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After the Gospel is read, the Minifter shall make this brief Exhortation upon the words of the Gospel. ELOVED, ye hear in this Gofpel the words of our Saviour Chrift, that he conm nded the children to be brought unto him; how he blamed those that would have kept them from him; how he exhorteth all men to follow their innocency. Ye perceive how by his outward gesture and deed, he declared his good will toward them; for he embraced them in his arms, he laid his hands upon them, and bleed them. Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he will likewife favourably receive this prefent Infant; that he will embrace him with the arms of his mercy; that he will give unto him the bleffing of eternal life, and make him partaker of his everlafting kingdom. Wherefore being thus perfuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father towards this Infant, declared by his Son Jefus Chrift; and nothing doubting, but that he favourably alloweth this charitable work of our's, in bringing this Infant to his holy baptifm; let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him and fay,

LMIGHTY and everlasting Gol, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks, that thou haft confirm this faith in us evermore. Give thy Holy Spirit to this Infant, that he may be born again, and be made an heir of everlasting falvation, through our Lord Jefus Chrift, who liveth and reigne h with the and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

call knowledge the grace and faith thee.

Then fhall the Pricft fjeak unto the Godfathers and Godmothers on this wife.

Dechrit would vouchfare to receive him, 10 releafe him of his fins, to fanctify him with the Holy Gnoft,

EARLY beloved ye have brought this Child here to be baptized; ye have prayed that our Lord Jefus

to give him the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. Ye have heard alfo, that cur Lord Jefus Chrift hath promifed in his Gospel to grant all these things that ye have prayed for: which promife, he for his part will molt furely keep and perform. Wher fore, after this promife made by Chrift, this Infant must also faithfully for his part, promife by you that are bis fureties (until he cone of age to take it upon himself,) that be will renounce the devil and all his works, and constantly believe God's holy Word, and obediently keep his Commandments.

I demand therefore,

OS

Do the Name of this

of the world, with all covetous desires of the fame, and the carnal defires of the flesh, fo that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them?

Anfw. I renounce them all.

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Minifter.

OST thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth? And in Jefus Chrift his only begotton Son our Lord? And that he was conceived by the Holy Ghoft; born of the Virgin Mary; that he fuffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he went down into hell, and alfo did rife again the third day; that he afcended into heaven, and fitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence fhall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead? And doft thou believe in the Holy Ghoft; the holy Catholick Church; the Communion of faints; the emiffion of fins; the Refurrection of the flesh; and everlasting Life after death? Anfu. All this I ftedfaftly believe.

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7ILT thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the fame all the Anfw. I will.

W days of thy life?

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Then fball the Priß say.

MERCIFUL God, grant that the old Adam in this Child may be fo buried, that the new man may be raifed 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.

it to the fervice of God; and to point out that moral Purity and Righteoufaefs of Life, which should adorn every Proeffor of Chriftianity. See Rom. 6, 3.4 1 Pet. 3, 21. GODFATHERS and GODMOTHERS feem to have been originally appointed to inftruct the Child in his Duty, if Need be, and frequently to remind him that if he does not believe and obey the Gospel, when he comes to Years of difcretion, he will reap no benefit from his Baptifin. This

inftitution was more particularly useful in the early Ages of the Gofpel, when Chriftians were expofed to Perfecution, and Children were liable to be deprived of their Parents by Martyrdom, and educated in Pagan Principles: and were Sponfers but careful in any degree to perform their engagements 'tis not to be doubted but this Institution would be itill advanatgeous to Religion.

After the Gefpel is read, the Minifter shall make this brief Exhortation upon the Words of the Golpel.
ELOVED, ye hear in this Gofpel the words of our Saviour Chrift, that he commanded the children

to

him, would kept them from him,

all men to follow their innocency. Ye perceive how by his outward gefture and deed he declared his good will toward them; for he embraced them in his arms, he laid his hands upon them, and bleffed them. Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he hath likewife favourably received this prefent Infant; th that he hath embraced him with the arms of his mercy, and (as he hath promifed in his holy word) will give unto him the bleffing of eternal life, and make him partaker of his everlatting kingdom. Wherefore we being thus perfuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father, declared by his Son Jefus Chrift towards this Infant; let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him, and fay the Prayer, which the Lord himself hath taught us : UR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven: Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trefpaffes, as we forgive them that trefpafs against us; And lead us not into temptation ; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

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LMIGHTY and everlafting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks, that thou haft vouch

A fafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace, and faith in thee: Increase this knowledge, and con

fim this faith in us evermore. Give thy holy Spirit to this Infant, that he being born again, and being made an heir of everlasting falvation, through our Lord Jefus Chrift, may continue thy fervant, and attain thy promife; through the fame our Lord Jefus Chrift, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, row and for ever. Amen.

Then shall the Prief demand the Name of the Child, which being by the Godfathers and Godmothers pronounced, the Minifter fall fay,

D

OST thou in the Name of this Child renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of this world. with all covetous defires of the fame, and the carnal defires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them? Anj. I renounce them all.

Minifter.

OST theu believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?

D And in Jefus Chrift his only begotten Son our Lord ? And that he was conceived by the Holy Ghoft;

born of the Virgin Mary; that he fuffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he went dow into hell, and alfo did rife again the third day; that he afcended into heaven, and fitteth at theright hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence fhall come again at the end of the world to judge the quick and the dead ?

And doft thou believe in the Holy Ghoft; the Holy Catholick Chure the Communion of Saints, the Remiflion of fins; the Refurrection of the flesh; and everlasting lite after death?

Anf. All this I fledfaftly believe.

WILT

Minifler.

ILT thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the fame all the days of thy life?

Anf. I will.

WE

Then fhall the Prieft fay,

E receive this child into the congregation of Chrift's flock, and do fign him with the fign of the

Here the Prieft

fhall make a cross upon the childs forehead.

his lifes end. Amen.

SEE

Crofs, in token that hereafter he fhall not be ashamed to confefs the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under Chrift's banner, against fin, the world, and the Devil; and to continue Chrifts faithful foldier and fervant unto

Then the Pricft fall fay,

EEING now, dearly beloved brethren, that this Child is by Baptifm regenerate, and grafted into the body of Chrifts Church, let us give thanks unto Almighty God for thefe benefits, and with one accord make Our prayers unto him, that he may lead the rest of his life according to this beginning.

WE

Then the Prieft fball fay,

VE yield thee most hearty thanks, moft merciful Father, that it hath pleafed thee to regenerate this In fant with thy holy Spirit, to receive him for thine own Child by adoption and to incorporate him into thy holy Church. And humbly we beseech thee to grant, that he being dead unto fin, and living unto righteoufnefs, and being buried with Chrift in his death, may crucify the old man, and utterly abolish the whole body of fin; and that as he is made partaker of the death of thy Son, he may alfo be partaker of his refurrection; fo that finally with the refidue of thy Holy Church, he may be an inheritor of thine everlafting Kingdom, through Jefus Christ our Lord. Amen.

F

Then all landing up, the Minister fhall make this exhortation to the Godfathers and God fathers:
ORASMUCH as this Child hath promised by you his Sureties, to renounce the devil and all his works,
to believe in God, and to ferve him ; ye must remember that it is your parts and duties to fee that this
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infant be taught, fo foon as he fhall be able to learn, what a folemn vow, promife, and profeffion he hath here made by you. And that he may know these things the better, ye fhall call upon him to hear Sermons, and chiefly ye fhall provide that he may learn the Creed the Lord's Prayer, and Ten Commandments in the valgat tongue, and all other things which a Chriftian ought to know and believe to his foul's health; and that this Child may be virtuously brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life; remembering always that Baptifm doth reprefent unto us our profeffion; which is to follow the example of our Saviour Chrift, and be made like unto him; that as he died, and rofe again for us; fo fhould we, who are baptized, die from fin, and rise again unto righteoufnefs, continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness of living.

But if they which bring the Infant to the Church do make fuch uncertain Answers to the Priefs Quellions, as that it cannot appear that the child was baptized with Water, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (which are effential parts of Baptifm) then let the Prieft baptize it in the Form before appointed for Publick Baptifm of Infants; faving that at the dipping of the Child in the Font, be hall use this Form of words:

F thou art not already baptized, N. I baptize thee, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft. Amen.

I'

*** The Miniftration of Baptifm of fuch as are of Riper Years, varies very little from Public Boptism of Infants, only faying instead of this Infant, this Perfon; and the Gospel is taken out of the third Chapter of Saint John, beginning at the first Verje, to Verfe the ninth, after which an Exhortation followeth.

A CATECHISM; that is to fay, An Inftruction to be learned of every Perfon, before he be brought to be confirmed by the Bishop.

Question.

WH
WHAT is your Name?

Anfw. N. or M.

Queft. Who gave you this Name ?

Anfw. My Godfathers and Godmothers in my Baptism, wherein I was made a member of Christ, the Child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven.

Queft. What did your Godfathers and Godmothers then for you?

