Every one en. titled. Canon 29, as to sponsors. Various ser or privately. If in the former manner it must be done within a church and at the font. "According to a former constitution, (a) too much neglected in many places, we appoint that there shall be a font of stone in every church and chapel where baptism is to be ministered, the same to be set in the ancient usual places, in which only font the minister shall baptize publicly.” (b) Every child is entitled to Baptism. "No minister shall refuse or delay to christen any child according to the form of the Book of Common Prayer, that is brought to the church to him upon Sundays or Holydays to be christened, or to bury any corpse that is brought to the church or churchyard, convenient warning being given him thereof before in such manner and form as is prescribed in the said Book of Common Prayer. And if he shall refuse to christen the one or bury the other (except the party deceased were denounced excommunicated majori excommunicatione, for some grievous and notorious crime, and no man able to testify of his repentance), he shall be suspended by the bishop of the diocese from his ministry by the space of three months." (bb) As to the sponsors, the 29th Canon lays down that "No parent shall be urged to be present, nor be admitted to answer as Godfather for his own Child; nor any Godfather or Godmother shall be suffered to make any other answer or speech, than by the Book of Common Prayer is prescribed in that behalf: neither shall any person be admitted Godfather or Godmother to any Child at Christening or Confirmation, before the said person so undertaking hath received the holy Communion." There are in the present Book of Common Prayer three vices for Bap- services relating to Baptism, viz. the Publick Baptism of Infants, tism. (a) One of the Canons of 1571, viz. "Curabunt [Æditui] ut in singulis ecclesiis sit sacer fons non pelvis in quo baptismus ministretur usque ut decenter et munde conservetur." the Private Baptism of Infants, and the Baptism of such as are of riper years. The last is wanting in the two earlier Books. Of the Administra- The Ministration of tion of Public Baptism Baptism to be used in to be used in the the Church. Church. 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, 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 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 English tongue. Nevertheless (if necessity so require) [children may at all times be baptized at home 1552] children ought at all times to be baptized either at the church or else at home. SEALED BOOKS. The Ministration of Publick BapPublick Baptism of tism of Infants. Infants to be used in the Church. ¶ The people are to be admonished, that it is most convenient that Baptism should not be administered but upon Sundays and other holy-dayes, when the most number of people come together: as well for that the Congregation there present may testifie the receiving of them that be newly baptized into the number of Christs 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 ministred in the vulgar tongue. Nevertheless (if necessity so require) children may be baptized upon any other day. And note, that there shall be for Exhortation. 1549. When there are children to be baptized upon the Sunday or holyday, the parents shall give knowledge overnight, 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. And then, standing there, the Priest shall ask whether the children be baptized or no. they answer, No, then shall the Priest say thus. If 1552. there are And When children to be baptized upon the Sunday or holyday, the parents shall give knowledge overnight, or in the morning afore the beginning of Morning Prayer, to the Curate. 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 else immediately after the last 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 If they answer, No, then shall the Priest say thus. no. 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 else 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. After these rubrics come the Exhortation, which is the same in all three editions; then the Prayer, which is the same in the 1552 and the present Book, but with considerable verbal altera tions in the First Book; then in the First Book the Service proceeds thus: Here shall the Priest ask what shall be the name of the child; and when the godfathers and godmothers have told the name, then he shall make a cross upon the child's forehead and breast, saying, ¶ N. Receive the sign of the holy cross, both in thy forehead and in thy breast, in token that thou shalt not be ashamed to confess thy faith in Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue his faithful soldier and servant unto thy life's end. Amen. And this he shall do and say to as many children as be present to be baptized, one after another. The prayer following is the same in all three editions. Then Exorcism. in the First Book only there is the Exorcism, thus: Then let the Priest, looking upon the children, say, I command thee, unclean spirit, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, that thou come out, and depart from these infants, whom our Lord Jesus Christ hath vouchsafed to call to bis holy baptism, to be made members of his body, and of his holy congregation. Therefore, thou cursed spirit, remember thy sentence, remember thy judgment, remember the day to be at hand wherein thou shalt burn in fire everlasting, prepared for thee and thy angels. And presume not hereafter to exercise any tyranny toward these infants, whom Christ hath bought with his precious blood, and by this bis boly baptism calleth to be of his flock. Then shall the Priest say, The Lord be with you. The People. And with thy spirit. The Gospel following and the Second Exhortation are the Gospel. same in each book. Following the Exhortation in the First Prayer Book is the rubric: Here the Ministers, with the godfathers, godmothers, and people present, shall say, Our Father, And then shall say openly, I believe in God, &c. The next Prayer is almost identical in the three Prayer Books. The First Prayer Book then proceeds : Questions put to the sponsors. Then let the Priest take one of the the other being brought after him. towards the font, say, children by the right hand, And coming into the church The Lord vouchsafe to receive you into his holy household, and to keep and govern you alway in the same, that you may have everlasting life. Amen. The Address to the sponsors, and the Questions put to the sponsors on behalf of the child, are substantially the same in all editions; but the Supplications after the Questions which are contained in the 1552 and the present Book are wanting in the First Book. ¶ N. I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. ¶ And if the child be weak, it shall suffice to pour water upon it, saying the foresaid words. But if they certifie, that the childe is weak, it shall suffice to pour water upon it, saying the fore said words. Then the godfathers and godmothers shall take and lay their hands upon the child; |