Chapter 34

1Concerning him who is baptised. When one has been chosen or who is ready for baptism they shall examine their life ; if they lived in the fear of God before they are baptised, if they honoured the widow, or if they visited the sick, or if they did all good, and if there is witness in their favour from those who bring them ; and if they have done thus they shall hear the Gospel from the time^ that they were set apart, and they shall lay hand upon them and every day instruct them. And when the day draws near on which they shall be baptised, the bishop binds every one of them by oath, that he may know if they are pure. And if one ^ was found who was not pure, they shall put him aside by himself; for he has not hearkened to the word of instruction with faith ; because it is not proper to baptise (///. do to) an utter alien. And they shall instruct those who shall be baptised that they should wash and be exorcised on the fifth day of the week (sabbath) ; and if there was a menstruous woman among them, she shall be put aside, that she may be baptised on another day. And those who desire to be baptised shall fast on Friday, and the bishop shall assemble all those who shall be baptised on Saturday into one place, and shall command all of them (to make) prayer and prostration ; and when he has laid his hand upon them, let him exorcise the unclean spirit that he may flee away from them and not enter into them again. And when he has finished his exorcising, he shall breathe upon them, and they shall read to them the Scriptures, and exhort them. And they who shall be baptised shall not bring with them any ornament of gold, nor ring nor gem of any kind ; but every one of them shall give thanks, and it is fitting for them whom it beseems to bring their Oblations also at the time.