Chapter 29

| _In the ministration of Baptism of infants it may suffice to say one or other of the two opening prayers_, Almighty and everlasting God, _or_ Almighty and immortal God.

_Then shall the people stand up, and the Priest shall say_,

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by Saint Mark in the tenth chapter at the thirteenth verse.

They brought young children to Christ, that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

_After the Gospel is read, the Minister shall make this brief exhortation upon the words of the Gospel_.

Beloved, ye hear in this Gospel the words of our Saviour Christ, that he commanded the children to be brought unto him; how he blamed those that would have kept them from him; how he exhorteth all men to follow their innocency. Ye perceive how by his outward gesture and deed he declared his good will toward them; for he embraced them in his arms, he laid his hands upon them, and blessed them. Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he will likewise favourably receive _this_ present _Infant_; that he will embrace _him_ with the arms of his mercy; that he will give unto _him_ the blessing of eternal life, and make _him_ partaker of his everlasting kingdom. Wherefore we being thus persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father towards _this Infant_, declared by his Son Jesus Christ; and nothing doubting but that he favourably alloweth this charitable work of ours in bringing _this Infant_ to his holy Baptism; let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him, and say,

Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and faith in thee: Increase this knowledge, and confirm this faith in us evermore. Give thy Holy Spirit to _this Infant_, that _he_ may be born again, and be made _an heir_ of everlasting salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. _Amen_.

_Then shall the Priest speak unto the Godfathers and Godmothers on this wise_.

Dearly beloved, ye have brought _this Child_ here to be baptized; ye have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe to receive _him_, to release _him_ of _his_ sins, to sanctify _him_ with the Holy Ghost, to give _him_ the kingdom of heaven and everlasting life. Ye have heard also that our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in his Gospel, to grant all these things that ye have prayed for: which promise he, for his part, will most surely keep and perform. Wherefore, after this promise made by Christ, _this Infant_ must also faithfully, for _his_ part, promise by you that are _his_ sureties, (until _he_ come of age to take it upon _himself_,) that _he_ will renounce the devil and all his works, and constantly believe God's holy Word, and obediently keep his commandments.

I demand therefore,

Dost thou, in the name of this Child, renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them?

_Answer_. I renounce them all.

_Minister_.

Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?

And in Jesus Christ his only-begotten Son our Lord? And that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he went down into hell, and also did rise again the third day; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead?

And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints; the Remission of sins; the Resurrection of the flesh; and everlasting life after death? _Answer_. All this I stedfastly believe.

_Minister_.

Wilt thou be baptized in this faith?

_Answer_. That is my desire.

_Minister_.

Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life?

_Answer_. I will.

_Then shall the Priest say_,

O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in _this Child_ may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in _him_. _Amen_.

Grant that all carnal affections may die in _him_, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in _him_. _Amen_.

Grant that _he_ may have power and strength, to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. _Amen_.

Grant that whosoever is here dedicated to thee by our office and ministry may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded, through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live, and govern all things, world without end. _Amen_.

Almighty everliving God, whose most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood; and gave commandment to his disciples, that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy Congregation; sanctify this Water to the mystical washing away of sin; and grant that _this Child_, now to be baptized therein, may receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_Then the Priest shall take the Child into his hands, and shall say to the Godfathers and Godmothers_, Name this Child. _And then naming it after them_ (_if they shall certify him that the Child may well endure it_) _he shall dip it in the Water discreetly and warily, saying_,

_N_. I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

_But if they certify that the Child is weak, it shall suffice to pour Water upon it, saying the foresaid words_,

_N_. I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

_Then the Priest shall say_,

We receive this Child into the Congregation Of Christ's flock, * and do sign him with the sign of the Cross, in token that hereafter _he_ shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end. Amen.

[Margin Note:] * _Here the Priest shall make a Cross upon the Child's forehead_.

_Then shall the Priest say_,

Seeing now, dearly beloved brethren, that _this Child_ is regenerate and grafted into the body of Christ's Church, let us give thanks unto Almighty God for these benefits, and with one accord make our prayers unto him, that _this Child_ may lead the rest of _his_ life according to this beginning.

_Then shall be said, all kneeling_,

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

_Then shall the Priest say_,

We yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate _this Infant_ with thy Holy Spirit, to receive _him_ for thine own _Child_ by adoption, and to incorporate _him_ into thy holy Church. And humbly we beseech thee to grant that _he_ being dead unto sin, and living unto righteousness, and being buried with Christ in his death, may crucify the old man, and utterly abolish the whole body of sin; and that, as _he is_ made _partaker_ of the death of thy Son, _he_ may also be _partaker_ of his resurrection; so that finally, with the residue of thy holy Church, _he_ may be _an inheritor_ of thine everlasting kingdom; through Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_Then, all standing up, the Priest shall say to the Godfathers and Godmothers this exhortation following_.

