







 
   
     
       
         A doubt resolved, or, Satisfaction for the seekers wherein the case touching an administrator of gospel ordinances, in these times, is handled : wherein also some other questions are more briefly touched, viz. I. Whether water-baptism was to continue in force after the ministry of John the Baptist ceased, II. VVhether Gospel ordinances are things spirituall, or carnall, III. VVhether a power to preach by immediate revelation of the spirit, be necessary in every Gospel minister?, IIII. What is is to be baptized with the Spirit : well worthy the consideration of many who in these times are unsetled in their judgements touching these points / by William Allen.
         Allen, William, d. 1686.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A23664 of text R15502 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing A1063). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
       Approx. 93 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 20 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A23664
         Wing A1063
         ESTC R15502
         11723318
         ocm 11723318
         48350
         
           
            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. A23664)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 48350)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 482:4)
      
       
         
           
             A doubt resolved, or, Satisfaction for the seekers wherein the case touching an administrator of gospel ordinances, in these times, is handled : wherein also some other questions are more briefly touched, viz. I. Whether water-baptism was to continue in force after the ministry of John the Baptist ceased, II. VVhether Gospel ordinances are things spirituall, or carnall, III. VVhether a power to preach by immediate revelation of the spirit, be necessary in every Gospel minister?, IIII. What is is to be baptized with the Spirit : well worthy the consideration of many who in these times are unsetled in their judgements touching these points / by William Allen.
             Allen, William, d. 1686.
          
           37 [i.e. 39] p.
           
             Printed by J.M. for H. Cripps, and L. Lloyd ...,
             London :
             1655.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Sacraments -- Early works to 1800.
           Baptism -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A23664  R15502  (Wing A1063).  civilwar no A doubt resolved, or Satisfaction for the seekers. Wherein the case touching an administrator of gospel ordinances, in these times, is handl Allen, William 1655    16790 11 0 0 0 0 0 7 B  The  rate of 7 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 
        2006-02 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2006-05 SPi Global
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2007-05 Taryn Hakala
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2007-05 Taryn Hakala
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2008-02 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
       
       
         
           A
           Doubt
           Resolved
           ,
           OR
           Satisfaction
           for
           the
           Seekers
           .
           Wherein
           the
           case
           touching
           an
           Administrator
           of
           Gospel
           Ordinances
           ,
           in
           these
           Times
           ,
           is
           handled
           .
           Wherein
           also
           some
           other
           Questions
           are
           occasionally
           and
           more
           Briefly
           touched
           .
           
             VIZ.
          
           I.
           Whether
           Water-Baptism
           was
           to
           continue
           in
           force
           after
           the
           Ministry
           of
           
             John
          
           the
           
             Baptist
          
           ceased
           .
           II.
           VVhether
           Gospel
           Ordinances
           are
           things
           Spirituall
           ,
           or
           but
           Carnall
           ?
           III.
           VVhether
           a
           power
           to
           Preach
           by
           immediate
           Revelation
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           be
           necessary
           in
           every
           Gospel
           Minister
           ?
           IIII.
           What
           it
           is
           to
           be
           Baptized
           with
           the
           Spirit
           .
           Well
           worthy
           the
           consideration
           of
           many
           who
           in
           these
           times
           are
           unsetled
           in
           their
           Judgements
           touching
           these
           points
           .
        
         
           
             By
             WILLIAM
             ALLEN
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               2
            
             Thess.
             
               2.15
               .
            
          
           
             Therefore
             Bretheren
             ,
             stand
             fast
             ,
             and
             hold
             the
             Ordinances
             which
             ye
             have
             been
             taught
             ,
             whether
             by
             word
             or
             our
             Epistle
             ,
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             J.
             M.
          
           for
           
             H.
             Cripps
             ,
          
           and
           
             L.
             Lloyd
             ,
          
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           their
           shop
           in
           
             Popes-head
             Alley
             .
          
           1655.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           A
           Doubt
           Resolved
           ,
           OR
           
             Satisfaction
             for
             the
             Seekers
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECTION
             .
             I.
             
          
           
             THe
             great
             Enemy
             of
             Truth
             ,
             the
             Devil
             ,
             perceiving
             that
             in
             these
             Times
             of
             Light
             and
             Reformation
             ,
             he
             could
             no
             longer
             detain
             men
             in
             the
             erronious
             and
             superstitious
             use
             of
             Ordinances
             ,
             as
             heretofore
             ;
             now
             labours
             by
             all
             means
             to
             perswade
             them
             ,
             either
             that
             they
             have
             no
             need
             of
             Ordinances
             at
             all
             ,
             or
             else
             that
             there
             is
             now
             none
             to
             be
             found
             who
             are
             in
             a
             capacity
             to
             Administer
             them
             .
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             the
             Devil
             for
             the
             most
             part
             deals
             more
             subtilly
             then
             at
             first
             dash
             to
             perswade
             men
             that
             they
             are
             above
             ,
             or
             have
             no
             need
             of
             Ordinances
             ,
             but
             first
             hee
             labours
             to
             stumble
             them
             about
             an
             Administrator
             ,
             by
             which
             means
             he
             prevails
             with
             them
             ,
             first
             to
             suspend
             the
             use
             of
             Ordinances
             ,
             and
             so
             gains
             a
             great
             advantage
             thereby
             ,
             to
             perswade
             them
             after
             a
             while
             that
             there
             is
             no
             need
             for
             them
             now
             to
             live
             any
             longer
             under
             Ordinances
             .
             A
             devise
             by
             which
             he
             hath
             
             brought
             them
             into
             a
             greater
             errour
             ,
             they
             having
             recovered
             themselves
             out
             of
             that
             which
             was
             less
             :
             for
             by
             perswading
             men
             to
             cast
             off
             Ordinances
             ,
             he
             hath
             quickly
             drawn
             very
             many
             to
             cast
             off
             all
             Religion
             ;
             these
             times
             furnishing
             us
             with
             too
             many
             instances
             ,
             not
             only
             of
             such
             who
             having
             suspended
             the
             use
             of
             Ordinances
             so
             long
             upon
             the
             scruple
             about
             an
             Administrator
             as
             till
             they
             are
             grown
             from
             persons
             of
             an
             excellent
             savour
             in
             things
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             to
             be
             as
             dry
             as
             a
             chip
             ,
             but
             also
             of
             such
             who
             having
             first
             laid
             the
             foundation
             of
             their
             Apostacy
             in
             their
             scrupeling
             an
             Administrator
             ,
             have
             proceeded
             by
             degrees
             so
             far
             as
             to
             lose
             all
             Religion
             ,
             and
             to
             fall
             into
             all
             loosness
             and
             prophanness
             .
             Wherefore
             to
             check
             this
             growing
             evill
             ,
             and
             out
             of
             tender
             compassion
             to
             those
             who
             I
             apparently
             perceive
             to
             be
             in
             this
             snare
             of
             the
             Devill
             ,
             I
             shall
             in
             the
             ensuing
             Discourse
             offer
             that
             which
             I
             hope
             ,
             through
             the
             blessing
             of
             God
             ,
             may
             be
             found
             sufficient
             to
             role
             this
             great
             stumbling
             block
             out
             of
             the
             way
             of
             as
             many
             as
             shall
             impartialy
             weigh
             the
             same
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             II.
             
          
           
             And
             for
             a
             Ground-work
             whereon
             to
             proceed
             ,
             I
             shall
             lay
             down
             that
             Prophesie
             of
             
               Moses
               ,
               Deut.
            
             18.18
             .
             as
             applyed
             by
             
               Peter
            
             unto
             the
             person
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               Acts
            
             3.22
             .
             
               Moses
               truly
               said
               unto
               the
               Fathers
               ,
               a
               Prophet
               shal
               the
               Lord
               your
               God
               raise
               up
               unto
               you
               of
               your
               brethren
               ,
               like
               unto
               me
               ,
               him
               shal
               ye
               hear
               in
               all
               things
               whatsoever
               he
               shal
               say
               unto
               you
               .
            
             Christ
             is
             said
             to
             be
             a
             Prophet
             like
             unto
             
               Moses
               ,
            
             in
             that
             he
             is
             the
             Prophet
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             as
             
               Moses
            
             was
             the
             Prophet
             of
             the
             Old.
             Now
             
               Moses
            
             was
             so
             a
             Prophet
             of
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ,
             as
             that
             by
             him
             the
             children
             of
             
               Israel
            
             received
             from
             God
             ,
             such
             standing
             Laws
             ,
             as
             by
             which
             they
             were
             to
             be
             steered
             both
             in
             matters
             of
             Worship
             ,
             and
             of
             conversation
             otherwise
             ,
             throughout
             their
             Generations
             ,
             until
             the
             coming
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             flesh
             :
             Therefore
             
               the
               Law
               is
               said
               to
               be
               a
               Schoolmaster
               untill
               Christ
               ,
               Gal.
            
             3.24
             .
             
               Luke
            
             16.16
             .
             In
             like
             manner
             ,
             Christ
             as
             the
             Prophet
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             hath
             delivered
             and
             given
             forth
             such
             Doctrines
             ,
             Rules
             ,
             and
             Precepts
             ,
             as
             by
             which
             all
             men
             ,
             especially
             those
             of
             his
             houshold
             ,
             are
             to
             be
             ordered
             in
             point
             of
             Faith
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             Ordinances
             ,
             and
             all
             manner
             of
             conversation
             ,
             from
             the
             time
             of
             his
             leaving
             the
             world
             ,
             unto
             the
             time
             of
             his
             return
             
             or
             visible
             appearance
             in
             the
             clouds
             of
             heaven
             .
             In
             which
             respect
             Christ
             is
             said
             to
             
               be
               Faithful
               in
               his
               house
               ,
               as
               Moses
               was
               in
               his
               ,
               Heb.
            
             3.2
             .
             And
             now
             
               all
               Nations
            
             are
             to
             be
             
               taught
               to
               observe
               all
               things
               whatsoever
               he
               hath
               Commanded
               ,
               unto
               the
               end
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               Mat.
            
             28.20
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             III.
             
          
           
             If
             then
             Christ
             be
             thus
             a
             Prophet
             like
             unto
             
               Moses
               ,
            
             then
             it
             follows
             ,
             That
             as
             those
             who
             lived
             under
             the
             Ministration
             of
             
               Moses
               ,
            
             were
             to
             hear
             him
             in
             all
             things
             he
             delivered
             to
             them
             from
             God
             ,
             so
             those
             that
             now
             live
             under
             the
             Ministration
             of
             Christ
             ,
             are
             to
             hear
             and
             obey
             him
             in
             all
             his
             sayings
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             3.17
             .
             and
             17.5
             .
             
               Act.
            
             3.22
             .
             
               And
               if
               they
               escaped
               not
               who
               refused
               Moses
               that
               spake
               on
               earth
               ,
               how
               shal
               they
               escape
               which
               shall
               refuse
               Christ
               which
               speaketh
               from
               heaven
               ?
               Heb.
            
             12.25
             .
             &
             2.2
             ,
             3.
             
               Act.
            
             3.23
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             IIII.
             
          
           
             Furthermore
             ,
             if
             Christ
             be
             a
             Prophet
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             like
             unto
             
               Moses
            
             the
             Prophet
             of
             the
             Old
             ,
             then
             it
             follows
             ,
             That
             as
             no
             man
             under
             the
             Ministration
             of
             
               Moses
            
             might
             add
             to
             or
             diminish
             from
             the
             Law
             ,
             by
             omiting
             any
             of
             the
             Ordinances
             thereof
             ,
             or
             by
             inventing
             any
             other
             way
             of
             Worship
             then
             was
             by
             that
             appointed
             without
             provoking
             God
             against
             them
             ,
             
               Deut.
            
             12.32
             .
             
               Levit.
            
             10.1
             ,
             2.
             1
             
               Chro.
            
             13.9.10
             .
             with
             15.13
             .
             So
             in
             like
             manner
             ,
             no
             man
             under
             the
             Ministration
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             may
             presume
             to
             add
             to
             ,
             or
             take
             from
             the
             Word
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             in
             omiting
             any
             the
             Ordinances
             thereof
             ,
             or
             teaching
             men
             so
             to
             do
             ,
             or
             by
             inventing
             any
             other
             way
             of
             Worship
             then
             what
             is
             by
             that
             established
             ,
             without
             incuring
             a
             curse
             from
             God
             ,
             
               Gal.
            
             1.8
             ,
             9.
             
             
               Rev.
            
             22.18
             ,
             19.
             
             A
             Word
             which
             may
             well
             make
             both
             the
             ears
             of
             them
             to
             tingle
             ,
             who
             either
             cry
             down
             all
             Ordinances
             as
             fleshly
             ,
             as
             some
             ;
             or
             Water-Baptism
             as
             a
             thing
             out
             of
             use
             ,
             as
             others
             ;
             or
             else
             change
             the
             Ordinances
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             as
             they
             do
             ,
             who
             only
             sprinkle
             in
             stead
             of
             burying
             in
             Baptism
             ,
             or
             else
             Baptize
             persons
             presently
             after
             their
             naturall
             birth
             ,
             in
             stead
             of
             Baptizing
             them
             presently
             upon
             their
             new
             and
             Spirituall
             birth
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             way
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             :
             I
             pray
             God
             open
             their
             eyes
             to
             see
             ,
             and
             awaken
             their
             consciences
             to
             consider
             their
             errour
             ,
             least
             he
             rise
             up
             to
             smite
             them
             with
             a
             curse
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             SECT.
             V.
             
          
           
             Neither
             is
             that
             like
             to
             prove
             a
             shield
             and
             Buckler
             to
             defend
             them
             here
             from
             ,
             which
             yet
             some
             take
             hold
             on
             for
             that
             purpose
             ,
             
               viz.
            
             That
             water
             Baptism
             (
             to
             touch
             that
             a
             little
             )
             was
             Legall
             ,
             and
             continued
             in
             force
             but
             only
             under
             the
             Ministery
             of
             
               John
            
             the
             Baptist
             ,
             and
             if
             used
             afterwards
             ,
             it
             was
             but
             arbitrarily
             as
             circumcision
             was
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             Ministry
             of
             
               John
            
             and
             so
             his
             Baptism
             ,
             was
             not
             Legal
             but
             Evangelicall
             ,
             in
             which
             respect
             it
             is
             called
             
               The
               begining
               of
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Iesus
               Christ
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
            
             Mark
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
             And
             the
             date
             of
             the
             ministration
             of
             the
             law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             was
             until
             
               Iohns
            
             ministry
             began
             ,
             not
             ended
             ;
             for
             when
             Christ
             said
             ,
             
               the
               law
               and
               the
               Prophets
               were
               until
               Iohn
               ,
               and
               that
               since
               that
               time
            
             (
             speaking
             of
             a
             time
             already
             past
             )
             
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               is
               preached
               ,
               and
               every
               man
               presseth
               into
               it
               ,
            
             (
             as
             they
             did
             to
             the
             baptisme
             of
             
               Iohn
            
             )
             
               Luk.
            
             16.16
             .
             I
             say
             when
             Christ
             spake
             these
             words
             ,
             referring
             unto
             a
             time
             past
             ,
             
               Iohns
            
             ministry
             was
             not
             as
             yet
             finished
             ,
             he
             being
             then
             alive
             ,
             as
             you
             may
             perceive
             plainly
             if
             you
             read
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             11.
             from
             Vers
             .
             2.
             to
             Vers
             .
             13.
             and
             therefore
             those
             words
             
               VNTIL
               Iohn
               ,
            
             cannot
             refer
             unto
             the
             ending
             ,
             but
             unto
             the
             beginning
             of
             
               Iohns
            
             Ministry
             :
             Which
             is
             also
             yet
             more
             manifest
             ,
             in
             that
             Christ
             said
             ,
             even
             while
             
               Iohn
            
             and
             his
             Ministry
             were
             yet
             in
             being
             ,
             Mat.
             11.12
             .
             
               From
               the
               days
               of
               Iohn
               the
               Baptist
               VNTIL
               NOW
               ,
               The
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               suffereth
               violence
               ,
               and
               the
               violent
               take
               it
               by
               force
            
             :
             which
             words
             from
             the
             days
             of
             
               Iohn
            
             the
             Baptist
             until
             now
             ,
             could
             not
             be
             spoken
             of
             the
             ending
             of
             
               Iohns
            
             Ministry
             ,
             because
             when
             this
             was
             said
             his
             Ministry
             was
             yet
             on
             foot
             as
             appears
             V.
             2.
             
             So
             that
             cleerly
             ,
             
               Iohns
            
             preaching
             the
             Baptism
             of
             repentance
             for
             the
             remission
             of
             sins
             ,
             was
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             the
             Gospel
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             as
             that
             which
             is
             distinguished
             from
             the
             Ministration
             of
             the
             Law
             and
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             therefore
             not
             legal
             but
             Evangelical
             .
          
           
             Besides
             ,
             (
             to
             shew
             yet
             further
             that
             water
             Baptism
             was
             not
             limited
             unto
             
               Iohns
            
             Ministry
             )
             
               Iohns
            
             Ministry
             was
             confined
             within
             the
             Territories
             of
             
               Canaan
            
             (
             or
             rather
             
               Judea
            
             )
             as
             was
             also
             that
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             till
             after
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             10.5
             .
             whereas
             ,
             after
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             immediately
             before
             his
             Ascention
             ,
             Christ
             gave
             
             commission
             to
             his
             Apostles
             to
             teach
             and
             baptize
             all
             Nations
             ,
             in
             the
             doing
             of
             which
             as
             of
             other
             his
             commands
             ;
             he
             promiseth
             his
             presence
             with
             them
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             28.19.20
             .
             which
             clearly
             shews
             that
             Baptism
             was
             not
             confined
             to
             
               Iohns
            
             Ministry
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             VI
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             they
             say
             ,
             that
             's
             not
             water
             Baptism
             ,
             but
             the
             Baptism
             of
             the
             spirit
             ,
             of
             which
             Christ
             speaks
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             28.19.20
             .
             (
             which
             yet
             is
             too
             unreasonable
             to
             affirm
             )
             yet
             the
             practice
             of
             the
             Apostles
             acting
             upon
             this
             commission
             ,
             will
             evince
             that
             they
             understood
             it
             otherwise
             .
             For
             surely
             when
             
               Peter
            
             exhorted
             the
             
               Iews
            
             to
             
               repent
               and
               be
               baptized
               ,
               for
               the
               remission
               of
               sins
               ,
               Act.
            
