Obj. PHilip being but a Deacon, peradventure had not the power to give the Holy Ghost to them Samaritans?
Ans. If he had power to Baptize, and not to give the Holy* 1.1 Ghost, it proves that such an one may Baptize, as cannot give the gift of the Holy Ghost; so that you are met with either way; yea it doth plainly appeare by Scripture, that the Holy Ghost was seldome or never given in the act of Baptisme, but sometimes be∣fore Baptisme, as at the Sermond made by Peter to Cornelius, Act. 10. 44. and sometimes after Baptisme, as in that fore-named passage of the Samaritans; yea it is without dispute that such might Baptize, who could not, or at least did not give the gift of the Holy Ghost with it. Instance in Philip, as also in that passage touching Cornelius, where Peter is not said to baptize them to whom he preached, for the text saith, he commanded that they should be baptized; now whom was there present to command, but either Cornelius or his Kinsmen, or his six Brethren, which came thither with him from Joppa; and for Cornelius and Kins∣men to baptize one another, is rediculous to imagine; therefore it must needs follow, that it was the six Brethren, or some of them, which had not Cornelius and his company formerly received the Holy Ghost, 'tis likely they could not have obtained it by any donation from them; but whether them Brethren had the power to give the Holy Ghost or no, it is apparent, that divers have been baptized at which time the Holy Ghost hath not been given, as in Acts 18. 8. &c. by all which it appeares, that Baptisme may