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

CHAP. IIII. Treateth of Johns, and of Christs Baptisme, &c.

SECT. 1.

Objection. IT seemeth there was a difference betwixt the Baptisme of John, and that of Christ, Act. 19. 3. 4. 5. in regard that the Apostle is said to Baptize again, such as were formerly baptized, by Johns Baptisme?

Ans. It was requisite that Beleevers should not only be baptized to him that was to come (to which only Johns Baptisme did tend) but that also they should be baptized in his* 1.1 name, being already come; for otherwise, the Baptisme of John, and the Baptisme of the Apostles were all one, and the same, both of them Preaching, and Baptizing, to repentance, as wil appeare by comparing Luke 3. 36. with Act. 2. 31. so that divers hands doth not make the Baptisme divers.

SECT. 2.

Obj. BƲt it seemeth that the Baptisme in the name of the Lord Jesus, was not altogether sufficient of it selfe, without the gift of the Holy Ghost, which the Apostles is said to give unto them (who had been formerly baptized, in the name of the Lord Jesus) by the laying on of their hands, as in Act. 8. 16, 17.

Ans. The gift of the Holy Ghost was a thing which was not* 1.2 alwaies confined to the act of Baptisme, yea very seldome or ne∣ver, as I have shewed; neither did the Apostles or any other of∣fend, in not giving it at that present time of Baptisme, (in regard there was no such command given by our Saviour to his Apostles, as that the one, should not be administred without the other, or that he, that had not the donation of the Holy Ghost, should not administer the Sacrament of Baptisme, as appeares by the Sama∣ritans who received that Sacrament, and not the Holy Ghost imediatly, at the same instant, as an inseperable concomitant

annexed unto it; as also by them whom Paul is said to lay his hands upon, Act. 19. 4. 5. by all which it appeares, that the gift of the Holy Ghost, was chiefly given to the Apostles, to testifie the dignity, and excellency of their calling and Ministry, and no more a concomitant to their Baptisme, then to their Preaching, it being as well given at the act of one, as of the other; instance in Peters preaching to Cornelius &c. and therefore it may be as wel argued, that none ought to preach, but such as is of Peters ability, to give the Holy Ghost with it; as that none ought to baptize, but such as are able, yea, and doth give the Holy Ghost with it.

But in regard that it is manifestly apparent that such have Bap∣tized,* 1.3 as either could not, or at the least did not give the Holy Ghost with it, we may safely conclude, that he that is thought able by the Church, to exercise the duty of a Pastor, (as Philip the Dea∣con was to the Samaritans,) may also administer the Sacrament of Baptism. And that such Ministers or Pastors, may permit such of the Brethren, whom they think fit, to execute the same office; and that by the aforesaid example of Peter, as Act. 10. 48. as also Act. 2. 41. where it is very probable, that the Apostles made use of such Brethren, as assistants to baptize, who had formerly been baptized of them.

SECT. 3.

Obj. THere be divers who strongly affirme, that the Baptisme in the name of the Lord Jesus, was not a baptisme by water, as was that of Johns Baptisme?

Ans. It is manifestly apparent, that the Baptisme, which was* 1.4 instituted, and administred by the Apostles, in the name of the Lord Jesus, was a Baptisme by water, as that of Johns; and that by comparing of these Scripture, viz. Act. 8. 16. with the 36. and 37. verses of that Chapter, in which texts of Scripture, we have first a description of that Baptisme, by which Philip the Deacon baptized the Samaritans, viz. the baptisme in the name of the Lord Jesus, ver. 16. and in the other texts of Scripture, we have also the aforesaid Philip, baptizing the aforesaid Enuch in water. Now that Philip, and the Enuch, should goe into the water, and yet Philip not to Baptize him with that water into which they entred, would be a paradox. 2. If that Philip so bap∣tizing

him, should baptize him with any other Baptisme, then that, with which he had formerly baptized the Samaritans, would be as strange as the other; but both being confessed, which (with modesty) cannot by any rationall man be denyed, (viz. that Philip baptized the Ennuch, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and also by water) it must needs follow, that the Baptisme of Jesus Christ, was a water Baptisme, as was that of Johns, the difference being only that afore mentioned, viz. that Johns bap∣tized unto Christ, as to come; and the Apostles unto him, be∣ing already come.

Again, it would be as frivolous, as the other to imagine, that Philip should baptize in the name of the Lord Jesus, with water, and the rest of the Apostles, and Disciples, should baptize in the same name without water, or that Philip did baptize, and was ignorant of the manner and matter, how, and with what to bap∣tize; and therefore I admonish such as oppose this truth, not to persist any longer in their obstinacy, or give any further occasion to the enemies of God to blaspheame, in that they who seeme to stand most for Christ, most to villifie, and nullifie his ordi∣nances.

Obj. After what manner would you have Beleevers Bapti∣zed now?

Ans. In the act of Baptisme, the present Brethren are too rig∣ged,* 1.5 which hath been some hinderance to the increase of their Churches, viz. in that they admit of none as Members, but such as will be dipped over the body in water, viz. in a River, or the like, which custome cannot be made out from the Apostles, as to be alwaies practised by them, as also for other reasons.

Obj. How prove you the contrary?

Ans. By necessary consequence, where that ordinance was ad∣ministred, as in Act. 16. 33. where the Jaylor and his Family is said to be baptized in the night, which certainely was not in a River, or any other water, by dipping, or plunging them over the body; therefore I suppose it is not of extraordinary necessity whe∣ther by dipping or sprinkling, as the season, and opportunity doth require.

SECT. 4.

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.* 1.6 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* 1.7 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

scarse admit of that ordinance in the day time, they will come with∣him in the night.

Ans. Hope maketh not ashamed, Rom. 5. 5. and he that be∣leeveth in Christ shall not be ashamed, Rom. 6. 21. yea the A∣postle exhorteth us thereunto, 2 Tim. 1. 8. Be not, &c.

SECT. 5.

AGain, it will be no greater a shame and disgrace for those* 1.8 great ones you speake of to be rebaptized, then it was to them, who as the Apostle saith, were the true Olive branches, Rom. 11. 17. who were formerly Circumcised, yea it is proba∣ble that some of them so circumcised, were afterward twice bap∣tized, viz. with the baptisme of John in Jordan, and after by the Apostles, as in that number of about three thousand which we read of, Act. 2. 41. We read also that the Disciples at Ephesus, were first baptized unto Johns Baptisme, and after were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, Act. 19. 5. therefore albeit those great ones of the world be now baptized, in relation to the Jewish Circumcision, yet must they likewise be baptized according to the Apostles example, or they cannot be admitted as members of the Church of Christ, according to the Apostles institution, which if they refuse, they ought to be refused here, and will be elsewhere; yea let such great ones, and all the rest of the Nati∣on* 1.9 be well assured, that so farre as they are from complying with this ordinance, that so farre they are from acknowledging Christ to be their Master, and so consequently their Saviour; yea the contaminating of this ordinance (now so fully mani∣fested) wil be as much as in them lyeth, to crucifie Christ againe in the flesh, and to put him to as open shame, as ever did the Jewes, Heb. 6. 6. and this they may be as assured of, as Christ is in hea∣ven, or his truth on earth. Selah.

Obj. You speake very strangly, for the omission of this, or any other ordinance, is no fundamentall point of Salvation, and therefore not of so great a consequence as you conceive, for the Israelites omit∣ted circumcision in the Wildernesse, for the space of forty yeares, at which God seemed not displeased.

SECT. 6.

I doe acknowledge, that in that Churches wildernesse condition, the Lord was pleased to passe by that omission, by reason of their severall motions therein, yet doubtlesse that was one of the tentations, whereby they tempted, grieved, and provoked him for that forty yeares, as we have it, Psal. 95. 9. &c. unto whom h••* 1.10 sware in his wrath, that they should not enter into his rest; which we have also verified, Josh. 5. 4. &c. where he rendreth the neg∣lect of Circumcision, (as may be gathered from that his expressi∣on) as a cause why they were consumed, viz. in ver. 6. so in like manner, whilst we have been in our wildernesse condition, viz. un∣der the slavery of Antichrist, and his adherents, the Lord hath with much patience forborne to be much angry with us, for our neglect of Baptisme, according to his owne institution, and the practise of the Apostles, yet being now, not only freed from that spirituall Egypt of the Romish Hierarchy, but also from the Cal∣d••an, and Babilonish captivity of Prelacy, and Presbitery, as also entred into the Verge or borders of the spirituall Canaan; we are doubtlesse bound in duty, according to that example of Nehemiah, to seperate from the mixed multitude, Neh. 13. 3. viz. from such as despise ordinances, or such as would meerly dwell upon them; withall, the Hereticks, and Sectaries of the time, (which may fitly be compared to the Moabites, Ammonites, &c.) as also, such Priests as have their call from Antichrist, ought to be discharged of their office, by the Magistrate, as then, Neh. 7. 64. albeit they have accompanied us, during our said Captivities, the ancient Statute Law of Christ and his Apostles, being now clearly discove∣red unto us, and therefore we ought to baptize all such as are of the houshold of faith, and desire to renew the Covenant which their predecessors in Christianity practised in the primative times, and that who ere they be, that shall refuse to be so initiated, or incorporated into the Body, or Church of Christ now militant, that soule ought to be cut off from the Church of Christ, as the other was from the congregation of Israel. Againe it is evident, that as the Israelites had offended in the Wildernesse, by their omission of Circumcision, so they were likewise moved, by a secret constraint, to be Baptized of John the Baptist in Iordan, as

in Matth. 3. yea many of the Pharisees, and Saduces, verse 7. 8. &c.

SECT. 7.

Obj. VVHere is any now so called to Baptize as John the Bap∣tist, and the Disciples, or who must first Baptize him, that beginneth to Baptize others?

Ans. Who Baptized Iohn the Baptist, or the Apostles, or Disciples of Christ, seeing that Christ himselfe baptized none, Iohn 4. 2.

Obj. They were immediatly called to that office by Christ him∣selfe, but there is none so called in these dayes?

Ans. 'Tis very true, there is not so, and therefore the now* 1.11 Church of Christ hath it by succession, from them Apostles, and Disciples, that were so immediatly called and gifted.

Obj. How can that be, in regard of the generall Apostacy which hath hapned since by meanes of Antichrist, and his adherents?

Ans. Generall Rules admit of some exceptions; againe, that is but meerly your conceipt, as it was sometimes of the Prophet Elisha, who thought the Apostacy in his time, to have been uni∣versall amongst the ten Tribes, 1 King. 19. 10. yet the Lord let∣eth* 1.12 him know that he judged amisse, for saith he, I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees, which have not bowed unto Baall, and every mouth which hath not kissed him, ver. 18. So in the Apostacy which hath hapned by meanes of Antichrist, and his adherents, though you imagine it to be generall, yet hath it hapned but in part, as that of the Jewes, Rom. 11. 25. for other∣wise Christ should have been deprived of his Church militant, which he hath ever preserved in part since he had a Church; as also in that he hath promised to be with it, unto the end of the world, Mat. 28. 20. therefore albeit the true Church hath been hid for one thousand two hundred and sixty yeares, in its wildernesse con∣dition, yet we must not therefore conclude that she hath been so long dead, or utterly lost, God having ever preserved her under that despised notion of Annabaptists, unto this present time.

SECT. 8.

Obj. CAn you say, that the Church of Christ hath been ever preserved in England, since the Apostacy, under that n••tion?

Ans. It is impossible I should, but yet it doth not follow, that therefore it hath not been preserved in any place, for the true* 1.13 Church was given to understand, that there was many Apostates, or Antichrists even in the Apostles time, 1 Epist. Iohn, 2. 18. which doubtlesse had their increasings, untill that Prophecy was fulfilled, which is described unto us by the Apostle Paul, 2 Thess. Chap. 2. which Man of sinne, when he had obtained his highest altitude, was to be destroyed by the brightnesse of the comming of Christ, as is there also expressed; which the Apostles fore-seeing, did admonish the Churches then extant, to keepe close to the faith, as also to demeane themselves according to their direction, as in the three first verses of that Chapter, with ver. the 15. as also Chap. 3. 1. &c. and therefore 'tis likely that those Churches in England received their rise from them of Geneva, and them from others, and so by gradations even from them Churches planted by the Apostles themselves; for otherwise how could such Chur∣ches remaine extant, but by succession from the Apostles, being so lively a representation of their Churches, as if they had been planted by the Apostles themselves; a Church most likely of any Church in the world, to be the true Church of Iesus Christ.

