SCRIPTURE BAPTISM AND CHURCH-WAY WITH True-Seekers.
PRove all things, &c. 1 Thes. 5.21.
Try the Spirits, 1 John 4.1.
Be not deceived, 1 Cor. 6.9.
Having their wits exercised to discern both good and evill, Heb. 5.14.
Baptismus Flaminis, Fluminis, Sanguinis.
Aqua non attingit mentem.
1 Pet. 3.21. Even Baptism, doth also now save us (not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God) by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 7.19. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping the Commandements of God.
Baptisme is commanded in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Mat. 28 19.
Naaman washed seven times, 2 Kings 5.14. That is hee dipped himself seven times; dowsed, drenched, dip and wash are words used, speaking of believers baptizing (after his manner) by Hermes Trismegistus, pag. 161. 163.
Q. Who are to be baptized?
Mark. 16.16. He that believeth and is baptized, &c.
Acts 8.37. If believe with all thy heart may be baptized. [...], That is, it is lawfull.
Acts 2.28. Repent and be baptized.
Acts 2.41. They that received the Word gladly, were baptized.
Acts 10.47. If they had received the Holy Ghost they might be baptized.
Math. 3.6. Confessing their sins they were baptized. Vers. 8. Bringing forth fruits meet for Repentance.
Matth. 28.19. Being made Christs Disciples by teaching, they were baptized.
Q. What is Baptisme?
Mat. 3.6. They were baptized of him in Jordan, ver. 13. Then came Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to bee baptized of him. (Jordan not the town, but the river) Christ submitted himself to the Ordinance of Baptisme, ver. 16. and when he was baptized came straight out of the water, the River, see Mark. 1.5. All were baptized of him in the River Jordan (all in, Ergo) ver. 9.10. Jesus was baptized or John in Jordan, and as soon as he came out of the water, John saw the Heavens opened, &c. The holy Trinity appeared, Ite ad Jordanum & ibi vid bitis.
John. 3.23. John was baptizing in Aenon because there was much water there. (more then a little, as if that not sufficient. Frustra fit per plura quod sieri potest per pauciora.)
Act 16.13, 14, 15. Baptized Lydia was converted by the River de, Act. 8.36, 37, 38. Philip and the Eunuch (the baptiser, and the baptised) they went down both into the water, and baptised him, That is, there, in the water, ver. 39. and as soon as they were come up out of the water, &c, Rom. 6.4. We are buried with him by Baptisme into his death.
Baptisme represents Buriall and Resurrection.
Col 2.12. Buried with him through baptisme, wherein also you are risen with him, &c.
Quest. The baptisme of John whence was it, from Heaven, or of men? Mat. 21.25.
Answ. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved, Mark. 16.16.
Believers may be saved without Baptisme no doubt, yet true believers will be universally obedient being rightly informed.
Gal. 3.27. All ye that are baptised into Christ, have put on Christ.
Quest. Did not the Pharisees and expounders of the Law despise and reject, the counsel of God against themselves, not being baptized of him, namely of John, Luk. 7.30.
Answ. John 3.5. Except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot, &c.
Qu. If (for want of a Bason) Believers went down into the water to be sprinkled, or rather to do somthing in the water which could not be done out of the River, not without much water?
Qu. Doth Scripture mention any water-Baptisme but one? Ephes. 4.5. There is one Lord, one Faith, one Baptisme.
Is there one way for Heathens, and another for Christians.
Q. How many days may a child bee kept unbaptised without sin? Who can tell? Ergo.
Q. How can any certainly know (so as to satisfie conscience) that they were baptised in their Infancy? in circumcision was a mark in the flesh, else to bee cut off from God's people.
Q. Is foederall holiness with Gentiles, nationall as with the Jews?
Q. Where is any command from God for Infants-Baptisme? Shew chap. and ver.
Q. Where is any example in Scripture of an Infant baptised, either by John (the Dipper, Joannes de douper in [Page]dutch) or of the Christian Churches, as Rome, Corinth, Galat. &c. or the seven Churches in Asia, Rev. 1.4.
Q. Who invented baptising of bells? as you may read in the Book of Martyrs, Fox.
Quest. Who commanded women-Midwives to baptise children?
