Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

SECT VII. The same confirmed from the Apostles doctrine and practice in pursuance of the Commission, Matth. 28. 19, 20.

How necessary holy Baptism is to the State of a true Church further appears, First, from the Apostles doctrine, to whom Christ immediate∣ly gave his Commission, Matth. 28. In which we find no man exempt from the dutiful observation of it, as they came to the profession of Christian religion. For thus did the Apostles teach. Repent and be bap∣tized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your Sins. Act. 2. 38. If thou believest with all thy Heart thou mayest be bap∣tized. Act. 10. 47, 48. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be Baptized which have received the holy Ghost, as well as we? and he com∣manded them to be Baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Hence we learn that the Apostles, did not hold men in long suspence about the way of Gods worship, but having set forth Jesus Christ Crucified, and reached the hearts of men by convincing them of Sin, they presently tell their Heart-pricked and enquiring auditors, it is their uncontro∣lable duty to be Baptized with water (can any man forbid, &c. no such matter) and having thus put off the old Man, and put on Jesus Christ in Baptism, then to make their progress, by continuing sted∣fastly in the Apostles doctrine and Fellowship, and in breaking bread, and in Prayers, Act. 2. 41. Act. 10. ult.

Agreable to which doctrine was their frequent practise, three thou∣sand being Baptized in one day upon their repentance and receiving the Gospel gladly, Act. 2. 37, 38, 40, 41, And according to this pat∣tern, Philip proceeded in the further advance of the Gospel among the Samaritans. Act. 8. 12. when they believed they were Baptized both men and women. And as the first Eminent propagators of Christia∣nity observed this method, even so did Paul, among the Gentiles, where he was most conversant, as is evident in the Plantation of the Church at Philippi, Act. 16. 14. 33, 34, 35. and the Church at Corinth. Act. 18. 8. and by sundry passages in his Epistles, as Rom. 6. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Ephes. 4. 5. Gal. 3. 26, 27. Colos. 2. 11, 12. From whence is fairely col∣lected, that this solemn ordinance had been religiously observed by all those Churches in their plantation. And hence also we conclude the necessity of this holy precept, to an orderly constitution of all Christian Churches to the end of World; the reasons for its conti∣nuance in all Churches, being the same for which it was ordained for the first Churches; seeing we have as much need of remission of

sins as they, and therefore of the Baptism of repentance for the re∣mission of them as well as they, we have the same need to be dead with Christ as they, and therefore to be buried with Christ in Bap∣tism, as well as they, we are as much obliged to put off the old Man with his Deeds as they, and therefore to be renewed in the Spirit of our mind, to put on Christ in Baptism as well as they, yea we have as much need to hold the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace as they, and therefore have the same need to be engaged to it by one Baptism as well as they, and these things lead us to the fourth point, and that is the nature of the Ordinance it self.

Notes

• All Churches have as much need of Baptism as the primitive Churches.