a proclamation for the careful custody and well ordering of the new river brought from chadwell and amwell to the north parts of the city of london james r. england and wales. sovereign (1685-1688 : james ii) 1686 approx. 7 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2009-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a46573 wing j352 estc r18615 12350133 ocm 12350133 59955 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. a46573) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 59955) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 869:44) a proclamation for the careful custody and well ordering of the new river brought from chadwell and amwell to the north parts of the city of london james r. england and wales. sovereign (1685-1688 : james ii) james ii, king of england, 1633-1701. 1 sheet ([1] p.) printed by cha[rle]s bill, henry hills, and thomas newcomb ..., london : 1686. reproduction of original in huntington library. broadside. at head of title: by the king. at end of text: [giv]en at our court at whitehall the fifth day of march 1685/6. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng rivers -england -regulation -early works to 1800. water rights -england -early works to 1800. broadsides 2007-11 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2008-01 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2008-03 mona logarbo sampled and proofread 2008-03 mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion j 2r diev et mon droit honi soit qvi mal y pense royal blazon or coat of arms by the king. a proclamation for the careful custody and well ordering of the new river brought from chadwell and amwell to the north parts of the city of london . james r. whereas by authority of two several acts of parliament made and ordained in the third and fourth years of the reign of our late royal grandfather king james ( of blessed memory ) the river now running fron chadwell and amwell , in our county of hertford , to the north parts of our city of london , was at the great charge of our said grandfather , and other the undertakers happily made and finished , since which time the water thereof is dispersed by pipes and branches through the several streets and places of our said city , the liberties and suburbs of the same , and elsewhere , to thebenefit and ease of our subjects there inhabiting , as well for the cleaning and sweet keeping of them in the times of infection , as the preservation and safety of the houses and buildings , goods and riches therein , from the fearful danger of fire casually happening ; and such was the care and providence of our said grandfather , that the water in any place in the course thereof should not at any time be troubled or corrupted ( whereby the health or lives of the people might suffer or be endangered ) that by his letters patents of incorporation dated the one and twentieth day of june , in the seventeenth year of his reign over this our realm of england , he created and erected a governour and company , successively to regulate , and carefully to oversee all things appertaining to the said river ; and several strict orders and commands were made and given by our late royal father ( of blessed memory ) for preservation of the said river , and preventing of such things as might be prejudicial thereunto ; notwithstanding which , the present governour and company have represented unto us , that great abuses are daily committed : vve therefore taking into our princely consideration , that the preservation of the said river is of great and esp●cial consequence , are graciously pleased by this our royal proclamation ( with the advice of our privy council ) exactly to charge and command , that all and every the grants , clauses and rest●●●…ons in the said acts of parliament , letters patents , and in all other our letters patents , orders and proclamations concerning the said river enacted , made , established , granted or confirmed , be from time to time carefully obeyed , observed , and performed ; and vve do hereby strictly prohibit and forbid all and singular the inhabitants of our city of london , the suburbs and liberties thereof , our city of westminster , and also the inhabitants of our several counties of middlesex and hertford , and likewise all the plummers , paviers , and other , artificers whomsoever , and every of them , that they nor any of them , do or shall presume at any time or times hereafter , without the privity , permission and allowance of the governour and company aforesaid for the time being , to intermeddle with the said vvorks , or any of the pipes or branches thereof , or to convey or derive any pipe or branch , pipes or branches of the said vvater , into then , or any of their houses , or other places , nor shall fetch or carry the water out of said river , the pipes or branches thereof , 〈◊〉 otherwise hinder , waste or consume , disturb , infect , abuse or corrupt the same river , by setting up of grates , overflowing of grounds , making of trenches or drains , filling of ponds , fishing , watering of cattel , keeping of geése or ducks thereupon , casting of carrion thereinto , or by doing or permitting any misusance , annoyance , let , stoppage , or prejudice whatsoever to the stream of our said river in any part of the currant thereof , nor shall cut , spoil , take away or destroy any the branches , bridges , vvharfs , posts , r●ils , banks , bounds or fences to the said river in any wise belonging or appertaining , or therewith enjoyed , or lying near , or behoful to the same ; and that the said governour and company , their officers and servants shall have free liberty in the day-time , in the presence of a constable , to search any house , yard , or back-side where they shall suspect any branch or branches are laid contrary to their knowledge , upon pain of our high displeasure , and of such pains , penalties and punishments , as by the laws ●d statutes of this kingdom , or our prerogative-royal can and may be inflicted upon the offenders for contempt of our royal vvi●● and pleasure herein declared : and vve do hereby straitly charge and command all mayors , iustices of peace , commissioners ●f sewers , sheriffs , bayliffs , constables , headboroughs , and all other our officers , and ministers and subjects within our said c●ties of london and westminster , the suburbs and liberties thereof , our counties of middlesex and hertford , whom the same shall o● may concern , that they and every of them hereafter be vigilant and circumspect , that our royal vvill and pleasure herein declare 〈◊〉 be from time to time effectually observed ; and that they and every of them in their several offices and places respectively , without ●xcuse or delay , be upon all occasions aiding and assisting to the said governour and company , their officers and ministers , in t●● strict observance and execution of all and singular the powers and authorities , limitations and restraints herein before menti●●ed , and in the grants and prohibitions aforesaid contained , according to the true intent and meaning of these presents , when they all be thereunto required by them or any of them , as they and every of them tender our pleasure , and will avoid the contrary at t●●ir perils . ●●●en at our court at whitehall the fifth day of march 1685 / 6. in the second year of our reign . god save the king . london , printed by cha●●●s bill , henry hills , and thomas newcomb , printers to the kings most excellent majesty , 1686. dr. peter's judgment of dullidge or lewisham water peter, john. 1680 approx. 8 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2009-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a54495 wing p1688a estc r50 12264569 ocm 12264569 57962 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. a54495) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 57962) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 872:56) dr. peter's judgment of dullidge or lewisham water peter, john. 1 sheet ([1] p.) s.n., [london : 168-] reproduction of original in huntington library. broadside. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng water quality -england -london -early works to 1800. broadsides 2008-04 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2008-09 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2008-12 mona logarbo sampled and proofread 2008-12 mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited 2009-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion dr. peter's judgment , of dullidge or lewisham water . this water was taken notice of about the year 1648 and a certain person would have monopolized it , by bui●ding and inclosing it ; and thereupon it was observed that it lost it's taste , it 's odour , and effe●ts , and people left off drinking it : sometime ●●●er it was observed to return to it's primitive goodness , and bestowed upon the poor , and it hath held it's virtue ever since , this is the traditional account . i judge this water principally to consist of nitrous salt , allom , and some sulphur . it purges strongly , sometimes causes to vomit , sometimes ▪ but seldom by sweat ; sometimes by all three ways of evacuation , the property of it's being to vary 〈◊〉 it 's operation , according to the matter it meets ●ith in peoples bodies . it 's vertues . it opens all obstructions within , what ever latter , especially those of the liver , spleen , mese●●ick , veins , pancreas , the billiary , vterine and vrmary passages , by which means such long lingring and almost incurable disterupers are bred as the sch●rrhuo , tepatick , lienis , the hard tumours of the liver and spleen , the flatus hypocondriacks , the black and yellow jaundice , the cholick , the stone , the gravel in the kidneys and bladder , all obstructions , difficulties and sharpness of urine , the haemorrhoi●es , cholick passion , tenas●●… cachexia , scurvy , dropsie , green-sickness , stopness of terms , fits of the mother , and many such ●ad distempers , whereof my author says he hath seen the effects ; and the reason he says why it should be so excellent for the curing the above named distempers , 〈◊〉 from the cleansing and attenuating quality of the nitrous salt , from the astringent and cooling faculty of the allom , and from the healing property of the sulphur . it fecundates the womb beyond any other , and seems an universal remedy against barranness , it extinguishes inflammations , it sweetens sharp humours , is good for salt distillations , helps admirably scal●ing ●rines , and is approved by most very beneficial for t●e ●unning of the reins , and for other diseases that are like to these , it 's an absolute remedy for the gout , if little assisted by art , excellent against all sorts of worms in the body . this water strengthens the brain and nerves , prevents or cures the apoplexy , falling sickness , p●lsie , dizziness , head-ach , and such like symptoms , it strengthens the stomach , causeth good digestion , consumes crudities , it makes gros● and fat bodies lean , and the lean fleshy ; in a word , this water will effect whatsoever by any intention in a medicinal way is to he perform'd by opening obstructions , evacuating superfluous humours , allaying vapours , cleansing the blood , and strengthen all the parts of the body . this water outwardly used , is good for most cutaneous distempers , as leprosie , itch , scabs , pimples , ring-worms , scurvy , &c. it dissolves tumours , and cureth old ulcers , if the part afflicted be well or bathed therewith ; and i am perswaded , it being used by way of a warm bath , it would be of great efficacy to consume hyduropical tumours , to ease or cure the gout , and rheumatick dolours , and far more effec●●al also in the abovesaid cutaneous distempers . the time of drinking it . ●s either winter or summer as occasions requires ; 〈◊〉 but in general when th● weather is clean dry it 's best , as well in winter as summer , and in frosty weather the water is strongest . in summer drink it betwixt sun rising and 'till it 's an hour high , or thereabouts ; then you will have it in it's full strength , and take it but once a day , and in my opinion , it 's much better drank warm than cold ; to drink water cold hypocrates says is hurtful to the bones , teeth , sinews , brain , and marrow of the back , &c. but warm is good and profitable . in short , i take it in all cases satest to take it warm , tho' strong constitutions may questionless receive it cold with great benefit , but weak constitutions do better to take it warm , so it be done with as little loss of the spirits as may be . in some cases you may make posset drink of it with milk ; in cases where it 's not safe to drink it cold , you may put a quarter of a pint of scalding or boiling hot milk into three pints of water , whereby it will become of a convenient warmth to be drank , and so you may proportion the milk to what quantity of water you please ; but i instance in the quantity , because for a body of middle age and compleat strength , i hold it a fit proportion to begin with , and so increasing every day gradually , 'till he rises to 8 or 9 pints , more or less , as he shall be able to bear it ; and so again decrease by degrees , as suppose you design to allot 20 days to drink the water , and the first day you begin with 3 pints , then i would have you add half a pint a day more for the next six days , three quarters of a pint for the eighth day , and almost a pint for the ninth day , and a whole pint for the tenth day ; which being your greatest rise , will amount to eight pints and a half , and so for the rem●●●ing ten days daily drink the proportions backw●rd : as what quantity you drank the tenth day , you are to drink the eleventh , and what proportion you drank the ninth , you are to take the twelfth , &c which brings you to the same proportion for the twentieth and last day , with which you began the first day ; but the just quantity to be taken at one time cannot possibly be ascertain'd , in regard of age , sex , strength , and other circumstances , yet general they have the most benefit by it that can drink the most , and thorowly concoct it . drink not the water too fast , but allot a short time , which will prevent griping , cold sweats , giddiness in the head , and the like ; take at first about a third part of what quantity you design , and then walk half and hour , then take another third part , and ezercise half an hour more ; and then the last or remaining part , and walk 'till all be past out of the body , or 'till dinner time ; walk moderately , but not so as to sweat ; but let not your exercise be violent , and sleep not 'till your water is wrought off ; stand not still in the sun , nor sit on the cold ground , which are hurtful ; you may eat a few caraway-comfits , coriander seeds , elicanpane , or angelica preserved , &c. to help the digestion of the water ; above all be temperate in your diet ; eat beef , mutton , veal , lamb , chickens , pullets , turkys , partridge , pheasant , conies , &c. forbear all salt meats , ducks , geese ▪ bacon , tripe , all salt-fish , eels , old cheese , leeks , onions cabbage , muskmelons , cucumbers , &c. are to be avoided ; also apples , pears , plumbs , cherries ripe goose-berries rasberries , &c. are all agreeable , if sparingly eat , and that a little before night , and then they help to temper the blood. at supper , for drink , beer , ale , or wine may be moderately drank ; let supper be larger than dinner , and 6 or 7 hours after it . after the end of the waters , use a spare diet for a month or two , which will prevent and keep out all crudities . drinke and vvelcome: or the famous historie of the most part of drinks, in use now in the kingdomes of great brittaine and ireland with an especiall declaration of the potency, vertue, and operation of our english ale. with a description of all sorts of waters, from the ocean sea, to the teares of a woman. as also, the causes of all sorts of weather, faire or foule ... compiled first in the high dutch tongue, by the painefull and industrious huldricke van speagle, a grammaticall brewer of lubeck, and now most learnedly enlarged, amplified, and translated into english prose and verse. by iohn taylor. taylor, john, 1580-1653. 1637 approx. 54 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 14 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a13442 stc 23749 estc s118210 99853418 99853418 18801 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. a13442) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 18801) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 1036:11) drinke and vvelcome: or the famous historie of the most part of drinks, in use now in the kingdomes of great brittaine and ireland with an especiall declaration of the potency, vertue, and operation of our english ale. with a description of all sorts of waters, from the ocean sea, to the teares of a woman. as also, the causes of all sorts of weather, faire or foule ... compiled first in the high dutch tongue, by the painefull and industrious huldricke van speagle, a grammaticall brewer of lubeck, and now most learnedly enlarged, amplified, and translated into english prose and verse. by iohn taylor. taylor, john, 1580-1653. [28] p. printed by anne griffin, london : 1637. in fact an original work by taylor; "van speagle" is a fiction. partly in verse. signatures: a-c⁴ d² . the last leaf is blank. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng beverages -early works to 1800. water -early works to 1800. weather -early works to 1800. 2000-00 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2001-00 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2001-07 tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread 2002-12 mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion drinke and welcome : or the famovs historie of the most part of drinks ▪ in use now in the kingdomes of great brittaine and ireland ; with an especiall declaration of the potency , vertue , and operation of our english ale. with a description of all sorts of waters , from the ocean sea , to the teares of a woman . as also , the causes of all sorts of weather , faire or soule , sleet , raine , haile , frost , snow , fogges , mists , vapours , clouds , stormes , windes , thunder and lightning . compiled first in the high dutch tongue , by the painefull and industrious hvldricke van speagle , a grammaticall brewer of lubeck , and now most learnedly enlarged , amplified , and translated into english prose and verse . by iohn taylor . london , printed by anne griffin . 1637. the famovs historie of the most part of drinks , in use now in the kingdomes of great brittaine and ireland ; with an especiall declaration of the potency , vertue , and operation of our english ale. compiled first in the high dutch tongue , by the painefull and industrious huldricke van speagle , a gramaticall brewer of lubeck , and now most learnedly enlarged , amplified , and translated into english. by iohn taylor . i huldrick van speagle , doe ingeniously confesse my boldnesse , and crave pardon of the brittains and irish nation ; for that i ( being a stranger ) have presumed to write of such drinkes as are potable in their climates and countries ; with such particularities of their originals and vertues , as i have by experience and practise , with my collections out of divers learned authors gathered . i purpose not to insist in a methodicall way , but according to my quality in a plaine and briefe relation . it is not unknowne to men of any reading , that this iland which hath now regaind it's ancient name of great brittaine , was by brute inhabited by the remainders of some scattered and dispersed trojans : the drinkes they used in their best and worst of fortunes after their plantation here , are observed to bee these ; syder , perry , metheglin , mead , bragget , pomperkin , and chiefely , though lastly , ale , with its appendix beere . of which in order . syder . syder ( whose anagram is desyr ) desires and deserves the first place , as being the most ancient : it is made of apples , and is of that antiquity , that it is thought by some to have beene invented and made by eve , and afterwards practised by cain , who by the making of it in the time of his vagrancy , got a very competent estate . certainely it was a most frequent and usuall drinke amongst the trojans , and was with the remainder of that nation , first brought into this iland : it is called syder a sydera , ( as the dictionary tels me ) of the starres , whose influence in those heathenish times was much invoked in the composure of that most excellent liquor , whereof my native country of the county of glocestershire most plentifully flowes ; it doth much refrigerate and qualifie the inward heat of man , it is also very purgative , and cleanseth the small guts of all viscous humours , and is much meliorated by the addition of sugar , in which way being taken the poorest cottage in wales that affords it , outvies the sollyard , and the men of that countrey may without blushing ( their ordinary vertue ) paralell it with the glory of the rhine . perry . perry is more aromaticke , being made of peares , from whence it seemes to have its appellation : there is much disagreement amongst ancient and moderne writers about the antiquity , originall , and derivation of the name of it ; gorbonus the lacedemonian sales , it was first made in syria by one pericles . trappoza ( a most learned theban ) ascribes it to one periander : nimpsbagg will have it from persepolis a city in persia : but some brittains will , that desire to vindicate the antiquity of times , of one parry , a nephew to cadwallader the great , the last king of the brittains , who was most ●●●ious in the composure of liquids of this nature . others would seeme to derive it from perrue in america , who in regard of the luxuriant soyle , and salubrious ayre abounded wonderfully with peares ; alleadging that mangotapon one of the seven that hid themselves in a cave , called particumbo , at that great deluge of the world , was at his comming forth ( for he liv'd to come forth ) the first compounder of this drinke , which in honour of his country he then called perrue . amongst all these various opinions of forraigne authors , common experience tels us , that worcestershire is our brittish maggazin , or plentifull store-house for perry ; nor will i seeke further to dispute the poynt , the drinke being usuall and equall with what hath beene said before of syder . it is very availeable in quenching of thirst , good against obstructions of the liver and spleene , and most effectuall against contagious diseases , by the opinion of the brittish doctours , to whose treatises i referre the learned for larger instructions . metheglin and mead. metheglin , and meade in regard of the coherence of their conditions , i may very well handle them together , without any disparagement to either ; how ever there bee some preportion in their severall compositions , yet the maine ingredient being honey stands allowable to both . the common appellation of the first by the name of mathew glinn , ( although it seeme a nick't name to the world ) is generally received by the history of monmoth , to be the authours name of this mellifluous mixture : for this mathew dwelling in a valley ( for so the word glinn imports englished from the welsh ) being master of a very great stocke of bees , and wanting vent for the issue of their labours , in an abundant yeare betooke himselfe wholy to his study , and being most ingenious in things of this nature , in a short time he profited so well , as out of his maternall or mother-wit , of himselfe he perfected this rare composure . this name being now ingeminated by the quotidian calls of his well disposed countreymen , renders it vendible in the most municipall townes of those parts , at the rates of six pence the quart , which is the most predominant price of any of our homebred liquors . concerning the vertues of it , it is to be held in most extraordinary regard , for it is purgative in respect of the mell ( or honey ) and of singular efficacy against tremor cordis ; indeed the overmuch taking of it is to a melancholicke man in the nature of an opiate , and therefore to be refused ( if not taken with caution ) by men of that constitution . mead or meath . for meade or meath ( as some will have it ) there are diverse unwarrantable authors that would wrest the originall and derivation of the name from medusa , the inchantresse , some there are that the crewell media was the inventor of it : but padesh shellum shagh , a learned gimnosophist ( whose opinion i most leaue unto ) in his ninth booke of hidromancy , faith , that it was a drinke in use and potable by the medes and persians in the first erection of that monarchy ( from whence most significantly it hath the name ) and that a brittish lord , a favourite of a soldan there , first brought it to these parts , the receipt being freely bestowed upon him , for his especiall service ; in the beliefe of all which , i must crave pardon , that i am not guilty , but i rather thinke it as an abstract from the former , however it hath some severall vertues , but in regard of the cheapnesse it is now growne contemptible , being altogether ecclipsed by the vertue of metheglin . braggot . the next to be handled is braggot , a drinke in my opinion , not much beholding to antiquity , although some extant writings of the barley avouch the receipt for the making of it to be sent over from the emperour of the east , to liolin the great prince of wales . this drinke is of a most hot nature , as being compos'd of spices , and if it once scale the sconce , and enter within the circumclusion of the perricranion , it doth much accelerate nature , by whose forcible attraction and operation , the drinker ( by way of distribution ) is easily enabled to afford blowes to his brother ; it is hot in the third degree , in which respect it is held medicinable , against all cold diseases of the stomacke . pomperkin . the sixt sort of brittish drinkes is pomperkin , a drinke whose originall was from pomeranea ( a province in germany ) as some writers relate . some derive it from the pomponii ( a noble roman family ) however authors differ about it , it is not much materiall ; most certaine it is that it is made of apples , as the name of it imports ; being nothing but the apples bruised and beaten to mash , with water put to them , which is a drinke of so weake a condition that it is no where acceptable but amongst the rusticks and plebeyans , being a heartlesse liquor much of the nature of swillons in scotland , or small beere in england , such as is said to be made of the washings of the brewers legges and aprors ; and i doe most yeeld to their opinions that the first authour of pomperkin was perkin warbecke in the raigne of henry the seventh , who in his private retirements and iurking holes , had occasion to practise the thrifty making of this infusion . it is of an hidropicall and aquarian operation , the vigour of it doth seldome evaporate upward or ascend to the braine , and being it is likewise of a coroading condition , yet the brittish bodies being well antidoted with their compounded creame , whig , whey , and butter-milke ; in their constitutions it becomes matter of nutriment . ale. having gone thus farre , it remaines that i speak something of what hath been , and now is used by the english , as well since the conquest , as in time of the brittains , saxons , and danes , ( for the former recited drinks , are to this day confin'd to the principality ) so as we enjoy them onely by a statute called the courtesie of wales . and to perfect my discourse in this i shall onely induce them into two heads , viz. the unparaleld liquor called ale , with his abstract beere ; whose antiquity amongst a sort of northerne pated fellowes is if not altogether contemptible , of very little esteeme ; this humour moved the scurrilous pen of a shamelesse writer in the raigne of king henry the third , detractingly to inveigh against this unequal'd liquor . thus for muddy , foggy , fulsome , puddle , stinking , for all of these , ale is the onely drinking . of all authours that i have ever yet read , this is the onely one that hath attempted to brand the glorious splendor of that ale-beloved decection ; but observe this fellow , by the perpetuall use of water ( which was his accustomed drinke ) he fell into such convulsion and lethargick diseases , that he remained in opinion a dead man ; however the knowing physicians of that time , by the frequent and inward application of ale , not onely recovered him to his pristine estate of health , but also enabled him in body and braine for the future , that he became famous in his writings , which for the most part were afterwards spent with most aleoquent and alaborate commendation of that admired and most superexcellent imbrewage . some there are that affirme that ale was first invened by alexander the great , and that in his conquests this liquor did infuse much vigour and valour into his souldiers . others say that famous physician of piemont ( named don alexis ) was the founder of it . but it is knowne that it was of that singular vse in the time of the saxons that none were allowed to brew it but such whose places and qualities were most eminent : insomuch that we finde that one of them had the credit to give the name of a saxon prince , who in honour of that rare quality , he called alla. some aleadge that it being our drinke when our land was called albion , that it had the name of the countrey : twiscus in his euphorbium will have it from albania , or epirus , vvolfgang plashendorph of gustenburg , saies that alecto ( one of the three furies ) gave the receipt of it to albumazer a magician , and he ( having aliance with aladine the soldan at aleppo ) first brewed it there , whereto may be aleuded , the story how alphonsus of scicily , sent it from thence to the battell of alcazor . my authour is of anaxagoras opinion , that ale is to be held in high price for the nutritive substance that it is indued withall , and how precious a nurse it is in generall to mankinde . it is true that the overmuch taking of it doth so much exhilerate the spirits , that a man is not improperly said to be in the aletitude ( observe the word i pray you , and all the words before or after ) for you shal finde their first syllable to be ale , and some writers are of opinion that the turkish alcaron was invented by mahomet out of such furious raptures as ale inspir'd him withall ; some affirme bacchus ( alias liber pater ) was the first brewer of it , among the indians , who being a stranger to them they named it ale , as brought to them by an alien ; in a word , somnus alt●● signifies dead sleepe : quies alta , great rest ; altus and alta noble and excellent : it is ( for the most part ) extracted out of the spirit of a graine called barley , which was of that estimation amongst the ancient galles that their prophets ( whom they called bardi ) used it in their most important prophesies and ceremonies : this graine , after it had beene watred and dryed , was at first ground in a mill in the island of malta , from whence it is supposed to gaine the name of malt ; but i take it more proper from the word matteolus , which signifies a hammer or maule , for hanniball ( the great carthaginian captaine ) in his sixteene yeeres warres against the romanes , was called the maule of italie , for it is conjectured that he victoriously mauld them by reason that his army was daily refreshed with the spiritefull elixar of mault . it holds very significant to compare a man in the aletitude to be in a planetarie height ; for in a planet , the altitude is his motion in which he is carried from the lowest place of heaven or from the center of the earth , into the most highest place , or unto the top of his circle , and then it is said to be in apogaeo , that is the most transcendent point of all , so the sublunarie of a stupified spirit , being elevated by the efficacious vigour of this uncontroleable vertue , renders him most capeable for high actions . i should be voluminous , if i should insist upon all pertinent and impertinent passages in the behalfe of ale , as also of the retentive fame that yorke , chester , hull , nottingham , darby , gravesend , with a toaste , and other countries still enjoy , by making this untainted liquor in the primitive way , and how vvindsor doth more glory in that composition than all the rest of her speculative pleasures , which is dayly strengthened by the agitive endeavours of the most pregnant spirits there , whose superlative issue affords us a quotidian expectation , and questionlesse cannot but succeed with generall applause in regard of the undertakers ; also there is a towne neere margate in kent , ( in the isle of thanett ) called northdowne , which towne hath ingrost much fame , wealth , and reputation from the prevalent potencie of their atractive ale. i will onely now speake somewhat of its vertues , and in the weakenesse of my expressions shall crave pardon , of those many and learned doctors of our time , whose daily and gustave approbation addes to the glorious splendour of that unequall'd element . concerning the fructifying or fruitfulnesse of ale , it is almost incredible , for twice every yeere there is a faire at a small towne called kimbollon , or kimolton in north-hamptonshire , ( as i take it ) in which towne there are but 38. houses , which at the faire time are encreased to 39. alehouses , for an old woman and her daughter doe on those dayes divide there one house into two , such is the operation and encreasing power of our english ale. first then , it is a singular remedy against all melancholick diseases , tremor cordis , and maladies of the spleene , it is purgative and of great operation against iliaca passio , and all gripings of the small guts , it cures the stone in the bladder , reines or kidneyes , and provokes vrin wonderfully , it mollifies tumors and swellings in the body , and is very predominant in opening the obstructions of the liver . it is most effectuall for clearing of the sight , being applied outwardly , it asswageth the unsufferable paine of the gowt called artichicha podagra , or gonogra , the yeast or barme being laid hot to the part pained , in which way it is easefull to all impostumes or the paine in the hippe called sciatica passio ; indeed the immoderate taking of it ( as of the best things ) is not commended , for in some it causes swimming in the head and vertigo , ( but i speake still of moderation ) in which respect it is not onely availeable for the causes aforesaid , but for all defluxions and epidemicall diseases whatsoever , and being butter'd ( as our gallenists well observe ) it is good against all contagious diseases , feavers , agues , rhumes , coughes and catarres with hernia aquosa & vertosa . i might proceed to nominate the townes of the kingdome that have their happinesse to enjoy their names from ale , alesfoord , in hampshire , and alesbury ( or aylesbury ) in buckinghamshire , where the making of aleberries so excellent against hecticks was first invented . as also of many sirnames of great worth in this kingdome , as these of ale-iff , ale-worth , good-ale , penny-ale , and in scotland , the generous and antient name of lamsd-ale , but not to insist further , in this straine , i make no question , but the capacious apprehension of a free understanding will spare me that labour . i will therefore shut up all with that admirable conclusion insisted upon in our time by a discreet gentleman in a solemn assembly , who , by a politick observation , very aptly compares ale and cakes with wine and wafers , neither doth he hold it sit that it should stand in competition with the meanest wines , but with that most excellent composition which the prince of physitians hippocrates had so ingenuously compounded for the preservation of mankinde , and which ( to this day ) speakes the author by the name of hippocras , so that you see of antiquity , ale was famous amongst the troians , brittaines , romans , saxons , danes , normans , english men , vvelch , besides in scotland , from the highest and noblest palace to the poorest or meanest cottage , ale is universall , and for vertue it stands allowable with the best receipts of the most antientest physitians ; and for its singular force in expulsion of poison is equall , if not exceeding that rate antidote so seriously invented by the pontique king , which from him ( till this time ) carries his name of mitbridate . and lastly , not onely approved by a national assembly , but more exemplarily remonstrated by the frequent use of the most knowing physitians , who for the wonderfull force that it hath against all the diseases of the lungs , justly allow the name of a pulmonist to every alebrewer . the further i seeke to goe the more unable i finde my selfe to expresse the wonders ( for so i may very well call them ) operated by ale , for that i shall abruptly conclude , in consideration of mine owne insufficiency , with the fagge-end of an old mans old will , who gave a good summe of mony to a red-fac'd ale-drinker , who plaid upon a pipe and tabor , which was this : to make your pipe and tabor keepe their sound , and dye your crimson tincture more profound , there growes no better med'cine on the ground , than aleano ( if it may be found ) to buy which drug , i give a hundred pound . ale is rightly called nappy , for it will set a nap upon a mans threed bare eyes when he is sleepy . it is called merry-goe-downe , for it slides downe merrily ; it is fragrant to the sent ; it is most pleasing to the taste ; the flowring and mantling of it ( like chequer worke ) with the vendant smiling of it , is delightfull to the