A Few LINES TOUCHING BAPTISM: SHOWING, I. What Baptism is; with its signification. II. Who are fit Subjects to be Baptised. III. The Good Old Way of Baptising. iv Some Objections Answered. By Matthew Fenn. Matth. 3.13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be Baptised of him. Jeremiah 6.16. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the Ways, and see and ask for the Old Paths, where is the Good Way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your Souls: But they said, We will not walk therein. LONDON: Printed for Matthew Fenn, at Coggshall in Essex. 1697. The Epistle. THese Lines I desire may be perused by serious Souls; and although some Men may not read them, yet I hope they will not abuse them: The Author's Endeavours extend not to that Greatness of Skill which some Men desire; yet tho' they may not profit all Men, they may do good to some. The Captious are always apt to despise that which the Prudent value; because that the Lord chooseth base Things to confound the Mighty: Therefore, my Christian Friends, ponder the matter, and arise, and be Baptised. Coggshall in Essex, 1696. Matthew Fenn. I. What Baptism is. BAPTISM is a Gospel-Ordinance, ordained by Christ Himself, when All Power was given him, both in Heaven and in Earth, Mat. 28.18, 19 And it is one of the great Witnesses Christ left to bear Record in Earth; as in 1 John. 5.8. There are three that bear Witness in Earth, the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood; and these Three agree in One. And so it is one of the great Sacraments of the New Testament, which signifieth the Death, Burial, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus; showing clearly, that as Christ died for our Sins, was buried, risen again from the dead, ascended up on high; even so we being dead to Sin, should be buried with him in Baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised from the dead; by the Glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life, Rom. 6.13, 4, 5. What Baptism is. BAptism is a Sacrament, Which to us signify, That God the Father Jesus sent, And he for us did die; And that he in the Grave was laid, And also buried, When he our dreadful Debt had paid, For which his Blood was shed: And that he did arise again, Ascended up on high, When he the Enmity had slain: All this it signify. And thus we plainly may perceive What was the Lord's intent, When he was pleased with us to leave This Holy Sacrament. II. Who may be Baptised. HE that believeth, and is baptised, shall be saved, Mark 16.16, But when they believed Philip preaching the Things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised both Men and Women, Acts 8.12. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain Water, and the Eunuch said, See, here is Water, what doth hinder me to be baptised? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou may'st. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the Chariot to stand still, and they went both down into the Water, both Philip and the Eunuch, and he baplised him. Acts 8.37, 38, 39 Then they that gladly received his Word, were baptised, Acts 2.41. And without Faith it is impossible to please God, Heb. 11.6. For whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin, Rom. 14.23. Who may be Baptised. HE that believes, and is baptised, 'Tis he shall saved be; For thus our Saviour dear advised, In Scripture you may see. Faith is that Grace which makes Souls fit Their Saviour to obey; Let, s labour then that Grace to get, To help us it the way. If thou with all thy heart believe, Philip the Eunuch told, Then Baptism thou may'st receive; And thus it was of old. But where that Grace cannot be found, We clearly understand, Such to baptise there is no ground, They build upon the sand. And when the stormy Winds do blow, And Rain it doth descend, Then great will be their Overthrow, And Woe will be their end. Then beg of God to give thee Faith To follow Christ herein; For as the holy Scripture saith, What's not of Faith, is sin. III. The good old Way of Baptising. JOhn did baptise in the Wilderness, and preached the Baptism of Repentance for the remission of Sins. And there went out to him all the Land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptised of him in the River Jordan, confessing their Sins, Mark 1.4.5. Matth. 3.1, 2, 5, 7. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptised of John (IN Jordan) (mark that.) And straightway coming up out of the Water, he saw the Heavens opened, and the Spririt like a Dove descending upon him. And there came a Voice from Heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, Mark 1.9, 10, 11. After these things came Jesus and his Disciples into the Land of Judea, and there he tarried with them, and baptised: John also was baptising in Enon near to Salim, because there was much Water there: And they Came (mark that) and were baptised, John 3.23. Acts 19.4, 5. said Paul, John verily baptised with the Baptism of Repentance, saying unto the People, That they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Christ. When they heard this, they were baptised in the Name of the Lord Jesus. And in Acts 8.36, 37, 38. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou may'st: And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the Chariot to stand still; and they went down both into the Water, both Philip and the Eunuch, and he baptised him. The Good Old Way of Baptising. Baptising is not Sprinkling, As fond some surmise; But it is quite another thing, To Dip is to Baptise. We find our Blessed Saviour went Down into Jordan's Flood, Mark 1.9. As in his Holy Testament Is clearly understood: For coming up from thence, we read The Heavens opened were, And the Trinity indeed, This Truth confirmed there: The Son down into Jordan went And coming up again, The Holy Ghost made a descent, And on him did remain; And lo a Voice from Heaven fell, 'Tis my Beloved Son, And he indeed hath pleased me well, In that which he hath done. But Men are now too lofty grown Their Saviour dear to follow; In vain Inventions of their own They'd rather lie and wallow. What, dipped as Christ was? that's too low For most in this our Age; Naaman-like they angry grow, 2 King. 5.11, 12. And fall into a Rage; As I myself have heard some say, As now I tell to thee, Before they would be saved that way, They'd never saved be. But the true, humble, gracious Soul, Their Saviour dear will eye, And follow him without control, There is great reason why. Christ's way it is the clearest case, Though Men do it gainsay; Be thou baptised as Jesus was, For that's the only way. iv Some Objections answered. And now why tarriest thou? arise and be baptised, Acts 22.16. I Pray mark well, my Christian Friend, And be thou well advised; This Counsel Christ to Paul did send, Acts. 9.6 Arise and be baptised. Pray what Objections canst thou make, Or wherefore dost thou tarry? God's Counsel now I pray thee take, Lest that thy Soul miscarry. The First Objection. It from the Pulpit hath been told, As now I tell to thee, Our English Climate is so cold, Too cold it is for me. If I this thing should undertake, And harm should catch thereby, The Truth may suffer for my sake, If I fall sick and die. Answer to the First Objection. Pray harken now, my Friend to me; If God thy Life should take, And thou shouldst not baptised be, What answer couldst thou make? If thou God's Council dost reject, Then he will be thy Foe; If thou thy Duty dost neglect, Then that will cause thy woe. Come, come, my Friend, and done't distrust The help of Christ thy Lord, For he did never prove unjust, Nor falsify his Word: His Grace it will sufficient be, His Power he'll make known, And he will surely stand by thee, If thou his Truth dost own. O then, I pray, God's Counsel take, And let thy Soul be prized; O beg the Lord for the Lord's sake. Arise and be baptised. The Second Objection. It is a mean despised way, A way that Men do scorn, And is so much despised this day, It hardly can be born: If I this thing should undertake, And should baptised be, My Friends I fear would me forsake, And look aloof on me. Answer. Callest thou that mean which Christ commands which he hath authorised? And we in Scripture understand He was himself baptised. And what, are Men now grown so proud, That Truth cannot be born? Do they against it cry aloud, And hold it in great scorn? How will they answer it at last, When Christ to Judgement call, When he on them Contempt shall cast, What woe will them befall? Then follow thou God's holy way, Although it be despised. Wouldst thou be blest another day? Arise and be baptised. The Third Objection. But I have in my Infancy Baptised already been: And what, should I now that deny, And be baptised again? Godfathers and Godmothers too, For me to God did vow, And that I hope for me will do; I pray what sayest thou now. Answer. In Infancy thou wast too young, (Mark well what here I say,) Thou shouldst confess Christ with thy Tongue, And then his Truth obey. Thy Godfathers and Mothers which Of them thou seem'st to boast, In Scripture we can find none such, Therefore thy Strength is lost. These are but things ordained by Men, By Men they were devised. O be not thou deceived then, Arise and be baptised. The Fourth Objection. But I a true Believer am, And truly fear the Lord, And reverence his holy Name, According to his Word: The Lord his holy Spirit he Now unto me hath given; And must I yet baptised be, Who am baptised from Heaven? This is enough without control, I pray make no reply; This is enough to save my Soul, No Man can this deny. Answer. This is indeed a blessed estate. With thee I will agree; And 'tis as plain without debate, Thou may'st baptised be. Cornelius was as good a Man, Acts. 10, 1, 48. As most that we can find, As by the Scripture prove I can, He few Men came behind: Devout he was, and feared the Lord, And prayed most fervently, His Alms they were so spread abroad, They reached above the Sky. Yea, and the holy Spirit too, God unto him had given; And yet we find he'd work to do, Although baptised from Heaven; Baptised he must with Water be, It stood him so in hand, As in the Scripture you may see, Peter did so command. And now from hence I do infer, The better that Men be, That they thereby the sitter are Baptised for to be. Therefore no longer stout it out, But be thou advertised; It is thy Duty, make no doubt, Arise and be baptised. The Fifth Objection. Pray hear me yet this one thing more, It was so in its day; But now Baptizings out of door, And vanished quite away. Answer. Alas, poor Soul! who told thee so? Is't not Preachings Companion? Matt. 28.19.20. It is of God the Scriptures show, And can't be nulled by Man. This is a subtle thing indeed, By crafty Men surmised, Therefore I pray repent with speed, Arise and be baptised. The Call to Submit. COme, Friend, what linger yet like Lot? What, loath for to obey That Blessed Lamb that had no Spot, Arise and come away. The Lamb of God let's follow now, he doth go; He was baptised, and so must thou, He hath commanded so. Tho' thou wast born of Parents good, And hast by them been trained, And many things hast understood, By Natural Parts attained; If Abraham had thy Father been, And thou hadst been Rantized, 'Twill not suffice; I say again, Arise and be Baptised. By another Hand. SHall the Son of God Baptised be, By his Great Forerunner John? The Almighty Father and Eternal Spirit With pleasure too look on: Luke. 3.21.22, 23. And shall not I, poor called Soul, Most gladly submit thereto! For it's a favour He will bid me do. Shall the Potent Prince Emanuel Send o'er the Universe His Ambassadors, for to proclaim His Greatness, and Baptise? And shall not Grace prevail with me To bow myself, give Christ the Crown, And be Baptised as he doth enjoin! Shall th' Eternal Spirit, Father and Son Work wonderfully for ever, Conquering stubborn rebellious, Wills, That Salvation may be secure? And shall not I that conquered am, By his Goodness and his Power, Be Baptised as his Subject evermore. FINIS.