THey that are baptized into Christ, have put on Christ, live in him, and are One Spirit with, or in him; are all united by One Spirit into One Body, and are Members of his Body, of his Flesh and of his Bones, and of his Fulness receive Grace for Grace; and know One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism; and are One in him, and he in them; and so are come into the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last; He, whose Name is called The Word of God, by which all things were made in Heaven and in Earth; to him be Glory forever.

Now the Baptism of the Spirit is One in all; and all that are baptized by the One Spirit, are baptized into One Body, and are [Page 8] all made to drink into One Spirit; and these have no Confidence in the Flesh, but are they that worship God in the Spirit, and are truly led and guided by the Spirit, hear and know his Voice, and are acquainted with his Operations, Life, Power and Vertue; and can do nothing acceptable to God, but what they do in it; and so it rather may be said, as in Truth it is, That it is the Gift or Grace of God in them and by them, that works both to Will and to Do of his own Good Pleasure.

Now all other Baptisms whatsoever, that are not in the Spirit, are of no Profit; for the Substance of all is come, I say, of all those Shadows, Figures and Types, which had their Day, and in their Day were ap­pointed to be used, according to the Ap­pointment of the Father, but were but for an appointed Time, until the Seed came, to whom the Promise was made, who is the Heir, in whom all Fulness dwells [mark that] that in all things he might have the Preheminence; for he alone, of himself, is sufficient and able to save to the uttermost them that come to God by him, & him only; without the Help of any outward Washings, outward Offerings & Oblations, or whatever may be named, or hath been named either of things in Heaven or in the Earth, they are [Page 9] all to give place; for him only hath God highly exalted, and given him a Name above every Name, that at his Name every thing, though it hath been never so highly exalted, should bow; and that in all things he only, who is Heir of all, should rule as a Son over his own House; for all these were but as Ser­vants, and were not to abide forever; I say, All those Types and Shadows, and whatsoever came before him, though useful in their Place, and to be observed in their Time, yet were all to give place, and pass away, and not to abide forever in the House; for they were but Servants; and the Son is over all, & hath Power over all, and alone hath Right singly to Reign; of the Increase of his Government and Kingdom there shall be no End.

So Moses was Faithful in all his House as a Servant, and did faithfully minister in the Law, which was added because of Trans­gression, until the Seed came; but when the Seed came, to whom the Promise was, who was and is the Heir, He, as a Son over his own House, was and is established: I say, When he was come, then the Servants Ser­vices ended in that Nature, gave place, and were taken away; he took away the First that he might establish the Second, and that [Page 10] forever, which will never be removed into a Corner; to him be all Glory wholely forever.

So Iohn also was faithful in his Day, as a Fore-runner, or as One sent to run before him, whose Way he was to prepare; and he cryed (for he was that One, fore-told of, whose Voice was heard in the Wilder­ness, saying) Prepare ye the Way of the Lord, make his Paths straight: but the Lord's Voice, which is nigh in the Heart, cryeth, This is the Way, walk in it; I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; No man can come unto the Father, but by ME [mark ME] Said Christ, I am the Way it self, walk and live in Me, and abide in Me; in Me ye shall have Peace: He doth not say IN ME AND JOHN; nor, I AND JOHN AM THE WAY; No, no; But, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; I am the Light, or, am come a Light into the World; He that believes in Me shall not abide in Darkness, but shall have the Light of Life [mark] Not a Life­less, Changeable or Shadowy Light; but an Unchangeable, Pure, Living Light; for his Life is the Light of Men: He that hath it, hath Life; he that hath it not, hath not Life, but is in Darkness, under Wrath.

[Page 11] So Iohn testified and said, I am not that Light, but am sent before, to bear wit­ness of that Light, that true Light that enlighteneth every man that comes into the World: I am not the Way, but a Fore­runner, or one sent to run before, to make Preparation for the Way of the Lord; and he that sent me, sent me to Baptize with Water: But, GREATER IS HE THAT SENDS, THEN HE THAT IS SENT: For though he came after me, yet he is and even was pre­ferred before me, the Latchet of whose Shoe I am not worthy to untye; he shall Baptize with the Holy Ghost and Fire: I indeed Bap­tize with Water, He with the Holy Ghost and Fire: I must Decrease, he must Increase: That he might be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come, Baptizing with Water, as I was sent to do; for this End, that he might be made manifest to Israel; AND WHEN he is made manifest to Israel, then is the End of my so Baptizing with Water ACCOM­PLISHED; then must I Decrease, but He must Increase; for, of the Increase of his Go­vernment and Kingdom there shall be no End.

Now the Day dawned, the Sun appear­ed, and all lesser Lights were overtopped, and all Shadows fled away. Now its true, [Page 12] Iohn was a Burning and Shining Light; but Iohn received all from above; but He that [...] above all, and gives to all Men Life and Being, is the Fulness of Light and Life; and as he arises and ascends in his Glory, he gives to all men liberally, as it pleaseth him; Glory to his Name forever.

Now, that Water-baptism, or Baptizing into Water, were only ascribed unto Iohn (as [...]ving Commission) both by our Saviour Christ, and his Apostles, and by Iohn him­self, see Mat. Chap. 3. Vers. 11, 15, 16. where Iohn affirms, I, saith Iohn, I, mark, Indeed Baptize you with Water unto Repen­t [...]nce; but, mark here all ye Water-Baptists of all sorts, mind this, but HE that CO­NETH AFTER, ME [mark] What then I [...]hn? thou must depart it seems, if he must [...] After; this word [After] signifieth Io [...]'s going away, or giving place to him that was to come after him: What then, Iohn, thou art but for a Time? No; I must D [...]crease, for He is Mightier then I, whose She [...] Latchets I▪ am not worthy to unloose. Well, Iohn; And what will he do for us? Will not he Baptize with Water? I tell you, I Baptize with Water, that he might be manifested to Israel; but he will exceed me or my Baptizing into Water; for he shall [Page 13] Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire▪ whose Fan is in his Hand, and he will throughe­ly purge his Floor, and gather his Wheat into his Garner and burn up the Chaff with Fire Vnquenchable.

Well, they might still have said, John, This is a Great Work; but will he not own thee & thy Baptism, & establish it with his forever, or to the End of the World? [mind] Yes, might Iohn have said; for in Effect he did say, He will own me; for GOD SENT ME BE­FORE; and for this End, that Christ might be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come; But not that he will establish my Bap­tism with his; for I must Decrease: and there is no Necessity for it; for his Baptism is the Substance of all other, and throughly purges and refines, and makes pure; and I am but a Fore-runner of him.

Well, But he comes to thee, to be bapti­zed of thee? Yes; but Iohn forbad him, saying, I have need to be Baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? [mark] Here was need for Iohn; I have need, said Iohn; well, Jesus denyes it not but there was so, never­theless Suffer it to be so NOW [mark Now] Why Now? Because Now is thy Time; for thou wast sent before me for this End, might [Page 14] Christ have said, and this Dispensation is of God; and thus, or therefore it becometh us to fulfil all the Righteousness: why, then Iohn suffered him.

But some may Object, and say, If it was Righteousness to be Baptized into Water then, and that Christ was, ought not we to follow Christ in all Righteousness?

I Answer; In all Everlasting Righteous­ness he ought to be followed; not in all the Outward or Ministerial Part of Righteous­ness; for there is the Righteousness of God revealed within, from Faith to Faith, and the Righteousness of the Law without; the Law was Righteous, Holy, Just and Good, and Christ fulfilled the Righteousness of the Law; and had he not fulfilled the Law in every Tittle, he could not have said Its Fi­nished; but he fulfilled the Law: And he al­so fulfilled Iohn's Dispensation, or he obey­ed or did all the Law commanded; and he o­beyed and did also all that was comman­ded by the Dispensation of Iohn; and when all the Righteousness requir'd was ful­filled, it was Reason that he only should have Place that had fulfilled it: So down [Page 15] to the Circumcision he went, and to the Passover, and to all the Law called for; he humbled himself, and became obedient as a Servant, and serv'd it in its Time & Place, and fulfilled it in its Time and Place, and fulfill'd its Will and Requirements; and not only so, but bore all the Curse due to us that had broken it, and been disobedient unto it, and set us free from it, was the End of the Law for Righteousness to us that believe: so that we are not under the Law, but under Grace, or the Gift of God that brings Salvation to us, who have not the Shadowy Works of the Law; but are Believers in and Obeyers of Him, who is exalted both above the Law and the Prophets.

So also down into the Water he goes, and fulfilled Iohn's Dispensation, or that Righ­teousness required by it; which when it was fulfilled, He only was worthy to have Place, that had fulfilled it; And having fulfilled it, he went up straight way out of the Water [mark] He did not there abide or stay; but straight way went out of the Outward thing, and then came the Word of Power, and the Heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended like a Dove and lighting on him; then came the Voice [Page 16] from Heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Now is he descended that is also ascended, and is now established alone; This is my be­loved Son, in whom I am well pleased, Hear, Hear, Hear him: He that hath Ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith: Hear him of whom Moses, and all the Prophets, and Iohn, who was more, spake; for now he is come that is mightier then all, and all Pow­er is given unto him, not unto him and Iohn, or unto him and Moses; No: But unto him, Him only hath God exalted to be both King and Priest unto Israel; and he alone is esta­blished a Priest forever, of an Unchangeable Priesthood; not changeable nor finite, but forever, of an unchangeable Priesthood [mark ye] but not after the Order of Aa­ron, nor after the Order of Iohn, but after the Order of Melchizedeck, who met A­braham and blessed him, him that overcame, and blessed him; and will give to him that overcomes to sit with him in his Throne, as he hath overcome, and is set down in his Fa­ther's Throne.

Not after the Order of a Carnal Com­mandment, but after the Power of an End­less Life: This is the Sun that choathes the [Page 17] Woman, who hath the Moon (with all changeable Dippings in Water) under her Feet; and the least in his Kingdom is grea­ter then Iohn, though he was more then a Prophet.

Also in Mark 1. 8. I indeed have baptized you with Water, but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Also Luke 3. 16. I indeed baptize with Water, but one mightier then I cometh, the [...]atch [...]t of whose Shoe I am not worthy to un­loose, he shall mind] baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire.

But he ever takes Water-Baptism to him­self, and never asscribes it to Christ Jesus; but speaks of a greater Work to be done by him, a Purging, Purifying, Refining, Cleans­ing VVork; and Iohn's was but a Type of what was a coming, and therefore ran be­fore, and hasted to give place to him that came after, who alone is himself established, in all things to have the Preheminence.