sight , it is touching or feeling to the braine and heart ; and ( to please the senses all ) it provokes men to singing and mirth , which is contenting to the hearing . the speedy taking of it doth comfort a heavy and troubled minde ; it will make a weeping widow laugh and forget sorrow for her deceased husband ; it is truly termed the spirit of the buttry ( for it puts spirit into all it enters , ) it makes the footmans head and heeles so light , that he seemes to flie as he runnes ; it is the warmest lineing of a naked mans coat , ( that 's a bull ) it satiates and asswageth hunger and cold ; with a toaste it is the poore mans comfort , the shepheard , mower , plowman , labourer and blacksmiths most esteemed purchase ; it is the tinkers treasure , the pedlers jewell , the beggers joy , and the prisoners loving nurse ; it will whet the wit so sharp , that it will make a catter talke of matters beyond his reach ; it will set a bashfull suiter a woing ; it heates the chill blood of the aged ; it will cause a man to speake past his owne or any others mans capacity , or understanding ; it sets an edge upon logick and rhetorick ; it is a friend to the muses ; it inspires the poore poet , that cannot compasse the price of canarie or gasenigne ; it mounts the musician bove eela ; it makes the balladmaker rime beyond reason , it is a repairer of a decaied colour in the face ; it puts eloquence into the oratour ; it will make the philosopher talke profoundly , the scholler learnedly , and the lawyer acute and feelingly , ale at whitsontide , or a whitson church ale , is a repairer of decayed countrey churches ; it is a great friend to truth , for they that drinke of it ( to the purpose ) will reveale all they know , be it never so secret to be kept ; it is an embleme of justice , for it allowes and yeelds measure ; it will put courage into a coward , and make him swagger and fight ; it is a seale to many a good bargaine . the physitian will commend it ; the lawyer will defend it , it neither hurts , or kils , any but those that abuse it unmeasurably and beyond bearing ; it doth good to as many as take it rightly ; it is as good as a paire of spectacles to cleare the eyesight of an old parish clarke ; and in conclusion , it is such a nourisher of mankinde , that if my mouth were as bigge as bishopsgate , my pen as long as a maypole , and my inke a flowing spring , or a standing fishpond , yet i could not with mouth , pen , or inke , speake or write the true worth and worthinesse of ale. beere . now , to write of beere , i shall not need to wet my pen much with the naming of it , it being a drinke which antiquitie was an aleien , or a meere stranger to , and as it hath scarcely any name , so hath it no habitation , for the places or houses where it is sold doth still retaine the name of an alehouse ; but if it were a beere-house , ( or so called ) yet it must have an inferiour stile of hous-roome than an alehouse ; for an is the name of many a good woman , and the name an cannot be properly given to a beere-brewer , or beere-house ; for to say an beere brewer or an beere house is ridiculous ; but an ale-brewer or an alehouse is good significant english ; or to say an beere brewer or an beerehouse or ( by your favour an taverne ) is but botching language in great brittaine ; but to say a alebrewer or a alehouse , is more improper than to bid a childe a a in his chaire , when there is neither chaire or stoole . this comparison needs a sir reverence to vsher it , but being beere is but an upstart and a foreigner or alien , in respect of ale , it may serve in stead of a better ; nor would it differ from ale in any thing , but onely that an aspiring amaritudinous hop comes crawling lamely in , and makes a bitter difference betweene them but if the hop be so cripled that he cannot be gotten to make the oddes , the place may poorely bee supply'd with chop'd broome ( new gathered ) whereby beere hath never attained the sober title of ale , for it is proper to say a stand of ale , and a hogges head of beere , which in common sense is but a swinish phrase or appellation . indeede beere , by a mixture of wine , it enjoyes approbation amongst some few ( that hardly understand wherefore ) but then it is no longer beere , but hath lost both name and nature , and is called balderdash , ( an utopian denomination ) and so like a petty brooke running into a great stream looses it selfe in his owne current , the legges being wash'd with the weaker or smaller sort of it , is contemptuously called , rotgut ; and is thought by some to be very medicinable to cure the scurvie . the stronger beere is divided into two parts ( viz. ) wild and stale ; the first may ease a man of a drought , but the later is like water cast into a smiths forge , and breeds more heartburning , and as rust eates into iron , so overstale beere gnawes auletholes in the entrales , or else my skill failes , an what i have written of it is to be held as a jest . i have now performed my promise , yet cannot so cease , being much desirous to speak something of a forraigne element , which in some sort seemes to obscure the glory of all the forenamed drinks ; and is knowne to us by the name of sack , which appellation was archieved by derivation from donzago , a spaniard of the province of andalowsia , who was the first discoverer of this castilian ellixar . but herein ( as before ) i shall but loose my selfe the subject being most excellently handled , tasted , and well rellished both in verse and prose , especially in that late illustration of aristippus , in which respect onely it is held fit that cambridge should precede oxford . sack. sack is no hippocrite , for any man that knowes what an anagram is , will confesse that it is conta1ined within the litterall letters and limmits of its owne name , which is ( to say ) a cask . sack then containes it selfe , ( except it be drawne out ) within its inclosed bounds , like diogenes , in his tun ; yet sack ( overmuch drawne and excessively abused ) hath drawne the abusers of it into many abuses and dammages , for tangrephilax , a learned lybian geographer of our time , affirmes that it sumes into the head , though it well pleases the palate , yet neverthelesse that it helpes the naturall weaknesse of a cold stomacke more than any other wine whatsoever . the old ancient poets onely write of helicon , tempe , aganippe , the pegasean fountaine , the thespian spring . the muses well and abundance of other unknowne rich invisible blessings ; but our age approves that sack is the best lineing or living for a good poet ; and that it enables our moderne writers , to versifie most ingeniously , without much cud gelling their headpieces ( a thing very much used in the pumpers for wit ) whereby they get some portion of credit , a great proportion of windy applause , but for money , &c. for mine owne part , i do not , nor will drinke any of it , which is the reason that my verses want vigour , but if i could but endure to wash my midrisle in sack , as the most grave musehunters hexametrians , pentametrians , dactylians and spondeians doe ; i should then reach with my invention above the altitude of the 39. sphere , and dive 50. fathom below the profundity of the depest barrathrum : the troth is , i have no reason to love sack , for it made me twice a rat in woodstreet counter-trap : besides where other wines have scarce strength to make me drunke ( as i may take them ) sack hath the power to make me mad , which made me leave it . yet for the vertues that are in mine enemy , i must and will give due commendations ; therefore i will give a touch at some things which is praise worthy in this iberian , castilian , canarian , sherrian , mallaganian , robalonian , robdanian , peterseamian . is any man opprest with crudities in his stomacke , so that it takes away all appetituall desire , insomuch that the sight of meat is a second sicknesse to him ? let that man drinke sack , the cure followes beyond beliefe : is any man ingurgitated , so that he is in the condition of a strong surfeit ? let that man drinke sack too ; the remedy is sudden indeed to a poynt of wonder or admiration . is any man so much out of the favour of elous , that he is short-winded , or that his voice or speech failes him , let him drinke sack , ( as it may be taken ) it shall make him capable to vent words and speake beyond measure : doth any man ( for the clearing of his stomacke ) desire a vomit ? let him take a quantity of sack , and by the operation of the same it shall be effected ; so that we may justly say that sack is a second nature to man , and that the physicians well knew , when they confinde it to the apothecaies shops ( which was not till neere the end of king henry the eights raigne , about the yeare 1543 , and in king edward the sixts first and second yeare 1548. ) till which time none but the apothecaries had the honour to fell sack , and that was onely for medicine , and for sicke folkes : but though now it be more dispersed into great mens houses and vintners cellars , yet it hath obtained no absolute freedome to this day , for in the mansions or dwellings of many that keepe the fairest houses , the mannagement and tuition of sack is to some lewd ( ill natur'd , or nurtur'd ) yeoman of the winecellar , whereby it is too often adulterated , and also brought to such an astringencie , brought to such points of mortification , that it is impossible it should ever be worthy to gaine the approbation of a wine-vinegar man , and it were heartily to be wish'd that this enormious abuse were punished by the vertue of a dog-whip . a word or two for example , and i shall conclude : lucius piso that great generall that conquered thrace , was wonderfully given to the drinking of sack , insomuch that he was oftentimes carried from the senate house ; and it was so farre from being an impeachment to his honour , that neverthelesse augustus caesar committed to him the charge , care , and trust of the most secret affaires of state , and never had any cause to be discontented with him : the like we read of tiberius and cassus ; and as faithfully was the plot and purpose to kill caesar , ( in the senate ) committed unto cimber ( who dranke nothing but sack , ) as unto cassius who dranke nothing but water ; and certaine i am that the persians , after their drinking of sack , were wont to consult of their chiefest and most serious state-businesses : and cyrus , ( that so farre and famous a renowned king ) among his other high praises and commendations , meaning to preferre himselfe before his brother artaxerxes , and get the start of him , alleageth the cause of his being victorious over him to bee chiefly because he could drinke more sack than he . i commend not intemperance in all these allegations , the reader may please to remember my former test for moderation , and sack , being so taken , will be to the moderate taker a comfort against cares and crosses , and so with iuvenals words in his foureteenth satire i shut up all ; thou shalt be from disease and weaknesse free , from mone , from care , long time of life to thee shall by more friendly fate afforded by : drinke sack therefore if you 'l be rul'd by me . here followeth , a laborious and effectuall discourse , in praise of the element of all waters fresh and salt , with their opperation ; with a touch of the causes of all sorts of weather , faire and foule . i that of earth was made , yet no earth have , no not so much as may afford a grave : for when that death my lives thred shall untwine i have no buriall in a ground that 's mine : of all the elements , the earth is worst ; because for adams sinne it was accurst : therefore no parcell of it will i buy but on the vvater for reliefe relie . when as mans crying crimes in volleyes flew to heaven , and heavens high vengeance downeward drew : then water all the world did overrunne , and plagu'd th' abuses that on earth were done . from showres of water , rain'd from skies to earth , spring , sommer , harvest , winter have their birth . for vvater is the milke of heaven , whereby all things are nurs'd , increase and multiply . the old●st and most grave astronomers , the learned'st and most sage philosophers doe hold , that in the highest altitude a spheare of water is , in amplitude envelloping all other orbs and spheres , with all the planets swift and slow careares , even as the sea the earth doth compasse round , the water so the firmament doth bound . should i of water write , but what it is , i should be drowned in my theames abysse : and therefore i 'le but dabble , wade , and wash , and here and there both give , and take a dash . in blest records it truely is approv'd , that gods blest spirit upon the waters mov'd : then all things were involved in the waters , all earthly , airie , and all firie matters : vntill th' almighty ( whose workes all are wonders ) with saying ( let there be ) the chaos sunders . of a confus'd lump , voyd of forme and fashion , he spake , and gave the world its faire creation . and as at first the waters compast all the chaos , or worlds universall ball. so still , of all the workes of god , most glorious the water was , is , and will be victorious . it doth surmount the ayre , the fire it quenches with inundations it the earth bedrenches : the fire may burne a house , perhaps a towne , but water can a province spoyle and drowne : and ayre may be corrupted , and from thence , a kingdome may be plagu'd with pestilence : where many die , old , young , some great , some small , but water flouds plaies sweep-stake with them all . earth may be barren , and not yeeld her store : yet may she feed the rich , and starve the poore . but earth in triumph over all ner'e rid , as in the diluge once the waters did . warre may make noyse with gunnes and ratling drums , but water , where it comes , it overcomes . thus earth , nor ayre , nor fire , nor rumbling warre , nor plague , or pestilence , nor famine are of powre to winne , where water but commands , as witnesse may the watry northerlands . concerning merchandise , and transportation , commerce and traffique , and negotiation , to make each countrie have by navigation the goods , and riches of each others nation . commodities in free community , embassages for warre or unity : these blessings , by the sea , or some fresh river are given to us , by the all-giving giver . and in the vasty and unmeasur'd roome of neptunes regiment , or thetis wombe , are almost shapes and formes of all the things which in the earth , or ayre , or dies , or springs . ther'e fishes like to sunne or moone , and starres , fowles of the ayre , and weapons for the warres , beasts of the field , and plants and flowers there , and fishes made like men and women are . all instruments for any art or trade , in living formes of fishes there are made . this is approv'd , if any man will seeke in the first day of bart●● his first weeke , heaven hath ordain'd the warry element to be a seale and sacred sacrament , which doth in baptisme us regenerate , and man againe with god doth renovate . and as it in the laver ( mysticall ) doth cleanse us from our sinne originall : so for our corp'rall uses 't is most meete to wash our cloathes , and keepe us cleane and sweet . wer 't not for water thus we plainelie see , no beast on earth more beastly were than wee . our selves with nastinesse our selves should smother , or with our owne sterich poyson one another . it keepes our vessels cleane to dresse our meate , it serves to cleanse and boile the meate we eate . it makes our houses hansome , neate and cleane , ( or else the mayd is but a sluttish queane ) thus water boyles , parboyles , and mundifies . cleares , cleanses , clarifies , and purifies . but as it purges us from filth and stincke ; we must remember that it makes us drinke , metheglin , braggot , beere , and headstrong ale , ( that can put colour in a visage pale ) by which meanes many brewers are growne rich , and in estates may soare a lofty pitch , men of good ranke and place , and much command who have ( by sodden water ) purchast land : yet sure i thinke their gaine had not been such had not good fellowes vs'de to drinke too much ; but wisely they made hay whilst sunne did shine , for now our land is overflowne with wine : with such a deluge , or an inundation as hath besotted and halfe drown'd our nation . some that are scarce worth 40 pence a yeere will hardly make a meale with ale or beere : and will discourse , that wine doth make good blood , concocts his meat , and make digestion good , and after to drinke beere , nor will , nor can he lay a churle upon a gentleman . thus bacchus is ador'd and deifide , and we hispanializ'd and frenchifide : whilst noble native ale , and beeres hard fate are like old almanacks , quite out of date ; thus men consume their credits and their wealths , and swallow sicknesses , in drinking healths , untill the fury of the spritefull grape mounts to the braine , and makes a man an ape , a sheepe , goate , lion , or a beastly swine , he snores , besoyl'd with vomit and much wine . at good mens boords , where of● i eate good cheere , i finde the brewer honest in his beere . he sels it for small beere , and he should cheate , in stead of small to cosen folks with greate . but one shall seldome find them with that fault , except it should invisibly raine mault . o tapsters , tapsters all , lament and cry , or desp'rately drinke all the tavernes dry : for till such time as all the wine is gone , your are bewitch'd , and guests you shall have none . then to the tavernes hye you every man : in one day drinke foure gallons , if you can , and with that tricke ( within a day or twaine ) i thinke there will but little wine remaine . your hopes to hoppes returne againe will be , and you once more the golden age will see . but hold , i feare my muse is mad or drunke , or else my wits are in the wetting shrunk : to beere and ale my love hath some relation which made me wander thus beyond my station . good reader be my priest , i make confession , i pray thee pardon me , my long digression . from beere and wine to water now a while , i meane to metamorphose backe my stile . wer 't not for water , sure the dyers would die , because they wanted where withall to dye . cost would be lost , and labour be in vaine , 't is water that must helpe to die in graine . they could then feare no colours , it is cleare , want water , and there will be none to feare . the fishmongers , ( a worthy company ) if vvater did not still their trade supply , they would be tradefalne , and quite downe be trod , nor worth the head or braine-pan of a cod. then lent and ember-weekes would soone be shotten , all fasting daies would quickly be forgotten : carthusian friers , in superstitious cloysters vvould want their st●irring cockles , crabs and oysters : and catholicks turne puritanes straight way , and never more keepe lent or fasting day . but leaving neptune , and his trumping triton , of other vvaters now i meane to write on , ( exhal'd by phoebus from the ocean maine ) of clowdes , of misty fogs , all sorts of raine , of dew , of frosts , of haile , of ice of snow vvhich falls , and turnes to water here below , of snow and raine , as they together meet vvell mingled in the ayre , are called sleet . of springs , of petty rils , of chrystall founts , of streamelets here my merry muse recounts ; of foordes , of brookes , of rivers , lakes and bournes ; of creekes , of ebbes and flouds , and their returnes , of gulphs , ponds , whirlpooles , puddles , ditches , pooles , of moates , of bathes , some hot , and some that cooles , of waters , bitter , sweet , fresh , salt , hot , cold , of all their operations manifold ; these ( if i can ) i 'le mention with my pen and last of urin and strong watermen . a cloud 's a vapour , which is cold and moyst , which from the earth , or sea , the sunne doth hoyst into the middle region of the ayre , and is ( by extreame cold ) congealed there , untill at last , it breake and fals againe , to earth , or sea , in snow , sleet , haile or raine . mists are such clouds , which neere the earth doe lye , because the sun wants strength to draw them high . when radiant sol displaies his piercing beames into a cloud , it thawes , and raines , in streames : and as the cloud is distant neere or farre , so , great , or small the showrie droppes still are . some men ( 'gainst raine ) doe carry in their backs prognosticating aking almanacks : some by a painefull elbow , hip , or knee , will shrewdly guesse , what wether 's like to be : some by their cornes are wondrous weather-wise , and some by biting of lice , fleas , or flies : the gowt , sciatica , the gallian morbus , doth oft foretell if tempests shall disturbe us ; for though these things converse not with the start , yet to mans griefe they are astronomers ; in spring time , and in autumne phoebus ray from land and sea drawes vapours in the day , which to th' ayres lowest region he exhales , and in the night to pearly dew is fals . here oft fall meldewes , sweet as hony ; and dew oft turnes manna in polonia land . twixt dew and hoare-frost , all the ods , i hold one comes from heate , the other from the cold . hayle is an ice which oft in flawes and stormes in spring and harvest fals , in sundry formes ; for in the autumne , winter , or by night scarce any hayle within our land doth light . and last comes snow , the cold of winters weathers , which fals and fils the ayre with seeming feathers . these from the land , and from the ocean maine , the sun drawes up , and then le ts fall againe . thus water universally doth fly from earth and skie to sea , from them to sky : for 'twixt the firmament , the land and ocean , the water travels with perpetuall motion . now , from the airy regions i descend , and to a lower course my study beside he that of these things would know more , may please to looke them in some ephimerides . springs , ( in the earth ) i doe assimulate to veines of man , which doe evacuate , and drop by drop through cavernes they distill . till many meetings make a petty rill : which rill ( with others ) doe make rivolets , and rivolets , brookes , bournes and foords begets , and thus combined , they their store deliver into a deeper trench , and make a river . then rivers joyne , as isis doth with tame , and trent with owse , and humber doth the same . those altogether doe their tributes pay unto their soveraigne ocean night and day . these make dame tellus wombe to fructisie , as blood in veines of men doe life supply , lakes in low vallied grounds have generation , or from some severall rivers inundation . some lakes seeme oceans , amongst which are these the dead-lake , hircan , and the caspian seas . a whirpooles like unto state policy not to be sounded , but with jeopardy . hot bathes doe spring from brimstone veines , whose heat for many cures have opperation great . some minerall earth is bitter , and doth make the water issuing thence , that taste to take . in scicily , they say , there is a vvell vvhose water doth for vinegar serve well . a vvell neere bileu in bohemia lies vvhich ( like burnt vvine ) the countrey there supplies . and divers springs in germany there be , vvhose taste with vinegar , or vvine agree . for there the brimstone mines , and minerals vvith fumes infuting vapours up exhales and with the waters doe incorporate hot , cold , sweet , sowre , as they ennaccuate . some rivers are of such strange working might , vvhich dranke ( by sheepe ) doth change them black from white , some that with bathing cure , blind , dease , and lame , and makes mens haire red that doe drinke the same , some are at noone key-cold , at midnight hot , some makes a man mad , some a drunken sot , some are in summer cold , in winter warme , and some are banefull , full of poysn'ous harme . some ( do with lost ) make mens affections burne , and some ( through coldnesse ) wood to stones will turne , some will quench burning torches straite , and then dip'd in the water they are light agen , i read that in silicia one may finde a well which if thieves drinke of , are strucke blinde , my selfe , and many thousands more than i would ( rather then to drinke thereof be drie . ) if brittaines waters all were such , i thinke that few of us would dare thereof to drinke : i could write more of strange wells opp'tatious : and waters of our owne and other nations . but doctour fulk of late hath writ a booke , of met'ors , and who lists therein to looke , may read , and reading may be well suffic'd , so learnedly he hath epitomiz'd . there are two springs , which women ( when they mump ) or lumpish lowring from their eyes can pumpe , and in those pearly streames the foole , and witty , hath oftentimes beene duck'd or sous'd with pity : kinde hearted men are drown'd in sorrow deepe when they doe see a handsome woman weepe . but aprill like , soone dry and quickly wet ( as anger , love , or hate doe rise or set , ) but as for those that truely spring from griefe , i wish them consolation and reliefe . now ( to ecclips the vigour of the vine ) we have strong waters , stronger much than wine : one with a quart of water drunke may be , when ( of the best wine ) he may hold out three , the sellers of these waters seldome row , and yet they are strong-water-men , i know . some water-men there are of sight so quicke , they 'l tell by water if a man be sicke , and ( through the urinall ) will speedily finde out the cause , the griefe and remedy . these men deserve much honour , love and thankes . but hang base pispot cheating mountebankes . 't were fit the ratcatchers with them should be , combin'd in one , and at one hall made free . i could speake why the sea doth ebbe and flow , and why 't is salt , but doctour fulke doth show compendiously , as i have said before ; and therefore her i 'le touch these poynts no more . month changing luna , hath the government o're all the various watry element , and as the moone is mutable even so the waters still are turning to and fro : 't is smooth , 't is rough , deepe , shallow , swift and slow , whose motion doth perpetuall ebbe and flow : most weake , most strong , most gentle , most untam'd of all the creatures that were ever nam'd : it is so weake that children may it spill , and strong enough millions of men to kill : as smooth as glasse , as rugged as a beare , weake , and yet greatest burthens still doth beare , and as the waters from the moone doth carry her inclination , and like her do vary : so i ( a water-man ) in various fashions , have wroate a hotchpotch here of strange mutations , of ancient liquors , made by liber pater , of drinkes , of wines , of sundry sorts of water : my muse doth like a monkey friske and frigge , or like a squirrell skip , from twigge to twigge : now sipping sider , straightway supping perry , metheglin sweet , and mead , ( that makes her merry ) vvith braggot , that can teach a cat to speake , and poore pomperkin ( impotent and weake ) and lastly ( as the chiefe of all the rest ) she tipples huff-cap ale , to crowne the feast . yet now and then in beere and balderdash her lips she dips ; and cleane her entrailes wash : and ending , she declares sack 's mighty power , vvhich doth time , coyne , wit , health , and all devoure . not by the mod'rate use , but by th' abuse which daily is in universall use . for rhenish , claret , white , and other wines they need not the expression of my lines : their vertue 's good , if not commix'd impure , and ( as they 'r us'd ) they may both kill or cure . through drinks , through wines , and waters , i have run , and ( being dry and sober . ) i have done . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a13442-e3680 of clouds . of mists . of raine . dew . hoare frosts hayle . snow . springs . rivers . lakes john baptist's decreasing and christ's increasing witnessed being a treatise concerning baptism in the type, and baptism in the mystery / by john gratton ... gratton, john, 1641-1712. 1674 approx. 67 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 30 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-11 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a41822 wing g1585 estc r39439 18419226 ocm 18419226 107516 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. a41822) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 107516) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1634:10) john baptist's decreasing and christ's increasing witnessed being a treatise concerning baptism in the type, and baptism in the mystery / by john gratton ... gratton, john, 1641-1712. 54 p. s.n.], [london : 1674. place of publication suggested by wing. imperfect: slightly faded. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng john, -the baptist, saint. baptism. water -religious aspects. 2003-08 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-08 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-09 emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread 2003-09 emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion john baptist's decreasing and christ's increasing witnessed : being a treatise concerning baptism in the type , and baptism in the mystery . by john gratton , well-wisher of the anabaptists , &c. printed in the year 1674. to the friendly unprejudic'd reader . friend , it is no desire in me , that because so many have appear'd in print , that therefore i would be one also that should be accounted eminent ; but having been one of the greatest sinners upon earth , and therefore have through infinite love and free grace much forgiven me , my love is so much to him that is lord of all , that i am not a little grieved to see his pure and precious truth so strongly on all hands incountered with , and fought against its comfortable and glorious appearance in the lord 's poor despised people , called by the scornful world quakers : and seeing that this of water-baptism hath been and is a thing , they that are not only adversaries to truth , but to their own souls , have so publickly made use of to fight us with ; i having both been an eye & ear-witness of the same , have been not a little exercised in mind about this matter , but have seriously considered and tryed all their arguments that i have been acquainted with for this thing , and i find them so far contrary to truth , and the mind of truth , that a necessity fell upon me to write what it pleased the pure eternal god to communicate unto me by his spirit ; so that what is according to truth & sound iudgment thou wilt here find written ( as to the tenor and substance of the matter ) from the spirit of god in me , and so is not mine but his ; to him be the glory wholely given forever ; but if there be any circumstantial defect for want of heed or exactness , which may either fall upon me or upon the printer , charge it in its right place , and lay it not upon the spirit of god. having given thee this caution ; i desire thee to observe in the next place my end in the publishing this little treatise , which is , first , to clear truth of scandals in this point laid to our charge : 2dly , to strengthen the owners and lovers of it : 3dly , to acquaint or inform them that are mistaken about it : and lastly , that i might so aswer that love so greatly bestowed upon me , as to be clear of all men , and stand single unto god , whose servant i am through mercy , and might bring glory , honour and praise unto his holy name forever . so now , before i leave thee , i shall only acquaint thee of the great differences amongst men about this thing , and then take leave : the presbyterian saith , water-baptism belongs to children of believing parents , and therefore they examine the parents of their faith ; now if the parent be an vnbeliever , then his child is not to be accepted to this ordinance , as they call it : from which i shall only now observt this , that if this be so , then is the child a sufferer for the sin of the father's vnbelief , which god hath said , shall never be ; the child shall not suffer for the sin of the father , nor the father for the sin of the child ; but the soul that sins it shall dye . 2dly , the episcopal saith , the child is by this regenerated and born again , sanctified and changed , and made a new creature ; and therefore if a child be in danger of death , great haste is made to get it sprinkled ; and if this be true , what further need of a saviour ? 