practice; and that it had been us'd by the Hebrews, long before his time, in like manner as the Mahometans imitated the Ishmaelites in their pilgrimages to Mecca. Jesus indeed submitted to the baptism of John, as he had suffer'd himself to be circumcis'd; but circumcision and the washing with water ought to be abolish'd by the baptism of Christ, that baptism of the spirit, that ablution of the soul, which is the salvation of mankind. Thus the forerunner said, I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire[1]. Likewise Paul the great apostle of the Gentiles, writes as follows to the Corinthians; Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel[2]; and indeed Paul never baptiz'd but two persons with water, and that very much against his inclinations. He circumcis'd his disciple Timothy, and the other disciples likewise circumcis'd all who were willing
