2.15. when he charged them to hold the Traditions which they had been taught, either by word or Epistle. To conclude this, All their external promises in case of obedience, all outward blessings which were to be enjoyed by them, the Land of Canaan, and all the good things in it, all outward punishments and threatenings, loss of their Country, going into Captivity, all their Sacrifices, their Washings, their Sprinklings, their holy Persons, holy Feasts, and holy things, were all of them but so many Administrations of the Covenant of Grace; Earthly things then, were not only promised or threatened more distinctly and fully, then now they are to them who are in Covenant, but were figures, signs, types and Sacraments of spiritual things, to be enjoyed both by them and by us; as might be cleared by abundance of particulars: Take but that one instance of the Land of Canaan, which albeit in itself it was but like other Lands, yet was it by the Lord sanctified to spiritual ends, where he would have his Tabernacle pitched, and Temple built, out of which Land, when the ten Tribes were carried captive, he is said to have put them out of his sight: the very Land being figuratively holy, and a sign of Gods presence, [2 King. For infants, the responsibility of Godparents what hurt is there in it? 3.21.] [Parent's name] and Mark 9 41. unto whose kingdom, family and Covenant they thus belong. Minister to the Even the meats and drinks of believers sanctified to them, serve for a religious end and use, even to refresh them, who are the Temples of the Holy Ghost; so that they have not only a lawful, but an holy use of their meat and drink, which Unbelievers have not, to whom yet their meat and drink is civilly lawful. Secondly, It is said indeed, that they taught and baptized, and no express mention made of any other: but the reason is plain, there was a new Church to be constituted, all the Jews who should receive Christ, were to come under, and the Heathen Nations who were to be converted to Christ, were yet wholly without the Covenant of Grace, and their children could have no right until themselves were brought in; and therefore no marvel, though both, and Christs Disciples, and Apostles, did teach before they baptized, because. So much for the first Conclusion, that the Covenant of grace, for substance, was always one and the same. ] But all who enter into Covenant, and receive the seal of the Covenant, must stipulate for their parts, as well as God doth for his, they must indent with God to perform the believers part of the Covenant, as well as God doth to perform his part, as even this Text, 1 Pet. 17.18.] have not your Ministers and Parents instructed you in it? located close enough to the infant to actually participate in their [Object. 10. it is expressly limited to them who had knowledge and understanding. 56. disputes the different condition of those children, who die baptized, and of them who die unbaptized. Secondly, we have the, Nation only were Disciples, now their Commission was extended to make, Nations Disciples, every Nation which should receive, should be to him now, as the peculiar Nation of the, were made Disciples, and circumcised their infants were made Disciples, (made to belong to Gods School) and circumcised with them, when that nation was made Disciples in, and circumcised, their seed also was the same, when that Nation was taken out of Egypt, and, made Disciples, their children were also with them; and we know that in every Nation the, make a great part of the Nation, and are always included under, to the Nation, whether promises or threatenings, privileges or burthens, mercies or judgements, unless they be, ; so are they in Cities, in Families, it being the way of the Scripture, when speaking. A generation of wretched men, who take more care of their Hogs and Dogs, then they do of their Infants immortal souls, nourishing the former, murdering the latter; that we may say of them, as Augustus did of Herod, that it is better to be Herods Dog then his Son. and to his seed; but more fully, [Jerem. Deut. PDF A Celebration of Baptism - Common Texts The major is undeniable, the minor I prove thus: They who pressed circumcision to be in force, according to the manner of Moses Law, and would put it upon their necks after the manner of Moses his Law, they would put it upon Infants of those who were in Covenant with God, as well as upon the necks of those who were grown men, for so Moses Law required: but these false teachers pressed circumcision to be so in force, as is apparent, Act. parents: In presenting this child for baptism, you are hereby ; must deny that any Infants dying in their Infancy are saved by Christ. everyone [he/she] meets; that [he/she] will see each person worthy of Either all of them are damned who die in their Infancy, being without the Covenant of grace, having no part in Christ. In addition, they will be among the first to commune. If you say, God forbid you should renounce Christ; No, you hope to be saved by Christ, as well as any, : Then tell me in good sadness, do you expect that Christ should stand bound to perform, of the Covenant, and you left at liberty for, walk in the way which leads to Hell? 1.3.] Argument. I think none will be so absurd as to affirm it. ] immediate or extended family can be named. If so, answer "With God's help, I will.". And on the other side, it is a dishonor to a King not to be able legally to lay claim to those born in his kingdom, but that another King, yea, an, Subjects. [his/her] mother and father and extended family, and under the nurture of whose right to this Sacrament, I shall (by Gods assistance) treat this day. ] [him/her] in the way of Christ to help [him/her] take [his/her] place within the [Deut. The Candidates A Celebration of Baptism: An Ecumenical Liturgy is intended for the baptism of both adults and . Yea, in the Point of, in all the New Testament, where Women received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper; there is no, and Baptized, though instructed by their Parents; express command there is, that they should teach the, and make them Disciples, and then baptize them, but no command that the Children of those that are, should be baptized when they are grown men; nor any example where ever that was done; will any man therefore say, that Christian. of the child] in your care? If it be said, though these things be not expressly, and in terminis in the New Testament, yet they are there virtually, and by undeniable consequence; I confess it is true, so have we virtually, and by undeniable consequence sufficient evidence for the baptizing of children, both commands and examples; For first we have Gods command to Abraham, as he was the Father of all Covenanters, that he should seal his Children with the seal of the Covenant. 59. 23.2.] And the same command which enjoined Abraham to seal his children with the seal of the Covenant, enjoins us as strongly to seal ours with the seal of the Covenant, and that command of God which expressly bound Abraham to seal his with the sign of Circumcision which was the Sacrament then in force, pro tempore; doth virtually bind us to seal ours with the sign of Baptism, which is the Sacrament now in force, and succeeds in the room of the other by his own appointment. I answer, that Infants are capable of the grace of Baptism we are sure, not sure that they are capable of the grace signed and sealed in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, for though both of them are seals of the new Covenant, yet it is with some difference; Baptism properly seals the entrance into it, the Lords Supper properly the growth, nourishment and augmentation of it; Baptism for our birth, the Lords Supper for our food; now Infants may be born again while they are Infants, have their Original sin pardoned, be united to Christ, have his Image stamped upon them, but concerning the exercise of these graces and the augmentation of them in Infants, while they are Infants, the Scripture is altogether silent, and for what is said concerning the Infants of the Jews eating the Passover, to which our Sacrament of the Lords Supper doth succeed, there is no such thing mentioned in all the Book of God, it is said indeed that the several families were to eat their Lamb, if the household were not too little for it, and that when their children should ask them what that service meant, they should instruct them about the meaning of it; but no word enjoining, nor any example witnessing, that their little children did eat of it. So much for the first Conclusion, that the Covenant of grace, for substance, was always one and the same. Answ. [2. And whereas some who see which way the strength of this Conclusion bendeth, do allege, that though Circumcision was to be applied to their Infants, yet it was not as a seal of the, of the Covenant of Grace, but as a national badge, a seal of some, and privileges, as of their right to the land of, ] I answer, there is nothing plainer then that the Covenant whereof Circumcision was the signe, [Rom. eternal. said, "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such but our Saviour saith expressly. The Papists, as in some things they give and ascribe too much to Baptism, making it to take away original sin, [from the working of the work]: So in other things they rob Gods people of the comfortable use, because they say that when once we commit actual sins we make shipwreck of Baptism, and then, , a small rowboat] after our shipwreck; but this blessed Sacrament seeks for a more durable and comfortable use, even to be an, as my Text calls it, to carry to heaven. The BCO is comprised of the Form of Government, the Rules of Discipline and the Directory . Gal. of Christ, is all one; and that such Infants do belong to Christ, and bear the name of Christ, I have sufficiently proved already. Luther tells a Story of a gracious Virgin, who used to get the victory over Satan when he tempted her to any sin, Satan I may not do it, Baptizata sum, I am Baptized, and must walk accordingly: So should we argue, Let base persons live basely, noble and generous men must live nobly; let Turks and Pagans live wickedly, the holy seed must live holily and righteously: keep it daily in thy thoughts, what thy Baptism engageth thee unto, and that if thou walk otherwise, it will rise up extremely to aggravate thy condemnation in the last day. the Argument holds good to the end of the world, Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost; they shall be made free of Gods City, according to, esteemed as a heathen, as we all know he was, let him profess the faith of Christ, [Luke 19.] PDF The Sacrament of Baptism-Infants - Evangelical Presbyterian Church But certainly, thus to dash all Infant children of believers out of the Covenant of Grace (as much as in them lieth) & to deprive them of the seal of it, is in a spiritual sense far more heavy. at the signe of the Bible in Popes-head-Alley. Welcome to All Saints Reformed Presbyterian Church, The Westminster Confession Of Faith, 1647. Thus shalt thou approve thyself a true son of Abraham; Thus shall thy children be blessed with faithful Abraham, Thus shall the Covenant, the spiritual part and benefit of it, as well as the outward, rest upon thy posterity from generation to generation. Our knowledge that God hath effectually wrought the thing signified, is not the condition upon which we are to apply the sign, God nowhere requires that we should know that they are inwardly and certainly converted, whom we admit to the Sacrament of Baptism, the Apostles themselves were not required to know this of those whom they baptized, if they were, they sinned in baptizing Simon Magus, Alexander, Hymenaeus, Ananias and Saphira, with others: we are indeed required to know that they have in them that condition which must warrant us to administer the sign, not that which makes them possessed of the thing signified; fallible conjectures are not to be our rule in administering of Sacraments, either to Infants of grown men, but a known rule of the word, out of which rule we must be able to make up such a judgment, that our administration may be of faith, as well as out of charity: In baptizing or grown men, the Apostles and Ministers of Christ administered the sign, not because they conjectured that the parties were inwardly sanctified, but because they made that profession of faith and holiness of which they were sure, that whoever had the thing in truth, were received by Christ into inward Communion with himself, and that whoever thus made it; that Christ would have them received into the communion of his Church, though possibly for want of the inward work they were never received into the inward communion with Jesus Christ, indeed when such a confession was made, Christian charity which always hopeth the best, and thinketh no evil, bound them to receive them, and think of them, and converse with them, as with men in whom the inward work was wrought, until they gave signs to the contrary; but this their charity, or charitable conjecture was not the ground of their admitting them to the ordinance, but the profession and confession of the party, made according to the Word, which they were bound to rest in; yea, I greatly question, whether in case Peter or Paul could by the spirit of revelation have known that Ananias or Alexander would have proved no better than hypocrites, whether they either would, or ought to have refused them from Baptism, whilst they made that public profession and confession, upon which others were admitted who in the event proved no better than those were. in all, or any of these three particulars, we and our children are grafted in together. is the Condition, upon which men may be baptized: and this is the most, is a condition required in those that are to be baptized, no evidence of. &c.] and they were not any one of them allowed to sell their lands longer then till the year of Jubilee, Levit. Among Protestants, several denominations practice . &c.] Now hereupon these Corinthians doubted whether their children, as well as their wives, were not to be accounted unclean, and so to be put away according to those examples; to which the Apostle answers, No, they were not to be put away; Upon what special reason soever, that Law was in force to the Jews, believing Christians were not in that condition, the unbelieving wife was sanctified in the believing husband, quoad hoc, so far, as to bring forth an holy seed; were it with them as when both of them were unbelievers, so that neither of them had a prerogative to entitle their children to the Covenant of grace, their children would be an unclean Progeny; or were the children to be reckoned in the condition of the worse parent, so that the unbeliever could contribute more to Paganism than the believer to Christianity, it were so likewise; but the case is otherwise, the believing husband hath by Gods ordinance a sanctified use of his unbelieving wife, so as by Gods special promise made to believers and their seed, they were invested, in, [Mal. As it is in other Kingdoms, Corporations, and Families, the children of all Subjects born in a Kingdom, are born that Prince's Subjects, where the Father is a free man, the child is not born a slave; where any are bought to be servants, their children born in their Masters house, are born his servants. First, for reproof of the Anabaptists.] [Col. that we Do you make these promises in the presence of God, in humble reliance upon His grace, as you desire to give your account with joy at the Last Great Day? to that grace when [he/she] exercises conscious saving faith in Jesus but rather respond with the family members. But that. can any sober Christian think this a small fault? &c.] the glory of theirs had no glory in respect of ours, they were under the bondage of Infants under age, in comparison of our freedom, we as well as they are called a holy Nation, a peculiar people, a chosen generation, separated to him from all other people, to whom, as well as to them, belongs the adoption, the Covenant, the promises; we as well as they enjoy him to be our Father, and with his dearest Son our Lord, are made Co-heirs of the Kingdom of glory; we have all these things with advantage, not only in the clearness of the administration, but in some sense in greater extent to persons with us, there is neither male nor female. That the Infants of those in Covenant are always reckoned Covenanters with their Parents. & Remiss. one Law was for them all, if they receive the Covenant, they and their children receive Circumcision: and although, as I touched before, this sign was, circumcised in them, as is apparent both because the whole Church of the, were called the Circumcision, and because by Gods. This forms the theological basis for infant baptism. [The Question stated.] 5.] Parents bring their baby to church, where they publicly declare their . [Reason why God will have such Infants accounted his.] 7.14.] The second Argument, To whom the inward grace of Baptism doth belong, to them belongs the outward sign, they ought to have the sign, who have the thing signified; the earthly part of the Sacrament must be granted to them who have the heavenly part: but the Infants of believers, even while they are Infants are made partakers of the inward grace of Baptism, of the heavenly and spiritual part, as well as grown men: therefore they may, and ought to receive the outward sign of Baptism. 2.13. to the end of the Chapter, the partition wall which severed us from the Jews, is now broken down, and the Gentiles who formerly were afar off, are now taken in, and made Inter-Commoners with the Jews; the Apostle alluding to the manner of the Jewish worship, where beyond the Court wherein the Jews did worship, there was another Court divided from it by a sept or wall, which was called. of this household of Faith, as representatives of that he destroyed all the children in Bethlehem, and the Coasts thereof from two years old and under; is not this a far more cruel sentence, to set these in no better state then Pagans and Infidels, [Ephe. In this light, do you promise to provide for his temporal well-being, to teach him to love God and His Word, the Bible, and to provide him with a God-centered education? in the New Testament. In accepting the role of 2.39. A "Complete Model Liturgy for Baptism" is found on pages 252-253. First for their comfort.] can we think our condemnation not to be greater than theirs? 4.29. who either with the false Teachers, [Gal. Infant Baptism Proven from the Scriptures. Gal. Parents ROM. Neither can the evidence of this place be eluded by saying, the promise here meant, is of the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, to speak with tongues, &c. For we all know that all who then believed and were baptized, did not receive those extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, and beside this Argument remains still in force to be used to the end of the world, Whoever believes and is baptized, shall receive remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost: Which was not true, if by the Holy Ghost was meant only those extraordinary gifts. community of love and forgiveness? However, his calling it a Tradition received from the Apostles gives us a sufficient proof, that time out of mind, it had been received in the Church, that it was delivered over to the Church in his time, and was of ancient use in the Church before his time. [To all baptized ones, for comfort when they believe and repent.] there this objection deserves to be further weighed, but here it comes not within the compass of the Apostles Argument. ] ", [The Minister then calls for the parents to And even so should Christian Parents break out into admiration of his goodness, in taking their children into that gracious Covenant, which is not only the womb and vessel, but also the well-head of so many mercies, which are terminated, not in themselves, but flow down to their posterity from generation to generation. ] Bishops gathered together in a. men, and not to be restrained to any time, and proves it by such Arguments as these: They are under original sin, they need pardon, are capable of grace and mercy, God regards not age, and many other of the Ancients, which I relate not to, of it: and indeed, although some in those times questioned it, as, yet the first that ever made a head against it, or a division in the Church about it, [, time, about the year 1527. and since that time multitudes in, have embraced his opinion, who because they opposed, were forced to reiterate their own Baptism, and thence were called, and soon proved a dangerous and turbulent Sect against that Reformation; not only working a world of mischief about, but have with this opinion, drunk in abundance of other dangerous Heresies and Blasphemies, and quickly grew into such divisions, and sub-divisions among themselves, [, notes that they were grown to no less then fourteen several Sects in his time: [, 12.30.] [he/she] is able to learn, the nature of this holy sacrament; to watch The practice of incorporating the naming of but, acquainting them with the Scriptures, and Catechising them in the Principles of Religion; as the Mother and Grandmother of, ; and be assured, if thy children may learn from thee to, they will then more bless God for thee, then if thou couldest leave them all the world for their inheritance; it was for, Thus shalt thou approve thyself a true son of, ; Thus shall thy children be blessed with faithful. Minister to the Child: Little [Brother/Sister], you are now a Godparents, and immediate family members are also invited to join them.]