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2io V THE REFORMATION (A.D. 15201592).
kind in any modern language. It appeared first in 1529,
and it contains the services for baptism, marriage, church
ing of women, visitation and communion of the sick, bless
ing of a corpse and burial of the dead, and visitation of
prisoners. In these services the old ceremonies were
largely retained.
Thus baptism began with a short exorcism, followed by
the
"
primsigning
"
(as it was called in Swedish), or cross
ing of the face and breast of the child, then laying hands
on its head and blessing it, and a taste of salt put into the
mouth. Then came a further exorcism, another imposi
tion of hands, whilst the priest knelt with the godfather
and godmother to say the Lord s Prayer, a cross made with
oil on the breast, questions as to the Creed, baptism with
trine immersion, unction with chrism on the crown of the
head, clothing the child, in the chrisom or white dress, and
the light or font-taper put into the child s hands.
In marriage the ring was put first on the thumb, then
on the index finger, and then left on the middle finger in
the name of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. It is now put
on what we call the ring-finger, next the little finger. The
married pair were also covered by a canopy (pell or
pallium) later in the service.
In the communion of the sick there was no consecration
prayer, but the sacrament was administered in both kinds,
apparently from what had been consecrated in church (I.e.,
i. 61). Unction of the sick on eyes, ears, nose, lips, hands
and feet was also provided (ibid. 65-6).
While these ceremonies were retained explanations of
many of them were introduced in the form of long rubrics
and exhortations, in accordance with the Council of
Orebro.
There was, however, no form of private confession and
absolution provided, except in the visitation of the sick
and of prisoners. But what naturally strikes an English
reader as the greatest defect is the absence of any form of
confirmation. This is the more remarkable since Luther
had already spoken favourably of some kind of rite of the
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