3dly , the baptists say , believers only have right to water baptism : i grant , believers are only they that are truly baptized ; but that they are injoyn'd or commanded to observe this water baptism , they now so differently observe , i find not . but , i hope , if thou readest what follows with a single eye , thou mayst come to see all these dippers and sprinklers , and their shortness in this , and gain some acquaintance with the lord's mind , as thou waitest in his pure light , which makes all things manifest , to which i beseech thee to turn thy mind , and believe in it , that thou mayst be a child of light , and then thy fellowship will be with us , who are children of it ; and so we may praise the lord together , who is light ; to whom be all the honour and glory forever and ever . written by one of the least of all , yet one of the lord 's chosen ones , unknown to many , yet known by the name of iohn gratton . monyash , the 4th of the 3d moneth , 1674. a treatise concerning baptism . they that are baptized into christ , have put on christ , live in him , and are one spirit with , or in him ; are all united by one spirit into one body , and are members of his body , of his flesh and of his bones , and of his fulness receive grace for grace ; and know one lord , one faith , one baptism ; and are one in him , and he in them ; and so are come into the alpha and omega , the beginning and the end , the first and the last ; he , whose name is called the word of god , by which all things were made in heaven and in earth ; to him be glory forever . now the baptism of the spirit is one in all ; and all that are baptized by the one spirit , are baptized into one body , and are all made to drink into one spirit ; and these have no confidence in the flesh , but are they that worship god in the spirit , and are truly led and guided by the spirit , hear and know his voice , and are acquainted with his operations , life , power and vertue ; and can do nothing acceptable to god , but what they do in it ; and so it rather may be said , as in truth it is , that it is the gift or grace of god in them and by them , that works both to will and to do of his own good pleasure . now all other baptisms whatsoever , that are not in the spirit , are of no profit ; for the substance of all is come , i say , of all those shadows , figures and types , which had their day , and in their day were appointed to be used , according to the appointment of the father , but were but for an appointed time , until the seed came , to whom the promise was made , who is the heir , in whom all fulness dwells [ mark that ] that in all things he might have the preheminence ; for he alone , of himself , is sufficient and able to save to the uttermost them that come to god by him , & him only ; without the help of any outward washings , outward offerings & oblations , or whatever may be named , or hath been named either of things in heaven or in the earth , they are all to give place ; for him only hath god highly exalted , and given him a name above every name , that at his name every thing , though it hath been never so highly exalted , should bow ; and that in all things he only , who is heir of all , should rule as a son over his own house ; for all these were but as servants , and were not to abide forever ; i say , all those types and shadows , and whatsoever came before him , though useful in their place , and to be observed in their time , yet were all to give place , and pass away , and not to abide forever in the house ; for they were but servants ; and the son is over all , & hath power over all , and alone hath right singly to reign ; of the increase of his government and kingdom there shall be no end. so moses was faithful in all his house as a servant , and did faithfully minister in the law , which was added because of transgression , until the seed came ; but when the seed came , to whom the promise was , who was and is the heir , he , as a son over his own house , was and is established : i say , when he was come , then the servants services ended in that nature , gave place , and were taken away ; he took away the first that he might establish the second , and that forever , which will never be removed into a corner ; to him be all glory wholely forever . so iohn also was faithful in his day , as a fore-runner , or as one sent to run before him , whose way he was to prepare ; and he cryed ( for he was that one , fore-told of , whose voice was heard in the wilderness , saying ) prepare ye the way of the lord , make his paths straight : but the lord's voice , which is nigh in the heart , cryeth , this is the way , walk in it ; i am the way , the truth and the life ; no man can come unto the father , but by me [ mark me ] said christ , i am the way it self , walk and live in me , and abide in me ; in me ye shall have peace : he doth not say in me and john ; nor , i and john am the way ; no , no ; but , i am the way , the truth and the life ; i am the light , or , am come a light into the world ; he that believes in me shall not abide in darkness , but shall have the light of life [ mark ] not a lifeless , changeable or shadowy light ; but an unchangeable , pure , living light ; for his life is the light of men : he that hath it , hath life ; he that hath it not , hath not life , but is in darkness , under wrath. so iohn testified and said , i am not that light , but am sent before , to bear witness of that light , that true light that enlighteneth every man that comes into the world : i am not the way , but a forerunner , or one sent to run before , to make preparation for the way of the lord ; and he that sent me , sent me to baptize with water : but , greater is he that sends , then he that is sent : for though he came after me , yet he is and even was preferred before me , the latchet of whose shoe i am not worthy to untye ; he shall baptize with the holy ghost and fire : i indeed baptize with water , he with the holy ghost and fire : i must decrease , he must increase : that he might be made manifest to israel , therefore am i come , baptizing with water , as i was sent to do ; for this end , that he might be made manifest to israel ; and when he is made manifest to israel , then is the end of my so baptizing with water accomplished ; then must i decrease , but he must increase ; for , of the increase of his government and kingdom there shall be no end. now the day dawned , the sun appeared , and all lesser lights were overtopped , and all shadows fled away . now its true , iohn was a burning and shining light ; but iohn received all from above ; but he that 〈◊〉 above all , and gives to all men life and being , is the fulness of light and life ; and as he arises and ascends in his glory , he gives to all men liberally , as it pleaseth him ; glory to his name forever . now , that water-baptism , or baptizing into water , were only ascribed unto iohn ( as ●●ving commission ) both by our saviour christ , and his apostles , and by iohn himself , see mat. chap. 3. vers. 11 , 15 , 16. where iohn affirms , i , saith iohn , i , mark , indeed baptize you with water unto repent●nce ; but , mark here all ye water-baptists of all sorts , mind this , but he that coneth after , me [ mark ] what then i●hn ? thou must depart it seems , if he must 〈◊〉 after ; this word [ after ] signifieth io●●'s going away , or giving place to him that was to come after him : what then , iohn , thou art but for a time ? no ; i must d●crease , for he is mightier then i , whose she● latchets i ▪ am not worthy to unloose . well , iohn ; and what will he do for us ? will not he baptize with water ? i tell you , i baptize with water , that he might be manifested to israel ; but he will exceed me or my baptizing into water ; for he shall baptize you with the holy ghost and fire ▪ whose fan is in his hand , and he will throughely purge his floor , and gather his wheat into his garner and burn up the chaff with fire vnquenchable . well , they might still have said , john , this is a great work ; but will he not own thee & thy baptism , & establish it with his forever , or to the end of the world ? [ mind ] yes , might iohn have said ; for in effect he did say , he will own me ; for god sent me before ; and for this end , that christ might be made manifest to israel , therefore am i come ; but not that he will establish my baptism with his ; for i must decrease : and there is no necessity for it ; for his baptism is the substance of all other , and throughly purges and refines , and makes pure ; and i am but a fore-runner of him . well , but he comes to thee , to be baptized of thee ? yes ; but iohn forbad him , saying , i have need to be baptized of thee , and comest thou to me ? [ mark ] here was need for iohn ; i have need , said iohn ; well , jesus denyes it not but there was so , nevertheless suffer it to be so now [ mark now ] why now ? because now is thy time ; for thou wast sent before me for this end , might christ have said , and this dispensation is of god ; and thus , or therefore it becometh us to fulfil all the righteousness : why , then iohn suffered him . but some may object , and say , if it was righteousness to be baptized into water then , and that christ was , ought not we to follow christ in all righteousness ? i answer ; in all everlasting righteousness he ought to be followed ; not in all the outward or ministerial part of righteousness ; for there is the righteousness of god revealed within , from faith to faith , and the righteousness of the law without ; the law was righteous , holy , just and good , and christ fulfilled the righteousness of the law ; and had he not fulfilled the law in every tittle , he could not have said its finished ; but he fulfilled the law : and he also fulfilled iohn's dispensation , or he obeyed or did all the law commanded ; and he obeyed and did also all that was commanded by the dispensation of iohn ; and when all the righteousness requir'd was fulfilled , it was reason that he only should have place that had fulfilled it : so down to the circumcision he went , and to the passover , and to all the law called for ; he humbled himself , and became obedient as a servant , and serv'd it in its time & place , and fulfilled it in its time and place , and fulfill'd its will and requirements ; and not only so , but bore all the curse due to us that had broken it , and been disobedient unto it , and set us free from it , was the end of the law for righteousness to us that believe : so that we are not under the law , but under grace , or the gift of god that brings salvation to us , who have not the shadowy works of the law ; but are believers in and obeyers of him , who is exalted both above the law and the prophets . so also down into the water he goes , and fulfilled iohn's dispensation , or that righteousness required by it ; which when it was fulfilled , he only was worthy to have place , that had fulfilled it ; and having fulfilled it , he went up straight way out of the water [ mark ] he did not there abide or stay ; but straight way went out of the outward thing , and then came the word of power , and the heavens were opened , and the holy ghost descended like a dove and lighting on him ; then came the voice from heaven , saying , this is my beloved son , in whom i am well pleased . now is he descended that is also ascended , and is now established alone ; this is my beloved son , in whom i am well pleased , hear , hear , hear him : he that hath ears to hear , let him hear what the spirit saith : hear him of whom moses , and all the prophets , and iohn , who was more , spake ; for now he is come that is mightier then all , and all power is given unto him , not unto him and iohn , or unto him and moses ; no : but unto him , him only hath god exalted to be both king and priest unto israel ; and he alone is established a priest forever , of an unchangeable priesthood ; not changeable nor finite , but forever , of an unchangeable priesthood [ mark ye ] but not after the order of aaron , nor after the order of iohn , but after the order of melchizedeck , who met abraham and blessed him , him that overcame , and blessed him ; and will give to him that overcomes to sit with him in his throne , as he hath overcome , and is set down in his father's throne . not after the order of a carnal commandment , but after the power of an endless life : this is the sun that choathes the woman , who hath the moon ( with all changeable dippings in water ) under her feet ; and the least in his kingdom is greater then iohn , though he was more then a prophet . also in mark 1. 8. i indeed have baptized you with water , but he shall baptize you with the holy ghost . also luke 3. 16. i indeed baptize with water , but one mightier then i cometh , the ●atch●t of whose shoe i am not worthy to unloose , he shall mind ] baptize you with the holy ghost and fire . but he ever takes water-baptism to himself , and never asscribes it to christ jesus ; but speaks of a greater work to be done by him , a purging , purifying , refining , cleansing vvork ; and iohn's was but a type of what was a coming , and therefore ran before , and hasted to give place to him that came after , who alone is himself established , in all things to have the preheminence . now [ mark ] this word fore-runner , or one sent to run before ; one that runs makes haste away , that he may finish his course before his time be out . now it s plainly said , that as iohn fulfilled his course , he said , whom think ye that i am ? i am not he : mind ye , iohn was not he , not he that was to be established to abide forever , a priest forever , of an unchangeable priesthood , but was sent before him ; therefore when the apostle here comes in the 13th chapter of t●e acts and vers. 23 , 24 , 25. he speaks on this wise ( as he was preaching christ jesus , not iohn ; he was not , i say , preaching iohn , nor iohn's baptism , but christ , the seed of david ) of this man's seed ( saith he ) hath god according to his promise , raised unto israel a saviour , jesus , when john had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of israel : mind ye , all ye baptizers in water , when christ was raised unto israel , when iohn had first preached before his coming [ mark ] iohn had a time we grant and own with all our hearts ; but was it not before his coming here spoken of ? but when his course was fulfilled , when iohn had first preached the baptism of repentance [ first , mind ye ] then god raised up unto israel a saviour . oh! but iohn could not save ; but him whom god hath raised saveth to the uttermost them that come to god by him , him whom god hath raised : and so iohn honestly disclaims all the honour due to jesus christ ; and as one afraid lest the people should asscribe any of it to him said , whom think ye that i am ? as he fulfilled his course [ mark that ] iohn's course was fulfilled ; i am not he , but behold there cometh one after me , whose shoes of his feet i am not worthy to loose [ him ] behold he is the lamb of god that takes away the sins of the world ; but i am not he . and so in the 47th verse the apostle comes to declare in much plainness , how that christ is set or established , & he joyns none with him ; for so hath the lord commanded us ( saith he ) saying , i have set ther , saith the lord , to be a light to the gentiles , that thou [ mark , not thou and iohn , nor thou and moses , but in the singular term , thou ] that thou shouldst be for salvation unto the ends of the earth , isa. 49. 6. but again , in john 1. 2 , 26. the people came to john , and asked him , saying unto him , why baptizest thou , if thou be not that christ , neither elias , nor that prophet ? john answered them , saying , i baptize with water [ mark ] but there standeth one among you , whom ye know not , he it is who cometh after me , is preferred before me , whose shoe 's latchet i am not worthy to unloose : these things were done in bethabara beyond jordan , where iohn was baptizing . the next day iohn seeth jesus coming unto him , and saith , behold the lamb of god that takes away the sins of the world : this is he of whom i said , after me cometh a man that is preferred before me ; for he was before me , and i knew him not ; but that he might be made manifest to israel , therefore am i come baptizing with water . mark the end of iohn's baptism was , that he might be made manifest to israel therefore am i come , baptizing with water : so then this was the service of iohn's baptism , and it served for this purpose , and to this end , that christ might be made manifest . and so iohn bare record of him , and preached him , and not himself ; but cryed , behold the lamb of god ; look not at me ; b● hold not me , nor the lamb of god and me ; no , he never joyn'd himself to him ; but said , i am sent before him , and now he is come behold him , the lamb of god ; he taketh away the sins of the world ; but look not now at me ; i am not that light , but am sent before , a witness , and am come baptizing , that he might be made manifest ; and if he were manifest to israel , then were my desire answered , and the end of my labour in water-baptism accomplished , so that they might believe in him . iohn bare record , saying , i saw the spirit descending like a dove , and it abode upon him , and i knew him not ; but he that sent me to baptize with water , said unto me , vpon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending and remaining on him , the same is he that baptizeth with the holy ghost ; and i saw and bear record that this is the son of god. see how plainly iohn preached christ and his baptism , and all along put this distinction , i baptize with water , he with the holy ghost and fire ; i must decrease , he must increase . but they might have said , why john , why must thou decrease ? why , iohn might have said , because my baptism is but w●th water , that he might be made manifest ; but his baptism is with the holy ghost and fire , a baptism that exceeds mine as far as the light of the sun exceeds the light of the moon . so its clear , that iohn was sent to baptize with water , and christ was sent to baptize with the holy ghost and fire : and christ fulfilled iohn's , and the law , and all the righteousness required by them , and then was himself alone established , a priest forever , of an unchangeable , unalterable priesthood . but further ; for i am desirous to clear my self of this matter at this time from all opinions concerning this thing . i have already made it appear , that iohn himself was on my side ; and his record is clear to prove , that the baptism of christ jesus is that of the holy ghost , and that he himself was sent to baptize with water ; and he no where makes mention of any other that was sent to baptize with water but himself , i say , that was sent . in the next place , i shall bring the testimony of our lord and saviour jesus christ , who also at all times asscribeth water-baptism unto iohn . acts 1. 5. and being assembled together with them , commanded them , that they should not depart from jerusalem , but wait for the promise of the father , which , saith he , ye have heard of me ; for john truly ( or might he not have said , and is it not all to one sense had he said so , john , its true ) baptized with water : but mind , he doth not say , do you so too , or , i will baptize you with water also ; no , no : john , said he , truly baptized with water , but ye [ mind ye ] ye shall be baptized with the holy ghost not many dayes hence this is the baptism they were to wait for , and to be by christ baptized withal , no water at all injoyned to it by christ jesus , though he owned it in its time , and fulfilled it , as aforesaid : but [ mark ] now was the time of promise at hand , not many dayes hence ( saith christ ) ye shall be baptized with the holy ghost . so also peter , in acts 11. 16. saying , 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 . still water baptism is asscribed to iohn , by himself and by christ jesus ; let us hear what the apostles say concerning it . in acts 1. 22. peter in his declaration to the disciples concerning iudas , and choosing another in his stead , makes mention in the 22th verse , on this wise , beginning ( said he ) from the baptism of john [ mark ] unto that same day that he was taken up from us , must one be ordained to be witness with us of his resurrection . here it is still asscribed unto iohn . again , in acts 13. 23 , 24 , 25. paul speaking of the promise , god hath ( saith he ) according to his promise , raised unto israel a saviour , jesus , when john had first [ mark first ] preached before his coming [ mind ] before his coming , the baptism of repentance to all th● people of israel , and as john fulfilled his course . [ mind here paul still asscribes it to iohn . again , in acts 19. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4. and it came to pass , that while apollos was at corinth , paul having pass●d through the uppermost coasts , came to ephesus , and fi●ding certain disciples there , he said unto them , have ye received the holy ghost since ye believed ? and they said unto him , we have not so much as heard whether there be any holy ghost . and he said unto th●m , vnto what then were ye baptized ? they said , vnto john's baptism . [ mark ] had iohn's baptism been in the name of the father , son and holy ghost , then how should they but have heard of a holy ghost ? so that here , before i proceed any further , i shall take notice of this place a little . water baptism is still asscribed here to iohn ; i indeed baptize with water , said john ; john indeed baptized with water , said christ ; and say the apostles , john verily baptized with the baptism of repentance , saying unto the people , that they must believe on him that was to come after him , that is ( said he ) on christ iesus : so i shall yet bring no more proofs for this point , these being sufficient . but before i leave this place , take notice , that though they had been baptized unto iohn's baptifm , yet they had not heard whether there was any holy ghost ; which doth clearly manifest , that although it should be granted , that iohn's baptism was still of necessity , which far be it from me to do , yet how doth it thwart all our water-baptists of our age , who baptize with , or into water , using the words [ father , son and holy ghost ] which they cannot bring precept or example for . for though the apostles did by permission baptize , it was but in condescension unto iohn's baptism ; for commission they cannot bring from christ no where ; nor that they did use the words now used by you , saying , i baptize thee in the name of the father , son and holy ghost . so that your practice , all of you water-baptists , is contrary to the holy scripture ; for in this place paul baptized those in the name of the lord jesus : and peter ( in acts 10. ) commanded to be baptized , repent , and be baptized in the name of the lord iesus : but no where can they find , that either iohn , or any of the apostles used to say , i baptize thee in the name of the father , son and holy ghost : so that your practice in this is grounded of a sandy foundation , and will undoubtedly fall . prop as hard as you can , and take ye altogether , ye water-baptists of all sorts , and work never so hard with both hands , your babel-buildings will all fall , and great will be the fall thereof ; and all your props and all your cunning work will be broken to pieces , and you shall never be able to raise your buildings again ; but the chiefest of your workmen shall be ashamed of their own doings , and you shall gather paleness in that day . oh therefore be intreated in tender love , i beseech you , to return ! return out of babylon , unto the gift of god , the true light , that makes ye all manifest , and in which ye are all seen and comprehended : i say in the name of the lord my god , and in much love to your souls , be intreated to return unto it ; its near you to instruct you , and to make all things manifest to you , if you will come unto it . oh turn your minds ! how oft have you been reproved by it , and you never found guile in his mouth ; though he hath told you all that ever you have done , yet you regard him not , but prefer fading , finite and unprofitable things above him . oh! haste , haste out of babylon , tarry not ; the day of vengeance is near , and then will you come to know the true baptism is not into water , but into the name of the father , son and spirit ; and that christ ( in the 28th of matthew 18 , 19. ) when he sent his apostles out to teach all nations , and that the baptism there spoken of , & commanded by christ , was not into water , but into the name of the father , son and spirit ; neither is there any such a word as water mention'd in his words there spoken to them ; but into the name of the father , son & ho●y ghost he bad them baptize . but some may say , it must needs be water there intend●d , because that none can baptize with the holy ghost , but christ. i answer , true ; none can but he , and by his power only ; therefore he tells them in the first place , that all power is given unto me ( saith he ) both in heaven and in earth ; and they now must not go in their own strength or power , but in his power ; and it was his power in them and by them , that did the work he sent them to do ; and so he saith unto them , without me ye can do nothing : but lo , i am with you alwayes , even to the end of the world : and all power is mine . and now you water-baptists , let me ask , now where is iohn's power ? iohn hath now no power , nor moses hath now no power in a way of administration , if all be given to him , and be his , as i am satisfied it is : and here its plain , he only is here established . now it must not be admitted for any other to have a tabernacle standing or builded with his ; no ; though peter would have had three , one for moses , one for elias , and one for christ : that elias was already come [ mind ] and they have done to him whatever they would : and is it not plain to you , that this was iohn the baptist here spoken of and intended ? and yet , mind , neither moses nor elias must have a tabernacle built with his ; but a cloud came and took them away [ mark ] and christ only left ; and a voice from heaven came , saying , this is my beloved son , in whom i am well pleased , hear him . oh! what would you have ? how clearly is it manifest unto all who walk not in darkness , that he only is by himself established to be heard in all things : and saith the apostle , he that refuseth to hear this prophet shall be cut off from off the earth : and again , see ye refuse not him that speaketh ; for if they escaped not that refused him that spoak on earth , even moses , how shall ye escape , if ye refuse him that speaks from heaven , whose vo●ce then shook the earth ? but now says he , yet once more will i not shake the earth only , but also heaven [ mark ] that those things that cannot be shaken may remain : mind what must remain , and how he alone ( even christ ) is above all established . and it s said again by paul , god ( saith he ) who at sundry times and in divers manners spak● in days past to the people by the prophits , hath in these last dayes spoken unto us . by his son [ mark , not by his son and john but by his son ] whom he hath appointed heir of all things [ mind ] so all power is given unto me ( saith christ ) go ye therefore , teach all nations , baptizing them into the name of the father , son and spirit , or if you had rather have it [ holy ghost ] teaching them to observe whatever i command you ; and lo , i am with you always , even to the end of the world ; but tarry at jerusalem till ye have received power from an high ; for without me ye can do nothing : so 't is not ( saith peter ) by our strength or righteousness that this man is made whole ; why stand ye gazing upon us , as though by our power & holiness it was done ? be it known unto you , that by the name of jesus , whom ye crucified , even by faith in his name , is this man made whole . and said paul , i have laboured more abundantly then ye all , yet not i , but the gift or the grace of god that 's in me . and so it was in his strength that they were more then conquerors , and could do all things through christ , that strengthned them ; but before they could not , before ( i say ) that they went in his strength . so there was need for them to wait at ●erusalem , till they had received of his fulness , of which they all received grace to help in time of need. but now [ mark ] they had not need to have stay'd at ierusalem for power to have baptized with water ; for they had been doing that before , and were able enough for that baptism ; but now they were to en●er upon a greater work ; and it is not they must do it , but the gift of god in and by them , or the power they received ; so saith christ , lo i am with you ; and as many as received him , to them he gave power ; for , all power is given to me ( saith christ ) all [ mark ] so though the apostles , as men , could not baptize into the name of the father , son and spirit , no more then we , as men , can do ; yet [ mark ] christ in and by them can , or us either , and in and by them did ; and when the apostles laid their hands on them that believed , the holy ghost fell upon them and sometimes when they were preaching unto them , the holy ghost fell upon them ; yet it was not them that could so much as preach as they ought , but christ in and by them : god speaks by his son through his vessels of honour , fitted for his use ; so it s not them , but christ , who also raised the dead , opened the eyes of blind , healed the sick , cleansed the lepers , and many great and good works did they , yet not they , but the gift of god in them and by them ; and so they went in the demonstration of the spirit and of power , and preached christ the wisdom of god , and the power of god , the savour of life unto life in them [ mark , in them ] that are saved , and the savour of death unto death in them that perish . but they never cryed out , water-baptism is the door ; for christ jesus said , i am the door , by me [ mark , not me and water , nor me and iohn , but by me ] if any man enter in , he shall be saved ( oh he is of himself sufficient ) and shall go in and cut , and find pasture . the apostles never called it as you do , an initiating ordinance , and ( say you ) a command of christ : but who say so beside you ? where do you prove it ? prove , friends , whoever you are . i challenge all the whole vvorld to prove , that christ ever mentioned such a thing to any of his ministers , as by way of command , as water-baptism ; but said , as above said , ye ( said he ) shall be baptized with the holy ghost ; and go , teach all nations , baptizing them into the name of the father , son & holy ghost ; say not , we cannot , be not dismay'd ; for , lo i am with you ; and all power is given unto me , both in heaven and in earth ; therefore without me ye can do nothing ; but abide in me , and then ye shall bear fruit ; in me ye shall have peace . but though it were so , that he had meant as you baptists say he did , water baptism , and that that commission belongs to you , ( say you ) the world is ●ot yet ended , therefore ( say you ) it is still to be observed ; suppose this were granted you , then i ask you , how missed paul of it , that he had no share in this commission ? for paul saith in 1 cor. 1. 13. that christ sent me not ( saith he ) to baptize , but to preach the gospel [ mark ] how comes it to pass that you are greater sharers in this commission then paul ? and how must we do to know it ? for if it did not reach paul , who was converted , and one not behind the apostles , how can it reach you ? and though you may say , all are not sent to baptize ; then i ask you , how must we do to know who are , and who are not ? but say you , paul meant [ not only ] oh friends ! have you this hole to creep out at ? its a little one , too little to get out at . 't is your meaning : but we must not take your meanings when the lord lets us see he means otherwise ; for paul said not so ; nor dare any true christian say that paul meant so , but said what he meant , and meant what he said . well , but say you baptists , he did baptize . it s true , he did some few ; but he thanks god they were so few : but it seems though he did , he did not do it by commission ; for christ sent me not to baptize ( saith he ) but to preach . ) how then ? why , by permission as he also circumcised timothy by permission , because of the iews ; but not , because christ had commanded it ; for he had not . paul himself said , if ye ( speaking to the galatians ) if ye be circumcised , christ shall profit you nothing ; yet took that liberty for a particular end , because of the iews , to do that particular act. he also observed the law , and went under seven dayes purification , and had an offering bought according to the law , but not , because it was commanded by christ ; for christ had not commanded it , but because of the iews : yea , and had ( had he not ? another time his head shorn , and was under a vow . much might be said that was done by the apostles , that was not commanded by christ ; nor that they left no command to after . ages to observe . but it s also clear in acts 26. 15 , 16 , 17 , 18. that paul had no such word in his commission , as to baptize into water ; for i ( said the lord ) have appeared unto thee for this end or purpose , to make thee a minister and a witness , both of these things which thou hast seen , and of those things in the which i will appear unto thee ; delivering thee from the people , and from the gentiles unto whom now i send thee [ mark ] what to do ? not to baptize into water ; he mentions no such thing , no ; but to open their eyes , and to turn them from darkness to light , and from the power of satan unto god , that they may receive forgiveness of sins , and an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified by faith that is in me. this was paul's commission , if we may so call it , as he himself tells the king agrippa ; but here is not one word of water baptism , or not only to baptize , as you baptists say : but if you have no better weapons then these , the●e are too short to save your heads . but to proceed : you still say , the apostles did baptize . peter said in the second of the acts , repent and be baptized every one of you in the name [ mark ] of i●sus christ , for the remission of sins , and y● shall receive the gift of the holy ghost ( this baptism , being for the remission of sins upon repentance , was necessary to salvation ; but so is not yours ) for the promise [ mark ] is unto you . but the promi●e was not water-baptism , but , ye shall be baptized with the holy ghost , said the lord jesus by way of promise : and this is that which was spoken by the prophet , ioel 2. 28. and it shall come to pass in the last dayes , saith god , i will pour out of my spir●t upon all fl●sh [ mark ] was not this the promise of god to them and their children , and to all that are afar off , and so on ? and in vers. 21. then they that gladly received the word , were baptized ; and the same day were added unto them three thousand souls [ mark ye , the same day ] it was a great number to be baptized into water , as you do , all of one day , if it was so ; but it is not here so said , nor no mention made of water in this chapter ; so that this place will not carry your matter you would lay on it ; for all these ( its said ) continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine ; and their doctrine i hope , you will own was for christ : if any preach any other doctrine then what is already preached , or lay any other foundation then which is already laid , let him be accursed : we preach christ ( saith paul ) to the jews a stumbling-block , to the greeks foolishness ; but unto them that belive , christ , the wisdom of god , and the power of god. it was christ they preached . but say you , philip baptized the eunuch , and the iaylor was baptized , and cornelius and those with him peter commanded to be baptized in the name of the lord ; and ( say you baptists ) when was that command repealed ? i answer ; though it was a command , yet it was but peter's command , and peter had not all reveal'd to him at first , but was ignorant of things that were afterwards revealed , and so were the rest of the apostles , witness peter's vision , and the apostles blaming peter for going to the gentiles , because they yet saw not into that fore-told mystery , nor many before them saw it not ; but it was revealed in the lord's time to them , how that the gentiles should be fellow-heirs , and partakers of the same glory : but you cannot prove that peter's command was obeyed : he commanded them ( it is true ) to be baptized ; and if they were , his command was fulfilled ; but who commanded you , or sent you ? shew us your commission ; for peter did not any where that i can find , command , that water-baptism should be observed to the world's end : no , no ; it was the baptism of christ jesus , with the holy ghost and fire , that was , and is , and will be to the end , established and commanded in mat. 28. by christ : and though the apostles did make use of iohn's baptism , yet they laid no stress upon us , that were to come after them , to use it ; neither was it commanded by christ for them to use . but come ; may not i say , that they saw not to the end of iohn's baptism ( though iohn had plainly said , i must decrease ) no more then they saw the coming of the gentiles , till it was shewed by a vision ; and that though christ had said , that the true worship was in spirit and in truth , yet that they saw not through the outward worship ; and have i not more ground for it then you have for paul's [ not only ] but if you were in the light , you would see that the apostles did see but in part , and no further then it was revealed unto them , no more then we do now . but though we should say , that they did see unto the end of iohn's baptism , and unto the end of all visible things , as i know they did in time , as i shall prove hereafter ; yet although they might , yet they that were daily added , might have stumbled , had they denyed them that of iohn's baptism , except they also had seen into the mind of god with them in this matter ; for they were but enterers in as little children , and not grown up to man's state at first , but went from strength to strength in the spirit of the lord , and so the apostles could take liberty for the furtherance of the gospel , to command iohn's dispensation , b●t were above it themselves , out from under its command , in the power of christ , who was greater then iohn , and had all power now himself ; and so it could not command them , but they it : and so philip said unto the eunuch , if thou believest with all thy heart , thov mayest ; not , thou must , no ; but if thou believest , thou mayest ; he would not deny it him , though i believe , philip knew , that it was the spirit 's baptism that must sanctifie , and that water could not reach the soul of any , nor any way sa●isfie the spiritual part of mankind . and yet took that liberty in the spirit , because of the weakness of their yet childish capacities to submit to their weakness in many things that belonged unto the law , as well as in this of iohn's . and is it not also clear , that the apostles would not yet seem to lay the building , if i may so call it , of john waste , until they had laid and builded on a more sure foundation ? nor wholely preach his baptism useless , nor the law neither , until such time as the gospel had got some hold of the people ? and then they testified of one lord , one faith , one baptism ; and that by one spirit they were all baptived into one body , and had been all made to drink into one spirit ; and that they were made able ministers of the new testament , not of the letter , but of the spirit : and came not with words man's wisdom teacheth , but with the words the holy ghost teacheth , with which they were now baptized ; comparing spiritual things with spitritual , not with carnal , or external , or elemental things with spiritual , as you do , no , no ; but spiritual with spiritual . now they saw by the revelation of the spirit into the mysteries of god's kingdom , and therefore in heb. 6. 