of which it is a Sizn and Seal, and of their entring into it who partake of it, which as to its Dutics and Priviledges 1t tealed and confirmed ; and the Dottrine in which Bapti/rrs are taugitt, as that of Chriſt by Water, and by the Spirit, Matth. 3. 6. and John 3. 5. and containing in it the D:Xrine of the Seals of God's Teſtament, dt- jtin& from the other Doftrines of Faith; by the uſe of which, ſuch who had ſolemnly profeiled their Repentance, and Faith and Ovedt- ence to the Goſpel, were ſealed and confirmed, B.pti71ms 1n the Plu- ral raiſeth the Doubt, whether it immediately concern the initial Seal of the Covenant, which fome ſav is ſo ftiled as an Rebraifm, the Plural Number beins put for the Singular ; or, from the nume- rous Partakers of it at Set-times, which were called Days 0f Baptilms, or from divers Adminiſtrators, and the Baptiſms of Beltevers and their Seed, and that ſo they were many. Others would make theſe to be Jewiſh Baptiſms, trequently uſed by theſe Hebrews, as Ele- ments "to teach Faith and Repentance, and leading them to the further Knowledae of Chriſt. And the more they tutpect this, be- cauſe theſe Brptiſms are uſed but four times in the New Tettament, and always fignifyinz 7ewiſh ones, as chap. 9, 19. and Mark 7. 4,8. 2 The Fourth Fundamental Dottrine, or Principle was, the [mmpo- fition of Hands, which by Chrift and his Apoitles, were uſed either for healinz Diſeaſes, Mark 6. 5. Luke q. 40. Ls 23. 8. or com- munication of Blefſins, Matth. 19. 13, 15. or for the communica- tion of the extriordinary Gifts of the Holy Ghott, to fuch who were ſeparated for Chriſt's Service in his Church, Acts 6. 6. and 8.17. and 13. 3. and 19. 5, 6. and fo take in all the ſaving Fruits of the Holy Ghoſt, by which they are renewed, increaſed, ſtrength- ened, and built up into cverlaſting Life. Others woud make this a Primitive Rite of confirming the Eaptized grown up, on the Confel- ſion of their Faith, and renewing their Covenant with God, which was made tor, and with them in their Infancy, and fo was a prepa- ratory Admiſſion of them to communicate with the Church in the Lord's Supper. If other places of Scripture did concur with it, it would bz more clear and fatista&ory : Some louk on them as Baptiſm before to be Jewiſh Rites, which ſhould here lead them to Chriit ; but, on their negle&t of him, became beggarly Elements, and ſuch as they arc called from here unto higher Attainments 1n Chriit, þ The fifth Fundamental Principle and Dottrine of Chri- ſtiznity, in which they were initiated, is, the Doctrine of Reſurredtion from the Dead, This, as to the propriety and fulneſs ot it, 15 at the laſt Day, yet the entrance into tis is begun 1n a nevwv Lite, effett- ed by the Reſurre&iovn of Jeſus Chriſt, 7bn $. 25, to 39. - Rom. 6. 3,to 13. From this entrance are they called to maxe out to the tull Reſurrection of the Juſt, as the Apoſite did himfelt, Pl. 3. 19, tl, 12. This Article of the Goſpel-D5trine all Chriſtians were to be founded in, and eſpeciz!ly theſe Hebrews, becauſe it was denied by the Saduces among them, Matth. 22. 23. Acts 23. 6, 7, 8. derided by the Athenian Philoſophers, Acts 17. 18, 31, 22. And perverted by Hereticks, 2 Tim, 2. 17, 18. and 1s there- tore particulzrly aſſerted, as Ceſcribed by this Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 15. 7 The fixth Fundamental Do&rine and Principle of Chriſtianity, iato which they were fo be initiated, was that of the general Fulg- ment, finaily determining the Belicvers of 1t to their Rewards, the Deniers of it to their Efcrnal Puniſhment, becauſe the one hath oh- ſerved, the other violated the Covenant of Grace, Theſe Hebrews had begun to reach: this Truth, by beinz reconciled to their Judge, and therefore arc to proceed to perfect their Work to the Lord's glorious appearance, Chip. 9.27, 23. Ads 17. ZI. 2 Pet. 3. 7, 10, Is. Zudev. 5, 14, 13%. Aev. 20. 11, tO 15. ; 3 And this will we do &, * if God permit.
þ This conneRs the prime cauſe promoting this progreſs, and by whom alone it can be effeted, as well as his Reſolution of finiſh- ins his Diſcourſe of the Myſtery of Chriſt's Prieſthood, We will really, certainly and conſtantly I-ave our entrance into theſe Chri- ſtian, Fundaincntil Principles, and proceed unto perfetion in them, all of us real Chriſtians will do this. Others make it a purpoſe of the Apoſtle to handle theſe Doftrines at another Seaſon, and that he will nov proceed to inſtru& them in the hizher Myſteries of Chriſt and the Goſpel, and fo finiſk his deſigned Diſcourſe about them. / If God permit, whether it refers to their proceeding from the Know- ledge of the Chriſtian Principles, to the Perfettion of Knowledge or of growth in Chriſtian Graces, or of the Apoſtle's proceeding to open to them the higher Myſteries of the Goſpel ; it 1s not a kind of Pa/- free letting things to be done, or giving leave only ; God 1s not ſuh- jet to ſo weak a Condition : but 7t 7s all 4, noting God's Affi- ſtance as well as Permiffian ; for all Perſons and Things are 1n his Power, who worketh to will and todo, Phil. 2. 13, But as to a pro- greſs in Chriſtianity, and reaching the perte& Min, 7c. Fpheſ.q.13. It he, the Lord of all Knowledze and Grace, hath delight in us, and will work this Grace in us, then we ſhall do this, even g9 on unto
Perfeftion, H9/.1 4-5. Mal.q.2. 1 Cor.3.6, Chap.1 242.
4 For* it is impoſſible for thoſe whowere once en- lightned mw, and have taſted of + the heavenly git z, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghoſt -.