A Treatise of Baptism, by Henry Danvers, 1674

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A Treatise of Baptism
by Henry Danvers, 1674
p. 5

CHAP. 2
Wherein the baptizing of Believers is proved to be the only Baptism from Apostles' Doctrine teaching the same.

Acts. 2. 37, 38.
      And when they heard this, they were pricked at the Heart, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and Brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized 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 thine Heart, thou mayst.
      Acts 10. 42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testifie, That it is he, which was ordained of God to be Judge of quick and dead; to him gave all 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.
      Acts 16. 29 And the Keeper of the Prison fell down before Paul and Silas, and said, Sirs, What
p. 6
must I do to be saved; and he said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy House. And accordingly he believing in God and his House, as it is said, v. 34. was baptized he and all his straight way.
      To which may be added the Apostolic Order in laying down the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, viz.
      First, Repentance from dead works.
      Secondly, Faith towards God.
      Thirdly, The Doctrine of Baptismes, Heb. 6.12.
      Bede saith, That men were first to be instructed into the knowledge of the Truth, then to be baptized, as Christ hath taught, because without Faith it was impossible to please God. Magdeburg. Cent. 8. p. 220.
      Erasmus, in his Paraphrase upon Mat. 28. Observeth, that the Apostles were commanded first to Teach, and then to Baptize. The Jews were brought by Ceremonies to the Knowledge of the Truth, but Christians must learn first.
      So that doth it not from hence necessarily follow, that if the Apostles only taught, that persons should be baptized after Repentance, and Faith, according to the Commission, and that there is no instance to be found of any other teaching, that then such should be baptized, and no other. And for any to introduce another practice, it is not only contrary to Christ's Commission, but contradictious to the Apostles teachings.
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