PART VII.

THE RITUAL.

CHAPTER I.

BAPTISM.

T 552. ORDER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF BAPTISM TO INFANTS.

The Minister, coming to the Font, which is to be filled with pure water, shall use the following:

DEARLY BELOVED: Forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour Christ saith, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that having, of his bounteous mercy, redeemed this child by the blood of his Son, he will grant that he, being baptized with water, may also be baptized with the Holy Ghost, be received into Christ's holy Church, and become a lively Member of the

same.

Then shall the minister say,

Let us pray.

Almighty and Everlasting God, who of thy great mercy hast condescended to enter into

covenant relations with man, wherein thou hast included children as partakers of its gracious benefits, declaring that of such is thy kingdom: and in thy ancient Church didst appoint divers baptisms, figuring thereby the renewing of the Holy Ghost; and by thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ gavest commandment to thy holy Apostles to go into all the world and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: We beseech thee, that of thine infinite mercy thou wilt look upon this child: wash him and sanctify him; that he, being saved by thy grace, may be received into Christ's holy Church, and being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, may so overcome the evils of this present world, that finally he may attain to everlasting life, and reign with thee, world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O merciful God, grant that all carnal affections may die in him, 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 is 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.

Almighty, Everliving God, whose most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious sidė both water and blood, regard, we beseech thee, our supplications. Sanctify this water for this Holy Sacrament; and grant that this child, now to be baptized, may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Minister address the Parents or Guardians as follows:

Dearly Beloved: Forasmuch as this child is now presented by you for Christian Baptism, you must remember that it is your part and duty to see that he be taught, as soon as he shall be able to learn, the nature and end of this Holy Sacrament. And that he may know these things the better, you shall call upon him to give reverent attendance upon the appointed means of grace, such as the ministry of the word, and the public and private worship of God; and further, you shall provide that he shall read the Holy Scriptures, and learn the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Catechism, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul's health, in order that he may be brought up to lead a virtuous and holy life, remembering always that Baptism doth

represent unto us that inward purity which disposeth us to follow the example of our Saviour Christ; that as he died and rose again for us, so should we, who are baptized, die unto sin and rise again unto righteousness, continually mortifying all corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness.

Do you therefore solemnly engage to fulfill these duties, so far as in you lies, the Lord being your helper?

Ans. We do.

Then shall the People stand up, and the Minister shall say:

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. Mark. [Chap. x, 13-16.]

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, Suffer the little children to 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.

Then the Minister shall take the Child into his hands, and say to the friends of the Child,

Name this child.

And then, naming it after them, he shall sprinkle or pour Water upon it, or, if desired, immerse it in Water, saying,

N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Then shall the Minister offer the following Prayer, the People kneeling:

O God of infinite mercy, the Father of all the faithful seed, be pleased to grant unto this child an understanding mind and a sanctified heart. May thy providence lead him through the dangers, temptations, and ignorance of his youth, that he may never run into folly, nor into the evils of an unbridled appetite. We pray thee so to order the course of his life, that by good education, by holy examples, and by thy restraining and renewing grace, he may be led to serve thee faithfully all his days; so that, when he has glorified thee in his generation, and has served the Church on earth, he may be received into thine eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and most merciful Father, let thy loving mercy and compassion descend upon these, thy servant and handmaid, the parents [or guardians] of this child. Grant unto them, we beseech thee, thy Holy Spirit, that they may, like Abraham, command their household to keep the way of the Lord. Direct their actions, and sanctify