Part 39

[Sidenote: Prop. I.] [Sidenote: _One Baptism proved._] As for the First, viz. _That there is but one Baptism_, there needs no other Proof than the Words of the Text, _Ephes._ iv. 5. _One Lord_, _one Faith_, _one Baptism_: Where the Apostle positively and plainly affirms, that as there is but _one Body_, _one Spirit_, _one Faith_, _one God_, &c. so there is but _one Baptism_.

[Sidenote: Obj. 1.] As to what is commonly alleged by Way of Explanation upon the Text, _That the Baptism of Water and of the Spirit make up this one Baptism, by Virtue of the sacramental Union_;

[Sidenote: _Answ._] I _answer_; This Exposition hath taken Place, not because grounded upon the Testimony of the Scripture, but because it wrests the Scripture to make it suit to their Principle of _Water-baptism_; and so there needs no other Reply, but to deny it, as being repugnant to the plain Words of the Text; [Sidenote: _Whether _two Baptisms_ make up the _One.] which saith not, _That there are two Baptisms_, to wit, one of _Water_, the other of the _Spirit_, which do make up _one Baptism_; but plainly, _that there is one Baptism_, as there is _one Faith_, and _one God_. Now as there go not _two Faiths_, nor _two Gods_, nor _two Spirits_, nor two _Bodies_, whereof the one is outward and elementary, and the other spiritual and pure, to the making up the _one Faith_, the _one God_, the _one Body_, and the _one Spirit_; so neither ought there to go _two Baptisms_ to make up the _one Baptism_.

[Sidenote: Obj. 2.] But _Secondly_, if it be said, _The Baptism is but one, whereof Water is the one Part, to wit, the Sign; and the Spirit, the Thing signified, the other_;

[Sidenote: _Answ._] [Sidenote: _If _Water_ be the Type, the Substance must remain._] I _answer_; This yet more confirmeth our Doctrine: For if Water be only the _Sign_, it is not the _Matter_ of the _one Baptism_ (as shall further hereafter by its Definition in Scripture appear) and we are to take the _one Baptism_ for the _Matter_ of it, not for the _Sign_, or _Figure_ and _Type_ that went before. Even as where Christ is called the _one Offering_ in Scripture, though he was typified by many _Sacrifices_ and _Offerings_ under the Law, we understand only by the _one Offering_, his offering himself upon the Cross; whereof though those many _Offerings_ were Signs and Types, yet we say not that they go together with that _Offering of Christ_, to make up the _one Offering_: So neither, though _Water-baptism_ was a Sign of Christ’s _Baptism_, will it follow, that it goeth now to make up the _Baptism of Christ_. If any should be so absurd as to affirm, _That this one Baptism here was the Baptism of Water, and not of the Spirit_; that were foolishly to contradict the positive Testimony of the Scripture, which saith the contrary; as by what followeth will more amply appear.

[Sidenote: Prop. II.] _Secondly, That this _one Baptism_, which is the _Baptism_ of _Christ_, is not a Washing with Water_, appears, [Sidenote: Proof 1. _The Difference between_ John_’s Baptism and_ Christ_’s_.] _First_, From the Testimony of _John_, the proper and peculiar Administrator of Water-baptism, _Matt._ iii. 11. _I indeed baptize you with Water unto Repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose Shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with Fire_. Here _John_ mentions two Manners of _baptizing_, and two different _Baptisms_; the one with Water, and the other with the Spirit; the one whereof he was the Minister of; the other whereof Christ was the Minister of: And such as were baptized with the first, were not therefore baptized with the second: _I indeed baptize you, but he shall baptize you_. Though in the present Time they were baptized with the Baptism of Water; yet they were not as yet, but were to be, baptized with the Baptism of Christ. From all which I thus argue:

[Sidenote: Arg. 1.] If those that were baptized with the Baptism of Water, were not therefore baptized with the Baptism of Christ; then the Baptism of Water is not the Baptism of Christ:

But the First is true: Therefore also the Last.

And again,

[Sidenote: Arg. 2.] If he, that truly and really administred the Baptism of Water, did notwithstanding declare, that he neither could, nor did, baptize with the Baptism of Christ; then the Baptism of Water is not the Baptism of Christ:

But the First is true: Therefore, _&c._

And indeed to understand it otherwise, would make _John_’s Words void of good Sense: For if their Baptisms had been all one, why should he have so precisely contra-distinguished them? Why should he have said, That those whom he had already baptized, should yet be baptized with another Baptism?