             2.38
             .
             he
             did
             not
             perswade
             them
             to
             be
             baptized
             with
             the
             spirit
             for
             the
             remission
             of
             sins
             ,
             because
             the
             Baptism
             of
             which
             he
             there
             speaks
             ,
             he
             perswades
             them
             to
             use
             in
             order
             to
             their
             receiving
             the
             spirit
             ,
             as
             it
             there
             follows
             :
             
               Repent
               and
               be
               baptized
               ,
            
             &c.
             
               and
               ye
               shall
               receive
               the
               gift
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               .
            
             And
             those
             that
             will
             construe
             the
             baptism
             here
             spoken
             of
             ,
             of
             the
             Baptism
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             take
             course
             to
             render
             the
             Apostle
             to
             speak
             as
             little
             sence
             ,
             as
             they
             do
             truth
             ,
             as
             will
             appear
             if
             you
             read
             the
             words
             according
             to
             their
             interpretation
             ,
             thus
             ,
             
               Repent
               and
               be
               baptized
               with
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               and
               ye
               shal
               receive
               the
               Gift
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               .
            
          
           
             And
             whereas
             the
             
               Eunuch
            
             desired
             
               Philip
            
             to
             baptize
             him
             in
             water
             ,
             
               Act.
            
             8.36
             .
             will
             not
             every
             man
             conclude
             that
             
               Philip
               ,
            
             in
             preaching
             the
             Gospel
             to
             him
             ,
             had
             convinced
             him
             of
             it
             as
             a
             Christian
             duty
             ?
             how
             ,
             or
             why
             else
             should
             he
             desire
             Baptism
             up
             on
             
               Philips
            
             preaching
             ?
             Besides
             ,
             when
             
               Philips
            
             answer
             to
             his
             desire
             of
             being
             Baptized
             runs
             thus
             ;
             
               If
               thou
               beleevest
               withall
               thine
               heart
               ,
               thou
               mayest
               ,
            
             does
             it
             not
             cleerly
             imply
             ,
             that
             water
             baptism
             is
             a
             priviledge
             peculiar
             to
             Beleevers
             ?
             for
             if
             it
             had
             been
             then
             to
             be
             used
             only
             as
             a
             thing
             indifferent
             ,
             as
             they
             suppose
             circumcission
             was
             ,
             it
             might
             have
             been
             lawful
             for
             him
             to
             have
             been
             baptized
             ,
             whether
             he
             had
             beleeved
             or
             no
             ,
             unless
             we
             will
             suppose
             that
             his
             not
             beleeving
             would
             have
             made
             an
             indifferent
             and
             lawful
             thing
             to
             become
             unlawful
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             Nor
             can
             it
             reasonably
             be
             thought
             that
             the
             men
             and
             women
             of
             
               Samaria
               ,
            
             deluded
             till
             then
             by
             
               Symon
            
             the
             Sorcerer
             ,
             would
             
             have
             been
             baptized
             by
             
               Philip
            
             ;
             but
             that
             they
             were
             by
             his
             preaching
             convinced
             that
             it
             was
             their
             duty
             so
             to
             be
             ,
             
               Act.
            
             8.11.12
             .
             Nor
             will
             any
             I
             hope
             be
             so
             unreasonable
             ,
             as
             to
             say
             this
             was
             the
             Baptism
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             since
             in
             the
             15.16
             .
             verse
             ,
             this
             Baptism
             is
             cleerly
             distinguished
             from
             that
             of
             the
             Spirit
             :
             
               For
               the
               Spirit
            
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               was
               fallen
               upon
               none
               of
               them
               ,
               only
               they
               were
               baptized
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Lord
               Iesus
               .
            
             So
             that
             this
             Baptism
             went
             before
             their
             receiving
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             therefore
             could
             not
             be
             their
             being
             baptized
             with
             the
             Spirit
             .
             And
             when
             
               Peter
            
             said
             concerning
             
               Cornelius
            
             and
             his
             company
             ,
             
               Can
               any
               man
               forbid
               water
               ,
               that
               these
               should
               not
               be
               baptized
               who
               have
               received
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               as
               well
               as
               we
               ,
               Acts
            
             10.47
             .
             and
             withall
             ,
             
               commanded
               them
               to
               be
               baptized
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Lord
               Iesus
               ,
               Verse
            
             48.
             
             Will
             any
             imagine
             that
             
               Peters
            
             commanding
             them
             to
             be
             baptized
             ,
             was
             beside
             the
             business
             for
             which
             he
             was
             sent
             thither
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             direct
             pursuance
             of
             his
             commission
             ?
             or
             that
             mens
             having
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             though
             in
             an
             excellent
             degree
             ,
             as
             they
             had
             ,
             is
             any
             excuse
             from
             water
             Baptism
             ?
             or
             that
             it
             was
             a
             thing
             indifferent
             to
             be
             baptized
             or
             not
             baptized
             ?
             especially
             considering
             that
             the
             Angel
             had
             told
             
               Cornelius
               ,
            
             that
             
               Peter
            
             should
             
               tell
               him
               what
               he
               OVGHT
               to
               do
               ,
               Act.
            
             10.6
             .
             and
             
               declare
               to
               him
               words
               ,
               by
               which
               he
               and
               all
               his
               should
               be
               saved
               ,
               Acts
            
             11.14
             .
             And
             
               Cornelius
            
             his
             expectation
             accordingly
             ,
             was
             not
             to
             hear
             from
             him
             things
             which
             might
             be
             done
             ,
             or
             let
             alone
             ;
             but
             such
             things
             as
             were
             commanded
             him
             of
             God
             ,
             
               Act.
            
             10.33
             .
             And
             doubtless
             when
             
               Peter
            
             commanded
             
               Cornelius
            
             to
             be
             baptized
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             
               Cornelius
            
             had
             reason
             to
             conclude
             ,
             that
             this
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             any
             thing
             else
             ,
             was
             that
             which
             he
             ought
             to
             do
             ,
             and
             that
             those
             Words
             as
             well
             as
             others
             ,
             were
             Words
             by
             which
             he
             should
             be
             saved
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Item
             before
             given
             him
             by
             the
             Angel
             .
             Or
             can
             it
             enter
             into
             the
             heart
             of
             any
             Christian
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             the
             holy
             Apostle
             would
             be
             so
             prophane
             as
             to
             command
             and
             cause
             a
             thing
             to
             be
             acted
             and
             done
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             which
             the
             Lord
             had
             not
             commanded
             ?
             All
             which
             considered
             ,
             what
             is
             more
             plain
             ,
             then
             that
             water
             Baptism
             was
             no
             indifferent
             thing
             ;
             but
             the
             express
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             even
             after
             such
             time
             as
             the
             ministry
             of
             
               Iohn
            
             Baptist
             was
             at
             an
             end
             ?
          
        
         
         
           
             SECT.
             VII
             .
          
           
             And
             whereas
             when
             we
             alledge
             the
             use
             and
             practise
             of
             water-Baptism
             after
             the
             ministry
             of
             
               Iohn
            
             ceased
             ,
             they
             to
             counter
             ballance
             this
             ,
             aleadge
             the
             use
             of
             circumcision
             at
             the
             same
             time
             ,
             though
             circumcision
             was
             at
             that
             time
             
               de
               jure
            
             abolished
             ,
             as
             they
             say
             :
             To
             this
             I
             answer
             likewise
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             If
             Circumcision
             was
             used
             as
             an
             indifferent
             thing
             ;
             yet
             it
             was
             not
             commanded
             and
             enjoyned
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             to
             be
             used
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             as
             Baptism
             was
             ,
             
               Act.
            
             10.48
             .
             nor
             for
             remission
             of
             sins
             ,
             and
             in
             order
             to
             mens
             receiving
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             as
             Baptism
             was
             ,
             
               Acts.
            
             2.38
             .
             nor
             as
             a
             priviledge
             belonging
             onely
             to
             beleevers
             ,
             as
             Baptism
             was
             ,
             
               Acts
            
             8.36
             .
             therefore
             water-baptism
             was
             not
             practised
             upon
             the
             same
             terms
             as
             circumcision
             was
             in
             the
             Apostles
             times
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             If
             Circumcision
             was
             allowed
             as
             lawful
             ,
             and
             so
             practised
             by
             any
             ,
             with
             consent
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             yet
             this
             was
             onely
             among
             the
             
               Iews
               .
            
             And
             therefore
             though
             
               Timothy
            
             was
             circumcised
             ,
             yet
             it
             was
             in
             that
             his
             mother
             was
             a
             
               Iewesse
               ,
               Acts
            
             16.1.4
             .
             Whereas
             when
             the
             same
             thing
             was
             desired
             in
             the
             behalf
             of
             
               Titus
               ,
            
             the
             Apostle
             would
             by
             no
             means
             consent
             unto
             it
             ,
             for
             as
             much
             as
             he
             was
             a
             
               Greek
            
             ;
             the
             Apostle
             aleadging
             that
             as
             a
             reason
             of
             his
             refusal
             ,
             
               Gal.
            
             2.3
             .
             And
             further
             ,
             tels
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             that
             
               if
               they
               were
               circumcised
               ,
               Christ
               should
               profit
               them
               nothing
               ,
               Gal.
            
             5.2
             .
             And
             the
             decree
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             was
             express
             herein
             ,
             (
             when
             some
             would
             have
             had
             the
             beleeving
             
               Gentiles
            
             circumcised
             )
             that
             
               those
               among
               the
               Gentiles
               that
               were
               turned
               to
               God
               ,
               should
               not
               be
               troubled
            
             with
             any
             the
             Jewes
             customes
             ,
             but
             onely
             that
             they
             should
             abstain
             from
             things
             strangled
             and
             from
             blood
             
               &c.
               Acts
            
             15.19.20
             with
             v.
             28.29
             But
             now
             water
             baptism
             was
             used
             among
             the
             beleeving
             Gentiles
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             beleeving
             Jews
             ,
             all
             along
             ,
             as
             well
             after
             this
             decree
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             as
             before
             ,
             
               Act.
            
             16.15.33
             .
             and
             18.8
             .
             which
             clearly
             evinceth
             the
             baptism
             we
             speak
             of
             ,
             to
             be
             no
             Jewish
             rite
             as
             is
             pretended
             ,
             nor
             yet
             to
             be
             practised
             upon
             like
             terms
             as
             circumcision
             was
             in
             the
             Apostles
             days
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             To
             those
             that
             lay
             aside
             not
             onely
             baptism
             ,
             but
             other
             ordnances
             also
             as
             things
             fleshly
             ,
             I
             shall
             in
             short
             say
             but
             this
             to
             convince
             them
             ,
             that
             those
             notions
             which
             lead
             them
             to
             this
             ,
             
             proceed
             not
             from
             the
             holy
             spirit
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             foul
             spirit
             the
             Devil
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Lord
             Jesus
             himself
             ,
             whose
             measure
             of
             the
             spirit
             was
             greater
             then
             any
             mans
             ,
             and
             the
             Apostles
             and
             other
             Saints
             in
             their
             times
             ,
             whose
             measure
             of
             the
             spirit
             were
             greater
             then
             any
             in
             these
             times
             can
             reasonably
             pretend
             to
             ,
             in
             that
             they
             did
             such
             works
             then
             ,
             as
             none
             now
             can
             do
             ,
             yet
             they
             were
             guided
             by
             the
             holy
             spirit
             to
             use
             ,
             and
             to
             enjoyn
             others
             to
             use
             water
             baptism
             ,
             the
             word
             ,
             breaking
             of
             bread
             and
             prayer
             as
             the
             History
             of
             the
             new
             Testament
             doth
             abundantly
             witness
             .
             And
             therefore
             for
             those
             that
             have
             not
             so
             much
             of
             the
             spirit
             ,
             yet
             to
             conceit
             themselves
             to
             be
             elivated
             higher
             in
             the
             spirit
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             carryed
             above
             those
             forms
             which
             those
             that
             had
             more
             of
             the
             spirit
             were
             directed
             to
             use
             ,
             is
             such
             an
             immagination
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             sensibly
             felt
             to
             be
             a
             delusion
             of
             the
             Devil
             ,
             and
             not
             any
             inspiration
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             .
             Those
             in
             the
             Apostles
             days
             who
             separated
             themselves
             from
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             communion
             with
             them
             in
             ordinances
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             though
             probably
             upon
             the
             same
             pretences
             with
             men
             of
             like
             separation
             in
             our
             times
             ,
             are
             charractorized
             by
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             to
             be
             
               sensual
               ,
               not
               having
               the
               spirit
               ,
               Jud.
            
             19.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Therefore
             secondly
             ,
             what
             ever
             is
             meant
             by
             mens
             
               knowing
               of
               Christ
               not
               after
               the
               flesh
               ,
            
             2
             
               Cor.
            
             5.16
             .
             or
             by
             other
             Scriptures
             of
             like
             import
             :
             most
             certain
             it
             is
             that
             this
             is
             not
             the
             meaning
             of
             them
             ,
             that
             men
             should
             not
             know
             Christ
             in
             Ordinances
             ,
             because
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             knew
             Christ
             in
             these
             ,
             and
             had
             communion
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             with
             his
             Saints
             in
             these
             ,
             yea
             and
             it
             was
             their
             business
             to
             perswade
             others
             hereunto
             :
             and
             I
             hope
             no
             man
             will
             think
             that
             the
             spirit
             inspired
             them
             to
             speak
             contradictions
             :
             
               For
               as
               God
               is
               true
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             )
             
               our
               word
               toward
               you
               was
               not
               yea
               and
               nay
               ,
            
             2.
             Cor.
             1.18
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             When
             the
             Appostle
             opposeth
             the
             spirit
             unto
             the
             letter
             ,
             in
             2.
             
               Cor.
            
             3.6
             .
             he
             doth
             no●
             mean
             by
             letter
             ,
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             but
             the
             Ministration
             of
             
               Moses
            
             ;
             for
             that
             which
             he
             calls
             the
             letter
             in
             this
             6
             Verse
             ,
             he
             also
             calls
             
               the
               ministration
               of
               death
               ,
               written
               and
               engraven
               in
               stones
            
             ▪
             Verse
             7.
             which
             can
             rightly
             be
             understood
             of
             nothing
             else
             but
             the
             ministration
             of
             
               Moses
               .
            
             And
             therefore
             they
             bewray
             much
             ignorance
             ,
             who
             from
             this
             Scripture
             
             cry
             down
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             ,
             as
             being
             but
             the
             letter
             ,
             when
             as
             indeed
             the
             Apostle
             doth
             oppose
             the
             whole
             Gospel
             ministration
             (
             which
             as
             to
             the
             external
             part
             ,
             is
             made
             up
             of
             Ordinances
             )
             as
             being
             spiritual
             ,
             unto
             that
             of
             the
             law
             which
             was
             but
             litteral
             .
             And
             the
             reason
             why
             the
             Ordinances
             of
             the
             Gospel
             are
             said
             to
             be
             spiritual
             ,
             and
             those
             of
             the
             law
             but
             litteral
             ,
             You
             may
             understand
             by
             the
             sequel
             of
             the
             Apostles
             discourse
             ,
             in
             this
             Chapter
             ,
             which
             is
             this
             ,
             
               viz.
            
             because
             the
             end
             and
             spiritual
             meaning
             of
             the
             Ordinances
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             was
             little
             understood
             or
             discerned
             ;
             but
             was
             vailed
             and
             hid
             under
             those
             shaddows
             ,
             so
             that
             as
             he
             says
             ,
             Verse
             13.
             
             
               The
               children
               of
               Israel
               could
               not
               stedfastly
               look
               to
               the
               end
               of
               those
               things
               ,
               which
               now
               are
               abolished
               :
            
             Whereas
             the
             end
             ,
             scope
             ,
             spirit
             ,
             and
             meaning
             of
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             ,
             is
             plainly
             revealed
             ,
             and
             may
             cleerly
             be
             discerned
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             Apostle
             by
             way
             of
             magnifying
             the
             ministration
             of
             the
             Gospel
             above
             that
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             saith
             ,
             Verse
             12.13
             .
             
               We
               use
               great
               plainness
               of
               speech
               ,
               and
               not
               as
               Moses
               ,
               who
               put
               a
               vail
               over
               his
               face
               ,
            
             &c.
             and
             again
             ,
             vers.
             18.
             
             
               We
               all
               with
               open
               face
               ,
               behold
               as
               in
               a
               glasse
               ,
               the
               glory
               of
               the
               Lord
               .
            
             And
             therefore
             it
             is
             doubtless
             in
             respect
             of
             this
             difference
             ,
             that
             the
             Gospel
             ministration
             (
             the
             outward
             part
             whereof
             consists
             in
             Ordinances
             )
             is
             in
             other
             Scriptures
             ,
             as
             spiritual
             ,
             opposed
             to
             the
             ordinances
             of
             the
             Law
             as
             things
             fleshly
             .
             Gal.
             3.3
             
               Are
               ye
               so
               foolish
               ,
               having
               began
               in
               the
               spirit
               ,
               are
               ye
               now
               made
               perfect
               by
               the
               flesh
               ?
            
             Their
             folly
             was
             this
             ,
             for
             which
             he
             chids
             them
             ;
             In
             that
             they
             having
             first
             embraced
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             Ordinance
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             by
             which
             
               Christ
               had
               before
               their
               eyes
               been
               evidently
               set
               forth
               ,
               as
               crucified
               among
               them
               ,
               Verse
            
             1.
             and
             by
             which
             they
             had
             
               received
               the
               spirit
               ,
               vers.
            
             2.
             yet
             were
             so
             weak
             as
             to
             think
             to
             better
             their
             condition
             at
             last
             ,
             by
             taking
             up
             the
             Ordinance
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             which
             in
             comparison
             of
             those
             of
             the
             Gospel
             which
             they
             had
             already
             received
             ,
             were
             but
             
               weak
               and
               beggerly
               elements
               ,
               Chap.
            
             4.9
             .
             Most
             evident
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             those
             
               Galatians
            
             began
             their
             Christianity
             in
             the
             beleeving
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             putting
             on
             Christ
             in
             baptism
             Chap.
             3.26.27
             .
             which
             here
             in
             Chap.
             3.
             vers.
             3.
             the
             Apostle
             calls
             their
             
               having
               began
               in
               the
               spirit
               .
            