Now [mark] this word Fore-runner, or One sent to run before; one that runs makes haste away, that he may finish his Course be­fore his Time be out. Now its plainly said, that as Iohn fulfilled his Course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not He: Mind ye, Iohn was not He, not He that [Page 16] [...] [Page 17] [...] [Page 18] was to be established to abide forever, a Priest forever, of an Unchangeable Priest­hood, but was sent before him; therefore when the Apostle here comes in the 13th Chapter of t [...]e Acts and Vers. 23, 24, 25. he speaks on this wise (as he was preaching Christ Jesus, not Iohn; he was not, I say, preaching Iohn, nor Iohn's Baptism, but Christ, the Seed of David) Of this Man's Seed (saith he) hath God according to his Promise, raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus, when John had first preached before his Co­ming the Baptism of Repentance to all the People of Israel: Mind ye, all ye Baptizers in Water, when Christ was raised unto Is­rael, when Iohn had first preached before his Coming [mark] Iohn had a Time we grant and own with all our Hearts; but was it not before his Coming here spoken of? But when his Course was fulfilled, when Iohn had first preached the Baptism of Repen­tance [first, mind ye] then God raised up unto Israel a Saviour. Oh! but Iohn could not save; but him whom God hath raised saveth to the uttermost them that come to God by him, Him whom God hath raised: And so Iohn honestly disclaims all the Ho­nour due to Jesus Christ; and as one afraid lest the People should asscribe any of it to [Page 19] him said, Whom think ye that I am? as he fulfilled his Course [mark that] Iohn's Course was fulfilled; I am not he, but behold there cometh one after me, whose Shoes of his Feet I am not worthy to loose [Him] Behold he is the Lamb of God that takes away the Sins of the World; but I am not he. And so in the 47th Verse the Apostle comes to de­clare in much Plainness, how that Christ is set or established, & he joyns none with him; For so hath the Lord commanded us (saith he) saying, I have set ther, saith the Lord, to be a Light to the Gentiles, that THOU [mark, not Thou and Iohn, nor Thou and Moses, but in the singular Term, Thou] that Thou shouldst be for Salvation unto the Ends of the Earth, Isa. 49. 6.

But again, in John 1. 2, 26. The People came to John, and asked him, saying unto him, Why Baptizest thou, if thou be not that Christ, neither Elias, nor that Prophet? John answered them, saying, I Baptize with Water [mark] but there standeth One among you, whom ye know not, He it is who cometh after me, is preferred before me, whose Shoe's Latchet I am not worthy to unloose: These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where Iohn was baptizing.

[Page 20] The next day Iohn seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the Sins of the World: This is He of whom I said, After me cometh a Man that is preferred before me; for he was before me, and I knew him not; but that he might be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come Baptizing with Water.

Mark the End of Iohn's Baptism was, That HE might be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come, baptizing with Water: So then this was the Service of Iohn's Bap­tism, and it served for this Purpose, and to this End, That Christ might be made ma­nifest.

And so Iohn bare Record of him, and preached him, and not himself; but cryed, Behold the Lamb of God; look not at Me; b [...] hold not Me, nor the Lamb of God and Me; no, he never joyn'd himself to Him; but said, I am sent before Him, and now he is come be­hold Him, the Lamb of God; He taketh away the Sins of the World; but look not now at Me; I am not that Light, but am sent be­fore, a Witness, and am come Baptizing, that He might be made manifest; and if He were manifest to Israel, then were my Desire an­swered, and the End of my Labour in Water-Baptism [Page 21] accomplished, so that they might believe in him.

Iohn bare Record, saying, I saw the Spi­rit descending like a Dove, and it abode upon him, and I knew him not; but he that sent me to Baptize with Water, said unto me, Vpon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost; and I saw and bear Re­cord that this is the Son of God.

See how plainly Iohn preached Christ and his Baptism, and all along put this Distincti­on, I Baptize with Water, He with the Holy Ghost and Fire; I must Decrease, He must Increase.

But they might have said, Why John, why must thou Decrease? Why, Iohn might have said, Because my Baptism is but w [...]th Water, that He might be made manifest; but His Baptism is with the Holy Ghost and Fire, a Baptism that exceeds mine as far as the Light of the Sun exceeds the Light of the Moon.

So its clear, that Iohn was sent to Bap­tize with Water, and Christ was sent to Bap­tize with the Holy Ghost and Fire: And Christ fulfilled Iohn's, and the Law, and all the Righteousness required by them, and then was himself alone established, a Priest [Page 22] forever, of an Unchangeable, Unalterable Priesthood.

But further; for I am desirous to clear my self of this Matter at this time from all Opinions concerning this thing. I have already made it appear, that Iohn himself was on my side; and his Record is clear to prove, That the Baptism of Christ Jesus is that of the Holy Ghost, and that he him­self was sent to Baptize with Water; and he no where makes mention of any other that was sent to Baptize with Water but himself, I say, that was sent. In the next place, I shall bring the Testimony of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who also at all Times asscribeth Water-Baptism unto Iohn.

Acts 1. 5. And being assembled together with them, commanded them, That they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the Promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me; for John Truly (or might he not have said, and is it not all to one sense had he said so, John, its True) Baptized with Water: But mind, he doth not say, Do you so too, or, I will baptize you with Wa­ter also; No, no: John, said he, Truly baptized with Water, but YE [mind Ye] [Page 23] YE shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many dayes hence

This is the Baptism they were to wait for, and to be by Christ baptized withal, no Water at all injoyned to it by Christ Jesus, though he owned it in its Time, and fulfil­led it, as aforesaid: But [mark] now was the Time of Promise at hand, Not many dayes hence (saith Christ) ye shall be baptiz­ed with the Holy Ghost.

So also Peter, in Acts 11. 16. saying, Then remembred I the Word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with Wa­ter, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Still Water Baptism is asscribed to Iohn, by himself and by Christ Jesus; let us hear what the Apostles say concerning it.

In Acts 1. 22. Peter in his Declaration to the Disciples concerning Iudas, and choo­sing another in his stead, makes mention in the 22th Verse, on this wise, Beginning (said he) from the Baptism of John [mark] unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be Witness with us of his Resurrection. Here it is still asscribed unto Iohn.

Again, in Acts 13. 23, 24, 25. Paul spea­king of the Promise, God hath (saith he) [Page 24] according to his Promise, raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus, when John had first [mark first] preached BEFORE HIS COMING [mind] before his coming, the Baptism of Re­pentance to all th [...] People of Israel, and as John fulfilled his Course. [Mind here Paul still asscribes it to Iohn.

Again, in Acts 19. 1, 2, 3, 4. And it came to pass, that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having pass [...]d through the uppermost Coasts, came to Ephesus, and fi [...]ding certain Disciples there, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, WE HAVE NOT SO MUCH AS HEARD WHETHER THERE BE ANY HOLY GHOST. And he said unto th [...]m, Vnto what then were ye Baptized? They said, Vnto JOHN's BAPTISM.

