Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

2. To show what innocency and harmlessness should be in those that are baptized.

2. To shew what innocency and harmlesness should be in those that are baptized.

3. To answer the Figure in Noah's Flood; for as a Dove at that time brought tidings of the abatings of the waters, so now it brings tidings of the abating of Gods wrath upon the preaching of the Gospel: the first Dove we find in the Bible, is Noah's Dove, with the Olive-Branch in her Bill, proclaiming peace; the next is Davids Dove with Feathers silver-white, as noting sincerity; then Essays Dove, mourning with her voice, as signifying patience; and lastly, Christs Dove, innocent and harmless; now all these properties meet in this Dove, the Spirit of God. Much more might I add to these; but I desire to hasten to some more edifying truths.

3. To answer the Figure in Noahs Flood; for as a Dove at that time brought tidings of the abatings of the waters, so now it brings tidings of the abating of Gods wrath upon the preaching of the Gospel: the first Dove we find in the Bible, is Noahs Dove, with the Olive-Branch in her Bill, proclaiming peace; the next is Davids Dove with Feathers silver-white, as noteing sincerity; then Esays Dove, mourning with her voice, as signifying patience; and lastly, Christs Dove, innocent and harmless; now all these properties meet in this Dove, the Spirit of God. Much more might I add to these; but I desire to hasten to some more edifying truths.

From this Baptism of Christ, we may learn a practical necessary Truth;¹ There is a Generation that cries down Baptism of water, and upon this score, because they suppose it was proper to John to Baptise only with water; and to Christ to Baptise only with the holy Ghost, and with fire. Indeed Christ in his own person Baptized none otherwise, but with the holy Ghost; immediately after his Ascension, he sent his Spirit upon the Church, and baptized them with fire, the spirit appearing like a flame; and to this day (though not visibly) he Baptizeth all his Saints with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: but for all this, he appointed John, and not only John, but all his Apostles, and their Successors for ever, to Baptise with water; and they did so, and yet do so, obeying the preceptive words of Christ, which are almost the last words that he spake upon the earth. And though Christ did not Baptize with water, yet Christ himself (we see here) was Baptized with water; he himself enters at that door, by which his Disciples must for ever follow after him; and indeed therefore he went in at that door of Baptism, that he might hallow, or sanctify the entrance which himself made to the house he was now a Building. And for the difference they make betwixt Christ's Baptism, and John's Baptism: what's this to the purpose? we all know, that in Baptism are two parts, the outward part, and the inward part; you may call them (if you please) the outward Baptism, and the inward Baptism: the outward Baptism is of the Minister, but the inward Baptism is of Christ. But must we separate these? or rather Join them (if these in ordinary must be joined) as we find them in Christ,