Obj. 2.Secondly, They object, Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Answ.This is the great Objection, and upon which they build the whole Superstructure; whereunto the first general and sound Answer is, by granting the whole; What Baptism Christ doth mean in Mat. 28.but putting them to prove that Water is here meant, since the Text is silent of it. And though in Reason it be sufficient upon our Part that we concede the whole expressed in the Place, but deny that it is by Water, which is an Addition to the Text, yet I shall premise some Reasons why we do so, and then consider the Reasons alleged by those that will have Water to be here understood.
Arg. 1.The First is a Maxim yielded to by all, That we ought not to go from the literal Signification of the Text, except some urgent Necessity force us thereunto.
But no urgent Necessity in this Place forceth us thereunto:
Therefore we ought not to go from it.
Arg. 2.Secondly, That Baptism which Christ commanded his Apostles was the one Baptism, id est, his own Baptism:
But the one Baptism, which is Christ’s Baptism, is not with Water, as we have already proved:
Therefore the Baptism commanded by Christ to his Apostles was not Water-baptism.
Arg. 3.Thirdly, That Baptism which Christ commanded his Apostles was such, that as many as were therewith baptized did put on Christ: