OF

PRIVATE BAPTISM OF CHILDREN,

IN HOUSES.

The Minister of every Parish shall often admonish the People, that they defer not the baptism o 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.

And also they shall warn them, that, without like great cause and necessity, they procure 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 as followeth.

First, let the Minister of the Parish (or, in his absence, any other lawful Minister that can be procured) with those who 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 who 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 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 humbly we beseech thee to grant, that he, being dead unto sin, and liv. Ing 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 par taker of his resurrection; so that finally, with the residue of thy holy Church, he may be an inheriter of thine everlasting kingdom, through CHRIST our Lord. Amen.

And let them not doubt, but that the child so baptized is lawfuity and sufficiently baptized, and ought not to be baptized again. Yet never theless, 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 Bay thus:

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 whether the same hath been lawfully done. 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:

all is well done, and according unto I CERTIFY you, that in this case due order, concerning the baptizing of this child; who is now by baptism in. corporated into the Christian Church: For our Lord JESUS CHRIST doth such infants; but most lovingly doth not deny his grace and mercy unto call them unto him, as the holy gospel doth witness to our comfort on this

wise.

Then the Minister shall 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.

THEY brought young children to CHRIST, that he should touch 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 child ren to come unto me, and forbid I CERTIFY you, that according them not; for of such is the king. to the due and prescribed Order of the dom of GOD. Verily I say unto you, Church, at such a time and at such Whosoever shall not receive the king. a place, before divers witnesses, Idom of GOD as a little child, he shall baptized this child. not enter therein. And he took them

After the Gospel is read, the Minister shall make this brief Exhortation upon the words of the Gospel:

Minister. Dost thou believe all the articles of the Christian faith, as contained in the Apostles' Creed? Answer. I do.

Minister. Wilt thou then obedimandments, and walk in the same all ently keep Goo's holy will and com. the days of thy life?

Answer. I will, by GoD's help.

Then the Minister shall say,

BELOVED, ye hear in this Gospel the words of our Saviour CHRIST, that he commanded the children to be brought unto him; how he blam ed 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 with the sign of the them, and blessed them. cross; in token that Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe, hereafter he shall not

upon

WE receive this child into the Congregation of CHRIST'S Flock, and do * sign him

• Iere the Min

ister shall make a cross upon the child's forehead.

that he hath likewise favorably rebe ashamed to confess the faith of ceived this present infant; that he CHRIST crucified, and manfully to hath embraced him with the arms of fight under his banner, against sin, his mercy; and, as he hath promised the world, and the devil; and to con in his holy word, will give unto him tinue CHRIST'S faithful soldier and the blessing of eternal life, and make servant unto his life's end. Amen. him partaker of his everlasting king- The same rule is to be observed here, as to dom. Wherefore, we being thus persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father, declared by his Son JESUS CHRIST, toward this infant, let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him, and say the prayer which the LORD himself taught us.

the omission of the sign of the cross, as in the Public Baptism of Infants.

Then shall the Minister say,

brethren, that this child is regene SEEING now, dearly beloved rate, and grafted into the body of CHRIST'S Church; let us give thanks unto ALMIGHTY GOD for these be

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name; Thy king-nefits, and with one accord make our dom come; Thy will be done on earth, prayers unto him, that this child may as it is in heaven; Give us this day lead the rest of his life according to our daily bread; And forgive us our this beginning. trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

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 incorporate him into thy hely 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.

1 Then, all standing up, the Minister shall say to

the Godfathers and Godmothers this Exhortation following:

are baptized, die from sin, and rise again unto righteousness; continually mortifying all our evil and corrup 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

FORASMUCH as this child hath promised by you, his sureties, to re-be brought to the Bishop to be con

firmed 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 questions, as that it cannot appear that the chiid 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 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:

nounce 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, 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 If Infant Baptism, and the receiving of Infants 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, whol

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.

baptized in private, are 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 receiving 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 given 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 be 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 Lesson, either at Morning or Evening Prayer, as the Minis ter, in his discretion, shall think fit.

And standing there, the Minister shall ask, Whether any of the persons nere presented be baptized or no? If they shall answer, No; then shall the Minister 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 who are in the flesh

cannot please GOD, but live in sin, committing many actual transgres. sions; and our Saviour CHRIST saith, None can enter into the kingdom of

GOD, except he be regenerate and receive; seek, and ye shall find; born anew of water and of the HOLY knock, and it shall be opened unto GHOST; I beseech you to call upon you: So give now unto us who ask; GOD the Father, through our Lord let us who seek, find; open the gate JESUS CHRIST, that of his bounteous unto us who knock; that these pergoodness, he will grant to these per-sons may enjoy the everlasting benesons that which by nature they can diction of thy heavenly washing, and not have; that they may be baptized may come to the eternal kingdom with water and the HOLY GHOST, which thou hast promised by CHRIST and received into CHRIST's holy our Lord. Church, and be made lively members of the same.

Then shall the Minister say,

Amen.

