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The Minister may begin the Service with the following Observations, relating to the Appointment, Nature, and Use of Baptism.

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UR blessed Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, having himself published his religion for the salvation of the world, to the Jewish nation, commissioned his apostles to complete the work he had begun, by preaching his Gospel to all nations.

All power, said he, is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.

By this direction of our Saviour, all persons are to be acknowledged as members of his Church, by baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. They are then consecrated to the divine service, in that religion which came from God the Father, was published to the world

by his Son, and confirmed by the operations of his Holy Spirit.

By this ordinance Christ hath wisely provided to keep up in his Church a sense of the purity of his doctrines, and the obligations to universal holiness of life, which are incumbent upon his disciples. Water is employed as an emblem of purity, or of that moral and religious improvement, in which all our Christian advantages should terminate.

Let us, therefore, as many as are here present, remember the purity of our Christian faith and professions; and, by the present administration of baptism, take occasion to establish in our minds a lively sense of our obligations to serve God, according to the Gospel of his Son, in holiness and righteousness all our days.

Then shall the Minister say to the Person desiring to be baptized,

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UR Lord Jesus commanded, that all persons baptized should be instructed in his holy Gospel. You, in the profession of the Christian faith, present yourself to be baptized according to his institution. Do you now promise, that you will receive the instructions of the Christian religion, and govern your faith and practice by its doctrines and laws? Answ. This I now promise, and, by the help of God, will endeavor to perform.

I

The Minister shall then baptize the Person, saying, BAPTIZE thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Min. Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, regard in mercy the prayers of thy people; and bless thy servant, who hath now been acknowledged as a member of the Christian Church, by baptism. Incline his heart to receive with all readiness the doctrines and instructions of Christ, and to submit faithfully to the authority of his laws. Give him strength to triumph over the temptations of vice, and to be steadfast in the practice of that holiness which baptism is designed to represent ; that, living as becometh a good and faithful member of the Christian Church here on earth, he may at length partake in heaven of that eternal kingdom which thou hast revealed to us by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WE

E give thee humble thanks, O Heavenly Father, that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace, and faith in thee; increase this knowledge, and confirm this faith in us evermore, that we may be enabled to mortify all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily to proceed in all virtue and godliness of living, till we come to that eternal kingdom, which thou hast promised by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Now

OW unto him who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy, to the

only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, through Jesus Christ, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE EXHORTATION.

Christian Brother,

IN

N obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all persons baptized be instructed in his holy religion; you have now engaged, by a solemn promise before God and this assembly, that you will receive the instructions of the Christian religion, and govern your faith and practice by its doctrines and laws. May you carefully keep in mind this promise, and endeavor to perform it faithfully. You are to endeavor to improve in every virtue which relates to God, your neighbor, or yourself; and to this end, you are diligently and honestly to search the Scriptures. These contain everything necessary to eternal salvation; and from these sacred records of our religion you may obtain all that information which is necessary to improve your understanding and confirm your faith. Above all, you are carefully to obey the precepts of the Gospel, and to cultivate that purity of heart and affections which all its laws, ordinances, and doctrines are designed to promote.

Having the fear of God before your eyes, be you now exhorted to discharge with fidelity and exactness the duty you have now acknowledged. To the due observance of it may God incline your heart; and may he bless you with success, for your

improvement in Christian knowledge, and holiness of life, for the honor of religion, and the glory of his holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

END OF BAPTISM OF THOSE OF RIPER YEARS.

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