[Sidenote: Object.] If it be urged, _That Baptism with Water was the one Part, and that with the Spirit the other Part, or Effect only of the former_;

[Sidenote: _Answ._] I _answer_; This Exposition contradicts the plain Words of the Text. [Sidenote: _One _Baptism_ is no Part nor Effect of the other._] For he saith not, _I baptize you with Water, and he that cometh after me shall produce the Effects of this my Baptism in you by the Spirit_, &c. or _he shall accomplish this Baptism in you_; but, _He shall baptize you_. So then, if we understand the Words truly and properly, when he saith, _I baptize you_, as consenting that thereby is really signified that he did baptize with the Baptism of Water; we must needs, unless we offer Violence to the Text, understand the other Part of the Sentence the same Way; _viz._ where he adds presently, _But he shall baptize you_, &c. that he understood it of their being truly to be baptized with another Baptism, than what he did baptize with: Else it had been Nonsense for him thus to have contra-distinguished them.

[Sidenote: Proof 2.] _Secondly_, This is further confirmed by the Saying of Christ himself, _Acts_ i. 4, 5. _But wait for the Promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me: For _John_ truly baptized with Water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many Days hence._ [Sidenote: _Who were baptized by _John_ were still to wait for _Christ_’s _Baptism_ with the Spirit._] There can scarce two Places of Scripture run more parallel than this doth with the former, a little before-mentioned; and therefore concludeth the same Way as did the other. For Christ here grants fully that _John_ compleated his Baptism, as to the Matter and Substance of it: _John_, saith he, _truly baptized with Water_; which is as much as if he had said, _John_ did truly and fully administer the Baptism of Water; _But ye shall be baptized with_, &c. This sheweth that they were to be baptized with some other Baptism than the Baptism of Water; and that although they were formerly baptized with the Baptism of Water, yet not with that of Christ, which they were to be baptized with.

[Sidenote: Proof 3.] [Sidenote: _The Baptism with the _Holy Ghost_ and that with _Water_ differ._] _Thirdly_, _Peter_ observes the same Distinction, _Acts_ xi. 16. _Then remembered I the Word of the Lord, how that he said, _John_ indeed baptized with Water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost._ The Apostle makes this Application upon the _Holy Ghost_’s Falling upon them; whence he infers, that they were then baptized with the Baptism of the Spirit. As to what is urged from his calling afterwards for _Water_, it shall be spoken to hereafter. From all which _three Sentences_, relative one to another, first of _John_, secondly of _Christ_, and thirdly of _Peter_, it doth evidently follow, that such as were truly and really baptized with the Baptism of Water, were notwithstanding not baptized with the Baptism of the Spirit, which is that of Christ; and such as truly and really did administer the Baptism of Water, did, in so doing, not administer the Baptism of Christ. So that if there be now but _one Baptism_, as we have already proved, we may safely conclude that it is that of the _Spirit_, and not of _Water_; else it would follow, that the _one Baptism_, which now continues, were the _Baptism of Water_, i. e. _John_’s Baptism, and not the _Baptism of the Spirit_, i. e. _Christ_’s; which were most absurd.

[Sidenote: Object.] If it be said further, _That though the Baptism of _John_, before _Christ_’s was administred, was different from it, as being the Figure only; yet now, that both it as the Figure, and that of the Spirit as the Substance, is necessary to make up the one Baptism_;

