Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 8.

Obj. BY your owne acknowledgement, the Sacrament of Baptisme having attained its perfection, it ought to be delivered now, in that nature, or else it is not punctually exhibited by him who doth administer it.

Ans. That doth not follow, for the gifts of the Holy Ghost* 1.1 was never given in that power, and efficacy, by the Apostles as was then by Christ, that being a Baptisme which Christ did pe∣culiarly promise to bestow upon his Disciples only (to the end they might be inabled the better to carry on that great designe he had then to act by them) as will appeare by our Saviours ex∣pressions, Act. 1. 5. But yee shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire, &c. intimating them only whom he meant to impl••y; as also ver. 8. but yee shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and yee shall be witnesses unto me, &c.

Obj. We read that whilst Peter pr••ached to Cornelius, and his Kinsmen, that the Holy Ghost fell upon them, and that they spake with tongues and glorified God.

Ans. But we read not that the Holy Ghost appeared in the* 1.2 shape of cl••ven tongues, like as of fire, &c, however the gift there spoken of was not the donation of Peter himselfe, but of Christ; neither can it be expected that the like gift of the Holy Ghost should be now given, as was then by the Apostles, in regard that such Miracles was only permitted for the bringing in of the Gospel into the world, as also for glorifying Christs first com∣ming in the flesh; and albeit the Apostles had power to give the Holy Ghost, yet did they not alwaies exercise it, for when Pe∣ter baptized that number spoken of, Act. 2. 41. it is not said, that he gave the Holy Ghost with it; neither is it said to be given to the Jaylor, the Eunuch, Lidia, and many others.

Obj. In all the places you have named, it is not said, that the Holy Ghost was not given at the time of their Baptizing, so that i•• is only your suspicion that it was not given at that time?

Ans. It is punctually proved, Act. 8. in that passage concern∣ing* 1.3 Philip, and the Samaritans, whom he is said to have baptized, ver. 12. as also of Simon Magus, ver. 13. yet notwithstanding that baptizing them by Philip, it is said that the Apostles being then at Jerusalem, sent Peter and John unto them, who is said in the 15. ver. to pray for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost, for as yet saith the text (in the 16. ver.) he was not fallen upon none of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And in the 17. verse it is said, that they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost. In which passage

we may observe▪ 1. That Philip did Baptize, without the additionall gift of the Holy Ghost given with it. 2. That it was not Johns Baptisme wherewith he did so baptize them, but that of Jesus Christ; and 3. That the Holy Ghost was given by o∣ther distinct parties, after the Samaritans was so baptized by Philip.

It is evident then that Philip did not give the Holy Ghost to them Samaritans whom he Baptized, and therefore it must con∣sequently follow, and that of necessity, that Philip either had not the power to give the Holy Ghost, or else, it was no usuall thing for to give it upon such occasions.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Why the Holy Ghost was gi¦ven in to that power to the Apostles at the ••east of Pen••icost▪
• * 1.2

  VVhy mira∣cles were p••••¦mitted.
• * 1.3

  Baptisme ad∣mi••i••••red without the donation of the Holy Ghost.