fellowship one with another and the Word is known which became Flesh and tabernacles in man this the Redeemed eat feed on discern and though it be said The Flesh profitteth nothing Joh. 6. and that Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 15. yet 't is said Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood ye have no Life in you and he that eateth my Flesh and drinks my Blood dwelleth in me and I in him Joh. 6. And Paul said We are Members of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones Ephes 5.30 And these are no contradictionâ— but fulfilled in the ground of Self-denyal in the cross to the mortal the Lords Death is shewed forth till he come who lives forever who abolishes Death and brings Life and Immortality to light thorow the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 yea and Joh. 3.13 The same that descended the same is ascended and is flesh and bone and nourishes the Soul to eternal Lise here the end of Shadows is known Augustin said truly if truly and livingly read To eat Christ is to believe in Christ why providest thou a Tooth and a Belly believe only and thou hast eaten Faith centers in the eternal Word in the quickning Word so that is revealed which fulfils outward Shadows other things as well as Bread and Wine were not of perpetual continuance nor needful to be practised in the Church after their bounds and season John 13.14 15. Acts 15.28 29. Jam. 5.14 Paul testified saying Henceforth know we no man after the flesh yea though we have known Christ after the flesh yet now henceforth we know him no more 2 Cor. 5.16 Paul was so spiritualized as that he centered in nothing below the eternal Substance he stickt not in Bread and Wine or any other Shadow but in fervency of spirit waited to be comprehended in the prefixed Life as a man that so looks for a lost Jewel that he overlooks all besides it outward things reach no further then fleshly Knowledge but a spiritual Understanding is revealed in by and thorow that which is spiritual Of Transubstantiation Though Israel saw the Wonders of the Lord in Aegypt the Execution of his Judgments for their Deliverance though the Lord went before them by Day in a Pillar of a Cloud and by Night in a Pillar of Fire though they passed thorow the Red Sea as upon dry Land and saw the Aegyptians drowned so that thorow a sense of his Power and mighty Acts they sang a Song of Praise and Thanksgiving unto the Lord saying He was glorious in Holiness fearful in Praises doing Wonders yet coming unto Mount Sinai on to which Moses was called and continued 40 Dayes and 40 Nights Israel fell into a spiritual Lethargy to forget the Lord and his Noble Acts and losing the sense of the pure living invisible eternal God they cryed for artificial Gods Gods of Mans making saying to Aaron Vp make us Gods which shall go before us for as for this Moses that brought us out of the Land of Egypt we wâ—â— what is become of him Exod. 32. Aaron made them a Calf and they said These be thy Gods O Israel which brought thee up out of the Land of Egypt thus losing the sense of the Living and Life-giving God they turned to cryed up and ascribed their Deliverance to a Molten Calf fashioned with a Graving-Tool In the Apostles days and primitive times while their Garments were undefiled being Branches of the Heavenly Olive kept their Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus they had the Bread of Life Water of Life Heavenly Manna the Word that became Flesh in the persumed Houses of sanctified Hearts they drank of the Cup of Salvation the Cup of Blessing they were come to Mount Sion they were Members of the New Jerusalem they were in the spiritual Worship they came to the Life Sum Substance of all Types Figures Shadows and all thorow the Operation of Christ Jesus in them who led them from the Aegyptian-Bondage of Hellish Pharaoh old Abaeddon the Destroyer they knew the Prince of Peace Christ Jesus and their Labour and living concern was that in all things he might have the Preeminence But in dayes succeeding the Apostles when the Mystery of Iniquity which the Apostle saw inwardly working in his day was more and more manifested the Star faln from Heaven Sun and Air darkned the Purity of the primitive Church spoiled through the Smoke of the bottomless Pit through the Darkness and Delusion of this Smoke they lost the bread of Life the cup of blessing within so came to reassume bread and wine without and let in a Sea of Confusion about the same some ministring it to all some to Believers only sometime to Young Children sometime to Dead People c. and the more the Smoke arose out of the Pit the greater Darkness entred the Professors of Christianity till at length like as Israel having lost the sense of the living God called for Gods without so had a Molten Calf and worshipped the same ascribing their Deliverances thereunto even so apostatized Christianity having lost the Bread of Life the Cup of Blessing Christ Jesus thorow the in-steamings of the bottomless Pit they must have an artificial Christ how is that since the Apostles dayes when the Life and Power of Godliness was lost then this Doctrine came to be preacht That Bread and Wine after it be consecrated by the Priest is no more Bread and Wine but the very Christ that was born of the Virgin so to be worshipped that the Bread and Wine by the consecration of the Priest is transubstantiated that is changed into the very Body and Blood of Christ from this came the word Transubstantiation this Doctrine is grounded upon those words This is my Body for from these words Papists say Christ is present transuâ—stantially Lutherans say consubstantially Calvinists say He is present sacramentally Author of the Naked Truth Whether the Bread and Wine after consecration be transubstantiated or not hath been and is much controverted betwixt Papists and Protestants One said Corpore de Christi lis est de sanguine lis est Lis est de modo non habitura modum How Bread and Wine the living Christ should be 'T is controverted much men disagree The Council of Trent begun in the year 1545. and others taught That Bread and Wine being consecrated by the Priest is turned into the true real substantial Body of Christ Flesh Blood Bones c. even the same that was