I _answer_; This urgeth nothing, unless it be granted also that both of them belong to the Essence of _Baptism_; so that _Baptism_ is not to be accounted as truly administred, where both are not; which none of our Adversaries will acknowledge: But on the contrary, account not only all those truly baptized with the _Baptism of Christ_, [Sidenote: _Water-baptism is not the true Baptism of _Christ.] who are baptized with _Water_, though they be uncertain whether they be baptized with the _Spirit_, or not; but they even account such truly baptized with the _Baptism of Christ_, because _sprinkled_, or baptized with Water, though it be manifest and most certain that they are not baptized with the Spirit, as being Enemies thereunto in their Hearts by wicked Works. So here, by their own Confession, _Baptism with Water_ is without the Spirit. Wherefore we may far safer conclude, that the _Baptism of the Spirit_, which is that of _Christ_, is and may be without that of _Water_; as appears in that of _Acts_ xi. where _Peter_ testifies of these Men, that _they were baptized with the Spirit_, though then not _baptized with Water_. And indeed the Controversy in this, as in most other Things, stands betwixt us and our Opposers, in that they oftentimes prefer the Form and Shadow to the Power and Substance; by denominating Persons as Inheritors and Possessors of the Thing, from their having the Form and Shadow, though really wanting the Power and Substance; and not admitting those to be so denominated, who have the Power and Substance, if they want the Form and Shadow. This appears evidently, in that they account those truly _baptized_ with the _one Baptism of Christ_, who are not baptized with the _Spirit_ (which in Scripture is particularly called the _Baptism of Christ_) if they be only baptized with Water, which themselves yet confess to be but the Shadow or Figure. [Sidenote: _The Baptism of the Spirit needeth no Sprinkling or Dipping in Water._] And moreover, in that they account not those who are surely baptized with the _Baptism of the Spirit_ baptized, neither will they have them so denominated, unless they be also _sprinkled_ with, or _dipped_ in Water: But we, on the contrary, do always prefer the Power to the Form, the Substance to the Shadow; and where the Substance and Power is, we doubt not to denominate the Person accordingly, though the Form be wanting. And therefore we always seek First, and plead for the Substance and Power, as knowing that to be indispensibly necessary, though the Form sometimes may be dispensed with, and the Figure or Type may cease, when the Substance and Anti-type come to be enjoyed, as it doth in this Case, which shall hereafter be made appear.

§. IV. [Sidenote: Proof 4.] _Fourthly_, That the _one Baptism of Christ_ is not a Washing with Water, appears from 1 _Pet._ iii. 21. _The like Figure[114] whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the Filth of the Flesh, but the Answer of a good Conscience towards God) by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ_. So plain a Definition of _Baptism_ is not in all the Bible; and therefore, seeing it is so plain, it may well be preferred to all the coined Definitions of the School-men. [Sidenote: _The plainest Definition of the Baptism of Christ in all the Bible_.] The Apostle tells us, first _negatively_, what it is not, viz. _Not a putting away of the Filth of the Flesh_: Then surely it is not a _Washing_ with Water, since that is so. _Secondly_, He tells us _affirmatively_ what it is, viz. _The Answer of a good Conscience towards God, by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ_; where he affirmatively defines it to be the _Answer_ (or _Confession_, as the _Syriack_ Version hath it) _of a good Conscience_. Now this _Answer_ cannot be but where the Spirit of God hath purified the Soul, and the Fire of his Judgment hath burned up the unrighteous Nature; and those in whom this Work is wrought may be truly said to be _baptized with the Baptism of Christ_, i. e. _of the Spirit and of Fire_. Whatever Way then we take this Definition of the Apostle of _Christ’s Baptism_, it confirmeth our Sentence: For if we take the first or negative Part, viz. _That it is not a putting away of the Filth of the Flesh_, then it will follow that _Water-baptism_ is not it, because that _is a putting away of the Filth of the Flesh_. [Sidenote: _Water-baptism shut out from the Baptism of Christ._] If we take the second and affirmative Definition, to wit, _That it is the Answer_ or Confession _of a good Conscience_, &c. then _Water-baptism_ is not it; since, as our Adversaries will not deny, _Water-baptism_ doth not always imply it, neither is it any necessary Consequence thereof. Moreover, the Apostle in this Place doth seem especially to guard against those that might esteem _Water-baptism_ the true _Baptism of Christ_; because (lest by the Comparison induced by him in the preceding Verse, betwixt the Souls that were saved in _Noah_’s Ark, and us that are now saved by _Baptism_; lest, I say, any should have thence hastily concluded, that because the Former were saved by _Water_, this Place must needs be taken to speak of _Water-baptism_) to prevent such a Mistake, he plainly affirms, that it is not that, but another Thing. He saith not that it is the _Water_, or _the putting away of the Filth of the Flesh, as accompanied with the Answer of a good Conscience, whereof the one_, viz. _Water, is the sacramental Element, administered by the Minister; and the other, the Grace or Thing signified, conferred by Christ_; but plainly, _That it is not the putting away_, &c. than which there can be nothing more manifest to Men unprejudicate and judicious. Moreover _Peter_ calls this here which saves [Greek: antitypon: αντιτυπον], the _Anti-type_, or the _Thing figured_; whereas it is usually translated, as if _the like Figure did now save us_; thereby insinuating that as they were saved by Water in the Ark, so are we now by _Water-baptism_. But this Interpretation crosseth his Sense, he presently after declaring the contrary, as hath above been observed; and likewise it would contradict the Opinion of all our Opposers. [Sidenote: _The _Protestants_ denying _Water-baptism_ its absolute Necessity to _Men’s Salvation_; although the _Papists_ say, _None can be saved without it_, yet grant Exceptions._] For _Protestants_ deny it to be absolutely necessary to Salvation; and though _Papists_ say, _none are saved without it_, yet in this they admit an Exception, as of _Martyrs_, &c. and they will not say that all that have it are saved by _Water-baptism_; which they ought to say, if they will understand by _Baptism_ (by which the Apostle saith we are saved) _Water-baptism_. For seeing we are saved _by this Baptism_, as all those that were in the Ark _were saved by Water_, it would then follow, that all those that have this _Baptism_ are saved by it. Now this Consequence would be false, if it were understood of _Water-baptism_; because many, by the Confession of all, are _baptized_ with _Water_ that are not saved; but this Consequence holds most true, if it be understood as we do, of the _Baptism_ of the _Spirit_; since none can have this Answer of a good Conscience, and, abiding in it, not be saved by it.

