3. and chiefly ye shall provide, that he may learn the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Command. vulgar tongue, and all other a Christian ought to know and and that this Child may be virtuously came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. Acts xiii. 44. 3. He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their ments, in the children that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. Psal. lxxviii. 5, 6, 7. These words, things which which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligently unto believe to his thy children. Deut. vi. 6, 7. Go ye therefore, and soul's health; teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I brought up have commanded you. Matt. xxviii. 19, 20. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Heb. xi. 6. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts xvi. 31. membering Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, represent say, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven so in earth. Luke xi. 1, 2. And, behold, one came to him and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? He said unto him, If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Matt. xix. 16, he died, and 17. Except ye utter by the tongue words easy us, so should to be understood, how shall it be known what is we, who are spoken? If I know not the meaning of the voice, from sin, and I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and unto righte- he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me, to lead a godly and a Christian life; re always, that Baptism doth unto us our profession; which is, to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like unto him; that, as rose again for baptized, die rise again ousness; continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections, 1 Cor. xiv. 9. 11. Incline your ear, and come unto me hear, and your soul shall live. Isa. lv. 3. Their souls shall be as a watered garden. Jer. xxxi. 12. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee. and daily pro Psal. xli. 4. ceeding in all Ye fathers, provoke not your chilvirtue and dren to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture godliness of living. and admonition of the Lord. Eph. vi. 4. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Prov. xxii. 6. Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of; that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. iii. 14, 15. Remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 17. I think it meet to stir you up by putting you in remembrance. 2 Pet. i. 13. As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal. iii. 27. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering. Heb. x. 23. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving an example, that ye should follow his steps. 1 Pet. ii. 21. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. vi. 3 to 6. 11. tify therefore your members which are upon the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Col. iii. 5. 3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue : whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience god T Mor Ye are that this Child be confirmed by him, so soon as he can say the Creed, the Lord's liness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 2 Pet. i. 3 to 7. 4. Now when the Apostles which were at Jeto take care, rusalem heard that Samaria had received the word be brought to of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, the Bishop to when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid Prayer, and they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Acts viii. 14 to 17. And when they in the vulgar had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught be further in- many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disCatechism set ciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, forth for that and that we must through much tribulation enter purpose. into the kingdom of God. Acts xiv. 21, 22. the Ten Com mandments, tongue, and structed in the Church THE MINISTRATION OF PRIVATE BAPTISM OF CHILDREN IN HOUSES, AND OF BAPTISM TO SUCH AS ARE OF RIPER YEARS. NOTE. The two offices for Baptism which follow, contain much of what is found in the preceding office for the Public Baptism of Infants. The difference that exists between them arises from the varying circumstances of the Baptized ; as such, it is thought unnecessary to adduce quotations from Scripture, but merely to insert those portions of these services which are verbally different. The following are those portions. PRIVATE BAPTISM OF INFANTS. CLXX. The Receiving of the Baptized Infant into the 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 adop tion, 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 o 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. CLXXI. CLXXII. Certificates and Enquiries concerning the due Baptizing of the Infant. 1. 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. 2. By whom was this Child baptized? 3. Who was present when this Child was baptized? 4. 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, 5. With what matter was this Child baptized? 6. With what words was this Child baptized? 7. I certify you, that in this case all is well done, and according unto due order, concerning the baptizing of this Child; who being born in original sin, and in the wrath of God, is now, by the laver of Regeneration 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. Then follows the Gospel from St. Mark x. 13. CLXXIII. The 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 exhorted all men to follow their innocency. Ye perceive how by his outward gesture and deed he declared his good will toward them; for he embraced them in his arms, he laid his hands upon them, and blessed them. Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he hath likewise favourably received this present Infant; that he hath embraced him with the arms of his mercy; and (as he hath promised in his holy Word) will give unto him the blessing of eternal life, and make him partaker of his everlasting kingdom. Wherefore, we being thus persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father, declared by his Son Jesus Christ, towards this Infant, let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him, and say the Prayer which the Lord himself taught us. CLXXIV. Thanksgiving and Prayer. Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks, that thou hast vouchsafed to cail 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. PUBLIC BAPTISM OF SUCH AS ARE OF RIPER YEARS. CLXXV. Exhortation to the Congregation in behalf of the Candidates for Baptism. Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin, (and that which is born of the flesh is flesh,) and they that are in the flesh cannot please God, but live in sin, committing many actual transgressions; and that our Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God, except he be regenerate and born anew of Water and of the Holy Ghost; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous 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. CLXXVI. The Gospel from St. John iii. 1. and the Exhortation founded on the Gospel. 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 com 412 PUBLIC BAPTISM OF SUCH AS ARE OF RIPER YEARS. 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 thos 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. 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 damned. Which also sheweth unto us the great benefit we reap thereby. For which cause Saint Peter the Apostle, when upon his first preaching of the Gospel many were pricked at the heart, and said to him and the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? replied and said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you and your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words exhorted he them, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. For (as the same Apostle testifieth in another place) even Baptism doth also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he will favourably receive these present persons, truly repenting, and coming unto him by faith; that he will grant them remission of their sins, and bestow upon them the Holy Ghost; that he will give them the blessing of eternal life, and make them partakers of his everlasting kingdom. Wherefore we being thus persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father towards these persons, declared by his Son Jesus Christ; let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks to him. CLXXVII. The Minister's particular Address to the Persons to be Baptized. Well-beloved, who are come hither desiring to receive holy Baptism, ye have heard how the congregation hath prayed, that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe to receive you and bless you, to release you of your sins, to give you the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. Ye have heard also, that our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in his holy Word to grant all those things 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. CLXXVIII. Concluding Thanksgiving and Prayer. 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. |