             If
             so
             ,
             then
             certainly
             they
             are
             not
             of
             the
             Apostles
             mind
             ,
             who
             deem
             ▪
             water
             Baptism
             to
             be
             but
             fleshly
             .
          
           
             If
             then
             the
             Ordinances
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             as
             a
             great
             part
             of
             
             the
             Gospel
             Ministration
             ,
             be
             spiritual
             ,
             and
             in
             Scripture
             opposed
             to
             carnal
             ordinances
             ,
             as
             we
             see
             they
             are
             ,
             then
             most
             manifest
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             those
             poor
             souls
             ,
             whom
             the
             Devil
             hath
             so
             far
             beguild
             ,
             as
             to
             conceit
             themselves
             so
             spiritual
             and
             subline
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             above
             ordinances
             ,
             are
             indeed
             ,
             and
             in
             truth
             ,
             so
             poor
             ,
             low
             ,
             as
             and
             carnal
             ,
             to
             be
             grosly
             ignorant
             of
             the
             mind
             of
             God
             ,
             thus
             plainly
             laid
             down
             in
             Scripture
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             IX
             .
          
           
             My
             next
             Coralary
             from
             my
             first
             position
             shall
             be
             this
             .
             If
             Christ
             be
             a
             Prophet
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             as
             
               Moses
            
             was
             of
             the
             old
             ,
             then
             it
             follows
             ,
             that
             as
             the
             Law
             first
             given
             by
             
               Moses
               ,
            
             was
             a
             standing
             rule
             ,
             according
             to
             which
             the
             
               Jews
            
             upon
             all
             back-slidings
             ,
             were
             to
             reform
             themselves
             ,
             in
             worship
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             things
             ;
             until
             the
             coming
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             flesh
             ;
             so
             likewise
             the
             Gospel
             in
             all
             the
             Doctrines
             ,
             Precepts
             and
             Ordinances
             thereof
             ,
             first
             delivered
             to
             the
             Saints
             ,
             either
             immediately
             by
             Christ
             ,
             or
             immediately
             by
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             is
             to
             remain
             stedfastly
             as
             a
             standard
             ,
             according
             to
             which
             all
             men
             are
             to
             reform
             ,
             in
             point
             of
             faith
             ,
             worship
             ,
             discipline
             ,
             and
             conversation
             ,
             otherwise
             ,
             until
             Christ
             shall
             come
             again
             at
             the
             end
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             X.
             
          
           
             That
             the
             Prophets
             themselves
             ,
             though
             men
             of
             extraordinary
             inspiration
             ,
             when
             they
             found
             the
             
               Iews
            
             to
             have
             corrupted
             themselves
             and
             the
             worship
             of
             God
             ,
             did
             still
             call
             upon
             them
             to
             reform
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             written
             Law
             of
             
               Moses
               ,
            
             and
             that
             good
             men
             did
             reform
             accordingly
             ,
             will
             appear
             by
             these
             and
             the
             like
             Scriptures
             ,
             
               Ier.
            
             6.16
             .
             
               Isa.
            
             8.20
             .
             2
             
               Kings
            
             17.13
             .
             and
             18.6
             .
             and
             23.25
             .
             
               Neh.
            
             10.29
             .
             And
             indeed
             whether
             they
             had
             Prophets
             among
             them
             ,
             or
             whether
             none
             ,
             yet
             still
             the
             written
             Law
             was
             their
             rule
             ,
             
               Mal.
            
             4.4
             .
             
               Psal.
            
             78.5.6.7
             .
          
           
             In
             like
             manner
             (
             the
             Prophetical
             office
             of
             Christ
             ,
             answering
             the
             Prophetical
             office
             of
             
               Moses
            
             )
             the
             Doctrines
             ,
             Ordinances
             and
             commands
             which
             Christ
             first
             gave
             forth
             ,
             do
             remain
             stedfast
             ,
             as
             that
             standing
             rule
             according
             to
             which
             all
             reformations
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             managed
             .
             This
             appears
             further
             by
             
               Heb.
            
             2.1.2.3
             .
             
               Therefore
               we
               ought
               to
               give
               the
               more
               earnest
               heed
               to
               the
               things
               which
               we
               have
               heard
               lest
               at
               any
               time
               we
               let
               them
               slip
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             The
             things
             which
             they
             
             had
             heard
             ,
             and
             which
             they
             had
             first
             been
             taught
             ,
             he
             lays
             down
             Chap.
             6.1.2
             .
             viz.
             
               Repentance
               from
               dead
               works
               ,
               faith
               towards
               God
               ,
               doctrine
               of
               Baptism
               ,
               and
               laying
               on
               of
               hands
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             These
             and
             the
             like
             things
             which
             they
             
               had
               heard
               ,
            
             are
             so
             to
             be
             heeded
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             not
             at
             
               ANYTIME
            
             be
             let
             slip
             .
             Again
             ,
             2
             
               Thes.
            
             2.15
             .
             
               Therefore
               Brethren
               ,
               stand
               fast
               ,
               and
               hold
               the
               Ordinances
               which
               ye
               have
               been
               taught
               ,
               whether
               by
               word
               or
               our
               Epistle
               .
            
             Where
             note
             likewise
             ,
             that
             the
             Ordinances
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             whether
             taught
             by
             word
             or
             by
             writing
             ,
             as
             we
             have
             them
             ,
             are
             to
             be
             held
             fast
             .
             And
             if
             it
             be
             demanded
             how
             long
             ?
             Christ
             himself
             resolves
             the
             case
             ,
             
               Rev.
            
             2.25
             
               That
               which
               ye
               have
               already
               ,
               hold
               fast
               till
               I
               come
               ,
            
             Which
             cannot
             be
             meant
             of
             his
             spiritual
             coming
             into
             the
             hearts
             of
             men
             (
             to
             which
             sence
             some
             would
             pervert
             the
             words
             )
             because
             thus
             he
             was
             come
             to
             his
             Church
             of
             
               Thyatira
               ,
            
             and
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             seaven
             Churches
             of
             
               Asia
               ,
            
             before
             he
             gave
             them
             this
             charge
             ,
             for
             he
             walked
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             seaven
             golden
             Candlesticks
             ;
             to
             wit
             ,
             those
             seaven
             Churches
             ,
             
               Rev.
            
             1.13.20
             .
             which
             notes
             his
             coming
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             abiding
             amongst
             them
             .
             Besides
             ,
             can
             any
             be
             so
             weak
             as
             to
             think
             when
             
               Paul
               ,
            
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             11.26
             .
             directs
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Corinth
               ,
            
             to
             shew
             forth
             the
             Lords
             death
             till
             he
             come
             ,
             by
             the
             breaking
             of
             bread
             ,
             that
             he
             means
             it
             of
             Christs
             spiritual
             coming
             by
             his
             Spirit
             into
             their
             hearts
             ?
             since
             it
             is
             evident
             enough
             ,
             that
             thus
             he
             was
             come
             to
             them
             already
             ,
             in
             as
             much
             as
             the
             Apostle
             stiles
             them
             
               Sanctified
               ones
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               ,
               and
               called
               to
               be
               Saints
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               were
               by
               him
               inriched
               in
               every
               thing
               ,
               waiting
               for
               the
               coming
               of
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               Chap
               ,
            
             1.2.5.7
             ,
             Again
             ,
             the
             same
             command
             or
             law
             ,
             according
             to
             which
             
               Tymothy
            
             was
             to
             manage
             the
             affairs
             of
             the
             Church
             then
             in
             his
             days
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             
               kept
               without
               spot
               ,
               unrebukeable
               ,
               until
               the
               appearing
               of
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
            
             1
             
               Tim.
            
             6.14
             .
             And
             when
             there
             is
             any
             degenerating
             ,
             backsliding
             or
             falling
             off
             from
             the
             first
             pure
             ways
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             there
             men
             in
             repenting
             and
             reforming
             ,
             are
             to
             
               do
               the
            
             FIRST
             
               works
               ,
            
             Rev.
             2.5
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             XI
             .
          
           
             Many
             there
             are
             indeed
             ,
             upon
             whom
             the
             spirit
             of
             Ranteterism
             hath
             not
             yet
             so
             far
             prevailed
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             acknowledge
             water
             baptism
             in
             its
             proper
             subject
             ,
             true
             beleevers
             ,
             
             and
             all
             other
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             to
             be
             still
             in
             force
             ,
             and
             agreeable
             enough
             to
             that
             spiritual
             worship
             required
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             were
             it
             so
             that
             they
             had
             but
             oppertunity
             of
             enjoying
             them
             in
             a
             due
             way
             of
             administration
             :
             But
             that
             now
             they
             make
             a
             considerable
             obsticle
             in
             their
             way
             of
             coming
             into
             Church-communion
             ,
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             ,
             
               viz.
            
             the
             want
             of
             a
             right
             administrator
             :
             For
             they
             suppose
             that
             since
             that
             general
             apostacy
             ,
             from
             the
             purity
             of
             faith
             and
             Gospel
             order
             ,
             which
             befel
             the
             Churches
             ,
             upon
             the
             entring
             of
             the
             Papacie
             into
             the
             world
             ,
             there
             hath
             none
             appeared
             sufficiently
             Authorized
             by
             God
             ,
             to
             rally
             again
             what
             had
             been
             routed
             by
             hand
             of
             the
             enemy
             ,
             or
             to
             gather
             Churches
             ,
             or
             administer
             Ordinances
             ;
             all
             due
             Admistrators
             in
             this
             kind
             ,
             being
             perished
             from
             the
             earth
             :
             and
             that
             therefore
             we
             must
             be
             content
             to
             wait
             till
             God
             shall
             raise
             up
             some
             such
             ,
             whose
             authority
             in
             this
             behalf
             he
             shall
             attest
             with
             visible
             signes
             of
             his
             presence
             ,
             by
             gifts
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ;
             and
             divers
             miracles
             ,
             as
             at
             the
             first
             erection
             of
             Gospel
             Churches
             and
             Ordinances
             .
             To
             the
             solving
             of
             which
             doubt
             ,
             I
             shall
             now
             apply
             my self
             ,
             as
             unto
             that
             which
             I
             principally
             intended
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             XII
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Therefore
             ,
             suppose
             it
             were
             granted
             ,
             that
             all
             right
             administration
             of
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             ,
             did
             totally
             cease
             during
             the
             time
             that
             Papal
             darknesse
             over
             spread
             the
             world
             ;
             yet
             this
             upon
             such
             a
             supposition
             ,
             would
             put
             men
             but
             in
             like
             condition
             with
             the
             people
             of
             God
             the
             
               Jews
               ,
            
             during
             the
             time
             of
             their
             captivity
             in
             
               Babylon
               ,
            
             in
             which
             the
             Temple
             lay
             waste
             ,
             the
             dayly
             sacrifice
             ceased
             ,
             and
             all
             use
             of
             publike
             worship
             was
             cut
             off
             ,
             and
             yet
             when
             God
             gave
             them
             the
             oppertunity
             by
             bringing
             them
             out
             of
             
               Babylon
               ,
            
             they
             presently
             fell
             to
             restore
             the
             use
             of
             decayed
             Ordinances
             ,
             though
             Prophets
             extraordinarily
             inspired
             by
             God
             to
             direct
             them
             ,
             were
             altogether
             wanting
             .
             And
             though
             the
             Temple
             at
             the
             first
             ,
             might
             not
             be
             built
             but
             according
             to
             Gods
             own
             direction
             ,
             1
             
               Chron.
            
             28.12.19
             .
             yet
             the
             
               Jews
               ,
            
             though
             now
             they
             had
             no
             such
             extraordinary
             directions
             (
             
               Ezra
            
             2.63
             .
             )
             nor
             in
             conclusion
             did
             attain
             the
             perfection
             of
             the
             Temple
             as
             at
             first
             ,
             (
             
               Ezra
            
             3.12
             .
             
               Hag.
            
             2.3
             .
             )
             yet
             they
             by
             the
             light
             of
             that
             written
             Law
             ,
             set
             upon
             restoring
             of
             Temple
             and
             worship
             ,
             according
             to
             such
             opportunity
             as
             they
             then
             had
             .
             And
             that
             they
             did
             well
             in
             so
             doing
             ,
             appears
             in
             
             that
             after
             they
             had
             begun
             ,
             and
             did
             again
             desist
             from
             the
             work
             the
             Lord
             raised
             up
             two
             Prophets
             ,
             
               Haggai
            
             and
             
               Zachary
               ,
            
             to
             reprove
             them
             ,
             for
             that
             they
             had
             let
             their
             hands
             slick
             from
             the
             work
             ,
             
               Hag.
            
             1.1
             .
             to
             12.
             
             
               Ezek.
            
             5.1
             .
             All
             which
             considered
             ,
             together
             with
             this
             ,
             that
             Christ
             is
             a
             Prophet
             in
             his
             time
             ,
             like
             unto
             
               Moses
            
             in
             his
             ,
             may
             greatly
             encourage
             such
             who
             are
             but
             lately
             come
             out
             of
             the
             bondage
             of
             mistical
             
               Babylon
               ,
            
             to
             put
             to
             their
             hands
             to
             the
             restoring
             of
             the
             decayed
             Ordinances
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             to
             the
             uttermost
             of
             that
             opportunity
             they
             have
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             that
             Gospel
             pattern
             we
             finde
             in
             the
             writings
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             do
             but
             parralel
             their
             case
             with
             ours
             ,
             and
             see
             if
             we
             have
             not
             as
             great
             reason
             to
             be
             doing
             this
             way
             ,
             as
             they
             .
             1.
             
             Have
             we
             no
             men
             extraordinarily
             inspired
             ,
             to
             lead
             the
             way
             herein
             ,
             neither
             had
             they
             till
             such
             were
             raised
             to
             reprove
             them
             for
             their
             negligence
             therein
             .
             2.
             
             Suppose
             we
             should
             in
             some
             things
             want
             opportunity
             of
             comming
             up
             to
             the
             utmost
             of
             the
             first
             Gospel
             pattern
             :
             yet
             they
             were
             under
             the
             like
             disadvatage
             in
             their
             low
             reformation
             .
             
               Hag.
            
             2.3
             .
             3.
             
             Was
             the
             written
             Law
             a
             sufficient
             ground
             for
             them
             to
             proceed
             on
             in
             this
             case
             to
             restore
             decayed
             Ordinances
             though
             upon
             terms
             of
             some
             disadvantage
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             what
             they
             formerly
             enjoyed
             ?
             Then
             why
             should
             not
             the
             written
             Gospel
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             as
             wel
             be
             a
             rule
             and
             ground
             to
             us
             ?
             4.
             
             Were
             they
             reproved
             for
             leaving
             off
             the
             work
             till
             they
             had
             Prophets
             sent
             to
             quicken
             them
             ?
             and
             shall
             they
             think
             to
             escape
             rebuke
             from
             God
             who
             now
             neglect
             the
             restoration
             of
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             till
             God
             raise
             up
             men
             extraordinarily
             inspired
             to
             put
             them
             in
             the
             way
             ?
             5.
             
             Did
             the
             Prophet
             assure
             them
             of
             the
             presence
             of
             God
             with
             them
             ,
             in
             the
             work
             of
             reformation
             and
             restitution
             of
             Temple
             and
             Ordinances
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             their
             forefathers
             enjoyed
             it
             ,
             before
             any
             such
             decay
             fell
             out
             ?
             as
             we
             see
             he
             did
             ,
             
               Hag.
            
             2.5
             .
             Then
             why
             may
             not
             we
             expect
             that
             presence
             of
             Christ
             with
             us
             ,
             in
             the
             restitution
             of
             his
             Ordinances
             ,
             which
             he
             promised
             to
             those
             that
             should
             observe
             his
             commands
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             world
             ?
             
               Mat.
            
             28.19.20
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             13.
             
          
           
             II.
             Whereas
             it
             is
             supposed
             by
             the
             persons
             whose
             scruple
             I
             am
             now
             labouring
             to
             satisfie
             ,
             that
             all
             right
             administrators
             ,
             and
             administration
             of
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             ,
             perished
             from
             the
             earth
             ,
             in
             times
             of
             Papal
             darkness
             ,
             To
             this
             I
             answer
             .
          
           
           
             1.
             
             That
             so
             to
             say
             ,
             is
             a
             meer
             presumption
             which
             cannot
             be
             made
             good
             .
             In
             that
             great
             apostacy
             of
             
               Israel
               ,
               Eliah
            
             that
             great
             Prophet
             thought
             indeed
             that
             he
             ,
             even
             he
             alone
             was
             left
             ,
             whereas
             God
             had
             
               in
               secret
               seven
               thousand
               which
               had
               not
               bowed
               the
               knee
               to
               Baal
               ,
            
             1
             
               Kings
            
             19.14.18
             .
             
               Rom.
            
             11.3.4
             .
             So
             that
             we
             see
             it
             s
             no
             good
             argument
             to
             conclude
             ,
             that
             because
             in
             times
             of
             great
             and
             general
             apostacy
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             visible
             appearance
             of
             the
             faithful
             servants
             of
             God
             who
             have
             not
             defiled
             their
             garments
             ,
             that
             therefore
             there
             is
             none
             .
             And
             who
             knows
             but
             that
             God
             might
             as
             well
             reserve
             unto
             himself
             in
             secrets
             ,
             seven
             thousand
             in
             the
             time
             of
             Papal
             Apostacy
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             in
             the
             
               Baalish
            
             Apostacy
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             XIV
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             If
             that
             promise
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             16.18
             .
             
               Vpon
               this
               rock
               will
               I
               build
               my
               Church
               ,
               and
               the
               gates
               of
               Hell
               shall
               not
               prevail
               ,
               against
               it
               ,
            
             be
             to
             be
             understood
             as
             commonly
             it
             hath
             been
             (
             and
             I
             know
             no
             sufficient
             reason
             to
             depart
             from
             that
             received
             interpretation
             )
             that
             maugre
             all
             the
             slight
             ,
             policy
             and
             power
             of
             Satan
             and
             his
             instruments
             ;
             yet
             Christ
             will
             have
             a
             true
             Church
             on
             earth
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             then
             we
             must
             conclude
             that
             Christ
             had
             a
             true
             Church
             in
             being
             ,
             even
             all
             the
             time
             of
             the
             greatest
             antichristian
             apostacy
             ,
             and
             Popish
             darkness
             ,
             though
             the
             footsteps
             thereof
             could
             not
             be
             discovered
             in
             history
             .
             A
             conclusion
             to
             which
             that
             of
             the
             Apostle
             seems
             to
             add
             much
             strength
             ,
             
               Eph.
            
