13. Upon occasion of the baptism of a child.

To thee, O God, whose all souls are, the souls of the parents, and the souls of the children, we present this child a living sacrifice, which we desire may be holy and acceptable, and that it may be given up and dedicated to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Ezek 18:4. Rom 12:1. Matt 28:19.

It is conceived in sin, but there is a fountain opened. O wash the soul of this child in that fountain, now it is by thine appointment washed with pure water. Ps 51:5. Zech 13:1. Heb 10:22.

It is one of the children of the covenant, one of the children that is born unto thee, it is thy servant, born in thy house. O make good thy ancient covenant, that thou wilt be a God to believers, and to their seed ; for this blessing of Abraham comes upon the Gentiles, and the promise is still to us and to our children. Acts 3:25. Ezek 16:20. Ps 115:16. Gen 17:7. Gal 3:14. Acts 2:39.

Thou hast encouraged us to bring little children to thee, for thou hast said, that of such is the kingdom of God. Blessed Jesus, take up this child in the arms of thy power and grace, put thy hands upon it and bless it; let it be a vessel of honour sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and owned as one of thine in that day when thou makest up thy jewels. Mark 10:14, 16. 2 Tim 2:21. Mal 3:17

O pour thy Spirit upon our seed, thy blessing upon our offspring, that they may spring up as willows by the water-courses, and may come to subscribe with their own hands unto the Lord, and to surname themselves by the name of Israel. Isa 44:3–5.

‹ After the celebrating of the Lord’s supper. · Upon occasion of a funeral. ›

Pray now: a guided prayer in six parts, with the next heads each day.

Henry’s text is in the public domain. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, No. 265 Chestnut Street. Undated, about 1840 to 1860. The preface is dated Chester, March 25, 1710. From the Internet Archive scan. The KJV text is in the public domain.