[Mark] Had Iohn's Baptism been in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, then how should they but have heard of a Holy Ghost? So that here, before I pro­ceed any further, I shall take notice of this place a little. Water Baptism is still asscribed here to Iohn; I indeed baptize with Water, said John; John indeed baptized with Water, said Christ; and say the Apostles, John ve­rily baptized with the Baptism of Repentance, [Page 25] saying unto the People, that they must believe on Him that was to come after him, that is (said he) on Christ Iesus: So I shall yet bring no more Proofs for this Point, these being sufficient. But before I leave this Place, take notice, That though they had been baptized unto Iohn's Baptifm, yet they had not heard whether there was ANY Holy Ghost; which doth clearly manifest, that although it should be granted, that Iohn's Baptism was still of Necessity, which far be it from me to do, yet how doth it thwart all our Water-Baptists of our Age, who baptize with, or into Water, using the words [Father, Son and Holy Ghost] which they cannot bring Precept or Example for.

For though the Apostles did by Permission baptize, it was but in Condescension unto Iohn's Baptism; for Commission they cannot bring from Christ no where; nor that they did use the words now used by you, saying, I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

So that your Practice, all of you Water-Baptists, is contrary to the Holy Scripture; for in this place Paul baptized those in the Name of the Lord Jesus: And Peter (in Acts 10.) commanded to be Baptized, Repent, and be Baptized in the Name of the [Page 26] Lord Iesus: But no where can they find, that either Iohn, or any of the Apostles used to say, I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost: so that your Practice in this is grounded of a sandy Foundation, and will undoubtedly fall.

Prop as hard as you can, and take ye al­together, ye Water-Baptists of all sorts, and work never so hard with both Hands, your Babel-Buildings will all fall, and great will be the Fall thereof; and all your Props and all your cunning Work will be broken to pieces, and you shall never be able to raise your Buildings again; but the chiefest of your Workmen shall be ashamed of their own Doings, and you shall gather Paleness in that Day.

Oh therefore be intreated in tender Love, I beseech you, to Return! Return out of Babylon, unto the Gift of God, the True Light, that makes ye all manifest, and in which ye are all seen and comprehended: I say in the Name of the Lord my God, and in much Love to your Souls, be intreated to return unto it; its near you to instruct you, and to make all things manifest to you, if you will come unto it. Oh turn your Minds! How oft have you been reproved by it, and you never found Guile in his Mouth; though [Page 27] he hath told you all that ever you have done, yet you regard him not, but prefer fading, finite and unprofitable Things above him. Oh! haste, haste out of Babylon, tarry not; the Day of Vengeance is near, and then will you come to know the True Baptism is not into Water, but into the Name of the Fa­ther, Son and Spirit; and that Christ (in the 28th of Matthew 18, 19.) when he sent his Apostles out to teach all Nations, and that the Baptism there spoken of, & commanded by Christ, was not into Water, but into the Name of the Father, Son and Spirit; neither is there any such a word as Water mention'd in his words there spoken to them; but into the Name of the Father, Son & Ho [...]y Ghost he bad them baptize.

But some may say, It must needs be Water there intend [...]d, because that none can baptize with the Holy Ghost, but Christ.

I Answer, True; None can but He, and by his Power only; therefore he tells them in the first place, that All Power is given unto me (saith he) both in Heaven and in Earth; and they now must not go in their own Strength or Power, but in his Power; and [Page 28] it was his Power in them and by them, that did the Work he sent them to do; and so he saith unto them, Without me ye can do nothing: but lo, I am with you alwayes, even to the End of the World: and all Power is mine. And now you Water-Baptists, let me ask, Now where is Iohn's Power? Iohn hath now no Power, nor Moses hath now no Power in a way of Administration, if all be given to him, and be his, as I am satisfied it is: And here its plain, he only is here established.

Now it must not be admitted for any o­ther to have a Tabernacle standing or build­ed with his; No; Though Peter would have had Three, one for Moses, one for Elias, and one for Christ: That Elias was already come [mind] and they have done to him what­ever they would: And is it not plain to you, that this was Iohn the Baptist here spoken of and intended? And yet, mind, neither Moses nor Elias must have a Tabernacle built with his; but a Cloud came and took them away [mark] and Christ only left; and a Voice from Heaven came, saying, This is my Be­loved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear him. Oh! what would you have? How clearly is it manifest unto all who walk not in Darkness, that he only is by himself esta­blished [Page 29] to be heard in all things: And saith the Apostle, He that refuseth to hear this Prophet shall be cut off from off the Earth: And again, See ye refuse not him that speak­eth; for if they escaped not that refused him that spoak on Earth, even Moses, how shall ye escape, if ye refuse him that speaks from Heaven, whose Vo [...]ce then shook the Earth? but now says he, Yet once more will I not shake the Earth only, but also Heaven [mark] that those things that cannot be shaken may remain: Mind what must remain, and how he alone (even Christ) is above all established.

And its said again by Paul, God (saith he) who at sundry Times and in divers Manners spak [...] in days past to the People by the Prophits, hath in these last dayes spoken unto us. BY HIS SON [mark, not by his SON and JOHN but by his SON] whom He hath appointed Heir of all things [mind] So All Power is given unto me (saith Christ) Go ye therefore, teach all Nations, Baptizing them into the Name of the Father, Son and Spirit, or if you had rather have it [Holy Ghost] teaching them to observe whatever I command you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the End of the World; but tarry at Jerusalem till ye have received Power from an high; for without me ye can do nothing: So [Page 30] 'tis not (saith Peter) by our Strength or Righ­teousness that this man is made whole; Why stand ye gazing upon us, as though by our Pow­er & Holiness it was done? Be it known unto you, that by the Name of JESUS, whom ye crucified, even by Faith in his Name, is this Man made whole. And said Paul, I have la­boured more abundantly then ye all, yet not I, but the Gift or the Grace of God that's in me. And so it was in his Strength that they were more then Conquerors, and could do all things through Christ, that strengthned them; but before they could not, before (I say) that they went in his Strength. So there was need for them to wait at [...]erusalem, till they had received of his Fulness, of which they all received Grace to help in Time of Need.