Quest. Who brought in the Crosse in Baptisme, (which formerly troubled many tender cousciences?
Quest. Who invented Godfathers and Godmothers (to answer that which the baptised should answer?)
Quest. Who brought up Wine and Sweetmeats at Christnings?
Quest. Who brought baptisme from the River (the place of Baptisme) into the Temple, from Jordan into the Sanctuary, to the Font?
Quest. Were the old Church-Fonts Fountains? why were they put in the Latine name, and not in the English, Zach. 13.1.
Quest. Why were Fonts made so deep and wide, and in some places a chimny in the Steeple?
Quest. Why are Infants in the Old Service-book commanded to be dipped, before any mention of sprinkling or powring water upon it, which was onely permitted in case of the childs weakness?
Q. Why doth the old Church Catechisme say, that Faith and Repentance is required of persons to be baptised?
Q. How doth it also say (in effect) That Infants believe and repent by Godfathers and Godmothers their Sureties, can you believe it?
Q. Of the Minister or Priest, Wilt thou bee baptized in this Faith?
Ans. That is my desire.
Reply Meer falshood, for they desired not baptisme themselves, but Christendome for the babe.
Q. Is it a truth that Infants baptised are regenerate and justined made Christians?
Q. Were not they much mistaken that gave Infants the Bread and Wine, for some hundred years together, so Dr. Hill sheweth in his Sermon, on Jer. 6.16.
Q. Should we not endeavour the peace of the Church?
- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,
- Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond &c.
- How pleasant for spiritualbrethren todwel &c.
- Follow peace and holiness without &c.
- Peace be upon the Israel of God.
Ans. Not of the false, but the peace of the true Churches of Christ consisting of precious visible Saints in Gospel-order, rightly constituted.
Act 2.41. Added to the Church by Baptism.
(Taking a house in a Parish is not sufficient to make them of the Church.) Godliness is the best ground of Church-Communion; Baptisme the first publick Church Ordinance the Godly are to seek after, Act. 22.16. why tarriest thou? Arise, &c.
1 Cor. 12.13. By one spirit we are all baptized into one body.
The Church is the ground and Pillar of Truth, 1 Pet. 3 15.
True Baptisme and a Church-way,
The way to Heaven, may I say,
Via Regni non causa regnandi.
The nearer the true Church the nearer to God.
Extra Ecclesiam non est salus.
Act. 2.4. The Lord added to the Church day by day such as should be saved.
1 Thes 1.1. The Church in God,
1 joh. 5.19. The World in the Devill, [...] the evill one.
Q. Doth not baptising all Infants (of wicked Parents Bastards, &c.) make the world the Church, whereas Dip, ping believers gather a visible Church out of the world?
Q. What is the difference betwixt the Churches called Independent and Anabaptist but Infants sprinkling? As M. Kaye observes in his Book of Baptisme without Bason.
Q. Is Dipping believers the Wil worship, Idolatry, Superstition, or Ordinance of Antichrist?
Q. It being but an externall thing, why should it cause such difference amongst Christians?
Church-way.
Say something of a Church-way.
A. Be pleased to peruse a letter sent to an honest-friend a Minister without the Sacrament. viz.
It is in my heart (if I had your health and gift of teaching) to assay to join my self to the Disciples, Act. 9.26. When Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the Disciples. And 2 Cor. 8.5. gave their own selves first to the Lord, and after to us by the will of God.
I would join for gathering a Church, separate between the precious and the vile, Jer. 15.19. If thou take away the precious from the vile, thou shalt be according to my word, as my mouth.
The precious are Saints by calling, the vile are ignorant, scandalous profane, civill onely, carnall, all unconverted.
Preach up a Church-way, take Declarations, profession of Faith and repentance, of their conversion, regeneration, the work of God's grace in them.
