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Obj. CHrists Baptisme was a baptisme of the Holy Ghost, and of fire, Mat. 3. 11.
Ans. It is most evident in that passage of Cornelius, Act. 10.* 1.1 that although he and his friends were formerly baptized with that baptisme you speake of, ver. 44, 45, 46. yet neverthelesse they were afterward baptized with water baptisme, in the name of the Lord Iesus, as in••er. 47, 48. according to the practise of the A∣postles at other times, as in Act. 19. 5.
Obj. It will be a great disgrace for the Nobility, and Gentry of this Nation, that have been formerly baptized in their infancy, to be re-baptized, a•• also for their delicate Ladies, &c?
Ans. Our Saviour himselfe thought it no disgrace to be bap∣tized* 1.2 by Iohn, in Iordan, Mat. 3. 13, 14, 15, &c. and hath also injoyned all such as would be his Disciples to be baptized, Mat. 28. 19. and Mark 16. 16. before admittance into his Church Mi∣litant, which the constant practise of the Apostles doth evidently declare, as in severall instances in that Book titled, their Acts, doth clearly manifest, as I have formerly made appeare at large; and therefore those (albeit the greatest in the Nation) which are convinced of the truth of this assertion, and shall refuse to admit of that ordinance (which Christ hath so instituted as afore∣said) for feare of the shame, and disgrace which the men of the world can put upon them, let them be assured, that Christ will be as much ashamed of them, before his Father which is in Heaven; yea he hath foretold as much, Mark 8. 38. Againe, let such know that as great, and good as themselves, have not been ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. King David could say, that he would speake of his testimonies before Kings, and would not be ashamed, Psal. 119. 46. And the Apostle Paul could say, he was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, Rom. 1▪ 16. yea Christ himselfe was not asha∣med to call the poore despised ones Brethren, Heb. 2. 11, 12, 13. yea we read of Cornelius the Centurian, the Ennuch, and divers o∣ther eminent persons, in Pauls Epistles, which were not ashamed to be baptized; yea we read that many of the Pharisees, and Saduces came to be baptized of Iohn in Iordan, Mat. 3. 7.
Obj. Most of our Rulers will prove Nicodemusses, they will