THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM OF SUCH AS ARE OF RIPER YEARS. All those who are present standing up, the Minister shall say: EAR the words of the Gospel by Saint John, in the third chapter, beginning at the first verse: There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. B After which, the Minister shall say as follows: ELOVED, ye hear these words of our Saviour, Christ. Likewise, immediately before his ascension into heaven, as we read in Saint Matthew's Gospel, he gave commandment to his disciples, saying, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Also the Apostle Peter, 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." And with many other words exhorted he them, saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." For (as the same Apostle testifieth in another place) "even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Doubt ye not, therefore, but earnestly believe, that our brother here present, drawing nigh in repentance and faith to make this solemn profession of discipleship, may be a partaker of Christ's kingdom; and may have through him effectual light and help to live as a child of God, and an heir of eternal life. Α Let us pray. LMIGHTY and everlasting God, the helper of all that need, the giver of life and of every good and perfect gift; look graciously, we beseech thee, upon this thy servant. Admit him into the bosom of thy Church, into the service of Christ, into the arms of thy mercy, and into the communion of saints. This we humbly beg for thy great love declared to us by thy Son. Amen. Then shall the Minister address the following Words to the Person to be baptized: WE JELL-BELOVED, you have come hither desiring to receive holy baptism, and have heard how the congregation have prayed with you, that you may be admitted into the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know what divine help has been promised if you seek it; how our Lord Jesus Christ hath said, Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Will you, therefore, renounce the fellowship of evil, and endeavor to learn and do the will of God as revealed by Jesus Christ? Then the Person about to be baptized shall answer : It is my earnest desire and prayer to be enabled so to do. Then the Minister shall say: This water is an emblem of the purity which Christ desires in the souls of all who come to him. And, naming the Person, he shall apply the Water in the usual way, saying: I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Or, I baptize thee in the name of Jesus Christ. Then shall the Minister say the following Prayer: DEFE EFEND, O Lord, this thy child with thy heavenly grace, that he may continue thine for ever. Daily increase in him thy Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and inward strength, the spirit of knowledge and true godliness, until he come unto thine everlasting kingdom. Amen. Minister. Our help is in the name of the Lord; Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth. Minister. Blessed be the name of the Lord; Answer. And let our cry come unto thee. Let us pray. UR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be OUR thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on 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 And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us. us from evil. Amen. LORD of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; graft in our hearts the love of thy name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE Then shall follow this Benediction: HE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. THE Or this: Amen. HE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. Amen. |