[114] Or, as it should be translated, _Whose Model Baptism does also now save us._

[Sidenote: Proof 5.] Fifthly, _That the one Baptism of Christ is not a Washing with Water_, as it hath been proved by the Definition of the _one Baptism_, so it is also manifest from the necessary Fruits and Effects of it, which are three Times particularly expressed by the Apostle _Paul_; [Sidenote: _The Effects and Fruits of the Baptism of _Christ.] as first, _Rom._ vi. 3, 4. where he saith, _That so many of them as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his Death, buried with him by Baptism into Death, that they should walk in Newness of Life_. Secondly, to the _Galatians_ iii. 27. he saith positively, _For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ_. And thirdly, to the _Colossians_ ii. 12. he saith, That they were _buried with him in Baptism_, and risen _with him through the Faith of the Operation of God_. It is to be observed here, that the Apostle speaks generally, without any _exclusive Term_, but _comprehensive_ of all. He saith not, _Some of you that were baptized into Christ, have put on Christ_, but _as many of you_; which is as much as if he had said, _Every one of you that hath been baptized into Christ, hath put on Christ_. Whereby it is evident that this is not meant of _Water-baptism_, but of the _Baptism_ of the _Spirit_; [Sidenote: _Which Effects_ Water-baptism _wants_.] because else it would follow, that whosoever had been _baptized_ with _Water-baptism_ had put on _Christ_, and were _risen_ with him, which all acknowledge to be most absurd. Now supposing all the visible Members of the Churches of _Rome_, _Galatia_, and _Colosse_ had been outwardly baptized with Water (I do not say they were, but our Adversaries will not only readily grant it, but also contend for it) suppose, I say, the Case so, they will not say they had _all put on Christ_, since divers Expressions in these _Epistles_ to them shew the contrary. So that the Apostle cannot mean _Baptism_ with _Water_; and yet that he meaneth the _Baptism_ of _Christ_, i. e. _of the Spirit_, cannot be denied; or that the _Baptism_ wherewith these were _baptized_ (of whom the Apostle here testifies that they had _put on Christ_) was the _one Baptism_, I think none will call in Question. Now admit, as our Adversaries contend, that many in these Churches who had been _baptized_ with _Water_ had not _put on Christ_, it will follow, that notwithstanding that _Water-baptism_, they were not baptized _into Christ_, or with the Baptism of _Christ_, seeing _as many of them as were baptized_ into _Christ had put on Christ_, &c. From all which I thus argue:

[Sidenote: Arg. 1.] _If the _Baptism_ with _Water_ were the one _Baptism_, _i. e._ the _Baptism_ of _Christ_, as many as were baptized with _Water_ would have put on Christ_:

But the Last is false: Therefore also the First.

And again:

[Sidenote: Arg. 2.] _Since as many as are baptized into_ Christ, i. e. _with the_ one Baptism, _which is the_ Baptism _of_ Christ, _have put on_ Christ, _then_ Water-baptism _is not the one_ Baptism, _viz. the_ Baptism _of_ Christ:

But the First is true: Therefore also the Last.

§. V. [Sidenote: Prop. III.] [Sidenote: _Proved._] Thirdly, _Since_ John’s Baptism _was a Figure, and seeing the Figure gives Way to the Substance, although the Thing figured remain, to wit, the_ one Baptism _of_ Christ, _yet the other ceaseth, which was the_ Baptism _of_ John.

