A Treatise of Baptism, by Henry Danvers, 1674

Baptist History Homepage

p. 1 A Treatise of Baptism, &c.
The First Part Proves Believers
Baptism under His Head,
Viz.
That the Baptism of Believers in only to be Esteemed Christ's Ordinance of Baptism.
By Henry Danvers, 1674
CHAP. 1
Wherein the Baptism of Believers is proved
To be the only true Baptism from Christ's
Positive Institution Commission; Viz.

Matth. 28. 18, 19.
      And Jesus came and spake unto the Disciples, saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and in 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 alway, even unto the end of the world. With
p. 2
Mark 16. 15, 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.
      Where we have this plain order of Christ laid down.
      First, That Men should be taught the Doctrine of Faith.
      Secondly, Being so taught, they should be baptized.
      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.
      Which method Mr. Baxter himself doth fully acknowledge in his Book called the Second Disputation of right to Sacraments, p. 149, 150. in his 16th Argument, in these Words, viz. This (saith he, speaking of the Commission of Christ to 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 Disciples, which are in Mark called Believers.
      The Second Work is to Baptize them, where to is annexed the promise of their Salvation.
      The Third work is to Teach them all other things, which are after to be learned in the School of Christ.
      To contemn this Order (saith he) is to contemn all Rules of Order, for where can we
p. 3
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 saving, that must go before Baptisms, 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.
      Calvin upon Mat. 3.6 saith, Therefore that Men may rightly offer themselves to Baptism, Confession of This is required, otherwise the whole Action would be nothing else but sport.
      Piscator, upon Mark 1.4. saith, It is called the Baptism of Repentance for Remission is sins, because John Preached the Remission of sins to the penitent Believers.
      Which Quotations of Mr. Baxters both here and hereafter sercht from that his second disputation, &c. I desire the Reader to take notice, I transcribe out of Mr. Tombe's Book, called Feto de fe, (that of Mr. Baxter being not, at hand, nor easily to be come by) in which Book Mr. Tombes every judiciously returns Mr. Baxter's twenty 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. Perkins in concurrence herewith upon these words; Teaching all Nations, Baptizing them, saith, I explain the terms thus; mark first
p. 4
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 Baptism. 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 Baptism. They that know not, nor consider this Order which God used in Covenanting with them in Baptism, deal preposterously, over stepping the Commandment of Repenting and Believing. And this (saith he) is the cause of so much profaneness in the World.
      Paraeus also upon Mat. 3. 5. shews, That the Order was, that Confession as a Testimony of true Repentance goe[s] first, and then Baptism for Remission of sins afterwards.
      But how is it possible for an Ignorant Babe, or any but men of Knowledge, to answer this Rule, and Order in Christ's Commission? Is left to common sence [sic] 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.
==========

A Treatise of Baptism Index
Baptist History Homepage