A Treatise of Baptism

p. 1CHAP. I. Wherein the Baptism of Believers is proved to be the only true Baptism, [I. From Christ's positive Commission.] from Christs positive Institution and Commission, viz. MATT. 28.18, 19.

ANd Iesus spake unto the Disciples, saying, All Power is given to me in Heaven & Earth, Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy-Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo I am with you alwayes unto the end of the world. With

Mark 16.16. And he said unto them, Go Ye into all the World, and Preach the Gospel to every Creature. He that believeth and is Baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned,

p. 2Where we have have this plain order of Christ laid down.

First, That men should be taught the Doctrine of Faith; And Secondly, Being so taught, they should be Baptized; And thirdly, That they should in his School [or Church, whereof they are then made Members] be instructed in every thing else, they ought to learn.

[Baxter.] Which Method Mr. Bauter himself doth fully acknowledge in his Book called, The Second Disputation of right to Sacraments, P. 149, 150. in his 16th. Argument, where he hath these Words, viz. This (saith he, speaking of the Commission of Christ ◊o his Disciples) is not like some occasional mention of Baptism; but it is the very Commission it self of Christ to his Disciples for Preaching and Baptizing, and purposely expresseth their several Works, in their several places and Orders.

Their First task is to make Di◊ciples, which are by Mark called Believers. The Second work is to Baptize them; whereto is annexed the Promise of their Salvation. The Third work is ◊o teach them all other things, which are after to be learned in the School of Christ.

p. 3To contemn this Order (saith he) is to contemn all Rules of Order; for where can we expect to find it, if not here. I profess, my Conscience is fully satisfied from this Text, that it is one sort of Faith, even saying, that must go before Baptisme, the Profession whereof the Minister must expect, [But is it possible, that an Ignorant Babe can observe this Order, and answer this expectation] of which (saith he) see, what is to this purpose before cited by Calvin and Piscator, which he also mentions, P. 85. viz.

p. 3Calvin [Calvin] upon Mat. 3.6. saith, Therefore, that men may rightly offer themselves to Baptism, Confession of sins is required, otherwise the whole Action would be nothing else but sport.

Piscator, [Piscator.] upon Mark 1.4. saith, It is called the Baptism of Repentance for Remission of sins, because John Preached the Remission of sins to the Penitent Believers.

Which Quotations of Mr. Baxters both here and hereafter fetcht from that his second disputation, &c. I desire the Reader to take notice, I transcribe out of Mr. Tombe's Book, called Fel◊ de se, (th◊t of Mr. Baxter being not p. 4not at hand, nor easily to be come by) in which Book Mr. Tombes very judiciously returns Mr. Baxters 20. Arguments, he wrote against Mr. Blake, upon himself, as naturally opposing Infants Baptism. And which I conclude were faithfully recited, and would hope convincingly improved, because Mr. Baxter hath never contradicted them, that I have heard, nor given the least reply thereto, as his Bookseller informeth.

[Mr. Perk.] Mr. Perkins in concurrence herewith upon these words; Teaching all Nations, Baptizing them, saith, I explain the terms thus; mark first of all, it is said, Teach them, that is, Make them my Disciples, by calling them to believe, and to repent. Here we are to consider the Order, which God observes in making with men a Covenant in Baptisme. First of all he calls them by his Word, and commands them to believe and to repent. Then in the second place, God makes his promise of Mercy and Forgiveness. And Thirdly, He Seals his promise by Baptisme. They that know not, nor consider this Order which God used in Covenanting with t◊em in ◊aptisme, deal preposterously, p. 5oversliping the Commandment of Repenting and Believing. And this (saith he) is the cause of so much profaneness in the world.

Paraeus [Paraeus.] also upon Mat. 3.5. shews, That the Order was, that Confession as a Testimony of true Repentance goe first, and then Baptisme for Remission of sins afterwards.

But how possible it is for an Ignorant Babe, or any but men of Knowledge to answer this Rule, and Order in Christs Commission is left to common sence to determine: And whether they that assert another Order, viz. of Baptizing first, and then teaching and expecting Repentance and Faith after, (which is the case of all Children) do not contradict this, and hold out thereby a necessity of some other Commission to justifie such a practice.

p. 6CHAP. II. Wherein the Baptizing of Believers is proved to be the only Baptism from the Apostles Doctrine teaching the same. ACTS 2.37.

[II. From the Apostles Doctrine.] ANd when they heard this they were pricked at the Heart, and said unto Peter, and the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptiz◊d every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the Remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8.36, 37. And the Eunuch said, See here is Water, what doth hinder me to be baptized. And Philip said unto him, If thou believest with all thy Heart, thou mayst.

Acts 10.42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, to testifie, That it is he, which was ordained of God to be Judge of quick and dead; To him gave p. 7all the Prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him, shall receive Remission of sins, while Peter spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word, &c. Then said Peter, Can any man forbid Water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy-Ghost, as well as we. And he commanded them to be baptized.