Sunday, August 19, 2012

1662 & 1962: I. Baptism

This is the second in a series by Consular on the 1662 BCP and the 1962 Canadian BCP.  Read the first article here.  

The MINISTRATION of PUBLICK BAPTISM of INFANTS to be used in the CHURCH
The MINISTRATION of HOLY BAPTISM to CHILDREN to be used in the CHURCH

RED denotes 1662 words omitted or changed by 1962.
BLUE denotes words added by 1962.

RUBRICS

There are THREE rubrics preceding the rite of Baptism in 1662.
There are NINE rubrics preceding the rite of Baptism in 1962.

Pairs of related rubrics are contained within tilde (~) signs.

RUBRIC 1, 1962:

The Minister of the Parish shall often admonish the people that they bring their children to the Church for Baptism as soon as possible after birth; and that except for urgent cause and necessity they seek not to have their children baptized in their houses.

~

RUBRIC 1, 1662:

The people are to be admonished, that it is most convenient that Baptism should not be administred but upon Sundays, and other Holy days, when the most number of People come together: as well for that the Congregation there present may testifie the receiving of them that be newly baptized into the number of Christ's Church; as also because in the Baptism of Infants, every man present may be put in remembrance of his own profession made to God in his Baptism. For which cause also it is expedient that Baptism be ministred in the vulgar tongue. Nevertheless (if necessity so require) children may be baptized upon any other day.

RUBRIC 2, 1962:

It is fitting that Baptism should be administered upon Sundays and other Holy-days at a public Service, so that the Congregation may witness the receiving of the newly baptized into Christ's Church, and also may be reminded of the benefits which they themselves received and the profession which they made in holy Baptism.

~

RUBRIC 2, 1662 (RUBRIC 3, 1962):

And note, that there shall be for every Male child to be baptized, two Godfathers and one Godmother: and for every Female, one Godfather and two Godmothers. Nevertheless, when three sponsors cannot be had, one Godfather and one Godmother shall suffice. Parents, if necessity so require, may be the Sponsors for their own child. The Sponsors shall be baptized persons and able to make the promises required.

~

RUBRIC 4, 1962:

In the absence of a Priest, it is lawful for a Deacon to baptize children.

~

RUBRIC 3, 1662:

When there are children to be baptized, the Parents shall give knowledge thereof over night, or in the morning before the beginning of Morning Prayer, to the Curate. And then the Godfathers and Godmothers, and the people with the children must be ready at the Font, either immediately after the last Lesson at Morning Prayer, or else immediately after the last Lesson at Evening Prayer, as the Curate by his discretion shall appoint. And the Priest coming to the Font (which is then to be filled with pure water) and standing there shall say,

"Hath this Child been already baptized, or no?"

If they answer, "No": Then shall the Priest proceed as followeth.

RUBRICS 5 & 6, 1962:

When there are children to be baptized, the Parents shall give due notice thereof to the Minister of the Parish. He shall thereupon appoint the time for Baptism, which shall be either immediately after the last Lesson at Morning or Evening Prayer, or at such other time as he shall appoint.

Before proceeding with the Service, the Priest shall require assurance that the child brought to him for Baptism has not already received this Sacrament.

~

RUBRIC 7, 1962:

The Priest and the people may remain standing throughout the Baptismal Service.

RUBRIC 8, 1962:

The Priest shall meet the Parents, Sponsors, and the Candidates for Baptism at the Font, which is to be filled with pure water in the presence of the people.

RUBRIC 9, 1962:

A Psalm or Hymn may be said or sung at the Font, or while the Priest comes to the Font.

Standing at the Font, the Priest shall say:

~

THE RITE OF BAPTISM

"Dearly beloved in Christ, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin (1962: seeing that God willeth all men to be saved from the fault and corruption of the nature which they inherit, as well as from actual sins which they commit), and that our Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God, except he be regenerate and born anew of water and of the Holy Ghost (1962: Holy Spirit); I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through the (1962: our) Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous mercy he will grant to this child that the thing which by nature he cannot have, that he may be baptized with water and the holy Ghost, and received into Christs holy Church, and be made a lively (1962: living) member of the same."

