The Book of Common Prayer of the Church of Ireland: Baptism · The Book of Common Prayer of the Church of Ireland: Front Matter

The Book of Common Prayer

	The Book of Common Prayer of the Church of Ireland: Baptism

THE MINISTRATION OF
PUBLICK BAPTISM OF INFANTS,
TO BE USED IN THE CHURCH.
¶ The Curates of
every Parish shall often admonish the people, that they defer not the
Baptism of their children longer than the fourth or fifth week next after
their birth, unless upon a great and reasonable cause.
¶ The people are
to be admonished that it is most convenient that Baptism should be administered
at some Publick Service of the Church: as well for that the Congregation
there present may testify the receiving of them that be newly baptized
into the number of Christ's Church; as also because in the Baptism of
Infants every man present may be put in remembrance of his own profession
made to God in his Baptism. For which cause also it is expedient that
Baptism be ministered in the vulgar tongue.
¶ And note, that
there shall be for every Male Child to be baptized two Godfathers and
one Godmother; and for every Female, one Godfather and two Godmothers.
¶ Parents may be
sponsors for their own children. When three sponsors cannot be found,
two shall suffice; and if two cannot be found, one shall suffice. Sponsors
must be persons of discreet age and members of the Church of Ireland,
or of a Church in communion therewith.
¶ When there are
children to be baptized, the Parents should give due notice to the Curate.
And the Godfathers and Godmothers, and the people with the Children, must
be ready at the Font, at Morning or Evening Prayer, immediately after
the Third Collect, or at such other times as the Ordinary shall approve;
provided that no parent shall be precluded from having his child baptized
in the Publick Service, if he so desire.
¶ When Baptism
is administered at Morning or Evening Prayer, then all the Prayers after
the Third Collect may be omitted.
¶ The
Priest coming to the Font and standing there, shall say,
HATH this Child been already baptized,
or no?
¶ If
they answer, No; then shall the Priest proceed as followeth:
DEARLY beloved, forasmuch as all men are
conceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour Christ saith, Except a
man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, and also saith, Except
a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom
of God; 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
thing 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, the people standing,
the Priest shall say,
ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the aid of all
that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succour, the life of
them that 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 his sins 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 that ask; let us that
seek find; open the gate unto us that knock; that this Infant
may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing, and may
come to the eternal kingdom which thou best promised by Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Or this:
ALMIGHTY and ever lasting 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, 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 he may come to the land of everlasting life, there
to reign with thee world without end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶
Then shall the Priest 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 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 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,
¶ Then shall the Minister and
people say,
ALMIGHTY and ever lasting 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 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 sinful 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 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 descended
into hell, and the third day rose again from the dead; that he ascended
into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
and from thence shall come to judge the quick and the dead?
And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholick
Church; the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection
of ‘the body; and the life everlasting?
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, God being my helper.
¶ 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, he shall dip it in the water discreetly and warily, if
they shall desire it, and he shall be certified that the Child may well
endure it; otherwise it shall suffice to pour water upon it, saying always,
N. I baptize thee In the Name of the Father,
and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
¶ Then shall the Priest 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.
¶ 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: For thine is the kingdom, The power, And the
glory, For ever and ever. 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,
may live unto righteousness, and being buried with Christ in his death,
may also be partaker of his resurrection; so that finally, with
the residue of thy holy Church, he may inherit 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
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 to sin and rise again unto righteousness; continually overcoming all
our evil passions, and daily increasing in all virtue and godliness of
living.
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 be
further instructed in the Church Catechism set forth for that purpose.
¶ If Baptism be
administered apart from the Publick Service, the Priest shall then say,
THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all
evermore. Amen.
IT is certain by God's Word, that children
which are baptized dying before they commit actual sin, are undoubtedly
saved.
Whereas the sign of the Cross is by this Office appointed
to be used in Baptism according to the ancient and laudable custom of
the Church, it is not thereby intended to add any new rite to the Sacrament
as a part of it, or necessary to it; or that the using that sign is of
any virtue or efficacy of itself; but only to remind all Christians of
the Death and Cross of Christ, which is their hope and their glory; and
to put them in mind of their obligation to bear the Cross in such manner
as God shall think fit to lay it upon them, and to be. come conformable
to Christ in his sufferings; as more largely is expressed in the thirtieth
Canon of the Church of England, which Canon is printed by direction of
the General Synod at the end of the Canons of the Church of Ireland.
THE
MINISTRATION OF
PRIVATE BAPTISM OF CHILDREN
IN HOUSES.
¶ The Curates of
every Parish shall warn the people, that without 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
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 other Prayers appointed to be said
before in the Form of Publick 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.
THE
ORDER FOR
RECEIVING INTO THE
CONGREGATION CHILDREN
WHICH HAVE BEEN PRIVATELY BAPTIZED.
¶ If a Child which
hath been privately baptized do afterward live, it is expedient that it
be brought into the Church, and be received into the Congregation. If
the Minister who receiveth it have not himself baptized the Child he 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 he 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,
Was this Child baptized with water?
With what words was this Child baptized?
¶ And if the Minister
have himself baptized the Child, or shall find by the answers of such
as bring the Child, that all things essential were done; 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 that is essential bath been done, concerning the baptizing
of this Child; who being born in original sin, and in the wrath of God,
bath, by the layer of regeneration, been 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 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 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 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,
¶ Then shall the Minister
and people say,
ALMIGHTY and ever lasting 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 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 being by the
Godfather: 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 the world,
with all covetous desires of the same, and the sinful 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 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 descended
