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The Ministration of Holy Baptism to Children to be Used in the Church
The Ministration of Baptism to Such as Are of Riper Years
The Ministration of Private Baptism
The Public Receiving of Such as Have Been Privately Baptized
THE MINISTRATION OF
HOLY BAPTISM TO CHILDREN
TO BE USED IN THE CHURCH
The Minister of the parish shall often admonish the people that they bring their children to the Church for Baptism as soon as possible after birth; and that except for urgent cause and necessity they seek not to have their children baptized in their houses.
It is fitting that Baptism should be administered upon Sundays and other Holy-days at a public Service, so that the Congregation may witness the receiving of the newly baptized into the number of Christ’s Church, and also may be reminded of the benefits which they themselves received and the Profession which they made in holy Baptism.
There shall be for every male child to be baptized two Godfathers and one Godmother; and for every female, one Godfather and two Godmothers. Nevertheless, when three Sponsors cannot be had, one Godfather and one Godmother shall suffice. Parents, if necessity so require, may be Sponsors for their own child. The Sponsors shall be baptized persons and able to make the promises required.
In the absence of a Priest, it is lawful for a Deacon to baptize children.
When there are children to be baptized, the Parents shall give due notice thereof to the Minister of the Parish. He shall thereupon appoint the time for Baptism, which shall be either immediately after the last Lesson at Morning or Evening Prayer, or at such other time as he shall appoint.
Before proceeding with the Service, the Priest shall require assurance that the child brought to him for Baptism has not already received this Sacrament.
The Priest and the people may remain standing throughout the Baptismal Service.
The Priest shall meet the Parents, Sponsors, and the Candidates for Baptism at the Font, which is to be filled with pure water in the presence of the people.
A Psalm or Hymn may be said or sung at the Font, or while the Priest comes to the Font.
Standing at the Font, the Priest shall say:
DEARLY beloved in Christ, seeing that God willeth all men to be saved from the fault and corruption of the nature which they inherit, as well as from the actual sins which they commit, and that our Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God, except he be born anew of Water and of the Holy Spirit, I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that he will grant to this Child that which by nature he cannot have; that he may be baptized with Water and the Holy Spirit, and received into Christ’s holy Church, and be made a living member of the same.
Then he shall say one or both of the following Prayers:
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who through thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ didst sanctify Water to the mystical washing away of sin: We beseech thee mercifully to look upon this Child; wash him and sanctify him with the Holy Spirit; that he may be received into thy holy Church; and being stedfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity, may so pass through the dangers 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.
ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the aid of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succour: We call upon thee for this Child, 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 that ask; let us that seek find; open the gate unto us that knock; that this Child may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised by him who is the Resurrection and the Life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then, the people standing, one of the Ministers shall say:
Hear the words of the Gospel, written by Saint Mark, in the tenth chapter, beginning at the thirteenth verse.
People. Glory be to thee, O Lord.
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, Let the little children 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.
People. Praise be to thee, O Christ.
Then the Minister shall say:
BELOVED, you 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. 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. Be ye, therefore, assured that he will likewise favourably receive this present Child; 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 toward this Child, declared by his Son Jesus Christ; let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him, and say together:
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, heavenly Father, We give thee humble thanks That thou hast called 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 Child, 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.
THE PROMISES
Then shall the Priest say to the Sponsors:
DEARLY beloved, you have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ may be pleased to receive, cleanse, and sanctify this Child, and grant unto him the blessing of eternal life, which things Christ, for his part, will most surely perform. And now this Child, on his part, must through you, his Sponsors, promise and vow that he will renounce the devil and all his works, believe in Christ, and obediently keep God’s commandments.
I demand therefore:
DO you, 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 you will not follow nor be led by them?
Answer. I do.
Priest. Let us recite the Articles of our Belief.
Then shall be said by the Priest and the Godparents, and the whole Congregation, the Apostles’ Creed.
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.
Note that the words in the Creed He descended into hell are considered as words of the same meaning as He went into the place of departed spirits.