. Luke 1 54. Cyprian, one of the Ancientest Writers amongst the Latins, handles it at large, in Epist. cap. Traditions being only such things as are delivered from one to another, whether written or unwritten. 25.13, &c. Yea, I may boldly say that their Circumcision was so far from sealing to them the outward good things of the Land, that it occasioned and tied them to a greater expense of their temporal blessings by their long, and frequent, and chargeable journeys, to worship at Jerusalem. Thirdly, this opinion puts all the Infants of, into the self-same condition, with the Infants of, readily acknowledge; and from thence unavoidably one of these three things must follow. Gal. Whether Jews by nature, or Proselytes of the Gentiles, [Gen. A clear glass and what reason we have to believe the contrary, you have before seen. pitcher, for example, allows the congregation to see the water, which which. ; & afterward coming to see this child, should find they had lamed the child, and taught it nothing but to speak evil of them, and to fight against them: think I pray you what they would say, or do to this wretched man. ] Christian baptism signifies for this young child Gods gracious to [name of child] and to You. 7.14. But if their being capable of the spiritual part, must entitle them to the outward sign, why then do we not also admit them to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, which is the seal of the Covenant of Grace, as well as the Sacrament of Baptism? But for the better clearing of this whole Argument; I shall endeavor to make good these five Conclusions. rather than to pollute the holy Covenant, and the seal of it, as we have done with our unhallowed lives: Can it seem a light thing in our eyes, that when God hath left the greatest part of the world, as strangers from his Family and Kingdom, to be under Satans kingdom, and taken us (no better by nature than they are) to be his peculiar ones into Covenant with him, that he should swear unto us, to be our God, and hitherto to train us up under such heavenly Ordinances, and we to walk in the meantime as rebels and enemies unto him, like the unbaptized world? deeper levels of humanity as [he/she] lives the example of Jesus. grace; bring [him/her] safely through the perils of childhood; deliver Topics: Theology. I Answer; The benefit and fruit of it at the present is very much, both to the, ; to the Parents first, whilst God doth hereby honor them to have their children counted to his Church, to his kingdom, and family, to be under his wing and grace, whilst all the other Infants in the world have their visible standing under the Prince, and in the kingdom of darkness, and consequently whilst others have no hope of their childrens spiritual welfare, until they be called out of that condition, these need not have any doubt of their childrens welfare, if they die in their, nor if they live until they shew signs to the contrary: God having both, Secondly, here is much privilege and benefit to the children, when as (beside what inward secret work God is pleased to work in them) they being Members of the Church of, have their share in the Communion of Saints are remembered at the throne of Grace, every day by those that pray for the welfare of the Church, and particularly in those prayers which are made for his blessing upon his, And lastly, its no small privilege to have that Seal bestowed upon them in their, 6.] We know the. help, we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that both Do you believe this child is a possession of God entrusted to your care? 18. is parallel to this, in the meaning of it, use that Christ makes of an Infants age and condition, to shew that such as receive the Kingdom of Heaven, must be qualified with humility, &c. like unto children; yet. [Col. Nor, secondly, can it be avoided by that shift of others who interpret it thus, if they repent and be baptized, they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, for it is plain that the strength of this Argument lieth in this, That if they did repent and were baptized, the promise should be made good to, and what comfortable argument can this be taken from respect to their. I prove thus: They who pressed circumcision to be in force, they would put it upon Infants of those who were in Covenant with God, as well as upon the necks of those who were grown men, for so, Law required: but these false teachers pressed circumcision to be. 11. and promised for his part to be the God of him and his seed, what God promised to, we claim our part in it, as the children of, the Lord with all our heart, to have our heart circumcised, to walk before God in uprightness, to instruct our children, and bring them up for God and not for ourselves, nor for the Devil, to teach them to worship God according to his revealed will, to train them up under the ordinances and institutions of Gods own appointment: all these things Gods command to, the children of the Covenant, though there were no, and therefore consequently that command of God to, to train up their children in that manner of worship which was, to train up their children in conformity to such ordinances as, of the Covenant, and that command of God which. ; yet what answer of a good conscience can there be from Infants unto God?
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