16 bounds, than Moses and the prophets theirs; but as the prophets gave up to John, so John must give up to Christ. John’s temporary ministry had a temporary baptism ; but the everlasting gospel (which is that word in our flesh) hath an everlasting baptism, which is the pouring out of the Spirit. So then, John being a servant and forerunner of Christ, Christ was not to take up his baptism, but John was to resign up his baptism to Christ; yea, and as a servant, to deliver up all things into his hands as Heir and Lord : and so John’s water baptism was to last but till Christ’s fire baptism should come in, and then the fire should lick up the water ; and as Spirit baptism should increase, water baptism should decrease. So that John’s baptism, or water baptism, (which is all one) belongs not to Christ’s kingdom, which is a kingdom not of the letter, but of the Spirit; not of signs and shadows, but of the truth : and therefore we leave it where we found it, even without the bounds and reach of Christ’s kingdom : for John’s office and baptism reached unto Christ’s kingdom, but hath no place in it; and to bring signs and ceremonies into the kingdom of truth, is, if rightly understood, to act against Christ glorified. Object. But some will say, “ This is strange indeed, that water baptism should have no place in the kingdom of Christ: and therefore pray stay a little, for we have • many things to object against it.” Object. 1. Why, this would rob us of our ChristianityI answer, No: for it is not water, but Spirit baptism, that makes us Christians ; and water baptism hath been an unlawful blending or mixing of the church and world together; so that hitherto they could not be well differenced from each other, to the great prejudice of the congregations of Christ. Object. 2. But have so many ages erred, that have used water baptism ? Answ. For the errours of former ages, and their great mistakes in many of the truths of God, I have nothing to say, but that of the apostle, “ How unsearchable are his judgments, tmd his ways past finding out!”
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