TO BE USED IN THE CHURCH

 
CANON XXVII

OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF HOLY BAPTISM

1. In the administration of the Sacrament of Baptism the sponsors must have been themselves baptized, and shall, if possible, be communicants.

2. In default of others, the parents of the child may be admitted as sponsors, and in cases of necessity, of which the Clergyman shall be judge, one sponsor shall be deemed sufficient.

Ministers shall often admonish their people that they defer not the Baptism of their children longer than the fourth or fifth Sunday next after their birth, unless upon a great and reasonable cause.

It is desirable that Baptism should be administered upon Sundays and other Holy-days, when the most number of people 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 infants every one present may be put in remembrance of his own profession made to God in his Baptism. Nevertheless for sufficient cause children may be baptized upon any other day.

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.

In the absence of the Priest it is lawful that a Deacon baptize infants. When a Deacon baptizeth, instead of the Blessing, where that is provided, he shall say The Grace.

When there are children to be baptized; the parents shall give due notice to the Priest. He shall thereupon appoint the time for the Baptism, which shall be either immediately after the Second Lesson or after the Third Collect at Morning or Evening Prayer; or at such other time as he in his discretion shall think fit. And the Minister 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 Minister proceed as followeth.

BELOVED in Christ Jesus, we are taught in Holy Scripture that all men from their birth are prone to sin, but that God willeth all men to be saved, for God is love. Seeing therefore that our Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God except he be 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 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 living member of the same.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, who by the Baptism of thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ, in the river Jordan, didst sanctify water to the mystical washing away of sin: Mercifully look upon this child; wash him and sanctify him with the Holy Spirit; that he 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 this troublesome world, that finally he may come to the land of everlasting life, there to reign with thee, world without end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or this,

ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the aid of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succour, the life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the dead: We call upon thee for this infant, that he, coming to thy Holy Baptism, may receive remission of sin by spiritual regeneration. Receive him, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying, Ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: So give now unto us that ask; let us that seek 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 hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the Minister shall say,

  Hear the words of the Gospel, written by Saint Mark in the tenth chapter at the thirteenth verse.
    Answer. Glory be to thee, O Lord.

THEY brought young children to Christ, that should touch them; and his disciples rebuked 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.
    Answer. Thanks be to thee, O Lord, for this thy glorious Gospel.

After the Gospel is read, the Minister may make this brief Exhortation upon the words of the Gospel, but if it be omitted he shall say Let us pray.

YOU hear in this Gospel the words of our Saviour Christ, when he commanded the children to be brought unto him. You perceive how he took them in his arms, and blessed them. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Doubt not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he loveth this child, that he approveth this work of ours in bringing him to Holy Baptism, that he is ready to receive him, to embrace him with the arms of his mercy, and to give him the blessing of eternal life. Wherefore, we being thus persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father towards this infant, declared by his Son Jesus Christ, let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him, and say,

ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and to faith in thee: Increase this knowledge, and 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 salvation; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

THE PROMISES

DEARLY beloved, you have brought this child here to be baptized; you have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would be pleased to receive him, to cleanse him, and to sanctify him. Our Lord hath promised in his Gospel to grant all these things that you have prayed for; which promise he, for his part, will most surely keep and perform.
    You, on your part, must promise on behalf of this infant three things: first, that he will renounce the devil and all his works; secondly, that he will constantly believe God's holy word; and thirdly, that he will obediently keep his commandments.

I demand therefore,

DOST thou, in the name of this child, renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them?
    Answer. I renounce them all.

DOST thou, in the name of this child, profess the Christian Faith?
    Answer. I do.

Then shall be said by the Minister and the Godparent. the Apostles' Creed, as followeth:

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

DOST thou, in the name of this child, promise obedience to God's holy will and commandments?
    Answer. I do.

DOST thou, in the name of this child, ask for baptism?
    Answer. I do.

O MERCIFUL God, grant that the old Adam in this child may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in him. Amen.
    Grant that all evil desires of the flesh 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 here 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.

