Heb. xiii, 20, 21. THE God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jefus, that great fhepherd of the fheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in every good work to do his will, working in us that which is well pleafing in his fight, through Jefus Chrift: to him be glory for ever. Amen. BAPTISM. BAPTIS M. The Minifter may begin the Service with the following Obfervations, relating to the appointment, nature, and ufe of Baptism. OUR bleffed Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, having himself published his religion, for the falvation of the world, to the Jewish nation, commiffioned his apoftles to complete the work he had begun, by preaching his gospel to all nations, commanding them to make difciples, by baptifing and instructing them in his doctrines and laws. All power, faith he, is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach or disciple all nations, baptifing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obferve obferve all things whatsoever I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. By this direction of our Saviour, all perfons, are to be acknowledged as members of his Church by Baptifm, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and dedicated to the divine service, in that religion which came from God the Father, was published to the world by the Son, and confirmed by the operations of the Holy Spirit. The end and defign of Infant Baptifm, by which Rite parents folemnly dedicate their offspring to the fervice of God, and of Jefus Chrift whom he hath fent, is to imprefs on the minds of parents a sense of their duty towards them, in their innocent and helpless age; and to engage them to train up their children in the fear of God, and in the knowledge of his holy will, revealed to mankind by Jefus Chrift. ¶ Then Then the Minifter, addressing himself to the Under the profeffion of the Chriftian Faith, you prefent this your child to be baptifed; do you therefore now promise, that as foon as he becomes capable of learning, you will inftruct him in the Chriftian Religion, according to the best understanding and abilities you are endued with? Anf. This we now promife, and by the help of God will endeavour to perform. The Minister fhall then take the Child, and baptife it, faying, I baptife thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Min. Let us pray. ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who haft graciously called us to the knowledge of thy truth and and faith in thee; continue, we entreat thee, this bleffing to the offspring of thy fervants, that they may know the God of their Fathers, and walk before him acceptably. Blefs, we beseech thee, this child, who is now dedicated to thee and thy fervice. Preserve, if it please thee, that life which thou haft given, and extend thy care through every period of it. Prosper every endeavour to form good habits in bis tender mind. Incline and enable thy fervants, entrusted with the care of this child, to perform their duty faithfully; give them wifdom to be his defence against the many temptations incident to childhood and youth, and as he grows up in life, graciously affift them to improve his underftanding, and to open his heart to the impreffions of religion and virtue. Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that no good instruction may be loft upon him through inattention or depravity of heart. In all things graciously affift him to adorn that doctrine which is according to godliness, and |