Then shall the Priest say to the Sponsors:
DO you, in the name of this Child, profess this faith?
Answer. I do.
DO you, in the name of this Child, seek Baptism into this faith?
Answer. I do.
DO you, in the name of this Child, acknowledge the duty to keep God’s holy will and commandments, walking stedfastly in the Way of Christ?
Answer. I do.
WILL you pray for this Child, and take care that he may learn and do all these things?
Answer. I will.
Then shall the Priest make the following supplications, and after each of them the Congregation shall answer Amen.
O MERCIFUL God, grant that all sinful desires may die in this Child, 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 here shall begin to be of thy flock may evermore continue in the same. 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.
THE BAPTISM
Priest.
THE Lord be with you;
People. And with thy spirit.
Priest. Lift up your hearts;
People. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God;
People. It is meet and right so to do.
Then shall the Priest say:
IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, for that thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ upon the Cross, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood; and after his glorious Resurrection gave commandment to his disciples, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
REGARD, we beseech thee, the prayers of thy Church. 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, to whom with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
The Priest, taking the Child into his arms, or by the right hand, shall say to the Sponsors:
Name this Child.
And then, naming him after them, he 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 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.*Here the Priest shall make a Cross upon the Child’s forehead
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 by all:
OUR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive 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 regeneratethis Child with thy Holy Spirit, to receive him for thine own Child by adoption, and to makehim a member of thy holy Church. Grant, O Lord, that being baptized into the death of Christ, he may also be made partaker of his resurrection, so that serving thee here in newness of life, he may finally, with all thy holy Church, inherit thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE DUTIES
The Priest shall say to the Sponsors and Parents:
DEARLY beloved, forasmuch as you have brought this Child to be baptized into the family of Christ’s Church, and have promised that he shall renounce the devil and all his works, and shall believe in God, and serve him: you must remember that it is your part and duty to see that he be taught what a solemn vow, promise and profession he has here made by you, and be instructed in all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul’s health.
USE all diligence therefore to see that he be virtuously brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life; and to that end you should teach him to pray, and bring him to take his part in public worship.
TAKE care that he be taught the Creed, the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer, and be further instructed in the Church Catechism; and then that he be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him; so that he may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and may come to receive the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ, and go forth into the world to serve God faithfully in the fellowship of his Church.
REMEMBER always that Baptism represents unto us our profession; which is, to follow 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 evil desires, and daily increasing in all virtue and godliness of living.
WILL you be faithful in the fulfilment of these duties?
Answer. I will, the Lord being my helper.
Then the Priest may say one or both of the following prayers:
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, whose beloved Son did share in Nazareth the life of an earthly home: Bless, we beseech thee, the home of this Child, and grant wisdom and understanding to all who shall have the care of him, that he may grow up in stedfast love and reverence of thy holy Name; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
GRANT, O Lord, that this Child may by thy mercy grow in health of body and mind, and serve thee faithfully according to thy will all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
Then shall follow Benedictus or Nunc Dimittis, if the Office has been used at Morning or Evening Prayer. In that case the Canticle shall be followed by the Mutual Salutation, after which the Priest shall say, Let us pray, and proceed to the Collect of the day and the other prayers, and so end Morning or Evening Prayer.
When this Office is used as a separate Service, the Priest may 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.
HOLY BAPTISM
TO SUCH AS ARE OF
RIPER YEARS
AND ABLE TO ANSWER FOR THEMSELVES
When persons 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; that proper 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 be found fit, they shall each choose two Witnesses, themselves baptized, who shall present them at the Font at the time appointed.
The Priest and the people may remain standing throughout the Baptismal Service.
Standing at the Font, which is to be filled with pure water in the presence of the people, the Priest shall say to each person who is to be baptized:
HAVE you been already baptized, or not?
Answer. No.
Priest. Do you desire to be baptized and received into the Church of Christ?
Answer. That is my desire.
Priest. Why do you so desire?
Answer. That I may be a member of Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven.