Forasmuch as _this Child hath_ promised by you _his_ sureties to renounce the devil and all his works, to believe in God, and to serve him: Ye must remember, that it is your parts and duties 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. And that _he_ may know these things the better, ye shall call upon _him_ to hear sermons; and chiefly ye shall provide that _he_ may learn the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments in the vulgar tongue, 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; remembering always, that Baptism doth represent unto us our profession; which is, to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like unto him; that as he died and rose again for us, so should we, who are baptized, die from sin and rise again unto righteousness, continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness of living.

_Then shall he add and say_,

Ye are to take care that _this Child_ be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him, so soon as he can say the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments in the vulgar tongue, and be further instructed in the Church Catechism set forth for that purpose.

_It is certain by God's Word, that children which are baptized, dying before they commit actual sin, are undoubtedly saved_.

_To take away all scruple concerning the use of the sign of the Cross in Baptism; the true explication thereof, and the just reasons for the retaining of it, may be seen in the xxxth Canon, first published in the year MDCIV_.

THE MINISTRATION OF

PRIVATE BAPTISM OF CHILDREN

IN HOUSES

_The Curates of every Parish shall often admonish the people, that they defer not the Baptism of their children longer than the first or second Sunday next after their birth, or other Holy-day falling between, unless upon a great and reasonable cause, to be approved by the Curate_.

_And also they shall warn them, that without like great cause and necessity they profuse not their children to be baptized at home in their houses. But when need shall compel them so to do, then Baptism shall be administered on this fashion_.

_First let the Minister of the Parish_ (_or, in his absence, any other lawful Minister that can be procured_) _with them that are present call upon God, and say the Lord's Prayer, and so many of the Collects appointed to be said before in the form of Public Baptism, as the time and present exigence will suffer. And then, the child being named by some one that is present, the Minister shall pour Water upon it, saying these words_;

_N_. I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

_Then, all kneeling down, the Minister shall give thanks unto God, and say_,

We yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this Infant with thy Holy Spirit, to receive _him_ for thine own Child by adoption, and to incorporate _him_ into thy holy Church. And we humbly beseech thee to grant, that as _he_ is now made partaker of the death of thy Son, so _he_ may be also of his resurrection; and that finally, with the residue of thy Saints, _he_ may inherit thine everlasting kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_And let them not doubt, but that the Child so baptized is lawfully and sufficiently baptized, and ought not to be baptized again. Yet nevertheless, if the Child which is after this sort baptized do afterward live, it is expedient that it be brought into the Church, to the intent that, if the Minister of the same Parish did himself baptize that Child, the Congregation may be certified of the true form of Baptism, by him privately before used. In which case he shall say thus_,

I certify you, that according to the due and prescribed Order of the Church, at such a time, and at such a place, before divers witnesses, I baptized this Child.

_But if the Child were baptized by any other lawful Minister, then the Minister of the Parish, where the Child was born or christened, shall examine and try whether the Child be lawfully baptized, or no. In which case, if those that bring any Child to the Church do answer that the same Child is already baptized, then shall the Minister examine them further, saying_,

By whom was this Child baptized? Who was present when this Child was baptized?

Because some things essential to this Sacrament may happen to be omitted through fear or haste, in such times of extremity; therefore I demand further of you,

With what matter was this Child baptized? With what words was this Child baptized?

_And if the Minister shall find by the answers of such as bring the Child, that all things were done as they ought to be; then shall not he christen the Child again, but shall receive him as one of the flock of true Christian people, saying thus_,

I certify you, that in this case all is well done, and according unto due order, concerning the baptizing of this Child; who being born in original sin, and in the wrath of God, is now, by the laver of Regeneration in Baptism, received into the number of the children of God and heirs of everlasting life: for our Lord Jesus Christ doth not deny his grace and mercy unto such infants, but most lovingly doth call them unto him, as the holy Gospel doth witness to our comfort on this wise.

St Mark x. 13.

They brought young children to Christ, that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

_After the Gospel is read, the Minister shall make this brief exhortation upon the words of the Gospel_.

Beloved, ye hear in this Gospel the words of our Saviour Christ, that he commanded the children to be brought unto him; how he blamed those that would have kept them from him; how he exhorted all men to follow their innocency. Ye perceive how by his outward gesture and deed he declared his good will toward them; for he embraced them in his arms, he laid his hands upon them, and blessed them. Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he hath likewise favourably received this present Infant; that he hath embraced him with the arms of his mercy; and (as he hath promised in his holy Word) will give unto him the blessing of eternal life, and make him partaker of his everlasting kingdom. Wherefore, we being thus persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father, declared by his Son Jesus Christ, towards this Infant, let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him, and say the Prayer which the Lord himself taught us:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and faith in thee: Increase this knowledge, and confirm this faith in us evermore. Give thy Holy Spirit to this Infant, that _he_, being born again, and being made an heir of everlasting salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, may continue thy servant, and attain thy promise; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. _Amen_.

_Then shall the Priest demand the Name of the Child; which by the Godfathers and Godmothers pronounced, the Minister shall say_,

Dost thou, in the name of this Child, renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of this world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them?

_Answer_. I renounce them all.

_Minister_.

Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?

And in Jesus Christ his only-begotten Son our Lord? And that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he went down into hell, and also did rise again the third day; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead?

And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints; the Remission of sins; the Resurrection of the flesh; and everlasting life after death?

_Answer_. All this I stedfastly believe.

_Minister_.

Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life?

_Answer_. I will.

_Then the Priest shall say_,

We receive this Child into the Congregation of Christ's flock, and do * sign _him_ with the Sign Of Cross, in token that hereafter _he_ shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto _his_ life's end. Amen.

[Margin Note:] * _The Priest shall make a Cross upon the Child's forehead_.

_Then shall the Priest say_,

Seeing now, dearly beloved brethren, that this Child is by Baptism regenerate and grafted into the body of Christ's Church, let us give thanks unto Almighty God for these benefits, and with one accord make our prayers unto him, that _he_ may lead the rest of _his_ life according to this beginning.

_Then shall the Priest say_,

We yield thee most hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this Infant with thy Holy Spirit, to receive _him_ for thine own Child by adoption, and to incorporate _him_ into thy holy Church. And humbly we beseech thee to grant that _he_ being dead unto sin, and living unto righteousness, and being buried with Christ in his death, may crucify the old man, and utterly abolish the whole body of sin; and that, as _he_ is made partaker of the death of thy Son, he may also be partaker of his resurrection; so that finally, with the residue of thy holy Church, he may be an inheritor of thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_Then, all standing up, the Minister shall make this exhortation to the Godfathers and Godmothers_.

Forasmuch as this Child hath promised by you _his_ sureties to renounce the devil and all his works, to believe in God, and to serve him: Ye must remember, that it is your parts and duties 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 made by you. And that _he_ may know these things the better, ye shall call upon _him_ to hear sermons; and chiefly ye shall provide that _he_ may learn the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments in the vulgar tongue, 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; remembering alway, that Baptism doth represent unto us our profession; which is, to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and be made like unto him; that as he died and rose again for us, so should we, who are baptized, die from sin and rise again unto righteousness, continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness of living.

_But if they which bring the Infant to the Church do make such uncertain answers to the Priest's questions, as that it cannot appear that the Child was baptized with water, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,_ (_which are essential parts of Baptism,_) _then let the Priest baptize it in the form before appointed for Public Baptism of Infants: Saving that at the dipping of the Child in the Font, he shall use this form of words_.

If thou art not already baptized, _N_. I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

THE MINISTRATION OF

BAPTISM TO SUCH AS ARE

OF RIPER YEARS,

AND ABLE TO ANSWER FOR THEMSELVES

_When any such persons, as are of riper years, are to be baptized, timely notice shall be given to the Bishop, or whom he shall appoint for that purpose, a week before at the least, by the Parents, or some other discreet persons; that so due care may be taken for their examination, whether they be sufficiently instructed in the principles of the Christian Religion; and that they may be exhorted to prepare themselves with Prayers and Fasting for the receiving of this holy Sacrament_.

_And if they shall be found fit, then the Godfathers and Godmothers_ (_the people being assembled upon the Sunday or Holy-day appointed_) _shall be ready to present them at the Font immediately after the second Lesson, either at Morning or Evening Prayer, as the Curate in his discretion shall think fit_.

| _The public office for the ministration of Baptism of such as be of riper_ _years may be used as a separate service, and such service may be_ _concluded with the Blessing_.

_And standing there, the Priest shall ask, whether any of the persons here presented be baptized, or no: If they shall answer_, No; _then shall the Priest say thus_,

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin, (and that which is born of the flesh is flesh,) and they that are in the flesh cannot please God, but live in sin, committing many actual transgressions; and that our Saviour Christ saith, none can enter into the kingdom of God, except he be regenerate and born anew of water and of the Holy Ghost; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous goodness he will grant to these persons that which by nature they cannot have; that they may be baptized with water and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's holy Church, and be made lively members of the same.

_Then shall the Priest say_,

Let us pray.

(_And here all the Congregation shall kneel_.)

Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy great mercy didst save Noah and his family in the ark from perishing by water; and also didst safely lead the children of Israel thy people through the Red Sea, figuring thereby thy holy Baptism; and by the Baptism of thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ, in the river Jordan, didst sanctify the element of water to the mystical washing away of sin: We beseech thee, for thine infinite mercies, that thou wilt mercifully look upon _these_ thy _servants_; wash _them_ and sanctify _them_ with the Holy Ghost; that _they_, being delivered from thy wrath, may be received into the ark of Christ's Church; and being stedfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity, may so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that finally _they_ may come to the land of everlasting life, there to reign with thee world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord _Amen_.