             4.11.12.13
             .
             For
             in
             that
             he
             saith
             ,
             
               he
               gave
               some
               Apostles
               ,
               Prophets
               ,
               Evangelists
               ,
               Pastors
               and
               Teachers
               ,
               for
               work
               of
               the
               Ministry
               ,
               perfecting
               of
               Saints
               ,
               and
               edifying
               of
               the
               body
               of
               Christ
               ,
               TELL
               we
               all
               come
            
             in
             the
             unity
             of
             the
             faith
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             unto
             a
             perfect
             man
             unto
             the
             measure
             of
             the
             stature
             of
             the
             fulness
             of
             Christ
             ;
             he
             cannot
             reasonably
             be
             understood
             to
             mean
             less
             ,
             then
             that
             some
             of
             these
             Officers
             should
             remain
             and
             continue
             unto
             the
             coming
             of
             Christ
             at
             the
             end
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             when
             ,
             and
             not
             till
             when
             ,
             this
             unity
             of
             faith
             ,
             and
             knowledge
             ,
             and
             the
             measure
             of
             the
             stature
             of
             the
             fulness
             of
             Christ
             ,
             shall
             be
             attained
             by
             all
             Saints
             .
             For
             the
             Apostle
             
               Paul
            
             himself
             ,
             who
             was
             a
             Saint
             of
             the
             largest
             growth
             ,
             and
             I
             think
             we
             may
             say
             came
             the
             nearest
             to
             the
             stature
             of
             the
             fulness
             of
             Christ
             of
             all
             other
             ;
             yet
             he
             acknowledged
             ,
             that
             whilest
             he
             was
             here
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
             that
             he
             
               had
               not
               as
               yet
               attained
               ,
               or
               was
               already
               perfect
               ,
               Phil.
            
             3.13
             .
             
             and
             that
             
               he
               knew
               but
               in
               part
               ,
            
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             13.12
             .
             and
             if
             not
             he
             much
             lesse
             the
             Saints
             that
             have
             lived
             since
             him
             in
             times
             of
             degeneration
             .
             And
             if
             that
             estate
             be
             not
             yet
             attained
             for
             the
             compleating
             of
             which
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             gave
             unto
             his
             Church
             the
             Officers
             aforesaid
             ,
             then
             they
             remain
             in
             being
             unto
             this
             day
             ,
             or
             else
             Christ
             hath
             not
             given
             them
             to
             remain
             
               VNTILL
               WE
               ALL
            
             come
             ,
             
               viz.
               Paul
            
             and
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Saints
             unto
             a
             perfect
             man
             ,
             which
             yet
             the
             Apostle
             affirms
             that
             he
             hath
             .
             But
             those
             that
             will
             needs
             suppose
             all
             Church
             Officers
             and
             Administrators
             to
             have
             been
             utterly
             extinct
             when
             once
             the
             Popish
             Apostacy
             took
             place
             ,
             go
             about
             to
             make
             the
             contrary
             to
             what
             the
             Apostle
             affirms
             ,
             to
             be
             true
             ,
             and
             do
             say
             in
             effect
             ,
             That
             Christ
             gave
             some
             Apostles
             ,
             Prophets
             ,
             Evangelists
             ,
             Pastors
             and
             Teachers
             ,
             untill
             the
             Churches
             and
             Saints
             came
             to
             the
             measure
             of
             the
             stature
             of
             Antichrist
             ,
             
             and
             not
             to
             the
             measure
             of
             the
             stature
             of
             the
             fulnesse
             of
             Christ
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             XV
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             But
             then
             thirdly
             ,
             there
             is
             much
             to
             be
             said
             from
             History
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             great
             part
             of
             the
             adversaries
             own
             penning
             ,
             to
             prove
             that
             there
             hath
             been
             a
             continuance
             of
             a
             true
             Church
             and
             a
             right
             administration
             of
             Ordinances
             ,
             even
             from
             the
             Apostles
             days
             down
             to
             this
             very
             time
             in
             which
             we
             live
             .
          
           
             There
             was
             a
             people
             in
             the
             darkest
             times
             of
             Popery
             ,
             who
             opposed
             themselves
             against
             the
             corruptions
             of
             the
             times
             ,
             sometimes
             distinguished
             by
             the
             names
             of
             
               Waldenses
               ,
            
             and
             
               Albigenses
               ,
            
             and
             
               Lionists
               .
            
             For
             their
             qualifications
             ,
             a
             certain
             Frier
             saith
             thus
             of
             them
             :
             
               That
               men
               and
               woman
               little
               and
               great
               day
               and
               night
               cease
               not
               to
               learn
               and
               to
               teach
               ,
               and
               that
               divers
               of
               them
               could
               perfectly
               deliver
               all
               the
               New
               Testament
               :
               a
               man
               saith
               he
               ,
               would
               not
               hurt
               his
               enemy
               ,
               if
               he
               should
               meet
               him
               upon
               the
               way
               accompanied
               with
               one
               of
               these
               Hereticks
               .
            
             They
             were
             said
             to
             be
             
               modest
               ,
               simple
               ,
               medling
               little
               with
               bargains
               ,
               to
               avoid
               lying
               and
               deceit
               ,
               living
               upon
               their
               labour
               ,
               being
               content
               with
               a
               little
               chast
               ,
               sober
               ,
               and
               inviting
               others
               by
               their
               example
               to
               every
               good
               thing
               .
            
          
           
             For
             the
             time
             of
             their
             continuance
             ,
             or
             being
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             
               Du
               Plessit
            
             an
             approved
             Author
             ,
             in
             his
             History
             of
             the
             Papacy
             ,
             
               pag.
            
             330.
             brings
             in
             one
             
               Rainerius
            
             a
             Frier
             ,
             as
             writing
             about
             the
             year
             ,
             1250.
             speaking
             thus
             of
             them
             .
             
               Among
               all
               the
               Sects
               
               that
               are
            
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               or
               ever
               will
               be
               ,
               none
               can
               be
               more
               pernicious
               to
               the
               Church
               of
               God
               then
               that
               of
               Lyons
               ,
               for
               three
               causes
               .
               First
               because
               it
               hath
               continued
               a
               longer
               time
               then
               any
               ,
               some
               say
               it
               hath
               been
               ever
               since
               the
               time
               of
            
             Sylvester
             ,
             
               others
               say
               from
               the
               time
               of
               the
               Apostles
               .
               The
               second
               because
               it
               is
               more
               general
               ,
            
             
             
               for
               there
               is
               not
               almost
               any
               country
               where
               into
               this
               Sect
               hath
               not
               crept
               .
               The
               third
               because
               all
               the
               other
               procure
               horrour
               by
               their
               Blasphemies
               against
               God
               ,
               this
               of
               the
               Lyonists
               hath
               a
               great
               appearance
               of
               piety
               ,
            
             in
             as
             much
             as
             they
             live
             uprightly
             before
             men
             ,
             and
             put
             their
             
               trust
               in
               God
               in
               all
               things
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             16.
             
          
           
             Though
             I
             will
             not
             say
             that
             all
             of
             this
             way
             ,
             were
             such
             as
             were
             nick-named
             
               Anabaptists
               ,
            
             for
             possibly
             it
             may
             be
             made
             out
             that
             some
             of
             them
             were
             tainted
             with
             that
             errour
             of
             the
             times
             of
             baptizing
             their
             children
             ,
             yet
             there
             is
             good
             reason
             to
             conceive
             that
             many
             of
             them
             did
             not
             .
             For
             first
             
               Bernard
               ,
            
             who
             is
             reported
             to
             have
             lived
             about
             the
             year
             1002.
             which
             was
             250.
             years
             before
             the
             foresaid
             Frier
             wrote
             ,
             this
             
               Bernard
            
             in
             his
             65
             Sermon
             on
             
               Cant.
               pag.
            
             144.
             as
             Mr.
             
               Blackwood
            
             in
             his
             storming
             of
             Antichrist
             
               pag.
            
             31.
             but
             as
             quoted
             by
             Mr.
             
             
               Tombs
               ,
            
             in
             his
             66
             Sermon
             ,
             hath
             this
             complaint
             against
             this
             people
             .
             
               They
               laugh
               at
               us
               ,
            
             saith
             he
             ,
             
               because
               we
               baptize
               infants
               ,
               because
               we
               pray
               for
               the
               dead
               ,
               because
               we
               require
               the
               prayers
               of
               Saints
               ,
               &c.
            
             by
             which
             it
             appears
             they
             held
             the
             baptizing
             of
             infants
             ridiculous
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             17.
             
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             It
             may
             further
             appear
             that
             this
             people
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             many
             among
             them
             ,
             were
             called
             
               Anabaptists
               ,
            
             because
             when
             
               Luther
            
             and
             
               Calvin
            
             rise
             up
             in
             their
             times
             ,
             they
             bitterly
             inveigh
             against
             the
             
               Anabaptists
               ,
            
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Papists
             ,
             as
             their
             writings
             do
             abundantly
             declare
             ,
             by
             which
             it
             appears
             that
             they
             in
             their
             times
             found
             such
             a
             people
             in
             being
             as
             well
             as
             Papists
             .
             And
             that
             these
             were
             of
             the
             same
             sort
             of
             people
             ,
             of
             which
             
               Bernard
               ,
            
             and
             the
             
               Frier
            
             had
             formerly
             complained
             ,
             may
             well
             be
             conceived
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             the
             foresaid
             Author
             
               Du
               Plessis
               ,
            
             saith
             ,
             
               they
               were
               so
               spread
               abroad
               in
            
             Germany
             
               and
               France
            
             (
             where
             
               Luther
            
             and
             
               Calvin
            
             had
             to
             do
             )
             
               as
               that
               their
               prints
               and
               footsteps
               are
               to
               be
               discerned
               throughout
               the
               course
               of
               all
               Histories
               ,
            
             pag.
             403.
             
               and
               that
               we
               see
               their
               Churches
               out
               live
               so
               many
               miseries
               ,
               and
               even
               untill
               these
               times
               consist
               and
               continue
               flourishing
               
               and
               largely
               propagated
               ,
            
             pag.
             565.
             
             And
             History
             also
             relates
             ,
             how
             the
             
               Anabaptists
            
             in
             
               Germany
            
             spread
             themselves
             into
             the
             Netherlands
             ,
             and
             as
             it
             seems
             from
             thence
             into
             
               England
               .
            
             For
             as
             Mr.
             
             
               Fox
            
             relates
             in
             his
             Acts
             and
             Monuments
             ,
             
               Vol.
            
             2.
             
               fol.
            
             95.
             in
             King
             
               Hen.
            
             8.
             time
             ,
             there
             were
             two
             and
             twenty
             Dutchmen
             Anabaptists
             apprehended
             ,
             and
             about
             ten
             of
             them
             put
             to
             death
             ,
             in
             the
             year
             1535.
             
             Since
             which
             time
             there
             hath
             remained
             in
             the
             Low
             Countries
             or
             
               England
               ,
            
             or
             both
             ,
             of
             the
             same
             race
             unto
             this
             every
             day
             .
          
           
             If
             then
             this
             kind
             of
             people
             by
             Adversaries
             own
             confession
             ,
             did
             continue
             from
             the
             Apostles
             days
             ,
             and
             that
             their
             prints
             and
             footsteps
             are
             to
             be
             discerned
             throughout
             all
             Histories
             till
             
               Luther's
            
             time
             ,
             and
             so
             downwards
             ,
             why
             should
             any
             man
             be
             tender
             of
             being
             confident
             ,
             (
             especially
             having
             those
             Scriptures
             of
             
               Mat.
            
             16.18
             .
             
               Epk.
            
             4.12
             ,
             13.
             to
             back
             him
             )
             that
             there
             hath
             a
             successive
             line
             of
             true
             Churches
             and
             true
             Gospel
             Administrators
             ,
             run
             along
             throughout
             all
             ages
             ,
             from
             the
             Apostles
             times
             to
             this
             day
             ?
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             18.
             
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Though
             it
             should
             be
             granted
             (
             which
             yet
             may
             not
             )
             that
             the
             line
             of
             succession
             both
             of
             duly
             constituted
             Churches
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             due
             administrators
             of
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             ,
             had
             been
             cut
             off
             by
             the
             prevailings
             of
             Apostacy
             in
             times
             of
             Popery
             ,
             yet
             it
             would
             not
             hence
             follow
             that
             there
             neither
             is
             nor
             can
             be
             now
             ,
             true
             Churches
             or
             right
             Administrators
             of
             Ordinances
             ,
             because
             we
             have
             upon
             the
             matter
             ,
             and
             in
             substance
             and
             effect
             ,
             the
             same
             apostolical
             power
             now
             amongst
             us
             ,
             to
             plant
             and
             settle
             churches
             ,
             &
             to
             administer
             Ordinances
             ,
             as
             was
             injoied
             in
             the
             Apostles
             days
             .
          
           
             The
             ground
             upon
             which
             I
             build
             this
             assertion
             is
             this
             ,
             
               viz.
            
             Because
             we
             have
             the
             same
             instructions
             and
             directions
             from
             the
             Apostles
             in
             their
             writings
             ,
             about
             things
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             as
             they
             had
             who
             lived
             in
             the
             Apostles
             times
             .
             For
             though
             the
             Beleevers
             then
             ,
             were
             sometimes
             taught
             the
             use
             of
             Ordinances
             by
             word
             of
             mouth
             from
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             yet
             other
             while
             they
             were
             taught
             the
             same
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             same
             way
             as
             we
             also
             now
             are
             ,
             that
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             by
             their
             writings
             ,
             or
             however
             ,
             their
             writings
             were
             as
             authentique
             this
             waies
             as
             their
             preachings
             and
             instructions
             were
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             present
             ▪
          
           
             This
             is
             plain
             from
             2
             
               Thes.
            
             2.15
             .
             
               Therefore
               Brethren
               stand
               fast
               ,
               and
               hold
               the
               traditions
               which
               ye
               have
               been
               taught
               ,
               whether
               
               by
               word
               or
               our
               Epistle
               .
            
             The
             word
             here
             translated
             traditions
             ,
             would
             surely
             be
             better
             translated
             Ordinances
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             11.2
             .
             as
             those
             that
             are
             well
             skild
             in
             Greek
             do
             inform
             ,
             and
             so
             Mr.
             
               Tindal
            
             hath
             translated
             it
             in
             this
             place
             .
             In
             this
             Text
             there
             are
             two
             things
             chiefly
             to
             be
             observed
             to
             our
             purpose
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             the
             Apostles
             instructed
             or
             taught
             men
             about
             the
             use
             of
             Ordinances
             ,
             as
             well
             by
             their
             Epistles
             ,
             as
             by
             word
             of
             mouth
             .
             2.
             
             That
             men
             were
             to
             use
             ,
             practice
             and
             keep
             those
             Ordinances
             they
             had
             been
             taught
             by
             the
             Apostles
             writings
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             when
             they
             had
             been
             taught
             the
             same
             by
             word
             of
             mouth
             :
             their
             writings
             did
             as
             well
             authorise
             ,
             yea
             oblige
             them
             to
             hold
             fast
             (
             to
             wit
             in
             use
             and
             practise
             )
             the
             Ordinances
             they
             had
             been
             taught
             thereby
             ,
             as
             any
             other
             way
             of
             teaching
             used
             by
             the
             Apostles
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             19.
             
          
           
             Neither
             did
             the
             Epistles
             of
             the
             Apostles
             (
             if
             any
             should
             make
             a
             doubt
             of
             this
             .
             (
             So
             appropriately
             belong
             to
             those
             to
             whom
             first
             and
             immediately
             they
             were
             directed
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             also
             were
             intended
             for
             the
             good
             of
             all
             that
             call
             on
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             for
             so
             the
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             1.1.2
             .
             shews
             ,
             being
             directed
             as
             
               well
               to
               all
               those
               which
               in
               every
               place
               cal
               on
               the
               name
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
            
             as
             unto
             them
             .
             For
             so
             the
             words
             run
             :
             
               Paul
               called
               to
               be
               an
               Apostle
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               through
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               Softhenes
               our
               brother
               ,
               unto
               the
               Church
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               at
            
             Corinth
             ,
             
               to
               them
               that
               are
               sanctified
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               ,
               called
               to
               be
               Saints
               ,
               WITH
               ALL
               THAT
               IN
               EVERY
               PLACE
               call
               upon
               the
               name
               of
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               both
               theirs
               and
               ours
               .
            
             So
             that
             if
             we
             or
             any
             others
             in
             any
             place
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             call
             upon
             the
             name
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             this
             Epistle
             as
             well
             belongs
             to
             us
             ,
             as
             it
             did
             unto
             the
             Corinthians
             in
             like
             cases
             .
             Besides
             many
             of
             the
             Epistles
             of
             the
             Apostles
             are
             called
             general
             Epistles
             ,
             as
             being
             intended
             indefinitely
             to
             all
             whom
             they
             might
             concern
             :
             so
             the
             1
             and
             2
             Epistle
             of
             
               Peter
               ,
            
             1
             Epist.
             
               John
               ,
            
             and
             the
             Epist.
             of
             
               Jude
               :
            
             and
             the
             7
             Epist.
             to
             the
             7
             Churches
             in
             
               Asia
            
             though
             immediately
             directed
             to
             them
             ,
             yet
             even
             every
             one
             that
             hath
             an
             ear
             to
             hear
             is
             to
             hearken
             what
             the
             spirit
             saith
             unto
             the
             Churches
             ,
             as
             you
             have
             it
             in
             the
             close
             of
             every
             Epistle
             ,
             
               Revel.
            
             2.7.11.17.29
             .
             &
             3.6.13.23
             .
             Seeing
             then
             that
             the
             Apostles
             writings
             do
             as
             well
             concern
             us
             ,
             as
             they
             did
             those
             to
             whose
             
             hands
             they
             first
             came
             ,
             what
             
               being
               written
               aforetime
               ,
               being
               written
               for
               our
               learning
               as
               the
               Apostle
               teaches
               ,
            
             to
             reason
             ,
             
               Rom.
            
             15.4
             .
             and
             since
             also
             these
             writings
             of
             theirs
             do
             sufficiently
             direct
             men
             about
             ,
             and
             authorise
             them
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             ,
             it
             thence
             follows
             ,
             that
             we
             have
             in
             substance
             and
             effect
             the
             same
             Apostolical
             power
             among
             us
             to
             direct
             and
             warrant
             us
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Ordinances
             in
             Church
             communion
             ,
             as
             those
             Beleevers
             had
             who
             lived
             in
             the
             Apostles
             daies
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             20.
             
          
           
             And
             because
             the
             knowledge
             and
             beleef
             hereof
             is
             of
             soveraign
             use
             to
             cure
             that
             infirmity
             which
             troubles
             many
             ,
             and
             keeps
             them
             out
             of
             the
             way
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             to
             resolve
             the
             main
             doubt
             ,
             therefore
             I
             shall
             yet
             make
             this
             further
             manifest
             by
             what
             follows
             .
          
           
             I.
             Then
             since
             Christ
             Jesus
             is
             the
             Prophet
             of
             the
             New-Testament
             ,
             as
             
               Moses
            
             was
             of
             the
             old
             (
             as
             hath
             been
             oft-minded
             )
             it
             will
             not
             be
             amisse
             to
             shew
             ,
             that
             
               Moses
            
             by
             his
             writings
             was
             a
             Minister
             to
             the
             Jews
             ,
             as
             well
             when
             he
             was
             dead
             ,
             as
             while
             he
             was
             alive
             ,
             
               John
            
             5.45
             .
             
               There
               is
               one
               that
               accuses
               you
               ,
               even
            
             Moses
             
               in
               whom
               ye
               trust
               ,
               saith
               Christ
               to
               the
               Jews
               ,
            
             in
             that
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             
               Moses
            
             which
             they
             had
             in
             writing
             did
             accuse
             them
             ,
             
               Moses
            
             himself
             is
             said
             to
             accuse
             them
             .
             Again
             
               ver.
            
             46
             ,
             47.
             
             
               For
               had
               ye
               beleeved
            
             Moses
             ,
             
               ye
               would
               have
               beleeved
               me
               ,
               for
               he
               wrote
               of
               me
               ,
               but
               if
               ye
               beleeve
               not
               his
               writings
               ,
               how
               shall
               ye
               beleeve
               my
               words
            
             ?
             Where
             we
             see
             1.
             
             That
             to
             beleeve
             
               Moses
               ,
            
             and
             to
             beleeve
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             
               Moses
            
             in
             his
             writings
             is
             the
             same
             thing
             .
             And
             2.
             
             That
             Christ
             held
             it
             altogether
             unlikely
             ,
             that
             those
             that
             would
             not
             beleeve
             and
             obey
             those
             matters
             of
             Doctrine
             whilst
             commended
             to
             them
             in
             the
             writings
             of
             
               Moses
               ,
            
             should
             ever
             beleeve
             and
             obey
             Christ
             himself
             teaching
             the
             same
             things
             .
             And
             by
             rule
             of
             proportion
             it
             holds
             well
             ,
             that
             if
             those
             that
             would
             not
             beleeve
             
               Moses
            
             writings
             ,
             could
             not
             beleeve
             Christs
             words
             ,
             he
             speaking
             and
             
               Moses
            
             writing
             the
             same
             thing
             ,
             neither
             would
             they
             beleeve
             and
             obey
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             ,
             or
             men
             of
             like
             qualifications
             ,
             if
             they
             should
             come
             again
             amongst
             us
             ,
             who
             now
             will
             not
             obey
             those
             Doctrines
             rules
             and
             precepts
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             left
             us
             in
             writing
             .
             And
             hereto
             agrees
             that
             also
             
               Luke
            
             16.31
             .
             
               If
               they
               heare
               not
            
             Moses
             
               and
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               neither
               will
               they
               be
               perswaded
               though
               one
               rose
               from
               the
               dead
               .
            
          
           
           
             Again
             
               John
            
             7.19.22
             .
             
               did
               not
            
             Moses
             
               give
               you
               the
               Laws
               ,
               and
               yet
               none
               of
               you
               keepeth
               the
               Law
               ,
            
             ver.
             22.
             
             Moses
             
               therefore
               gave
               unto
               you
               circumcision
               ,
               &c.
               
               How
               did
            
             Moses
             
               give
               them
               the
               Law
               and
               circumcision
               ,
            
             when
             as
             he
             was
             dead
             many
             hundreds
             of
             years
             before
             they
             were
             born
             ?
             Why
             in
             that
             they
             had
             the
             writings
             of
             
               Moses
               ,
            
             and
             were
             as
             well
             concerned
             in
             what
             they
             imported
             ,
             as
             those
             were
             to
             whom
             
               Moses
            
             first
             delivered
             the
             Law
             ,
             in
             that
             respect
             
               Moses
            
             was
             said
             to
             give
             them
             the
             law
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             their
             fore-fathers
             .
          
           
             
               Acts
            
             21.21
             .
             
               They
               are
               informed
               of
               thee
               ,
               that
               thou
               teachest
               all
               the
               Jews
               which
               are
               among
               the
               Gentiles
               ,
               to
               forsake
            
             Moses
             
               saying
               ,
               that
               they
               ought
               not
               to
               circumcise
               their
               children
               and
               to
               walk
               after
               the
               customes
               .
            
             Where
             likewise
             we
             see
             ,
             that
             to
             forsake
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             
               Moses
               ,
            
             is
             to
             forsake
             
               Moses
            
             and
             
               Luke
            
             16.13
             .
             They
             are
             said
             to
             have
             
               Moses
            
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             when
             yet
             they
             had
             but
             their
             writings
             ;
             so
             that
             to
             forsake
             
               Moses
            
             and
             to
             forsake
             his
             Doctrine
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             
               Moses
            
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             their
             Doctrine
             in
             writing
             ,
             is
             in
             Scripture
             language
             and
             account
             the
             same
             thing
             in
             effect
             and
             substance
             .
             And
             there
             is
             altogether
             the
             same
             reason
             ,
             why
             to
             have
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             their
             Doctrine
             in
             writing
             ,
             to
             forsake
             the
             one
             ,
             and
             to
             forsake
             the
             other
             ,
             should
             be
             substantially
             the
             same
             thing
             .
             And
             let
             every
             man
             be
             sure
             of
             this
             ,
             
             that
             if
             Christ
             Jesus
             at
             his
             first
             comming
             did
             interpret
             mens
             neglect
             of
             
               Moses
            
             in
             his
             writings
             ,
             to
             be
             an
             neglect
             of
             
               Moses
            
             in
             his
             Ministry
             ,
             that
             he
             likewise
             at
             his
             second
             comming
             ,
             will
             account
             mens
             neglect
             to
             observe
             his
             Ordinances
             and
             wayes
             delivered
             us
             in
             the
             writings
             of
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             to
             be
             an
             neglect
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ministry
             ,
             yea
             of
             Christ
             himself
             ,
             whose
             Embassadours
             they
             are
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Saints
             ,
             as
             well
             by
             writing
             as
             speaking
             ,
             as
             I
             shall
             shew
             further
             by
             and
             by
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             21.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             same
             thing
             is
             true
             also
             of
             the
             Doctrines
             and
             writings
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ;
             for
             they
             by
             their
             writings
             are
             as
             wel
             Ministers
             to
             those
             under
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             to
             those
             to
             whom
             they
             in
             their
             life
             time
             preached
             under
             the
             old
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             their
             Doctrine
             concerns
             men
             now
             ▪
             1
             
               Pet.
            
             1.10
             ,
             11
             ,
             12.
             
             
               Of
               which
               salvation
               the
               Prophets
               have
               inquired
               &
               searched
               diligently
               ,
               who
               prophesied
               of
               the
               grace
               that
               should
               come
               unto
               you
            
             —
             
             ver.
             12.
             
               unto
               whom
               it
               was
               revealed
               ,
               that
               not
               unto
               themselve
               -
               but
               unto
               us
               they
               did
               minister
               the
               things
               which
               are
               now
               reported
               to
               you
               ,
               by
               them
               that
               have
               preached
               the
               Gospel
               unto
               you
            
             Where
             note
             1.
             
             That
             the
             Prophets
             are
             said
             to
             minister
             to
             us
             who
             now
             live
             under
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             the
             things
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             the
             same
             things
             which
             those
             have
             reported
             who
             preached
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             to
             minister
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             ministers
             to
             us
             of
             the
             Grace
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             is
             in
             effect
             the
             same
             thing
             .
          
           
             But
             then
             2.
             
             How
             or
             by
             what
             means
             are
             the
             Prophets
             ministers
             to
             us
             of
             this
             Grace
             ,
             but
             by
             their
             writings
             ?
             and
             if
             they
             by
             their
             writings
             are
             ministers
             unto
             us
             ,
             then
             much
             more
             are
             the
             Apostles
             Ministers
             to
             us
             upon
             the
             like
             account
             .
             Again
             
               Eph.
            
             2.20
             .
             
               and
               are
               built
               upon
               the
               foundation
               of
               the
               Prophets
               and
               Apostles
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             If
             then
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Prophets
             transmitted
             in
             writing
             ,
             was
             as
             wel
             the
             Basis
             and
             foundation
             upon
             which
             the
             Churches
             in
             the
             Apostles
             times
             were
             built
             ,
             as
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             ,
             as
             by
             this
             text
             it
             clearly
             appears
             that
             it
             was
             then
             by
             the
             same
             rule
             ,
             the
             Doctrinal
             writings
             both
             of
             the
             Prophets
             and
             Apostles
             ,
             are
             a
             sufficient
             foundation
             whereon
             to
             build
             Churches
             now
             in
             these
             times
             .
             And
             therefore
             the
             Apostle
             saith
             ,
             
               Rom.
            
             16.25.26
             .
             
               that
               by
               the
               Scriptures
               of
               the
               Prophets
               ,
            
             as
             well
             as
             by
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             Apostles
             
               Christ
               Jesus
               is
               made
               known
               to
               all
               nations
               for
               the
               obedience
               of
               Faith
               .
            
             If
             then
             the
             Scriptures
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             be
             a
             sufficient
             ground
             for
             men
             in
             all
             Nations
             ,
             in
             faith
             to
             act
             upon
             ,
             for
             so
             much
             of
             the
             Gospel
             as
             is
             revealed
             in
             them
             ,
             as
             you
             see
             by
             our
             Apostle
             they
             are
             ,
             then
             without
             doubt
             the
             Scriptures
             of
             the
             Apostles
             also
             are
             a
             sufficient
             ground
             for
             men
             in
             all
             Nations
             ,
             in
             faith
             to
             act
             upon
             ,
             as
             touching
             all
             those
             Doctrines
             ,
             Ordinances
             ,
             Rules
             ,
             and
             Precepts
             of
             the
             Gospel
             contained
             in
             them
             ,
             
               John
            
             20.31
             .
             
               But
               these
               are
               WRITTEN
               that
               ye
               might
               BELEEVE
               ,
               that
               Jesus
               is
               the
               Christ
               the
               son
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               beleeving
               ye
               might
               have
               life
               through
               his
               name
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             22.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             I
             shall
             yet
             further
             strengthen
             my
             principal
             assertion
             touching
             the
             presence
             of
             an
             Apostolical
             power
             now
             amongst
             us
             ,
             directing
             and
             authorizing
             men
             in
             the
             gathering
             of
             Churches
             ,
             and
             administration
             of
             Ordinances
             ;
             I
             say
             I
             shall
             further
             confirm
             
             this
             by
             several
             considerations
             ,
             taken
             from
             the
             nature
             ,
             manner
             ,
             and
             extant
             of
             the
             apostolical
             ministration
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             23.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Apostles
             were
             and
             are
             Apostles
             to
             men
             as
             well
             by
             their
             writings
             being
             absent
             from
             them
             ,
             as
             by
             their
             preachings
             when
             present
             with
             them
             .
             For
             this
             ,
             consider
             first
             
               Rom.
            
             15.15.16
             .
             
               Neverthelesse
               Brethren
               ,
               I
               have
               written
               the
               more
               boldly
               to
               you
               in
               some
               sort
               ,
               as
               putting
               you
               in
               mind
               ,
               because
               of
               the
               Grace
               that
               is
               given
               me
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               I
               should
               be
               the
               Minister
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               unto
               the
               Gentiles
               ministering
               the
               Gospel
               of
               God
               .
            
             Two
             things
             would
             be
             noted
             here
             touching
             our
             businesse
             in
             hand
             .
             1.
             
             The
             act
             of
             
               Paul
               ,
            
             he
             wrote
             ,
             and
             wrote
             boldly
             unto
             these
             Romans
             .
             2.
             
             The
             reason
             or
             ground
             why
             he
             did
             so
             write
             ,
             and
             that
             was
             because
             by
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             he
             was
             made
             the
             minister
             of
             Christ
             to
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             such
             as
             they
             were
             ,
             to
             minister
             to
             them
             the
             Gospel
             of
             God
             .
             By
             which
             we
             gather
             ,
             that
             in
             that
             he
             wrote
             this
             Epistle
             to
             them
             ,
             it
             was
             in
             direct
             pursuance
             of
             his
             Office
             ,
             as
             being
             the
             minister
             or
             Apostle
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             discharged
             his
             office
             and
             trust
             towards
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             were
             made
             partakers
             of
             his
             Ministry
             ,
             even
             by
             that
             Epistle
             which
             he
             now
             wrote
             to
             them
             .
             Which
             is
             also
             further
             manifest
             by
             
               Rom.
            
             11.13
             .
             
               For
               I
               speak
               to
               you
               Gentiles
               ,
               in
               as
               much
               as
               I
               am
               the
               Apostle
               of
               the
               Gentiles
               I
               MAGNIFIE
               mine
               Office
               .
            
             How
             did
             he
             speak
             to
             them
             but
             by
             his
             Epistle
             ?
             and
             why
             ,
             but
             because
             he
             being
             the
             Apostle
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             he
             hereby
             
               magnified
               his
               Office
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             laboured
             to
             make
             the
             most
             of
             it
             ,
             or
             to
             improve
             it
             to
             the
             utmost
             .
             And
             therefore
             when
             he
             wanted
             opportunity
             otherwise
             ,
             he
             discharged
             his
             Office
             of
             an
             Apostle
             by
             writing
             .
             If
             so
             what
             else
             is
             the
             consequence
             ,
             but
             that
             men
             by
             the
             Apostles
             writings
             ,
             are
             partakers
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ministry
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             24.
             
          
           
             And
             it
             is
             worth
             observing
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             makes
             this
             Scripture
             case
             the
             more
             applicable
             to
             us
             ,
             
               viz.
            
             in
             that
             when
             the
             Apostle
             wrote
             this
             Epistle
             to
             these
             Romans
             ,
             he
             had
             not
             as
             yet
             been
             personally
             with
             them
             at
             
               Rome
               ,
            
             as
             may
             easily
             be
             made
             out
             ,
             by
             comparing
             
               Rom.
            
             15.23
             ,
             24
             ,
             25
             ,
             26.
             with
             
               Acts
            
             19.21
             .
             together
             with
             the
             precedent
             History
             of
             
               Paul's
            
             travels
             ,
             in
             the
             book
             of
             the
             
               Acts
               .
            
             For
             if
             
               Paul
            
             were
             an
             Apostle
             to
             those
             that
             had
             his
             mind
             and
             Doctrine
             in
             writing
             ,
             who
             otherwise
             never
             
             saw
             his
             face
             ,
             then
             the
             Apostle
             is
             an
             Apostle
             to
             us
             also
             ,
             who
             have
             his
             writings
             as
             well
             as
             they
             then
             had
             .
          
           
             To
             the
             former
             Scriptures
             you
             may
             adde
             
               Col.
            
             2.1
             .
             compared
             with
             
               chap.
            
             1.
             
               ver.
            
             25.
             
             It
             should
             seem
             that
             
               Paul
            
             had
             never
             seen
             the
             faces
             of
             those
             
               Colossians
            
             to
             whom
             he
             writes
             .
             
               I
               would
            
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               that
               ye
               knew
               what
               great
               conflict
               I
               have
               for
               you
               ,
               and
               for
               them
               of
            
             Laodicea
             ,
             
               and
               for
               as
               many
               as
               have
               not
               seen
               my
               face
               in
               the
               flesh
               .
            
             From
             which
             those
             that
             write
             upon
             this
             Epistle
             gather
             ,
             that
             
               Paul
            
             had
             never
             seen
             the
             face
             of
             these
             
               Colossians
            
             when
             he
             wrot
             this
             Epistle
             to
             them
             .
             Which
             opinion
             is
             much
             confirmed
             by
             the
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             
               ver.
            
             of
             
               chap.
            
             1.
             where
             it
             appears
             that
             they
             came
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Gospel
             by
             the
             ministry
             ,
             not
             of
             
               Paul
               ,
            
             but
             of
             
               Epaphras
               ,
            
             who
             having
             acquainted
             
               Paul
            
             with
             the
             successe
             of
             his
             Ministry
             ,
             
               Paul
            
             thereupon
             takes
             occasion
             to
             write
             this
             Epistle
             to
             them
             .
             By
             the
             writing
             of
             which
             Epistle
             he
             acted
             the
             part
             of
             a
             Minister
             ,
             or
             an
             Apostle
             towards
             them
             ,
             as
             you
             may
             see
             
               chap.
            
             1.25
             .
             
               Whereof
               I
               am
               made
               a
               Minister
               according
               to
               the
               dispensation
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               given
               to
               me
               for
               you
               to
               fulfill
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
            
             or
             fully
             to
             preach
             the
             word
             of
             God
             as
             the
             marginal
             reading
             hath
             it
             .
             Where
             note
             ,
             that
             
               Paul
            
             had
             received
             from
             God
             ,
             such
             
               a
               dispensation
            
             (
             or
             
               Stewardship
            
             as
             it
             s
             rendred
             by
             some
             from
             the
             Greek
             )
             to
             them
             ward
             ,
             or
             on
             their
             behalf
             ,
             according
             to
             which
             he
             was
             made
             a
             Minister
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             general
             :
             and
             this
             Stewardship
             he
             discharged
             towards
             them
             by
             writing
             ,
             not
             having
             opportunity
             of
             discha●ging
             it
             otherwise
             .
             So
             that
             still
             we
             see
             that
             the
             Apostles
             were
             Ministers
             and
             Apostles
             to
             men
             by
             their
             writings
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             otherwise
             .
          