How, when, and what God hath done for their souls, Psal 66.16. Come and hear all yee that fear God, and I will declare (tell you) what he hath done for my soul also, [Page] Psal. 107.2. Receive the weak in Faith, Rom. 14.1. Him that is weak in the Faith receive unto you. Some believers are weak and they must be received, if Aliquid Christi, any thing of Christ, minimum quod sic be perceived in them. Act. 5.14. Believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women; Take in and cast out, communicate and excommunicate, set up Christ's easie yoke of Discipline; Christ's Church Government, owning the power of the Keys given to the Church, Christ's Scepter, knowing our priviledges in a Church rightly constituted in Gospel-Order, and the true fellowship of the Gospell, the more excellent way.
Living in the constant frequent practice of all Church-Ordinances whereby we obey and injoy God, strengthen our Faith, and edifie one another.
Psal. 92.13. Such as are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God, they shall still bring forth fruit in their age, they shall be fat and flourishing, Psal. 87.2. God loveth the Gates of Zion better then all the dwellings of Jacob.
Angels are in the Churches and God's speciall presence and blessing, Cant. 7.12. there will I give thee my loves. Place his name there.
In the Church are Elders to visit the sick (if sent for) Jim. 5.14. Is any sick among you (let him take care of his soul, before the will and the Doctors) let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray for him, Act. 14.23. They ordained them Elders by Electionin every Church, teaching, ruling Elders, 1 Tim. 5.17. Let the Elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine.
Also Deacons, chosen men of good report, full of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost and of wisedom, Act. 6.3. (able to do service to the Church in case of Pastors sickness [Page]or absence) holding the mystery of Faith in a pure conscience, 1 Tim. 3.9.
The Lord's Treasurers to receive the benevolence of the Church, and to supply Christ's poor (who are rich in Faith) And to prepare the Table of the Lord, not spreading Christ's Table for the wicked, strange fire (pearls to swine, childrens bread to Dogs) but for Disciples, Believers, Converts, Saints, holy Brethren, and holy Sisters, who have fellowship with the Father and with his Son, 1 John 1.3. Sion-born.
A Godly Minister in the Bishops times said, if it were not for the command of Governours his arm should rot before he would give the Sacrament to the wicked or to the profane.
Also helps in Government, to keep the Book of Church-members names, and where they live &c. watching over one another to provoke to love and good works, Heb. 10.24. Our need requires a Church-way.
Object. Perhaps Magistrates will not suffer it.
Answ. Heb. 3.13. Who is it that will harm you, if yee follow that which is good? Rulers should be nursing Fathers, a praise to them that do well, ruling in the fear of God.
What if Saints should be Martyrs? suffering for Righteousness sake, hath reward in Heaven, but who now hinders worshipping God in our own (Scripture) way in peace in our own Land; Blessed be God for Rulers, we will bless them out of Zion.
Object. Wheat and Tares must grow together.
Answ. In the Field of the World, not in the Church; if appear Tares to be weeded out by excommunication, else that were against our Saviour Christ's own rule, Dic Ecclesiae, Mat. 18.17. Tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as a Heathen man [Page]and a Publican; if there be no Church, how can we tell it unto the Church.
Spoken to the Church it felfe, put away from among your selves the wicked person, 1 Cor. 5.13.
The Church of Ephesus could not bear with them that were evill, Rev. 2.2. David (a type of Christ) saith, Psal. 101.7. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house; Not suffer barren trees in the Vineyard.
Exod. 12.48. The uncircumcised might not eat the Passeover. Is it not a sin to receive with the known sinner? a neglect of our duty being commanded to reprove him before witnesses, and in case of non-reformation to acquaint the Church, Mat. 18.16.
Object. It makes division and separation.
Answ. Psal. 50.5. Gather my Saints together unto me, those that make a Covenant with me with sacrifice.
Gathered together in my name, Mat. 18.20.
There is a bad and a good separation; Christ was seperate from sinners, 2 Cor. 6.17. Come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord; touch no unclean thing and I will receive you, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty, Rev. 18.4. Come out of her my people: Ants get together in the Mole-hill, it is naturall for Sheep to flock together, not with Swine.
Object. It is a new way.
Answ. As old as Christ's time and the Apostles, no new thing under the Sun.
Object. It is hard to know who are godly, because gifts are like grace, some are close Hypocrites, and some believe for a time, &c.