But now [mark] They had not Need to have stay'd at Ierusalem for Power to have Baptized with Water; for they had been doing that before, and were Able enough for that Baptism; but now they were to en­ [...]er upon a Greater Work; and it is not they must do it, but the Gift of God in and by them, or the Power they received; so saith Christ, Lo I am with you; and as many as received him, to them he gave Power; for, all Power is given to me (saith Christ) ALL [mark] So though the Apostles, as Men, [Page 31] could not baptize into the Name of the Fa­ther, Son and Spirit, no more then we, as men, can do; yet [mark] Christ in and by them can, or us either, and in and by them did; and when the Apostles laid their Hands on them that believed, the Holy Ghost fell upon them and sometimes when they were preaching unto them, the Holy Ghost fell upon them; yet it was not them that could so much as preach as they ought, but Christ in and by them: God speaks by his Son through his Vessels of Honour, fitted for his Use; so its not them, but Christ, who also Raised the Dead, Opened the Eyes of Blind, Healed the Sick, Cleansed the Le­pers, and many great and good Works did they, yet not they, but the Gift of God in them and by them; and so they went in the Demonstration of the Spirit and of Pow­er, and preached Christ the Wisdom of God, and the Power of God, the Savour of Life unto Life IN THEM [mark, in them] that are saved, and the Savour of Death unto Death in them that perish.

But they never cryed out, Water-Baptism is the Door; for Christ Jesus said, I am the Door, by ME [mark, not Me and Water, nor Me and Iohn, but BY ME] if any man enter in, he shall be saved (Oh he is of [Page 32] himself sufficient) and shall go in and cut, and find Pasture.

The Apostles never called it as you do, An Initiating Ordinance, and (say you) A Command of Christ: But who say so beside you? Where do you prove it? Prove, Friends, whoever you are. I challenge all the whole VVorld to prove, that Christ ever mentioned such a thing to any of his Ministers, as by way of Command, as Wa­ter-Baptism; but said, as above said, Ye (said he) shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost; and Go, teach all Nations, baptizing them in­to the Name of the Father, Son & holy Ghost; say not, We cannot, be not dismay'd; for, Lo I am with you; and all Power is given unto me, both in Heaven and in Earth; therefore without me ye can do nothing; but abide in me, and then ye shall bear Fruit; in me ye shall have Peace.

But though it were so, that he had meant as you Baptists say he did, Water Baptism, and that that Commission belongs to you, (say you) the World is [...]ot yet ended, there­fore (say you) it is still to be observed; sup­pose this were granted you, then I ask you, How missed Paul of it, that he had no Share in this Commission? for Paul saith in 1 Cor. 1. 13. That Christ sent me not (saith he) [Page 33] to Baptize, but to Preach the Gospel [mark] How comes it to pass that you are greater Sharers in this Commission then Paul? And how must we do to know it? For if it did not reach Paul, who was Converted, and one not behind the Apostles, how can it reach you? And though you may say, All are not sent to Baptize; Then I ask you, How must we do to know who are, and who are not? But say you, Paul meant [NOT ON­LY] Oh Friends! have you this Hole to creep out at? its a little One, too little to get out at. 'Tis your Meaning: but we must not take your Meanings when the Lord lets us see he means otherwise; for Paul said not so; nor dare any true Christian say that Paul meant so, but said what he meant, and meant what he said.

Well, but say you Baptists, He did Bap­tize.

Its true, he did some Few; but he thanks God they were so few: But it seems though he did, he did not do it by Commission; For Christ sent me not to Baptize (saith he) but to Preach.) How then? why, by Per­mission as he also Circumcised Timothy by Permission, because of the Iews; but not, because Christ had commanded it; for he had not.

[Page 34] Paul himself said, If ye (speaking to the Galatians) If ye be Circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing; yet took that Liberty for a particular End, because of the Iews, to do that particular Act. He also observed the Law, and went under Seven Dayes Purifica­tion, and had an Offering bought according to the Law, but not, because it was comman­ded by Christ; for Christ had not comman­ded it, but because of the Iews: Yea, and had (had he not? another time his Head shorn, and was under a Vow. Much might be said that was done by the Apostles, that was not commanded by Christ; nor that they left No Command to after. Ages to ob­serve.

But its also clear in Acts 26. 15, 16, 17, 18. that Paul had no such word in his Commis­sion, as to baptize into Water; For I (said the Lord) have appeared unto thee for this End or Purpose, to make thee a Minister and a Witness, both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the People, and from the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee [mark] What to do? Not to baptize into Water; he mentions no such thing, no; but to open their Eyes, and to turn them from Darkness to Light, and from [Page 35] the Power of Satan unto God, that they may receive Forgiveness of Sins, and an Inheri­tance amongst them that are sanctified by Faith that is in Me. This was Paul's Com­mission, if we may so call it, as he himself tells the King Agrippa; but here is not one word of Water Baptism, or not only to Bap­tize, as you Baptists say: But if you have no better Weapons then these, the [...]e are too short to save your Heads.

But to proceed: You still say, The Apo­stles did Baptize.

Peter said in the second of the Acts, RE­PENT and be BAPTIZED every one of you in the NAME [mark] of I [...]sus Christ, for the Remission of Sins, and y [...] shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost (this Bap­tism, being for the Remission of Sins upon Repentance, was necessary to Salvation; but so is not yours) for the PROMISE [mark] is unto you. But the Promi [...]e was Not WATER-BAPTISM, but, ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost, said the Lord Jesus by way of Promise: And this is that which was spoken by the Prophet, Io­el 2. 28. And it shall come to pass in the last dayes, saith God, I will pour out of my Spir [...]t upon all Fl [...]sh [mark] Was not this the Pro­mise [Page 36] of God to them and their Children, and to all that are afar off, and so on?