1. the apostle comes in with these words , leaving ( saith he ) mark , leaving the principles of the doctrine of christ , let us go on unto perfection . come , friends , deal plainly for your own souls good and god's glory , and tarry not short of him that makes perfect , and cleanseth from all iniquity ; and be perswaded to come and wait for the true baptism of christ , which is with the holy ghost and fire , that ye may be sanctified and refined , and made every whit whole ; for it is in much love to your souls that these lines are written , by one that desires your salvation even as his own , and truly breathes for the prosperity of zion , and the establishment of truth and righteousness . but now some may object , and say , that the apostles could not have left them if they had not been in them , or in the vse of them. i answer , true , they had so ; and had also been in the use of those things the law had required ; but mark , all these could not make perfect ; the law made nothing perfect ( said the apostle ) as pertaining to the conscience . and the baptism of john ( say you ) was but a type : now if the type could make perfect , then there would have heen no need of the substance ; for if perfection had been by the levitical priesthood , then verily righteousness would have been by the law ; and now say i , if john 's baptism could have taken or have wash'd away sin , then verily righteousness would have been by john ; i mean , that men would have been then by it made perfectly and truly righteous : but iohn himself preached no such thing by himself ; but said , i am not he , but behold him , the lamb of god , that takes away the sins of the world ; this is he of whom i spak● one mightier then i cometh , he must increase , of the increase of his government and kingdom there shall be no end. and therefore saith the apostle [ leaving ] which word therefore seems to entail the fore going words in the chapter before , where he had bin telling them of their childishness ( he mentions the doctrine of baptisms , which cannot prove the imposing of water-baptism any more then all the rest ) and was now for bringing them on to a further state , where they might know perfection , and have meat that would satisfie , true bread , that comes down from heaven , and impowers to be sons of god. and it seems clear to me , that there was some need for those things they had so long lain like children weak , and like babes in , to be left ; therefore leaving these , let us go on to perfection ; and saith further , this will we do , if godpermit : but if they had been commanded by christ to have been used to the world's end , then why should paul ( for so i call that author ) have been so earnest at that day , which was soon after christ's ascension , to have had them then to leave them , and to go on to a more manful , powerful , perfect state : so that it is very clear to all whose eyes the lord hath opened , that though the apostles had by reason of their weakness , submitted to their childish capacities , rather then they would lose their hold they had got of them ; yet this or these things were not the thing they were driving at : but the aim and end of all they did , both in circumcision , passover , vows and seven dayes purification , and water-baptism , yea , and all those things they did concerning meats , and other things that they did by permission , and not by commission from christ , i say , their intents in all t●ese were never to establish them with christ jesus , to abide as long as the world lasted n● : but after they had held them in hand , in order to get them on , they took all occasions they could , to bring them on further & further , till they all come in the unity of the faith unto a perfect man in christ jesus , unto the measure of the stature of christ jesus ; and so these became useless , and all gave place to him , who is alone by himself established a priest forever of an unchangeable priesthood ; glory is wholy due unto him . and so , now they came to speak of one baptism , one faith and one lord , as a foresaid ; and that by one spirit they were all baptized into ▪ one body [ mark , they were all , he saith , all baptized by one spirit into one body ] and had all been made to drink into one spirit : but none can prove that [ all ] were baptized into water ; for paul was instrumental in the lord's hand , for the concinoing and converting of many : but he saith , he baptized none but crispus and cajus , and the houshold of stephanus , beside ( saith he ) i know not whether i baptized any other but many were convinced by him , doubtless very many , yea , multitudes ; yet no man can prove , that all that were convinced and converted by the gift of god in paul , were also all baptized into water ; yet saith he , ye are all baptized by one spirit , and have been [ all ] made to drink into one spirit ; and there is one lord , one faith , one baptism . well , but say you baptists , he doth not say , there is but one baptism . no , nor he doth not say , there is but one lord ; must we therefore say , there are more lords then one ? god forbid ; for to us there is but one lord : and he doth not say , there is but one faith ; must we therefore say , there are more faiths then one ? so he also saith , there is one baptism , and so say we too ; and that one was promised , and accomplished , and commanded ; for we believe as christ said , the works that i do [ mark ye , the works that i do ] shall ye do , and greater works then these shall ye do : but it s plainly said , that christ baptized not , i say , not with water , but with the holy ghost : and do you think that he used one baptism to them , and commanded them to use another to them that believed in him ? do you think that he baptized them with the holy ghost , and then sent them out to baptize with water ? i know , whatever you believe , you have said no less ; but you can never prove it : for , the works that i do , shall ye do ; but christ baptized not into water , nor never said that they should , that you or any other can prove ; for peter in the 11th of acts declares what the lord said , when the disciples were talking with him about his going in to the gentiles : then ( said he ) remembred i the word of the lord , how that the lord said ( mark ye christ's words ) the lord said , john indeed baptized with water , but you shall be baptized with the holy ghost . but he no where mentions water by way of commanding them to use it in baptism ; but said , ye shall be baptized with the holy ghost ; and , go ye , teach all nations , baptizing them into the name of the father , son and holy ghost ; and , lo , i am with you . but further , i remember you baptists have said , that your baptism into water doth signifie death , burial and resurrection : by which words you acknowledge it is but a type . and you further say , that no man ought to be buried before he be dead . now i conclude , that the dead you mean , are such as are dead to sin ; and if so , how can ye that are dead to sin live any longer therein ? know ye not ( saith paul in rom. 6. 2 , 10 , 7. ) that so many of us as were baptized into ( mark into ) iesus christ , were baptized into his death ; therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death , that like as christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father , even so we also should walk in newness of life : and in the 7th verse , for he that is dead is freed from sin. well , now let me ask you , are you thus dead , buried and risen with him by your water . baptism ? or can any man conclude , that paul here speaks of water-baptism ? is it not plainly said , into christ ; not , into water , but into christ , into death . and in gal. 3. 27. for as many of you as have been baptized into christ , have put on christ ; and they that are in christ , are new creatures ( behold , all ye water-baptizers ) all old things pass away , and all things become new , a new heaven and a new earth , in which dwells righteousness . and we say , that the sons of god inhabit in the new and living way , that which is pure , and changeth not , but endures forever , and in righteousness are they established , and act not by the power of a carnal commandment , but in the power of an endless life ; not in imitation of the letter , but in the demonstration of the spirit : for although it should be so as ye would have it , that christ had commanded the apostles to baptize into water , as he never did , nor can it be ever proved ; yet if it had been so , what is that to you ? who commanded you ? shew us your commission ; where did you receive your power and authority in this matter , that you both preach and baptize ? whereas paul saith , he was not sent to baptize , but to preach : and we say , and know what we say to be true , that we are not sent to baptize into water , but to preach the gospel ; and our authority came not by man , of man , nor from man , but by the grace of god we are what we are ; and his grace is sufficient for us , and ever hath been since we were a people , and so will be to the end. and we further say , we own that iohn was sent to baptize with water , and we own him in his day ; but where did iohn baptize using those words , father , son and holy ghost ? for they that had been baptized unto iohn's baptism had not so much as heard of a holy ghost ; so that this baptism ye practise cannot be iohn's , nor christ's it cannot be ; for he never had water asscribed to him : but iohn , who was a true minister in his time of water-baptism , said , he ( meaning christ ) shall baptize you with the holy ghost & fire : so then , if not iohn's , as its clear it is not ; for iohn's was a type of the true baptism of the spirit , and when the types , figures , vails and shadows were ended , and he , the end and beginning , first and last was arisen , and had rent the vail from the top to the bottom , i say , when his sun of righteousness did arise , the shadows fled away , and gave him place over his own house to rule , whose right it was , then was the true baptism known ; then came the holy ghost upon them ; then did the true light shine , and the darkness fled way ; then were they inwardly washed , and their understandings opened ; then was the circumcision of the heart known ; then was he entred into that within the vail , into the true tabernacle , which god pitched , and not man : and so iohn went before as a type , but willingly gave place to the substance . so that its clear , the baptism you use is not iohn's , and it it much more clear that it is not christ's baptism , and so it must needs be your own , done by you in imitation of the holy men of god gone before , who did what they did in obedience to the lord , and in his power , and were sent by him : but , oh ! who ever sent you baptists in this great and notable day of the lord ? it will one day be said , who hath required these things at your hands ? either shew us your commission , or else acknowledge your great error , & repent , and come unto the true light , and walk in it , prize it and obey it , that ye may be saved by it : for it is not a fair outside of the cup or platter , but the inward washing of regeneration by the spirit , and a living in the spirit ; and the whole worship of god , say we , and say the scriptures the same , that the true worship of god is in spirit and in truth ; but that your water-baptism is spiritual , i deny ; or that it ought to be observed in the worship of god , you cannot prove ; but iohn's was ordained to be used as a type ( before the spirit 's worship , or the true worship in the spirit was fully established ) and of it self a thing that i believe none of you dare say , doth in any measure sanctifie and wash the soul : and if it be of so little effect unto the soul , why , what necessity is there for the continuance of it to the world's end , since also ye cannot prove it so commanded ? for , once more let me tell you , that the baptism commanded in the 28th of matthew , was into the name of the father , son & spirit or holy ghost : but , i say , this was not iohn's ; for they that had been baptiz'd unto iohn's baptism had not so much as heard of a holy ghost ( acts 19. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4. which they must needs have done if they had been baptized with the use of these words , in the name of the father , son and holy ghost . but further , you acknowledge your selves that it is but a type ; well , i ask you then , what doth it type forth unto us ; or what is it a type of ? if it be a type of the baptism of christ , then i ask you , what further need is there of it , when the thing signified by it is come ? or do you think that the type and substance must remain together to the world's end ? was it not always from the foundation of the law , that when the substance came , that the shadows fled away ? but although you should still say , why then did the apostles use it after the spirit 's baptism was accomplisht ? i answer as before , the apostles had power over it after they saw beyond it , and could submit unto the weakness of believers capacities in many things , as above is mentioned ; but that they saw not beyond it till it was reveal'd unto them is clear ; but then they spoak of the one baptism , of the one lord & of the one faith. and so iohn himself , when he saw jesus walking , he said unto his followers , behold the lamb of god , that takes away the sins of the world : and john 's disciples leet john [ mark ] they left john , and walked no more with him : for iohn's baptism could not wash them from their sins ; but behold , the lamb of god takes away sin , puts an end to sins , finishes transgression & brings in everlasting righteousness ; he makes every whit whole , and fully saves to the utmost them that come to god by him , and makes clean them he washeth ; and if i wash thee not , saith he , thou hast no part in me : he satisfies ; for he is the bridegroom himself , but iohn was not ; he , its true , was the bridegroom's friend , and would not rob him of his prerogative or honour , but rejoyced to hear his voice , and when it was heard , said , this my ioy therefore is fulfilled . so we own iohn in his place and time , but we own the bridegroom above iohn , although iohn was his friend , & did what he was commanded , but thought not much to give him place who had commanded him . and so my dearly beloved friends , it is in much love to all , but chiefly to you called anabaptists , that this is written , as i can truly testifie in the manifestation of that true light spoaken of in the scriptures of truth , unto which i once more beseech you , to turn your minds , and believe in it , and come to walk in it , and obey it ; and then will you have fellowship with us , and truly our fellowship is with the father , and with his son christ jesus ; by whom we have also received the attonement , and in whom we live , out of whom we cannot live ; for he is our life ; to him be glory forever . written the 7th of the 1st moneth , 1674. iohn gratton . great hath been the travail of my soul for the prosperity of sion , and for her establishment above the top of all the mountains ; and , blessed be the lord my god , my eyes behold her , and see her beauty to exceed all the glory of the earth , and her coming out of her wilderness state is come ; i say , the time is come : and many have lyed or lain in the way side , to have drawn her aside , and would gladly have allured and inticed her from her beloved , & gladly would have had her turned aside unto other lovers , and have cryed out unto her , what is thy beloved unto anothers beloved ? and have spoken against her ; and when they could not prevail with her , have evil-entreated her , and per secuted her for her beloved's sake : and many have been her troubles , but the lord hath delivered her out of all : and great is her ioy at this day , and her glory exceeds all the glory of the nations : her beauty is perfect : she is a virgin , and never was defiled , but is all glorious ; the king's daughter is all glorious within , her garments are of wrought gold , wholely pure ; she has no blemish , she is all fair , without spot , the only beloved of the lord ; glory to his name . he hath remembred her in love , and her sorrows has he seen , and will plead her cause , and subdue kingdoms for her sake , and make her way plain before her . oh! come unto sion , all ye that desire her prosperity , and be not so foolish as to sit down short of her ; her city is free , her gates are open hy day & by night : she has no need of the sun by day , nor of the moon by night ; but the lord god & the lamb are the light thereof : her light will never grow dark , her sun will never set , night shall be no more upon her ; for her sun is arisen , and as one to run a race is marching on , his strength is as a lyon , his voice is heard to roar , and great fear is fallen and a falling upon the beast of prey . oh! who would not live in her ? her gates are paved with precious pearles , her inhabitants are all kings and priests unto god ; she is altogether comely , and her glory shall never have an end , amen . oh! who , who would not dwell here ? come , come unto sion , all ye that are sincere to what ye know : turn ye , turn at her call , and embrace her counsel : why will ye bestow your money for that which is not bread , and your labour for that which satisfieth not ? oh! come unto me , saith the lord , my voice is near you ; how often have i called , and ye regarded not , nor have not answered my requirements , but are imitating them whose life and power you are out of . but now turn ye unto the lord with all your hearts , believe in his light , and life will you know that never can have end ; but if you still refuse , you will one day know that you were warned and invited by one that truly seeks not himself , but earnestly travails for the welfare of all men , and is become servant to all for iesus's sake ; to him be all honour , praise , and dominion forever and for evermore . j. g. the end . a treatise concerning baptism, and the lord's supper shewing, that the true disciples of christ are sent to baptize men into the name of the father, son, and holy ghost, for the carrying on of which, christ is with them, and will be, to the end of the world : also, a few words concerning the lord's supper, shewing that those that sup with him are in his kingdom. gratton, john, 1641-1712. 1695 approx. 179 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 79 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2004-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a41824 wing g1587 estc r39440 18419350 ocm 18419350 107517 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. a41824) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 107517) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1634:11) a treatise concerning baptism, and the lord's supper shewing, that the true disciples of christ are sent to baptize men into the name of the father, son, and holy ghost, for the carrying on of which, christ is with them, and will be, to the end of the world : also, a few words concerning the lord's supper, shewing that those that sup with him are in his kingdom. gratton, john, 1641-1712. gratton, john, 1641-1712. john baptist's decreasing and christ's increasing witnessed. [8], 155 [i.e. 148] p. printed and sold by t. sowle ..., london : 1695. attributed to gratton by wing. with this is bound the author's john baptist's decreasing and christ's increasing witnessed. imperfect: stained, with print show-through. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng baptism. lord's supper. water -religious aspects. 2003-08 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-09 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-10 john latta sampled and proofread 2003-10 john latta text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-12 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a treatise concerning baptism , and the lord's supper . shewing , that the true disciples of christ are sent to baptize men into the name of the father , son , and holy ghost ; for the carrying on of which , christ is with them , and will be , to the end of the world. also , a few words concerning the lord's supper ; shewing , that those that sup with him , are in his kingdom . matt. 28.19 . all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth : go ye therefore , teach all nations , baptizing them in , i. e. into , the name of the father , son , and holy ghost . and lo i am with you always , even to the end of the world. john 1.12 . as many as received him , to them he g●●e power to become the sons of god. acts 1.8 . ye shall receive power , after that the holy ghost is come upon you . rev. 21.6 . i will give unto him that is athirst , of the fountain of the water of life freely . london , p●●nted and sold by t. sowle , in white-hart-court in gracious-street , 1695. to the unprejudiced reader , a few words . friendly reader , thov cannot chuse ( if thou be a man that lives in this age , and northern part of the world ) but be very sensible , that the divisions amongst people now is very great , relating to christianity ; and yet all seem very zealous in their way , or at least some of all sorts are much satisfied in their way ; though there are few know the way of peace , or can tell what that peace is , which is the peace of god , that passeth the vnderstanding of all natural men , be they never so highly learned in tongues , arts and languages : for it is not humane learning that can make men spiritual men , nor bring men acquainted with god , or to the knowledge of god , who is a spirit ; but they that learn obedience , and live soberly , righteously , and godly in this present evil world , through the teachings of the grace of god , and denying vngodliness and worldly lusts ; these have a promise from christ iesus in these words , he that doth my will , shall know of my doctrine ; which suits well with his testimony , that said , the secrets of the lord are with them that fear him : so that they are the best disciples , best scholars , best learned , that have learned to live in righteousness and true holiness , and to forsake that which is evil , and cleave unto that which is good. but since babylon , the mystery of iniquity , the mother of harlots , got upon the beast , we have seen many a beastly , drunken and unclean man , pretend to be a spiritual man , and a minister of the gospel ; and hath not such been cried up , and made great , and bore rule amongst the people , who have been carried away with his doctrine ; and why ? because he is a greater scholar , and hath attained the languages , and can speak , or write , like pilate , latin , greek , and hebrew : but is he dead to sin , and alive unto righteousness , made so unto god through christ ? no , no , if he pleads for sin term of life , and is very angry if any man plead not as he doth , for committing sin every day , and all his life long , yet pretends himself to be a minister of christ , and is so acknowledged by the people : but , can any man serve two masters ? christ said , they could not : and , can any man be both a servant of christ , and a servant of sin also ? christ saith , he that commits sin , is the servant of sin : and iohn , his beloved apostle , saith , he that commits sin , is of the devil : and in my iudgment it cannot be denied ; for sin was never any service of god , but of the devil ; and if men be found in the devil's service , and yet say , they are servants of christ , what sensible man will believe them ? now , therefore , here is the ground cause of all our divisions about religion , rebels and wicked men that are gone away from god , christ , the holy ghost , and are gone into the kingdom of satan , and live in sin all their days ( for his kingdom is a kingdom of sin ) and yet say , they are servants of christ iesus , and the blind people believe them , though their fruits do manifest them . and these men , though they be wicked men , yet they can , like the magicians of egypt , imitate moses , and imitate iohn the baptist ; yet they bring forth nothing but what dies of it self ; for there is nothing of the power and life of god in it , no vertue of christ ; so it doth people no good , but leaves them as full of corruption as it found them ; yet it pleaseth people to have pillows sewed under their arm-holes , and to be smoothed over , and cry , peace , peace , when there is no peace with god , no peace of conscience ; so people goes on into the pit , because they believe lyes , and take sprinkling of infants to be christ's baptism , and call it so ; and say , christ did institute it ; and by it children are made children of god ; and likewise say , that bread and wine is the lord's supper ; and , that he instituted it ; and yet all of them , by all their art , cannot prove their practice ; therefore , for thy sake , these following lines are sent forth , which i expect will sore offend babylon's merchants ; but god is iudge in heaven , and will plead my cause ; so that if thou find profit in them , then my end , in writing them , is answered . i pray god open thy eyes , and cause his day-spring from on high to visit thee , and many more . oh that his kingdom may come ! yea , come lord iesus , come quickly , and set up thy kingdom of righteousness and peace ; and thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven . amen . a treatise of baptism , &c. our lord jesus christ , when he was about to leave his disciples , as to that manner or way of appearance , which he had been in , in the form of a servant with them , and had so fulfilled all those things spoken of , and required by the law and the prophets , so near as when he was about to finish them , and leave the world , he then not only prayed fervently for them , but also spoke very sweetly and comfortably to them , as may be seen at large in iohn 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 chapters , giving them many holy exhortations and commands : he also washed the disciples feet ; and when he had so done , he said unto them , know ye what i have done to you ? ye call me lord and master , and-ye say well , for so i am : if i then your lord and master have washed your feet , ye ought also to wash one another's feet ; for i have given you an example , that you should do as i have done to you . now tho' here is both command and example for washing one another's feet , yet how little is this regarded , or observed by our dippers or sprinklers with or into water ? how can they pass by this , which was so plainly and positively commanded , and began by him who was their lord and master , and used such a plain and full argument to urge them to do as he had done to them ? i say , what reason can be shown for the laying it wholly aside , and upholding their dipping into , or sprinkling with water ? altho' we find not one word in all the holy scripture , that ever our lord dipped or sprinkled any with or into water ; or that ever he commanded his disciples to dip or sprinkle either men , women , or infants . but to see men leap over this , of washing of feet , that was both done by christ jesus , and commanded to be done by his disciples , telling them , they ought to do as he had done unto them ; and yet this to be laid wholly aside , and dipping and sprinkling in or with water , pleaded so highly for , as a gospel-ordinance in the church , to remain to the end of the world , without either precept , example , or command from christ jesus , to be found in all the holy scriptures : this indeed is cause of admiration , grief and sorrow of heart . for he gave them many precious commandments , one of which he calls a new commandment , that they should love one another , as ( said he ) i have loved you , that you also love one another : for by this shall all men know that you are my disciples , if ye have love one to another : and if ye love me , keep my commandments . again , believe me , that i am in the father , and the father in me : abide in me , and i in you ; as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self , except it abide in the vine , no more can ye , except ye abide in me . without me ye can do nothing . if ye abide in me , and my words abide in you , ye shall ask what ye will , and it shall be done unto you : as the father hath loved me , so i have loved you ; continue ye in my love . if ye keep my commandments , ye shall abide in my love ; and this is my commandment , that ye love one another , as i have loved you ; and these things i command you , that ye love one another . after he tells them of the coming of the spirit of truth , saying , he shall testifie of me , and ye also shall bear witness ; and said , hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name : ask , and ye shall receive , that your ioy may be full . in all this , here is nothing said , much less commanded , for water-baptism ; nor doth matthew , mark and luke , make mention of water-baptism , being either commanded or practised by christ jesus : nor can we find that ever our lord took notice of it at any time ; so as he himself to baptize , or to command any man ( after iohn ) to baptize into water . and in acts , the first chapter , the apostle begins thus , the former treatise have i made of all that iesus began to do and to teach , until the day he was taken up ; and yet not one word in all this , that jesus did ever baptize any , or said to any of his followers , baptize into water : so that we cannot find , that amongst all he began to say and do , until the day he was taken up , he ever said or did that . the apostle goes on farther , saying , after he through the holy ghost had given commandment to us , to whom he shewed himself after his passion , speaking to them of the things appertaining to the kingdom of god : and what not one word of water-baptism , nor one command given for that ? let the apostle answer ; and christ being assembled with them , commanded them , that they should not depart from jerusalem , but wait for the promise of the father , which , said he , you have heard of me : for john verily baptized with water , but ye shall be baptized with the holy ghost not many days hence : but he doth not say , iohn baptized with water ; and do you so also ? no such word . but verse 8. ye shall receive power , after the holy ghost is come upon you ; and ye shall be witnesses unto me , both in jerusalem , and in all judea , and samaria , and unto the uttermost parts of the earth . so that it seems clear to me , that iohn's water-baptism did not impower them to be witnesses unto christ , through the whole world ; therefore there was need of such a baptism , as would fit them , or impower them , for the work the lord had for them to do : no , iohn knew that ; when he said , i baptize with water , but there comes one after me , who is preferred before me ; he shall baptize you with the holy ghost , &c. his fan is in his hand , ( his power is in his hand ) thorowly to purge his floor , to gather his wheat into his garner , and to burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire . but there is not that power in water , to fan , and throughly purge , nor to impower men to be witnesses to christ , to the uttermost parts of the earth . well , iohn baptized with water , not with the holy ghost , acts 19.2 , 3. they that had been baptized unto iohn's baptism , had not so much as heard whether there was any holy ghost : but christ baptizes with the holy ghost , not with elementary water , iohn 1.26 , 33. but tells them , iohn did , acts 1.5 . but do not find , that ever christ did , or commanded his disciples so to do ; but tells them , they should be baptized with the holy ghost ; but did not command them at all to baptize with water , either before or after his passion . methinks reason it self tells us , that had our lord intended water-baptism should have continued unto the end of the world , he would have said so , when he spoke of it to them , at such a juncture as this was , acts 1. but instead of that , he tells them of another , which he knew far exceeded iohn's ; for iohn's was but the type and figure , this the substance ; and would fit them for the work of god , which is a spiritual work , and is only done in and by the spirit and power of god : for when they were baptized with the holy ghost , they received power , and did stand up true witnesses unto christ jesus . oh! it 's worthy our observations , how christ tells them , they should receive power , after the holy ghost was come upon them , and should be witnesses , &c. so it 's clear , iohn's baptism left them short of power , and of the holy spirit also ; but christ's baptism impowered them to be witnesses , after they had it : and all that fall short of this baptism of christ , fall short of power to be living witnesses for christ. therefore the apostles tarried at ierusalem , and waited , as they were commanded , for the baptism of christ ; and did not run in their own will or wisdom , or in their own name or strength , to bear witness to him , or to preach him to all nations , but stay'd until they were made able to go in the spirit and power of god , and with words the holy ghost gave them . object . but it 's objected from matt. 28.19 . go teach all nations , baptizing them in ( or into ) the name of the father , son , and holy ghost ; and , says some , this is water-baptism . answ. but for the sake of the honest enquirer , let us consider : first , here is no water mentioned in this place , therefore no ground for such an objection . the great apostle of the gentiles understood it not at all to relate to water-baptism ; as is clear from his own words , 1. cor. 1.11 . christ sent me not to baptize , but to preach the gospel ; and we never read that he baptized any with water after : but in vers. 23. saith , we preach christ crucified , to the jews a stumbling-block , and unto the greeks foolishness ; but unto them which are called , both jews and greeks , christ the power of god , and the wisdom of god. consider , if christ be not sufficient without water-baptism ; take the apostle's words , in vers. 30 , 31. but of him are ye in christ iesus , who of god is made unto us wisdom , righteousness , sanctification and redemption ; that as it is written , let him that glorieth , glory in the lord. here christ alone is exalted and preached to be all we have to glory in , and enough too ; for in him all fulness dwells . secondly , is it not plain and full , that water-baptism is not at all intended , matt. 28.19 . for christ saith plainly , go teach all nations , baptizing them in ( or them into ) in the name of the father , son , and holy ghost . here is a vast difference between men being baptized into outward water , and sent to baptize into the name of the father , son , and holy ghost ; for they were now to enter upon a more excellent baptism ; they had been baptizing with water before that , but now they were to be baptized into the name , spirit and power of god ; that then they therein might be instrumental in christ's hand , who was , and would be with them to the end of the world , for the baptizing others into this name , that believed through their word . thirdly , christ knew , that in his name they would be made capable both to speak , to go , and to baptize men effectually . hitherto , saith christ , ye have asked nothing in my name ; but bids them ask . and a little before , verily , verily , i say unto you , whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name , he shall give it you . so it 's clear , christ's mind was to have them acquainted with , and baptized into , the name of the father , son , and holy ghost , john 16.23 . so in his prayer , iohn 17.6 . he saith , i have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me : what is here meant by this name ? is it not his power ? had not the great and holy power of god been made manifest unto them , that had been with him , and seen his mighty works , raising the dead , healing the sick , cleansing lepers , opening blind eyes , making the dumb to speak , the deaf to hear , the lame to walk , casting out devils , turning water into wine , feeding thousands with few loaves and fishes : did not these works plainly manifest the lord's power , or name , that is above every name . so in vers. 11. he prayeth thus : holy father , keep through thy own name , those whom thou hast given me , that they may be one as we are . vers. 12. while i was with them in the world , i kept them in thy name . and vers. 26. i have declared unto them thy name , and will declare it , that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them , and i in them . now , is it not plain from all this , that the name is the power ; so he had kept kept them in the power , had manifested the power unto them , or declared the power , and would declare it . so the power of the father , son , and spirit , is manifested , declared , and made known unto them that receive christ jesus , and are baptized into him , into his name ; power , spirit , &c. and these know the love of god made manifest in them , and to them . so now christ jesus , in matt. 28. spake unto them , saying , all power is given unto me , both in heaven and in earth ; go ye therefore and teach all nations , baptizing them into the name , &c. now the word , go ye therefore , seems to carry with it a plain demonstration of christ's mind , that now all power was his , both in heaven and in earth ; he would therefore have all nations both taught and brought into his power , and baptized into it , so as to be saved by it : for there is no other power , or name , by which any can be saved , but by the power or name of iesus ; for all power is his , both in heaven and in earth : this was a great work ; but for their incouragement , he also tells them , lo i am with you always , even to the end of the world. and surely i may say , if he be with his people to the end , what is it that can be too hard for him , and them he makes use of ? for all power is with them ; for as many as receive him , to them he gives power to become the sons of god , according to iohn 1.12 . even to them that believe in his name . these are they that are baptized , dipped or plunged into his power or name ; yea , into christ , and have put him on , and in him are one , whether they be iews or greeks , male or female , all are one in christ jesus , and christ is one in all , gal. 3.27 . these are in christ new creatures , and come forth in his name , to the glory and honour of him , whose is the power , for him only hath god exalted , and given him a name or power above every name ; yea , a more excellent name than angels , heb. 1.4 . it 's said , he that sanctifieth , and they who are sanctified , are all of one ; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren . and when he appeared unto paul , he said , i have appeared unto thee for this purpose , to make thee a minister , and a witness , both of those things which thou hast seen , and of those things in the which i will appear unto thee ; delivering thee from the people , and from the gentiles , unto whom now i send thee , to open their eyes ( a great work ) and turn them from darkness to light , and from the power of satan unto god , that they may receive remission of sins , and an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified by faith that is in me , acts 26.16 , 17 , 18. here is not figures or shadows mention'd ( no ) here is good things themselves ; to have eyes opened is very good , to be turned from satan's power to god , to have remission of sins , to be sanctified , and receive the inheritance of such as are sanctified , is very good , durable riches indeed ; faith in christ is very good and precious ; glory to him for ever : but not one word of sending him back again to the figure , viz. iohn's water-baptism ; nor have them , who are in chief , to whom all power is given , any need of it . and pray , if they had , what would it do for them ? can it reach either heart or conscience ? what good fruits follow our sprinkling of infants , and dippers ? can any sanctifie but christ ? doth not the apostle say , as before , he that sanctifieth , and they who are sanctified , are all of one ? heb. 2.11 , 12. for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren . so christ is the washer , sanctifier , and purifier of all his brethren , and members of his body , or church and people , and nothing else can ; for as the work is his , so the power is his , and the glory of the power is due to him who is greater than iohn , &c. so if christ wash thee not , thou