           
             And
             should
             the
             Apostles
             come
             again
             personally
             amongst
             us
             ,
             yet
             doubtlesse
             they
             would
             preach
             but
             the
             same
             thing
             for
             substance
             ,
             which
             now
             we
             have
             in
             their
             writings
             ,
             2
             
               Cor.
            
             10.11
             .
             
               Let
               such
               an
               one
               think
               this
            
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               that
               such
               as
               we
               are
               in
               word
               by
               letters
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               absent
               ,
               such
               will
               we
               be
               also
               indeed
               when
               we
               are
               present
               .
            
             And
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             so
             ,
             because
             the
             Gospel
             is
             but
             one
             simple
             and
             unchangeable
             thing
             ,
             whether
             preached
             or
             written
             ,
             2
             
               Cor.
            
             1.18
             .
             
               But
               as
               God
               is
               true
               ,
               our
               word
               toward
               you
               ,
               was
               not
               yea
               and
               nay
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             25.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Apostles
             reaches
             as
             far
             as
             their
             Doctrine
             
             reaches
             
               Rom.
            
             10.14.15
             .
             
               How
               then
               shall
               they
               call
               on
               him
               in
               whom
               they
               have
               not
               beleeved
               ?
               and
               how
               shall
               they
               beleeve
               in
               him
               of
               whom
               they
               have
               not
               heard
               ,
               and
               how
               shall
               they
               hear
               without
               a
               preacher
               ?
               and
               how
               shall
               they
               preach
               except
               they
               be
               sent
            
             ?
             Here
             the
             Apostle
             makes
             all
             mens
             beleeving
             the
             Gospel
             to
             depend
             upon
             the
             Apostles
             preaching
             of
             it
             ;
             I
             say
             ,
             upon
             the
             Apostles
             preaching
             of
             it
             .
             For
             when
             he
             saies
             ,
             how
             can
             they
             preach
             except
             they
             be
             sent
             ,
             he
             speaks
             of
             those
             that
             were
             first
             sent
             to
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             to
             wit
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             who
             indeed
             could
             never
             have
             found
             out
             nor
             have
             preached
             such
             a
             Doctrine
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             the
             Gospel
             is
             ,
             had
             they
             not
             been
             sent
             on
             this
             errand
             ,
             had
             they
             not
             been
             indued
             with
             power
             from
             on
             high
             wherwith
             to
             do
             it
             :
             the
             Apostle
             denies
             any
             such
             sufficiency
             to
             be
             of
             themselves
             ,
             and
             ascribes
             it
             wholly
             unto
             God
             ,
             2
             
               Cor.
            
             3.5
             .
          
           
             That
             the
             sending
             here
             spoken
             of
             
               Rom.
            
             10.15
             .
             is
             Christs
             sending
             his
             Apostles
             to
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             will
             further
             appear
             ,
             if
             you
             compare
             the
             effects
             with
             their
             causes
             ,
             as
             here
             set
             down
             in
             order
             by
             the
             Apostle
             .
             
               How
               can
               they
            
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               beleeve
               in
               him
               of
               whom
               they
               have
               not
               heard
               ?
            
             That
             's
             a
             principle
             in
             reason
             ,
             that
             a
             man
             cannot
             beleeve
             that
             ,
             of
             which
             he
             hath
             never
             heard
             .
             
               And
               how
               shall
               they
               hear
               without
               a
               Preacher
            
             ?
             Here
             's
             another
             thing
             as
             manifest
             in
             reason
             ,
             (
             for
             which
             cause
             the
             Apostle
             makes
             themselves
             Judges
             in
             the
             case
             )
             a
             man
             cannot
             hear
             that
             of
             which
             no
             report
             hath
             been
             given
             ,
             or
             of
             which
             no
             Declaration
             hath
             been
             made
             .
             
               And
               how
               shall
               they
               preach
               except
               they
               be
               sent
            
             ?
             that
             is
             how
             should
             any
             man
             at
             the
             first
             have
             divulged
             the
             Gospel
             and
             Doctrine
             of
             salvation
             ;
             had
             he
             not
             first
             been
             taught
             it
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             impowered
             with
             knowledge
             and
             utterance
             from
             him
             ,
             wherewith
             to
             preach
             it
             ?
             which
             was
             the
             Apostles
             case
             .
             And
             that
             the
             preaching
             and
             sending
             here
             spoken
             of
             ,
             is
             the
             preaching
             and
             sending
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             appears
             yet
             further
             by
             the
             18.
             
               verse
            
             of
             the
             same
             
               chap.
            
             where
             having
             continued
             his
             discourse
             of
             the
             hearers
             and
             preachers
             ,
             of
             which
             he
             had
             spoken
             three
             verses
             before
             ;
             
               ver.
            
             14.15
             .
             he
             here
             saith
             of
             the
             same
             Preachers
             ,
             that
             
               their
               sound
               went
               into
               all
               the
               earth
               and
               their
               words
               unto
               the
               ends
               of
               the
               world
            
             ;
             which
             all
             acknowledge
             to
             be
             spoken
             of
             the
             Apostles
             .
          
           
             If
             then
             every
             mans
             beleeving
             depends
             upon
             his
             hearing
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             if
             his
             hearing
             of
             i●
             likewise
             depends
             upon
             their
             declaring
             
             or
             preaching
             it
             who
             first
             received
             it
             from
             God
             ,
             
               viz.
            
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             (
             for
             if
             they
             had
             not
             declared
             it
             ,
             we
             had
             never
             heard
             it
             )
             then
             it
             is
             a
             thing
             out
             of
             doubt
             that
             every
             mans
             beleeving
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             doth
             depend
             upon
             the
             preaching
             and
             ministery
             of
             the
             Apostles
             .
             And
             if
             so
             ,
             then
             the
             Apostles
             by
             their
             Doctrine
             are
             preachers
             to
             all
             those
             that
             in
             all
             places
             and
             ages
             where
             the
             Gospel
             comes
             do
             beleeve
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             26.
             
          
           
             Which
             thing
             
               viz
               ,
            
             that
             the
             Apostles
             Ministry
             extends
             as
             far
             as
             their
             Doctrine
             ,
             may
             be
             further
             illustrated
             and
             confirmed
             thus
             .
             The
             Apostles
             Commission
             was
             to
             
               preach
               the
               Gospel
               to
               every
               Creature
               in
               all
               the
               world
               .
            
             Mark
             .
             16.15
             .
             and
             the
             Apostle
             
               Paul
            
             whilest
             he
             was
             yet
             living
             ,
             affirmed
             that
             accordingly
             it
             had
             been
             preached
             to
             
               every
               creature
               under
               Heaven
               ,
            
             Col.
             1.23
             .
             But
             how
             did
             twelve
             Apostles
             think
             we
             in
             their
             own
             persons
             carry
             the
             Gospel
             to
             every
             man
             and
             woman
             under
             Heaven
             ?
             Why
             surely
             no
             ,
             that
             is
             not
             lightly
             imaginable
             .
             They
             indeed
             first
             set
             it
             on
             broach
             in
             the
             Nations
             ,
             but
             there
             were
             many
             others
             who
             were
             instrumental
             to
             hand
             it
             up
             and
             down
             the
             world
             .
             Many
             of
             whom
             the
             Apostle
             upon
             that
             account
             calls
             
               Fellow-labourers
               ,
               Fellow-helpers
               ,
            
             and
             
               Fellow-workers
               ,
            
             together
             with
             them
             both
             of
             men
             and
             women
             ,
             1
             
               Thes.
            
             3.2
             .
             
               Phil.
            
             4.3
             .
             
               Rom.
            
             16.3.2
             .
             
               Cor.
            
             8.23
             .
             
               Col.
            
             4.11
             .
             
               Philem.
            
             1.24
             .
             It
             was
             indeed
             the
             Apostles
             
               sound
               that
               went
               into
               all
               the
               earth
               ,
            
             and
             they
             were
             their
             words
             that
             went
             to
             the
             ends
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             Rom.
             10.18
             .
             they
             made
             the
             whole
             world
             to
             ring
             with
             their
             Doctrine
             ,
             but
             yet
             the
             Beleevers
             which
             were
             also
             made
             such
             by
             their
             preaching
             ,
             helped
             to
             carry
             this
             sound
             from
             one
             place
             to
             another
             ,
             till
             it
             had
             filled
             the
             world
             .
             In
             which
             work
             the
             Beleevers
             at
             
               Rome
            
             had
             not
             the
             least
             share
             ,
             they
             having
             a
             greater
             advantage
             and
             opportunity
             this
             way
             then
             many
             others
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             the
             place
             of
             their
             abode
             was
             ,
             in
             the
             Metropolitan
             City
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             where
             the
             Emperour
             thereof
             had
             his
             seat
             and
             residence
             ,
             whither
             and
             from
             whence
             upon
             that
             account
             men
             had
             recourse
             from
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             parts
             of
             the
             known
             world
             ,
             whither
             the
             influence
             of
             the
             Imperial
             Government
             did
             extend
             ,
             and
             by
             that
             means
             the
             same
             of
             the
             faith
             of
             the
             Gospel
             professed
             at
             
               Rome
               ,
            
             went
             out
             into
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostle
             informs
             us
             ,
             
             Rom.
             1.8
             .
             
               I
               thank
               my
               God
               through
               Jesus
               Christ
               for
               you
               all
               ,
               that
               your
               faith
               is
               spoken
               of
               throughout
               the
               whole
               world
               .
            
          
           
             But
             whoever
             were
             the
             immediate
             instruments
             ,
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             were
             the
             original
             ministers
             ,
             even
             to
             all
             that
             beleeved
             .
             In
             which
             respect
             all
             those
             that
             have
             beleeved
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             in
             what
             place
             or
             age
             of
             the
             world
             soever
             since
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             are
             all
             said
             to
             beleeve
             through
             their
             word
             ,
             
               John
            
             17.20
             .
             For
             when
             Christ
             saith
             (
             speaking
             of
             his
             Apostles
             )
             
               Neither
               pray
               I
               for
               these
               alone
               ,
               but
               for
               them
               also
               which
               shall
               beleeve
               on
               me
               through
               their
               word
               ,
            
             he
             plainly
             implies
             ,
             that
             all
             that
             ever
             should
             thereafter
             beleeve
             ,
             should
             beleeve
             through
             their
             word
             ,
             unlesse
             we
             will
             suppose
             that
             Christ
             did
             not
             pray
             for
             all
             Beleevers
             .
             In
             which
             respect
             likewise
             I
             conceive
             Christ
             promiseth
             his
             Apostles
             to
             be
             present
             with
             them
             ,
             to
             wit
             in
             their
             ministry
             ,
             unto
             the
             end
             of
             the
             world
             
               Mat.
            
             28.20
             .
             which
             also
             shews
             ,
             that
             their
             Ministry
             in
             their
             Doctrine
             ,
             should
             continue
             even
             unto
             the
             end
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             If
             then
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Apostles
             be
             of
             the
             same
             extent
             with
             their
             Doctrine
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             one
             is
             as
             broad
             and
             as
             long
             as
             the
             other
             ,
             and
             that
             whomsoever
             the
             one
             reaches
             ,
             the
             other
             reaches
             〈◊〉
             ,
             the
             affirmative
             whereof
             I
             conceive
             hath
             been
             abundantly
             proved
             ,
             then
             the
             case
             is
             clear
             and
             out
             of
             doubt
             ,
             that
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Apostles
             is
             now
             amongst
             us
             ,
             to
             direct
             and
             authorise
             in
             what
             is
             to
             be
             done
             in
             the
             Christian
             life
             ,
             in
             matters
             of
             worship
             ,
             Ordinances
             ,
             and
             otherwise
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             it
             was
             among
             those
             Churches
             which
             were
             planted
             in
             their
             days
             ,
             because
             we
             have
             the
             same
             Doctrine
             with
             us
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             by
             authority
             whereof
             Churches
             were
             planted
             ,
             and
             Ordinances
             administred
             in
             the
             first
             times
             of
             the
             Gospels
             publication
             .
             And
             that
             the
             different
             terms
             ,
             upon
             which
             we
             now
             have
             ,
             and
             the
             Beleevers
             then
             had
             ,
             the
             same
             Doctrinal
             instructions
             and
             directions
             ,
             from
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             the
             one
             by
             word
             of
             mouth
             ,
             the
             other
             by
             writing
             ,
             doth
             not
             alter
             the
             case
             so
             as
             to
             leave
             us
             out
             of
             that
             capacity
             of
             injoying
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             which
             they
             were
             in
             ,
             I
             shall
             now
             come
             further
             to
             clear
             in
             the
             next
             head
             of
             this
             discourse
             ,
             Therefore
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             27.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             weight
             ,
             efficacy
             ,
             authorizing
             and
             obliging
             vertue
             of
             
             the
             Apostles
             Doctrinal
             instructions
             about
             matters
             of
             salvation
             ,
             worship
             ,
             administration
             of
             Ordinances
             and
             the
             like
             ,
             did
             not
             depend
             upon
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             ;
             as
             they
             were
             such
             and
             such
             men
             ,
             but
             upon
             the
             will
             ,
             pleasure
             ,
             and
             Grace
             of
             God
             which
             was
             indeed
             made
             known
             by
             them
             .
             For
             which
             cause
             the
             Apostles
             frequently
             labour
             to
             carry
             mens
             thoughts
             and
             expectations
             off
             from
             themselves
             ,
             as
             touching
             the
             import
             ,
             energie
             ,
             operation
             and
             vertue
             of
             the
             things
             ministred
             by
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             charge
             the
             same
             wholly
             upon
             God
             ;
             that
             is
             upon
             his
             will
             and
             appointment
             ,
             and
             the
             influence
             of
             his
             power
             and
             grace
             ,
             as
             concurrent
             with
             his
             own
             appointments
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             3.7
             .
             
               So
               then
               ,
               neither
               is
               he
               that
               planteth
               any
               thing
               ,
               neither
               is
               he
               that
               watereth
               ,
               but
               God
               that
               giveth
               the
               increase
               .
            
             Though
             
               Paul
            
             plant
             and
             
               Apollo
            
             water
             ,
             yet
             the
             effects
             which
             the
             Gospel
             doth
             produce
             in
             men
             ,
             depend
             no
             more
             upon
             
               Paul
            
             or
             
               Apollo
               ,
            
             then
             the
             increase
             of
             the
             seed
             depends
             upon
             the
             hand
             of
             him
             that
             plants
             or
             waters
             it
             ,
             which
             by
             the
             blessing
             of
             God
             is
             wont
             to
             grow
             and
             increase
             by
             what
             hand
             soever
             planted
             and
             watered
             .
          
           
             Again
             2
             
               Cor.
            
             4.7
             .
             
               But
               we
               have
               this
               treasure
               in
               earthen
               vessels
               ,
               that
               the
               excellency
               of
               the
               power
               may
               be
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               not
               of
               us
               .
            
             Where
             we
             see
             likewise
             ,
             that
             the
             excellency
             of
             the
             power
             of
             this
             treasure
             ,
             did
             not
             depend
             upon
             the
             vessels
             as
             such
             (
             to
             wit
             the
             persons
             of
             the
             Apostles
             )
             in
             which
             it
             was
             brought
             but
             upon
             the
             Will
             ,
             Grace
             ,
             and
             Power
             of
             God
             ,
             how
             weak
             ,
             or
             earthen
             soever
             the
             Vessels
             are
             ,
             in
             which
             it
             is
             carried
             unto
             men
             ,
             See
             further
             for
             this
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             15.10
             .
             and
             2
             
               Cor.
            
             3.5
             ,
             
               Act.
            
             3.12
             .
             This
             being
             so
             ,
             it
             follows
             that
             we
             having
             the
             same
             will
             of
             God
             now
             made
             known
             to
             us
             by
             the
             writings
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             by
             which
             men
             were
             directed
             ,
             authorized
             and
             warranted
             to
             beleeve
             be
             baptized
             ,
             gather
             into
             Churches
             ,
             and
             to
             hold
             communion
             in
             all
             Ordinances
             in
             the
             Apostles
             days
             ,
             that
             therefore
             we
             also
             are
             every
             whit
             as
             well
             authorized
             and
             required
             to
             repent
             beleeve
             ,
             be
             baptized
             ,
             unite
             in
             Church
             bodies
             ,
             hold
             communion
             in
             all
             Ordinances
             of
             the
             Gospel
             as
             they
             were
             ,
             for
             the
             will
             of
             God
             which
             is
             the
             ground
             and
             foundation
             of
             all
             ,
             is
             the
             same
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             expressed
             by
             speaking
             or
             writing
             .
             And
             I
             fear
             it
             will
             be
             found
             a
             slender
             excuse
             for
             men
             in
             the
             great
             day
             of
             reckokoning
             ,
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             therefore
             they
             had
             not
             kept
             his
             Orninances
             ,
             because
             he
             did
             not
             deliver
             his
             mind
             about
             them
             upon
             the
             
             same
             terms
             to
             all
             as
             he
             had
             done
             to
             some
             ,
             when
             as
             notwithstanding
             he
             hath
             sufficiently
             enough
             discovered
             his
             mind
             &
             will
             herein
             .
             And
             why
             should
             any
             think
             either
             that
             God
             will
             more
             excuse
             men
             in
             these
             days
             from
             obeying
             him
             in
             his
             Ordinances
             ,
             then
             he
             did
             in
             the
             Apostles
             times
             ,
             or
             that
             men
             have
             lesse
             need
             now
             of
             the
             help
             and
             benefit
             of
             all
             the
             Ordinances
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             then
             they
             then
             had
             ?
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             28.
             
          
           
             What
             hath
             been
             said
             already
             touching
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             apostolical
             ministry
             among
             us
             ,
             and
             the
             validity
             of
             their
             writings
             as
             being
             equivolent
             with
             their
             personal
             speaking
             ,
             to
             authorise
             men
             in
             the
             use
             and
             administration
             of
             Ordinances
             ,
             may
             I
             suppose
             abundantly
             satisfie
             any
             that
             are
             desirous
             of
             satisfaction
             ,
             touching
             an
             Administrator
             ,
             and
             mens
             power
             of
             administring
             baptism
             now
             in
             these
             daies
             ;
             yet
             because
             men
             might
             in
             this
             kind
             have
             good
             measure
             ,
             heaped
             up
             ,
             pressed
             down
             ,
             and
             running
             over
             into
             their
             bosoms
             ,
             I
             shall
             speak
             yet
             something
             further
             to
             that
             particular
             case
             .
          