And in Vers. 21. Then they that gladly re­ceived the Word, were Baptized; and THE SAME DAY were added unto them Three Thousand Souls [mark ye, the same day] It was a Great Number to be bapti­zed into Water, as you do, all of one day, if it was so; but it is not here so said, nor no mention made of Water in this Chapter; so that this place will not carry your Matter you would lay on it; for all these (its said) continued stedfastly in the Apostles Do­ctrine; and their Doctrine I hope, you will own was for Christ: If any preach any other Doctrine then what is already preached, or lay any other Foundation then which is already laid, let him be accursed: We preach Christ (saith Paul) to the Jews a stumbling-block, to the Greeks Foolishness; but unto them that belive, Christ, the Wisdom of God, and the Power of God. It was Christ they preached.

But say you, Philip baptized the Eunuch, and the Iaylor was baptized, and Cornelius and those with him Peter commanded to be baptized in the Name of the Lord; and (say you Baptists) when was that Command re­pealed?

[Page 37] I Answer; Though it was a Command, yet it was but Peter's Command, and Peter had not all reveal'd to him at first, but was ignorant of things that were afterwards re­vealed, and so were the rest of the Apostles, witness Peter's Vision, and the Apostles blaming Peter for going to the Gentiles, because they yet saw not into that fore-told Mystery, nor many before them saw it not; but it was revealed in the Lord's Time to them, how that the Gentiles should be Fellow-Heirs, and Partakers of the same Glory: But you cannot prove that Peter's Command was obeyed: He commanded them (it is true) to be baptized; and if they were, his Command was fulfilled; but who comman­ded you, or sent you? Shew us your Commission; For Peter did not any where that I can find, command, That Water-Bap­tism should be observed to the World's End: No, no; it was the Baptism of Christ Jesus, with the Holy Ghost and Fire, that was, and is, and will be to the End, established and commanded in Mat. 28. by Christ: And though the Apostles did make use of Iohn's Baptism, yet they laid no stress upon us, that were to come after them, to use it; neither was it commanded by Christ for them to use.

[Page 38] But come; May not I say, that they saw not to the End of Iohn's Baptism (though Iohn had plainly said, I must Decrease) no more then they saw the Coming of the Gen­tiles, till it was shewed by a Vision; and that though Christ had said, That the True Worship was in Spirit and in Truth, yet that they saw not through the Outward Worship; and have I not more Ground for it then you have for Paul's [NOT ONLY] but if you were in the Light, you would see that the Apostles did see but in part, and no fur­ther then it was revealed unto them, no more then we do now.

But though we should say, that they did see unto the End of Iohn's Baptism, and unto the End of all Visible things, as I know they did in Time, as I shall prove hereafter; yet although they might, yet they that were daily added, might have stumbled, had they denyed them that of Iohn's Baptism, except they also had seen into the Mind of God with them in this Matter; for they were but En­terers in as little Children, and not grown up to man's State at first, but went from Strength to Strength in the Spirit of the Lord, and so the Apostles could take Liberty for the fur­therance of the Gospel, to command Iohn's Dispensation, b [...]t were above it themselves, [Page 39] out from under its Command, in the Power of Christ, who was greater then Iohn, and had all Power now himself; and so it could not command Them, but they It: And so Philip said unto the Eunuch, If thou believest with all thy Heart, THOV MAYEST; not, thou must, No; but if thou believest, thou Mayest; he would not deny it him, though I believe, Philip knew, that it was the Spirit's Baptism that must sanctifie, and that Water could not reach the Soul of any, nor any way sa [...]isfie the Spiritual Part of Mankind. And yet took that Liberty in the Spirit, because of the Weakness of their yet Childish Ca­pacities to submit to their Weakness in many things that belonged unto the Law, as well as in this of Iohn's. And is it not also clear, That the Apostles would not yet seem to lay the Building, if I may so call it, of John waste, until they had laid and builded on a More Sure Foundation? nor wholely preach his Baptism useless, nor the Law neither, until such time as the Gospel had got some hold of the People? and then they testified of One Lord, One Faith, ONE BAPTISM; and that by one Spirit they were all baptived into One Body, and had been all made to drink into One Spirit; and that they were made able Ministers of the New Testament, not of the Letter, but [Page 40] of the Spirit: and came not with words Man's Wisdom teacheth, but with the Words the Holy Ghost teacheth, with which they were now bap­tized; comparing Spiritual Things with Spi­tritual, not with carnal, or external, or elemen­tal Things with Spiritual, as you do, No, no; but Spiritual with Spiritual. Now they saw by the Revelation of the Spirit into the Mysteries of God's Kingdom, and therefore in Heb. 6. 1. the Apostle comes in with these words, LEAVING (saith he) mark, Leaving the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto Perfection. Come, Friends, deal plainly for your own Souls Good and God's Glory, and tarry not short of him that makes Perfect, and cleanseth from all Iniquity; and be perswaded to come and wait for the True Baptism of Christ, which is with the Holy Ghost and Fire, that ye may be sanctified and refined, and made every whit whole; for it is in much Love to your Souls that these Lines are written, by One that desires your Salva­tion even as his own, and truly breathes for the Prosperity of Zion, and the Establish­ment of Truth and Righteousness.

But now some may Object, and say, That the Apostles could not have left them if they had [Page 41] not been in Them, or in the Vse of Them.

