Page:The Book of Common Prayer.djvu/278

 Private Baptism can say the Creed, the Lords Prayer, and the ten Coffiandments in the vulgar tongue and be further instructed in the Church Catechism set forth for that purpose. ^f ft is certain by Gods word, that children which are baptized, dyeing be/ore they commit actuaU sin, are •undoubtedly saved. ^[ To take away all scruple, concerning the use of the signe of the Crosse in Baptism; the true explication thereof & the just reasons for the retaining of it may be seen in y* XXX th Canon, first published in y* year MDCIV. The Ministration of Private Baptism of Children in Houses The Curats of every parish, shall often admonish the people, that they defer not the Baptism of their children longer then the first or second Sunday next after their birth, or other holyday falling betweene, vnlesse vpon a great and reasonable cause to be approved by the Curate. ^| And also they shall warn them, that without like great Cause, and necessity, they procure not their children to be baptized at home in their houses. But when need shall compell them so to do, then Baptism shall be administred on this fashion. ^ First let the Minister of the Parish, (or in his Absence, any other lawfull Minister that can be „ procured) with them that are present, call vpon God, and say the Lords Prayer, and so many of the Collects appointed to be said before in the form of Publick Baptism, as the time and present exi- gence