PRAYERS FOR THE CHILD AFTER THE PROFESSION OF FAITH, &c. AND BENEDICTION OF WATER.
| Old Gallican. | Edward VI.—First Book. | Present English. | Reformed. |
| No. 1. | No. 2. | No. 3. | No. 4. |
| 1. O Lord, Eternal God—may this place be made worthy to receive the influxes of Thy Holy Spirit: let that old Adam be buried here, the new rise again. 2. Let all which is of the flesh die—all which is of the Spirit rise again. 3. Whosoever shall here renounce the devil, grant him to triumph over the world. 4. Whosoever shall call upon Thee in this place, do Thou acknowledge him in the kingdom. 5. Let sins be so extinguished in this fountain, that they may not rise again. 6. Whosoever shall here hegin to be Thine, may he never cease to be Thine. 7. Whosoever shall here deny himself, let him gain Thee. 8. May the people set apart to Thee by our ministry, and Thy mystery, be set apart by Thee (ad, &c. Assem. Cod. Lit. t. ii. p. 39. leg. a te) to eternal rewards, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Benediction. I bless thee (the water) also, through Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, Who brought thee, together with blood, out of His own side, and commanded His disciples that they who believe should be baptized in thee, saying, Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Be present, Almighty God, of Thy mercy with us, who keep these commandments; regard of Thy mercy, do Thou bless these mere waters, that beside their natural power of cleansing, which they can use for the washing of the body, they may be efficacious also for the purifying of the mind. (Sarum. Greg. Gelas.) Fill it (the child) with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that it may not be a child of the flesh, but a son of Thy bridal-chamber, and an heir of Thy everlasting and never-failing kingdom.—(Copt. Alex.) |
[The water being to be changed once every month at least, these prayers were to be said before any child was baptized therein. Another prayer was also said, derived from a different source, and now altogether omitted.] 1. O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in them* that shall be baptized in this fountain may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in him. Amen. 2. Grant that all carnal affections may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in him. Amen. 3. Grant to all them=, which at this fountain forsake the devil and all his works, that they may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against him, the world, and the flesh. Amen. 4. Whosoever shall confess thee, O Lord, recognize him also in Thy kingdom. Amen. 5. Grant that all sin and vice here may be so extinct, that they may never more have power to reign in Thy servants. Amen. 6. Grant that whosoever here shall begin to be of Thy flock may evermore continue in the same. Amen. 7. Grant that all they, which for Thy sake in this life do deny and forsake themselves, may win and purchase Thee, O Lord, which art everlasting treasure. Amen. 8. 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. Almighty Everlasting 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 and teach all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; regard, we beseech Thee, the supplications of Thy congregation‡; and grant that all Thy servants which shall be baptized in this water, prepared for the ministration to Thy Holy Sacrament, 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. |
* this child. = to all them—works. Nos. 4–7 omitted. ‡ For "and grant—Sacrament," "sanctify this water to the mystical washing away of sin, and grant that this child now to be baptized therein." |
Nothing. |