[Sidenote: I.] [Sidenote: John_’s Baptism was a Figure of _Christ_’s._] That _John_’s Baptism was a Figure of _Christ_’s Baptism, I judge will not readily be denied; but in Case it should, it can easily be proved from the Nature of it. _John_’s Baptism was _a being baptized with Water_, but _Christ_’s is _a Baptizing with the Spirit_; therefore _John_’s Baptism must have been a Figure of _Christ_’s. But further, that Water-Baptism was _John_’s Baptism, will not be denied: That Water-baptism is not _Christ_’s Baptism, is already proved. From which doth arise the Confirmation of our Proposition thus:

There is no Baptism to continue now, but the _one Baptism_ of Christ:

Therefore _Water-baptism_ is not to continue now, because it is not the one Baptism of _Christ_.

[Sidenote: II.] [Sidenote: John_’s Baptism is ceased our Opposers confess._] That _John_’s Baptism is ceased, many of our Adversaries confess; but if any should allege it is otherwise, it may be easily proved by the express Words of _John_, not only as being insinuated there, where he contra-distinguisheth his Baptism from that of _Christ_, but particularly where he saith, _John_ iii. 30. _He_ [Christ] _must increase, but I_ [John] _must decrease_. From whence it clearly follows, that the _Increasing_ or taking Place of _Christ_’s Baptism is the _Decreasing_ or Abolishing of _John_’s Baptism; so that if Water-baptism was a particular Part of _John_’s Ministry, and is no Part of _Christ_’s Baptism, as we have already proved, it will necessarily follow that it is not to continue.

[Sidenote: Arg.] Secondly, _if _Water-baptism_ had been to continue a perpetual Ordinance of Christ in his Church, he would either have practised it himself, or commanded his Apostles so to do_.

But that he practised it not, the _Scripture_ plainly affirms, _John_ iv. 2. And that he commanded his Disciples to _baptize_ with _Water_, I could never yet read. As for what is alleged, that, _Matt._ xxviii. 19. &c. where he bids them _baptize_, is to be understood of _Water-baptism_, that is but to beg the Question, and the Grounds for that shall be hereafter examined.

_Therefore to _baptize_ with _Water_ is no perpetual Ordinance of Christ to his Church._

This hath had the more Weight with me, because I find not any standing _Ordinance or Appointment_ of _Christ_ necessary to Christians, for which we have not either Christ’s own Practice or Command, as to obey all the Commandments which comprehend both our Duty towards God and Man, _&c._ and where the _Gospel_ requires more than the _Law_, which is abundantly signified in the 5th and 6th Chapters of _Matthew_, and elsewhere. Besides, as to the Duties of Worship, he exhorts us to meet, promising his Presence; commands to _pray_, _preach_, _watch_, &c. and gives Precepts concerning some temporary Things, as the _Washing_ of _one another’s Feet_, the _Breaking_ of _Bread_, hereafter to be discussed; only for this one Thing of _Baptizing_ with _Water_, though so earnestly contended for, we find not any Precept of Christ.

§. VI. [Sidenote: III.] [Sidenote: _The _Gospel_ puts an End to _carnal Ordinances.] But to make Water-baptism a necessary _Institution_ of the _Christian Religion_, which is pure and spiritual, and not carnal and ceremonial, is to derogate from the _New Covenant Dispensation_, and set up the _legal Rites_ and _Ceremonies_, of which this of _Baptism_, or _Washing_ with _Water_, was one, as appears from _Heb._ ix. 10. where the Apostle speaking thereof saith, that it stood _only in Meats and Drinks, and divers Baptisms, and carnal Ordinances, imposed until the Time of Reformation_. If then the Time of Reformation, or the Dispensation of the _Gospel_, which puts an End to the Shadows, be come, then such _Baptisms_ and carnal _Ordinances_ are no more to be imposed. For how Baptism with _Water_ comes now to be a _Spiritual Ordinance_, more than before in the Time of the _Law_, doth not appear, seeing it is but _Water_ still, and a Washing of the outward Man, and a putting away of the Filth of the Flesh still: And as before, those that were so washed, were not thereby made perfect, as pertaining to the _Conscience_, neither are they at this Day, as our Adversaries must needs acknowledge, and Experience abundantly sheweth. So that the Matter of it, which is a Washing with Water, and the Effect of it, which is only an outward Cleansing, being still the same, how comes Water-baptism to be less a carnal Ordinance now than before?

[Sidenote: Obj. 1.] If it be said, That _God confers inward Grace upon some that are now baptized_;

[Sidenote: _Answ._] So no Doubt he did also upon some that used those Baptisms among the _Jews_.