hast no part in him , john 13.8 . and without blood there is no remission , heb. 9.22 . it 's the blood of christ that cleanseth us from all sin , 1 john 1.7 , 9. rev. 1.5 . now it 's clear from that full and clear declaration of christ , to this apostle of the gentiles , what he sent him to do , and what christ's mind was to have done ; and did he send the rest of the apostles with any less authority ? or to do any other work ? and is not this a more excellent work , to turn people from darknnss to light , and from satan's power unto god ; than to turn men into water , or to sprinkle water in the faces of infants ; and then say , they are sanctified , and changed , regenerated , and born again , made new creatures , yea , children of god , members of christ , inheritors of god's kingdom ; and promise to deny the devil and all his works , the pomps and vanities of this wicked world , the sinful lusts of the flesh , with all the desires of the same , so that they will not follow , nor be led by them ? and also , that they will believe all the articles of the christian faith , and keep god's holy will and commandments , and walk in the same all the days of their life ? doth not this set christ aside , and render him useless , and ascribe that to water-baptism , nay , to sprinkling , that 's all wholly due to christ , as before is proved ? oh where had you commission for these things ? who sent you , that run into these things ? shew us one tittle of any command ( or example for sprinkling ) in all the scripture ; how dare you say , all these things are done by sprinkling water in the face of infants ; and yet say , there is none free from sin on this side the grave ? are not new creatures the children of god , members of christ , inheritors of god's kingdom , and deny the devil , and all his works , the pomps and vanities of this wicked world , the sinful lusts of the flesh , with all the desires of the same ; so that they will not follow , nor be led by them ; and believe all the articles of the christian faith , and keeps god's holy will and commandments , and walk in the same all their days ? i say , are not these free from sin , that begin thus , when they enter into the world , and continue to their lives end . oh consider these things , people , you that read , and see how you are led , and how the same men that lead you thus to promise and avow , teach you all your lives long to say , you do those things you ought not , and leave those things undone you ought to do , and are miserable sinners , or offenders , having no health in you . can children of god , members of christ , be miserable sinners then , when they are in a child's state , and members of christ ? what rule , what title of a word can be shewed for these things in all holy scripture ? is it not sadly to be lamented , that people should be fed with husk , when there is bread enough in god's house , and to spare ? but paul was sent upon a more profitable work ; and all that are sent of god , are sent to turn people from darkness to light , and from satan's power unto god. oh , how few appear to be thus turned amongst the professors of our age : so it 's clear , what christ sent paul to do ; for paul saith , he sent me not to baptize , 1 cor. 1.17 . but to preach the gospel . now if paul was not sent to baptize , as it 's clear he was not , how then can we think in reason , that others were ? for he was not behind the chiefest of the apostles , as he himself affirms : but he must needs be behind them , if their commission was larger than his ; but if not , then it 's strange how paul could miss of having a share in that commission , matt. 28. if it was a commission for water-baptism to them , it must needs be so either to him , or else he had no share in it ; and if he had no share in it , then he was behind the other apostles in that . now , that that in mat. 28. was a commission for water-dipping and sprinkling , i deny ; neither did paul understand it so at all ; for had he , he would not , nor could not have said as he did ; but i say , if it was , and he had no share in it , how comes men in our times to have power from mat. 28. to dip and sprinkle ? for paul had none ; therefore let them tell us plainly , or cease from deceiving the people . but again , we find that paul preached the baptism of christ , and shews what it is very plainly , in rom. 6.3 . know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into ( mark , into ) iesus christ , were baptized into his death ; therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death , that like as christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father , even so we also should walk in newness of life . for if we have been planted together into the likeness of his death , we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection ; knowing this , that our old man is crucified with him , that the body of sin might be destroyed , that henceforth we should not serve sin ; for he that is dead , is free from sin . and verse 17. god be thanked , that ye were the servants of sin ; but ye have obeyed from the heart , that form of doctrine which was delivered you . vers. 18. being then made free from sin , ye became the servants of righteousness . vers. 22. but now being made free from sin , and become servants to god , ye have your fruit unto holiness , and the end everlasting life ; for the wages of sin is death , but the gift of god is eternal life , through iesus christ our lord. come people , all you that read this , see if you yet know this baptism into christ , into death to sin , and know the old man crucified , and put off , and christ the new man put on , that sets free from sin , and makes men servants of god in righteousness : this baptism is effectual to salvation ; this is that we have all need of to be baptized with ; and if this baptism be not known by us , we fall short of freedom from sin , and then the wages of sin is death , but the gift of god is eternal life through jesus christ ; so in christ is life eternal ; and they that are baptized into christ , puts him on , abides in him , are alive unto god in him , and dead to sin ; as the apostle saith in the 2d verse , how shall we that are dead to sin , live any longer therein ? there is surely a vast difference betwixt those that live in christ , and those that live in sin . this is a fanning baptism , a cleansing purifying baptism ; this paul speaks of again in 1 cor. 12.13 . by one spirit we are all baptized into one body , and have been all made to drink into one spirit ; this makes all people in christ jesus one ; and this paul saith again , there is one lord , one faith , one baptism , eph. 4.5 . now paul wholly ascribes the initiating ( or bringing in ) of all men , whether iew or greek , bond or free , male or female , into the church , or into the body of christ , which is the church , unto the baptism of christ , by his own spirit ; and tells us again in eph. 4.4 , 5. there is one body , and one spirit , even as you are called in one hope , one lord , one faith , one baptism , one god and father of all . now had paul looked upon iohn's baptism to have been commanded , mat. 28.19 . and so must have been in place to the end of the world , how could he pass it by , and only say , there is one baptism ? for iohn did baptize into water ; and it was a baptism , a real dipping or plunging into water , and so a real baptism was iohn's . and christ's baptism is a real baptism , a real dipping or plunging into his pure name , power , spirit , yea into christ , so as to put him on , and to be as branches in the vine , and to walk in him ; in his spirit , in his life , love , light , &c. yea , to be what we are in christ , and to do whatsoever we do in the name of christ ; so then is not here two baptisms ? and if one be not the figure , fore-runner of the other , and gave place to it , but are both figure and substance , servant and son , continued together to the end of the world , how could paul miss saying , there is one lord , one faith , and two baptisms ? but it 's clear he said otherwise , who said , he could do nothing against the truth , but for it . and both moses and elias , or iohn the baptist , were suddenly taken away , in the mount , upon the motion made for three tabernacles , and christ only left ; and the word was , this is my beloved son , in whom i am well pleased , hear him ; so here christ alone is exalted over all , and hath all power . objection , but say some , he doth not say there is but one baptism . answer , nor doth he say , there is but one god , but one lord , but one faith , but one hope , &c. what then ? may we say there is any more ? god forbid . no doubt but paul knew what he said , and that iohn's baptism was but a figure , and was observed in it's time and place , but when the substance came , the shadows were decreasing and passing away ; though i do not say that the apostle did see all figures , shadows , and types , actually at an end , so soon as it came ; no more did they immediately see that in mat. 28. go ye therefore teach all nations , did take in gentiles as well as iews : for it 's clear from acts 10.11 . that neither peter , nor the apostles at ierusalem , did all fully see until then , that god is no respecter of persons , that in every nation he that fears god , and works righteousness , is accepted of him ; and when paul clearly saw , he had a mind the people of god should see also , viz. that the fulness of time was come ; pray what fulness was this ? was it not the figures , shadows , and types of the law , which had their full time when christ was offered up , and must now have place no longer , but give place to the son , the heir , that redeems out of all bondage , and gives us to receive the adoption of sons , even the spirit of adoption , into our hearts , by which we cry abba father ? and the son abides for ever , hath an unchangeable priesthood , and is heir of all things ; and we in him being sons , are heirs of god , and joint-heirs with christ ; so no longer under servants , tutors , or governours , but are by christ redeemed unto god , to walk with him , and worship him in spirit and in truth . but saith this apostle again , verse 9. now , after you have known god , or rather are known of god , how turn ye a-again to the weak and beggarly elements , whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage ? can outward water be excluded out of this sentence ? is it not as weak and beggarly as other elements are ? and if this had not been in his eye as well as others , would he have been so general in that word elements , and take no care to preserve water in use , if it was to be used to the end of the world ? for it is no more than an element . object . but some may object , these galatians were for entangling themselves , with observing days , times , months , years , circumcision , &c. answ. i answer , it 's very plain , to unbyassed men , that this apostle of the gentiles never used one word to shew any more regard or respect to water-baptism , than to any other figures and shadows ; and it is no more , nor ever was any more than a bare figure ; and why it must have place with the substance , and not give place now , as all other figures must , i see no sound reason for . but he tells these galatians further , chap. 4.4 . when the fullness of time was come , ( what then ? ) god sent his son , ( well then ) ye are no longer under servants , tutors , &c. for god hath highly exalted his son , and given him all power both in heaven and in earth , that in all things he may have the preheminence . it 's true ; but is christ only ( without any thing else being joined unto him ) all in all , unto all mankind ? i answer , yea ; and paul tells these very people , chap. 3.26 , 27 , 28. ye are all the children of god by faith in christ jesus , for as many of you as have been baptized into christ , have put on christ ; there is neither iew nor greek , bond nor free , male nor female , for ye are all one in christ iesus ; and if christ's , then are ye abraham's seed , and heirs according to promise . and in ephes. 1.7 , to the 12th verse , we have redemption through his blood , the forgiveness of sins , according to the riches of his grace ; wherein he hath abounded towards us , having made known unto us the mystery of his will , that in the dispensation of the fullness of times , he might gather together in one , all things in christ , both which are in heaven , and which are on earth , even in him : here christ is preached , and christ only , in him it pleased the father that all fullness should dwell , and him only hath god exalted to be both king and priest , to give repentance and remission of sin ; oh! did men know god , know christ jesus , know the holy spirit of life , that was before all types , figures , and shadows were , they would not turn from , or desire again to be in bondage , unto weak and beggarly elements , that cannot make such as come thereunto perfect , as pertaining to the conscience ; but now here is one come , that can , and hath by one offering perfected for ever , them that are sanctified by him ; and saves to the utmost , all them that come unto god by him : so that now in christ iesus we who were some times afar off , are made near . how ? by the blood of christ , ephes. 2.13 . so it 's in christ jesus that nearness to god is known , even by his blood : read that can . blessed be god , many at this day can read experimentally , and knows a being near unto god in christ. o that many could ! for he is our peace , who hath made one both iew and gentile , having abolished in his flesh the enmity , the law of ordinances , to make in himself of twain one new man , that he might reconcile both unto god in one body , by the cross. and came and preached peace unto them that were afar off , and unto them that were near ; so that through him , we both have access by one spirit unto the father . now here is plainly pointed forth the way to god , the truth and the life , no man comes unto the father , but by me , said christ ; so neither iohn nor moses , nor any other but christ can bring men to god : nor doth christ jesus need any of them all , for all power is his , there is no other name given under heaven by which we can be saved , but by the name of iesus christ , acts 4.12 . mark this , the name of iesus ; what if he had said , the power of jesus ? but can any be saved by his name , except they be in it ; salvation is in it , & those that are baptized into the name of father , son and spirit , are in that which saves ; and it is remarkable , that christ did not say , go teach all nations , and baptize them in the name father , son , and holy ghost , but , go teach all nations , baptizing them ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) into the name of ( mark ) the father , son , and holy ghost : is it not plain from hence , that by name is meant the power of the father , son and spirit ? again , christ told his followers , mat. 18.20 . that where two or three are gathered together in my name , there am i in the midst of them ; what else is here intended , but them that meet in his power , and are exercised in his power ? and pray how can any meet in his name or power , if they be not in it ? oh that men would meet in this name , they would not want power to pray , preach , and praise god , nor need to make ready before-hand what they intend to say ; no , this bows men in spirit , and brings them to wait in hope ; and the feeling of this living name , makes men true worshippers in spirit ; for they feel it to be a heart-changing , melting power , and a soul-sanctifying , enamouring name , far excelling all other names or powers ; and these reverence his pure name , and extol it in their hearts , are true worshippers and adorers of it , and of him whose name it is . but what benefit can those have that meet out of this name , and carry on a form of godliness and worship , but deny the power , and content themselves to go on in a form , without the power , all the days of their lives ; and pray , what are these ? these are such as the apostle bids us turn away from , 2 tim. 3.5 . for they name the name of christ , but do not depart from iniquity , but live in sin all their days , and in the power of darkness , by which they are kept in bondage , because they come not to know the name of jesus , and faith in his name , and being baptized thereunto ; these say and do not , like the pharisees ; these are enemies to christ jesus , their own souls , and all mankind ; these love the wages of unrighteousness , and go in the way of balaam for gifts and rewards . paul said , he sought not theirs , but them , 2 cor. 12.14 . but these seek theirs , but not them . paul laboured that their faith might not stand in the wisdom of man , but in the power of god , or name of god ; is it not all one , or name of jesus ? 1 cor. 2.5 . but these come in the wisdom of man , and with words man's wisdom teacheth , and brings people no further than that wherein themselves stand ; and so the faith of people stands in the foolish wisdom of men , and not in the power of god ; and therefore these men get power over people , by their wisdom , and leads them away from the appearance of christ in themselves , who is the only potentate lord of lords , and king of kings , 1 tim. 6.15 . so the name of the lord is a strong tower , the righteous runneth into it , and are safe , prov. 18.10 . the true church knew it in old time , that this holy name of christ was sweet , and said , thy name is as ointment poured forth , therefore do the virgins love thee , cant. 1.3 . and so the apostle testified , how god anointed jesus of nazareth with the holy ghost , and with power , acts 10.38 . this is that holy name unto which every knee must bow , both in heaven , and in earth ; for it is above every name , phil. 2.9 , 10. so the apostles were baptized with the holy ghost , into this precious name : and when the holy ghost was come down upon them , and sat upon them , as in acts 2.3 . then they appeared boldly in the power , or name and spirit of jesus ; and verse 4. they were all filled with the holy ghost , and began to speak with other tongues , as the spirit gave them utterance . now they spoke with new tongues , that was touched with a coal from the altar ; so they went out in this living power and spirit , and in this they preached the gospel ; and taught all people that heard them , in every nation where they came ; and the name of christ was mightily glorified , many being so reached in their understandings , that they came to see their own state and condition inwardly , and were pricked to the very heart , and cried out , men and brethren , what shall we do to be saved ? yea , they spoke so , that many believed , both men and women , yea , great multitudes both of iews and greeks , acts 14. were not able to resist the wisdom , and the spirit , by which stephen spoke , acts 6.10 . and with great power the apostles bare witness of the resurrection , acts. 4.33 . so they stood in the power of god , preached , prayed and praised god in his own power ; and in acts 4. they lift up their voice with one accord , and prayed unto the lord , that he would grant unto his servants , that with all boldness they may speak thy word , by stretching out thy hand to heal ; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child jesus , verse 30. and paul preached boldly in the name of jesus , ch. 9.27 . and what did they preach ? they preached jesus christ , ch. 2.36 . & ch. 3.20 . likewise in the name of jesus christ , the lame man was made able to leap , walk , and praise god : it was not by their own power or holiness that he was made to walk ; no , it was by the name of the prince of life , christ jesus ; and the faith that comes by him , gave the lame man perfect soundness , ch. 3.6 , 12 , 18. even as peter said , in the name of iesus christ of nazareth , rise up and walk ; so the lord was with them , and wrought mightily , and manifested his great power in them and with them : so the apostles declared the work was done by the lord , chap. 14.27 . when paul had bidden the impotent man , stand upright on thy feet , he leaped and walked , and came and rehearsed to the church , all that god had done with them , and how he had opened a door of faith unto the gentiles : and likewise in chap. 15.4 . when they came unto ierusalem , & were received of the church there , and of the apostles and elders , they declared all things that god had done with them ; so the lord being with them , as he is at this day with his ministers , who is the strength of his people ; it is christ the great power of god that reaches the hearts and souls of people , through his vessels , or instruments and servants ; so the work is the lord's , done by him , and carried on in and by his spirit , power and wisdom ; so the glory of the power is due to him : for men , as men , are not sufficient for these things , nor of themselves are able to think a good thought , 2 cor. 3.5 . nor without christ , who hath all power , we , as men , can do nothing , ioh. 15.5 . neither can any man receive any thing but what is given him from above , iohn 3.27 . so all boasting is excluded ; for it is the power of god that is with men , rests upon men , and works in men , for men , and by men , and is sufficient to all , and for all , in every work and service the lord requires . so that all that live and abide in the name of the lord , and do what they do in it ; they do it to his praise and glory . by this time i hope it 's clear , that the name is the power , and that the lord that sent them to teach all nations , baptizing them into the name , &c. did go with them , and according to his promise he is with them , that are sent forth of him , and will be to the end of the world , and is the baptizer of men into his own name , spirit , life , light and love ; and it 's also clear , that those whom he thus baptizeth , he sends them forth , goes with them , and makes them instrumental in his own name , power , spirit , life , light and love , for the baptizing of others into the same ; so that all those that do run to preach and teach , before they be baptized with this baptism of christ jesus , they run before they be sent , and therefore they cannot , nor do not profit the people at all ; neither do they know christ , or his name ; nor have heard his voice , or seen his appearance to their joy object . but some object , and say , there was some method to be used , or means for the effecting this baptism . answ. i answer , yea ; and if we observe christ's words , go teach all nations , baptizing them , &c. so whilst men are teaching in the name , there is a baptizing into the name , experimentally witnessed and felt by such as hear the word , believe it , and receive it in love. oh blessed be god , there are many at this day can seal to this truth , that whilst men stand up and teach in the name of god , behold the name of christ the power of god comes over many , sometimes most , if not all , in the assembly ; and are so deeply dipped or plunged into it , that they are much tendered , melted , shaken and broken , and laid very low before the lord , whose power alone makes his people a willing people in the day of his power ; for it 's he that works all his own works in us and for us , both to will and to do of his own good pleasure . therefore let all flesh be silent before the lord , for the flesh profits nothing , it is the spirit that quickens ; the words that i speak unto you , said christ , they are spirit and life ; and all that have received him , who is a quickning spirit , and are alive in him , and in his spirit , these know his words , and his voice , from the voice of strangers . oh what is man then , out of the name , power and spirit of jesus ! or wherein is he to be accounted of ! all the power is christ's , and the baptism is christ's ; and baptized men are made instrumental in his hand , for the carrying on of his work , that without him can do nothing : for all that is done by them , is done in the ability that god gives ; and the praise is due to god , not to man : to god over all be it given for ever . now christ being head of the body , the true church , and the life , light , power , wisdom , righteousness , yea , all in all in every member ; it 's he that brings every member into it's right place and service in the church , or body of christ , and their faith stands in his power and name , and is one in every member ; so they know one head , or lord , and one faith , which he is the author and finisher of , and one baptism by one spirit , and one body , or true church of christ ; and all are made to drink into one spirit , and are all fed and nourished by the head christ jesus , the true vine , in whom every branch is nourished , fed and kept living , faithful , and fruitful , to his praise and glory . object . but say some , the word , baptize , signifies to dip or plunge into water . answ. i grant iohn's baptism was with water , but christ's baptism was with the holy ghost , and with fire , mat. 3.11 . and of a purifying nature ; and christ spoke of the spirit being in those that believe in him , as a well of living water ; and elsewhere , it is called the spirit of judgment , and of burning ; and saith the apostle , our god is a consuming fire and men , as before asserted , are baptized into christ , and put him on : and let me ask my reader , is not god ( that 's said to be a consuming fire ) and christ , and his name and spirit all one ? and doth not the apostle direct his epistles to the church which is in god , the father of our lord jesus christ ; see 1 thess. 1. and 2. thess. 1. and if in god , then in christ ; if in christ , then in the holy ghost ; and if so , then in the name , yea , in the life , light , love , wisdom , and righteousness of god. but do these men think ▪ a man cannot be dipped or plunged into any thing but water ? and are not many plunged into great sin , misery , and deep bondage , captivity and thraldom ; so that few think , or believe , they can ever get out whilst they live ; yea , too many lie here ? but what were they of old plunged into , that were baptized unto moses in the cloud and sea ? pray where was moses then ? did not he abide in the power of god , and in faith ? and was not the israelites got out of the faith , and out of the power of god , when they looked back at the host of pharaoh ? and who baptized them unto moses ? was it not the lord's work or power that brought them to moses , that stood in the power of god , and in the living faith ? and they were baptized unto him , and dipp'd into the same power and faith in measure , that he stood and abode in , after they had been out of it , through unbelief and fear of man. now he that brought them out of the unbelief then unto moses , into the living faith , and out of their own weakness , into his own power , that abides for ever , is the same that brings his people now ( that have been in unbelief , and in great weakness ) into the living faith and power of god ; and so unto our spiritual moses , christ jesus that goes before his people , and leads them out of spiritual egypt , bondage , captivity and thraldom , and saves his people ( that follow him ) from their sins , and delivers them out of the hands of their enemies ; so they are with him , and he with them , according to his promise , and are baptized into the name of the father , son and holy ghost , unto him who is all in all , and hath all power given him , in heaven , and in earth , mat. 28. object . but says the priest , what outward act did the apostles use , when they baptized with that baptism , into the name ? &c. ans. i answer , freely they did , as christ commanded them , teach ; and as they were bidden : when the power got hold of any , and came over them , they went on , teaching them to observe all things whatsoever christ commanded them , and they laboured in the work of the ministry chearfully ; and as they preached , the holy ghost fell upon those that heard them , as in acts 10.44 . and the power of god came over many , and they felt it , and believed in the lord jesus ; so they came to see the name and power of jesus to be above every name or power , and they believed in it , and stood up in it , being baptized into it , they came to witness a living in his name spirit , life , and power , &c. and in him ( viz. christ jesus ) were made new creatures ; by his name was he made whole that had been lame , living that had been dead ; yea , the blind came to see , the deaf to hear , the dumb to speak , lepers were made clean , devils were cast out ; and his name is the same at this day , tho' few believe in it , or know it ; glory be given to him , whose is the power , who sits upon the throne , and to the lamb , for ever . obj. but some may object and say , is there nothing to be done in order to baptize men into the name , but to teach ? ans. the word teach , is a great word , and so is the word teaching , and signifies all they did ; as preaching in the power , as the spirit gave them utterance and ability ; and praying in the spirit and power , or asking the father in christ's name , as he bade them , and singing praises to god in his spirit and power , as paul and silas did in prison , and living holy , righteous , godly , sober lives and conversations , and other work● aforesaid , done in the spirit , power or name of christ ; so their teaching sounded far and near ; for what they did , they did it in the name of the lord jesus christ. so the word teach , and teaching , is of a large extent ; for there is very good and effectual teaching ( besides preaching verbally ) and the disciples of christ taught so then , and do so teach at this day , as none other can , because god enables them so to do ; for they are all what they are in christ , and in his power they do what they do ; as first to love as brethren indeed , and in truth , is very teaching to all that behold it . secondly , not to have a beggar amongst them is very teaching , and a certain manifestation , that they do love one another : for by this , said christ , shall all men know that ye are my disciples , &c. and gave a new commandment , that they should love one another , which command no man can obey , but as god , who is love , doth enable him . thirdly , humility and meekness teach well , and such seek not their own ( to become great and high in the world ) but the things of jesus christ : and this plainly shews , those are like unto him , who are meek and lowly ; but pride is hateful in all , especially those that pretend commission to teach ; for that teaches a wrong thing , and strengthens people in that which is bad , yea , hardens them in it ; like unto the pharisees , who were proud , and loved , the chief seats in the synagogues , and the highest rooms at feasts , walked in long robes , loved greetings in the market , and to be called of men rabbi , rabbi ; these were enemies to god , and all good men ; would neither enter the kingdom themselves , nor suffer those that would to enter : and surely those that are in the same spirit , and walk in the same steps , and bring forth the same fruits , are no better than they . fourthly , men that are what they seem to be , that speaks the truth to their neighbour , and are not double-tongued , do not dissemble nor lie , nor respect mens persons , but do justly , and good to them that hates them , and loves enemies , prays for them that persecutes them , and despitefully uses them ; this is very teaching , and are such things as none can do , but those that are enabled to do them in the name of jesus christ , and by his holy name ; but the contrary is very bad , and tends to hurt , and ●inders all nations from coming to be baptized into christ's name . fifthly , in true compassion to visit the fatherless and widows in their afflictions , and to relieve the poor and needy , to suffer wrongs , forgive trespasses against us , to visit the sick , and cloath the naked , feed the hungry , and such as are in prison ; to visit , feed and cloath , shews forth christian love and charity , tenderness , kindness , pity , and compassion ; such preach well , and is very teaching before all nations ; but the contrary highly provokes the holy , just god , and declares men to be born after the flesh , and not of the spirit , whose fruits are all good oh! how have the sprinklers manifested themselves in our day , by laying many in prison , making wives like widows , children like fatherless , taking their bread-corn from them , and other things by force ; and though they pretend to be sent of christ ( who said , freely ye have received , freely give ; ) yet these have given nothing freely , therefore ought to receive nothing ; but notwithstanding they will receive and take by force of them they do nothing for , and no people nor nation can in reason look upon this to be of a right nature ; neither doth it , nor ever can , bring honour to the name of christ jesus , but the contrary : but they that are in the name , power and spirit of christ , they injure no man , defraud no man , but are good examples to all mankind , and shew forth the fruits of the spirit , love , joy , peace , long-suffering , gentleness , meekness , soberness , temperance , purity , chastity , and truth , and have crucified the flesh , with the affections and lust thereof , so are holy and righteous people in all conversation and godliness in christ jesus , and so bring honour to the name of jesus , in whom they live , being baptized into him , and so into his power or name , and are what they are in him , who is all in all ! but alas , for men to talk , or make mention of the name of the lord , who instead of departing from iniquity , do drink it up as the ox drinks water , and are in the power of satan , and are instrumental to plunge one another into sin , and urge their neighbours to drink in excess , until they be inflamed , drawing one another into oaths , whoredoms , pride , malice , envy , covetousness , strife , contention , fightings , bloodshed ; and what not that 's evil ; these do highly dishonour the name of christ before all nations , and give both iews and heathens occasion to blaspheme that holy name of jesus , which they make profession of ; these can say well , but alas ! they do ill ; pretend unto great things , but live ill ; talk , yea , may be , preach against pride , yet live in it ; against cruelty and oppression , and yet live in it ; in a word , against sin , iniquity and transgression , yet live in it , and so strengthen those in it that hear them , talk and preach against it ( by their living in it ) these have words without good works , yea , faith without works ; say well , and do ill , have a form ( i do not say a form of godliness ) but deny the power ; so are like those of old , who said , they were iews , but were not , with whom god was highly displeased , revel . these are enemies to the name of christ , do not know it , nor what it is to be baptized into it ; no , it 's a mystery hid from those wise , and learned , prudent ones , but made known to babes , who are born again of incorruptible seed , the word of god , that lives and abides for ever ; these are children of god in christ jesus , have love to god and one to another , yea , to all men ; do good to all , but no harm to any ; prays for all , in the love of god ; and are as candles upon tables , as lights in the world , who live , worship and walk with god in his own name , and are taught of god ; so they meet in his pure name , pray , preach , sing and rejoyce in the name of the lord , and in the power of his might , and so are saved , sanctified , justified , kept and preserved in his living name , a living people to praise him , who is god of the living , not of the dead : these know christ to be with them , and make use of them , and in his own power makes them instrumental for to disciple people , and baptize them into the same power . and so the whole life of christ's apostles , disciples and messengers , is of a preaching , teaching nature ; and those that are not called to preach or declare verbally in meetings , are also in the same power enabled to preach and teach in life and conversation ; and so all the people of god are baptized into the name of the father , son and holy ghost , and so into one body , by christ the second adam , the lord from heaven a quickning spirit , and are all one in him . now this baptism is beyond the reach of all babylon's merchants , they cannot sell this , they have no part nor lot in this ; no more than simon magus had , who thought the gift of god might be bought for , or purchased with money ; no , it is christ's baptism , done alone by his own arm and power : to him be praise for ever . object . but because the word baptize , doth signify to dip or plunge , 't is generally thought , by many people , that therefore it must be water . ans. there is a spiritual baptism , and a temporal , or outward with water , which in the new testament is called iohn's baptism ; which temporal or outward baptism men can imitate , but the inward baptism of the holy ghost and fire , none knows but them that have it : and this throughout the scriptures is call'd the baptism of christ. and as iohn's disciples were enabled to carry on his baptism in his time and season , so christ enables his disciples by his power to be instrumental in his baptism to the end of the world. so that as there was an outward dipping or plunging into water by the servant iohn , spoken of in the scriptures ; so there is an inward spiritual dipping or plunging by the son , into his own name , power , and spirit , &c. as before is shewn : and it 's only ignorance that causes men to think there can be no dipping