           
             The
             question
             is
             ,
             what
             power
             any
             man
             hath
             in
             these
             days
             to
             administer
             Baptism
             ?
          
           
             The
             answer
             is
             ,
             even
             the
             very
             same
             that
             those
             men
             had
             ,
             whom
             the
             Apostles
             in
             their
             time
             did
             put
             upon
             this
             work
             .
             And
             the
             reason
             hereof
             is
             because
             the
             power
             of
             appointing
             men
             then
             to
             administer
             baptism
             ,
             was
             not
             Arbitrary
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             liberty
             of
             the
             Apostles
             own
             wills
             ,
             for
             they
             were
             but
             instruments
             and
             ministers
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             to
             declare
             ,
             who
             and
             what
             manner
             of
             persons
             he
             would
             have
             imployed
             therein
             ;
             but
             it
             was
             the
             will
             of
             God
             (
             when
             known
             )
             whose
             work
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             did
             impower
             men
             to
             administer
             Baptism
             .
             This
             was
             proved
             above
             in
             Section
             27.
             not
             onely
             in
             relation
             to
             this
             particular
             administration
             ,
             but
             all
             others
             also
             .
             And
             the
             very
             truth
             is
             ,
             the
             whole
             power
             of
             administration
             of
             any
             of
             the
             things
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             men
             of
             a
             lower
             rank
             and
             degree
             ,
             but
             even
             by
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             ,
             yea
             which
             is
             more
             ,
             even
             by
             Christ
             himself
             is
             charged
             upon
             the
             will
             of
             God
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             1.1
             .
             and
             2
             
               Cor.
            
             1.1
             .
             
               Gal.
            
             1.1
             ,
             
               Eph.
            
             1.1
             .
             
               Col
               ,
            
             1.1
             .
             2
             
               Tim.
            
             1.1
             .
             
               John
            
             6.38
             .
             and
             12.49
             .
             
               Heb.
            
             3.2
             .
          
           
             Now
             look
             then
             what
             manner
             of
             persons
             stand
             declared
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             as
             allowed
             by
             God
             in
             the
             Apostles
             dayes
             ,
             as
             meet
             for
             this
             work
             of
             baptizing
             ,
             the
             
             same
             manner
             or
             sort
             of
             men
             ,
             are
             likewise
             in
             the
             same
             capacity
             of
             doing
             it
             now
             ;
             for
             the
             will
             of
             God
             herein
             ,
             respects
             the
             qualifications
             of
             men
             and
             not
             their
             person
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             29.
             
          
           
             But
             now
             the
             Scripture
             is
             expresse
             ,
             that
             this
             work
             of
             baptizing
             ,
             was
             not
             restrained
             or
             tied
             to
             the
             Apostles
             as
             such
             ,
             but
             might
             be
             done
             ,
             as
             usually
             it
             was
             by
             the
             Disciples
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             1.17
             .
             
               For
               Christ
               sent
               me
               not
               to
               baptize
               ,
               but
               to
               preach
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             The
             meaning
             is
             not
             that
             Christ
             did
             not
             in
             his
             Commission
             appoint
             
               Paul
            
             to
             preach
             Baptism
             ,
             to
             presse
             and
             perswade
             men
             upon
             their
             repentance
             to
             be
             baptized
             (
             as
             
               Peter
            
             did
             ,
             whose
             Commission
             was
             the
             same
             ,
             
               Acts
            
             2.38
             .
             )
             for
             this
             being
             one
             of
             the
             beginning
             Doctrines
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               Heb.
            
             6.1
             ,
             2.
             could
             not
             be
             left
             out
             of
             the
             Commission
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             28.18
             .
             Nor
             is
             this
             the
             meaning
             as
             if
             Christ
             had
             not
             impowered
             him
             to
             baptize
             when
             occasion
             was
             ,
             for
             he
             confesses
             that
             he
             did
             baptize
             
               Crispus
            
             and
             
               Gaius
               ,
            
             and
             the
             
               houshold
               of
               Stephanus
            
             among
             these
             Corinthians
             ,
             ver
             14.16
             .
             But
             his
             meaning
             is
             ,
             when
             he
             saies
             Christ
             had
             not
             sent
             him
             to
             baptize
             ,
             that
             Christ
             had
             not
             imposed
             any
             such
             thing
             upon
             him
             ,
             as
             that
             he
             should
             himself
             ,
             and
             with
             his
             own
             hands
             baptize
             all
             those
             that
             he
             converted
             to
             the
             faith
             ,
             but
             this
             was
             such
             a
             work
             as
             in
             which
             other
             common
             Disciples
             might
             ease
             
               Paul
               .
            
             So
             that
             though
             
               Paul
            
             begot
             them
             all
             to
             the
             faith
             by
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             chap.
             4.15
             .
             and
             though
             they
             were
             all
             of
             them
             baptized
             ,
             as
             appears
             chap.
             1.13
             .
             and
             12.13
             .
             yet
             as
             he
             declares
             he
             baptized
             but
             few
             of
             them
             himsel●
             ,
             chap.
             1.14.16
             .
          
           
             And
             it
             should
             seem
             by
             this
             of
             
               Paul
            
             and
             that
             of
             
               Peter
               ,
               Acts
            
             10.48
             .
             (
             who
             is
             said
             to
             have
             commanded
             
               Cornelius
               ,
            
             and
             his
             ,
             to
             be
             baptized
             that
             it
             was
             an
             usual
             thing
             with
             Apostles
             to
             leave
             the
             administration
             of
             Baptism
             to
             Disciples
             .
             Christ
             also
             who
             was
             never
             backward
             in
             any
             thing
             that
             was
             necessary
             for
             him
             to
             do
             ,
             left
             this
             work
             of
             baptizing
             to
             his
             Disciples
             and
             followers
             ,
             
               John
            
             4
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             
               Jesus
               made
               and
               baptized
               more
               Disciples
               then
            
             John
             ,
             
               though
               Jesus
               himself
               baptized
               not
               ,
               but
               his
               Disciples
               ,
            
             [
             what
             a
             Disciple
             is
             ,
             see
             
               Jon.
            
             8.31
             .
             ]
             By
             which
             it
             appears
             to
             be
             a
             work
             rather
             belonging
             to
             followers
             then
             to
             leaders
             .
             And
             
               Philip
            
             at
             that
             time
             when
             he
             baptized
             the
             
               Eunuch
               ,
               Acts
            
             8.38
             .
             was
             for
             ought
             appears
             but
             a
             Deacon
             .
             
               Ananius
            
             also
             ,
             who
             it
             seems
             baptized
             
               Paul
               ,
            
             is
             described
             but
             as
             a
             Disciple
             
               Acts
            
             9.10
             .
             
             And
             whereas
             three
             thousand
             were
             baptized
             ,
             and
             added
             unto
             the
             Church
             in
             one
             day
             ,
             yea
             in
             lesse
             then
             a
             day
             since
             it
             was
             the
             third
             hour
             ,
             when
             
               Peter
            
             began
             his
             sermon
             ,
             
               Acts
            
             2.15
             .
             it
             s
             no
             wise
             likely
             ,
             but
             that
             many
             of
             the
             hundred
             and
             twenty
             Disciples
             that
             till
             then
             had
             kept
             together
             ,
             were
             imployed
             thereabout
             ,
             otherwise
             it
             s
             not
             like
             ,
             so
             much
             work
             could
             be
             done
             in
             so
             little
             time
             ,
             but
             by
             many
             hands
             ,
             
               Acts
            
             2.41
             .
          
           
             If
             then
             Beleevers
             or
             men-Disciples
             as
             such
             ,
             are
             sufficient
             administrators
             of
             water
             Baptism
             in
             Scripture
             account
             ,
             as
             by
             what
             hath
             been
             said
             may
             appear
             ,
             then
             for
             as
             much
             as
             that
             through
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             ,
             there
             are
             many
             such
             among
             us
             now
             in
             these
             days
             ,
             no
             man
             need
             to
             keep
             out
             of
             this
             Gospel
             way
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             a
             fit
             administrator
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             30.
             
          
           
             If
             any
             shall
             here
             Object
             (
             as
             its
             like
             there
             will
             )
             that
             the
             Apostles
             did
             never
             appoint
             those
             to
             baptize
             others
             ,
             who
             were
             not
             first
             baptized
             themselves
             ,
             as
             those
             are
             suspected
             to
             have
             done
             who
             first
             began
             the
             practise
             of
             baptizing
             among
             us
             ,
             since
             reformation
             began
             .
          
           
             
               Answ.
            
             1.
             
             To
             this
             I
             answer
             ,
             1.
             
             I
             cannot
             say
             that
             the
             Apostles
             did
             set
             any
             to
             baptize
             others
             ,
             who
             were
             not
             first
             baptized
             themselves
             ,
             neither
             is
             it
             likely
             they
             did
             ,
             there
             being
             no
             such
             need
             ,
             seeing
             there
             were
             other
             enough
             in
             that
             capacity
             to
             do
             it
             :
             yet
             this
             I
             may
             say
             ,
             though
             we
             find
             Baptism
             pressed
             on
             men
             as
             a
             duty
             ,
             
               Acts
            
             2.38
             .
             
               and
            
             10.48
             .
             yet
             we
             do
             not
             find
             that
             they
             were
             injoined
             to
             be
             baptized
             by
             men
             so
             and
             so
             qualified
             ,
             but
             onely
             indefinitely
             to
             be
             baptized
             ,
             by
             which
             ,
             we
             may
             gather
             that
             the
             care
             of
             being
             baptized
             ,
             is
             a
             matter
             of
             greater
             consequence
             ,
             then
             what
             manner
             of
             administrator
             should
             do
             it
             .
          
           
             2
             
               John
            
             the
             Baptist
             questionlesse
             did
             administer
             baptism
             ,
             while
             he
             himself
             was
             yet
             unbaptized
             ,
             for
             if
             he
             were
             the
             first
             instrument
             of
             erecting
             that
             Ordinance
             ,
             then
             of
             necessity
             he
             must
             baptize
             somebody
             before
             he
             himself
             could
             be
             baptized
             ,
             which
             shews
             ,
             that
             under
             some
             circumstances
             it
             is
             not
             unlawful
             for
             one
             to
             be
             baptized
             ,
             by
             one
             that
             is
             himself
             unbaptized
             ,
             
               viz.
            
             where
             it
             appears
             to
             be
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             that
             Baptism
             should
             be
             received
             ,
             and
             yet
             none
             willing
             to
             administer
             it
             ,
             but
             he
             who
             is
             not
             baptized
             .
             And
             therefore
             should
             we
             suppose
             that
             the
             line
             of
             such
             administrators
             of
             Baptism
             had
             been
             cut
             off
             ,
             as
             had
             been
             duly
             baptized
             themselves
             ,
             yet
             in
             the
             restitution
             of
             this
             Ordinance
             
             unto
             its
             primitive
             use
             and
             purity
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             the
             same
             necessity
             for
             some
             one
             to
             renew
             this
             administration
             who
             is
             not
             baptized
             ,
             as
             was
             at
             the
             first
             to
             begin
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             31.
             
          
           
             Nor
             do
             I
             know
             any
             reason
             to
             make
             the
             weight
             and
             benefit
             of
             Baptism
             received
             ,
             to
             depend
             upon
             his
             personal
             Baptism
             that
             does
             administer
             it
             ,
             seeing
             
               neither
               is
               he
               that
               planteth
               any
               thing
               ,
               nor
               he
               that
               watereth
               ,
               but
               God
               that
               giveth
               the
               increase
               ,
            
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             3
             ,
             7.
             
             Besides
             ,
             though
             we
             find
             men
             in
             Scripture
             injoined
             Baptism
             ,
             yet
             we
             do
             not
             find
             them
             injoined
             to
             receive
             it
             from
             such
             and
             such
             hands
             ,
             as
             namely
             from
             such
             as
             are
             baptized
             ,
             or
             else
             not
             at
             all
             ;
             but
             it
             rather
             seems
             to
             be
             injoined
             in
             this
             respect
             as
             circumcision
             was
             ,
             which
             was
             indeed
             injoined
             to
             all
             the
             Males
             among
             the
             Jews
             ,
             but
             not
             determinately
             appointing
             it
             to
             be
             administred
             by
             such
             or
             such
             hands
             .
             So
             that
             if
             there
             be
             no
             positure
             law
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             transgression
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             ,
             32.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             I
             might
             bring
             an
             argument
             
               ad
               hominem
               ,
            
             from
             the
             practise
             of
             many
             of
             those
             men
             themselves
             ,
             who
             keep
             off
             from
             Baptism
             upon
             the
             scruple
             of
             an
             administrator
             ;
             for
             they
             themselves
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             greater
             thing
             then
             to
             baptize
             ,
             and
             therefore
             why
             should
             they
             scruple
             to
             baptize
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             to
             receive
             Baptism
             from
             one
             who
             is
             able
             to
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             for
             he
             that
             may
             do
             the
             greater
             ,
             may
             do
             the
             lesse
             also
             .
          
           
             Now
             that
             it
             is
             a
             greater
             matter
             to
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             then
             to
             administer
             Baptism
             ,
             is
             most
             evident
             by
             that
             of
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             1.17
             .
             
               Christ
               sent
               me
               not
               to
               baptize
               ,
               but
               to
               preach
               the
               Gospel
               :
            
             Meaning
             that
             to
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             was
             more
             apostolical
             ,
             then
             to
             administer
             Baptism
             ;
             the
             latter
             might
             better
             be
             done
             by
             inferiour
             hands
             then
             the
             former
             ,
             as
             I
             shewed
             before
             .
             The
             true
             tendency
             therefore
             of
             this
             opinion
             ,
             that
             none
             may
             receive
             Baptism
             ,
             because
             there
             is
             none
             duly
             qualified
             to
             administer
             it
             ,
             is
             to
             eject
             and
             cast
             all
             preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             out
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             a●
             well
             as
             baptism
             ,
             for
             if
             there
             be
             none
             qualified
             to
             administer
             Baptism
             which
             is
             the
             lesse
             ,
             there
             is
             none
             qualified
             to
             minister
             the
             word
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             greater
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             33.
             
          
           
             But
             because
             some
             also
             are
             gone
             so
             far
             out
             of
             the
             way
             ,
             as
             to
             think
             that
             none
             may
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             except
             they
             were
             so
             indued
             
             with
             power
             from
             on
             high
             ,
             as
             were
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             could
             speak
             by
             immediate
             revelation
             of
             the
             spirit
             as
             they
             did
             ,
             I
             shall
             here
             insert
             one
             word
             from
             the
             Scriptures
             to
             prove
             the
             contrary
             .
             It
             doth
             sufficiently
             appear
             ,
             that
             even
             in
             the
             Apostles
             days
             ,
             whilest
             yet
             extraordinary
             gifts
             were
             abroad
             ,
             men
             might
             prophesie
             ,
             who
             yet
             could
             not
             speak
             by
             any
             such
             immediate
             and
             infallible
             revelation
             of
             the
             spirit
             as
             the
             Apostles
             did
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             the
             Apostle
             cautions
             those
             that
             prophesied
             in
             the
             Church
             at
             
               Rome
               ,
               to
               prophesie
               according
               to
               the
               proportion
               of
               faith
               ,
               Rom.
            
             12
             6.
             that
             is
             ,
             either
             according
             to
             the
             rule
             of
             faith
             ,
             or
             according
             to
             that
             measure
             of
             faith
             and
             knowledge
             ,
             which
             they
             had
             attained
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             which
             caution
             were
             needlesse
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             prophesied
             according
             to
             the
             immediate
             dictates
             of
             the
             spirit
             ,
             as
             they
             did
             who
             speak
             as
             the
             spirit
             gave
             them
             utterance
             ;
             for
             then
             they
             could
             not
             be
             in
             danger
             of
             erring
             in
             their
             prophecying
             ,
             because
             prophesie
             in
             this
             kind
             ,
             
               came
               not
               at
               any
               time
               by
               ,
               or
               according
               to
               the
               will
               of
               man
               ,
               but
               holy
               men
               of
               God
               ,
               spake
               as
               they
               were
               moved
               by
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
            
             as
             the
             Apostle
             
               Peter
            
             hath
             it
             ,
             2
             
               Pet.
            
             1.21
             .
             Yea
             if
             any
             had
             the
             spirit
             of
             prophesie
             in
             this
             sence
             ,
             they
             could
             not
             ,
             though
             they
             had
             a
             desire
             to
             speak
             otherwise
             then
             the
             spirit
             moved
             them
             ,
             as
             appears
             in
             the
             case
             of
             
               Baalam
               ,
            
             who
             said
             ,
             
               if
               Balak
               would
               give
               me
               his
               house
               full
               of
               Silver
               and
               Gold
               ,
               I
               cannot
               go
               beyond
               the
               Commandement
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               to
               do
               either
               good
               or
               bad
               of
               mine
               own
               mind
               ;
               but
               what
               the
               Lord
               saith
               ,
               that
               will
               I
               speak
               ,
               Num.
            
             24
             13.
             
             And
             it
             is
             not
             unlike
             but
             that
             the
             extraordinary
             Prophets
             ,
             sometimes
             spake
             things
             by
             the
             guidance
             of
             the
             spirit
             ,
             which
             they
             themselves
             understood
             not
             ;
             
               I
               heard
               ,
            
             saith
             
               Daniel
               ,
               but
               I
               understood
               not
               ,
               Dan.
            
             12.8
             .
             
               See
            
             1
             
               Pet.
            
             1.10.11.12
             .
             But
             these
             who
             are
             directed
             to
             prophesie
             according
             to
             the
             proportion
             of
             faith
             ,
             are
             to
             keep
             within
             the
             bounds
             of
             their
             own
             knowledge
             ,
             and
             not
             undertake
             to
             teach
             others
             ,
             what
             they
             do
             not
             well
             understand
             themselves
             .
          
           
             Besides
             the
             Apostle
             describing
             the
             subject
             matter
             of
             those
             prophecyings
             ,
             which
             were
             used
             in
             the
             Churches
             saith
             ,
             
               He
               that
               prophecieth
               speaketh
               unto
               men
               to
               edification
               ,
               and
               exhortation
               and
               comfort
               ,
            
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             14.3
             .
             which
             to
             do
             ,
             were
             things
             not
             peculiar
             to
             extraordinary
             Prophets
             ,
             but
             common
             duties
             among
             Christians
             ,
             1
             
               Thes.
            