 
THE BLESSING OF THE WATER

THE Lord be with you;
Answer. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Lift up your hearts;
Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Minister. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God;
Answer. It is meet and right so to do.

IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, for that thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood; and gave commandment to his disciples that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy Congregation; sanctify this water to the mystical washing away of sin; and grant that this child, now to be baptized therein, may receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, now and evermore. Amen.

THE BAPTISM

Name this child.

And then naming it after them, he shall dip it in the water, or pour water upon it, saying,

N. I BAPTIZE thee In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then the Minister shall say,

THE THANKSGIVING

SEEING now, dearly beloved brethren, that this child is born again and received into the family of Christ's Church, let us give thanks unto Almighty God for these benefits, and with one accord make our prayers unto him, that this child may lead the rest of his life according to this beginning.

OUR 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 trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

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 adoption, and to incorporate him into thy holy Church. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that being buried with Christ by baptism into his death, he may also be made partaker of his resurrection: so that, serving thee here in newness of life, he may finally, with the rest of thy holy Church, be an inheritor of thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then may follow this Prayer for the Home.

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, Whose blessed Son did share at Nazareth the life of an earthly home: Bless, we beseech thee, the home of this child, and grant wisdom and understanding to all who have the care of him: that he may grow up in thy constant fear and love; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
THE DUTIES OF THE GODFATHERS AND GODMOTHERS

YOU who have brought this child to be baptized into the family of Christ's Church, must see that he be taught the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, as set forth in the Church Catechism, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul's health.
    See also that he be virtuously brought up to lead a godly and Christian life.
    See also that he be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him; so that, strengthened with the gift of the Holy Spirit, he may come with due preparation to receive the blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, and go forth into the world to serve God faithfully in the fellowship of his Church.
    Will you pray for this child and help him to learn and to do all these things?
    Answer. I will, the Lord being my helper.

    Remember always that Baptism doth represent unto us our Christian profession, which is to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like unto him; 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 evil desires, and daily advancing in all virtue and godliness of living.

When Baptism is administered at Morning or Evening Prayer, then all the prayers after the Third Collect may be omitted.

The ministration of Baptism, if used as a separate Service or at the end of Mattins or Evensong, shall be concluded by the Priest with this Blessing:

THE blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

It is certain by God's word, that children which are baptized, dying before they commit actual sin, are undoubtedly saved.

THE MINISTRATION OF

IN HOUSES

Ministers shall warn their people that without great cause and necessity they procure not their children to be baptized at home in their houses. But when need shall compel them so to do, then Baptism shall be administered on this fashion.

First let the Priest (or, in his absence, any other lawful Minister that can be procured) with them that are present call upon God, and say so many of the Collects appointed to be said before in the Form of Public Baptism, as the time and present exigence will suffer, concluding with this prayer.

ALMIGHTY, Everliving God, whose most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood; and gave commandment to his disciples that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy Congregation; sanctify this water to the mystical washing away of sin; and grant that this child, now to be baptized therein, may receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And then, the child being named by some one that is present, the Minister shall pour water upon it, saying these words;

N. I BAPTIZE thee In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

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 adoption, 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 of 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.

Then shall the Priest, if present, add this Blessing:

THE blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you for ever, Amen.

But when no such lawful Minister can be procured, and extreme urgency shall compel, one of them that be present, male or female, shall pour water upon the child, saying,

[N.] I BAPTIZE thee In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

And then they that be present shall say the Lord's Prayer. Every such baptism shall without delay be reported to the Priest.

And let them not doubt, but that the child thus privately baptized either by their own or some other Minister, or by one of them that were present, is lawfully and sufficiently baptized, and ought not to be baptized again. Yet nevertheless, if the child which is after this sort baptized do afterward live, it is expedient that it be brought into the church, to the intent that, the people being certified that it hath been duly baptized, it may be received publicly into the Congregation.

If the child were baptized by any other person, then the Minister who receiveth the child shall satisfy himself that all hath been well done, and according to due order, concerning the Baptism of the child; to which end he shall, if need so require, examine those who bring the child to the church after this manner.

