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"and endeavour, by all the means of God's "appointment, to bring up their child in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord."

V. Then the minister is to pray for a blessing to attend this ordinance; after which, calling the child by its name, he shall say,

"I baptize thee, in the name of the Father, "and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

As he pronounces these words, he is to baptize the child with water, by pouring or sprinkling it on the face of the child, without adding any other ceremony: and the whole shall be concluded with prayer.

Although it is proper that baptism be administered in the presence of the congregation; yet there may be cases when it will be expedient to administer this ordinance in private houses of which the minister is to be the judge.

CHAPTER VIII.

OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD's supper.

I. THE communion, or supper of the Lord, is to be celebrated frequently; but how often, may be determined by the minister and eldership of each congregation, as they may judge most for edification.

II. The ignorant and scandalous are not to be admitted to the Lord's supper.

III. It is proper that public notice should

be given to the congregation, at least the Sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, and that, either then, or on some day of the week, the people be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it; that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast.

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IV. When the sermon is ended, the minister shall show,

"That this is an ordinance of Christ; by 66 reading the words of institution, either from "one of the evangelists, or from 1 Cor. xi. chap"ter; which, as to him may appear expedient, "he may explain and apply; that it is to be "observed in remembrance of Christ, to show "forth his death till he come; that it is of ines"timable benefit, to strengthen his people "against sin; to support them under troubles; "to encourage and quicken them in duty; to "inspire them with love and zeal; to increase "their faith, and holy resolution; and to beget "peace of conscience, and comfortable hopes "of eternal life."

He is to warn the profane, the ignorant, and scandalous, and those that secretly indulge themselves in any known sin, not to approach the holy table. On the other hand, he shall invite to this holy table, such as, sensible of their lost and helpless state of sin, depend upon the atonement of Christ for pardon and acceptance with God; such as, being instructed in the gospel doctrine, have a competent know

ledge to discern the Lord's body, and such as desire to renounce their sins, and are determined to lead a holy and godly life.

V. The table, on which the elements are placed, being decently covered, the bread in convenient dishes, and the wine in cups, and the communicants orderly and gravely sitting around the table, (or in their seats before it,) in the presence of the minister; let him set the elements apart, by prayer and thanksgiving.

The bread and wine being thus set apart by prayer and thanksgiving, the minister is to take the bread, and break it, in the view of the people, saying, in expressions of this

sort:

"Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the same night "in which he was betrayed, having taken bread, "and blessed and broken it, gave it to his dis"ciples; as I, ministering in his name, give this "bread unto you; saying, [here the bread is to "be distributed] Take, eat: this is my body, "which is broken for you: this do in remem"brance of me."

After having given the bread, he shall take the cup, and say

"After the same manner our Saviour also "took the cup; and having given thanks, as "hath been done in his name, he gave it to "the disciples; saying, [while the minister is "repeating these words let him give the cup] "This cup is the new testament in my blood, "which is shed for many, for the remission of “sins: drink ye all of it.”

The minister himself is to communicate, at such time as may appear to him most convenient.

The minister may, in a few words, put the communicants in mind

"Of the grace of God, in Jesus Christ, held "forth in this sacrament; and of their obliga"tion to be the Lord's; and may exhort them "to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called; and, as they have professedly "received Christ Jesus the Lord, that they be "careful so to walk in him, and to maintain "good works."

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It may not be improper for the minister to give a word of exhortation also to those who have been only spectators, reminding them—

"Of their duty; stating their sin and danger, "by living in disobedience to Christ, in neg"lecting this holy ordinance; and calling upon "them to be earnest in making preparation for "attending upon it, at the next time of its cele"bration.'

Then the minister is to pray and give thanks to God,

"For his rich mercy, and invaluable good66 ness, vouchsafed to them in that sacred com"munion; to implore pardon for the defects "of the whole service; and to pray for the ac"ceptance of their persons and performances; "for the gracious assistance of the Holy Spirit, "to enable them, as they have received Christ "Jesus the Lord, so to walk in him; that they

"may hold fast that which they have received, "that no man take their crown; that their con"versation may be as becometh the gospel; "that they may bear about with them, con"tinually, the dying of the Lord Jesus, that "the life also of Jesus may be manifested in "their mortal body; that their light may so "shine before men, that others, seeing their good works, may glorify their Father who is "in heaven."

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The collection for the poor, and to defray the expense of the elements, may be made after this; or at such other time as may seem meet to the eldership.

Now let a psalm or hymn be sung, and the congregation dismissed, with the following or some other gospel benediction:

"Now the God of peace, that brought again "from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great "Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of "the everlasting covenant, make you' perfect "in every good work to do his will, working "in you that which is well-pleasing in his "sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be "glory for ever and ever. Amen."

VI. As it has been customary, in some parts of our church, to observe a fast before the Lord's supper; to have a sermon on Saturday and Monday; and to invite two or three ministers on such occasions; and as these seasons have been blessed to many souls, and may tend to keep up a stricter union of ministers and

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