RUBRIC, 1662: Then shall the Priest say,

RUBRIC, 1962: Then he shall say one or both of the following prayers:

"Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy great mercy didst save Noah and his family in the ark from perishing by water, and also didst safely lead the children of Israel thy people through the Red sea, figuring thereby thy holy Baptism: and by the Baptism of (through) thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ in the river Jordan, didst sanctifie the water to the mystical washing away of sin; We beseech thee for thine infinite mercies, that thou wilt mercifully to look upon this child; wash him and sanctifie him with the holy Ghost (1962: in the Holy Spirit), that he being delivered from thy wrath, may be received into the ark of Christs Church (1962: that he may be received into thy holy Church); and being stedfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity, may so pass the waves (1962: through the dangers) of this troublesome world, that finally he may come to the land of everlasting life; there to reign with thee world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN."

"Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succour:, the life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the dead; we call upon thee for this Infant (1962: Child), that he coming to thy holy Baptism, may receive remission of his sins by spiritual regeneration. Receive him, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying, Ask and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: So give now unto us that ask; let us that seek, find; open the gate unto us that knock: that this infant/child may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised, by Christ our Lord (1962: by him who is the Resurrection and the Life, Jesus Christ our Lord). AMEN."

RUBRIC, 1662: Then shall the people stand up, and the Priest shall say:

RUBRIC, 1962: Then, the people standing, one of the Ministers shall say:

"Hear the words of the Gospel written by Saint Mark, in the tenth Chapter, and the thirteenth verse."

People. "Glory be to thee, O Lord."

(Mark 10:13-16)

People. "Praise be to thee, O Christ."

RUBRIC, 1662: After the Gospel is read, the Minister shall make this brief Exhortation upon the words of the Gospel.

RUBRIC, 1962: Then the Minister shall say:

"Beloved, ye/you 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 exhorteth all men to follow their innocency. Ye/you perceive how by his outward gesture and deed he declared his good will toward them; for he embraced them in his arms, he laid his hands upon them, and blessed them. Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe, (1962: Be ye, therefore, assured) that he will likewise favourably receive this present Infant/Child, that he will embrace him with the arms of his mercy, that he will give unto him the blessing of eternal life, and make him partaker of his everlasting kingdom. Wherefore we being thus persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father towards this Infant/Child, declared by his Son Jesus Christ, and nothing doubting but that he favourably alloweth his charitable work of ours, in bringing this infant to his holy baptism, let us faithfully & devoutly give thanks unto him and say together,"

"Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to call us (1962: that thou hast called us) 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/Child, that he may be born again, and be made an heir of everlasting salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy Spirit, now and for ever. AMEN."

(1962 Headline:) THE PROMISES

RUBRIC, 1662: Then shall the Priest speak unto the Godfathers and Godmothers on this wise:

RUBRIC, 1962: Then shall the Priest say to the Sponsors:

~

1662: "Dearly beloved, ye have brought this child here to be baptized, ye have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe to receive him, to release him of his sins, to sanctifie him with the holy Ghost, to give him the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. Ye have heard also that our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in his Gospel to grant all these things that ye have prayed for: which promise he for his part will most surely keep and perform. Wherefore after this promise made by Christ, this Infant must also faithfully for his part, promise by you that are his Sureities (until he come of age to take it upon himself) that he will renounce the devil and all his works, and constantly believe God's holy Word, and obediently keep his commandments."

1962: "Dearly beloved, you have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ may be pleased to receive, cleanse, and sanctify this Child, and grant unto him the blessing of eternal life, which things Christ, for his part, will most surely perform. And now this child, on his part, must through you, his Sponsors, promise and vow that he will renounce the devil and all his works, believe in Christ, and obediently keep God's commandments."

~

"I demand therefore:

Dost thou (1962: Do you) in the name of this child renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal (1962: sinful) desires of the flesh, so that thou/you wilt not follow nor be led by them?"

Answer, 1662: "I renounce them all."
Answer, 1962: "I do."

Minister, 1662. "Dost thou 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 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 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 Catholick Church; the Communion of Saints; the remission of sins; the resurrection of the flesh; and everlasting life after death?"

Answer, 1662. "All this I stedfastly believe."

[The form of the Creed presented above is not present in 1962; in its place is this:]

Priest, 1962. "Let us recite the Articles of our Belief."

RUBRIC, 1962:  Then shall be said by the Priest and the Godparents, and the whole Congregation, the Apostles' Creed.

APOSTLES' CREED


1962 RUBRIC after the Creed: Note that the words in the Creed 'He descended into hell' are considered as the words of the same meaning as 'He went into the place of departed spirits'.

~

Inquiry, 1662:

Minister, 1662. "Wilt thou be baptized in this faith?"
Answer, 1662. "That is my desire."

Minister, 1662. "Wilt thou then obediently keep Gods holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life?"
Answer, 1662. "I will."

Inquiry, 1962:

Priest, 1962. "Do you, in the name of this Child, profess this faith?"
Answer, 1962. "I do."

Priest, 1962. "Do you, in the name of this Child, seek Baptism into this faith?"
Answer, 1962. "I do"

Priest, 1962. "Do you, in the name of this Child, acknowledge the duty to keep God's holy will and commandments, walking stedfastly in the Way of Christ?"
Answer, 1962. "I do."

Priest, 1962. "Will you pray for this Child, and take care that he may learn and do all these things?"
Answer, 1962. "I will."

RUBRIC, 1662: Then the Priest shall say,RUBRIC, 1962: Then shall the Priest make the following supplications, and after each of them the Congregation shall answer "Amen".

1662 I. "O Merciful God, grant that the old Adam in this child may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in him. Amen."
1962 I. "O Merciful God, grant that all sinful desires may die in this Child, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in him."

1662 II. "Grant that all carnal affections may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in him. Amen."
(1962. Transferred to previous supplication.)

1662 III & 1962 II. "Grant that he may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen."

1962 III (New). "Grant that whosoever here shall begin to be of thy flock may evermore continue in the same. Amen."

1662 & 1962 IV. "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."

THE BAPTISM

~[The following is unique to 1962:

Priest. "The Lord be with you;"
People. "And with thy spirit."

Priest. "Lift up your hearts;"
People. "We lift them up unto the Lord."

Priest. "Let us give thanks unto our Lord God;"
People. "It is meet and right so to do."

RUBRIC, 1962: Then shall the Priest say:

1962: "It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, for that thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ,]

1662: "Almighty, everliving 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 bloud/blood, and (after his glorious Resurrection) 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 (1962: the prayers of thy Church), sanctifie/sanctify this water to the mystical washing away of sin: and grant that this child now to be baptized therein, may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful elect and children, through Jesus Christ our Lord (to whom with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, throughout all ages, world without end). Amen."

[The preceding prayer in 1962, with additions, resembles the beginning of a Eucharistic Prayer with a Doxology; thus, the grammar is significantly altered from 1662.]

RUBRIC, 1662: Then shall the Priest take the child into his hands, and shall say to the Godfathers and Godmothers,

RUBRIC, 1962: The Priest, taking the Child into his arms, or by the right hand, shall say to the Sponsors:

"Name this Child."

RUBRIC, 1662: And then naming it after them (if they shall certifie him that the Child may well endure it) he shall dip it in the water discreetly and warily, saying,

RUBRIC, 1962: And then, naming him after them, he shall dip him in the Water or pour Water upon him saying:

"N., I BAPTIZE thee In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

[The second 1662 rubric specifying baptism by pouring of water over a weak & sickly child is removed in 1962]

[The section beginning "We receive this child into the congregation of Christs flock..." and the Sign of the Cross are unchanged in 1962.]

[The section beginning "Seeing now dearly beloved brethren, that this child is regenerate and grafted into the body of Christs Church..." is unchanged in 1962.]

