1549 at their costs and charges in their cures, sufficient bread and wine for the holy Communion, (as oft as their Parishioners shall be disposed for their spiritual comfort to receive the same,) it is therefore ordered, that in recompense of such costs and charges the Parishioners of every Parish shall offer every Sunday, at the time of the Offertory, the just value and price of the holy loaf, (with all such money and other things as were wont to be offered with the same) to the use of their Pastors and Curates, and that in such order and course, as they were wont to find and pay the said holy loaf. Also, that the receiving of the Sacrament of the blessed body and blood of Christ may be most agreeable to the institution thereof, and to the usage of the primitive Church; In all Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, there shall always some Communicate with the Priest that Ministereth, And that the same may be also observed every where abroad in the country, some one at the least of that house in every parish, to whom by course, after the ordinance herein made, it appertaineth to offer for the charges of the Communion, or some other whom they shall provide to offer for them, shall receive the holy Communion with the Priest: the which may be the better done, for that they know before when their course cometh, and may therefore dispose themselves to the worthy receiving of the Sacrament. And with him or them who doth so offer the charges of the Communion, all other who be then Godly disposed thereunto, shall likewise receive the Communion. And by this means the Minister, having always some to communicate with him, may accordingly solemnize so high and holy mysteries It appeareth by ancient writers, that the Sacrament of Baptism in the old time was not commonly ministered but at two times in the year; At Easter and Whitsuntide. At which times 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) it is thought good to follow the same as near as conveniently may be. Wherefore The people are to be admonished, that it the people are to be admonished, that it is most convenient that Baptism should not be administered but upon Sundays ural other holy-days, when the most number of people come together; as well for that the Congregation there present may testify the receiring 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. Nevertheless, (if | in the English tongue. Nevertheless, necessity so require) children may be (if necessity so require) children may baptized upon any other day. at all times be baptized at home. 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. ministered [1604] [S. L.] 3 times [1552] [1549] 2 may come [1604] [S. L.] 1549 with all the suffrages and due order appointed for the same. And the Priest on the week day shall forbear to celebrate the Communion, except he have some that will communicate with him. Furthermore, every man and woman to be bound to hear and be at the divine service, in the Parish Church where they be resident, and there with devout prayer, or Godly \ silence and meditation, to occupy themselves; There to pay their duties, to communicate once in the Year at the least, and there to receive and take all other Sacraments and rites in this book appointed. And whosoever willingly, upon no just cause, doth absent themselves, or doth ungodly in the Parish Church occupy themselves; upon proof thereof, by the Ecclesiastical laws of the Realm, to be excommunicate, or suffer other punishment, as shall to the Ecclesiastical judge (according to his discretion) seem convenient. And although it be read in ancient writers, that the people many years past received at the priest's hands the Sacrament of the body of Christ in their own hands, and no commandment of Christ to the contrary; Yet forasmuch as they many times conveyed the same secretly away, kept it with them, and diversely abused it to superstition and wickedness; lest any such thing hereafter should be attempted, and that an waiformity might be used throughout the whole Realm, it is thought convenient the people commonly receive the Sacrament of Christ's body in their mouths, at the Priest's hand. It appeareth by ancient writers, that the Sacrament of Baptism in the old time, wus not commonly ministered but at two times in the Year, 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 holydays, 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 Injunts, 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 English tongue. Nevertheless if necessity so require) chil dren may at all times be baptized at home. children ought at all times to be Baptized, either at the Church or else at home. [1549] 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 last Lesson at Morning Prayer, or clse immediately after the last Lesson at Evening Prayer, as the Curate by his discretion shall appoint. And the Priest coming to the Font, (which | is then to be filled with pure water,) and standing there, shall say, Hath this Child been already baptized, or no? If they answer, No; Then shall the Priest proceed as followeth, DE When there are Children to be baptized upon the Sunday or holy-day, the pants shall give knowledge over-night, or in the morning afore the beginning of Morning Prayer, to the Curate. And then the Godfathers, Godmothers, and people, with the children, must be ready at the Font, either immediately after the last Lesson at Morning Prayer, or cise immediately after the lust Lesson at Evening Prayer, as the Curate by his discretion shall appoint. And then standing there, the Priest shall ask whether the children be baptized, or no. If they answer, No; Then sha!! the Priest say thus. EARLY beloved, forasmuch as all men are 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 of 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 3 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. A Then shall the Priest say Let us pray. LMIGHTY and everlasting 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 wellbeloved 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 5 2 be [1604] [S. L.] 1 Presbyter or Curate [S. L.] 3 these Children [1604] [S. L.] The plural is used throughout this Office, in [1604] and [S. L.] except in the Prayer [We yield thee hearty thanks, &c.] without any difference of type. which [1604] [S. L.] And by the Baptism of thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ, didst sanctify the flood Jordan, and all other waters, to the mystical Washing away of sin: [Sanctify this fountain of baptism, thou which art the Sanctifier of all things.] And further we beseech thee for thine infinite mercies, that thou wilt mercifully, &c. [S.L.] The water in the Font shall be changed twice in the Month at least: And before any Child be baptized, in the water so changed, the Presbyter or Minister shall say at the Font the words thus enclosed [ 1549 PUBLIC BAPTISM. When there are children to be baptized upon the Sunday or holy-day, the parents shall give knowledge over night, or in the morning, afore the beginning of Matins, to the Curate. And then the Godfathers, Godmothers, and people, with the children, must be ready at the Church door, either immediately afore the last Canticle at Matins, or else immediately afore the last Canticle at Evensong, as the Curate by his discretion shall appoint. whether the children be Baptized or no. And then standing there, the Priest shall ask 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 10 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. LMIGHTY and everlasting God, which of thy great mercy didst save Noe 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, didst sanctify the flood Jordan, and God, which of thy justice didst destroy by floods of water the whole world for sin, except eight persons, whom of thy mercy (the same time) thou didst save in the Ark; And when thou didst drown in the Red Sea wicked king Pharaoh, with all his army, yet (at the same time) thou didst lead thy LMIGHTY and everlasting didst sanctify the flood Jordan and all other waters, to the mystical washing away, &c. [1604] 7 Sanctify them and wash them with, &c. [1604] [S. L.] 8 Dear beloved [1549] " born in sin; and that no man born in sin can enter, &c. [1549] 10 cannot have: that is to say, they may be Baptized with the holy Ghost, and received, &c. [1549] |