due for former sins, whether original or actual; and if they afterwards lead a life agreeing with their Christian profession, they will enjoy all the benefits and blessings which are enumerated in this prayer,

The second Collect for the Child is equally important, Almighty and immortal GOD, the aid of all that need,' &c. This prayer expresses the earnestness and importunity with which those who are already by the DIVINE CHARTER of the CHRISTIAN COVENANT, citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, should supplicate in behalf of a Child who is going to be baptized, that the same blessings and privileges may be bestowed on him.

The Minister has prayed that the water he is about to use as the outward and visible sign in the HOLY SACRAMENT may be sanctified to the mystical washing away of sin, and he can apply it agreeably to the divine commandment; but he can do no more; the heavenly cleansing must be the work of God. The child is brought as it were to Heaven's gate, but GOD alone can give him admittance to the Heavenly kingdom. Our blessed Lord has, however, assured us in his Gospel that those that seek shall find; that those that ask shall have; and that to those that knock it shall

'be

be opened;' so we have every reason to hope that the heavenly benediction fervently prayed for, by a Christian congregation, in behalf of the candidate for Baptisin, will be granted. And what Christian would withhold his prayers on such an occasion? The portion of Scripture which follows is particularly designed to encourage godfathers and godmothers to answer for the child, whose Sureties they have taken upon themselves to be. Hear the words of the Gospel, says the minister, and most comfortable words they are!

They brought young children to Christ that he 'should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them; but when JESUS saw it, he

was much displeased, and said, Suffer little chil

dren to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child he shall not enter therein.' The Exhortation that follows in the Prayer Book renders any explanation here unnecessary.

'Beloved, ye hear in the Gospel,' &c.

Since Baptism is the only means by which Infants can now be brought to CHRIST, the godfathers and godmothers may rest assured that Gop

is well pleased with their charity, in bringing so fit an object of his mercy; they may therefore proceed in the good work they have undertaken without the least doubt of its efficacy; but before they answer for the Infant it is very proper that they should acknowledge the goodness of GOD to themselves, and pray for an increase of divine knowledge, and a confirmation of their, Faith, and offer up at the same time their supplication in behalf of the Infant; for this purpose the following Thanksgiving and Prayer is added, in which every one present should devoutly join. Let us therefore do so, calling to mind at the same time our own baptismal vow.

Almighty and everlasting GoD, Heavenly Fa'ther, we give thee hnmble thanks,' &c.

After the Thanksgiving, the minister again addresses the godfathers and godmothers.

'Dearly beloved, ye have brought this child here to be baptized; ye have prayed that our LORD JESUS CHRIST would vouchsafe to receive him,'&c.

In this Exhortation, the Sureties are reminded of what they have already done, in respect to the Infant, and of what they have heard on God's

part

part from our blessed Saviour; and they are told what is expected on the CHILD's part, which as he is not able to promise in his own name, they must answer for him till he be of age to answer for himself; because he cannot be admitted into the CHRISTIAN COVENANT without promising these things, namely, to renounce the devil and all his works; constantly to believe God's Holy Word; and obediently to keep his Commandments. The godfathers and godmothers are therefore now to stand forth with seriousness and devotion, to answer the questions which the minister puts to them.

'Dost thou in the name of this child renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of 'the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so 'that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them?"

The Infant himself is certainly insensible of the kindness of those who thus promise in his stead, but if he were capable of knowing the enemies he is required to renounce, he would gladly promise these things in his own name; and he will be ready hereafter to acknowledge the obligation conferred upon him by his godfathers and godmothers, unless his education should be neglected, or his mind perverted.

verted. The Sponsors may therefore very safely answer. I renounce them all.

The above questions put by the ministers to the godfathers and godmothers come home to the bosoms of every one present, for they have been asked on the part of each individual; and in their names respectively have the things mentioned been renounced. Should not this repetition, then, in our hearing, put us upon recollecting how far we have fulfilled the solemn promise made for us at our Baptism (and probably ratified in our own person by the sacred rite of CONFIRMATION) and how far we have departed from it.

Besides renouncing the three great spiritual enemies of mankind, the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, which is Repentance; those who are to be baptized, are required to profess their belief of all the Articles of the Christian Faith. The Minister therefore says to the sponsors, Dost thou believe in GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, &c.

The truths on which these Articles are founded are so clearly revealed in Scripture, that children even at an early age may be convinced of them. The godfathers and godmothers therefore who

themselves