[The Lord's Prayer is said here, concluding with the doxology "for thine is the kingdom..." only in 1962]

~

Then shall the Priest say,

1662: "We yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this Infant with thy holy Spirit, to receive him for thine own child by adoption, and to incorporate him into thy holy Church. And humbly we beseech thee to grant, that he being dead to sin, and living unto righteousness, and being buried with Christ in his death, may crucifie the old man, and utterly abolish the whole body of sin, and that as he is made partaker of the death of thy Son, he may also be partaker of his resurrection; so that finally with the residue of thy holy Church, he may be an inheritour of thine everlasting kingdom, through Christ our Lord. Amen."

1962: "We yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this Child with thy Holy Spirit, to receive him for thine own child by adoption, and to incorporate him into thy holy Church. Grant, O Lord, that being baptized into the death of Christ, he may also be made partaker of his resurrection, so that serving thee here in newness of life, he may finally, with all thy holy Church, inherit thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

~

[1962 Headline: THE DUTIES]

RUBRIC, 1662: Then all standing up, the Priest shall say to the Godfathers and Godmothers this Exhortation following.

RUBRIC, 1962: The Priest shall say to the Sponsors and Parents:

"(1962: Dearly beloved,) Forasmuch as this child hath promised by you his Sureties, to renounce the devil and all his works, to (1962: Forasmuch as you have brought this Child to be baptized into the family of Christ's Church, and have promised that he shall renounce the devil and all his works, and shall) believe in God and to serve him; ye must remember that it is your parts and duties/duty to see that this Infant (1962: he) be taught, so soon as he shall be able to learn, what a solemn vow, promise and profession he hath here made by you.

Use all diligence therefore to see that he be virtuously brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life; and to that end you should teach him to pray, and bring him to take his part in public worship.

1662: And that he may know these things better, ye shall call upon him to hear Sermons, and chiefly ye shall provide that he may learn the Creed, the Lords Prayer, and the ten Commandments in the vulgar tongue, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his souls health; and that this child may be virtuously brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life; *

(1962 interjection): Take care that he be taught the Creed, the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer, and be further instructed in the Church Catechism; and then that he be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him; so that he may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and may come to receive the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ, and go forth into the world to serve God faithfully in the fellowship of his Church.

(1962: Remember) * remembering always, that baptism doth represent (1962: represents) 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 and rose again for us; so should we who are baptized, die from sin, and rise again unto righteousness, continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections (1962: all evil desires), and daily proceeding (1962: increasing) in all virtue and godliness of living."

1662 CONCLUDES THUS:

Then shall he add and say,


"Ye are to take care that this child be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him, so soon as he can say the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments in the vulgar tongue, and be further instructed in the Church Catechism set for that purpose."

RUBRIC:

It is certain by God's Word, that children which are baptized, dying before they commit actual sin, are undoubtedly saved.

To take away all scruple concerning the use of the sign of the Cross in Baptism; the true explication thereof, and the just reasons for the retaining of it, may be seen in the 30th Canon, first published in the Year 1604.

1962 CONCLUDES THUS:

Priest. "Will you be faithful in the fulfilment of these duties?"
Answer. "I will, the Lord being my helper."

Then the Priest may say one or both of the following prayers:

"Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose beloved Son did share in Nazareth the life of an earthly home; Bless, we beseech thee, the home of this Child, and grant wisdom and understanding to all who shall have the care of him, that he may grow up in stedfast love and reverence of thy holy Name; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

"Grant, O Lord, that this Child may by thy mercy grow in health of body and mind, and serve thee faithfully according to thy will all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
RUBRIC, 1962:  Then shall follow Benedictus or Nunc Dimittis, if the Office has been used at Morning or Evening Prayer. In that case the Canticle shall be followed by the Mutual Salutation, after which the Priest shall say, Let us pray, and proceed to the Collect of the day and the other prayers, and so end Morning or Evening Prayer.

When this Office is used as a separate Service, the Priest may say:

"The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen."

Here endeth the Ministration of Publick Baptism of Infants.

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