As part of our Lord's Day AM worship, in obedience to the command of Christ, a covenant child is brought forth to receive the sign and seal of the Covenant of Grace. Great things our God has done for us!
"By addressing the congregation at this stage, instead of questioning the parent, he duly proceeds upon the fact, that not only the parent but every one of the audience has then and there to deal with God on the ground of the doctrine set forth by word and act. Further, this address to them appropriately introduces an exercise suggested by the Directory for the occasion, namely, every one's recalling to mind the obligations represented by his baptism, in infancy or later, obligations now recalled to his view. Thus out of the mouth of babes and sucklings God will perfect his praise, saying through the unconscious babe to every adult present, "Here is the covenant, the covenant God, that was set forth when you were baptized: the Christ who was beforehand with you, setting you in the membership of his church by your birth, sealing you to his faith and service by your baptism. How do you now stand related to him? Have you, honoring the call which he thus addressed to you, freely and gladly undertaken with mind and heart the obligations that were declared incumbent upon you?" James MacGregor (1830-1894) "The Church Membership of Infants" |
