*

runner, yet at the same time he said, "He that is least in the kingdom of God, is greater than he." This implies that the lowest attainment in the spiritual dispensation of Christ, is superior in nature to the highest in John's ministration this being but the temporary sign, and that, the substantial and permanent reality signified by it.

Let us now consider what the commission was, and to whom it was given. It appears to have been merely verbal; for we find it was not immediately attended with the authority requisite to its execution. The qualification still necessary was the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, which the disciples were to receive afterwards; without which they were not to enter upon the work of the ministry, but to wait in patience for its illuminating and powerful virtue, to put them forth, and to abilitate them for their service. † "Behold," said the great Minister of the sanctuary, "I send the promise of my father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." " John truly baptised with water; but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence," "ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Thus was the Spiritual baptism of Christ, which had been predicted by John, to commence

*Luke vii. 28.

+ Luke xxiv. 49.

+ Acts i. 5.

Acts v. 8.

first upon the ministry, and through them to be communicated to the people; for they were to teach baptising into the same spirit themselves were baptised with. Unless the ministers were baptised with the spirit, they could not baptise their believing hearers with it; nor could their hearers without faith receive it.

This appears to be the baptism intended in the commission; for it relates not to the baptism of John, but to that of Christ, and holds forth the preaching of the Gospel in the spirit and power of God. Therefore the commission was given to those in the primitive age, who were divinely inspired for that purpose, and it unquestionably reaches to their successors IN THE SAME SPIRIT and to such only, to the end of the world.

The words of the commission are, * "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them, ELS TO Ovopa, into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." The word name here is not to be understood literally, but of that divine power, virtue and heavenly influence, which emphatically denotes and characterizes the Godhead above all other beings; which our Lord often expressed by the same word. John xvii. 6. "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me;" ver. 12. "I kept them in thy name;" and ver. 11. he prayed, "Holy Father keep through thine own name, those whom thou hast given me!" In this name is strength and salvation. "The name of

* Mat. xxviii. 19.

+ Prov. xviii. 10.

*

the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.' The knowledge of it gives faith. "They that know thy name will put their trust in thee." It is the consolating unction from the Holy One. † "Thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore do the virgins (the chaste in heart) love thee." Into the internal virtue and influence of this sacred and all sufficient name, or spirit, are all the truly regenerate measurably baptised; for, "If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his." The apostles, with many of the primitive brethren, received this baptism into the name, or spirit, of the Godhead to a high degree, which enabled them to teach baptising with such efficacy, that multitudes § were pricked in their heart, "and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus," so that even their enemies were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which they spake.

Peter relating the result of his visit to Cornelius and his company, about eight years after the great effusion of the Holy Ghost at the time of Penticost, thus testifies to its baptising power in the true ministry of the word : ** "As I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptised with water; but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost." This plainly

Psalm ix. 10. † Cant. i. 3. ‡ Rom. viii. 9. § Acts ii. 37. || Acts iv. 33.. T Acts. vi. 10. **Acts xi. 15. 10.

shews that the spiritual baptism of Christ accompanied their preaching, and therefore was the baptism intended in his commission.

The same apostle also witnesses more generally, * that the gospel was preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.

Some object, that it is not in the power of men, but of God only, to baptise with the Holy Ghost: but let such consider, that he is pleased to work instrumentally, as well as immediately; and though in a common way of expression, we may say, the ministers of Christ baptise with the spirit of Christ; it is no more meant that they can do it in their own wills, or by their own powers, than it was so intended of the primitive ministers, who are said to work miracles. To the Lord alone is the power and glory of all to be attributed. He is the sole effecter of all good, and the best of men are but his instruments when he is pleased to make use of them; yet by a metonymy of the instrument for power that useth it, it is usual to say, such a person instantly made the cripple to walk, healed the diseased, or conferred the Holy Ghost, without any intention to attribute that to man which is only due to God.

"Without me," said our Lord to his disciples, "ye can do nothing." But when he had endued them with the spirit, ‡ they ministered the spirit, as well as the doctrines of Christianity; for true gospel ministry is not that of words only, but of words with power. Therefore the true

* 1 Peter i. 12,

+ John xv.

15,

+ Gal, iii, 5.

minister of the gospel always baptiseth more or less, in his ministry, according to the measure of divine influence upon him; who without it would be only as salt without savour, however he might be furnished with scholastic argument and human eloquence. These may entertain the head, and move the passions, which is not the business of an inspired minister; but to subject them, and to instruct, and quicken the soul' into an inward sense of the effective power and virtue of the divine life. "My speech, and my preaching," said Paul, though a learned person, "was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit, and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

Our Lord constantly gave his followers an example of this baptismal teaching in his own practice; which induced his hearers to confess, that he taught † with authority, and not as the scribes. They were astonished at his doctrine ; for his word was with power. The scribes had human authority, but his was divine; which so struck even the officers sent by the chief priests and Pharisees to take him, that they excused themselves by saying "Never man spake like this man." This was unquestionably true; for if any other spoke the same words, none could enforce them with the same fulness of divine power and authority. Thus he led the way to what he afterwards commissioned

* 1 Cor. ii. 4, 5.' † Mat. vii. 29.

+ Luke iy. 32.

§ John vii. 46..