             5.11
             .
             
               Wherefore
               comfort
               your selves
               together
               ,
               
               and
               edifie
               one
               another
               ,
               even
               as
               also
               ye
               do
               ,
               and
               exhort
               one
               another
               daily
               ,
               Heb.
            
             3.13
             .
             
               and
            
             10.25
             .
             
               As
               every
               man
               hath
               received
               the
               gift
               ,
               even
               so
               minister
               the
               same
               one
               to
               another
               ,
               as
               good
               Stewards
               of
               the
               manifold
               Grace
               of
               God
               .
            
             1
             
               Pet.
            
             4.10
             .
             In
             which
             the
             Apostle
             gives
             this
             caution
             ,
             
               verse
            
             11
             ,
             if
             any
             man
             speak
             let
             him
             speak
             as
             the
             Oracles
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             according
             to
             ,
             and
             as
             becomes
             the
             words
             of
             God
             ;
             of
             which
             caution
             there
             had
             been
             no
             use
             as
             I
             said
             before
             ,
             if
             none
             had
             spoke
             in
             a
             way
             of
             prophecying
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             to
             edification
             ,
             exhortation
             and
             comfort
             ,
             but
             onely
             such
             as
             spake
             by
             immediate
             revelation
             .
             And
             whatever
             the
             gift
             was
             which
             
               Timothy
            
             received
             by
             the
             putting
             on
             of
             
               Paul's
            
             hands
             ,
             2
             
               Tim.
            
             1.6
             .
             or
             which
             afterward
             he
             received
             by
             prophesie
             ,
             and
             the
             laying
             on
             of
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             Presbytery
             ,
             1
             
               Tim
               ,
            
             4.14
             .
             I
             say
             what
             ever
             other
             gift
             it
             was
             ,
             it
             seems
             it
             was
             not
             a
             gift
             of
             preaching
             the
             Gospel
             by
             immediate
             revelation
             of
             the
             spirit
             ,
             because
             in
             order
             to
             his
             teaching
             he
             is
             exhorted
             ,
             
               to
               give
               attendance
               to
               reading
               ,
            
             1
             
               Tim.
            
             4.13
             .
             and
             is
             admonished
             also
             ,
             to
             
               take
               heed
               unto
               his
               Doctrine
               ,
               verse
            
             16.
             and
             directed
             to
             
               hold
               fast
               the
               form
               of
               sound
               words
               ,
               which
               he
               had
               heard
               of
               Paul
               ,
            
             2
             
               Tim.
            
             1.13
             .
             for
             all
             which
             there
             had
             been
             no
             place
             ,
             if
             what
             he
             had
             taught
             ,
             had
             been
             onely
             by
             the
             immediate
             dictates
             of
             the
             spirit
             :
             for
             he
             that
             speakes
             by
             immediate
             revelation
             and
             infallible
             guidance
             of
             the
             spirit
             ,
             needs
             not
             give
             attendanc●
             to
             reading
             ,
             in
             order
             thereunto
             ,
             nor
             is
             in
             danger
             (
             unlesse
             he
             take
             heed
             )
             of
             miscarrying
             in
             his
             Doctrine
             ,
             or
             of
             expressing
             himself
             in
             unsound
             words
             .
             Nor
             doth
             the
             Apostle
             in
             his
             directions
             about
             the
             choice
             of
             Elders
             ,
             1
             
               Tim
            
             3.
             where
             he
             insists
             at
             large
             on
             the
             qualifications
             requisite
             in
             such
             Officers
             ,
             speak
             one
             word
             of
             those
             extraordinary
             gifts
             .
             And
             as
             the
             Apostle
             would
             not
             have
             the
             prophecying
             then
             used
             in
             the
             Church
             to
             be
             despised
             ,
             so
             he
             would
             not
             have
             ought
             delivered
             therein
             ,
             to
             be
             received
             without
             examination
             and
             tryal
             ,
             1
             
               Thes.
            
             5.20.21
             .
             
               despise
               not
               prophecying
               ,
               prove
               all
               things
               ,
               &c.
            
             which
             shews
             ,
             that
             those
             that
             did
             then
             prophesie
             ,
             might
             possibly
             deliver
             errour
             as
             well
             as
             truth
             ,
             which
             those
             who
             spake
             onely
             as
             the
             spirit
             gave
             them
             utterance
             could
             not
             do
             ;
             but
             of
             this
             onely
             by
             the
             way
             .
             I
             shall
             now
             return
             to
             add
             a
             word
             more
             towards
             their
             satisfaction
             who
             lay
             so
             great
             a
             stress
             upon
             a
             baptized
             administrator
             of
             Baptism
             ,
             as
             for
             the
             supposed
             want
             whereof
             they
             are
             content
             ,
             that
             both
             Baptism
             ,
             and
             
             all
             those
             other
             Ordinances
             in
             Church
             communion
             which
             depend
             thereon
             ,
             should
             lie
             desolate
             and
             wast
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT.
             34.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             That
             therefore
             which
             I
             shall
             say
             in
             the
             last
             place
             to
             such
             ,
             is
             ,
             that
             the
             want
             of
             a
             baptized
             administratour
             ,
             can
             be
             no
             just
             plea
             for
             any
             among
             us
             to
             keep
             off
             from
             obeying
             Jesus
             Christ
             in
             submitting
             to
             the
             Ordinance
             of
             baptism
             ,
             because
             blessed
             be
             God
             ,
             there
             are
             many
             amongst
             us
             meet
             to
             administer
             that
             Ordinance
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             themselves
             baptized
             by
             such
             as
             were
             baptized
             also
             .
             Neither
             is
             it
             necessary
             ,
             nor
             indeed
             reasonable
             ,
             for
             any
             man
             to
             suspend
             his
             submitting
             to
             Baptism
             ,
             till
             he
             be
             able
             to
             make
             out
             by
             clear
             proof
             ,
             not
             onely
             that
             he
             from
             whom
             he
             is
             about
             to
             receive
             baptism
             was
             baptized
             ,
             but
             also
             that
             that
             third
             person
             ,
             from
             whom
             the
             second
             received
             it
             ,
             and
             a
             fourth
             from
             whom
             the
             third
             received
             it
             ,
             and
             so
             on
             to
             
               John
            
             the
             Baptist
             or
             the
             Disciples
             of
             Christ
             ,
             who
             first
             administred
             the
             same
             ;
             for
             there
             would
             have
             been
             no
             end
             of
             scrupling
             ,
             nor
             hardly
             a
             possibility
             of
             satisfaction
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             no
             not
             in
             the
             Apostles
             times
             ,
             and
             that
             successive
             time
             in
             which
             this
             administration
             was
             not
             corrupted
             ,
             if
             such
             a
             thing
             had
             been
             necessary
             .
             Nor
             can
             it
             easily
             be
             imagined
             how
             the
             
               Eunuch
            
             could
             have
             come
             at
             satisfaction
             in
             this
             point
             touching
             
               Philips
            
             meetnesse
             to
             administer
             baptism
             to
             him
             ,
             if
             such
             a
             lineal
             demonstration
             had
             been
             requisite
             hereunto
             .
             Nor
             can
             it
             reasonably
             be
             thought
             that
             that
             mans
             baptism
             should
             be
             the
             lesse
             available
             to
             him
             ,
             who
             in
             uprightnesse
             of
             heart
             ,
             submits
             himself
             thereto
             ,
             though
             he
             should
             be
             mistaken
             about
             the
             meetness
             of
             the
             administrator
             ;
             for
             
               Paul
            
             doubtlesse
             would
             never
             have
             rejoiced
             as
             he
             did
             ,
             that
             Christ
             was
             preached
             ,
             though
             but
             in
             pretence
             by
             some
             ,
             as
             in
             truth
             by
             others
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             knew
             that
             a
             benefit
             would
             redound
             even
             by
             their
             preaching
             of
             Christ
             to
             those
             that
             with
             honest
             hearts
             received
             the
             word
             from
             them
             ,
             their
             unmeetnesse
             to
             minister
             the
             Gospel
             otherwise
             notwithstanding
             ,
             
               Phil.
            
             1.18
             .
          
        
      
       
       
         
           A
           Postscript
           .
        
         
           IN
           as
           much
           as
           there
           are
           too
           many
           in
           these
           times
           ,
           who
           to
           render
           waterbaptism
           unnecessary
           ,
           do
           construe
           most
           of
           those
           Scriptures
           as
           meant
           of
           the
           Baptism
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           speak
           of
           Baptism
           ,
           after
           the
           ministry
           of
           
             John
          
           the
           Baptist
           ceased
           ,
           and
           who
           also
           do
           interpret
           those
           words
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           12.13
           .
           
             By
             one
             spirit
             we
             are
             all
             baptized
             into
             one
             body
             ,
          
           to
           be
           meant
           of
           the
           baptism
           of
           the
           spirit
           ;
           and
           so
           do
           take
           themselves
           as
           having
           the
           spirit
           ,
           to
           be
           duly
           incorporated
           visibly
           into
           this
           one
           body
           of
           Christ
           which
           is
           his
           church
           ,
           by
           vertue
           of
           their
           being
           baptized
           with
           the
           spirit
           ,
           whether
           they
           have
           ever
           received
           water-baptism
           or
           no
           :
           Therefore
           having
           this
           opportunity
           ,
           I
           shall
           here
           adde
           a
           word
           to
           convince
           such
           from
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           of
           their
           delusion
           and
           mistake
           herein
           .
        
         
           In
           order
           hereunto
           ,
           let
           such
           know
           ,
           that
           for
           men
           to
           receive
           of
           the
           spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           onely
           unto
           their
           own
           personal
           regeneration
           ,
           and
           sanctification
           ,
           is
           one
           thing
           ,
           &
           to
           be
           baptized
           with
           the
           spirit
           ,
           is
           another
           .
           Those
           whom
           
             John
          
           baptized
           ,
           at
           least
           many
           of
           them
           had
           received
           of
           the
           spirit
           to
           their
           own
           personal
           regeneration
           and
           sanctification
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           21.32
           .
           
             Luke
          
           7.29
           .
           and
           yet
           they
           were
           not
           then
           baptized
           with
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           but
           were
           directed
           to
           expect
           that
           from
           him
           that
           was
           to
           come
           after
           
             John
             ,
          
           to
           wit
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           3.11
           .
           Those
           eleven
           Apostles
           of
           Christ
           also
           ,
           who
           being
           assembled
           together
           ,
           and
           Christ
           with
           them
           ,
           a
           little
           before
           his
           ascension
           ,
           had
           at
           that
           time
           certainly
           received
           ,
           of
           the
           spirit
           to
           their
           own
           regeneration
           and
           sanctification
           ,
           yea
           and
           to
           a
           good
           degree
           for
           the
           edification
           of
           others
           also
           ;
           and
           yet
           at
           that
           time
           they
           were
           not
           baptized
           with
           the
           holy
           spirit
           ,
           but
           they
           then
           received
           a
           promise
           from
           Christ
           that
           they
           
             should
             be
             baptized
             with
             the
             spirit
             not
             many
             days
             thence
             ,
             Acts
          
           1.5
           .
        
         
           The
           baptism
           of
           the
           spirit
           then
           ,
           properly
           ,
           is
           such
           a
           being
           filled
           with
           the
           holy
           spirit
           ,
           as
           by
           which
           men
           are
           able
           to
           speak
           with
           other
           tongues
           ,
           and
           to
           act
           and
           do
           things
           of
           like
           high
           and
           extraordinary
           import
           .
           This
           is
           evident
           ,
           First
           ,
           from
           the
           tenor
           of
           that
           saying
           of
           the
           Baptist
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           3.11
           .
           
             I
             indeed
             baptize
             you
             with
             water
             unto
             repentance
             ,
             but
             he
             that
             commeth
             after
             me
             ,
             is
             mightier
             then
             I
             ,
             whose
             shooes
             I
             am
             not
             worthy
             to
             bear
             ,
             he
             shall
             
             baptize
             you
             with
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             and
             with
             fire
             .
          
           Which
           accordingly
           was
           fulfilled
           to
           as
           many
           of
           the
           Jews
           as
           were
           professedly
           the
           Disciples
           of
           Christ
           at
           the
           day
           of
           Penticost
           following
           the
           ascention
           of
           Christ
           .
           For
           speaking
           of
           the
           hundred
           and
           twenty
           Disciples
           which
           were
           all
           with
           one
           accord
           in
           one
           place
           ,
           it
           s
           said
           that
           
             there
             appeared
             unto
             them
             eleven
             tongues
             ,
             like
             as
             of
             fire
             ,
             and
             it
             sate
             upon
             EACH
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             they
             were
             ALL
             filled
             with
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             and
             began
             to
             speak
             with
             other
             tongues
             as
             the
             spirit
             gave
             them
             utterance
             ,
             Acts
          
           2.1.3.4
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           such
           a
           being
           filled
           with
           the
           holy
           spirit
           ,
           was
           meant
           by
           the
           promise
           of
           being
           baptized
           with
           the
           spirit
           ,
           appears
           by
           the
           words
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             Acts
          
           1.5
           .
           compared
           with
           
             Acts
          
           2.1.2.3.4
           ,
           and
           
             Acts
          
           11.16
           .
           Christ
           commanded
           the
           Disciples
           that
           they
           should
           not
           depart
           from
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
             but
             wait
             for
             the
             promise
             of
             the
             father
             ,
             which
             said
             he
             ,
             ye
             have
             heard
             of
             me
             :
             for
          
           John
           
             truly
             baptized
             with
             water
             ,
             but
             ye
             shall
             be
             baptized
             with
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             not
             many
             daies
             hence
             ,
             Acts
          
           1.4.5
           .
           which
           accordingly
           they
           were
           as
           we
           had
           it
           before
           ,
           
             Acts
          
           2.1.3.4
           .
           which
           yet
           is
           more
           evident
           in
           
             Acts
          
           11.15.16
           .
           where
           
             Peter
          
           rehearsing
           the
           effect
           of
           his
           preaching
           the
           Gospel
           to
           
             Cornelius
          
           and
           his
           company
           ,
           saith
           ,
           
             And
             as
             I
             began
             to
             speak
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             fell
             on
             them
             ,
             as
             on
             us
             at
             the
             beginning
             ,
             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
             .
          
           Where
           note
           ,
           that
           the
           falling
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           upon
           
             Cornelius
          
           and
           those
           with
           him
           ,
           as
           on
           the
           Apostles
           and
           Disciples
           on
           the
           day
           of
           Pentecost
           ,
           causing
           them
           to
           speak
           with
           tongues
           as
           they
           did
           ,
           
             Acts
          
           10.46
           .
           this
           
             Peter
          
           deems
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           like
           act
           of
           grace
           vouchsaled
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           as
           was
           that
           which
           Christ
           promised
           his
           Disciples
           when
           he
           told
           them
           that
           they
           should
           be
           baptized
           with
           the
           holy
           spirit
           not
           many
           days
           after
           .
        
         
           The
           reason
           why
           such
           a
           rich
           measure
           of
           the
           spirit
           is
           expressed
           by
           this
           metaphor
           of
           being
           baptized
           with
           it
           ,
           is
           I
           conceive
           because
           of
           that
           analogy
           which
           is
           between
           this
           metaphorical
           baptism
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           is
           literal
           and
           proper
           :
           for
           as
           no
           man
           is
           litterally
           and
           properly
           baptized
           without
           abundance
           of
           water
           ,
           
             John
          
           3.23
           .
           so
           much
           as
           in
           which
           he
           is
           buried
           ,
           
             Col.
          
           2.12
           .
           so
           no
           man
           is
           metaphorically
           baptized
           with
           the
           spirit
           ,
           but
           he
           that
           receives
           ▪
           it
           in
           great
           abundance
           likewise
           .
           Sufferings
           also
           which
           are
           another
           metaphorical
           baptism
           ,
           a
           man
           
           is
           not
           said
           to
           be
           baptized
           herewith
           whilest
           they
           be
           but
           ordinary
           and
           common
           ,
           but
           then
           onely
           when
           they
           are
           very
           great
           and
           many
           ,
           such
           as
           that
           he
           may
           say
           concerning
           them
           ,
           
             I
             am
             come
             into
             deep
             waters
             ,
             where
             the
             floods
             overflow
             me
             ,
             Psal.
          
           69.2
           .
           And
           therefore
           Christ
           when
           he
           speaks
           of
           his
           being
           baptized
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           doth
           appropriate
           it
           to
           his
           suffering
           the
           sorrows
           of
           death
           ,
           
             Luke
          
           12.50
           .
           and
           not
           to
           those
           lesser
           degrees
           of
           suffering
           which
           befell
           him
           in
           the
           former
           part
           of
           his
           life
           .
        
         
           If
           then
           to
           be
           so
           filled
           with
           the
           spirit
           ,
           as
           by
           means
           thereof
           to
           be
           able
           to
           speak
           with
           other
           tongues
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           be
           in
           Scripture
           sence
           to
           be
           baptized
           with
           the
           spirit
           ,
           and
           not
           otherwise
           ;
           then
           those
           that
           will
           needs
           make
           a
           being
           baptized
           with
           the
           spirit
           ,
           the
           condition
           of
           the
           injoyment
           of
           Gospel
           priviledges
           ,
           and
           the
           means
           of
           mens
           being
           made
           members
           of
           that
           one
           body
           of
           Christ
           which
           is
           the
           Church
           (
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           12.13
           ,
           )
           as
           many
           now
           a
           daies
           do
           ,
           on
           purpose
           to
           exclude
           water-baptism
           altogether
           here-from
           ,
           do
           not
           onely
           thereby
           exclude
           themselves
           ,
           but
           also
           all
           others
           now
           living
           (
           so
           far
           as
           known
           to
           us
           )
           from
           all
           part
           and
           fellowship
           in
           such
           Gospel
           priviledges
           ,
           in
           as
           much
           as
           neither
           they
           nor
           any
           other
           visible
           to
           us
           ,
           are
           in
           a
           Scripture
           account
           baptized
           with
           the
           spirit
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A23664e-220
           
             Note
             this
             .
          
           
             Note
             this
             .
          
           
             Note
             .
          
        
      
      
  