but into water , or some liquid thing ; but our lord jesus christ was deeply plunged into sufferings and death for us , and he calls it a baptism , saying , i have a baptism to be baptized with , and how am i straitned untill it be accomplished ! luke 12.50 . and when the mother of zebedee's children came to christ , to desire that one of her son's might sit on his right hand and the other on his left in his kingdom , he answered and said , ye know not what ye ask ; are ye able to drink of the cup that i shall drink of , and be baptized with the baptism that i am baptized with ? they said , they were ; he said , they should indeed drink of the cup , and be baptized with the baptism that he was baptized with , &c. mat. 20.22 , 23. oh this cup was a cup he prayed to the father , that if it was possible might pass from him ; nevertheless , says he , not as i will , but as thou wilt . and again , oh father , if this cup may not pass from me , except i drink it , thy will be done , mat. 26.39 , 42. and in luke 22.43 , 44. there appeared an angel unto him from heaven strengthening him , and being in an agony he prayed more earnestly , as his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground . oh consider this baptism , all that read this , and see if you have been baptized with it , and have drunk of this cup , yea or nay ; for you may plainly see , this was a baptism , that neither dipped our saviour into water , or any other outward liquid thing , but into deep sorrow , grief and bitterness of soul. and i desire my reader to take notice , that paul to the romans , chap. 6. speaks of being baptized into christ , and into his death ; and i declare it , all those that are baptized by one spirit into one body , they are partakers with christ , and his body , the church , of his and it's sufferings ; but said the apostle further , if ye suffer with him , ye shall also reign with him , &c. now see how deeply our lord jesus christ was plunged into deep sufferings , agony and sorrow ; so that he prayed earnestly , and swear drops as it were of blood , falling down to the ground , and much more , read all his sufferings on the cross , and elsewhere ; is not this rightly called a baptism , a deep dipping or plunging , when he said , my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken me ! so he was baptized for the dead , death being come over all , for that all had sinned ; so he suffered for us , the just for the unjust , that he might bring us to god ; and they that take up his cross , deny themselves , and follow him , and share with him of his cup , of his sufferings , and of his baptism . so i hope i need say no more of this to shew there is a baptizing , dipping or plunging into other things besides water ; and that this , and not outward water , tends throughly to wash , purge , purifie , and make clean the soul , spirit and bodies of men and women , and bring them to be vessels of honour fit for the masters use and service : so here is neither need nor ground for sprinkling at all , no , neither dipping nor plunging in water , nor any lasting command or institution , that can be shewn ; tho' we grant some apostles did use water-baptism for a time , not seeing fully through things at first , as they did afterwards , yet they had no command for it ; for christ himself baptized none with water , nor gave his apostles any commission to do it , so that after some time that they grew up to man's state in christ jesus , they came to see , as paul saith , when i was a child , i spoke as a child , i thought as a child , i understood as a child ; but when i became a man , i put away childish things ; and then they more fully preached christ , the substance , and that in him all fullness dwelt ; and that christ was not now entered into the holy places made with hands , which are figures of the true , but into heaven itself , now to appear in the presence of god for us , heb 9.24 . and verse 14. the blood of christ , who through the eternal spirit , offered himself without spot to god , purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living god ; so that it 's clear , christ is not in the figures , but in heaven itself ; and they that enjoy him , are where he is , and have their conversation there , where he sits and reigns ; so the substance is come , and is preached and testified of , to whom the prophets bare witness , and testified beforehand of his sufferings , and the glory that should follow . this is he that knows every state , and is the end of every type , figure and shadow , as peter saith , speaking of noah's ark , 1 pet 3.21 , 22. wherein few , ( that was eight souls ) were saved , comes now to shew , that even as the ark saved them , so the antitype , baptism , now saveth us . what baptism ? i answer , that baptism of the spirit , or being baptized into that which saves us now from the deluge of sin , which destroyeth the world now ; even baptism into christ , into his name ; for there is no other name given , by which we can be saved ; this , i say , saves men as fully now from sin , and so from death , as noah's ark saved him and those that were with him , from the flood that then destroyed the old world ; and as peter further saith , not the putting or washing away the filth of the flesh , but the answer of a good conscience towards god , by the resurrection of christ iesus , who is gone into heaven , and is on the right hand of god ; angels , authorities and powers being made subject unto him ; and what , must not types and figures give way to him ? doth not peter clearly shew , it was not outward washing the filth of the flesh , but the cleansing of the heart and conscience ? for he saw plainly beyond the outward water-washing , to the inward washing with water , by the word christ jesus , that he might present unto himself a glorious church , not having spot , or wrinkle , or any such thing , but that it should be holy , and without blemish , eph. 5.26 , 27. so here is a washing that exceeds moses's laver , and iohn's iordan — washing , for it makes clean the inside , and these are inward iews , or iews inward ; for as they were not iews , that were iews outward , who only had the type or figure , and came no farther , but were of the synagogue of satan ; no more are they christians , that were only so outward : and tho' they say they are christians , yet they are unregenerate , unclean within , unwashed with the blood of christ ; yea , they are of the synagogue of satan , rev. 2.9 . and so it was called blasphemy of old , as you may see in this scripture , to say , they were iews , and were not ; and what is it now ? doth it not blast the fame of christ jesus , and his great name , for men to say they are christians , and are not ? oh! therefore take christ's counsel , come unto him , be baptized of him , washed by him , sanctified by him , made new creatures in him and by him , and be disciples , followers , subjects , and obeyers of him ; so that whatever he bids you do , ye may do it in his own name , and dwell in his kingdom of righteousness and peace , and joy in the holy ghost ; for all outward dipping and sprinkling in or with water , leaves men and women out of the kingdom of god , short of enjoyment of god , short of eternal life , short of power to become sons of god. short of mount sion , the city of the living god , the heavenly ierusalem , short of the innumerable company of angels , and of the general assembly and church of the first-born , which are written in heaven ; and of the spirits of just men made perfect , and of jesus the mediator of the the new covenant , and of the blood of sprinkling , ( mark , not water ) sprinkling that blood that speaks better things than that of abel . see now that ye refuse not him that speaks from heaven , for he speaks with authority , and not as the scribes , hypocrites , and high-priests ; for if they escaped not , that refused him that spoke on earth , much more shall not we escape , if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven , whose voice then shook the earth ; but now he hath promised , saying , yet once more i shake not the earth only , but the heavens also ; and this word , yet once more , signifies the removing of those things that are shaken , as of things that are made ; that those things that cannot be shaken , may remain ; so that those things that are made , and are shakeable things ; though they be heavens , if shakeable , if made , they give place to the new heavens , in which dwells righteousness , that cannot be shaken ; so the rock of ages , the sure foundation , the durable riches of the gentiles , the lasting treasure , the life that 's eternal , the son that abides in the house for ever ; he remains , for all the ends of the earth to look unto , and be saved ; for all nations to flow unto and be safe , who hath all power in heaven , and in earth ; therefore all people that read this , be exhorted to turn in all your minds to the appearance of christ in all your hearts , and come unto him in spirit , for he appears by his spirit in your inward man , and lets you see your states and conditions , lets you see all your thoughts , words , deeds , secret lusts , and vile affections , if ye give heed unto it ; for he is the true light that enlightens every man coming into the world , and makes all things manifest that are reproveable ; lays open all the hidden things of esau ; yea , all things are naked and bare before him with whom we have to do ; this is the word nigh , even in our hearts and mouths , which you ought to hear and obey ; this is him that is the saviour of the soul , and washes it in his own blood , and makes it clean , white and comely in his own pure eye ; this is he that sent forth his apostles , and went with them , was their strength , power , wisdom , yea all in them , and all to them all . and you are hereby invited , and call'd unto , to come unto him and receive him into your hearts and souls , that you may receive power to become the sons of god , and be deeply affected , and plunged into him , into his name his power , his spirit , his life , his love , his meekness , his patience , his purity , his divine nature , his glory . come people , here is a baptism , that is more than all figures , types and shadows ; oh! do not sit at ease in an unclean state , short of this baptism , for here is help for you , and it 's laid upon him that is mighty to help you , and save you to the utmost , if you will but come to god by him ; but if ye refuse him , and think to go to god by weak elements , that melt away before the lord , as he comes to take place in the hearts of men , you will find , by sad experience , that they can never bring you to god , nor fit you for his kingdom ; but this baptism into christ , into his name , endues men with power , according to christ's promise , ye shall receive power after the holy ghost is come upon you , acts 1.8 . secondly , it enables men to be witnesses unto christ jesus , unto his appearance in them , and the power of his resurrection , to raise them up in him , as it did to paul , acts 26.16 . thirdly , it enables men to pray in the name of christ , so as what they ask , god gives unto them , according as christ said , iohn 16.23 . fourthly , it cleanseth both heart and conscience , and inside of men and women ; it purges , fans and purifies the floor or heart of man throughly , and takes away sin , iohn 1.29 . for the father loveth the son , and hath given all things into his hand , john 3.35 . yea , all power in heaven and in earth , mat 28.19 . fifthly , it impowers men to become sons of god , and to call god father , and jesus lord , in truth and righteousness , gal. 4.6 . sixthly , it makes men one in christ jesus , according to christ's prayer , iohn 17.11 , 20 , 21. and gal. 3.27 , 28. 1 cor. 12.13 . 1 cor. 6.17 . eph. 4.3 . seventhly , it brings men to know the love of god in them , in their hearts , iohn 17.12 . eighthly , it makes men new creatures , true iews , true christians , and brings men to know the old man crucified with his deeds , rom. 6.6 . 2 cor. 5.17 . gal. 6.15 . ninthly , it makes men free from sin , sanctifies them , washes and justifies them , who are in the name of our lord jesus christ by his spirit , 1 cor. 6.11 . rom. 6.18 , 22. tenthly , it saves them that have it , and none can be saved , but such as have it ; for there 's no salvation in any other name , tit. 3.5 . 1 pet. 3.21 . acts 4.12 . eleventhly , it makes men temples for god , to dwell in ; and brings men to see god , being made pure in heart , mat. 5.8 . 1 cor. 3.16 , 17. and chap. 6.19 . twelfthly , it enables men to worship god aright in spirit and in truth , according to his will ; and none else , but they that have this baptism , can , iohn 4.24 . phil. 3.3 . thirteenthly , it brings men to know a new name , and the white stone that hath the new name in it , that none knows but him that hath it , rev. 2.17 . fourteenthly , it enables them to overcome , and brings them to inherit all things , to know god to be their god , and they to be his people , who have this baptism , rev. 21.7 . and lastly , it fits men for every good word and work , brings them out of the kingdom of satan , into the kingdom of god , righteousness , and peace , and joy in the holy ghost , and so to live in unity , fellowship and communion with god , and one with another , and to be alive unto god through jesus christ , in him to live unto the lord , and when they die to die in the lord , so that living and dying they may be the lord's , rom. 14.8 . acts 26.18 . col. 1.10 , 11 , 12 , 13. 1 iohn 1.3 , 7. i might go on further , to shew how it brings men to grow in faith , and to overcome the wicked one , and to overcome the world , and to be conquerors , and able to do all things through christ , who has all power , &c. in and by whom we have redemption , and forgiveness of sins , even through his blood ; for he that spared not his only beloved son , but gave him up freely a ransom for us all ; he also ( with him ) freely gives us all things , glory be given to him for ever . amen . thus i have endeavoured , for the information of true enquirers , to shew what christ's baptism is , and how men are made instrumental in the lord's hand , and enabled by him , to perform the work and service he imploys them in , how they are made true preachers or teachers , so as to baptize into the name of the father , son , and holy ghost ; for the life of a true disciple of christ , a true christian , is of a disciplining , teaching nature ; for he is as noah was , a preacher of righteousness , in the spirit , life , power , or name of jesus , in his day , age , and generation ; and in the name , is an honourer of the name and power of god , and shews it forth to others , yea , before all men , that he lives not in his own , or by his own power , strength or wisdom , but in the name of christ ▪ and knows christ to be his strength , and is what he is in the lord ; without whom he is nothing , nor can do nothing , see acts 16.16 , 18. compared with 1 cor. 1.17 . see what the apostle was sent to do , in order to turn men from darkness unto light , and from the power of satan unto god , eph. 4. read the whole chapter , and see who it was , that fitted and furnished them for every good word and work. something concerning the lord's supper , so called . i have searched the four evangelists , matthew , mark , luke , and iohn , and the rest of the new testament throughly , concerning this matter , about which many professors are so hot and zealous , and i do not find plain and substantial ground for what they so earnestly contend about : i also observe , it is not long since many suffered martyrdom here in england , because they believed not as the roman catholicks , so called , did believe , in q. mary's days ; and i remember , the presbyterians , in the time of oliver cromwell , were very strict about it , and examined people of their faith , hope , and such like ; and whom they liked , or approved of , were admitted ; but after a short time they left their flocks , fled away , and were silent : then in came the surplice-men , and they were for having all to come and take bread and wine with them ; but the other sort were only for admitting such , as they , upon examination , judged worthy : but some of both cry out against the quakers , ( so called ) because they do not come under their ministry of this ordinance , so called ; and say , we deny the lord's supper , or coming to the lord's supper ; and therefore do they rage against us very sore . and i see many people are too willing to lye at ease in a dead state in sin , and are not concerned in heart , to seek unto the lord for wisdom and understanding ; yet for the sake of all such as truly desire to know the things that do belong unto their peace , do i send forth these lines . and first , i affirm we do mightily rejoice in heart , soul and spirit , to meet one with another at the lord's table , where we meet with the lord , and receive at his merciful hand , the true and living bread that comes down from above ; tho' we are not in communion with them , at that which is called of men the lord's supper , and sold by the priest as such , for these reasons ; 1. we find that our lord christ took bread at supper , blessed it , broke it , and gave it to his disciples ; but that he said , this is a new ordinance , which i now erect instead of the passover , that shall be observed to be eaten at , after the priest hath done his forenoon's preaching , before you go to dinner , this i find not ; no , nor that those that would stay and eat some of it should pay two-pence and those that would not , should pay likewise , eat or not eat , pay you must ; this we find nothing of . we find matthew , mark and luke , calls it the passover ; and the passover which was kept or held seven days , must needs admit of suppers as well as dinners ; and if it was the passover , how then doth it belong to us , or enjoin us to keep up a small part of the outward iews outward passover ? this i cannot understand , seeing christ our passover , as the apostle said , is sacrificed for us ; and so we have no occasion to use the type , because the antitype is come , and has given us a mind to know him that is true , and we are in him . but to make it appear , that all the apostles call it the passover , let us hear them speak themselves , mat. 26.17 . the disciples came to jesus , saying , where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover ? and he said , go into the city to such a man , and say unto him , the master saith , my time is at hand , i will eat the passover at thy house with my disciples ; and the disciples did as jesus had commanded them ; and they made ready the passover . and verse 26 , 27. as they were eating , jesus took bread and blessed it , and gave it to the disciples , and said , take , eat , this is my body ; and he took the cup , gave thanks , and gave it to them , saying , drink ye all of it ; for this is my blood of the new testament , which is shed for many , for the remission of sins ; but i say unto you , i will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine , until that day when i drink it new with you in my father's kingdom . now from all this , that matthew saith , it 's very clear it was the passover which is here spoken of , and so plain that he that runs may read , mark 14.12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16. the first day of unleavened bread , when they killed the passover his disciples said unto him , where wilt thou that we go and prepare , that thou may'st eat the passover ? he sendeth two of his disciples , and saith , go ye into the city , and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water , follow him wheresoever he shall go in ; say to the good man of the house , the master saith , where is the guest-chamber , where i shall eat the passover with my disciples ? and he will shew you a large upper room , furnished and prepared , there make ready for us ; and they went and found as he had said , and they made ready the passover ; and as they did eat , verse 22. jesus took bread , and blessed it , broke it , and gave to them , and said , take eat , this is my body ; and he took the cup , and when he had given thanks , he gave it to them , and they all drank of it ; and he said unto them , this is my blood of the new testament , which is shed for many ; verily , i say unto you , i will drink no more of the fruit of the vine , until that day , that i drink it new in the kingdom of god ; here it is also called the passover , and luke 22.7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. thus far the same with mark ; but in verse 15 christ said unto them with desire have i desired to eat this passover with you before i suffer , verse 16. for i say unto you , i will not any more eat thereof , until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of god ; and v. 17. he took the cup , and gave thanks , and said , take this , and divide it amongst your selves ; for i say unto you , i will not drink of the fruit of the vine , until the kingdom of god shall come . now these three are full to the matter , concerning the last time christ was with them at the passover , and their last eating of it was at supper : and now , seeing christ said , that he would eat no more of it , until it was fulfilled in the kingdom of god ; nor drink any more of the fruit of the vine , until the kingdom of god should come , pray let me ask this , is the kingdom of god come , yea or nay ? doth christ reign , rule , and sit as king over all ? or is moses and iohn's baptism , yet in place , yea or nay ; and if the kingdom of god be come , which the apostle saith , stands not in meats , drinks , and divers washings , but in righteousness , peace and joy in the holy ghost , then i ask , is the passover fulfilled , yea or nay ? if it be , then he is worthy , and ought to have place , that fulfilled it ; for he ( viz. christ ) is our passover . is he ? then moses's passover , that had the paschal lamb , unleavened bread , and the cup of the fruit of the outward vine , is not our passover ; no , that was the iews outward , and was temporal ; but christ the lamb of god , the bread of life , that gives living water , and new wine of the kingdom , that 's spiritual ; he is the passover of the inward , spiritual iew , that hath no confidence in the flesh , but worships god in spirit ; neither doth he know christ after the flesh , but after the spirit , who is the second adam , the lord from heaven , a quickening spirit , so christ's kingdom is come and set up , and will come more and more . oh! thy kingdom come , thy will be done on earth , as it is in heaven ; and the least in the kingdom is greater than iohn ; well , and was iohn more than a prophet ? yea , and moses was a prophet ; how then is the least in the kingdom greater than iohn , and so consequently greater than moses ? how ? answer , in relation to their ministry or service ; for both moses and iohn served , with outward ordinances , observations , types and shadows , ceremonial rites and figures ; but the least in the kingdom , which stands not in meats , &c. their ministry and service , is in and by the power , spirit , life , light , love , wisdom and divine vertue of christ jesus ; and those that eat and drink now with christ , they are such as know their kingdom come , and are in the kingdom of heaven , under the command of christ jesus , who is king of righteousness , and prince of peace ; and is to be heard , truly followed , and obeyed in all things . but as i said , these three , viz. matthew , mark and luke , speak much alike in this matter ; and it 's worth noting , that iohn the beloved disciple , neither begins , nor goes throughout , in his testimony , as they did , but was more spiritual and mysterious ; and when he comes to speak of the supper , he passeth it by thus , iohn 13.1 , 2 , 4. now before the feast of the passover , when jesus knew that his hour was come , that he should depart out of this world unto the father , having loved his own , he loved them to the end ; and supper being ended , verse 3 , 4. jesus knowing that the father had given all things into his hands ( mark that ) and that he was come from god , and went to god , he riseth from supper , and laid aside his garments ; and so goes on to shew how he washed his disciples feet , and what he said unto them , was very much for enjoining them to wash one another's feet , but saith not one word further , at this time about the supper , that i find ; which i believe iohn would not have omitted , had it been so , that he had known that his beloved master had intended it should have been observed to the end of the world ; but it 's very clear , it 's called the passover by them all , and therefore fulfilled , and passed away , and gives place unto him that fulfils it , and all the whole law , concerning ordinances and outward observations . 3. it 's very clear this supper was a part of the passover ; and so the bread here spoken of , must needs be unleavened bread , passover-bread ; pray have those that sell bread now , any of this bread to sell or give , for this was that bread and that cup that had figured out his body to be broken for them , and his blood that was shed for them ? and as that bread was broken and given to the outward iew , so is his body broken & given to the inward iew ; and as that wine was poured forth into the cup , and given to the outward iew , so is his blood poured forth and given to the inward iew , to the making of his heart glad so as the outward iew , who came out of outward egypt and bondage , fed on the paschal lamb , so the inward iew who comes out of inward spiritual egypt and bondage , feeds on the lamb of god as their passover ; and as israel's enemies were washed away in the red sea , so are the christians inward enemies , viz. the sins of the inward iew washed away in the blood of the lamb of god , who washeth his people with , or in his own blood 4. when iohn comes to speak of what christ spoke to the iews , and the people , that he had fed with five barley loaves and two fishes , he relates how christ bade them not to labour for the meat that perisheth , but for the meat that endureth unto everlasting life , which the son of man said he should give , ( mark should give ) not sell unto you ; for him hath god the father sealed ; and v. 32. my father giveth you the true bread from heaven , but moses gave them not that bread from heaven . again , the bread of god , is he that cometh down from heaven , and giveth life unto the world. again v. 35. iesus said unto them , i am the bread of life ; he that cometh unto me shall never hunger , and he that believes on me shall never thirst . again , if any man eat of this bread , he shall live for ever ; and the bread that i will give is my flesh , for the life of the world ; and except ye eat the flesh of the son of man , and drink his blood , ye have no life in you ; whoso eateth my flesh , and drinketh my blood , hath eternal life , and i will raise him up at the last day ; for my flesh is meat indeed , and my blood is drink indeed ; he that eateth my flesh , and drinketh my blood , dwelleth in me , and i in him . now consider that bread that moses gave , they that ate it died , but he that eats of the bread that christ giveth shall never die . pray let me ask , what is the bread that you break , is it living bread ? or is it unleavened bread , passover-bread ? if it be not unleavened bread , it is not passover-bread ; and if so , then not the bread that christ at supper broke , bless'd , and gave ; and if not that bread , then where 's your foundation for your bread ? 5. if it be not that bread , are you sure that christ's blessings goes along with it ? for i am sensible , many live very wickedly , that eats of the bread the priest sells , and drinks of the cup the priest sells , both before and after , and there 's no appearance of eternal life ; and if it were unleavened bread , such as they eat at the possover , such as christ bless'd , brake , and gave them ; yet it is not living bread , nor can it give life eternal to them that eat it : and therefore in the last and great day of feasting of this bread and wine , jesus stood up and cried , if any man thirst , let him come unto me and drink : he that believes on me , as the scripture hath said , out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water : but this spoke he of the spirit , not of elementary water , which they that believed on him should receive ; for the holy ghost was not yet given , because jesus was not then glorified . 6. but now jesus christ is glorified , and the holy ghost is given ; then whither must we now go ? must we yet run to moses , for the bread that perisheth ; or to christ , for the bread that endures to everlasting life ? must we that believe on christ , and know the holy ghost is given , even the spirit of adoption , by which we cry , abba , father , and that god hath glorified his son jesus christ ; i say , must we now go to moses for water ? or to iohn either ? did any but christ , or can any other than christ , give us this living water ? ( if not ) then let us go unto him , who is faithful , that promised , that we may drink of the water he gives ; all drink into , or of one spirit . oh that men did know this living bread , and this wine , or living water ! then they would say , lord , evermore give us of this bread , and of this water , that we may eat and drink in thy kingdom , and live for ever . for they that know this bread , they know it by eating of it ; and so they taste of the goodness of the lord , and of his divine sweetness : this knowledge is experimental ; as the child that sucks the breast of its mother , tho' it knows neither tongues nor languages , yet it knows the milk of the breast is good ; for it feels , and tastes , and feeds of it , and is nourished by it , and enabled to grow from stature to stature . so none but new-born babes are thus fed and nourished ; such as live and abide at the breast of consolation , and have free access unto it , and feel it freely come in upon them , and know it made bare unto them : oh! these are sensible of the love of god , and lean upon jesus breast , upon their beloved , that hath brought them up out of the wilderness , unto his holy hill , that is exalted above all the hills , and coming up a-top of all the mountains ; this is the mountain of the lord's house , the house of the god of iacob , unto which the weary and heavy laden in all nations run , and find rest unto their poor souls . 7. but why are the professors of our age so laborious for outward bread ? is it not bread that perisheth ? ( if so ) christ said , labour not for the bread that perishes , but for the bread that endures unto everlasting life , which the son of man shall give unto you , john 6.27 . was not the unleavened bread ( that moses gave ) bread that perishes ? and pray , wherein doth christ exceed moses , if he give them not bread that far excels moses's bread ? i tell you , our spiritual moses is come , that far exceeds temporal moses , as the substance exceeds the type or shadow ; and he gives us spiritual bread , and spiritual drink , the same that moses , and all that was with him in the cloud , and in the sea , did eat and drink of ; as the apostle affirms , 1 cor. 10.3 . for they all eat of the same spiritual meat , and did all drink of the same spiritual drink ; for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them , and that rock was christ. now , it 's clear from this apostle , he was preaching of spiritual meat and drink to them , and the spiritual rock , christ ; and said , they ( meaning moses , and all that was with him ) did all eat of the same ; what ? the same spiritual meat and drink , that the apostle and disciples of christ did eat and drink of : then , if the same , it is spiritual , not outward or temporal meat and drink , but spiritual : here 's the meat indeed , and the drink indeed , christ spoke of , as aforesaid . now let us come a little farther in this chapter , verse 14 , 15 , 16 , 17. wherefore , my dearly beloved , flee from idolatry ; i speak as to wise men , judge ye what i say : the cup of blessing which we bless , is it not the communion of the blood of christ ? the bread which we break , is it not the communion of the body of christ ? for we ( mark , we ) being many , are one bread , and one body ; for we are all partakers of that one bread. now , here i might say something to wise men ; but not to the wise and prudent of this world , for they will not receive it . but let me ask , wherein stands the communion and unity of christ's followers ? is it not in christ ? and are they wise men that live in an outside formal profession of christ , and do not partake of the flesh and blood of christ , do not eat of this spiritual meat , and drink of this spiritual drink , here spoken of , in the chapter aforesaid ? for i am certain , none but wise men know what it is ; that is , they who are made wise by or with the wisdom that 's from above . and it 's very lamentable to behold , that any should be so asleep , as to think they eat and drink , and be contented ; altho' they find , they are empty of christ , ( who is this spiritual rock , whose flesh is meat indeed , and whose blood is drink indeed ) are empty of his life , power , virtue , spirit , wisdom , righteousness , &c. these sit in darkness , and see no light ; for they that sleep , sleep in the night ; and they that are drunk with the fruits of the wild grape , ( or blind opinions of wild-headed edomites ) that are hunting in their airy , earthly wisdom , amongst the high notionists , who have been greatly exalted in the dark night of apostacy , these are drunk in the night . but let me ask a little further : pray what is this cup of blessing ? is it an outward cup ? ( if so ) then why cannot men that drink of this cup , drink also of the cup of devils ? and pray what is the table of the lord ? is it outward ? ( if so ) then why cannot men partake of the lord's table , and the table of devils ? consider it ; for the table of the lord is spiritual , and none but spiritual men can partake of it : the natural man knows not the things of the spirit of god ; neither indeed , said the apostle , can he , for they are spiritually discerned ; and therefore only discerned by the spiritual man , in whom the spirit of god dwells ; see 1 cor. 2.9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. god , who is a spirit , hath a spiritual table , furnished with spiritual meat , and with spiritual drink , for all his spiritual babes , sons and daughters , who are born of the spirit , and have food provided for them , according to the nature of the seed they are born of : for the birth being spiritual , it must needs be granted , that the meat and drink it feeds upon must needs be spiritual also ; else how can it agree or suit with the nature of this birth ? for god is a god of order ; and hath placed all things in good order , both in heaven , and in earth ; so that there is no communion between the spiritual and the natural man , neither can they feed together : for every creature hath its food according to its nature ; the fish of the sea cannot feed upon the land , nor can the beasts of the field feed in the sea ; no more can the children of god feed at the table of devils , nor can the children of the devil feed at the table of the lord , neither do they know it . now what is the devil's table ? for i find freedom to be a little plain : let us see if we can shew wicked men , that are the children of the wicked one , what their father's table is ; and that we may do it in short , let us see who are his children ; for the childrens food is according to , and suitable with , their nature : now his children are these , and called by these names , 1 cor. 6 , 9 , 10. unrighteous , fornicators , idolaters , adulterers , effeminate , abusers of themselves with mankind , thieves , covetous , drunkards , revilers , extortioners , malicious , enviers , haters of those that are good , murderers , deceivers , haters of god , proud , inventers of evil things , disobedient to parents , without understanding , covenant-breakers , without natural affection , implacable , unmerciful ; who knowing the iudgment of god , that they who commit such things are worthy of death ; not only do the same , but have pleasure in those that do them , rom. 1.27 . to the end : these , and all such as live in lust , pride , lying , &c. shall not inherit the kingdom of god and christ ; no unclean man or woman must enter that kingdom : so the devil he hath a table to feed these at , ( where ? ) in the world ; therefore all these love the world : but the love of god is not in them ; neither do they love one another , but love self , and are self-ended , and love to obtain their worldly ends ; and when they shew in appearance to love one another , it is for some selfish , worldly end : so the devil feeds them with worldly things ; for he knows , they love the dainties of this world , worldly honours , pleasures , profits , riches , and vanities ; so the world is very taking with bad people of all sorts . now the devil would have prevailed with our lord jesus christ to have fed at his table , and he shewed him his finest dainties , the world , and the glory thereof , and offered to give it him , if he would fall down and worship him ; but christ fasted all the forty days he was in the wilderness , and did eat nothing , [ mark that ] mat. 4.1 , to 11. so it 's clear , they whose minds are feeding here , are carnally-minded , live in the flesh , to the flesh , have their affections set on things here in the world , love the world ; these love not god , cannot please god , nor feed , nor know what it is to feed at the table of the lord ; nor do they believe the people of god have such pastures to feed in , such a table so spread , such a banqueting-house so full of sweet-meats , and divine spiritual drinks , as they have , where they sit together in heavenly places in christ jesus ; who hath compelled them to come to the wedding-dinner of the great king , and the marriage-supper of the lamb , every one having on the wedding-garment . oh! the things of god are good and precious things , durable , lasting riches , yea , everlasting ; and they that are come to partake of them , these look not at things that are seen , which are temporal ; but at things not seen , which are eternal , 2 cor. 4.18 . for the alpha and omega is come , the first and the last , the beginning and the end. pray what is he , the last , or the end of , if not of all shadows , types , figures , and changeable things , as well as of sin ? for if sin had never enter'd , these had not had place in the church : and now he is come that takes away sin ; and where sin is taken away , there he that was before sin was , comes to be again in man , as he was in the beginning . and how was he then ? was there any types , figures or shadows then , whilst man kept his state in which he was made , whilst christ the word , the incorruptible seed , was head , lord , king , and all in him ? then there was no outward law of moses ; but that was added because of sin , until the seed christ came again , to put an end to sin , and finish transgression , and bring in everlasting righteousness again , gal. 3.19 . so to him must the types , figures , yea , and the law that was added , give place ; and he only be exalted , for he is worthy ; who not only bore our sins on his own body on the tree , but the curse of the law likewise . but some may say , paul speaks of the lord's supper in 1 cor. 11.23 . that what he received of the lord , was that which he also delivered unto them : what was that ? why it was this , that the lord iesus , the same night in which he was betrayed , took bread ; and when he had given thanks , he broke it , and said , take , eat ; this is my body , which is broken for you ▪ this do in remembrance of me . after the same manner he also took the cup , saying , this cup is the new testament in my blood ; this do ye , as often as ye drink it , in remembrance of me : for as often as ye eat this bread , and drink this cup , ye do shew forth the lord's death till he come . wherefore , whosoever shall eat this bread , and drink this cup of the lord unworthily , shall be guilty of the body and blood of christ ; but let a man examine himself , and so let him eat of this bread , and drink of this cup ; for he that eateth unworthily , eateth and drinketh damnation to himself , not discerning the lord's body . now i desire to know , if any thing can be more plain than that the passover did shew forth the lord's death till he came ; and as before , the breaking of bread , the slain lamb without blemish , and the cup , was not all this in the passover , and shewed the lord's death till he came ? but now he is come , and and hath tasted death for every man ; was dead , but is alive , and lives for evermore , death hath no more dominion over him ; he died unto sin , or for our sins once ; but he liveth unto god , yea , is god , and lives for evermore . so that except men ( like the outward iew ) believe he is not come , how can they now live in the use of that figure , which shewed forth his death till he came ; well then , but did not this apostle , and the church of corinth , come to the lords table and supper ? answer , they did some of them , but those that did sup with him , must needs do it in the kingdom of god ; for he ate no more , nor drank no more , as he said he would not , till it was fulfilled in the kingdom , and till he drank it new in his father's kingdom ; so he is not to be supped with in the figure , out of the kingdom ; but they that sup with him , sup with him in his kingdom ; and if men sup with him , they must have him to sup with , and are with him where he is , and behold his glory , as the only begotten of the father , full of grace and truth ; and so he is with them according to his promise , to the end of the world ; and if so , how then can they run from him to the figure , that was in use , and shewed forth his death until he came ? but now he is come , and is with them , and in them , and they in him ; for this apostle said , know ye not that your bodies are the temples of the holy ghost , and that christ is in you , except ye be reprobates ? 