* The MINISTRATION of PUBLIC BAPTISM

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of Infants, to be ufed 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, when the most number of People come together: as well for that the Congregation there prefent may tify the receiving of them that be newly baptized into the number of Chrifts Church; as also becanfe in the Baptifm of Infants, every man prefent may be put in remembrance of his own profeffion made to God in his Baptifm. For which caufe also it is expedient that Baptifm he miniftered in the Vulgar Torgue. Nevertheless (if neceffity fo require) Children may be baptized upon any other day.

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And note, That there shall be for every Male-Child to be baptized, two Godfathers and one Godmother: and for every Fema e, one Godfather end two Godmothers.

When there are children to be baptized, the Parents shall give knowledge thereof over Night, or in the Morning before the beginning of Morning Prayer, to the Curate. And then the Godfathers and Godmothers, and the People with the Children, must be ready at the Font, either immediately after the laft Leffon at Morning Prayer, or elfe immediately after the laft Leffon at Evening Prayer, as the Curate by his difcretion hall appoint. And the Priest coming to the Font (which is then to be filed with pure Water) and standing there, shall, jay,

If they fball anfwer, No: Then fall the priest proceed as followeth,

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EARLY beloved, forafmuch as all men are conceived and born in fin, and that our Saviour Chrift faith, None can enter into the kingdom of God except he be regenerate and born anew of Water and of the Holy Gholt; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jefus 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 Ghoft, and received into Chrifts holy Church, and be made à lively member of the fame. Aime..

Then ball the Priest fay,
Let us pray.

LMIGHTY and everlasting who of didft fave Noah and his

A from perifhing by water, and alfo didit fafely lead the children of Ifrael thy people through the Red feas

in the ark figuring thereby thy holy Baptifm; and by the Baptifm of thy well beloved Son Jefus Chrift, in the river Jordan, didit fanctity Water to the myftical washing away of fin; We beseech thee for thine infinite mercies, that thou wil mercifully look upon this Child; wath him and fanctify him with the Holy Ghoft; that he being delivered from thy wrath, may be received into the ark of Chrifts Church; and being stedfaft in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity, may fo pafs the waves of this troublefome world, that finally be may come to the land of everlasting life; there to reign with thee world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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LMIGHTY and immortal God, the aid of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for fuccour, the life of them that believe, and the refurrection of the dead; We call upon thee for this Infant, that be coming to thy holy Baptifm, may receive remiffion of his fins by fpiritual regeneration. Receive bim, O Lord, as thou haft promifed by thy well-beloved Son, faying, Alk, and ye fhall have; feek, and ye fhall find; knock, and it thall be opened unto you: So give now unto us that afk; let us that feek, 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 has promited by Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then fall the People ftand up, and the Priest shall fay.

Hear the words of the Gofpel written by Saint Mark in the tenth Chapter, at the thi teenth Verfe. HEY brought young children to Chrift, that he should touch them; and his difciples rebuked thofe that brought them. But when Jefus faw it, he was much difpleafed, and faid unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of fuch is the kingdom of God. Verily I fay unto you, Whofoever fhall 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 beffed them.

As Children under the Law of Moses were admitted into Covenant with God by Circumcifion; fo it appears no les proper that Infants thould early be made partakers in

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After the Gospel is read, the Minifter shall make this brief Exhortation upon the words of the Gospel. ELOVED, ye hear in this Gofpel the words of our Saviour Chrift, that he conm nded the children to be brought unto him; how he blamed thofe that would have kept them from him; how he exhorteth all men to follow their innocency. Ye perceive how by his outward gefture and deed, he declared his good will toward them; for he embraced them in his arms, he laid his hands upon them, and bleffed them. Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he will likewife favourably receive this prefent Infant; that he will embrace him with the arms of his mercy; that he will give unto him the bleffing of eternal life, and make him partaker of his everlasting kingdom. Wherefore being thus perfuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father towards this Infant, declared by his Son Jefus Chrift; and nothing doubting, but that he favourably alloweth this charitable work of our's, in bringing this Infant to his holy baptifm; let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him and say,

and Father, we thee

A vouchfafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and faith in thee: Increafe this knowledge, and

that thou 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 falvation, through our Lord Jefus Chrift, who liveth and reigne. with the: and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Then fhall the Pricft feak unto the Godfathers and Godmothers on this wife.

EARLY beloved ye have brought this Child here to be baptized; ye have prayed that our Lord Jefus

to 10 releafe him of to the Holy

to give him the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. Ye have heard alfo, that cur Lord Jefus Chrift hath promifed in his Gospel to grant all these things that ye have prayed for: which promife, he for his part will molt furely keep and perform. Wher fore, after this promife made by Christ, this Infant must also faithfully for his part, promife by you that are bis fureties (until he cone of age to take it upon bimself,) 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,

OSI thou in the Name of this Child renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and g'ory of the world, with all covetous delires of the fame, and the carnal defires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them?

Doff

Anfw. I renounce them all.

Minifter.

the Father heaven and earth?

DOST, thou believe in Gr Lord. And that he was conceived by the Holy Ghoft; born of the Virgin

Mary; that he fuffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he went down into hell, and alfo did rife again the third day; that he afcended into heaven, and fitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence fhall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead ? And doft thou believe in the Holy Ghoft; the holy Catholick Church; theommunion of faints; the emiffion of fins; the Refurrection of the flesh; and everlasting Life after death? Anf. All this I ftedfaftly believe.

Minifter.

ILT thou then be baptized in this Faith?
Anfw. That is my defire.

WILT

Minifter.

W days of thy life?

ILT thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the fame all the

Anfw. I will,

Then ball the Priß fay.

MERCIFUL God, grant that the old Adam in this Child may be fo buried, that the new man may Grant that all carnal affections may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit, may live and grow

up

him,

in him. Amen.

it to the fervice of God; and to point out that moral Purity and Righteoufnels of Life, which should adorn every ProFeffor of Chriftianity. See Rom. 6, 3.4 1 Pet. 3, 21.

GODFATHERS and GODMOTHERS feem to have been originally appointed to inftruct the Child in his Duty, if Need he, and frequently to remind him that if he does not beJieve and obey the Gospel, when he comes to Years of difcretion, he will reap no benefit from his Baptifin. This

inftitution was more particularly useful in the early Ages of the Gospel, when Chriftians were expofed to Perfecution, and Children were liable to be deprived of their Parents by Martyrdom, and educated in Pagan Principles and were Sponfers but careful in any degree to perform their engagements 'tis not to be doubted but this institution would be itill advanatgeous to Religion.

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After the Gufpel is read, the Minifter shall make this brief Exhortation upon the Words of the Golpel. ELOVED, ye hear in this Gofpel the words of our Saviour Chrift, that he commanded the children to be brought unto him; how he blamed thofe that would have kept them from him; how he exhorted all men to follow their innocency. Ye perceive how by his outward gefture and deed he declared his good will toward them; for he embraced them in his arms, he laid his hands upon them, and bleffed them. Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he hath likewife favourably received this prefent Infant; that he hath embraced him with the arms of his mercy, and (as he hath promifed in his holy word) will give unto him the bleffing of eternal life, and make him partaker of his everlasting kingdom. Wherefore we being. thus perfuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father, declared by his Son Jefus Chrift towards this Infant; let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him, and fay the Prayer, which the Lord himself hath taught us: UR 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 trefpaffes, as we forgive them that trefpafs against us; And lead us not into temptation ; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

OUR

and thee humble

that thou haft vouch

firm this faith in us evermore.

A fafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace, and faith in thee: Increase this knowledge, and conGive thy holy Spirit to this Infant, that he being born again, and being made an heir of everlasting falvation, through our Lord Jefus Chrift, may continue thy fervant, and attain thy promise; through the fame our Lord Jefus Chrift, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, row and for ever. Amen.

Then hall the Prieft demand the Name of the Child, which being by the Godfathers and Godmothers pronounced, the Minifter fall say,

OST thou in the Name of this Child renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of this world, with all covetous defires of the faine, and the carnal defires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them?

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Anj. I renounce them all.

Minifter.

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OST theu believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth ?

And in Jefus Chrift his only begotten Son our Lord? And that he was conceived by the Holy Ghoft; born of the Virgin Mary; that he fuffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he went down into hell, and alfo did rife again the third day; that he afcended into heaven, and fitteth at theright hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence fhall come again at the end of the world to judge the quick and the dead ?

And doft thou believe in the Holy Ghoft; the Holy Catholick Churc the Communion of Saints, the Remiflion of fins; the Refurrection of the flesh; and everlasting lite after death?

Anf. All this I fledfaftly believe.

Minifler.

WILT

ILT thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the fame all the days of thy life? Anf. I will.

E receive this child

*Here the Prieft

W

fhall make a cross upon the childs forehead.

his lifes end. Amen.

