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. Then the Minister shell say as follows: or else shall pass on to the questions addressed to the Sponsors Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St Mark, in the tenth chapter, at the thirteenth verse. HEY brought young children to them, and his disciples rebuked those who 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 Gospe is read, the Minister shall make this brief Ea hortation upon the words of the Gospel: BE ELOVED, 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 in nocency. 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 lessed 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 UR Father, who art in Heaven, Hal come; Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven: Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. Then shall the Minister demand the name of the Child; which being by the Godfathers and Godmothers pronounc ed, the Minister shall say as follows: OST 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 Do Minis. Wilt thou be baptized in this Faith ? Ans. That is my desire. Minis. Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life? Ans. I will, by God's help. Then the Minister shall say, WE receive this Child into the Con gregation of Christ's Flock, and do (1)sign him with the sign of the Cross; in to- (1) Here the ken that hereafter he shall Minister shall not be ashamed to con- make a Cross fess the faith of Christ upon the crucified, and manfully to Child's fureagainst sin, the world, fight under his banner, head. and the devil; and to continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end. Amen. The same rule is to be observed here, as SEE Then shall the Minister say, NEEING 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, 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 in corporate 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 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 Resurrec tion; 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 Minister shall say to the Godfathers and Godmo thers this Exhortation following: ORASMUCH 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 vw, 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, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and be eve to his soul's health; and that this Cid may be virtuously brought up to ead a godly and Christian life: remembering always, that Baptism doth represent unto us our profession: which is, to follow the ex ample 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 proceecing in all virtue and godliness of living. Then shall he add, and say, YE E 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, and is sufficiently instructed in the other parts of the Church Catechism, set forth for that purpose. But if they who bring the infant to the Church do make such uncertain Answers to the Minister's Duestions, 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 Minister haptize it in the Form before ap pointed for Public Baptism of Infants, saving, that, at the dipping of the Child in the Font, he shall use this form of Words: baptize thee in the name of the Father, F thou art not already baptized, N. 1 and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. If Infant Baptism, and the receiving of Infants haptized in private, ure to be at the same time, the Minister may make the Questions to the Sponsors and the succeeding Prayers serve for both. And again. after the Immersion, or the pouring of Water, and the receiv ing into the Church, the Minister may use the Remainder of the Service for both 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 giren to the Minister, 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 he found fit. then the Godfathers and Godmothers, (the People being assembled upon the Sunday, Holy Day, or Prayer Day appointed) shall be ready to present them at the Font, immediately after the Second Lerson, either at Morning or Evening Prayer, as the Minister, in his discretion, shall think fit. And standing there, the Minister shall ask. Whether any of the Persons here presented be baptized or no? If they shall answer, No; then shall the Minister say thus DE EARLY beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin. (and that which is born of the flesh is flesh) and they who are in the flesh cannot please God, but live in sin, commit ting many actual transgressions; and 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 boun teous goodness he will grant to these Persons that which by nature they cannot have with that they may be baptized and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's holy Church, and be made lively members of the same. Then shall the Minister say, Let us pray ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, of thy great mercy, didst save Noah and his family in the ark from perishing by water; and also didst safely ad 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 ele ment of water, to the mystical washing away of sia; we beseech thee, for thing infinite mercies, that thou wilt mercifully look upon these thy Servants; wash them and sanctify them with the loly Ghost; that they, being delivered from thy wrath, may be received into the Ark of Christ's Church; and being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity, may so pass the waves of this trouLlesome 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. ¶Or this ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the aid of all who need, the helper of all who flee to thee for succour, the lite of those who believe, and the resurrec Lion of the dead; we call upon thee for these Persons, that they, coming to thy holy Baptism, may receive remission of their sins. by spiritual regeneration Receive them, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying, Ash, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find knock, and it shall be opened unto you So give now unto us who ask; let us who seek, find; open the gate unto us who knock; that these PerSons may enjoy he everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing and may come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised by Christ our Lonl. Amen ¶ Then the Minister shall say, Hear the words of the Gospel, written by Saint John, in the third chapter. beginning at the first verse: THERE was a man of the Pharisees. THERE was a man of the Pharisees, Jews. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a Teacher come from God, for 110 man can do these miracles that thou Jesus doest, except God be with him answered and said unto him. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old ? cat. he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesusanswered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter in the kingdom of God That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is Spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof; but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth so is every one that is born of the Spirit. After which he shall say this Exhortation following: Berive words of our that, except a man be born of Water an 1 of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Whereby ye may perceive the great necessity of this Sa. crament, where it may be had. Like wise, immediately before his ascension into heaven, (as we read in the last chap ter of Saint Mark's Gospel.) he gave command to his disciples, saying. Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that elieveth not, shall be damned: Which also showeth unto us the great benefit we reap thereby For which cause Saint Peter the Apostle, when upon his first preaching of the Gospel many were pricked at the heart. and said to him and the rest of the Apostles. Men and brethren, what shall we do ? replied, and said unto them, Repent and be bap tized every one of you, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost: For the promise is to you and your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shail call. And with many other words exhorted he them, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward ge neration For, as the same Apostle tesdoth also now save us. (not the putting tiñeth in another place, even Baptism away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe. that he will favourably receive these present Persons, truly repenting, and coming unto him by faith; that he will grant them remission of their sins, and bestow upon them the Holy Ghost; that he will give them the blessing of eternal life, and make them Partakers of his everlasting kingdom. Wherefore, we being thus persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father toward these Persons, declared by his Son Jesus Christ, let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks to him, and say, LMIGHTY and everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks, for 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 s evermore. Give thy Holy Spirit to these Persons, that they may be born again, and be made Heirs of everlasting salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen Then the Minister shall speak to the Persons to be haptized on this wise: WELL-BELOVED, who are come hither desiring to receive holy Bar tism. ye have hear how the Congre to receive you express words of our Saviour Christ, | Christ would vouchsafe to receive you and bless you, to release you of your sins, to give you the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. Ye have heard also that our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in his holy Word, to grant all those things that we have prayed for; which promise he, for his part, will most surely keep and perform Wherefore, after this promise made by Christ, ye must also faithfully, for your part. in the presence of these your Witnesses, and this whole Congregation, promise and answer to the following Questions The Minister shall then demand of the Persons to be baptized as follows; the Questions being considered as addressed to them severally, and the answers to be made accordingly. Graut that they may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen. Grant that they being here dedicated to thee by our office and Ministry, may also be ended with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded, through thy mercy, blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all things, world with. out 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 the Persons now to be baptized therein, may receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful children, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the Minister take each Person to be baptized by the Right Hand; and placing him conveniently by the Font, according to his discretion shall ask the Godfathers and Godmothers the name, and then shall dip kim in the water, or pour water upon him, saying, N. Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost Amen. I baptize thee in the name of the ¶Then shall the Minister say, WE receive this Person into the con gregation of Christ's Flock, and do (1)sign him with the sign of the Cross: in (1) Here the token that hereafter he Minister shall shall not be ashamed to make a Cross confess the faith of upon the perChrist crucified, and son's forehead. 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 The same Rule, as to the Omission of the sign of the Cross, is to be observed here, us in the Baptism of Infants Then the Minister shall say, SEEING now, dearly beloved brethren, that these Persons are regene rate, 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 they may lead the rest of their life according to his beginning. Then shall he said the Lord's Prayer, all kneeling, OUR Father, why art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven; Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, everlastingly Amen Then, all standing up, the Minister shall use this Exhortation following; speaking to the Godfathers and Godmothers first ORASMUCH as these Persons have re nounce the devil and all his works, to be. lieve in God, and to serve him, ye must remember, that it is your part and duty to put them in mind, what a solemn vow, promise, and profession they have now made before this Congregation, and especially before you their chosen Witnesses, And ye are also to call upon them to use all diligence to be rightly instructed in God's holy Word; that so they may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; and live godly, righteously, and soberly, in this present world And then speaking to the haptized Per sons, he shall proceed and say, AND as for you, who have now by Baptism put on Christ, it is your part and duty also, being made the Chil dren of God and of the light, by faith in Jesus Christ, to walk answerably to your Christian calling, and as becometh the children of light; remembering always, that Baptism representeth 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 anto righteousness; continually morti fying all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness of living It is expedient that every Person thus baptized should be confirmed by the Bishop, so soon after his Baptism as conveniently may be. that so he may be admitted to the Holy Communion Whereas necessity may require the haptizing of Adults in private houses, in consideration of ea treme sickness; the same is hereby allowed in that case. And a con venient number of persons shals assembled in the house where the Sacrament is to be performed And in the ea hortation, Well beloved, &c instead of these words, come hither desiring, shall be inserted this word, desirous. If there be occasion for the Office of Infant Baptism and that of Adults at the same time, the Minister shall use the exhortation and one of the prayers neat following in the Office for Adults; only, in the exhortation and prayer, after the words, these Persons, and these thy Servants, adding, and these Infants Then the Minister shall proceed to the questions to be demanded in the cases respectively. After the immersion, or the pouring of water, the prayer shall be as in this service, only, after the words, these Persons, shall be added, and these Infants After which the remaining par of each service shall be used; first that for Adults, and lastly that for Infants If any persons, not baptized in their Infancy, shall be brought to be baptized be fore they come to years of discretion to answer for themselves, it may suffice to use the Office for Public Baptism of Infants; or, in case of extreme dunger, the Office for Private Baptism, only changing the word Infant, for Child, or Person, es occasion requireth. A CATECHISM; THAT IS TO SAY, An Instruction, to be learned by every Person before he be brought to be confirmed by the Bishop. Ans or M. Ques: Who gave you this name? Ans My Sponsors in Baptism; wherein I was made a member of Christ. the child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven. Quest What did your Sponsors then for you? Ans They did promise and vow three things in my name: First that I should renounce the devil and a!! his works, the pomps and vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh; Secondly, that I should believe all the Ar ticles of the Christian Faith; And thirdly, that I should keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life. Quest Dost thou not think that thou art bound to believe, and to do, as they have promised for thee? Ans. Yes verily; and by God's help so I will And I heartily thank our heavenly ather, that he hath called me to this state of salvation, through Jesus Christ our Saviour And I pray unto God to give me his grace, that I may continue in the same unto my life's end. Catechist. Rehearse the Articles of thy Belief. |