Answer The Judgement of verity belongs to God alone, the heart-searcher, he is the Shepherd who will separate Sheep and Goats hereafter (whereof this is a shadow or [Page]type as I may say.) The Judgment of charity belongs to the Saints, to whom is given discerning of spirits, because videntur & non sunt, some seem to be and are not; there must bee the more care taken in admitting Church-members, walking a while together; searching reports, and inquiring (among professors) of their life and conversation, if it give not profession the lye.
Object. Them of the Church have their failings.
Answ. Was not Judas among twelve? In the first Christian Church, Ananias and Saphira, Simon Magus, gross things in the Church of Corinth: but in the Church is a remedy against sin. If not hear, the Church will hear, and proceed to admonish and act, bind in Heaven. There is no such help against wickedness out of the Church, Mat. 18. ver. 18.
Object. Some Church-members fall off.
Answ. They went cut from us because they were not of us, Jude 19. There are they that separate themselves; sensuall, not having the spirit, Heb 10.25. not the forsaking the fellowship that we have among our selves, as the manner of some is.
Object. Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat.
Answ. It is his duty from Sacrament to Sacrament to search about his knowledge, faith, repentance, charity, spirituall appetite, growth in grace; but it is spoken to such as were in a Church-state, and therefore first approved of, (not necessary to examine with whom thou dost communicate.)
Object. Is not the Steeple house the Church?
If covered with gold within and without, not the glory of the Church, not the fair building but the graces of the people, and the pure Ordinances make one Church better then another.
There is the Church-house, the Church-yard, and [Page]Church-people, 1 Pet. 2.5. Ye also as living stones, are built up a spirituall house, &c. The materiall house is the Publick meeting place appointed by the Church, having power to order time and place, for Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, for Word and Sacraments, where the Word may be rightly taught, and the Sacraments duly administred, 1 Cor. 14.40.
If you want bread will you not seek out?
Panis Bread
- Domini, of the Lord,
- Dominus, the Lord,
bread the Lord at our Fathers Table, a sealing Ordinance. The Spirit of Promise clap to the Seal.
Mat. 24.28. Wheresoever the carcass is, there will the Eagles be gathered together. (Who discerne the Lord's body.
Hoc est Corpus meum, This is my Body.
Act. 2.42. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine, and fellowship, and breaking of bread and prayers.
1 Cor. 10.16. 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.
Verse 17. For we being many, are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one Bread.
1 Cor. 11.26. This do in remembrance of me, for as often as ye shall eat of this Bread, and drink of this Cup, ye shew the Lord's death till he come. Come Lord Jesus.
Church-porch, Superliminare 1633. Harbert.
Object. Is not this like Isa. 65.5. which say, stand by thy self, come not neer to me, for I am holier then thou?
Answ. Nor like Num. 16.3, ye take too much upon you, seeing all the Congregations are holy every one of them. We are all alike by nature, if a change be in any, it is the Lord makes the difference.
The Saints that go in Christ's way are little in their own eyes, knowing all is by free grace, meer undeserved mercy, therefore in humbleness of mind, each esteeming others better then themselves, Phil. 2.3.
Only apprehending danger in the polluting God's Ordinances, coming together not for the better but the worse, 1 Cor. 11.17.
After receiving the Sop the Devill entred into Judas.
Verse 27. Whosoever shall eat this Bread, and drink this Cup of the Lord unworthily, shal be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord.
Verse. 29. Eateth and drinketh damnation (judgment) to himself.
Mat. 22 12. Friend, how camest thou hither, not having a Wedding-Garment.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship (communion) one with another, and the blood of Jesus-Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin, 1 John 1. verse 7.
Mat. 16.18. I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.
Learn the form of God's house from himself.
Government, Church-work.
Heb. 13.17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit your selves, for they watch for your Souls, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, for it is unprofitable for you.
1 Cor. 4.21. What will ye? shall I come unto you with [Page]a rod, or in love, and in the Spirit of meekness?
1 Cor. 10.6. Having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience.
Verse 8. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority (which the Lord hath given us for edification and not for your destruction) I should not bee ashamed.
2 Cor. 13.10. Therefore I write these things being absent, least being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification and not to destruction.
2 Thes. 3.14. And if any man obey not our word by this Epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
In the Ark the Ecclesiasticall rod.
