Treatise Serious Thoughts Godfathers And Godmothers
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | treatise |
| Year | None |
| Passage ID | jw-treatise-serious-thoughts-godfathers-and-godmothers-002 |
| Words | 384 |
So the Church tells you expressly: “This infant must for
his part promise.” It is he promises in these words, not
they. So again: “This child hath promised to renounce the
devil, to believe in God, and to serve him.” If it be said,
“But why are those questions inserted, which seem to mean
what they really do not?” I answer, I did not insert them,
and should not be sorry had they not been inserted at all. I believe the compilers of our Liturgy inserted them because
they were used in all the ancient Liturgies. And their deep
reverence for the primitive Church made them excuse some
impropriety of expression. 7. What theri is your part, who are sponsors for the child? This likewise is expressly told you: “It is your part to see
that this infant be taught, so soon as he shall be able to learn,
what a solemn vow, promise, and profession he hath here
made by you. You shall call upon him to hear sermons, and
shall provide that he may learn the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer,
and the Ten Commandments, and all other things which a
Christian ought to know and believe to his soul’s health;
and that this child may be virtuously brought up, to lead a
godly and a Christian life.”
8. Can anything then be plainer than what you do not,
and what you do, undertake? You do not undertake that he
shall renounce the devil and serve God; this the baptized
himself undertakes. You do undertake to see that he be
taught what things a Christian ought to know and believe. And what is there in this which is impossible? which any
serious person may not perform ? 9. If then you that are parents will be so wise and kind to
your children as to wave every other consideration, and to
choose for their sponsors those persons alone who truly fear
and serve God; if some of you who love God, and love one
another, agree to perform this office of love for each other's
children; and if all you who undertake it perform it faith
fully, with all the wisdom and power God hath given you;
what a foundation of holiness and happiness may be laid,
even to your late posterity !