ed by him, so soon as he

the Bishop to be confirm- profession; a daily burial of sin, and can say the Creed, the resurrection to righteousness. As Christ Lord's Prayer, and the died to save us from sin, so are we to be

Ten Commandments, in

further instructed in the
Church Catechism
forth for that purpose.

set

the vulgar tongue, and be dead to sin, and "mortify our members that are upon the earth;" as He rose we are to rise with Him, and live "the life which is hid with Christ in God" (Col. iii. 3.) A child may be considered a fit candidate for the further grace of Confirmation when it comprehends the main truths of the Christian Faith.

It is certain by God's
Word, that Children

before they commit actual

sin. are

saved.

To take away all scruple

This Rubric is taken from the "Insti

which are baptized, dying tution of a Christian Man," published in undoubtedly 1537, with the omission of the words or else not," which unduly dogmatised concerning the use of the upon the condition of unbaptized infants. sign of the cross in Bap- Our Church does not venture to dogmatism; the true explication thereof, and the just rea- tise upon the condition of those who die sons for the retaining of unbaptized, whether they be born it, may be seen in the xxxth Canon, first heathen, or are born of Christian parents. published in the year She is content to declare positively the salvation of those infant members of Christ who die within His Covenant before they commit actual sin, but she wisely leaves the souls who die without His Covenant to the uncovenanted mercies of their Creator.

MDCIV

209

CHAPTER VIII.

SECTION I.

THE MINISTRATION OF PRIVATE BAPTISM OF CHILDREN IN HOUSES.

The Curates of every PROVISION was made for the Private Parish shall often admonish the people, that Baptism of Infants, in extreme danger, they defer not the Bap in the Rubrics of Medieval Office Book. tism of their Children

second Sunday next

between, unless upon a

by the Curate.

longer than the first or Our Church has gone a step further, and after their birth, or provided a regular form for the purpose, other Holy-day falling which differs slightly, on account of the great and reasonable varying circumstances of the case, from cause, to be approved the Office for Public Baptism. In exAnd also they shall tremely urgent cases aspersion with water warn them, that with in the name of the Trinity is alone used, out like great cause and necessity they procure as this is the sole essential of Holy Bapnot their Children to be tism as a Sacrament and means of grace; baptized at home in their houses. But when but generally the prayer for the Benedicneed shall compel them tion of the Water is used with the Lord's so to do, then Baptism shall be administered Prayer and the Thanksgiving. When a on this fashion: child thus privately baptized is received of the Parish (or, in into the Church, certain questions are his absence, any other asked in order that the validity of the lawful Minister that can be procured with Baptism may be placed beyond all doubt. them that are present If the answers are satisfactory, the Priest the Lord's Prayer, and declares that the child, "born in original so many of the Collects appointed to be said be- sin, and in the wrath of God, is now, by fore in the Form of the laver of Regeneration in Baptism, the time and present received into the number of the children exigence will suffer. And then, the Child of God;" thus declaring emphatically, being named by some that Holy Baptism is a Sacrameni and

First, let the Minister

call upon God, and say

Publick Baptism. as

one that is present the

these words;

of the Son, and of the

Minister shall pour means of grace as well as a Covenant, and Water upon it, saying that God vouchsafes the gift of His N. I baptize thee In the Spirit to every duly baptized infant. It name of the Father, and shows that the faith of the Sponsors has Holy Ghost. Amen. nothing whatever to do with the sacraAnd let them not doubt, mental efficacy of Holy Baptism, for we but that the Child so return thanks for the regeneration of the baptized is lawfully and sufficiently baptiz infant baptized privately, and declare it ed, and ought not to be to be by Baptism regenerate, just as we do nevertheless, if the for the infant baptized publicly. A conChild, which is after this sort baptized, do ditional form of Baptism is provided in afterward live, it is case the answers are uncertain, and the expedient that it be brought into the Priest cannot learn if the infant has reChurch, to the intent ceived valid Baptism. We find such a

baptized again. Yet

that, if the Minister of

the same Parish did torm mentioned in the statutes of S. himself baptize that Child, the Congrega- Boniface, of Mentz, A.D. 745. Its ob tion may be certified of ject is to prevent any repetition of Baptism, by him privately tism, which would be useless to the bapbefore used: In which tized, and, if perpetrated wilfully, sin in the baptizer.

the true Form of Bap

case he shall say thus, I certify you, that according to the due and prescribed Order of the

The form for Private Baptism underwent several minor changes from 1549 to and at such a place, be 1662, when it was cast into its present

Church, at such a time,

fore divers witnesses I baptized this Child.

form.

