John Baptist's decreasing and Christ's increasing witnessed being a treatise concerning baptism in the type, and baptism in the mystery / by John Gratton ... Gratton, John, 1641-1712. 1674 Approx. 67 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 30 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-11 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A41822 Wing G1585 ESTC R39439 18419226 ocm 18419226 107516 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A41822) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 107516) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1634:10) John Baptist's decreasing and Christ's increasing witnessed being a treatise concerning baptism in the type, and baptism in the mystery / by John Gratton ... Gratton, John, 1641-1712. 54 p. s.n.], [London : 1674. Place of publication suggested by Wing. Imperfect: slightly faded. Reproduction of original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng John, -- the Baptist, Saint. Baptism. Water -- Religious aspects. 2003-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-08 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-09 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2003-09 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion John Baptist's DECREASING AND CHRIST's Increasing WITNESSED : Being a Treatise concerning Baptism in the Type , AND Baptism in the Mystery . By John Gratton , Well-Wisher of the Anabaptists , &c. Printed in the Year 1674. TO THE Friendly Unprejudic'd READER . Friend , IT is no Desire in me , that because so many have appear'd in Print , that therefore I would be one also that should be accounted Eminent ; But having been one of the greatest Sinners upon Earth , and therefore have through infinite Love and free Grace much forgiven me , my Love is so much to him that is Lord of all , that I am not a little grieved to see his Pure and Precious Truth so strongly on all hands incountered with , and fought against its Comfortable and Glorious Appearance in the Lord 's poor despised People , called by the scornful World Quakers : And seeing that this of Water-Baptism hath been and is a Thing , they that are not only Adversaries to Truth , but to their own Souls , have so publickly made use of to fight us with ; I having both been an Eye & Ear-Witness of the same , have been not a little exercised in Mind about this Matter , but have seriously considered and tryed all their Arguments that I have been acquainted with for this thing , and I find them so far contrary to Truth , and the Mind of Truth , that a Necessity fell upon me to write what it pleased the Pure Eternal God to communicate unto me by his Spirit ; so that what is according to Truth & sound Iudgment thou wilt here find written ( as to the Tenor and Substance of the Matter ) from the Spirit of God in me , and so is not mine but his ; to him be the Glory wholely given forever ; But if there be any circumstantial Defect for want of Heed or Exactness , which may either fall upon me or upon the Printer , charge it in its right Place , and lay it not upon the Spirit of God. Having given thee this Caution ; I desire thee to observe in the next place my End in the publishing this little Treatise , which is , First , To clear Truth of Scandals in this Point laid to our Charge : 2dly , To strengthen the Owners and Lovers of it : 3dly , To acquaint or inform them that are mistaken about it : And lastly , That I might so aswer that Love so greatly bestowed upon me , as to be clear of all Men , and stand single unto God , whose Servant I am through Mercy , and might bring Glory , Honour and Praise unto his Holy Name forever . So now , before I leave thee , I shall only acquaint thee of the great Differences amongst men about this thing , and then take leave : The Presbyterian saith , Water-Baptism belongs to Children of Believing Parents , and therefore they examine the Parents of their Faith ; Now if the Parent be an Vnbeliever , then his Child is not to be accepted to this Ordinance , as they call it : From which I shall only now observt this , That if this be so , then is the Child a Sufferer for the Sin of the Father's Vnbelief , which God hath said , shall never be ; The Child shall not suffer for the Sin of the Father , nor the Father for the Sin of the Child ; but the Soul that sins it shall Dye . 2dly , The Episcopal saith , The Child is by this regenerated and born again , sanctified and changed , and made a new Creature ; and therefore if a Child be in Danger of Death , great Haste is made to get it sprinkled ; And if this be true , What further need of a Saviour ? 3dly , The Baptists say , Believers only have Right to Water Baptism : I grant , Believers are only they that are Truly Baptized ; but that they are injoyn'd or commanded to observe this Water Baptism , they now so differently observe , I find not . But , I hope , if thou readest what follows with a single Eye , thou mayst come to see all these Dippers and Sprinklers , and their Shortness in this , and gain some Acquaintance with the Lord's Mind , as thou waitest in his pure Light , which makes all things manifest , to which I beseech thee to turn thy Mind , and believe in it , that thou mayst be a Child of Light , and then thy Fellowship will be with us , who are Children of it ; and so we may Praise the Lord together , who is Light ; to whom be all the Honour and Glory forever and ever . Written by one of the Least of all , yet one of the Lord 's Chosen Ones , unknown to many , yet known by the Name of Iohn Gratton . Monyash , the 4th of the 3d Moneth , 1674. A TREATISE Concerning BAPTISM . 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 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 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 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. 