SECT. 9.

VVItnesse the little noyse it hath made in the world, 1 Kin.* 1.14 19. 12. in comparison of the Church of Rome, or the Prelaticall, or Presbiterian Church; as also how little it hath interposed the civill Magistrate, witnesse the Churches in London under that notion, to their immortall praise be it spoken, who when invited by the Levelling Party to disturbe the present Par∣liament in point of their civill Office, did manifest their utter dislike of such actions, desiring only to live under them, a peace∣able life, in all godlinesse and honesty, as by their Petition to the Parliament, will fully appeare; wherein also, the now Parliament is acknowledged by them to be the supreame power of the Nation;

yea I am much mistaken, if they were not the very first that did subscribe by Petition, to the present government of the Nation; for which, with the reasons afore mentioned, I conclude that that Church which you (by way of reproach) call Anabap∣tisticall, is the true Church of Iesus Christ, which hath been pre∣served from the power of the Dragon of Papacy, and his Angels of Prelacy, and Presbitery, which was ready to devoure it, so soone* 1.15 as it was borne (viz. in the Apostles times) but it was caught up unto God, and to his Throne, and is now to rule all Nations with a rod of Iron, this is the woman which fled into the Wilder∣nesse of the world, viz. amongst so many various opinions as hath been for these thousand two hundred and threescore yeares, du∣ring which time she hath by providence, been kept from their er∣rors, and preserved in her primative purity. This being the time that her Michael, and his Angels, viz. the Pastors of that Church,* 1.16 is to make warre against the Dragon and his Angels, and the old Serpent, called the Devill, and Satan, as viz. the Pope and his Hierarchies of Papacy, Prelacy, and Presbitery, and shall so pre∣vaile, as that there shall not be found any more place for him in his heaven, or ministry, which the Lord in mercy accomplish. Now this Church being so preserved, hath as much power to send out Labourers into Christs Harvest, to teach, and baptize, (for the rebuilding of the Church of Christ,) as any Church either in, or since the Apostles daies.

And thus by divine assistance, I have discovered unto you the three first Ingredients, whereby the Church of Christ may be brought into its former or primative condition, viz. 1. In its Pa∣stors, or Gatherers; 2. In its meet Members, whereby it ought to be compounded, as also the way, or rule, whereby they may be distinguished, from the men of the world, or worldly men, which directions, that they may be put in practise, (by all such who desire to see the flourishing of the Church of Christ in its pristine purity, as also the desolation of the scarlet Whore of spirituall Egypt and Babilon, (with all her accomplices) is the cordiall desire of the servant to all, who are so devoted.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The diffe∣rence betwixt Christs Bap∣tisme and that of Johns.
• * 1.2

  Christ com∣manded not his Apostles to give the H••ly Ghost with bapism, mo••e then wi••h preach¦ing.
• * 1.3

  Such might Baptize that should no••, or at the least did not give the Holy Ghost with it.
• * 1.4

  Christs Bap∣tisme a bap∣tisme by wa∣ter.
• * 1.5

  The present Brethren too rigged in the act of Bap∣tisme.
• * 1.6

  Such as were formerly bap∣••ised wi••h the H••ly Ghost and with ••••••••, af••••••▪ a••d bap∣tized with water bap∣tisme.
• * 1.7

  Our Saviour thought it no disgrace to be baptized of Iohn in Iordan.
• * 1.8

  Probable some were twice baptized af∣ter Circum∣cision.
• * 1.9

  Such as refus•• to be b••ptized according ••o the Apostles institution refuse Christ.
• * 1.10

  The Lord hath with much patience borne wi••h the omission of Baptisme, in our wilder∣nes condition.
• * 1.11

  The Church of Christ hath retained the purity of bap∣tisme by suc∣cession.
• * 1.12

  There hath not been a totall aposta∣cie.
• * 1.13

  The Churches of Christ in England re¦ceived their rise from other Churches.
• * 1.14

  The Anabap∣tisticall church so called pro∣ved to be the true Church.
• * 1.15

  Rev. 12 5, 6.
• * 1.16

  Michael the now Angel of the Church of Christ Rev. 12 7, 8, 9