Book of Common Prayer · Holy Baptism (1662)

Versions of the Baptismal Office

The base text is the 1662 baptismal offices (plain text, source). Earlier and later rites are listed below, beginning with the early Irish and medieval English orders (translated into English by AnglicanGuide from the Latin editions, which are linked; Ælfric’s Old English homilies in Benjamin Thorpe’s translation). Public-domain texts are given in full; copyrighted modern rites, and texts not separately transcribed, have a short note and a link. Use the Compare tab on the Baptism page to read any of them beside 1662.

• Bobbio Missal: Order of Baptism (Gallican) (c. 700) · English translation · Latin · Source: E. A. Lowe (ed.), The Bobbio Missal, Henry Bradshaw Society 58 (1920), pp. 71–76, nos. 228–254 (Latin; Internet Archive)
• Stowe Missal: Order of Baptism (Irish) (c. 800) · English translation · Latin · Source: G. F. Warner (ed.), The Stowe Missal, vol. 2, Henry Bradshaw Society 32 (1915), pp. 24–33 (Latin; Internet Archive)
• Leofric Missal: Order of Baptism (Anglo-Saxon) (10th century) · English translation · Latin · Source: F. E. Warren (ed.), The Leofric Missal (Oxford, 1883), pp. 235–238 (Latin; Internet Archive)
• Ælfric of Eynsham: Homilies on Baptism (Old English) (c. 990–995) · English translation · Latin · Source: B. Thorpe (ed. and trans.), The Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church: The Sermones Catholici or Homilies of Ælfric, vol. 2 (London, 1846), pp. 39–53 and 269 (Old English with English translation; Internet Archive)
• Missal of Robert of Jumièges: Holy Saturday Baptism (c. 1020) · English translation · Latin · Source: H. A. Wilson (ed.), The Missal of Robert of Jumièges, Henry Bradshaw Society 11 (1896), pp. 93–100 (Latin; Internet Archive)
• Sarum Manual: the Making of a Catechumen, Blessing of the Font and Baptism (late medieval) · English translation · Latin · Source: W. Maskell, Monumenta Ritualia Ecclesiae Anglicanae, 2nd ed. (Oxford, 1882), vol. 1, pp. 3–32 (Latin; Internet Archive)
• York and Hereford Manuals (1500)
  Not separately imported. The York and Hereford orders of baptism closely follow Sarum. Maskell records York variants in his notes: the Gospel at the church door is placed after the first exorcisms, the child is given the book to kiss, and the charge to the godparents is not in English. The York manual also adds a short office for baptizing the sick. W. G. Henderson (ed.), Manuale et Processionale ad usum insignis ecclesiae Eboracensis, Surtees Society 63 (1875) (Internet Archive).
• First Prayer Book of Edward VI (1549) · full text · Source: Charles Wohlers, the 1549 Book of Common Prayer (justus.anglican.org)
• Second Prayer Book of Edward VI (1552) · full text · Source: Charles Wohlers, the 1552 Book of Common Prayer (justus.anglican.org)
• Elizabethan Prayer Book (1559) · full text · Source: Charles Wohlers, the 1559 Book of Common Prayer (justus.anglican.org)
• Jacobean Prayer Book (1604)
  Not separately imported. After the Hampton Court Conference the 1604 book restricted private baptism to "the lawful Minister of the Parish, or any other lawful Minister", ending lay and midwife baptism in the rubrics, and recast the questions on a privately baptized child ("With what matter… With what words…"). Otherwise it reprints 1559. Wohlers, the 1559 baptism with 1604 variants (justus.anglican.org).
• Scottish Prayer Book ("Laud's Liturgy") (1637) · full text · Source: Charles Wohlers, the 1637 Scottish Book of Common Prayer (justus.anglican.org)
• Episcopal Church (USA) Prayer Book (1789) · full text · Source: Charles Wohlers, the 1789 U.S. Book of Common Prayer (justus.anglican.org)
• Church of England, Proposed Prayer Book (1928) · full text · Source: Charles Wohlers, the 1928 Proposed Book of Common Prayer (justus.anglican.org)
• Episcopal Church (USA) Prayer Book (1928) · full text · Source: Charles Wohlers, the 1928 U.S. Book of Common Prayer (justus.anglican.org)
• Episcopal Church (USA) Book of Common Prayer (1979) · full text · Source: Charles Wohlers, the 1979 U.S. Book of Common Prayer, Holy Baptism (justus.anglican.org)
• Church of England, Alternative Service Book (1980)
  Text under copyright and not reproduced. The ASB placed baptism, confirmation and first communion in one sequence of initiation services, with a decision ("I turn to Christ… I repent of my sins… I renounce evil"), a prayer over the water recalling the Flood, the Red Sea and the Jordan, signing with the cross before baptism, and an optional lighted candle. Church of England, Common Worship Christian Initiation (official text).
• Church of England, Common Worship: Christian Initiation (2006)
  Text under copyright and not reproduced. Common Worship (baptism 1998, initiation volume 2006) keeps the Decision and signing with the cross, offers anointing with oil before and after baptism, a profession of faith in Creed form, the giving of a lighted candle, and seasonal material. An additional set of simpler texts was authorised in 2015. Church of England, Common Worship: Holy Baptism (official text).
• Anglican Church in North America, Book of Common Prayer (2019)
  Text under copyright and not reproduced. A contemporary-language rite on the 1662 pattern within the Eucharist: presentation, three renunciations and three turnings to Christ, the Apostles' Creed, a Flood-type thanksgiving over the water, baptism, signing (optionally with oil) with the 1662 formula "that he may not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified", and a declaration that the child is "regenerate". ACNA, The Book of Common Prayer (2019), Holy Baptism (official site).