children are conceived and born in sin, and therefore are children of wrath; insomuch that we can not enter into the Kingdom of God, except we are born again : which is signified by the application of water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Secondly, Holy Baptism witnesseth and sealeth unto us the washing away of our sins through Jesus Christ. For when we are baptized in the Name of the Father: God the Father sealeth unto us that He doth make an eternal Covenant of Grace with us, and adopts us for His children and heirs. And when we are baptized in the Name of the Son: God the Son sealeth unto us that He doth wash us in His blood from all our sins; so that we are accounted righteous before God. And, in like manner, when we are baptized in the Name of the Holy Ghost: God the Holy Ghost assures us that He will dwell in us, and apply that which we have in Christ, namely, the washing away of our sins, and the daily renewing of our lives, till we shall finally be presented without spot or wrinkle among the Elect in life eternal. Thirdly, Whereas in all covenants there are contained two parts, therefore are we through Baptism obliged unto new obedience: namely, that we cleave to this

one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; that we forsake the world, crucify our old nature, and walk in a new and holy life.

And if we sometimes through weakness fall into sin, we must not therefore despair of God's mercy, nor continue in sin, since Baptism is a seal and undoubted testimony, that we have an eternal Covenant of Grace with God.

And although our young children do not understand these things, they are not therefore to be excluded from Baptism. For as they are without their knowledge partakers of the condemnation in Adam, so are they again received unto grace in Christ. For God said unto Abraham, the father of all the faithful, and therefore unto us and our children, I will establish My Covenant between Me and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant; to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. This is confirmed by the Apostle Peter, saying, For the promise is unto you, and to your children. Therefore God formerly commanded them to be circumcised, which was a seal of the covenant, and of the righteousness of faith. And therefore Christ also embraced them, laid His hands upon them, and blessed them,

Forasmuch then as Baptism is come in the place of Circumcision, infants are to be baptized, as heirs of the Kingdom of God, and of His Covenant. And parents are in duty bound, further to instruct their children herein, when they shall have arrived at years of discretion. That therefore this holy Ordinance of God may be administered to His glory, to our comfort, and to the edification of His Church: let us call Holy Name.

upon His

PRAYER.

ALMIGHTY and Eternal God, we beseech Thee

that Thou wilt be pleased of Thine infinite mercy graciously to look upon these children; and incorporate them by Thy Holy Spirit into Thy Son Jesus Christ that they may be buried with Him unto His death, and be raised with Him in newness of life; that they may daily follow Him, joyfully bearing their cross, and cleave unto Him in true faith, firm hope, and ardent love; that they may with a comfortable sense of Thy favour leave this life, which is nothing but a continual death; and at the last day appear without terror before the judgment-seat of Christ Thy Son Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who with Thee

:

and the Holy Ghost, one only God, lives and reigns AMEN.

for ever.

AN EXHORTATION,

To the Parents, and those who come with them to Baptism.

ELOVED in the Lord Jesus Christ, you have

BELOVED

heard that Baptism is an Ordinance of God, to seal unto us and to our seed His covenant. Therefore it must be used for that end, and not out of custom or superstition. That it may then be manifest that you are thus minded, you are to answer sincerely to these questions:

First, Do you acknowledge that, although our children are conceived and born in sin, and therefore under condemnation: yet they are sanctified in Christ, and therefore, as members of His Church, ought to be baptized?

Secondly, Do you acknowledge the doctrine which is contained in the Old and New Testaments, and in the articles of the Christian faith, and which is taught here in this Christian Church, to be the true and complete doctrine of salvation?

*My children, Ezek. xvi. 21. They are holy, 1 Cor. vii. 14,

Thirdly, Do you promise and intend to see these children, when come to years of discretion, instructed and brought up in the aforesaid doctrine, to the utmost of your power?

Answer. Yes.

N..

Then the Minister of God's Word, in baptizing, shall say:

I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and "of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. AMEN.

Α

THANKSGIVING.

LMIGHTY God and Merciful Father, we thank

and praise Thee that Thou hast promised to forgive us and our children all our sins, through the blood of Thy beloved Son Jesus Christ; and to receive us through the Holy Ghost as members of Thy Son, and to adopt us as Thy children. We bless and praise Thee that Thou hast sealed and confirmed these promises unto us by Holy Baptism. We beseech Thee, through the same Son of Thy love, that Thou wilt be pleased always to govern these baptized children by Thy Holy Spirit; that they may be piously brought up, in the nurture and admonition of the