13 Thus it appears, that the baptism of John was very honourable and of high account in its time, so that the very disciples of Christ took it up, and Christ himself suffered them, because John’s baptism was the sign and forerunner of his, and because the time of his own baptism was not yet come ; but Christ himself used it not, as John witnesses, chap. iv. 2. saying, “ Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,” to wit, with John’s baptism, which was water baptism. For it became not the Son of God to baptize with a creature; nor the Lord of all, to use the baptism of a servant. And thus having shewed, how honourable John’s baptism was in itself, (wherein I conceive I have-not done him, though a servant, the least prejudice, but have fully attributed to his office, whatever the word, or he himself, a messenger from God, attributes to it) I shall now proceed to shew, that the baptism of John, how honourable and excellent soever, is yet far beneath and below Christ’s; yea, and most weak and imperfect in comparison of his. For first, John’s baptism was with the creature, with the element of water; for the creature could baptize but with the creature, that is, John with water ; and so this was far beneath the baptism of Christ, which was the work of God by God, the work of the Father by the Son, and of the Son by the Spirit. Secondly. John’s baptism was tantum exterius lava- arum, but outward, and reached the outward man only; the baptism of water reached but the body, and it could pierce no deeper; and after all the washing of the body with water, the soul still remained as full of filth, sin, and corruption, as ever; and so it was far beneath Christ’s, which reaches the soul: the baptism of John was the baptism of bodies, but the baptism of Christ the baptism of souls; and only the baptism of the Spirit reaches the Spirit, and attains to the soul, conscience and inner man, to purge and purify them. Thirdly. The baptism of John was but a sign and ceremony, though it had more life and light in it than the signs of the law, as being nearer to Christ, and more newly revived by God ; and so thought useful in its sea
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