Covenant, a profession of obedience to the laws of Christ, which persons in the ancient church made before baptism. It was an indissoluble part of the obligation on catechumens, before BAPTISMAL Prefects are in use in Germany, made by the sponsors to the infant, consisting of money, plate, or even sometimes fiefs of lands; which by the laws of the country are to be kept for the child till of age, the parents having only the trust, not the right of disposing of them. An anonymous author has published a discourse express on this occasion, entitled, De pecunia lastrica.

BAPTISTS, in church history, the name by which the Anabaptists love to distinguish themselves.