Page:The Book of Common Prayer.djvu/285

 273 Publick Baptism of Such The Ministration of Baptism to such as are of riper years, and able to answer for themselves. ^[ When any such persons, as are of riper years are to be baptized, timely notice shall be given to the Bishop, or whom he shall appoint for that purpose, a week before at the least, by the Parents, or some other discreet persons : that so due care may be taken for their examination, whether they be suffi- ciently instructed in the principles of the christian Religion ; and that they may be exhorted to prepare themselves with prayers and fasting, for the re- ceiving of this holy Sacrament. ^ And if they shall be found fitt, then the God- fathers and Godmothers, {the people being assembled vpon the Sunday, or Holy-day appointed) shall be ready to present them at the Font, immediatly after the second Lesson, either at Morning, or Evening prayer, as the Curate in his discretion shall think pi. ^[ And standing there, the Priest shall ask whether any of the persons here presented be baptized or No? if they shall answer, No ; Then shall the Priest say thus. Dearly beloved, Forasmuch as all men are con- ceived and born in sin (and that which is born of the flesh is flesh) and they that are in the flesh cannot please God, but live in sin comitting many actuall transgressions; 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: I beseech you to call vpon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous goodness he will grant to these persons that