I Answer, True, they had so; and had also been in the Use of those things the Law had required; but mark, All these could not make Perfect; The Law made nothing Per­fect (said the Apostle) as pertaining to the Conscience. And the Baptism of John (say you) was but a Type: Now if the Type could make perfect, then there would have heen no need of the Substance; for if Perfection had been by the Levitical Priesthood, then ve­rily Righteousness would have been by the Law; and now say I, If John's Baptism could have taken or have wash'd away Sin, then verily Righteousness would have been by John; I mean, that men would have been then by it made perfectly and truly Righteous: but Iohn himself preached no such thing by himself; but said, I am not He, but behold him, the Lamb of God, that takes away the Sins of the World; This is he of whom I spak [...] one Mightier then I cometh, he must Increase, of the Increase of his Government and King­dom there shall be no End.

And therefore saith the Apostle [LEA­VING] which word therefore seems to entail the fore going words in the Chapter [Page 42] before, where he had bin telling them of their Childishness (he mentions the Doctrine of Baptisms, which cannot prove the Imposing of Water-Baptism any more then all the rest) and was now for bringing them on to a fur­ther State, where they might know Perfe­ction, and have Meat that would satisfie, True Bread, that comes down from Heaven, and impowers to be Sons of God. And it seems clear to me, that there was some Need for those things they had so long lain like Chil­dren weak, and like Babes in, to be left; Therefore LEAVING these, let us go on to Perfection; and saith further, This will we do, if Godpermit: But if they had been commanded by Christ to have been used to the World's End, then why should Paul (for so I call that Author) have been so earnest at that Day, which was soon after Christ's Ascension, to have had them then to leave them, and to go on to a more Manful, Powerful, Perfect State: So that it is very clear to all whose Eyes the Lord hath open­ed, that though the Apostles had by Reason of their Weakness, submitted to their Child­ish Capacities, rather then they would lose their hold they had got of them; yet this or these things were not the Thing they were [Page 43] driving at: But the Aim and End of all they did, both in Circumcision, Passover, Vows and Seven Dayes Purification, and Water-Baptism, yea, and all those things they did concerning Meats, and other things that they did by Permission, and not by Commis­sion from Christ, I say, their Intents in all t [...]ese were never to establish them with Christ Jesus, to abide as long as the World la­sted n [...]: But after they had held them in hand, in order to get them on, they took all Occa­sions they could, to bring them on further & further, till they all come in the Unity of the Faith unto a perfect Man in Christ Jesus, unto the Measure of the Stature of Christ Jesus; and so these became Useless, and all gave place to him, who is alone by himself established a Priest forever of an Unchange­able Priesthood; Glory is wholy due unto him.

And so, now they came to speak of One Baptism, One Faith and One Lord, as a fore­said; and that by One Spirit they were all baptized into▪ One Body [mark, they were ALL, he saith, ALL Baptized by One Spirit into One Body] and had all been made to drink into One Spirit: but none can prove that [All] were baptized into Water; for Paul was instrumental in the Lord's Hand, for the concinoing and converting of many: But [Page 44] he saith, He baptized none but Crispus and Cajus, and the Houshold of Stephanus, beside (saith he) I know not whether I bap­tized any other but many were convin­ced by him, doubtless very many, yea, Multitudes; yet no man can prove, that all that were convinced and converted by the Gift of God in Paul, were also All baptized into Water; yet saith he, Ye are All bapti­zed by One Spirit, and have been [ALL] made to drink into One Spirit; and there is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.

Well, but say you Baptists, He doth not say, There is but One Baptism. No, nor he doth not say, There is but One Lord; must we therefore say, There are more Lords then One? God forbid; for to us there is but One Lord: And he doth not say, There is but One Faith; must we therefore say, There are more Faiths then One? So he also saith, There is One Baptism, and so say we too; and that One was promised, and accomplished, and commanded; for we believe as Christ said, The Works that I do [mark ye, the Works that I do] shall ye do, and greater Works then these shall ye do: But its plainly said, That Christ baptized not, I say, not with Water, but with the Holy Ghost: And do you think that he used One Baptism to them, and com­manded [Page 45] them to use Another to them that believed in him? do you think that he bap­tized them with the Holy Ghost, and then sent them out to baptize with Water? I know, whatever you believe, you have said no less; but you can never prove it: For, the Works that I do, shall ye do; but Christ baptized not into Water, nor never said that they should, that you or any other can prove; for Peter in the 11th of Acts declares what the Lord said, when the Disciples were talking with him about his going in to the Gentiles: Then (said he) re­membred I the Word of the Lord, how that the Lord said (mark ye Christ's words) the Lord said, John indeed baptized with Water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. But he no where mentions Water by way of Commanding them to use it in Baptism; but said, Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost; and, Go ye, teach all Nations, baptizing them into the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; and, Lo, I am with you.

But further, I remember you Baptists have said, That your Baptism into Water doth signifie Death, Burial and Resurrection: By which words you acknowledge it is but a Type. And you further say, That no man ought to be buried before he be dead. Now [Page 46] I conclude, that the Dead you mean, are such as are Dead to Sin; and if so, how can ye that are dead to Sin live any longer therein? Know ye not (saith Paul in Rom. 6. 2, 10, 7.) that so many of us as were bapti­zed INTO (mark into) Iesus Christ, were baptized into his Death; therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death, that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in Newness of Life: And in the 7th Verse, For he that is dead is freed from Sin. Well, now let me ask you, are you thus dead, buried and risen with him by your Water. Baptism? Or can any Man conclude, that Paul here speaks of Water-Baptism? Is it not plainly said, into Christ; not, into Water, but into Christ, into Death. And in Gal. 3. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ; and they that are in Christ, are new Creatures (behold, all ye Water-baptizers) all Old things pass away, and all things become new, a new Hea­ven and a new Earth, in which dwells Righ­teousness. And we say, that the Sons of God inhabit in the New and Living Way, that which is pure, and changeth not, but en­dures forever, and in Righteousness are they established, and act not by the Power of a [Page 47] Carnal Commandment, but in the Power of an Endless Life; not in Imitation of the Letter, but in the Demonstration of the Spirit: For although it should be so as ye would have it, That Christ had commanded the Apostles to baptize into Water, as he never did, nor can it be ever proved; yet if it had been so, what is that to you? Who com­manded you? Shew us your Commission; Where did you receive your Power and Au­thority in this Matter, that you both preach and baptize? Whereas Paul saith, He was not sent to Baptize, but to preach: And we say, and know what we say to be true, That we are not sent to Baptize into Water, but to Preach the Gospel; and our Authority came not by Man, of Man, nor from Man, but by the Grace of God we are what we are; and his Grace is sufficient for us, and ever hath been since we were a People, and so will be to the End.