Anfw. They did promife and vow three things in my Name: First, that I fhould renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanity of this wicked world, and all the finful lufts of the flesh. Secondly, that I fhould believe all the Articles of the Chriftian Faith. And thirdly, that I fhould keep Gods holy will and commandments, and walk in the fame all the days of my life.

Queft. Doft thou not think that thou art bound to believe and do as they have promised for thee?

Anfw. Yes verily; and by Gods help fo I will. And I heartily thank our heavenly Father, that he hath called me to this ftate of falvation through Jefus Christ our Saviour. And I pray unto God to give me his grace, that I may continue in the fame unto my lifes end.

Catechift. Rehearse the Articles of thy belief.

Answer. Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth:

And in Jefus Chrift his only Son our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghoft, Born of the Virgin Mary; fuffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, de id, and buried; He defcended into Hell; the third day he rofe again from the dead; He afcended into Heaven, and fitteth on the right hand of God the Fa ther Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghoft; The holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints; The forgiveness of fins; The refurrection of the body; And the life everlafting. Amen.

Queft. What doft, nou chiefly learn in thefe Articles of thy Belief?

Anfw. Fift, I learn to believe in God the Father, who hath made me, and all the world.

Secondly, in God the Son, who hath redeemed me and all mankind.

Thirdly, in God the Holy Ghoft, who fanétifieth me, and all the ele&t people of God

Queft. You faid that your Godfathers and Godmothers did promife for you, that you should keep Gods Come mandments. Tell me how many there be ?

Anfw. Ten..

Quest. Which be they?

Aniwer. HE fame which God fpake in the twentieth Chapter of Exodus faying, I am the Lord thy God, T who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

This excellent Summary of the Faith and Duties of a Christian, ftand properly after Baptifm: fignifying hereby that the Child fhould be taught early what things were en gaged for him at his Baptifin which are contained here. Yet no one ought to look upon this merely as a Talk for a

Child, and unworthy the Notice of fuch as are of Riper Years. For would all Perfons of full Age ftill preserve it in Memory, and ferioufly and frequently confider it: it may be prefumed that Ignorance in Matters of Religion would not fo generally prevail.

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I. Thou shalt have none other Gods but me.

II. Thou shalt not make to thyfelf any graven image, nor the likness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and vifit the fins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me ; and fhew mercy unto thoufands in them that love me, and keep my commandments.

I Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain : for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

IV. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day. Six days fhalt thou labour and do all that thou haft to do; but the feventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou fhalt do no manner of work, thou, and thy fon, and thy daughter, thy man fervant, and thy maid-fervant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is with in thy gates. For in fix days the Lord made heaven and earth, the fea, and all that in them is, and refted the feventh day; wherefore the Lord bleffed the feventh day and hallowed it.

V. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which theLord thyGod giveth thee. VI. Thou shalt do no murder.

VII

VIII.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not fteal

IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

X. Thou shall not covet thy neighbours houfe, thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife, nor his fervant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his afs, nor any thing that is his

Queft. What doft thou chiefly learn by these commandments ?

Anfw. I learn two things: My duty towards God, and my duty towards my neighbour.

Que ft. What is thy duty towards God?

Antw. My Duty towards God, is to believe in him, to fear him, and to love him with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my foul, and with all my ftrength; to worship him, to give him thanks, to put my whole trutt my life. in him, to call upon him, to honour his holy Name and his word; and to serve him truly all the days of Quest. What is thy duty towards thy neighbour? Anfw. My duty towards my neighbour is to love him as myself, and to do to all men, as I would they should do unto me. To love, honour, and fuccour my father and mother. To honour and obey the king, and all To fubmit my felf to all my governors, teachers, fpiritual paftors and that are put in authority under him. niafters To order myself lowly and reverently to all my betters. To hurt no body by word or deed. To be true and just in all my dealing. To bear no malice or hatred in my heart. To keep my hands from picking and flealing, and my tongue from evil speaking, lying and flandering. To keep my body in temperance, fobernefs, and chafity. Not to covet or defire other mens goods; but to learn and labour truly to get my own living, and to do my duty in that state of life unto which it fhall pleafe God to call me.

Chatechiit. My good child know this, that thou art not able to do these things of thyfelf, nor to walk in the commandments of God, and to ferve him without his fpecial grace, which thou must learn at all times to call for by diligent prayer. Let me hear therefore if thou canft say the Lords Prayer.

Anfwer.

