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who was never baptized with water, neither by Christ nor the Apostles, nor any body else, yet was baptized with the Spirit, and the baptism of the Spirit was sufficient for the baptist, without any water-baptism; and so Christ's Spirit-baptism by the word, is sufficient for all the faithful now, without John's water-baptism; for he that is truly washed from all filthiness of flesh and Spirit, and hath the Holy Ghost in him to renew his nature, and to conform him exactly to Christ's own image, and to work him in this present world, into the true similitude of heaven, and to be in him a fountain of water, springing up unto everlasting life, what need hath he of cold material water to be poured on his body, under the pretence of any sign whatever, either of Moses or John, when-as, he hath the truth, substance, and heavenly thing itself?

Now this, it may be, may seem strange and dangerous to some of low, and fleshly, and customary religion; but let all such (if it be possible) consider, that where the substance comes, the shadow is at an end; and the ceremony where the truth comes; and the creature were God comes: And if they understand not this for the present, I hope they may understand it afterwards; for we speak not at uncertainties in this point, what we have in some measure seen, and felt, and handled of the word oflife, that we deliver to you, that ye may have fellowship with us; and truly, our fellowship is with the Father, and his son Jesus Christ, through the Spirit.

Isaiah lviii. 12.

And they that shall be of thee (that is, of the church that is born of the Spirit) shall build the old waste places, (made such by the church that is born of the flesh) thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations (by the clear revealing of Christ, his kingdom and all his things, according to the ministration of the Spirit) and thou shalt be called the Repairer of the breach, the Restorer of paths to dwell in. (Here Christ vrites upon the forementioned church his own new name.) 3 G

THE

TRIAL OF SPIRITS,

BOTH IN

TEACHERS AND HEARERS;

Wherein is held forth, the clear Discovery and certain Downfall,

OF THE

CARNAL AND ANTICHRISTIAN CLERGY OF THESE NATIONS;

TESTIFIED FROM THE WORD OF GOD,

TO THE

UNIVERSITY-CONGREGATION IN CAMBRIDGE.

BY WILLIAM DELL.

Whereunto is added,

A plain and necessary Confutation of divers gross Errors, delivered by Mr. Sydrach Simpson,

IN A SERMON, PREACHED TO THE SAME CONGREGATION, AT THE COMMENCEMENT, ANNO 1653.

Wherein, among other things, is declared, that the Universities (according to their present Statutes and Practices) are not (as he affirmed) answerable to the Schools of the Prophets, in the time of the Law; but rather to the Idolatrous High Places.

And that Humam Learning, is not a Preparation appointed by Christ either for the right understanding, or right teaching the Gospel. With a brief Testimony against Divinity-Degrees in the Universities.

As also Luther's testimony at large upon the whole matter.

And lastly, The right reformation of Learning, Schools, and Universities, according to the State of the Gospel, and the Light that shines therein.

All necessary for the Instruction and Direction of the Faithful, in these last times.

THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.

To all the truly faithful, the very little Flock of Christ in these Nations, now despised, and almost worn out (according to the prophecies) for the word of God, and Testimony which they hold.

Grace be multiplied unto you, and Peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, our head and Hope.

I COULD not choose but distinguish you thus, from all the rest of the people of these nations, of what condition or quality soever, seeing God himself hath first done it, having chosen you to himself in Christ, and set you apart for himself, as a peculiar people, zealous of good works. And I have chosen to speak this only to you, because ye are all taught of God, and have heard and learned from Him, the truth as it is in Jesus: And because you have an inward unction from God, whereby you know the truth from error, though it be never so much reproached by carnal christians; and whereby you know error from the truth, though it be never so much exalted and magnified by them. You are those spiritual men, who judge all things, because you have received the word and Spirit of judgment in Christ, from the Father. Besides, you are the men whom God will use in his greatest and most glorious works, which he hath yet to do in the world; to wit, in the destruction of the kingdom of antichrist, and in the setting up, and enlarging the kingdom of Christ; which things are not to be done by the might and power of worldly magistrates (which, it may be, you have not received; and if you had, it would not be helpful here) but by the Spirit of the Lord, which you

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