I replied: "That to be denied communion by any real Christian congregation, of which one is a member, is a matter of great weight and consequence; for certainly God is with and in his own appointments: and whoever is denied by the church of Christ, is denied by Himself for so far as she acts in and by his Spirit, which is ever in her, and present with her, it is his act by her; and in that respect she is called the ground and pillar of truth: and offenders, so denied, undergo, even in this life, a burden more sinking than the loss of all they have in the world.

But where any form of excommunication is invented only by the wisdom or policy of men from secular views, with punishments of their own contriving annexed, the Lord doth not co-operate there, nor own that ordinance; so that the punishments awarded, which are often inadequate, cruel, and unjust, are all that the excommunicated sustain; not for the salvation of the soul, but satisfying the ends of power, pride, covetousness, and envy; to the destruction of the character, estate, body, and family, if not ruin of the soul, by complying under such grievous temptations, with heterodox errors in opinion, and practices immoral, idolatrous, and antichristian; fruits of the inventions

of apostate and fallen spirits, by whom the children of men are deceived."

What he would have replied to this, or whether any thing, I do not know; but being near the house, we were called to supper, and that being over he began to introduce other matter of controversy.

First, he saluted me with some encomiums, to tame me, though I was very peaceable and my spirit over him in myself, that he might cast his net with greater certainty and success: "Sir," said he, "I have heard a very good character of you, both as to your understanding, and other qualifications and accomplishments; from which I conclude, it must have been something extraordinary or very particular, which hath induced you to embrace a religion and opinions, so much and so generally exploded by men of sense and penetration; and as sufficient reasons, to yourself at least, for what you have done on that account, cannot be wanting to a man of your repute, I beg leave to ask you some questions, that I may be better informed than yet I have been, concerning the religion you now profess. "Do you believe there ever was such a man in the world as Jesus Christ?"

This question looked scurrilous; yet, perceiving he meant to lay a foundation for some further

superstructure, I answered: "Yes, we believe all that is written in the Holy Scriptures concerning our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and upon as good a foundation and evidence, if not better, than any who have pretended to suspect us on that account."

Then he went on: "Do you believe that Jesus Christ made choice of twelve persons, called his apostles ?"

I answered: "Yes."

Again, said he: "Do you believe that Christ commanded his apostles to go teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?"

I answered: "Yes, with some restrictions and observations now to be noted, we do."

He continued to interrogate: "Do you believe that the apostles of Christ did go and preach and baptize, according to this command ?" I answered, as before: "Yes."

66 Then," said he: "how can you be Christians, or disciples of Christ, who deny this baptism, and do not at all practise it ?"

Then I asked him: "If he did believe and those of his communion, that the Lord Jesus, at that time, thereby instituted water baptism ?"

He answered: "They did believe, that Christ did by these words, at that time, institute water baptism."

I

Then I answered: "That if they were not Christians, who declined the use of water bap tism, I would prove, that neither himself, nor the Pope, nor any of his communion, are Chris tians; they not being baptized at all in the practice of what Christ commanded or instituted, at that time, on that account, as followeth:

"John the Baptist, being commanded by the Word of God to baptize the Jews in water, foretold them of another Baptizer much preferable to himself, and of a baptism super-excelling his, being of another nature, and more pow erful and efficacious, with the Holy Ghost and fire-and this baptizer is Christ; who, having been obedient unto the ordinance of the Law of Moses, under which, as man, He was born into this world, and having fulfilled, in his own Person, all the righteousness thereof incumbent upon Him, according to the prophets, He was also baptized of John with water; thereby not only submitting to that dispensation, as an ordinance of God for the time being, but also fulfil ing all righteousness in his own person; that being declared from heaven to be the Son of God, He might, from thenceforth, through the Divine anointing poured upon Him above all his brethren, and without measure, be the dispenser of all righteousness and Truth unto all generations.

"And from thenceforth He preached repentance to the Jews as John did, and by his disciples, but not in his own person, baptized likewise with water, as an intermediate dispensation between the law and the Gospel : but with this difference, John baptized for a time, without directing the subjects of his baptism to any certain object of faith, saying, they must believe in One that was to come after him; for he did not then know that Jesus was the Christ; but the disciples of Christ, as also John, from the time of the baptism of Jesus, having believed in Him, as He is the Messiah, preached not only repentance, but also that Jesus is the Christ and Saviour promised of God unto Israel; and consequently directed them unto Him, as the true object of their faith, and baptized in his Name, and by his authority whilst yet present with them and yet water baptism is but water baptism, whether administered by Christ Himself, or by any other He may command; nor did John, or the disciples of Christ, administer water baptism in that day to any but the Jews or proselytes among them.

"But after Christ had been crucified, and had arisen from the dead, his disciples being with Him, a little before He ascended into heaven, He said unto them, the eleven: All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye