tibus quoque decernimus, quoties non inveniuntur firmi testes qui eos absque ulla dubitatione baptisatos esse dicant, nec ipsi, propter ætatem de sibi tradito mysterio aptè respondere possint, debere absque ulla offensione baptisari." 6. By the 4th article, cap. 11. of the French Church Discipline, the children of fathers and mothers of the Romish church, and of excommunicated persons, cannot be admitted into the church, though they were presented by believing sponsors, unless their fathers and mothers consent to it, and desire it, in quitting and yielding up to the sponsors their right as to instructing them: for baptism being a privilege and benefit, it is not to be imposed, nor children baptised against their parents will, into a communion whereof they are not members; hence the custom of the church, at administering of baptism, is, to ask the parent or sponsor, if they present that child to be baptised, to which they declare their willingness by their answering affirmatively. By the 10th act of the said 11th chapter, those who present children to be baptised, must be, at least, fourteen years of age, having received the sacrament of the Lord's supper; and if they have not, that they promise faithfully to use their endeavours to prepare for it. 7. When single persons or families remove unto other congregations, they cannot regularly there be admitted unto the benefit of the sacraments for themselves or children, till they produce a declaration of the church from which they came, testifying them to be free of any known scandal, otherwise these holy things may be profaned, contrary unto that church practice and precept, sacra sacris, of which testimonials there should a register be kept, and they run in this form: "These are to testify, that the bearer hereof hath lived in this parish of preceding last by past. During which space he behaved himself civilly and honestly, free of all church censure, or public scandal known to us. giver by command of the kirk session of the said parish. At the This day of years, by A. B. ses 8. This testimonial imports, that the person attested is not per famam clamosam, or notourly scandalous, through error or immorality; but it doth not suppose him to have a competent measure of knowledge, for that is left to the trial and inquiry of the church, to which he seeks to be added as a member. Therefore their judgment is never anticipate by any such clause, unless in testimonials for persons desiring the benefit of the Lord's supper in another parish, where the pastor thereof cannot then get time to examine all strangers. It is true, when men's lives and measure of knowledge are generally believed to be good and competent, this order, as to such, may be dispensed with; yet it were to be wished that even those would observe it, and not give occasion to others, not so good or knowing, to be angry, when they are restricted or obliged unto it. 9. In the baptismal engagement, the parent or sponsor is, in name of the child, to renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh. He is to promise to bring up the child in the knowledge of the grounds of the Christian religion, as they are contained in the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament: and lastly, he is to bring up the child in that holy life and practice which God hath commanded in his word. The engagements to be given in name of children at baptism, should be expressed in these or the like general terms, conform to the Directory for worship, approven by the General Assembly, 7th February 1645, the due observation whereof is seriously recommended by the 10th act of Assembly 1705. 10. The sacrament of baptism is to be administrate in the face of the congregation after sermon, and before pronouncing of the blessing, (see act of Assembly, Feb. 7. 1645.) The child to be baptised, after notice given to the minister the day before, is to be presented, the pastor remaining in the same place where he hath preached, and having water provided in a large bason; he is before baptism to use some words of instruction, touching the author, institution, nature, use, and end of this sacrament; he is also to admonish all that are present to repent of their sins against their covenant with God, and to improve and make the right use of their baptism : next, the parent, or sponsor, is to be exhorted to order his conversation aright, and walk circumspectly; when he is to be engaged in the words of the form above. This being done, prayer is also to be joined with the word of institution, for sanctifying the water to this spiritual use. The prayer is to this or the like effect, That the Lord, who hath not left us as strangers without the covenant of promise, but called us to the privileges of his ordinances, would graciously vouchsafe to sanctify and bless his own ordinance of baptism at this time: that he would join the inward baptism of his Spirit with the outward baptism of water; make this baptism to this infant a seal of adoption, regeneration, and eternal life, and of all other promises of the covenant of grace; that the child may be planted in the likeness of the death and resurrection of Christ, and that the body of sin being destroyed in him, he may serve God in newness of life all his days. Then the minister is to demand the name of