Then fhall the Prieft fay,

into the congregation of Chrift's flock, and do fign him with the fign of the Crofs, in token that hereafter he fhall not be afhamed to confefs the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under Chrift's banner, against fin, the world, and the Devil; and to continue Chrifts faithful foldier and fervant unto

Then the Pricft fall fay,

EEING now, dearly beloved brethren, that this Child is by Baptifm regenerate, and grafted into the body of Chrifts Church, let us give thanks unto Almighty God for thefe benefits, and with one accord make Our prayers unto him, that he may lead the reft of his life according to this beginning.

SEEI

Then the Prieft fball fay,

Ἐ

WE the

fant 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 fin, and living unto righteoufnefs, and being buried with Chrift in his death, may crucify the old man, and utterly abolish the whole body of fin; and that as he is made partaker of the death of thy Son, he may alfo be partaker of his refurrection; fo that finally with the refidue of thy Holy Church, he may be an inheritor of thine everlafting Kingdom, through Jefus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Then all Handing up, the Minister fhall make this exhortation to the Godfathers and God fathers: ORASMUCH as this Child hath promifed by you his Sureties, to renounce the devil and all his works, to believe in God, and to ferve him; ye muft remember that it is your parts and duties to fee that this F

infant be taught, fo foon as he fhall be able to learn, what a folemn vow, promife, and profeffion he hath here made by you. And that he may know these things the better, ye shall call upon him to hear Sermons, and chiefly ye thall provide that he may learn the Creea the Lord's Prayer, and Ten Commandments in the vulgar tongue, and all other things which a Chriftian ought to know and believe to his foul's health; and that this Child may be virtuously brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life; remembering always that Baptifm doth reprefent unto us our profeffion; which is to follow the example of our Saviour Chrifl, and be made like unto him; that as he died, and rofe again for us; fo fhould we, who are baptized, die from fin, and rife again unto righteoufnefs, continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and godline is of living. But if they which bring the Infant to the Church do make fuch uncertain Anfwers to the Priefs Quellions, 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 effential parts of Baptifm) then let the Prieft baptize it in the Form before ap pointed for Publick Baptifm of Infants; faving that at the dipping of the Child in the Font, be shall use this Form of words:

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F thou art not already baptized, N. I baptize thee, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft. Amen.

*** The Miniftration of Baptifm of fuch as are of Riper Years, varies very little from Public Boptism of Infants, only faying instead of this Infant, this Perfon; and the Gospel is taken out of the third Chapter of Saint John, beginning at the first Verje, to Verfe the ninth, after which an Exhortation followeth.

A CATECHISM; that is to fay, An Inftruction to be learned of every Perfon, before he be brought to be confirmed by the Bishop.

Question.

Queft. Who gave you this Name ?

Anfw. My Godfathers and Godmothers in my Baptism, wherein I was made a member of Chrift, the Child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven.

Quest. What did your Godfathers and Godmothers then for

you

?

Anfw. They did promife and vow three things in my Name: First, that I fhould renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanity of this wicked world, and all the finful lufts of the flesh. Secondly, that I fhould believe all the Articles of the Chriftian Faith. And thirdly, that I should keep Gods holy will and commandments, and walk in the fame all the days of my life.

Queft. Doft thou not think that thou art bound to believe and do as they have promifed for thee?

Anfw. Yes verily; and by Gods help fo I will. And I heartily thank our heavenly Father, that he hath called me to this ftate of falvation through Jefus Christ our Saviour. And I pray unto God to give me his grace, that I may continue in the fame unto my lites end.

Catechift. Rehearse the Articles of thy belief.

HAT is your Name?
Anfw. N. or M.

Answer. Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth :

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I And in Jefus Chrift his only Son our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the

Virgin Mary; fuffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, de id, and buried; He defcended into Hell; the third day he rofe again from the dead; He afcended into Heaven, and fitteth on the right hand of God the Fa ther Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghoft; The holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints; The forgiveness of fins; The refurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

Queft. What doft, thou-chiefly learn in thefe Articles of thy Belief?

Anfw. Fift, I learn to believe in God the Father, who hath made me, and all the world.

Secondly, in God the Son, who hath redeemed me and all mankind.

Thirdly, in God the Holy Ghoft, who fanctifieth me, and all the elect people of God

Queft. You faid that your Godfathers and Godmothers did promise for you, that you should keep Gods Com. mandments. Tell me how many there be ?