Then shall the Priest say:
DEARLY beloved, forasmuch as all men are born into the world with the heritage of original sin, and of their own nature are inclined to evil, committing many actual transgressions, and seeing that our Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God, except he be born anew of Water and of the Holy Spirit, I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous goodness he will grant to these personsthat which by nature they cannot have; that they may be baptized with Water and the Holy Spirit, and received into Christ’s holy Catholic Church, and be made living members of the same.
Then shall the Priest say:
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who through thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ didst sanctify Water to the mystical washing away of sin: We beseech thee mercifully to look upon these persons coming to thy holy Baptism with repentance and faith: wash them and sanctify themwith the Holy Spirit; that they may receive remission of their sins by spiritual regeneration, and may be received into thy holy Church. And, as thou hast promised in thy holy Word, 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 being stedfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity, may come to thy eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then, the people standing, one of the Ministers shall say:
Hear the words of the Gospel, written by Saint John, in the third chapter, beginning at the first verse.
People. Glory be to thee, O Lord.
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.
People. Praise be to thee, O Christ.
THE PROMISES
Then shall the Priest say to those who are to be baptized:
YOU 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. You have heard also that our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in his Gospel, 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, you must also faithfully, for your part, promise, in the presence of these your Witnesses, and this whole Congregation, that you 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:
DO you here, in the presence of God, and of this Congregation, renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh, so that you will not follow nor be led by them?
Answer. I do.
Priest. Let us recite the Articles of our Belief.
Then shall be said by the Priest and the persons to be baptized, and the whole Congregation, the Apostles’ Creed.
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body. And the Life everlasting. Amen.
Note that the words in the Creed He, descended into hell are considered as words of the same meaning as He went into the place of departed spirits.
Then shall the Priest demand of each of the persons to be baptized:
DO you profess this faith?
Answer. I do.
DO you desire to be baptized into this faith?
Answer. I do.
WILL you endeavour to keep God’s holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of your life?
Answer. I will, God being my helper.
Priest. OUR help is in the Name of the Lord;
People. Who hath made heaven and earth.
Priest. Lord, hear our prayer;
People. And let our cry come unto thee.
Then shall the Priest make the following supplications, and after each of them the Congregation shall answer Amen.
O LORD of hosts, before the might of whose presence the armies of evil are put to flight, deliver thy servants from the power of Satan. Amen.
CAST out of their hearts every evil imagination and every thing which exalts itself against the knowledge of thee; and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 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.
THE BAPTISM
Priest.
THE Lord be with you;
People. And with thy spirit.
Priest. Lift up your hearts.
People. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God;
People. It is meet and right so to do.
Then shall the Priest say:
IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, for that thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ upon the Cross, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood; and after his glorious Resurrection gave commandment to his disciples, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
REGARD, we beseech thee, the prayers of thy Church. Sanctify this Water to the mystical washing away of sin; and grant that these 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, to whom with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Then shall the Priest take each person to be baptized by the right hand, and placing him conveniently by the Font, shall ask the Witnesses 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.
* Here the Priest shall make a Cross upon the person’s forehead.
THE CONFIRMATION
When Confirmation follows immediately upon Baptism, the Minister shall present those that are to be confirmed unto the Bishop, and say:
REVEREND Father in God, I present unto you these persons to receive the laying on of hands.
After which the Bishop shall say:
OUR help is in the Name of the Lord;
Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth.
Bishop. Blessed be the Name of the Lord;
Answer. Henceforth, world without end.
Bishop. Lord, hear our prayer;
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.
Bishop. Let us pray.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who hast vouchsafed to regenerate these thy servants by Water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given unto them forgiveness of all their sins: Confirm and strengthen them, we beseech thee, O Lord, with the Holy Spirit the Comforter, and daily increase in them thy manifold gifts of grace; the spirit of wisdom and understanding; the spirit of counsel and might; the spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and fill them, O Lord, with the spirit of thy holy fear, now and for ever. Amen.