the child, which being told him, he is to say (calling the child by his name) "I baptise thee in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." As he pronounceth these words, he is to baptise the child with water, which, for the manner of doing, it is not only lawful but sufficient, and most expedient, to be by pouring or sprinkling of the water on the face of the child, without adding any other ceremony. This done, he is to give thanks and pray to this or the like purpose; acknowledging, with all thankfulness, that the Lord is true and faithful in keeping covenant and mercy; that he is good and gracious, not only that he numbereth us among his saints, but is pleased also to bestow upon our children this singular token and badge of his love in Christ; that in his truth and special providence, he daily bringeth some into the bosom of his church, to be partakers of his inestimable benefits purchased by the blood of his dear Son, for the continuance and increase of his church; and praying, that the Lord would still continue and daily confirm 66 more and more this his unspeakable favour; that he would receive the infant now baptised, and solemnly entered into the household of faith, into his fatherly tuition and defence, and remember him with the favour he sheweth unto his people; that if he shall be taken out of this life in his infancy, the Lord, who is rich in mercy, would be pleased to receive him up into glory, and if he live and attain the years of discretion, that the Lord would so teach him by his word and Spirit, and make his baptism effectual to him, and so uphold him by his divine power and grace, that by faith he may prevail against the devil, the world, and the flesh; till in the end he obtain a full and final victory, and so be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 11. By the 14th article, chap. 11. of the French Church Discipline, ministers shall reject names given to children, that savour of ancient Paganism, such as Diana, and the like; and the names attributed to God, such as Emmanual, and the like; but the names of holy men and women in Scripture are to be chosen. 12. By the 10th act of Assembly 1690, they considering, that the parties receiving the sacraments are solemnly devoted and engaged to God before angels and men, and are solemnly received as members of the church, and do entertain communion with her; and that by former acts, viz. December 10. 1638, and Feb. 7. 1645, the private use of them hath been condemned: as also, that by allowing the private use of the same in pretended cases of necessity, the superstitious opinion is nourished, that they are necessary unto salvation, not only as commanded duties, but as means without which salvation cannot be attained, therefore they discharge the administration of the Lord's supper to sick persons in their houses, and all other use of the same, except in the public Assemblies of the church; and also, they discharge the administration of baptism in private, that is, in any place, or at any time, when the congregation is not orderly called together to wait on the dispensing of the word, which is agreeable to the 6th article, chap. 11, of the French Church Discipline, and not to be dispensed with, except in times of persecution; and when a child is baptised in a private house, as is used in England, in that case the minister is to certify the congregation to which the child belongs, that the same was baptised by him, at such a time, and in such a place, before divers witnesses. By the 31st can. conc. 6. in Trullo: "Clericos qui in oratoriis quæ sunt intra domos sacra faciunt vel baptizant hoc illius loci episcopi sententia facere debere, decernimus. Quare si quis clericus hoc non sic servaverit, deponatur." 13. There is a register to be kept of the names of all baptised, and of their parents names and designations, and of the time of their baptism, and of the names of the witnesses thereto; and of all illegitimate children their names, and those of their parents shall be likewise insert: but of such it is only said, that they are not born in lawful marriage. When it is an incestuous child, it shall suffice to name the mother, with the presenter of the child, that the remembrance of so heinous a sin may be extinguished. This is conform to the 19th article of the foresaid 11th chapter. 14. Baptism is not to be administered but once unto any person. It is not the practice of the reformed churches to rebaptize those who were baptized by the Popish clergy; for they baptize with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as we do. But Quakers, and others, who want this external seal of the covenant of grace, though such should make profession of the true faith, that sacrament of baptism doth remain to be administered unto them, before they or their children can enjoy the privileges of church members. 15. Neither of the sacraments may be dispensed by any but a minister of the word lawfully ordained, saith our Confession of Faith, cap. 27. art. 4. And persons are to be baptized by a minister of the gospel lawfully called thereunto, according to art. 2. cap. 28. Our law makes infeftments void and null, where they are not given by such as it appoints and authoriseth to give them: Thus are all infeftments in royal burghs, not given by some of |