1786 Proposed Book of Common Prayer: Baptism · 1786 Proposed Book of Common Prayer: Preface

The Book of Common Prayer

	1786 Proposed U. S. Book of Common Prayer

The Ministration
of
PUBLIC BAPTISM OF INFANTS
to be used in the church.
¶ The people are to be admonished, that
it is most convenient that Baptism should not be administered but upon
Sundays and other Holy-Days, or occasions of public worship. Nevertheless,
(if necessity so require) they may be Baptized upon any other Day.
¶ There shall be for every Male child
to be Baptized, when they can be had, two Godfathers and one Godmother;
and for every Female, one godfather and two Godmothers; and Parents shall
be admitted as Sponsors, if it be desired.
¶ When there are Children to be Baptized,
the Parents or Sponsors shall give knowledge thereon before the beginning
of Morning Prayer, to the Minister.
Minister. Hath this Child been already baptized,
or no?
¶ If they answer, No: then
shall the Minister proceed, as followeth.
DEarly
beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin; 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 bounteous mercy, he will grant to this Child that which by
nature he cannot have; that he may be baptized with Water
and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's holy Church, and be made
a lively member of the same.
¶ Then shall the Minister say,
Let us pray
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 Water to the mystical washing away of sin; We beseech thee,
for thine infinite mercies, that thou wilt mercifully look upon this
Child; wash him and sanctify him with the Holy Ghost;
that he, being delivered from thy wrath, maybe 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 troublesome
world, that finally he 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 those who need, the helper of all who flee
to thee for succour, the life of those who believe, and the resurrection
of the dead; We call upon thee for this Infant, that he, coming
to thy holy Baptism, may receive remission of sin, by spiritual regeneration.
Receive him, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy well beloved
Son, saying, Ask, and ye shall have; 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 this Infant may enjoy
the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing, and may come to the
eternal kingdom which thou hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then the Minister shall
say,
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
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 who 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 same Holy
Spirit, Now and for ever. Amen.
¶ Then shall the Minister 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 from sin, 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, you must also faithfully for your part, promise and answer
to the following questions:
Dost thou believe all the Articles of the Christian
Faith, as contained in the Apostles Creed; and wilt thou endeavour to
have this Child instructed accordingly?
Answ. I do believe them; and by God's help will
endeavour so to do.
Minister. Wilt thou endeavour to have him
brought up in the fear of God, and to obey his holy Will and Commandments?
Answ. I will, by God's assistance.
¶ Then shall the Minister
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 everlasting
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 children,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then the Minister 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 aforesaid
words,
¶ Then the Minister 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 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.
¶ But if the Sponsors shall desire that
the Sign of the Cross may be omitted, the Minister shall say,
WE receive
this child into the Congregation of Christ's Flock; and pray that hereafter
he may never be ashamed, &c.
¶ Then shall be said;
OUr Father,
who 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
for give 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 say,
WE yield
thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to
receive this Infant as thine own Child by Baptism, 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 the Minister shall say to the
Godfathers and Godmothers this exhortation following.
FOrasmuch
as ye have promised for this Child, that ye will endeavour to have
him instructed in the Articles of the Christian Faith, as contained
in the Apostles Creed, and brought up in the Fear of God, and to obey
his holy Will and Commandments; 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 ye have here
made for him. 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 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 to 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, and is sufficiently instructed in the other
parts of the Church Catechism set forth for that purpose.
The Ministration of
PRIVATE BAPTISM
OF CHILDREN,
in Houses
The Minister 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.
¶ And also they shall warn them, that
with out 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
receive this Infant as thine own Child by Baptism, 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 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;
I Certify
you, that in this case all is well done, and according unto due order,
concerning the Baptizing of this Child; who is now by Baptism incorporated
into the Christian Church: 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.
The Gospel St.
Mark 10.13.
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 heard in this Gospel the words of our Saviour Christ, that he commanded
the children to be brought unto him; how he blamed those who 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,
who 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
for give us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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 being 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 Minister demand the Name of the Child; which being by the Godfathers
and Godmothers pronounced, the Minister shall say to them,
DOst thou
believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith, as contained in the Apostles
Creed; And wilt thou endeavour to have this Child instructed accordingly?
Answer. I do believe them; and by God's help
will endeavour so to do.
Minister.
WIlt thou
endeavour to have him brought up in the fear of God, and to obey
his holy Will and Commandments?
Answer. I will, by God's assistance.
¶ Then the Minister 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 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 to be observed, as to
the omission of the Sign of the Cross, as in the Public Baptism of Infants;
and the Minister to proceed as in that Form, to the end thereof.
¶ 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 Child was Baptized with Water, In the
Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (which are the
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:
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 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, the
Minister, in presence of the Sponsors or other Witnesses chosen for this
Purpose, either at the Morning or Evening Service, shall say,
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 mercy, 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 Minister say,
Let us pray
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
steadfast 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.
Or this,
ALmighty
and immortal God, the aid of those who need, the helper of all that flee
to thee for succour, 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 have; seek, and ye
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: So give now unto us
that ask; let us that seek, find; open the gate unto us that knock; that
these persons may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly
washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised
by Christ our Lord. 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, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The
same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou
art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles that thou
doest, except God be with him. Jesus 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? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and
be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man
be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into 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.
BEloved,
ye hear in this Gospel the 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 before his ascension into heaven,
(as we read in the last Chapter 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 believeth not shall be damned. Which also sheweth 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 baptized 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 shall call. And with many other
words exhorted he them, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
For (as the same Apostle testifieth in another place) even Baptism doth
also now save us, (not the putting 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 towards these persons, declared by his Son
Jesus Christ; let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks to 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 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 same
Holy Spirit, Now and for ever. Amen.
¶ Then the Minister shall
speak to the persons to be baptized on this wise:
WEll-Beloved,
who are come hither desiring to receive holy Baptism, ye have heard
how the congregation hath prayed, that our Lord Jesus 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 what we have prayer 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;
Question.
DOst thou
believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith, as contained in the Apostles
Creed?
Answ. I do.
Question. Wilt thou endeavour to live in the
fear of God, and to obey his holy Will and Commandments?
Answ. I will, by God's assistance.
¶ Then shall the Minister say,
O Merciful
God, grant that the old Adam in these persons may be so buried,
that the new man may be raised up in them. Amen.
Grant that all carnal affections may die in them,
and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in them.
Amen.
Grant 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 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 this 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 Name; and then
shall dip him in the Water, or pour Water upon him, saying,
N. I Baptize
thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
¶ Then the Minister shall say,
WE
receive this person 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 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, to be observed here, as in the Baptism of Infants.
¶ Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer.
OUr Father,
who 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
for give us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
WE yield
thee humble thanks, O heavenly Father, 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 these
persons; that, being made heirs of everlasting salvation, through
our Lord Jesus Christ, they may continue thy servants, and
attain thy promises; through the same Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth
and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, everlastingly.
Amen.
¶ Then the Minister shall use this Exhortation
following, speaking to the Godfathers and Godmothers first.
FOrasmuch
as these persons have declared in your presence, that they
believe all the articles of the Christian Faith as contained in the Apostles
Creed; and have promised that they will live in the Fear of God, and obey
his holy Will and Commandments, 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;
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 new baptized
Persons, 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 Children 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 unto
righteousness; continually mortifying 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.
¶ If any Persons not baptized in their
Infancy shall be brought to be baptized before they come to years of discretion
to answer for themselves; it may suffice to use the Office for Publick
Baptism of Infants, or (in case of extreme Danger) the Office for Private
Baptism; only changing the word [Infant] for [Child or Person]
as occasion requireth.

Return to 1786 Proposed Book of Common Prayer

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