2 John 14. Christ purged the Temple with a whip of small cords.
Verse 17. The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up.
1 Tim. 1.20. Of whom is Hymineus and Alexander? whom have I delivered unto Satan, that they might learn not to blaspheme?
Titus 3.10. Reject him that is a Heretick, after once or twice admonition.
1 Cor. 16.22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha, accursed till Christ come, so cast out as to bee taken in no more (as some apprehend)
1 Cor. 5.4, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 5. To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the Flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus.
Verse 13. Therefore put away from among your selves that wicked person.
He that will not hear one or two may be perswaded by the Church, Mat. 18.17. If not hear the Church let him be as a heathen man.
Notwithstanding his Baptisme.
If not live Sacramentall lives.
Of Seeking the Lord.
1 Chron. 21.9. If thou seek him, he will be found of thee.
Mat. 7.7. Ask and it shall be given you, seek and yee shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Mat. 6.33. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Psal. 69.32. Your heart shall live that seek God.
Live for ever, Psal. 22.26.
Psal. 40.16. Let all those that seek thee, rejoyce and bee glad in thee.
Psal. 34.10. Thou Lord hast not forsaken, never failed them that seek thee.
Object. Prov. 1.28. They shall seek me early, but shal not find me.
Answ. That is,
1. If not seek in time before the day of grace be past, or while the day of grace doth last, Isa. 55.6. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near.
2. If not seek in Faith, Heb. 11.6. He that cometh to God must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Rom. 9.33. They could not attain unto the Law of righteousness because they sought it not by Faith.
3. If not seek uprightly, Psal. 119.2. Blessed are they that seek him with their whole heart.
Deut. 4.29. Thou shalt find the Lord thy God, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
4. If not seek diligently, Luke 13.24. strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you shall seek to enter in and shall not be able.
Proverbs 2.4. If thou seekest as for silver, and searchest for wisedom, as for hid treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
5. If not seek in humility, humbling the soul by fasting and prayer,
Ezra. 8.21. Then he proclaimed a fast, that we might afflict our selves before our God, to seek of him a right way, &c.
6. If not seek in a right manner, as onely for fear of punishment, Hosea. 5.15. In their afflictions they will seek me early.
7. If not seek chiefly for grace and glory, Psal. 84. For the Lord God is a Sun and a Shield, the Lord will give grace and glory, &c.
For grace, as 1 Chron. 16.11. seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.
In obedience to God, Psal. 27.8. When thou saidst seek ye my face, my heart said unto thee: Thy face Lord will I seek. For mercy, the sure mercies of David, pardon, reconciliation, hide not thy face from mee.
Zeph. 2.3. Seek righteousnesse, seek meekness.
Psal. 119.45. I will walk at liberty for I seek thy precepts.
For Glory, Heb. 13.14. Here we have no continuing City, but we seek one to come.
(New Jerusalem) in a way of weldoing, Rom. 2.7. [Page]who by patience in well doing, seek for glory and honour and immortality eternall life.
A soul is encouraged to seek God.
1. Because Satan seeks whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5.8. your adversary the Devill as a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking whom he may devour.
2. Because Christ came to seek and save that which was lost, Luke 19 10. Christ seeks the lost sheep, Luke 15.4.
3. Because God is so gracious and mercifull, giving a heart to seek him, Rom. 10.20. I was found of them that sought me not.
John 4.23. The Father seeketh worshippers in Spirit and in truth.
Object. The Godly may seek and not find.
Cant. 3.1. By night in my bed I sought him whom my soul loved, I sought him but I found him not.
Answ. The Saints have found in respect of grace, though sometimes at a loss in respect of comfort.
God may hide himself for a while, to have us continue seeking, and to rejoyce in him the more when he is found of us, as the spouse did, Verse 2. I will rise therefore and seek him, and she saith verse 3. when I had passed a little from the watchmen, then I found him whom my soul loved, I held him and would not let him go, &c.
Isa. 45.19. I said not in vain unto the house of Jacob seek ye me, I the Lord speak righteousness and declare righteous things.
Col. 3.1. If yee then bee risen with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.
It is the property of such as are spiritually risen with Christ, to seek things above. Spirituall things are things above.