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,
    Was this child baptized with water?
    Was this child baptized with the form of words: I baptize thee In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost?

And if the Minister did himself baptize the child, or if he be satisfied that the child was baptized with water In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; then he shall not christen the child again, but shall receive him as one of the flock of true Christian people, saying thus,

I CERTIFY you that all is well done, and according unto due order, concerning the baptizing of this child; who being born in original sin, hath now, by the layer of Regeneration in Baptism, been made a member of Christ, the child of God, and an heir 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.

    Hear the words of the Gospel, written by Saint Mark in the tenth chapter, at the thirteenth verse.
    Answer. Glory be to thee, O Lord.

THEY brought young children to Christ, that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked 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.
    Answer. Thanks be to thee, O Lord, for this thy glorious Gospel.

After the Gospel is read, the Minister may make this brief Exhortation upon the words of the Gospel, but if it be omitted he shall say Let us pray.

YOU hear in this Gospel the words of our Saviour Christ, when he commanded the children to be brought unto him. You perceive how he took them in his arms, and blessed them. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Doubt not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he loveth this child, that he approveth this work of ours in bringing him to Holy Baptism, that he is ready to receive him, to embrace him with the arms of his mercy, and to give him the blessing of eternal life. Wherefore, we being thus persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father towards this infant declared by his Son Jesus Christ, let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him, and say,

OUR 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 trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to call. us to the knowledge of thy grace and to 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.

Then shall the Minister demand the name of the child; which being by the Godfathers and Godmothers pronounced, the Minister shall say,

DOST thou, in the name of this child, renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them?
    Answer. I renounce them all.

DOST thou, in the name of this child, profess the Christian Faith?
    Answer. I do.
 

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come, to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

DOST thou, in the name of this child, promise obedience to God's holy will and commandments?
    Answer. I do.

 
SEEING now, dearly beloved brethren, that this child is by Baptism born again and received into the family 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.

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 adoption, and to incorporate him into thy holy Church. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that being buried with Christ by baptism into his death, he may also be made partaker of his resurrection: so that, serving thee here in newness of life, he may finally, with the rest of thy holy Church, be an inheritor of thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then may follow this Prayer for the Home.

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son did share at Nazareth the life of an earthly home: Bless, we beseech thee, the home of this child, and grant wisdom and understanding to all who have the care of him: that he may grow up in thy constant fear and love; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

YOU who have brought this child to be received into the family of Christ's Church, must see that he be taught the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, as set forth in the Church Catechism, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul's health.
    See also that he be virtuously brought up to lead a godly and Christian life.
    See also that he be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him; so that, strengthened with the gift of the Holy Spirit, he may come with due preparation to receive the blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, and go forth into the world to serve God faithfully in the fellowship of his Church.
    Will you pray for this child and help him to learn and to do all these things?
    Answer. I will, the Lord being my helper.

But if they which bring the infant to the church do make such uncertain answers to the Minister'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 Minister baptize it in the Form before appointed for Public Baptism of Infants: Saving that at the dipping of the child in the Font, or the pouring of water upon it, 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.

THE MINISTRATION OF

AND ABLE TO ANSWER FOR THEMSELVES

When any such persons as are of riper years are to be baptized; timely notice shall be given to the Bishop, or whom he shall appoint for that purpose, a week before at the least, by the Priest; that so due care may be taken for their examination, whether they be sufficiently instructed in the principles of the Christian Religion; and that they may be exhorted to prepare themselves with prayers and fasting for the receiving of this Holy Sacrament.

And, if they shall be found fit, they shall each choose three, or at the least two, to be their Witnesses, who shall be ready to present them at the Font, immediately after the Second Lesson, or after the Third Collect, either at Morning or Evening Prayer, or (if need so require) at such other time as the Priest in his discretion shall think fit.

It is desirable that Baptism should be administered upon Sundays or Holy-days, or at other times when the most number of people come together.

And standing there, the Priest shall ask whether any of the persons here presented be baptized or no: If they shall answer No; then shall the Priest say thus,

DEARLY beloved, forasmuch as all men are from their birth prone to sin, and have committed many actual transgressions; and that our Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God except he be 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 these persons that thing 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 living members of the same.