into hell, and the third day rose again from the dead; that he ascended
into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
and from thence shall come to judge the quick and the dead?
And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholick
Church; the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection
of the body; and the life everlasting?
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, God being my helper.
¶ 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.
¶ 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 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: For thine is the kingdom, The power, And the
glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
¶ Then shall the
Priest say,
WE yield thee hearty thanks, moot 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, may live unto righteousness, and being buried with
Christ in his death, may also be partaker of his resurrection; so that
finally, with the residue of thy holy Church, he may inherit
thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then, all standing
up, the Minister shall make this Exhortation to the Godfather: and Godmothers:
FORASMUCH as this Child bath 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 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 to sin and rise again
unto righteousness; continually overcoming all our evil passions, and
daily increasing in all virtue and godliness of living.
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 be further
instructed in the Church Catechism set forth for that purpose.
¶ If this Order
be used apart from any other Publick Service, the Priest shall then say,
THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
the Love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all
evermore. Amen.
¶ 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 Publick 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.
¶ If a Child that
hath been already baptized be brought to the Church at the same time with
a Child that is to be baptized, the Minister, having enquired respecting
the sufficiency of the Baptism, and having certified the same, shall read
all that is appointed for the Publick Baptism of Infants, until he have
baptized and signed the Child that hath not been baptized; and he shall
then call upon the Godfathers and Godmothers of the Child that hath been
already baptized to make answer in his behalf, as here directed, Save
that he shall not again recite the Apostles' Creed, but say,
DOST thou believe all the Articles of
the Christian Faith as set forth in the Apostles' Creed?
¶ The Minister,
having then signed the Child according to the Form appointed above, shall
proceed with the remainder of the Order for Publick Baptism of Infants,
beginning with the words, Seeing now, dearly beloved.
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 at the time appointed.
¶ And standing
there, the Priest shall ask, whether any of the persons here presented
be baptized, or no. If they 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, Except a man
be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, and also saith, Except
a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom
of God 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, the people standing,
the Priest shall say,
ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the aid of all
that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succour, the life of
them that 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 receive; seek and ye shall find; knock, and
it shall be opened unto you: So give now unto us that ask; shall 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.
Or this:
ALMIGHTY and ever lasting 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.
¶ Then shall the
Priest 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 tins
Exhortation following:
BELOVED, ye hear in this Gospel 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 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 condemned. 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 thereat 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 faith. fully and devoutly give thanks to him, and say,
¶ Then shall the Minister and
people say,
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, heavenly
Father, We give thee humble thanks, For that thou hart 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 Holy Spirit, Now and for ever. Amen.
¶
Then the Priest 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 bath 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, promise in the presence of these
your Witnesses, and this whole Congregation, that ye will renounce
the devil and all his works, and constantly believe God's holy Word, and
obediently keep his Commandments.
¶ Then shall the
Priest demand of each of the Persons to be baptized, severally, these
Questions following:
Question.
DOST thou renounce the
devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all
covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so
that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them?
Answer. I renounce them all.
Question.
DOST thou believe in
God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?
And in Jesus Christ his only 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 descended
into hell, and the third day rose again from the dead; that he ascended
into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
and from thence shall come to judge the quick and the dead?
And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholick
Church; the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection
of the body; and the life everlasting?
Answer. All this I stedfastly believe.
Question.
WILT thou be baptized in this faith?
Answer.
That is my desire.
Question.
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 endeavour so to do, God being
my helper.
¶ Then shall
the Priest 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 the Son, and 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 and elect children; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶
Then shall the Priest 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 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 shall the Priest 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 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.
¶ Then shall the Priest say,.
SEEING now, dearly beloved brethren, that
these Persons are
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 they may lead the rest of their life according
to this beginning.
¶ Then shall be said the Lord's
Prayer, 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: For thine is the kingdom, The power, And the
glory, Forever and ever, Amen.
¶ Then shall the Priest say,
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 now born again, and 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 all standing
up, the Priest shall use this Exhortation following; speaking to the Godfathers
and Godmothers first.
FORASMUCH as these Persons have
promised in your presence to renounce the devil and all his works, to
believe 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 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 worthily of
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 to sin and rise again unto righteousness; continually mortifying all
our evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and
godliness of living.
¶ If Baptism be
administered apart from the Publick Service, the Priest shall then say,
THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all
evermore. Amen.
¶ If they who present
any Person to be baptized do make such uncertain answers to the Priest's
questions, that it cannot appear whether or not he hath been 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
him in the Form above appointed; saving that, at the dipping of the Person
in the Font, or pouring the water upon him, 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.
¶ It is expedient
that every Person, thus baptized should be confirmed by the Bishop, and
receive the Holy Communion, so soon after his Baptism as conveniently
may be.
¶ 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.
¶ Upon great and
urgent cause, persons of riper years may be baptized in private; and then
the Priest shall proceed, as in the Private Baptism of Infants, with such
changes as the age of the Person to be baptized requires.

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