СНАР. CHAPTER VIII. COMMON PRAYER. THE MINISTRATION OF (A) BAPTism, to be used in the church. 1 B. OF EDWARD VI. OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC BAPTISM TO BE USED IN THE It appeareth by ancient writers, that the (B) Sacrament of baptism, in the old time, was not commonly ministered but at two times in the year, (C) at Easter and Whitsuntide; at which time it was openly ministered in the presence of all the congregation; which custom now being grown out of use (although it cannot, for many considerations, be well restored again,) yet it is thought good to follow the same as near as conveniently may be; wherefore the people are to be admonished that it is most convenient that baptism should not be ministered but upon Sundays, and other holy-days, when the most number of people may come together, 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 baptism. For which cause also it is expedient that baptism be ministered in the English tongue: nevertheless, if necessity so require, children [1 B. of Edw. VI. "ought at all times to be baptized, either at the church, or else at home"] may at all times be baptized at home. Public Baptism. When there are children to be baptized upon the Sunday or holy day, the parents shall give knowledge overnight, or in the morning, afore the beginning of morning prayer, to the curate. And then the godfathers, godmothers, and people, 215 VIII. with the children, (D) must be ready at the font, [1 B. of CHAP. Edw. VI. "at the church door,"] either immediately after the last [1 B. of Edw. VI. "canticle"] lesson at morning prayer, or else immediately after the last [1 B. of Edw. VI. "canticle"] lesson at evening prayer, as the curate by his discretion shall appoint. And then standing there, the priest 216 shall ask whether the children be baptized or no? If they answer No, then shall the priest say thus: Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men be conceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God, except he be regenerate and born anew, of water and 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 children that thing 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 priest shall say, Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, which of Thy great mercy didst sabe Noah and his family in the ark from perishing by water; and also didst safely send the children of Esrael, Thy people, through the Red sea, figuring thereby the holy baptism: and by the baptism of Thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ, didst E sanctify the flood Jordan, and all other waters, to the mpstical washing away of sin. [Scotch Lit. "sanctify this fountain of baptism, Thou which art the 'sanctifier of all things."] And further, we beseech Thee for Thy infinite a in the font 1 B. of Edw. VI. Almighty and everlasting God, which of Thy justice didst destroy, by floods of water, the whole world for sin, except eight persons, whom of Thy mercy (at the same time) Thou didst save in the ark: and when Thou didst The water drown in the Red sea wicked shall be King Pharaoh with all his twice in army, yet (at the same time) at least: Thou didst lead Thy people, and before the children of Israel, safely be bapthrough the midst thereof, water so whereby Thou didst figure the washing of Thy holy bap- byter or tism. And by, &c. [1 B. Edw. VI. "water and" omitted.] changed the month any child tized in the changed, the pres minister shall say at the font the words thus inclosed, []. CHAP. mercies, that Thou wouldst mercifully look upon these children, VIII. sanctify and wash 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. 1 B. of Edw. VI. May ever serve Thee, and finally attain to everlasting life, with all Thy holy and chosen people. This grant us, we beseech Thee, for Jesus Christ's sake, our Lord. Amen. 1 B. of Edw. VI. Here shall the priest ask what shall be the name of the child, and when the godfathers and godmothers have told the name, then shall he make a (F) cross upon the child's forehead and breast, saying, N. receive the sign of the holy cross, both in thy forehead and in thy breast, in token that thou shalt not be ashamed to confess thy faith in Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under His banner against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue His faithful soldier and servant unto thy life's end. Amen. And this he shall do, and say, to as many children as be present to be baptized, one after another. 1 B. of Edw. VI. Let us pray, Almighty and immortal God, &c. Common Prayer. Almighty and immortal God, the aid of them 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 infants, 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 you shall habe; 217 VIII. seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto CHAP. you. So gibe now unto us that ask, let us that seek find, open the gate unto us that knock, that these infants 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. 1 B. of Edw. VI. Then let the priest, looking upon the children, say, I command thee (G) unclean spirit, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, that thou come out, and depart from these infants whom our Lord Jesus Christ hath vouchsafed to call to His holy baptism, and to be made members of His body, and of His holy congregation; therefore, thou cursed spirit, remember thy sentence, remember thy judgment, remember the day to be at hand, wherein thou shalt burn in fire everlasting, prepared for thee and thy angels, and presume not hereafter to exercise any tyranny towards these infants, whom Christ hath bought with His most precious blood, and by this His holy baptism calleth to be of His flock. Hear now the gospel written by St. Mark. At a certain time they brought children unto Christ, that He should touch them; and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was displeased, and said unto them, Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever doth not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And when he had taken them up in His arms, He 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. Friends, you hear in this gospel the words of our Saviour CHAP. Christ, that He commanded the children to be brought unto VIII. Him: how He blamed those that would have kept them from Him; how He exhorted all men to follow their innocency. You 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 not ye, therefore, but earnestly beliebe, that He will likewise favourably receive these present infants: that He will embrace them with the arms of His mercy, that He will give unto them the blessing of eternal life, and make them par- 218 takers of His everlasting kingdom. Wherefore, we being thus persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father toward these infants, declared by His Son, Jesus Christ, and nothing doubting but that He favourably alloweth this charitable work of ours, in bringing these children to His holy baptism : let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto Him, and say, [1 B. of Edw. VI. And say the prayer which Himself hath taught, and in declaration of our faith, let us recite also the articles contained in our Creed.] Here the minister, with the godfathers and godmothers, and people present, shall say, Our Father which art in heaven, &c. And then shall say openly, I believe in God, the Father Almighty, &c. The priest shall add also this prayer; Almighty 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 us evermore: gibe Thy Holy Spirit to these infants, that they may be born again, and be made heirs of everlasting salbation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and Thy Holy Spirit now and for ever. Amen. 1 B. of Edw. VI. [Then let the priest take one of the children by the right hand, the other being brought after him. And coming into the church, toward the font, say, The Lord vouchsafe to re |