Or this,

ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the aid of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succour, the life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the dead: We call upon thee for these persons, that they, coming to thy Holy Baptism, may receive remission of their sins by spiritual regeneration. Receive them, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying, Ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: So give now unto us that ask; let us that seek find; open the gate unto us that knock; that these persons may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the Priest shall say,

After which he may say this Exhortation following, but if it be omitted he shall say Let us pray.

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 condemned. 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. 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 par-takers 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 unto him, and say,

ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and to faith in thee: Increase this knowledge, and confirm this faith in us. evermore. Give thy Holy Spirit to these persons, that they may be born again, and be made heirs of everlasting salvation; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Then the Priest shall speak to the persons to be baptized on this wise.

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.

DOST thou renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them?
    Answer. I renounce them all.

DOST thou profess the Christian Faith?
    Answer. I do.

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

DOST thou promise obedience to God's holy will and commandments?
    Answer. I do.

DOST thou ask for baptism?
    Answer. I do.

O MERCIFUL God, grant that the old Adam in these persons may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in them. Amen.
    Grant that all evil desires of the flesh may die in them, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in them. Amen.
    Grant that they may have power and strength, to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen.
    Grant that they, being here 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.

Then shall the Priest take each person to be baptized by the right hand; and placing him conveniently by the Font, according to his discretion, shall ask the Witnesses the name; and then shall dip him in the water, or pour water upon him, saying,

N. I BAPTIZE thee In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

SEEING now, dearly beloved brethren, that these persons are born again and received into the family of Christ's Church, let us give thanks unto Almighty God for these benefits, and with one accord make our prayers unto him, that they may lead the rest of their life according to this beginning.

OUR 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 trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

WE yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate these persons with thy Holy Spirit, to receive them for thine own children by adoption, and to incorporate them into thy holy Church. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that being buried with Christ by baptism into his death, they may also be made partakers of his resurrection: so that, serving thee here in newness of life, they may finally, with the rest of thy holy Church, be inheritors of thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FORASMUCH as these persons have promised in your presence to renounce the devil and all his works, to believe in God, and to serve him: Ye must remember that it is your part and duty to put them in mind, what a solemn vow, promise, and profession they have now made before this Congregation, and especially before you their chosen Witnesses. And ye are also to call upon them to use all diligence to be rightly instructed in God's holy word; that so they may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and live godly, righteously, and soberly in this present world.

And then, speaking to the new baptized persons, he shall proceed, and say,

AND as for you, who have now by Baptism put on Christ, it is your part and duty also, being made the children of God and of the light by faith in Jesus Christ, to walk answerably to your Christian calling, and as becometh the children of light; remembering always that Baptism representeth unto us our profession, which is, to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like unto him; that as he died and rose again for us, so should we, who are baptized, die from sin and rise again unto righteousness, continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt desires, and daily advancing in all virtue and godliness of living.

It is expedient that every person baptized in riper years should be confirmed by the Bishop so soon after his Baptism as conveniently may be; that so he may be admitted to the Holy Communion.

When Baptism is administered at Morning or Evening Prayer, then all the prayers-after the Third Collect may be omitted. The ministration of Baptism, if used as a separate Service, or at the end of Mattins or Evensong, shall be concluded with this Blessing:

THE blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

If it be doubtful whether one that is of riper years hath been duly baptized or no, the Priest shall baptize him in the Form here appointed, saving that 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.

When an unbaptized person of riper years is in immediate danger of death, or by reason of infirmity cannot be brought to the church, if the Minister be satisfied as to his repentance, faith, and desire to be baptized, then the Order of Private Baptism of Children may be used with such changes as the age of the person to be baptized requireth.

If any persons not baptized in their infancy shall be brought to be baptized before they come to years of discretion to answer for themselves, it may suffice to use the Office for Public Baptism of Infants, or (in case of extreme danger) the Office for Private Baptism; only changing the word infant for child or person as occasion requireth.