_Quest._ Will you to this end faithfully endeavour to cause him to learn the articles of the christian faith, the Lord's prayer, and the ten commandments, and to read or hear the holy Scriptures, and to attend on the public preaching of God's word? Will you endeavour, by your own teaching, and example, and restraint, to keep him from wickedness, and train him up in a holy life?
_Answ._ I will faithfully endeavour it by the help of God.
_Then let the Minister pray thus, or to this sense:_
O most merciful Father, by the first Adam sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and we are all by nature children of wrath; but thou hast given thy only Son, to be the Seed or the woman, the Saviour of the world, the Captain of our salvation, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, and to wash us in his blood, and reconcile us unto thee, and to renew us by the Holy Ghost, and to bruise Satan under our feet. In him thou hast established the covenant of grace, and hast appointed this holy sacrament of baptism for our solemn entrance into the bonds of the covenant, and stating us in the blessings of it, which thou extendest to the faithful and their seed. We dedicate and offer this child to thee, to be received into thy covenant and church. We beseech thee to accept him as a member of thy Son, and wash him in his blood from the guilt of sin, as the flesh is washed by this water. Be reconciled to him, and take him for thy child, renew him to the image of thy Son, make him a fellow-citizen with the saints, and one of thy household. Protect him and provide for him as thy own, and finally preserve him to thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.[264] Amen.
Then the Minister shall ask of the Parent the name of the child to be baptized, and naming him, shall either dip him under the water, or else pour the water upon his face, if he cannot be safely or conveniently dipt, and shall use these words without alteration.
I Baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
_And he shall thus declare:_
This child is now received by Christ's appointment into his church, and solemnly entered into the holy covenant, and engaged, if he lives to the use of reason, to rise with Christ to newness of life, as being buried with him by baptism, and to bear his cross, and confess Christ crucified, and faithfully to fight under his banner against the flesh, the devil, and the world, and to continue his faithful soldier and servant to the death, that he may receive the crown of life.
_Then he shall give thanks and pray._
We thank thee, most merciful Father, that when we had broken the law, and were condemned by it, thou hadst given us a Saviour, and life in him, and hast extended thy covenant of grace to believers, and to their seed, and hast now received this child into thy covenant and church, as a member of Christ by this sacrament of regeneration. We beseech thee, let him grow up in holiness; and when he comes to years of discretion, let thy Spirit reveal unto him the mysteries of the gospel, and the riches of thy love in Jesus Christ; and cause him to renew and perform the covenant that he hath now made, and to resign himself, and all that he hath, entirely unto thee his Lord, to be subject and obedient to thee his Governor, and to love thee his Father with all his heart, and soul, and might; and adhere unto thee, and delight in thee as the portion of his soul, desiring and hoping to enjoy thee in everlasting glory. Save him from the lusts and allurements of the flesh, the temptations of the devil, and the baits of pleasure, profit, and honour of the world, and from all the corruptions of his own heart, and all the hurtful violence of his enemies. Keep him in communion with the saints, in the love and use of thy word and worship. Let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Christ the Captain of his salvation, and be faithful unto the death, and then receive the crown of life, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.[265]
_Then use this Exhortation or the like to the Parents._