2 cor. 13.5 . how often doth the scriptures speak of christ's being in his people , and they in him ; iohn said , the son of god is come , and hath given us a mind to know him , or an understanding , that we may know him that is true , even in his son jesus christ , 1 iohn 5.20 . so that it seems contradictory in it self to say christ is come , and yet to eat the outward passover , which did but shew forth his death until he came ; and to do a thing in remembrance of him , and yet be with him , and he with them ; for he gives his people to inherit substance ; and as the apostle said , heb 9.24 . christ is not entered into holy places made with hands , which are figures of the true , but into heaven it self , now to appear in the presence of god for us ; so that christ is not now in the figures ; and if christ be not in them , what virtue , power , or nourishment is in them ? for he hath all fulness dwelling in him , and if we partake not of his fulness , what is it we can partake of , that can do us any good ? and if all fulness dwell in christ , as the scripture saith , then what is there in figures , types , and shadows ? surely these must needs be empty , if all dwell in christ , and that he be all in all ? well might the apostle say , let him that glories , glory in the lord ; so that all the testimonies of the apostles , point and direct to christ , and testifie of him ; and his people at this day preach him : for after all his sufferings , passion , resurrection and ascension ; behold , i stand at the door and knock ; if any man hear my voice , and open the door to me , i will come in unto him , and sup with him , and he shall sup with me , rev. 3.20 . open therefore , ye everlasting doors , and let the king of glory enter in ; for he is lord of hosts , great and mighty ; and if god be with you , who can be against you ? he is come to teach his people himself , therefore hear his voice , and open the door of the soul , and let him in , that ye may sup with him and he with you ; for it 's he that giveth living bread , and living water ; and his flesh is meat indeed , and his blood is drink indeed ; they that eat his flesh and drink his blood , dwell in him , and he in them ; and therefore these must needs know he is come , for they sup with him , where there is bread enough , and all things are ready ; the marriage of the lamb is come , his beauty and glory is beheld , the day of his espousals is come , and his beloved is come up out of her wilderness-state in a great measure , and is made ready for her beloved , for he is adorned with his wedding-garments ; o she is the fairest amongst women , no church , nor woman like her ! her glory is within , she feeds on hidden manna , and hath meat to eat that the world knows not of ; therefore she tramples upon all transitory things , and hath the moon under her feet ; she seeks not after the glory of the night , fine titles , great honours , and rich benefits , places of outward profit , worldly gain , earthly treasure , and fading riches ; no , no , her beloved , to whom she is joined , and made one spirit with , never valued these things , or sought after them , yet the world hated him , and therefore it hates his people , because they are not of the world ; for if they were of the world , then the world would love her own ; but because they are not of the world ( christ having chosen them out of the world ) therefore the world hates them ; even as cain hated abel ; because abel's works were righteous , but cain's were evil ; oh! therefore be intreated , all you that read these lines , to leave the world ; that is to say , be dis-jointed from it , and and cleave not to it in your hearts , minds , souls , and spirit , and return unto the lord with your whole hearts , mind , and might , souls and spirits , and acept of his blessed invitation : all you that thirst , come unto me , said he , and drink ; this was in the last and great day of the feast , that christ said after this manner : and as the outward feast drew then to an end , so the inward lasting feast of fat things was proclaimed ; and as the figure or type was near its period , so the substance or antitype , christ , the bread of life , the passover of the spiritual iew , was proclaimed : and had many known the gift of god , and who it was that gave this free invitation , and proclaimed it himself , for all to come that thirsted , surely they would have come then , and now also . but , alas , there is too few that knows him , or thirsteth after him , especially of the wise and prudent of this world , nor of the great , rich , mighty , noble , learned , disputers of this world , who seek their own things , their own honour , their own exaltation , yea , their own praise and glory ; not the praise , honour and glory of god , nor the things of jesus christ. but come , remember before this , he proclaimed by his servant isaiah ; ho , every one that thirsteth , come ye to the waters and drink ; and ye that have no money , come , buy wine and milk without money , and without price . wherefore do ye spend your money for that which is not bread , and your labour for that which satisfieth not ? hearken diligently unto me , and eat ye that which is good , and let your soul delight it self in fatness . incline your ear , and come unto me ; hear , and your soul shall live ; and i will make an everlasting covenant with you , even the sure mercies of david , 〈◊〉 55.1 , 2 , 3. oh! what a tender invitation is here proclaimed unto every thirsty soul , even such as have no money ! these are invited very sweetly . but the lord is grieved , and very sorely displeased with babylon's merchants , who have traded long , and have made themselves rich , great and mighty , and have taken money for that which is not bread , and the people have been so unwise as to give it them , tho' they have been empty of living refreshment , of peace with god , and true satisfaction ; and have been kept in bondage , have lain in captivity , doing the things they ought not , and leaving undone the things they ought to have done : o the long complaints that have been put up towards heaven ! and though they say , they believe that christ is come , that hath all power in heaven and in earth , and gives power to all that receive him , to become the sons of god , even them that believe in his name , who are born of god ▪ but , alas , people do not come to him , tho' they be so very tenderly invited , and reasoned with ; as , why will ye give your money for that which is not bread , and your labour for that which doth not satisfie ? what advantage is this to your souls ? what wisdom is there in doing thus , to give money and labour for that which is worth neither ? as by long experience many know : oh then : let the wicked forsake his way , and the unrighteous man his thoughts , and let him return unto the lord , and he will have mercy upon him , and to our god , saith the prophet , and he will abundantly pardon : seek the lord therefore whilst he may be found , call upon him while he is near ; for he is come near ; who is given for a leader and commander to the people : read all the chapter through , and consider it , and compare it with chap. 53. and whilst time is , embrace christ jesus , open the door of thy heart , and let him in ; hearken to him , learn of him , be led , guided , commanded and ruled by him , and follow him , in order to know him , and where he feeds , and causes his flocks to rest ( in this glorious day of god ) at noon , that thou may not be as one that turns aside from the flocks of his companions . i. g. postscript . it hath often grieved me to hear and see how poor ignorant people are carried away by their blind leaders , to feed amongst swine , that wallow in the mire and dirt of sin , and are content with dry , husky shells of empty profession , and are zealous for that which they have no scripture for , nor do profit by : so these two things , viz. water-baptism , and bread and wine , i find are greatly adored , as though by these the people had great benefit ; but if we look into their lives and conversations , it doth not at all appear . so it fell weightily upon me , to write what the lord would please to enable me , about these things : for as they are used now , they are not so much as rightly imitated , by any of those that use them , neither the lord's last supper at the outward passover , nor yet the baptism of iohn ; but as to supping with the lord , and being baptized into his name , this i find few that know what it is : therefore was my desire a little more earnest to set pen to paper , and in plainness shew , what the name of father , son , and spirit is , and what they do that baptize into it , and also what they are who sup with christ ; not now seeking him in figures , but can say , they have found him elsewhere : i heartily pray it be may of service to all that read it , and of hurt to none ; for god doth know , i desire the wellfare of all mankind , who am a poor despised servant of jesus christ , iohn gratton . iohn baptist's decreasing , and christ's increasing , witnessed : being a treatise concerning baptism in the type , and baptism in the mystery . to the friendly unprejudic'd reader . friend , it is no desire in me , that because so many have appear'd in print , that therefore i would be one also that should be accounted eminent : but having been a great sinner , and therefore have , through infinite love and free grace , much given me ; my love is so much to him that is lord of all , that i am not a little grieved to see his pure and precious truth , so strongly , on all hands , encountered with , and fought against , in its comfortable and glorious appearance in the lord 's poor despised people , called by the scornful world , quakers . and seeing that this of water-baptism hath been and is a thing , they that are not only adversaries to truth , but to their own souls , have so publickly made use of it to fight us with , i having both been an eye and ear-witness of the same , have been not a little exercised in mind about this matter ; but have seriously considered and tried all their arguments , that i have been acquainted with , for this thing ; and i find them so far contrary to truth , and the mind of truth , that a necessity fell upon me to write what it pleased the pure eternal god to communicate unto me by his spirit : so that what is according to truth , and sound iudgment , thou wilt find here written ( as to the tenor and substance of the matter ) from the spirit of god in me ; and so is not mine , but his : to him be the glory wholly given for ever . but if there be any circumstantial defect , for want of heed or exactness , which may either fall upon me or the printer , charge it in its right place , and lay it not upon the spirit of god. having given thee this caution , i desire thee to observe , in the next place , my end in the publishing this little treatise ; which is , first , to clear truth of scandals in this point laid to our charge . 2dly , to strengthen the owners and lovers of it . 3dly , to acquaint or inform them that are mistaken about it . and lastly , that i might so answer that love , so greatly bestowed upon me , as to be clear of all men , and stand single unto god , whose servant i am , through mercy ; and might bring glory , honour and praise unto his holy name for ever . so now , before i leave thee , i shall only acquaint thee of the great differences amongst men about this thing , and then take leave . the presbyterian saith , water-baptism belongs to children of believing parents ; and therefore they examine the parents of their faith. now if the parent be an vnbeliever , then the child is not to be accepted to this ordinance , as they call it . from which i shall only now observe this , that if this be so , then is the child a sufferer for the sin of the father's vnbelief , which god hath said , shall never be : the child shall not suffer for the sin of the father , nor the father for the sin of the child ; but the soul that sins , it shall die . 2dly , the episcopal saith , the child is by this regenerated and born again , sanctified and changed , and made a new creature ; and therefore if a child be in danger of death , great haste is made to get it sprinkled : and if this be true , what farther need of a saviour ? 3dly , the baptists say , believers only have right to water-baptism : i grant , believers are only they that are truly baptized ; but that they are injoyn'd or commanded to observe this water-baptism , they now so differently observe , i find not . but , i hope , if thou readest what follows with a single eye , thou may'st come to see all these dippers and sprinklers , and their shortness in this , and gain some acquaintance with the lord's mind , as thou waitest in his pure light , which makes all things manifest ; to which , i beseech thee , to turn thy mind , and believe in it , that thou may'st be a child of light ; and then thy fellowship will be with us , who are children of it ; and so we may praise the lord together , who is light : to whom be all the honour and glory , for ever and ever . written by one of the least of all , yet one of the lord 's chosen ones , unknown to many ; yet known by the name of iohn gratton . monyash , the 4th of the 3d month , 1674. a treatise concerning baptism . they that are baptised into christ , have put on christ , live in him , and are one spirit with or in him ; are all united by one spirit into one body , and are members of his body , of his flesh and of his bones , and of his fulness receive grace for grace ; and know one lord , one faith , one baptism ; and are one in him , and he in them ; and so are come into the alpha and omega , the beginning and the end , the first and the last : he , whose name is called the word of god , by which all things were made in heaven and in the earth ; to him be glory for ever . now the baptism of the spirit is one in all ; and all that are baptized by the one spirit , are baptized into one body , and are all made to drink into one spirit ; and these have no confidence in the flesh , but are they that worship god in the spirit , and are truly led and guided by the spirit ; hear and know his voice , and are acquainted with his operations , life , power and vertue ; and can do nothing acceptable to god , but what they do in it ; and so it rather may be said , as in truth it is , that it is the gift or grace of god , in them and by them , that works both to will and to do of his own good pleasure . now all other baptisms whatsoever , that are not in the spirit , are of no profit ; for the substance of all is come , i say , of all those shadows , figures and types , which had their day , and in their day were appointed to be used , according to the appointment of the father ; but were but for an appointed time , until the seed came , to whom the promise was made , who is the heir , in whom all fulness dwells , [ mark that ] that in all things he might have the preheminence : for he alone , of himself , is sufficient , and able to save to the uttermost , them that come to god by him , and him only ; without the help of any outward washings , legal offerings and oblations , or whatever may be named , or hath been named , below himself , either of things in heaven or in the earth , they are all to give place ; for him only hath god highly exalted , and given him a name above every name , that at his name every thing ( though it hath been never so highly exalted ) should bow ; and that in all things he only , who is heir of all , should rule as a son over his own house : for all these were but as servants , and were not to abide for ever ; i say , all those types and shadows , and whatsoever came before him , tho' useful in their place , and to be observed in their time ; yet were all to give place , and pass away , and not to abide for ever in the house ; for they were but as servants ; and the son is over all , and hath power over all , and alone hath right singly to reign ; of the increase of his government and kingdom there shall be no end . so moses was faithful in all his house , as a servant , and did faithfully minister in the law , which was added because of transgression , until the seed came ; but when the seed came , to whom the promise was , who was and is the heir , he , as a son over his own house , was and is established : i say , when he was come , then the servant's services ended in that nature , gave place , and were taken away ; he took away the first , that he might establish the second , and that for ever , which will never be removed into a corner : to him be all glory wholly for ever . so iohn was also faithfull in his day , as a fore runner , or as one sent to run before him , whose way he was to prepare ; and he cryed ( for he was that one , foretold of , whose voice was heard in the wilderness , saying ) prepare ye the way of the lord , make his paths straight ; but the lord's voice , which is nigh in the heart , cryeth , this is the way , walk in it ; i am the way , the truth and the life ; no man can come unto the father , but by me , ( mark me ) said christ , i am the way it self , walk and live in me , and abide in me ; in me ye shall have peace : he doth not ●●y , in me and john ; nor i and john am the way ; no , no ; but i am the way , the truth and the life ; i am the light , or am come a light into the world ; he that believes in me shall not abide in darkness , but shall have the light of life ; mark , not a lifeless , changeable , shadowy light ; but an unchangeable , pure , living light ; for his life is the light of men : he that hath it , hath life ; he that hath it not , hath not life , but is in darkness , under wrath. so iohn testified and said , i am not that light , but am sent before , to bear witness of that light , that true light that enlighteneth every man that comes into the world : i am not the way but a fore-runner , or one sent to run before , to make preparation for the way of the lord ; and he that sent me , sent me to baptize with water : but , greater is he that sends , than he that is sent , for tho he came after me , yet he is and ever was preferred before me , the latchet of whose shoe i am not worthy to untye ; he shall baptize with the holy ghost and fire : i indeed baptize with water , he with the holy ghost and fire : i must decrease , he must increase : that he might be made manifest to israel , therefore am i come , baptizing with water , as i was sent to do ; for this end , that he might be made manifest to israel ; and when he is made manifest to israel , then is the end of my baptizing with water accomplished ; then must i decrease , but he must increase ; for , of the increase of his government and kingdom there shall be no end . now the day dawned , the sun appeared , and all lesser lights were overtopped , and all shadows fled . now it 's true , iohn was a burning and shining light ; but john received all from above ; but he that is above all , and gives to all men life and being , is the fulness of light and life ; and as he arises and ascends in his glory , he gives to all men liberally , as it pleaseth him ; glory to his name for ever . now , that water-baptism , or baptizing into water , was only ascribed unto iohn ( as having commission ) both by our saviour christ , and his apostles , and by ●●hn himself , see matt. 3.11 , 15 , 16. where iohn affirms , i , faith iohn , i , mark , i indeed baptize you with water unto repentance ; but , mark here , all ye water-baptists of all sorts , mind this , but he that cometh after me , mark , what then , iohn ? thou must depart it seems , if he must come after ; this word , after , signifies iohn's going away , or giving place to him that was to come after him : what then , iohn , thou art but for a time ? no ; i must decrease , for he is mightier than i , whose shoes latchets i am not worthy to unloose . well , iohn ; and what will he do for us ? will not he baptize with water ? i tell you ? i baptize with water that , that he might be manifested to israel ; but he will exceed , me or my baptizing into water ; for he shall baptize you with the holy ghost and fire ; whose fan is in his hand , and he will throughly purge his floor , and gather his wheat into his garner , and burn up the chaff with fire unquenchable . well , they might still have said , iohn this is a great work ; but will he not own thee and thy baptism , and establish it with his for ever , or to the end of the world ? mind , yes , to the first part might iohn have said ; for in effect he did say , he will own me ; for god sent me before ; and for this end , that christ might be made manifest to israel , therefore am i come ; to the second , he will not establish my baptism with his , for i must decrease ; and there is no necessity for it ; for his baptism is the substance of all other , and throughly purges and refines , and makes pure ; and i am but a fore-runner of him. well , but he comes to thee to be baptized of thee ? yes , but iohn forbad him , saying , i have need to be baptized of thee , and comest thou to me ? mark , here was need for iohn ; i have need said iohn ; well jesus denies it not but there was so ; nevertheless suffer it to be so now , mark now : why now ? because now is thy time ; for thou wast sent before me for this end , might christ have said , and this dispensation is of god ; and thus or therefore it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness : why , then iohn suffered him. but some may object , and say , if it was righteousness to be baptized into water then , and that christ was , ought not we to follow christ in all righteousness ? i answer ; in all everlasting righteousness he ought to be followed ; not in all the outward or ministerial part of righteousness ; for there is the righteousness of god revealed within , from faith to faith , and the righteousness of the law without ; the law was righteous , holy , just and good , and christ fulfilled the righteousness of the law , and had he not fulfilled the law in every tittle , he could not have said , it 's finished ; but he fulfilled the law : and he also fulfilled iohn's dispensation , or he obeyed or did all the law commanded ; and he obeyed and did also all that was commanded by the dispensation of iohn ; and when all the righteousness requir'd was fulfilled , it was reason that he only should have place that had fulfilled it ; so down to the circumcision he went , and to the passover , and to all the law called for ; for he humbled himself , and became obedient as a servant , and serv'd it in it's time and place , and fulfilled its will and requirements ; and not only so , but bore all the curse due to us that had broken it , and been disobedient unto it , and set us free from it ; was the end of the law , for righteousness to us that believe : so that we are not under the law , but under grace , or the gift of god that brings salvation to us , who have not the shadowy works of the law ; but are believers in , and obeyers of him , who is exalted both above the law and the prophets . so also down into the water he goes , and fulfilled iohn's dispensation , or that righteousness required by it ; which , when it was fulfilled , he only was worthy to have place , that had fulfilled it ; and having fulfilled it , he went up straight-way out of the water ; mark , he did not there abide or stay , but straight-way went out of the outward thing ; and then came the word of power , and the heavens were opened , and the holy ghost descended like a dove , and lighted on him ; then came the voice from heaven , saying , this is my beloved son , in whom i am well pleased . now is he descended , that is also ascended , and is now established alone : this is my beloved son , in whom i am well pleased , hear ye him : he that hath ears to hear , let him hear what the spirit saith : hear him , of whom moses , and all the prophets , and iohn , who was more than a prophet , spake ; for now he is come that is mightier than all , and all power is given unto him ; not unto him and iohn , nor unto him and moses ; no : but unto him ; him only hath god exalted to be both king and priest unto israel ; and he alone is established a priest for ever , of an unchangeable priesthood ; not changeable nor finite , but for ever , of an unchangeable priestood ; mark ye , but not after the order of aaron , nor after the order of iohn , but after the order of melchizedec , who met abraham , and blessed him ; him that overcame , and blessed him ; and will give to him that overcomes to sit with him in his throne , as he hath overcome , and is set down in his father's throne . not after the order of a carnal commandment , but after the power of an endless life : this is the sun that cloathes the woman , who hath the moon under her feet , therefore all changeable dippings with water ; and the least in his kingdom , is greater than iohn , tho' he was more than a prophet . also in mark 1.8 . i indeed have baptized you with water , but he shall ; baptize you with the holy ghost . also luke 3.16 . i indeed baptize with water , but one mightier than i cometh , the latchet of whose shoe i am not worthy to unloose , he shall [ mind ] baptize you with the holy ghost and fire . but he ever takes water-baptism to himself , and never ascribes it to christ jesus ; but speaks of a greater work to be done by him , a purging , purifying , refining , cleansing work ; and iohn's was but a type of what was a coming , and therefore ran before , and hasted to give place to him that came after , who alone is himself established , in all things to have the preheminence . now [ mark ] this word fore-runner , or one sent to run before ; one that runs makes haste away , that he may finish his course before his time be out . now it 's plainly said , that as iohn fulfilled his course , he said , whom think ye that i am ? i am not he : mind ye , iohn was not he , not he that was to be established to abide for ever , a priest for ever , of an unchangeable priesthood , but was sent before him : therefore when the apostle here comes in the 13th chapter of the acts , and verse 23 , 24 , 25. he speaks on this wise ( as he was preaching christ jesus , not iohn ; he was not , i say , preaching iohn , nor iohn's baptism , but christ the seed of david ) of this man's seed ( saith he ) hath god , according to his promise , raised unto israel a sauiour , jesus : when john had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of israel : mind ye , all ye baptizers in water , when christ was raised unto israel , when iohn had first preached before his coming : mark , iohn had a time , we grant , and own with all our hearts ; but was it not before his coming here spoken of ? but when his course was fulfilled , when iohn had first preached the baptism of repentance ; first , mind ye , then god raised up to israel a saviour . oh! but iohn could not save : but him whom god hath raised , saveth to the uttermost them that come to god by him ; him whom god hath raised . and so iohn honestly disclaims all the honour due to jesus christ ; and as one afraid , left the people should ascribe any of it to him , said , whom think ye that i am ? as he fulfilled his course , mark that , iohn's course was fulfilled : i am not he , but behold there cometh one after me , whose shoes of his feet i am not worthy to loose , ( him ) behold , he is the lamb of god that takes away the sins of the world ; but i am not he . and so in verse 47. the apostle comes to declare in much plainness , how that christ is set and established , and he joyns none with him : for so hath the lord commanded us , ( saith he ) saying , i have set thee , saith the lord , to be a light to the gentiles , that thou , mark , not thou and iohn , nor thou and moses ; but in the singular term , thou ; that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth , isai. 49.6 . but again , in iohn 1.2 , 26. the people came to iohn , and asked him , saying unto him , why baptizest thou , if thou be not that christ , neither elias , nor that prophet ? iohn answer'd them , saying , i baptize with water ; mark , but there standeth one among you , whom you know not , he it is who coming after me , is preferred before me , whose shoes latchet i am not worthy to unloose . these things were done in bethabara beyond iordan , where iohn was baptizing . the next day , iohn seeth jesus coming unto him , and faith , behold the lamb of god that taketh away the sins of the world : this is he of whom i said , after me cometh a man that is preferred before me ; for he was before me , and i knew him not ; but that he might be made manifest to israel , therefore am i come baptizing with water . mark , the end of iohn's baptism was , that he might be made manifest to israel , therefore am i come , baptizing with water : so then this was the service of iohn's baptism , and it served for this purpose , and to this end , that christ might be made manifest . and so iohn bare record of him , and preached him , and not himself ; but cryed , behold the lamb of god ; look not at me ; behold not me , nor the lamb of god and me ; no , he never joyn'd himself to him ; but said , i am sent before him , and now he is come , behold him , the lamb of god ; he taketh away the sins of the world : but look not now at me ; i am not that light , but am sent before , a witness , and am come baptizing , that he might be made manifest ; and if he were manifest to israel , then were my desire answered , and the end of my labour in water-baptism accomplished ; so that they might believe in him . iohn bare record , saying , i saw the spirit descending like a dove , and it abode upon him , and i knew him not ; but he that sent me to baptize with water , said unto me , upon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending , and remaining on him , the same is he that baptizeth with the holy ghost : and i saw , and bare record , that this is the son of god. see how plainly iohn preached christ and his baptism ; and all along put this distinction , i baptize with water , he with the holy ghost and fire ; i must decrease , he must increase . but they might have said , why john , why must thou decrease ? why iohn might have said , because my baptism is but of water , that he might be made manifest : but his baptism is with the holy ghost and fire , a baptism that exceeds mine , as far as the light of the sun exceeds the light of the moon . so it 's clear , that iohn was sent to baptize with water , and christ was sent to baptize with the holy ghost and fire : and christ fulfilled iohn's , and the law , and all the righteousness required by them ; and then was himself alone established , a priest for ever , of an unchangeable , unalterable priesthood . but further ; for i am desirous to clear my self of this matter at this time , from all opinions concerning this thing : i have already made it appear , that iohn himself was on my side ; and his record is clear to prove , that the baptism of christ jesus is that of the holy ghost , and that he himself was sent to baptize with water : and he no where makes mention of any other that was sent to baptize with water , but himself ; i say , that was sent . in the next place , i shall bring the testimony of our lord and saviour jesus christ , who also at all times ascribeth water-baptism unto iohn . acts 1.5 . and being assembled together with them , commanded them , that they should not depart from jerusalem , but wait for the promise of the father , which , saith he , ye have heard of me ; for john truly ( or might he not have said , or is it not all to one sense , had he said so ? iohn it 's true ) baptized with water : but , mind , he doth not say , do ye so too ; or , i will baptize with water also ; no : iohn , said he , truly baptized with water , but ye , mind ye , ye shall be baptized with the holy ghost not many days hence . this is the baptism they were to wait for , and to be by christ baptized withal , no water at all injoyned to it by christ jesus , tho' he owned it in its time , and fulfilled it , as aforesaid : but mark , now was the time of promise at hand ; not many days hence ( saith christ ) ye shall be baptized with the holy ghost . so also peter , in acts 11.16 . saying , 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 . still water baptism is ascribed to iohn , by himself ●nd by christ jesus . let us hear what the apostles say concerning it . in acts 1.22 . peter , in his declaration to the disciples concerning iudas , and choosing another in his stead , makes mention in vers. 22. on this wise , beginning ( said he ) from the baptism of john , mark , unto that same day that he was taken up from us , must one be ordained to be witness with us of his resurrection . here it is ascribed unto iohn . again , in acts 13.23 , 24 , 25. paul , speaking of the promise , god hath ( saith he ) according to his promise , raised unto israel a saviour , iesus ; when john had first , mark , first , preached before his coming , mind , before his coming , the baptism of repentance to all the people of israel ; and as john fulfilled his course : mind here , paul still ascribes it to iohn . again , in acts 19.