1. Because they come down from above, they have [Page]their originall from God, Jam. 1.17. every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, from him that is the fountain and Author of all goodness.
Spirituall things are above nature (the light of nature) above the thoughts and desires of carnall and naturall men. Flesh and blood doth not reveal such things unto us. Nosce te ipsum de coelo descendit.
2. They are called things above, because they tend to things above, Sursum corda, they draw a mans mind from earth to heaven, when a soul is possessed of spirituall things, it becometh heavenly minded; so that although a Christian must necessarily have some thoughts, and care for this world, yet the bent and frame of his heart stand another way, his thoughts run more towards God, Christ, graces of the spirit, the glorified Saints, and Angels and the joyes of heaven which are above, then after the creatures (which perish with the using) even as it is with a bird, it may bee it cometh down to the earth for food and sustenance, but it delights most to flye above. A Christian is like a wheel, whereof the least part is upon the earth, if it be down it is presently up again, and thus it is with them that are spirituall, they neglect earthly things to aspire to heaven and heavenly things.
Phil. 3.20. Our conversation is in heaven, this is not to be understood that the Apostle was then glorified, but that his desires and endeavours went heaven ward, that his actions did tend thither, Romans 8.5. They that are after the spirit, savour the things of the spirit, Verse 6. to be earthly minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
3. Spirituall things are called things above, because they are fully injoyed in heaven above, there [Page]is the full fruition of them, glory is the consummation of grace, as grace is the first fruits and inchoation of glory.
Seek Things above.
True Seekers are
1 Sensible of their loss; our spirituall losses in Adam are great and grievous, God's favour and Image,
Rom. 3. ver. 23. All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God, we are without spirituall things till we seek them.
2. Seekers desire to find. Give me Christ or else I dye, it is no living for me without Christ, nor no dying for me without Christ; I have no fence for Hell, I cannot indure torments invented by mortall men, How shall I bee able to grapple with the fulness of thy wrath, wherewith thou hast threatned to punish sinne to everlasting?
Give me Christ the chiefest of ten thousand, Cant. 5. ver. 10. (ten thousand persons, Angels, Worlds,) white and ruddy, white in his innocency and purity, ruddy in his satisfactory sufferings, both to make up a sinners righteousness, Jere. 23.6. The Lord our Righteousness, Isa. 45.25. Surely shal one say in the Lord have I righteousness.
Here is a pearl have it you shall.
If to have it, you part with all.
True Seekers set their affections on things above, Colos. 3.2 So lesirous to find as to be willing to part with all for the pearl of great price.
Matth. 13.45. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Merchant man seeking goodly pearls.
After worldly things do the Gentiles seek, Mat. 6.32.
Prov. 8.17. I love them that love me, and those that [Page]seek me early shall find me.
Verse 35. Who so findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.
Psal. 27.4. One thing have I desired of the Lord, and that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his Temple.
Christ was found in the Temple, Luke 2.46.
Godly Verses added.
Amen.
Baptisect Families.
Chrispus believed on the Lord with all his house, Act. 18.8.
Cornelius and all his house feared God, Act. 10, 2.
The Jaylor believed in God with all his house, Act. 16.34.
The houshold of Stephanus addicted themselves to the Ministry of the Saints, 1 Cor. 16.15.
Lydia perhaps might not be married, or else barren or ancient, Act. 16.40. There is mention of brethren there,
They went out of the prison and entred into the house of Lydia, and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed.
The form of Baptisme.
See Dr. Denison how far he went in dark times, in his book of both Sacraments, Baptisme, and the Lord's Supper, p. 20.
Arise and be baptised and wash away thy sins: (he saith) the word baptising doth most properly signifie dipping overhead and ears, and indeed this was the most usuall manner of baptising in the primitive Church: especially in hotter Countries, and after this manner was Christ himself baptized by John, Mat. 3.16. For there it is said of him, that when he was baptized he went out of the water; which doth imply that in his baptising hee went under the water, and thus all those that were baptized in rivers, they were not sprinkled but dipped.
Further he saith, we do not in any sort condemn the practise of dipping, but rather commend it, where it may bee without danger.