THE MINISTRATION OF
PUBLICK BAPTISM OF INFANTS,
TO BE USED IN THE CHURCH.
Baptism is the Sacrament of our initiation into Christianity. As to the form, Our Saviour only instituted the essential part of it, namely, that it hould be performed by a proper Minister," in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."( Matt. 28. 19.) But as for the rites and circumstances of the administration of it, He left them to the determination of the Apostles and of the Church. Without doubt, a Form of Baptism was very early agreed upon, because almost all the Churches in the world do administer it much in the same manner. The Rites of Baptism, in the earliest times, were performed in fountains and rivers, subsequently in" Fonts,"( thence so called) which were built, and consecrated for greater reverence. These were originally set in the Church porch, significantly, because Baptism is the entrance into the Church mystical. Water has so natural a property of cleansing, that it has been made the symbol of purification by all nations, and used with that signification in the rites of all Religions. Nor can any thing better represent" regeneration," or new birth"( which our Saviour requires) than washing with water, since it is the first office done to us after our natural Births. Other rites were also used by the primitive Christians, such as giving to the newly- baptized, milk, and honey, and salt; putting upon them white garments to resemble the swaddling, & c.& c. all which was done to represent spiritual birth and infancy.( See Ezek. 16. 4.)
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As the Jews had sureties at Circumcision, so the primitive Christians had sponsors to engage for such as were baptized; and it is required of them to answer in their own person, as if the child spake by them.
The administration of this Ordinance in our Church contains, first, prayers for sanctifying the child and the water; secondly, the Form of baptizing instituted by Christ himself; thirdly, the solemn receiving it into the Church.
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