But if the Child were baptized by any other lawful Minister, then the Minister of the Parish, where the Child was born or christened, shall examine and try whether the Child be lawfully baptized, or no. In which cas if those that bring, any Child to the Church do answer, that the same Child is already 'aptized, then shall the Minister examine them further, saying,

By whom was this Child baptized?

Who was present when this Child was baptized?

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, With what matter was this Child bapuzed?

With what words was this Child baptized?

Thus the sign of the cross is no actual part of the Sacrament, though its use is ordered and justified, as a primitive custom, in Canon XXX. (referred to above). The reasons there given are similar to those stated in Sec. V. q.v.

And if the Minister shall find by the answers of such as bring the Child, that all things were done as they ought to be; then shall not he aristen the Chud again, but shall receive him as one of the flock of true Christian beople, saying thus

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 shall the Priest say,

Seeing now, dearly beloved brethren, that this Child is by Baptism 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 he may lead the rest of his life according to this beginning.

But if they which bring the Infant to the Church do make such uncertain answers to the Priest's questions, 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 essential parts of Baptism,) then let the Priest baptize it in the form before appointed for Publick Baptism of Infants; saving that at the dipping of the Child in the Font, he shall use this form of words,

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.

SECTION II.

THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM TO SUCH AS ARE OF RIPER YEARS, AND ABLE TO ANSWER FOR THEMSELVES.

are

When any such persons, THIS Office was framed by a Committee as are of riper years, Convocation in 1661-2. to be baptized, of Bishop timely notice shall be Griffith, of S. Asaph, had a chief hand given to the Bishop. or whom he shall appoint in its arrangement. It was made necesfor that purpose, a week before at the least, by sary by the growth of Anabaptism during the Parents, or some the Commonwealth, and it has supplied other discreet persons: that so due care may to the Church a form much needed for be taken for their Missionary purposes.

Examination, whether

ciples of the Christian

they be sufficiently in- It recurs to the principles of the structed in the Prin- Church primitive with regard to the adReligion; and that mission of adult catechumens, and rethey may be exhorted to prepare themselves quires the sanction of the Bishop, who with Prayers and Fast appoints a Priest to examine the candidate's knowledge of the Christian faith. And if they shall be The Church follows our Lord's precept found fit, then the Godfathers and Godmothers (Mark ix. 29) in joining together prayers

ing for the receiving of

this holy Sacrament.

sent them at the

Morning or Evening

in his discretion shall think fit.

And standing there, the Priest shall ask,

whether any of the per

shall answer, No, then

(the people being assem- and fasting, as a preparation for Holy bled upon the Sunday or Holy day appointed) Baptism. Sponsors are required accordshall be ready to bring to primitive custom as witnesses of immediately after the the faith of the baptized, to strengthen Second Lesson, either at their hands by counsel and example, lest Prayer, as the Curate they should fall away in time of persecution. Thus the institution of Sponsors arose, and was transferred from adult to infant Baptism, wherein they witness the sons here presented be child's faith by word of mouth, just as in baptized, or no: If the adult Baptism they witness it by their shall the Priest say presence. The Gospel is taken from Dearly beloved, foras- John iii. 1, and the Office includes an are address to the congregation on behalf of the candidates, a special address to the candidates themselves, and an address to the sponsors and candidates. language is mainly that of the Office for Public Baptism of Infants, the alterations being guided by the special circumstances of the case, as in the Office for Private Baptism.

thus,

much as all men conceived, &c.

Then shall the Priest say,

Let us pray.

¶ And here all the ConAlmighty and everlasting God, who of thy great

gregation shall kneel.)

mercy, &c.

Almighty and immortal
God, the aid of all that

need, &c.

Its

Then shall the people stand up, and the Priest shall say, Hear the words of the Gospel, written by Saint John, in the third Chapter, beginning at the first Verse.

After which he shall say this Exhortation following.

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 showeth 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