Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 2.djvu/474

FINAL EXHORTATION TO GOD-PARENTS.

Ancient Church.	Mecklenburg.	Danish and Norwegian.	Edward VI. First Book.	Present English.
No. 1.	No. 2.	No. 3.	No. 4.	No. 5.
"After this, the presbyter enjoineth the godfathers and godmothers to tell the parents, that for seven years the boy should be kept from all dangers, and that they should teach it as soon as possible the Lord's Prayer, the Ave Maria, and the Belief" (Ancient Ritual of Limoges, ap. Martene, t. i. p. 208, referred to by Palmer, l.c.) The like direction is given in the Manuale Ebor. and Sarum; only that they mention the duty of the god-parents to guard the child against temporal danger, if the parents fail to do so: as also the duty of instructing it as above, and bringing it to confirmation, is directly enjoined to the godparents. In the Ambrosian Ritual also (Assem. Cod. Liturg. ii. 48, 49), the priest is directed, in conclusion, to "hold a discourse according to the number and circumstances of the persons present, wherein, besides other things, he shall set forth a Christian consideration, as to the solemn vow which every believer makes in Baptism, that such believers as are present, being roused by the recollection of so sacred a promise, may see and fulfil what they have solemnly vowed." "He shall also admonish the god-parents, and teach them the several parts of their duty, which they ought to perform on account of their office, viz. as St. Augustine admonishes, that they should ever show to the infant the anxiety of a true love, and take heed that he be instructed in the rudiments of Christian doctrine, and warn him to keep himself pure, refrain his tongue from cursing and swearing, be not lifted up with pride, envy not, keep not anger or hatred in his heart, and other things of the like sort." "Lastly, he shall admonish them that this day of Baptism be noted by the parents; that the child may yearly keep the day on which it was baptized, after the ordinance of our forefathers, with more fervent prayer, with alms-giving, (if it have the ability), and by every work and duty of charity, and by the celebration of spiritual joy; recollecting that the hand-writing of condemnation having been effaced, it was made partaker of a spiritual inheritance in Christ the Lord. "Reconsider," says our most holy father Ambrose, "what was demanded of thee, what thou answeredst: thou renouncedst the devil and his works, the world, and its luxury and pleasures; take heed to these thy words, and may the pledge thou gavest never depart from thy mind." Similar admonitions to god-parents are directed in the Roman Ritual, collected from many ancient MSS. by Cardinal Sanctorius S. Severino, (ap. Assem. l.c. pp. 97. 116); and if at Easter there should not be time, notice was to be given of a sermon on this subject, on some day in the week following (ib. p. 107).	Optional. Friends in Christ Jesus, ye who are witnesses that this child has now been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, should remember your office, 1st, to bring to the parents of this child the glad tidings that their child is now, through Holy Baptism, become God's child, and a member of Christ and His Church, and so an heir of eternal life. Admonish them also, that they therefore bring up the child (if God give it life) in the fear of God, and godly discipline, to the honour of God, their own joy and comfort, and the good and eternal happiness of the child. 2d, Ye ought to show to this child, as your god-child, all love and kindness; and especially, if his parents depart too early, be ye as fathers and mothers to it, and above all, teach him the catechism, exhort him to piety and uprightness, remind him continually of his Baptism, and the vow which he therein made to God, so that through a pious Christian life, and through Christ, he may be happy for ever. Rubric—not to delay Baptism beyond the 2d or 3d day, that soon after their birth of the flesh they may come to the spiritual new-birth, and to the communion of the Lord Christ and His Church and of the kingdom of heaven.	Beloved in Christ, who have now, stood as witnesses and sponsors unto Baptism, be ye witnesses, in the name of the holy Trinity, that he is baptized. Moreover, know also what ye owe to this infant, if it chance that his parents die, before he be come to ripe age, that if he be present here ye then instruct him in the doctrine of the catechism, in order, that when he is grown up, he may remain in Christ, as he is now planted in Him by Baptism. Peace be with you. Amen.	Forasmuch as these children have 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 parts and duties to see that these infants be taught, so soon as they shall be able to learn, what a solemn vow, promise, and profession they have made by you. And that they may know these things the better, ye shall call upon them to hear sermons. And chiefly ye shall provide that they 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 these children 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 to be made like unto Him. That as He died for 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.	† suretie * renounce ‡ vulgar = man