And the remainder of the Order of Confirmation shall follow.
But if the Bishop does not confirm the candidates at once, the Priest shall 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 these persons may lead the rest of their life according to this beginning.
Then shall be said by all:
OUR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive 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 regeneratethese persons with thy Holy Spirit, to receive them for thine own children by adoption, and to make them members of thy holy Church. Grant 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, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
THE DUTIES
Then the Priest shall say to the Witnesses:
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: you 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 you are also to call upon them to use all diligence to be rightly instructed in God’s holy Word; that so theymay 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 newly baptized persons, he shall say:
AND seeing, brethren, that you 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 doth represent unto us our profession, which is to take up our cross and follow Christ, being made like unto him. And to further this end, you shall seek Confirmation without delay, that so you may be strengthened with the Holy Spirit and come to receive the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ, offering to God continually the sacrifice of worship and service in the fellowship of his holy Church.
Here may follow:
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.
THE MINISTRATION OF
PRIVATE BAPTISM
When any Child who has not received holy Baptism is critically ill, the Minister of the Parish (or, in his absence, any other lawful Minister) should be called upon to administer the Sacrament without delay, and if no lawful Minister may be had, and the Child is in danger of death, ANY PERSON PRESENT should pour Water upon him and, naming him, say:
N. I BAPTIZE thee In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall be said the Lord’s Prayer.
Such Baptism shall be forthwith reported to the Parish authorities.
When the Minister officiates, he shall first say the Lord’s Prayer and such other appropriate prayers from the Baptismal Office as the circumstances will allow, and then, the Child being named by someone that is present, the Minister shall pour Water on him, saying:
N. I BAPTIZE thee In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall he say:
WE yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this Child with thy Holy Spirit, to receive him for thine own Child by adoption, and to makehim a member of thy holy Church. Grant, O Lord, that being baptized into the death of Christ, he may also be made partaker of his resurrection, so that serving thee here in newness of life, he may finally, with all thy holy Church, inherit thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Service shall conclude with such prayers from the Office of the Ministry to the Sick as the Minister shall consider suitable, and the Grace.
In the case of one of riper years, the Minister shall first ask the questions provided in the part of the Office for the Baptism of those of Riper Years entitled The Promises.
THE
PUBLIC RECEIVING
OF SUCH AS HAVE BEEN PRIVATELY BAPTIZED
Holy Baptism administered according to the preceding Order is lawful and sufficient; and anyone who has thus received it ought not to be baptized again, but should be brought to the Church at such time as the Minister shall appoint, to the intent that the Congregation may be certified that he has been truly baptized; and also that he may be received publicly into the flock of true Christian people.
If the Priest did himself administer the Baptism, he shall say to the Congregation:
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 [or person].
But if some other person did administer the Baptism, the Priest shall examine whether the same was sufficient, saving to the Sponsors:
BY whom was this Child baptized?
Who was present when he was baptized?
Was he baptized with Water?
With what words was he baptized?
And if the Priest shall find by the answers of the Sponsors that all things were done as they ought to be, then shall he say:
I CERTIFY you, that in this case all is well done.
This Child was baptized according to the due and prescribed Order of the Church.
Then shall the Minister read the Gospel as appointed in the appropriate Order for the Ministration of Holy Baptism. He shall then require from the Sponsors (or from the Candidate, if he be of riper years) the accustomed vows and promises, together with the recitation of the Creed, as on pages 525 to 527 (or page 535), omitting the request for Baptism, first saying:
DEARLY beloved, you have brought this Child [or you have come] here to be publicly received into the Congregation of Christ’s flock.
I demand therefore: Do you, etc.
Then shall he take the Child in his arms (or the person of riper years by the right hand) and 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.
* Here the Priest shall make a Cross upon the Child’s (or person’s) forehead
Then shall follow the rest of the Order.
But if such answers are made at the examination that it cannot appear certain that the Child (or person) 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 him according to the appointed Order, save that instead of the usual words of administration he shall say:
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.