A47535:59
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.
To what they speak upon this account, we must say, and tell them, that Jesus Christ had Command and Commission from the Father, as Mediator, to give forth and enjoin Water-baptism, though he committed the actual Administration of it to his Disciples; for sith he commanded them to do it, and so Baptized, saith an eminent Writer, per alios at least, if not per se; read John 3. 22. And after these things came Jesus and his Disciples into the Land of Judea, and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, &c. vers. 23. Which is more fully explained, Chap. 4. 2. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more Disciples than John, though Jesus himself baptized not, but his Disciples. Now if he had not received Command from the Father thus to do, his Testimony is not true; which to say, as the same Author observes, were Blasphemy; for •ote, what he affirms, John 12. For I have not spoken of my self, but the Father which sent me, he gave me a Commandment what I should say, and what I should speak—Whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto, me, so I speak. Wherefore since he did, by the Hands of his Disciples, baptize in Water in Judea, and made and baptized more Disciples than John, he did it by Command from his Father: And indeed 'tis evident that the People generally flocked to him for the Administration of Water-baptism at last, and left John, insomuch as he in his Ministry, even of Water-baptism, increased, and John decreased, John 3. 26, 27. Those words of John, in Answer to the Jews, do plainly intimate no less, but that this very thing was intended by ⟨p. 17⟩those Expressions of his, though there might be more than this meant, And they came to John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou bearest Witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all Men come to him. John answered, A Man can receive nothing, except it be given him from Above. Vers. 28. Ye your selves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I am sent before him.—He must increase, but I must decrease, vers. 30. Doth he baptize? as if John should say, that is a sign he is sent of God: and do all Men come to him? do they rather go to him to be baptized than come to me? Why 'tis no more than what I have told you, He shall increase, but I must decrease;