N. I baptise thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost. Amen.
Of them that be
Baptised in Private Houses,
in time of necessity
The Pastors and Curates shall often admonish the people, that they defer not the Baptism of infants any longer than the Sunday, or other holy day, next after the child be born unless upon a great and reasonable cause declared to the Curate, and by him approved.
And also they shall warn them that without great cause, and necessity, they baptize not children at home in their houses. And when great need shall compel them so to do, that then they minister in this fashion.
First let them that be present call upon God for his grace, and say the Lord's prayer, if the time will suffer. And then one of them shall name the child, and dip him in the water, or pour water upon him, saying these words.
And let them not doubt, but that the child so Baptised, is lawfully and sufficiently Baptised, and ought not to be Baptised again in the Church. But yet nevertheless, if the child which is after this sort Baptised, do afterward live, it is expedient that he be brought into the Church, to the intent the Priest may examine and try, whether the child be lawfully Baptised or no. And if those that bring any child to the Church do answer that he is already Baptised: then shall the Priest examine them further.
By whom the child was Baptised?
Who was present when the child was Baptised?
Whether they called upon God for grace and succour in that necessity?
With what thing, or what matter they did Baptise the child?
With what words the child was Baptised?
Whether they think the child to be lawfully and perfectly Baptised?
And if the Minister shall prove by the answers of such, as brought the child, that all things were done as they ought to be: Then shall not he Christen the child again, but shall receive him, as one of the flock of the true Christian people, saying thus.
I certify you, that in this case ye have done well, and according unto due order concerning the Baptising of this child, which 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.
At a certain time they brought children unto Christ that he should touch them, and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was displeased, and said unto them: Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever doth not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And when he had taken them up in his arms, he put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
After the Gospel is read, the minister shall make this exhortation upon the words of the Gospel.
Friends, ye hear in this Gospel the words of our saviour Christ, that he commanded the children to be brought unto him: how he blamed those that would have kept them from him, how he exhorted all men to follow their innocency: Ye perceive how by his outward gesture indeed he declared his good will toward them. For he embraced them in his arms, he laid his hands upon them, and blessed them, doubt not you therefore, but earnestly believe, that he hath likewise favorably received this present infant, that he hath embraced him with the arms of his mercy, that he hath given unto him the blessing of eternal life, and made him partaker of his everlasting kingdom. Wherefore we being thus persuaded of the good will of our heavenly father declared by his son Jesus Christ towards this infant, let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him, and say the prayer, which the Lord himself taught, and in declaration of our faith, let us recite the articles contained in our Creed.
Here the Minister with the Godfathers, and Godmothers shall say.
Our Father which &c.
Then the Priest shall demand the name of the child, which being by the Godfathers, and Godmothers pronounced, the Minister shall say,
Doest thou in the name of this child forsake the devil, and all his works, the vain pomp, and glory of the world, with all the covetous desires of the same, the carnal desires of the flesh, and not to follow and be led by them?
Answer. I forsake them all.
The Minister. Dost thou in the name of this child profess this faith, to believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only begotten son our Lord, and that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, that he went down into hell, and also did rise again the third day: that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty: and from thence he shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead? And do you in his name believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the remission of sins, resurrection of the flesh, and everlasting life after death?
Answer. All this I steadfastly believe.
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks, for that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and 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 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 in the unity of the same holy spirit, everlasting. Amen.
Then shall the Minister make this exhortation to the Godfathers and Godmothers.
Forasmuch as this child hath promised by you to forsake the devil and all his works, to believe in God, and to serve him: you must remember that it is your part and duty, to see that this infant be taught (so soon as he shall be able to learn) what a solemn vow, promise, and profession he hath made by you. And that he may know these things the better, ye shall call upon him to hear sermons. And chiefly ye shall provide that he may learn the Creed, the Lord's prayer, and the Ten Commandments in the English tongue, and all other things which a Christian man ought to know, and believe to his soul's health, and that this child may be virtuously brought up, to lead a godly, and a Christian life. Remembering always that Baptism doth represent unto us our profession, which is to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and be made like unto him, that as he died and rose again for us, so should we which are Baptized, die from sin, and rise again unto righteousness, continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue, and godliness of living, etc.
As in Public Baptism.
But if they which bring the infants to the Church, do make an uncertain answer to the Priest's questions, and say that they cannot tell what they thought, did, or said, in that great fear, and trouble of mind: (as oftentimes it chanceth) then let the Priest baptize him in form above written, concerning public Baptism, saving that at the dipping of the child in the Font, he shall use this form of words.
If thou be not baptized already, N. I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.