Anfw. Ten.

Quest. Which be they? Aniwer.

ves. T HE fame which God fpake in the twentieth Chapter of Exodus faying, I am the Lord thy God,

who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

This excellent Summary of the Faith and Duties of a Christian, ftand properly after Baptifm: fignifying hereby that the Child fhould be taught early what things were en gaged for him at his Baptifin which are contained here. Yet no one ought to look upon this merely as a Task for a

Child, and unworthy the Notice of fuch as are of Riper Years. For would all Perfons of full Age ftill preferve it may be prefumed that Ignorance in Matters of Religion in Memory, and ferioufly and frequently confider it: it would not fo generally prevail.

I. Thou shalt have none other Gods but me.
II.

Thou shalt not make to thy felf any graven image, nor the liknefs of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou fhalt not bow down to them, nor worship them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and vifit the fins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and fhew mercy unto thousands in them that love me, and keep my commandments.

I Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

IV. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day. Six days fhalt thou labour and do all that thou haft to do; but the feventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou fhalt do no manner of work, thou, and thy fon, and thy daughter, thy man fervant, and thy maid-servant, thy cattle, and the ftranger that is with in thy gates. For in fix days the Lord made heaven and earth, the fea, and all that in them is, and refted the feventh day; wherefore the Lord bleffed the feventh day and hallowed it.

V. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which theLord thy God giveth thee.
VI. Thou shalt do no murder.
VII

Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not fteal

VIII.

IX. Thou shalt not bear falfe witness against thy neighbour.

X. Thou shall not covet thy neighbours houfe, thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife, nor his fervant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his afs, nor any thing that is his

Queft. What doft thou chiefly learn by these commandments?

Anfw. I learn two things: My duty towards God, and my duty towards my neighbour.

Que ft. What is thy duty towards God?

Anfw. My Duty towards God, is to believe in him, to fear him, and to love him with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my foul, and with all my ftrength; to worship him, to give him thanks, to put my whole truft in him, to call upon him, to honour his holy Name and his word; and to ferve him truly all the days of my life. Quest. What is thy duty towards thy neighbour?

nafters

Antw. My duty towards my neighbour is to love him as myself, and to do to all men, as I would they should do unto me. To love, honour, and fuccour my father and mother. To honour and obey the king, and all that are put in authority under him. To fubmit my felf to all my governors, teachers, fpiritual paftors and To order myself lowly and reverently to all my betters. To hurt no body by word or deed. To be true and just in all my dealing. To bear no malice or hatred in my heart. To keep my hands from picking an flealing, and my tongue from evil fpeaking, lying and flandering. To keep my body in temperance, fobernefs, and chastity. Not to covet or defire other mens goods; but to learn and labour truly to get my own living, and to do my duty in that ftate of life unto which it fhall pleafe God to call me.

Chatechift. My good child know this, that thou art not able to do these things of thyfelf, nor to walk in the commandments of God, and to serve him without his fpecial grace, which thou must learn at all times to call for by diligent prayer. Let me hear therefore if thou canst fay the Lords Prayer.

Anfwer.done in earth, as it is in heaven.
UR Father, which art in heaven; hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our
trefpaffes, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from
evil. Amen.

Queft. What defireft thou of God in this Prayer ?

Apfw. I defire my Lord God our heavenly Father, who is the giver of all goodness, to fend his grace unto me, and to all people, that we may worship him, ferve him, and obey him as we ought to do. And I pray unto God, that he will fend us all things that be needful both for our fouls and bodies; and that he will be merciful unto us, and forgive us our fins; and that it will please him to fave and defend us in all dangers ghostly and bodily; and that he will keep us from all fin and wickedness, and from our ghoftly enemy, and from everlasting death. And this I truft he will do of his mercy and goodness, through our Lord Jefus Chrift: and therefore I fay, Amen So be it.

Question. Aniw. Two only, as generally neceffary to falvation; that is to fay, Baptifm, and the Sup

[OW many Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Church?

per of the Lord.

Quest. What meaneft thou by this word Sacrament?

Anfw. I mean an outward and vifible fign of an inward and fpiritual grace, given unto us, ordained by Chrift himself, as a means whereby we receive the fame, and a pledge to affure us thereof.

Queft. How many parts are there in a Sacrament?

Anfw. Two: the outwa d (vifible fign, and the inward fpiritual grace.

Queft. What is the outward vifible fign or form in Baptifm

Anfw. Water: wherein the perfon is baptized, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghosts