with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Then the elder, if he see it expedient, may put up an extemporaneous prayer; and afterward shall let the people depart with this blessing:

May the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

If the elder be straitened for time, he may omit any part of the service except the prayer of consecration.

If the consecrated bread or wine be all spent before all have communicated, the elder may consecrate more, by repeating the prayer of conse

cration.

Let those who have scruples concerning the receiving of the communion kneeling, be permitted to receive it either standing or sitting; but no person shall be admitted to the Lord's Supper among us who is guilty of any practice for which we would exclude a member of our Church.

SECTION II.

178. THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM

TO INFANTS.

The minister, coming to the font, which is to be filled with pure water, shall use the following, or some other suitable exhortation:

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour Christ saith, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God: I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous goodness he will grant to this child, now to be baptized with water, that which by nature he cannot have: that he may be baptized with the Holy Ghost, received into Christ's holy Church, and be made a lively member of the same.

Then shall the minister say,

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, we

beseech thee for thine infinite mercies, that thou wilt look upon this child: wash him and sanctify him with the Holy Ghost; that he being saved by thy grace, may be received into the ark of Christ's Church, and being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, may so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that finally he may come to the land of everlasting life, there to reign with thee, world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in this child may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in him. Amen

Grant that all carnal affections may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in him. Amen.

Grant that he may have power and

strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen.

Grant that whosoever is dedicated to thee by our office and ministry may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all things, world without end. Amen.

Almighty, ever-living God, whose most dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood, and gave commandment to his disciples that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy congregation; and grant that this child, now to be baptized, may receive

the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the people stand up; and the minister shall say,

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. Mark, in the tenth chapter, at the thirteenth verse.

They brought young children to Christ, that he should touch them. And his disciples rebuked those that brought them; but when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.