A47535:43
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.
Fourthly, The practice of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ, after his Ascension into Heaven, clearly proves, that the Baptism of Water doth continue; for how frivolous is that Objection that some make against it, viz. it was to abide no longer than till the Baptism of the Spirit (which say they was Christ's Baptism) took place, seeing it is so evident and plain in the Acts of the Apostles, and in divers other places, that it was both taught and practised, after that great Effusion, or pouring forth of the Holy Spirit, which was the Baptism promised, and was first of all made good to the Apostles and Saints of God at Jerusalem; When the Day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were all with one accord in one place*; by the help and power of which Spirit St. Peter preached to those Jews that had put Christ to death: At the hearing of which Sermon, many of them being pricked in their Hearts, cried out, What shall we do? Then said Peter, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name ⟨p. 9⟩of Jesus Christ, for the remission of Sins, and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Now the Baptism here enjoined on these Penitents, could not be that of the Spirit; for how absurd would that render the reading of the words, Repent, and be baptized with the Spirit, and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
Fifthly, But to make it appear yet more fully, that Baptism in Water continued after the coming of the Spirit, or great Effusion of the Holy Ghost, see, Acts 10. 'tis said, While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word, (that was on Cornelius and those with him). And they of the Circumcision, which believed, were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because on the Gentiles also was poured out the Gift of the Holy Ghost, Vers. 45. For they heard them speak with Tongues, and magnified God. Then answered Peter, vers. 46. Can any Man forbid Water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? vers. 47. And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord, vers. 48. Here the very Persons who were baptized with the Holy Spirit, were commanded in the Name (that is, by the Authority) of the Lord Jesus, to be baptized in Water; and it was a thing that no Man did or ought to deny to be their indispensable Duty; so that the highest Gifts or Endowments of the Holy Ghost, cannot excuse or exempt any Persons from this Blessed Ordinance of Baptism in Water; and how bold and daring must that Man needs seem to be, who shall adventure to say, 'tis a low and carnal thing, and I forbid it to such who have the Spirit's Baptism. I would to God this were laid to Heart, for such Men are certainly grown to a great degree of Pride and Arrogance, as