Then the Minister shall say,

Hear the words of the gospel, writ ten by Saint John, in the third chap ter, beginning at the first verse:

Let us pray. ALMIGHTY and everlasting THERE was a man of the PhariGOD, who of thy great mercy, didst sees, named Nicodemus, a'ruler of save Noah and his family in the ark the Jews. The same came to JESUS from perishing by water; and also by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, didst safely lead. the children of Is- we know that thou art a teacher come rael thy people through the Red Sea, from Gop; for no man can do these figuring thereby thy holy Baptism; miracles that thou doest, except GOD and by the baptism of thy well-belov- be with him. JESUS answered and ed Son JESUS CHRIST in the river said unto him, Verily, verily, I say Jordan, didst sanctify the element of unto thee, except a man be born water, to the mystical washing away again, he cannot see the kingdom of of sin; we beseech thee, for thine GOD. Nicodemus saith unto him, infinite mercies, that thou wilt merci. How can a man be born when he is fully look upon these thy servants; old? can he enter the second time wash them and sanctify them with into his mother's womb, and be born? the HOLY GHOST; that they, being JESUS answered, Verily, verily, I delivered from thy wrath, may be say unto thee, except a inan be born received into the ark of CHRIST'S of water and of the SPIRIT, he cannot Church; and being steadfast in faith, enter into the kingdom of GOD. That joyful through hope, and rooted in which is born of the flesh, is flesh; charity, may so pass the waves of and that which is born of the SPIRIT, this troublesome world, that finally is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto they may come to the land of everlast-thee, ye must be born again. The ing life; there to reign with thee, wind bloweth where it listeth, and world without end, through JESUS thou hearest the sound thereof; but 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 succor, the life of those who believe, and the resurrection 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, Ask, and ye shall

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:

BELOVED, ye hear in this gos pel the express words of our Saviour CHRIST, that, except a man be born of water and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of GOD. Whereby ye may perceive the great necessity of this Sacrament, where it may be had. Likewise, immediately

1

before his ascension into heaven, (as increase this knowledge, and confirm we read in the last chapter of Saint this faith in us evermore. Give thy Mark's gospel,) he gave command to HOLY SPIRIT to these persons, that his disciples, saying, Go ye into all they may be born again, and be made the world, and preach the Gospel to heirs of everlasting salvation, through every creature. He that believeth, our Lord JESUS CHRIST, who liveth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he and reigneth with thec and the HOLY that believeth not, shall be damned: SPIRIT, now and for ever. Amen. which also showeth unto us the great Then the Minister shall speak to the persons to benefit we reap thereby. For which be baptized on this wise: cause Saint Peter the Apostle, when WELL-BELOVED, who are upon his first preaching of the Gos pel many were pricked at the heart, come hither desiring to receive holy and said to him and the rest of the Baptisin, ye have heard how the apostles, Men and brethren, what congregation have prayed, that our Lord JESUS CHRIST would vouchshall we do? replied, and said unto them, Repent and be baptized every safe to receive you and bless you, to one of you, for the remission of sins, release you of your sins, to give you and ye shall receive the gift of the the kingdom of heaven, and everHOLY GHOST: For the promise is lasting life. Ye have heard also that to you and your children, and to all our Lord JESUS CHRIST hath pro that are afar off, even as many as the mised, in his holy word, to grant all LORD our GOD shall call And with those things that ye have prayed many other words exhorted he them, for; which promise he, for his part, saying, Save yourselves from this will most surely keep and perform, untoward generation. For, as the Wherefore, after this promise made same apostle testifieth in another by CHRIST, ye must also faithfully, place, even baptisin doth also now your part, in the presence of these save us, (not the putting away of the your witnesses, and this whole confilth of the flesh, but the answer of a gregation, promise and answer to the good conscience toward GOD,) by following questions. the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST. Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he will favorably receive these present persons, truly repenting, and coming unto him by faith; that he will grant them remission of DOST thou renounce the devil their sins, and bestow upon them the and all his works, the vain pomp and HOLY GHOST; that he will give glory of the world, with all covetous them the blessing of eternal life, and desires of the same, and the sinful make them partakers of his everlast-desires of the flesh; so that thou wilt ing kingdom. not follow, nor be led by them? Wherefore, we being thus per- Answer. I renounce them all; suaded of the good-will of our hea- and, by GoD's help, will endeavor venly Father toward these persons, not to follow, nor be led by them. declared by his Son JESUS CHRIST, let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks to him, and say,

for

The Minister shall then demand of the persona

to be baptized as follows; the questions being considered as addressed to them severally, and the answers to be made accordingly.

Question.

Question. Dost thou believe all the articles of the Christian faith, as contained in the Apostles' Creed? Answer. I do.

Question. Wilt thou be baptized

ALMIGHTY and everlasting GOD, heavenly Father, we give thee in this faith? humble thanks, for that thou hast

Answer. That is my desire.

vouchsafed to call us to the know- Question. Wilt thou then obedi. ledge of thy grace, and faith in thee: lently keep GOD's holy will and com