A47535:28
Gold refined, or, Baptism in its primitive purity proving baptism in water an holy…Gold refin'd, or, Baptism in its primitive purity proving baptism in water an holy…
Gold refined, or, Baptism in its primitive purity proving baptism in water an holy institution of Jesus Christ ... : wherein it is clearly evinced that baptism ... is immersion, or dipping the whole body, &c : also that believers are only the true subjects (and not infants) of that holy sacrament : likewise Mr. Smithies arguments for infant-baptism in his late book entitled, The non-communicant ... fully answered / by Benj. Keach ...Gold refin'd, or, Baptism in its primitive purity proving baptism in water an holy institution of Jesus Christ ... : wherein it is clearly evinced that baptism ... is immersion, or dipping the whole body, &c : also that believers are only the true subjects (and not infants) of that holy sacrament : likewise Mr. Smythies arguments for infant-baptism in his late book entitled, The non-communicant ... fully answered / by Benj. Keach ...
London : Printed for the author, and are to be sold by Nathaniel Crouch ..., 1689
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Chapter 1: Wherein the Baptism of Water is proved to be that intended in the Commission, and so a…
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
First, Because the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was never by our Saviour or his Apostles commanded, it was never enjoined as a Precept or Duty to be done, but was always mentioned as a Promise, He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire. And again, Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence: It argues great Weakness, or else Wilfulness, that Men should see no better how to distinguish between a Baptism that was commanded as a Duty to be done, and a Baptism promised, ⟨p. 4⟩which was never enjoined as a Duty.
First, Because the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was never by our Saviour or his Apostles commanded, it was never injoyn'd as a Precept or Duty to be done, but was always mentioned as a Promise, He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire. And again, Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence: It argues great Weakness, or else Wilfulness, that Men should see no better how to distinguish between a Baptism that was commanded as a Duty to be done, and a Baptism promised, ⟨p. 4⟩which was never injoyned as a Duty.
Secondly, It cannot mean the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, because the Disciples of Christ (nor no Man under Heaven) had ever any such Power delegated or given to them, as to baptize with the Holy Ghost; 'tis strange Persons should be so blind and bold to think (much less to assert) that mere Men can give the Holy Spirit, or administer that Baptism, as if the Holy Ghost was at the disposal of the Will of Man, or that Men know whom to give it to, which indeed only lies hid in the Breast of God himself, who bestows it to whom and in what manner he pleaseth. And therefore,
Secondly, It cannot mean the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, because the Disciples of Christ (nor no Man under Heaven) had ever any such Power delegated or given to them, as to baptize with the Holy Ghost; 'tis strange Persons should be so blind and bold to think (much less to assert) that meer Men can give the Holy Spirit, or administer that Baptism, as if the Holy Ghost was at the disposal of the Will of Man, or that Men know whom to give it to, which indeed only lies hid in the Breast of God himself, who bestows it to whom and in what manner he pleaseth. And therefore,