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. and it came to pass , that while apollos was at corinth , paul having passed through the uppermost coasts , came to ephesus , and finding certain disciples there , he said unto them ▪ have ye received the holy ghost , since ye believed ? and they said unto him , we have not so much as heard whether the●● be any holy ghost . and he said unto them , unto what then were ye baptized ? they said , unto john's baptism . mark , had iohn's baptism been in the name of the father , son , and holy ghost , then how should they but have heard of a holy ghost ? so that here , before i proceed any further , i shall take notice of this place a little . water-baptism is still ascribed here to iohn ; i indeed baptize with water , said iohn ; john indeed baptized with water , said christ ; and said the apostles , iohn verily baptized with the baptism of repentance , saying unto the people , that they must believe on him that was to come after him , that is ( said he ) on christ iesus : so i shall yet bring no more proofs for this point , these being sufficient . but before i leave this place , take notice , that tho' they had been baptized unto iohn's baptism , yet they had not heard whether there was any holy ghost : which doth clearly manifest , that altho' it should be granted , that iohn's baptism was still of necessity , which far be it from me to do , yet how doth it thwart all the water-baptists of our age , who baptize with , or into water , using the words father , son , and holy ghost ; which they cannot bring precept or example for . for tho' the apostles did by permission baptize , it was but in condescension unto iohn's baptism ; for commission they can no where bring from christ , nor that they did use the words , now used by you , saying , i baptize thee in the name of the father , son , and holy ghost . so that your practice , all of you water-baptists , is contrary to the holy scripture ; for in this place , paul baptized those in the name of the lord jesus : and peter ( in acts 10. ) commanded to be baptized , repent and be baptized in the name of the lord iesus : but no where can they find , that either iohn , or any of the apostles , used to say , i baptize thee in the name of the father , son , and holy ghost : so that your practice in this is grounded on a sandy foundation , and will undoubtedly fall . prop as hard as you can , and take ye altogether , ye water-baptists , of all sorts , and work never so hard with both hands , your babel-buildings will all fall , and great will be the fall thereof ; and all your props , and all your cunning work will be broken to pieces , and you shall never be able to raise your building again ; but the chiefest of your workmen shall be ashamed of their own doings , and you shall gather paleness in that day . oh therefore be intreated in tender love , i beseech you , to return ! return out of babylon , unto the gift of god , the true light , that makes ye all manifest , and in which ye are all seen and comprehended : i say , in the name of the lord my god , and in much love to your souls , be intreated to return unto it ; it 's near you to instruct you , and to make all things manifest to you , if you will come unto it . o turn your minds ! how oft have you been reproved by it ? and you never found guile in his mouth , tho' he hath told you all that ever you have done , yet you regard him not , but prefer fading , finite , and unprofitable things above him . oh! haste , haste out of babylon , tarry not ; the day of vengeance is near ; and then will you come to know the true baptism is not into water , but into the name of the father , son , and spirit ; and that christ ( in mat. 28.18 , 19. ) when he sent his apostles out to teach all nations , and that the baptism there spoken of , and commanded by christ , was not into water , but into the name of the father , son , and spirit ; neither is there any such a word as water mention'd in his words there spoken to them ; but into the name of the father , son , and holy ghost , he bad them baptize . but some may say , it must needs be water there intended , because that none can baptize with the holy ghost , but christ. i answer , true ; none can but he , and by his power only ; therefore he tells them in the first place , that all power is given unto me ( saith he ) both in heaven and in earth ; and they now must not go in their own strength or power , but in his power ; and it was his power , in them and by them , that did the work he sent them to do ; and so he saith unto them , without me ye can do nothing : but lo , i am with you always , even to the end of the world : and all power is mine . and now , you water-baptists , let me ask , now where is iohn's power ? iohn hath now no power , nor moses hath now no power , in a way of administration , if all be given to him , and be his , as i am satisfied it is : and it is plain , he only is here established . now it must not be admitted for any other to have a tabernacle standing or building with his ; no : though peter would have had three , one for moses , one for elias , and one for christ : that elias was already come , mind , and they have done to him whatever they would : and is it not plain to you , that this was iohn the baptist here spoken of , and intended ? and yet mind , neither moses nor elias must have a tabernacle built with his ; but a cloud came , and took them away , mark , and christ only left ; and a voice from heaven came , saying , this is my beloved son , in whom i am well pleased , hear him . oh! what would you have ? how clearly is it manifest unto all who walk not in darkness , that he only is , by himself , established to be heard in all things : and saith the apostle , he that refuseth to hear this prophet , shall be cut from off the earth : and again , see ye refuse not him that speaketh ; for if they escaped not , that refused him that spake on earth , even moses , how shall ye escape , if ye refuse him that speaks from heaven , whose voice then shook the earth ? but now says he , yet once more will i not shake the earth only , but also heaven ; mark , that those things that cannot be shaken may remain : mind what must remain , and how he alone ( even christ ) is above all established . and it 's said again by paul , god ( saith he ) who at sundry times , and in divers manners , spake in days past to the people by the prophets , hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son , ( mark , not by his son and john , but by his son ) whom he hath appointed heir of all things , mind : so all power is given unto me ( saith christ ) go ye therefore , teach all nations , baptizing them into the name of the father , son , and spirit ; or if you had rather have it , holy ghost ; teaching them to observe whatever i command you ; and lo , i am with you always , even to the end of the world ; but tarry at jerusalem , till ye have received power from on high ; for without me ye can do nothing . so 't is not ( saith peter ) by our strength or righteousness that this man is made whole : why stand ye gazing upon us , as tho' by our power and holiness it was done ? be it know unto you , that by the name of jesus , whom ye crucified , even by faith in his name , is this man made whole . and said paul , i have laboured more abundantly than ye all ; yet not i , but the gift , or the grace of god that 's in me . and so it was in his strength that they were more than conquerors , and could do all things through christ that strengthened them ; but before they could not , before ( i say ) that they went in his strength . so there was need for them to wait at ierusalem , till they had received of his fulness , of which they all received grace to help in time of need. but now , mark , they had not need to have stay'd at ierusalem for po●●r to have baptized with water ; for they had been doing that before , and were able enough for that baptism : but now they were to enter upon a greater work ; and it is not they must do it , but the gift of god in and by them , or the power they received ; so saith christ , lo , i am with you ; and as many as received him , to them he gave power ; for , all power is given to me ( saith christ ) all , mark . so , though the apostles , as men , could not baptize into the name of the father , son , and spirit ; no more than we , as men , can do ; yet , mark , christ in and by them can , or us either ; and in and by them did : and when the apostles laid their hands on them that believed , the holy ghost fell upon them ; and sometimes when they were preaching unto them , the holy ghost fell upon them : yet it was not them that could so much as preach as they ought , but christ in and by them . god speaks , by his son , through his vessels of honour , fitted for his use : so it 's not them , but christ , who also raised the dead , opened the eyes of the blind healed the sick , cleansed the leper● , and many great and good works did they ; yet not they , but the gift of god in them and by them : and so they went in the demonstration of the spirit and of power , and preached christ the wisdom of god , and the power of god , the savour of life unto life in them , mark , in them that are saved , and the favour of death unto death in them that perish . but they never cried out , water-baptism is the door ; for christ jesus said , i am the door , by me ( mark , not me and water , nor me and iohn , but by me ) if any man enter in , he shall be saved , ( o he is of himself sufficient ! ) and shall go in and out , and find pasture . the apostles never called it , as you do , an initiating ordinance , and ( say you ) a command of christ : but who says so besides you ? where do you prove it ? prove , friends , whoever you are . i challenge all the whole world to prove that christ ever mentioned such a thing to any of his ministers , as by way of command , as water-baptism ; but said , as abovesaid , ye ( said he ) shall be baptized with the holy ghost : and , go teach all nations , baptizing them into the name of the father , son , and holy ghost : say not , we cannot ; be not ●●●mayed ; for , lo , i am with you : and all power is given unto me , both in heaven and in earth ; therefore without me ye can do nothing : but abide in me , and then ye shall bear fruit : in me ye shall have peace . but though it were so , that he had meant , as you baptists say he did , water-baptism , and that that commission belongs to you , ( say you ) the world is not yet ended , therefore ( say you ) it is still to be observed : suppose this were granted you , then i ask you , how missed paul of it , that he had no share in this commission ? for paul saith , in 1 cor. 1.13 . that chri●t sent me not ( saith he ) to baptize , but to preach the gospel ; mark . how comes it to pass , that you are greater sharers in this commission than paul ? and how must we do to know it ? for if it did not reach paul , who was converted , and one not behind the chiefest of the apostles , how can it reach you ? and though you may say , all are not sent to baptize : then i ask you , how must we do to know who are , and who are not ? but say you , paul means not only : oh friends ! would you have this hole to creep out at ? it 's a little one , too lit●●● to get out at . 't is your meaning ; but we must not take your meanings , when the lord lets us see he means otherwise ; for paul said not so , nor dare any true christian say that paul meant so ; but said what he meant , and meant what he said . well , but say you baptists , he did baptize . it is true , he did some few ; but he thanks god they were so few : but it seems , though he did , he did not do it by commission : for christ sent me not to baptize , ( saith he ) but to preach the gospel . how then ? why by permission , as he also circumcised timothy by permission , because of the iews ; but not , because christ had commanded it ; for he had not . paul himself said , if ye ( speaking to the galatians ) be circumcised , christ shall profit ye nothing ; yet took that liberty for a particular end , because of the iews , to do that particular act. he also observed the law , and went under seven days purification , and had an offering brought according to the law ; but not because it was commanded by christ , for christ had not commanded it ; but because of the iews : yea , and had ( had he not ? ) another time his head shorn , and was under a vow . much might be said , that was done by the apostles , that was not commanded by christ ; nor that they left no command to after-ages to observe . but it 's also clear in acts 26.15 , 16 , 17 , 18. that paul had no such word , in his commission , as to baptize into water : for i ( said the lord ) have appeared unto thee , for this end or purpose , to make thee a minister and a witness , both of these things which thou hast seen , and of those things in the which i will appear unto thee : delivering thee from the people , and from the gentiles , unto whom now i send thee : mark , what to do ? not to baptize into water ; he mentions no such thing ; no : but to open their eyes , and to turn them from darkness to light , and from the power of satan unto god , that they may receive forgiveness of sins , and an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified by faith that is in me . this was paul's commission , if we may so call it , as he himself tells the king agrippa ; but here is not one word of water-baptism , or not only to baptize , as you baptists say . but if you have no better weapons than these , these are too short to save your heads . but to proceed : you still say , the apostles did baptize . peter said , in the second of the acts , repent , and be baptized , every one of you , in the name , mark , of iesus christ , for the remission of sins , and ye shall receive the gift of the holy ghost ; ( this baptism , being for the remission of sins upon repentance , was necessary to salvation ; but so is not yours ) for the promise , mark , is unto you . but the promise was not water-baptism ; but , ye shall be baptized with the holy ghost , said the lord jesus , by way of promise . and this is that which was spoken by the prophet , ioel 2.28 . and it shall come to pass in the last days , saith god , i will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh ; mark , was not this the promise of god to them , and their children ; and to all that are a-far off , and so on ? and in verse 21. then they that gladly received the word , were baptized ; and the same day were added unto them three thousand souls ; mark ye , the same day : it was a great number to be baptized into water , as you do , all of one day , if it was so : but it is not here so said , nor mention made of water in this chapter ; so that this place will not carry your matter you would lay on it ; for all these ( it 's said ) continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine ; and their doctrine , i hope , you will own was for christ : if any preach any other doctrine , than what is already preached , or lay any other foundation , than that which is already laid , let him be accursed : we preach christ ( saith paul ) to the jews a stumbling-block , & to the greeks foolishness ; but unto them that believe , christ , the wisdom of god , and the power of god. it was christ they preached . but say you , philip baptized the eunuch , and the gaoler was baptized , and cornelius , and those with him , peter commanded to be baptized in the name of the lord ; and ( say you baptists ) when was that command repealed ? i answer ; though it was a command , yet it was but peter's command ; and peter had not all revealed to him at first , but was ignorant of things that were afterwards revealed ; and so were the rest of the apostles : witness peter's vision , and the apostles blaming peter for going to the gentiles , because they yet saw not into that foretold mystery , nor many before them saw it not ; but it was revealed in the lord's time to them , how that the gentiles should be fellow-heirs , and partakers of the same glory . but you cannot prove that peter's command was obeyed : he commanded them ( it is true ) to be baptized ; and if they were , his command was fulfilled : but who commanded you , or sent you ? shew us your commission : for peter did not , any where , that i can find , command , that water-baptism should be observed to the world's end ; no , no : it was the baptism of christ jesus , with the holy ghost and fire , that was , and is , and will be to the end , established and commanded in mat. 28. by christ. and though the apostles did make use of iohn's baptism , yet they laid no stress upon us , that were to come after them , to use it ; neither was it commanded by christ for them to use . but come , may not i say , that they saw not to the end of iohn's baptism , ( though iohn had plainly said , i must decrease ) no more than they saw the coming of the gentiles , till it was shewed by a vision ; ( and that though christ had said , that the true worship was in spirit and in truth , yet that they saw not through the outward worship ? and have i not more ground for it , than you have for paul's not only ? ) but if you were in the light , you would see , that the apostles did see but in part , and no farther than it was revealed unto them , no more than we do now . but though we should say , that they did see unto the end of iohn's baptism , and unto the end of all visible things , as i know they did in time , as i shall prove hereafter ; yet altho they might , they that were daily added , might have stumbled , had they denied them that of iohn's baptism , except they also had seen into the mind of god with them in this matter ; for they were but enterers in as little children , and not grown up to man's state at first , but went from strength to strength in the spirit of the lord ; and so the apostles could take liberty , for the furtherance of the gospel , to use iohn's dispensation , but were above it themselves , out from under it's command , in the power of christ , who was greater than iohn , and had all power himself ; and so it could not command them , but they it : and so philip said unto the eunuch , if thou believest with all thy heart , thou mayest ; not thou must , no ; but if thou believest , thou mayest ; he would not deny it him ; tho' i believe , philip knew , that it was the spirit 's baptism that must sanctifie , and that water could not reach the soul of any , nor any way satisfie the spiritual part of mankind . and yet took that liberty in the spirit , because of the weakness of their yet childish capacities , to submit to their weakness in many things that belonged unto the law , as well as in this of iohn's . and is it not also clear , that the apostle would not yet seem to lay the building , if i may so call it , of iohn waste , until they had laid and builded on a more sure foundation ? nor wholly preach his baptism useless , nor the law neither , until such time as the gospel had got some hold of the people ? and then they testified of one lord , one faith , one baptism ; and that by one spirit they were all baptized into one body , and had been all made to drink into one spirit ; and that they were made able ministers of the new testament , not of the letter , but of the spirit : and came not with words man's wisdom teacheth , but with words the holy ghost teacheth , with which they were now baptized ; comparing spiritual things with spiritual , not carnal , or external or elemental things with spiritual , as you do ; no , no ; but spiritual with spiritual . now they saw by the revelation of the spirit , into the mysteries of god's kingdom , and therefore in heb. 6.1 . the apostle comes in with these words , leaving ( saith he ) mark , leaving the principles of the doctrine of christ , let us go on unto perfection . come , friends , deal plainly for your own souls good , and god's glory , and tarry not short of him that makes perfect , and cleanseth from all iniquity ; and be perswaded to come and wait for the true baptism of christ , which is with the holy ghost and fire , that ye may be sanctified and refined , and made every whit whole ; for it is in much love to your souls that these lines are written , by one that desires your salvation even as his own , and truly breathes for the prosperity of zion , and the establishment of truth and righteousness . but now some may object , and say , that the apostles could not have left them , if they had not been in them , or in the use of them . i answer , true , they had so ; and had also been in the use of those things the law had required ; but mark , all these could not make perfect ; the law made nothing perfect ( said the apostle ) as pertaining to the conscience . and the baptism of john ( say you ) was but a type : now if the type could make perfect , then there would have been no need of the substance ; for if perfection had been by the levitical priesthood , then verily righteousness would have been by the law : and now say i , if john ' s baptism could have taken , or have washed away sin , then verily righteousness would have been by john ; i mean , that men would have been then by it made perfectly and truly righteous : but iohn himself preached no such thing by himself ; but said , i am not he , but behold him , the lamb of god , that takes away the sins of the world ; this is he of whom i spake , one mightier than i cometh , he must increase ; of the increase of his government and kingdom there shall be no end . and therefore saith the apostle , leaving , which word therefore seems to entail the foregoing words in the chapter before , where he had been telling them of their childishness ( he mentions the doctrine of baptism which cannot prove the imposing of water-baptism any more than all the rest ) and was now for bringing them on to a further state , where they might know perfection , and have meat that would satisfie , true bread , that comes down from heaven , and impowers to be sons of god. and it seems clear to me , that there was some need for those things , they had so long lain like children weak , and like babes in , to be left ; therefore leaving these , let us go on to perfection ; and faith further , this will we do , if god permit : but if they had been commanded by christ to have been used to the worlds end , then why should paul ( for so i call that author ) have been so earnest at that day , which was soon after christ's ascension , to have had them then to leave them , and to go on to a more manful , powerful , perfect state ? so that it is very clear to all whose eyes the lord opened , that though the apostles had by reason of their weakness , submitted to their childish capacities , rather than they would lose their hold they had got of them ; yet this or these things were not the thing they were driving at : but the aim and end of all they did , both in circumcision , passover , vows and seven days purification , and water-baptism ; yea , and all those things concerning meats , and other things , that they did by permission , and not by commission from christ , i say , their intents in all these were never to establish them with christ jesus , to abide as long as the world lasted ; no , but after they had held them in hand , in order to get them on , they took all occasions they could , to bring them on further , till they all come in the unity of the faith unto a perfect man in christ jesus , unto the measure of the stature of christ jesus ; and so these became useless , and all gave place to him , who is alone by himself established a priest for ever of an unchangeable priesthood ; glory is wholly due unto him . and so , now they came to speak of one baptism , one faith and one lord , as aforesaid ; and that by one spirit they were all baptized into one body mark , they were all , he saith , all baptized by one spirit into one body , and had all been made to drink into one spirit : but none can prove that all were baptized into water ; for paul was instrumental in the lord's hand , for the convincing and converting of many , but he saith , he baptized none but crispus and gaius , and the houshold of stephanus , beside ( saith he ) i know not whether i baptized any other ; but many were convinced by him , doubtless very many , yea , multitudes ; yet no man can prove , that all that were convinced and converted by the gift of paul were also all baptized into water ; yet saith he , ye are all baptized by one spirit , and have been all made to drink into one spirit ; and there is one lord , one faith , one baptism . well , but say you baptists , he doth not say , there is but one baptism . no , nor doth he not say , there is but one lord ; must we therefore say , there are more lords than one ? god forbid : for to us there is but one lord : and he doth not say , there is but one faith ; must we therefore say , there are more faiths than one ? so he also saith , there is one baptism ; and so say we too ; and that one was promised , and accomplished , and commanded : for we believe , as christ said , the works that i do , mark ye , the works that i do , shall ye do ; and greater works than these shall ye do . but it 's plainly said , that christ baptized not ; i say , not with water , but with the holy ghost . and do you think that he used one baptism to them , and commanded them to use another to them that believe in him ? do you think that he baptized them with the holy ghost , and then sent them out to baptize with water ? i know , whatever ever you believe , you have said no less ; but you can never prove it : for the works that i do , shall ye do . but christ baptized not into water , nor never said that they should , that you or any other can prove ; for peter , in acts 11. declares what the lord said , when the disciples were talking with him about his going unto the gentiles : then ( said he ) i remembred the word of the lord , how that the lord said , ( mark ye , christ's word , the lord said ) john baptized with water , but you shall be baptized with the holy ghost . but he no where mentions water , by way commanding them to use it in baptism : but said , ye shall be baptized with the holy ghost ; and , go ye , teach all nations , baptizing them into the name of the father , son , and holy ghost ; and , lo , i am with you . but farther , i remember you baptists have said , that your baptism into water doth signifie death , burial , and resurrection : by which words you acknowledge it is but a type . and you farther say , that no man ought to be buried before he be dead . now i conclude , that the dead you mean , are such as are dead to sin ; and if so , how can ye that are dead to sin , live any longer therein ? know ye not ( saith paul in rom. 6.2 . ) that so many of us as were baptized into ( mark , into ) iesus christ , were baptized into his death : therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death , that like as christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father , even so we also should walk in newness of life : and in vers. 7. for he that is dead , is freed from sin. well , let me ask you , are you thus dead , buried , and risen with him by your water-baptism ? or can any man conclude , that paul here speaks of water-baptism ? is it not plainly said , into christ ? not into water , but into christ , into death . and in gal. 3.27 . for as many of you as have been baptized into christ , have put on christ ; and they that are in christ , are new creatures , ( behold , all ye water-baptizers ! ) all old things pass away , and all things become new ; a new heaven , and a new earth , in which dwells righteousness . and we say , that the sons of god inhabit in the new and living way , that which is pure , and changeth not , but endures for ever ; and in righteousness are they established , and act not by the power of a carnal commandment , but in the power of an endless life ; not in imitation of the letter , but in the demonstration of the spirit . for although it should be so , as ye would have it , that christ had commanded the apostles to baptize into water ; as he never did , nor can it be ever proved ; yet , if it had been so , what is that to you ? who commanded you ? shew us your commission : where did you receive your power and authority in this matter , that you both preach and baptize ? whereas paul says , he was not sent to baptize , but to preach . and we say , and know what we say to be true , that we are not sent to baptize into water , but to preach the gospel ; and our authority came not by man , of man , nor from man , but by the grace of god we are what we are ; and his grace is sufficient for us , and ever hath been , since we were a people , and so will be to the end. and we further say , we know that iohn was sent to baptize with water , and we own him in his day ; but where did iohn baptize , using those words , father , son , and holy spirit ? for they that had been baptized into iohn's baptism , had not so much as heard of a holy ghost : so that this baptism ye practise , cannot be iohn's ; nor christ's it cannot be ; for he never had water ascribed to him . but iohn , who was a true minister in his time of water-baptism , said , he ( meaning christ ) shall baptize you with the holy ghost and fire : so then , if not iohn's , as it 's clear it is not ; for iohn's was a type of the true baptism of the spirit , and when the types , figures , vails and shadows were ended , and he the end and beginning , first and last , was arisen , and had rent the vail from the top to the bottom ; i say , when the sun of righteousness did arise , the shadows fled away , and gave him place over his own house to rule , whose right it was : then was the true baptism known ; then came the holy ghost ●●on them ; then did the true light shin●●● and the darkness fled away ; then were they inwardly washed , and their understandings opened ; then was the circumcision of the heart known ; then was he entered into that within the vail , into the true tabernacle , which god pitched , and not man : and so iohn went before , as a type , but willingly gave place to the substance . so that it 's clear , the baptism you use is not iohn's ; and it is much more clear , that it is not christ's baptism ; and so it must needs be your own ; done by you in imitation of the holy men of god , gone before , who did what they did in obedience to the lord , and in his power , and were sent by him : but , oh! whoever sent you , baptists , in this great and notable day of the lord ? it will one day be said , who hath required these things at your hands ? either shew us your commission , or else acknowledge your great error , and repent , and come unto the true light , and walk in it ; prize it , and obey it , that ye may be saved by it : for it is not a fair outside of the cup and platter , but the inward washing of regeneration by the spirit , and a living in the spirit ; and the whole worship of god , say we , and the scriptures the same , that the true worship of god is in spirit and in truth : but that your water-baptism is spiritual , i deny ; or that it ought to be observed in the worship of god , you cannot prove : but iohn's was ordained to be used as a type ( before the spirit 's worship , or the true worship in the spirit was fully established ) and of it self , a thing that i believe none of you dare say , doth in any measure sanctifie and wash the soul. and if it be of so little effect unto the soul , why what necessity is there for the continuance of it to the world's end , since also ye cannot prove it so commanded . for once more let me tell you , that that baptism commanded in mat. 28. was into the name of the father , son , and spirit , or holy ghost : but , i say , this was not iohn's ; for they that had been baptiz'd unto iohn's baptism , had not so much as heard of a holy ghost , ( acts 19.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. ) which they must needs have done , if they had been baptized with the use of these words , in the name of the father , son , and holy ghost . but further , you acknowledge your selves , that it is but a type : well , i ask you then , what doth it type forth unto us ? or what is it a type of ? if it be a type of the baptism of christ , then i ask you , what further need there is of it , when the thing signified by it is come ? or do you think that type and substance must remain together to the world's end ? was it not always from the foundation of the law , that when the substance came , then the shadows fled away ? but altho' you should still say , why then did the apostles use it , after the spirit 's baptism was accomplish'd ? i answer , as before , the apostles had power over it , after they saw beyond it , and could submit unto the weakness of believers capacities in many things , as above is mentioned ; but that they saw not beyond it , till it was reveal'd unto them , is clear ; but then they spoke of the one baptism , of the one lord , and of the one faith. and so iohn himself , when he saw jesus walking , he said unto his followers , behold , the lamb of god , that takes away the sins of the world ! and , iohn's disciples left iohn , mark , they left iohn , and walked no more with him . for iohn's baptism could not wash them from their sins : but , behold , the lamb of god takes away sin , puts an end to sin , finishes transgression , and brings in everlasting righteousness ; he makes every whit whole , and fully saves to the utmost , them that come to god by him ; and makes clean them that he washeth : and if i wash thee not , saith he , thou hast no part in me . he satisfies ; for he is the bridegroom himself ; but iohn was not ; he , it 's true , was the bridegroom's friend , and would not rob him of his prerogative , or honour , but rejoyced to hear his voice ; and when it was heard , said , this my ioy therefore is fulfilled . so we own iohn in his place and time : but we own the bridegroom above iohn , although iohn was his friend , and did what was commanded ; but thought not much to give him place , who had commanded him . and so , my dearly beloved friends , it is in much love to all , but chiefly to you called anabaptists , that this is written ; as i can truly testifie in the manifestation of that true light spoken of in the scriptures of truth : unto which i once more beseech you to turn your minds , and believe in it , and come to walk in it , and obey it ; and then will you have fellowship with us , and truly our fellowship is with the father , and with his son christ jesus ; by whom we have always received the attonement , and in whom we live , out of whom we cannot live ; for he is our life : to whom be glory for ever . iohn gratton . written the 7th of the first month , 1674. the conclusion great hath been the travail of my soul for the prosperity of sion , and for her establishment above the top of all the mountains ; and , blessed be the lord my god , my eyes behold her , and see her beauty to exceed all the glory of the earth , and her coming out of her wilderness-state is come : i say , the time is come : and many have lyed , or lain in the way-side , to have drawn her aside , and would gladly have allured and inticed her from her beloved , and gladly would have had her turned aside unto other lovers , and have cryed out unto her , what is thy beloved unto anothers beloved ? and have spoken against her ; and when they could not prevail with her , have evil entreated her , and persecuted , her for her beloved's sake : and many have been her troubles , but the lord hath delivered her out of all : and great is her joy at this day , and her glory exceeds all the glory of the nations : her beauty is perfect : she is a virgin , and never was defiled , but is all glorious ; the king's daughter is all glorious within , her garments are all wrought gold , wholly pure ; she has no blemish , she is all fair , without spot , the only beloved of the lord ; glory to his name . he hath remembred her in love , and her sorrows has he seen , and will plead her cause , and subdue kingdoms for her sake , and make her way plain before her . oh! come unto sion , all ye that desire her prosperity , and be not so foolish as to sit down short of her ; her city is free , her gates are open by day and by night ; she has no need of the sun by day , nor of the moon by night ; but the lord god and the lamb are the light thereof : her light will never grow dark , her sun will never set , night shall be no more upon her ; for her sun is arisen , and as one to run a race is marching on ; his strength is as a lyon his voice is heard to roar , and great fear is fallen , and a falling , upon the beast of prey . o! who would not live in her ? her gates are paved with precious pearls , her inhabitants are all kings and priests unto god ; she is altogether comely , and her glory shall never have an end , amen oh! who , who would not dwell here ? come , come unto sion , all ye that are sincere to what ye know : turn ye , turn at her call , and embrace her counsel : why will ye bestow your money for that which is not bread , and your labour for that which satisfieth not ? oh! come unto me , saith the lord , my voice is near you ; how often have i called , and ye regarded not , nor have not answered my requirings , but are imitating them whose life and power you are out of . but now turn ye unto the lord with all your hearts ; believe in his light , and life will you know , that never can have an end ; but if you still refuse , you will one day know that you were warned and invited by one that truly seeks not himself , but earnestly travails for the wellfare of all men , and is become servant to all for jesus's sake ; to him be all honour , praise and dominion for ever and for evermore . j. g. the end . 