Publick Baptism of Infants.

The Minister, who derives his authority from the Apostles, names the child with a new name answerable to the new nature it imbibes, and sprinkles it with the water, in the name of the Holy Trinity, signing it on the forehead with the sign of the cross, for the public manifestation that the child has now been received into the congregation of Christ's flock, as a perfect member thereof.

Though our Church requires that children should be pub­lickly baptized; and prescribes the Font for the place of Bap­tism; yet, in cases of necessity, it is provided, that a child may be baptized by a Minister in any proper place at another time; in such cases requiring that it should subsequently be pub­lickly admitted into the Church.

T The people are to be admonished, that it is most convenient that Baptism should not be administered but upon Sundays, and other Holy- days, when the most number of people come together; as well for that the Congregation there present may testify 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 ministered in the vulgar tongue. Nevertheless,( if necessity so require,) Children may be bap­tized upon any other day.

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.

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. 461