Then the Priest shall say. We receive, &c.

157. * Here the Priest shall make a Cross upon the Child's forehead.

The ancient custom was to make the cross on the child's forehead
with the thumb. No water should be used.

158. Then shall the Priest say. Seeing now, &c.

Although all direction for the disposal of the child is omitted,
it stands to reason that the Minister must give back the child,
and care should be taken to give it to a sponsor, and not to a
nurse.

159. Then shall be said, all kneeling; Our Father, &c.

160. Then shall the Priest say. We yield Thee, &c.

161. Then, all standing up, the Priest shall say to the Godfathers
and Godmothers this Exhortation following. Forasmuch, &c.

162. Then shall he add and say, Ye are to, &c.

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

164. 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 xxxth Canon, first
published in the Year MDCIV.

THE MINISTRATION OF

PRIVATE BAPTISM OF CHILDREN

IN HOUSES.

165. The Curates of every Parish shall often admonish the people,
that they defer not the Baptism of their Children longer than the
first or second Sunday next after their birth, or other Holy-day
falling between, unless upon a great and reasonable cause, to be
approved by the Curate.

166. 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 compel them so to do,
then Baptism shall be administered on this fashion:

167. First, let the Minister of the Parish (or, in his absence,
any other lawful Minister that can be procured) with them that are
present call upon God, and say the Lord's Prayer, and so many of
the Collects appointed to be said before in the Form of Publick
Baptism, as the time and present exigence will suffer. And then,
the Child being named by some one that is present, the Minister
shall pour Water upon it, saying these words; _N_. I baptize thee,
&c.

Bishop Cosin observes: "It is not here said what shall be done in
case a lawful Minister cannot be found; or whether the child ought
to be baptized again, or no, when only a midwife, or some other
such, hath baptized it before." According to the ancient custom
of th