Part 44 (1/2)

Dost thou believe in G.o.d 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 h.e.l.l, and also did rise again the third day; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of G.o.d the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead?

And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints; the Remission of sins; the Resurrection of the flesh; and everlasting life after death? _Answer_. All this I stedfastly believe.

_Minister_.

Wilt thou be baptized in this faith?

_Answer_. That is my desire.

_Minister_.

Wilt thou then obediently keep G.o.d's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life?

_Answer_. I will.

_Then shall the Priest say_,

O merciful G.o.d, 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 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 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 G.o.d, who dost live, and govern all things, world without end. _Amen_.

Almighty everliving G.o.d, 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 was.h.i.+ng 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_.

_Then the Priest shall take the Child into his hands, and shall say to the G.o.dfathers and G.o.dmothers_, Name this Child. _And then naming it after them_ (_if they shall certify him that the Child may well endure it_) _he shall dip it in the Water discreetly and warily, saying_,

_N_. I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

_But if they certify that the Child is weak, it shall suffice to pour Water upon it, saying the foresaid words_,

_N_. I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

_Then the Priest shall say_,

We receive this Child into the Congregation Of Christ's flock, *

and do sign him with the sign of the Cross, in token that hereafter _he_ shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end. Amen.

[Margin Note:] * _Here the Priest shall make a Cross upon the Child's forehead_.

_Then shall the Priest say_,

Seeing now, dearly beloved brethren, that _this Child_ is regenerate and grafted into the body of Christ's Church, let us give thanks unto Almighty G.o.d 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.