and glory and power, be unto thee, through our Lord Jesus Christ, for ever and ever. Amen.

One of these valedictory forms of blessing to be used at the discretion of the Minister.

MAY the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, make us perfect, strengthen, settle us. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Pet. v. 10, 11.

The LORD bless us and keep us; may he be gracious unto us; and give us peace now and for evermore. Amen. Numb. vi. 24, 25, 26.

May the blessing of Almighty God be with us all evermore. Amen.

THE ORDER

FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF

BAPTISM.

I Note, That there may be for every Child two or three Sponsors; who would most properly be parents, guardians, or nearest relations.

IT is written in the Gospel of Matthew, that our Lord Jesus Christ said to his apostles :

"Go ye, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy spirit." Matt. xxviii. 19.

It is also written in the Acts of the Apostles, that the disciples were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts xix. 5.

St. Peter also saith in his Epistle

The baptism which saveth us is not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God." 1 Pet. iii. 21.

The

¶ The Minister, addressing himself to the Sponsors present, shall say,

YE have brought this child here to be baptized:

I ask therefore,

Will ye faithfully and earnestly exhort this child to renounce every thing that is evil, and all sinful inclinations, so that he may not follow or be led by them? Answ. I will.

Will ye instruct him in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Answ. I will.

Will ye exhort him to keep God's holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of his life? Answ. I will.

Then shall the Minister take the child into his hands, and say to the Sponsors,

Name this child.

¶ Then naming it after them, and either dipping it in the water, or sprinkling water upon it, he shall say,

I baptize thee into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy spirit,

Or the following form may be used :

I baptize thee into the name of Jesus Christ. See Acts ii. 38. xix. 5.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and ever-blessed God, by whose providence the different generations of mankind are raised up to know thee, and to enjoy thy favour for ever; grant that this child, now dedicated to thee as the disciple of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, may be endued with heavenly virtues, and be in the number of those who shall be everlastingly saved through thy mercy. For this end we entreat thy blessing upon these thy servants, who have now solemnly engaged themselves to instruct it in thy holy truth; that they may be enabled to discharge their great trust with diligence and fidelity, and may have the comfort of beholding the fruits of their pious labours, in the virtuous improvement of those under their care. Finally, we give thee humble thanks, O heavenly Father, for all of us now assembled before thee, that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace, and to faith in thee: increase this knowledge, and confirm this faith in us evermore; that we may be enabled to subdue all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceed in all virtue and godli

ness

ness of living, till we come to that eternal kingdom which thou hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Exhortation to parents after baptism.

Brethren,

THE design of receiving infants by baptism into the church of Christ, is to remind parents of their duty to them in their innocent and helpless age, that they may train them up as his disciples and the children of God; and that, as they have been the instruments of bringing them into this mortal life, they may have the comfort of contributing to their future happiness in a life that will never end. Remember then that this child belongs to God who gave it you, and intrusts you with it, that it may be educated and fitted for himself; and if through your criminal neglect, or bad example, his reasonable creature be lost, he will require it at your hands.

Instill therefore into his tender mind the knowledge, reverence, and love of God, the heavenly Father and Maker of all, and a deep sense of the duty he owes to him. Acquaint him with his benevolent designs, for the recovery of a dege

nerate