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 , 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 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 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 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 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 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 it s 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 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 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 . 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 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 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 ] 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 ) 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 , 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 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 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 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 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 it s 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 't is 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 , 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 it s 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 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 ) 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 . 'T is 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 . It s 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 . 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 it s 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 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 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 ? 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 . 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 , 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 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 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 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 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 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 it s 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 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 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 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 ; 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 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 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. 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 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 . Written the 7th of the 1st Moneth , 1674. Iohn Gratton . GReat hath been the Travail of my Soul for the Prosperity of Sion , and for her Establishment above the Top of all the Mountains ; and , blessed be the Lord my God , my Eyes behold her , and see her Beauty to exceed all the Glory of the Earth , and her coming out of her Wilderness State is come ; I say , the Time is come : and many have lyed or lain in the Way side , to have drawn her aside , and would gladly have allured and inticed her from her Beloved , & gladly would have had her turned aside unto other Lovers , and have cryed out unto her , What is thy Beloved unto anothers Beloved ? and have spoken against her ; and when they could not prevail with her , have evil-entreated her , and per secuted her for her Beloved's sake : and many have been her Troubles , but the Lord hath delivered her out of all : And great is her Ioy at this Day , and her Glory exceeds all the Glory of the Nations : Her Beauty is Perfect : she is a Virgin , and never was defiled , but is all Glorious ; The King's Daughter is all Glorious within , her Garments are of wrought Gold , wholely pure ; she has no Blemish , she is all fair , without Spot , the only beloved of the Lord ; Glory to his Name . He hath remembred her in Love , and her Sorrows has he seen , and will plead her Cause , and subdue Kingdoms for her sake , and make her Way plain before her . Oh! come unto Sion , all ye that desire her Prosperity , and be not so foolish as to sit down short of her ; her City is free , her Gates are open hy Day & by Night : she has no need of the Sun by Day , nor of the Moon by Night ; but the Lord God & the Lamb are the Light thereof : Her Light will never grow dark , her Sun will never set , Night shall be no more upon her ; for her Sun is arisen , and as one to run a Race is marching on , his Strength is as a Lyon , his Voice is heard to Roar , and great Fear is fallen and a falling upon the Beast of Prey . Oh! who would not live in her ? Her Gates are paved with precious Pearles , her Inhabitants are all Kings and Priests unto God ; she is altogether Comely , and her Glory shall never have an End , Amen . Oh! who , who would not dwell here ? Come , come unto Sion , all ye that are sincere to what ye know : Turn ye , turn at her Call , and embrace her Counsel : Why will ye bestow your Money for that which is not Bread , and your Labour for that which satisfieth not ? Oh! come unto me , saith the Lord , my Voice is near you ; How often have I called , and ye regarded not , nor have not answered my Requirements , but are imitating them whose Life and Power you are out of . But now turn ye unto the Lord with all your Hearts , believe in his Light , and Life will you know that never can have End ; but if you still Refuse , you will one day know that you were Warned and Invited by one that truly seeks not himself , but earnestly travails for the Welfare of all men , and is become Servant to all for Iesus's sake ; To Him be all Honour , Praise , and Dominion forever and for evermore . J. G. THE END .