And we further say, we own that Iohn was sent to baptize with Water, and we own him in his Day; but where did Iohn baptize using those words, Father, Son and Holy Ghost? for they that had been baptized unto Iohn's Baptism had not so much as heard of a Holy Ghost; so that this Baptism ye practise cannot be Iohn's, nor Christ's it cannot be; [Page 46] [...] [Page 47] [...] [Page 48] for he never had Water asscribed to him: But Iohn, who was a true Minister in his time of Water-baptism, said, HE (meaning Christ) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost & Fire: So then, if not Iohn's, as its clear it is not; for Iohn's was a Type of the True Baptism of the Spirit, and when the Types, Figures, Vails and Shadows were ended, and HE, the End and Beginning, First and Last was arisen, and had rent the Vail from the Top to the Bot­tom, I say, when his Sun of Righteousness did arise, the Shadows fled away, and gave him place over his own House to rule, whose Right it was, then was the True Baptism known; then came the Holy Ghost upon them; then did the True Light shine, and the Darkness fled way; then were they inwardly washed, and their Understandings opened; then was the Circumcision of the Heart known; then was he entred into that within the Vail, into the true Tabernacle, which God pitched, and not Man: And so Iohn went before as a Type, but willingly gave place to the Substance. So that its clear, the Baptism you use is not Iohn's, and it it much more clear that it is not Christ's Baptism, and so it must needs be your own, done by you in Imitation of the Holy Men of God gone before, who did what they did in Obedience [Page 49] to the Lord, and in his Power, and were sent by him: but, oh! who ever sent you Baptists in this great and notable Day of the Lord? It will one day be said, Who hath re­quired these things at your Hands? Either shew us your Commission, or else acknow­ledge your great Error, & Repent, and come unto the true Light, and walk in it, prize it and obey it, that ye may be saved by it: For it is not a fair Outside of the Cup or Platter, but the inward Washing of Regeneration by the Spirit, and a living in the Spirit; and the whole Worship of God, say we, and say the Scriptures the same, That the True Worship of God is in Spirit and in Truth; but that your Water-Baptism is Spiritual, I deny; or that it ought to be observed in the Worship of God, you cannot prove; but Iohn's was ordained to be used as a Type (before the Spirit's Worship, or the true Worship in the Spirit was fully established) and of it self a thing that I believe none of you dare say, doth in any measure sanctifie and wash the Soul: And if it be of so little Effect unto the Soul, why, what Necessity is there for the Continuance of it to the World's End, since also ye cannot prove it so commanded? for, once more let me tell you, that the Baptism commanded in the 28th of Matthew, was [Page 50] INTO the Name of the Father, Son & Spirit or Holy Ghost: but, I say, this was not Iohn's; for they that had been baptiz'd unto Iohn's Baptism had not so much as heard of a Holy Ghost (Acts 19. 1, 2, 3, 4. which they must needs have done if they had been baptized with the use of these words, In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

But further, you acknowledge your selves that it is but a Type; well, I ask you then, What doth it type forth unto us; or what is it a Type of? If it be a Type of the Baptism of Christ, then I ask you, What further need is there of it, when the Thing signified by it is come? Or do you think that the Type and Substance must remain together to the World's End? Was it not always from the Foundation of the Law, that when the Sub­stance came, that the Shadows fled away?

But although you should still say, Why then did the Apostles use it after the Spirit's Baptism was accomplisht? I answer as before, The Apostles had Power over it after they saw beyond it, and could submit unto the Weakness of Believers Capacities in many things, as above is mentioned; but that they saw not beyond it till it was reveal'd unto them is clear; but then they spoak of the one Baptism, of the one Lord & of the one Faith. [Page 51] And so Iohn himself, when he saw Jesus walk­ing, he said unto his Followers, Behold the Lamb of God, that takes away the Sins of the World: and John's Disciples LEET John [mark] they Left John, and walked no more with him: For Iohn's Baptism could not wash them from their Sins; but behold, the Lamb of God takes away Sin, puts an End to Sins, finishes Transgression & brings in ever­lasting Righteousness; he makes every whit whole, and fully saves to the utmost them that come to God by him, and makes clean them he washeth; And if I Wash thee not, saith he, thou hast no Part in Me: He satis­fies; for he is the Bridegroom himself, but Iohn was not; he, its true, was the Bride­groom's Friend, and would not rob him of his Prerogative or Honour, but rejoyced to hear his Voice, and when it was heard, said, This my Ioy therefore is fulfilled.

So we own Iohn in his place and Time, but we own the Bridegroom above Iohn, although Iohn was his Friend, & did what he was com­manded, but thought not much to give him place who had commanded him.

And so my dearly beloved Friends, it is in much Love to all, but chiefly to you called Anabaptists, that this is written, as I can truly testifie in the Manifestation of that true Light [Page 52] spoaken of in the Scriptures of Truth, unto which I once more beseech you, to turn your Minds, and believe in it, and come to walk in it, and obey it; and then will you have Fellowship with us, and truly our Fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Christ Jesus; by whom we have also received the Attonement, and in whom we live, out of whom we cannot live; for He is our Life; To him be Glory forever.