UR Father, which art in heaven; hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trefpaffes, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Quest. What defireft thou of God in this Prayer? Anfw. I defire my Lord God our heavenly Father, who is the giver of all goodness, to fend his grace unto me, and to all people, that we may worship him, ferve him, and obey him as we ought to do. And I pray unto God, that he will fend us all things that be needful both for our fouls and bodies; and that he will be merciful unto us, and forgive us our fins; and that it will please him to fave and defend us in all dangers ghostly and bodily; and that he will keep us from all fin and wickedness, and from our ghoftly enemy, and from everlasting death. And this I truft he will do of his mercy and goodness, through our Lord Jefus Chrift: and therefore I fay, Amen So be it.

[OW Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Church?

Queftion. How many Swo only, as generally neceffary to falvation; that is to fay, Baptism, and the Sup

per

of the Lord.

Quest. What meaneft thou by this word Sacrament ?

Anfw. I mean an outward and vifible fign of an inward and spiritual grace, given unto us, ordained by Chrift himself, as a means whereby we receive the fame, and a pledge to affure us thereof.

Queft. How many parts are there in a Sacrament?

Anfw. Two: the outwa d (vifible fign, and the inward fpiritual grace.

Queft. What is the outward vifible fign or form in Baptifm

Anfw. Water: wherein the perfon is baptized, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft

Queft. What is the inward and fpiritual grace?

Antw. A death unto fin, and a new birth unto righteoufnefs: for being by nature born in fin, and the chil dren of wrath, we are hereby made the children of grace.

Queft. What is required of perfons to be baptized?

Anfw. Repentance, whereby they forfake fin; and faith, whereby they ftedfafly believe the promifes of God made to them in that Sacrament.

Queit. Why then are Infants baptized, when by reason of their tender age they cannot perform them ?

Anfw. Because they promife them both by their fureties: which promife, when they come to age, them felves are bound to perform.

Queit. Why was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ordained ?

Anfw. For the continual remembrance of the facrifice of the death of Chrift, and of the benefits which we receive thereby.

Queit. What is the outward part or fign of the Lords Supper?"

Anfw Bread and Wine, which the Lord hath commanded to be received..

Queft. What is the inward part, or thing fignified?

Anfw. The Body and Blood of Chrift, which are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lord Supper.

Queft. What are the benefits whereof we are partakers thereby ?

Aufw. The ftrengthening and refreshing of our fouls by the Body and Blood of Chrift, as our bodies are by the Bread and Wine.

Queft. What is required of them who come to the Lords Supper

Antw. To examine themfelves, whether they repent them tru'y of their former fins, ftedfaftly purpofing to lead a new life; have a lively faith in Gods mercy through Chrift, with a thankful remembrance of his death; and be in charity with all men.

The Curate of every Parih fhall diligently upon Sundays and Holy-days after the fecond Lefon at Evening Progr openly in the church infruct and examine fo many children of his Parish fent unto him, as he shall think convenit ent in fome part of this catechism.

And all Fathers, Mothers, Mafters, and Dames, fball caufe their Children. Servants, and Apprentices (which have not learned their catechifm) to come to the church at the time appointed, and obediently to hear, and be ordered by the Curate, until fuch time as they have learned all that is bere appointed for them to learn.

So foon as children are come to a competant Age, and can jay in their Mother Tongue, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments; and also can answer to the other Questions of this fort Catechism; they all be brought to the Bhop. And every one shall have a Godfather or a Godmother, as a Witness of their Confirmation.

And whenjoever the Bishop fhall give knowledge for Children to be brought unto him for their Confirmation, the Curate of every Parish hall either bring, or fend in writing, with his hand subjcribed thereto, the Names of all juch perJons within kis Parish as he shall think fit to be prefented to the Bishop to be confirmed. And if the Bifup approve of them, be fhall confirm them in the manner following.

The ORDER

of CONFIRMATION,

Or Laying on of Hands upon thofe that are Baptized, and come to Years of Difcretion:

Upon the Day appointed, all that are to be then confirmed, being placed, and standing in order before the Bishop, be (# Jome other Minifier appointed by him) hall read this Preface following,

T

O the end that Confirmation may be miniftred to the more edifying of fuch as fhall receive it, the Church hath thought good to order, That none hereafter fhall be Confirmed, but fuch as can fay the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments; and can alfo answer to fuch other Questions, as in the fort Catechism are contained; which order is very convenient to be obferved; to the end that children being now come to the years of difcretion, and having learned what their Godfathers and Godmothers promifed for them in Baptifm, they may theinfelves, with their own mouth and confent, openly before the Church, ratify and con firm the fame; and alfo promife that by the grace of God they will evermore endeavour themselves, faithfully to observe such things, as they, by their own confeffion, have affented unto.

The plain Meaning and Defign of this Office feems to be that fuch as have been baptized in their Infancy may hereby Personally and publickly take upon themselves thofe Promises which were made for them by their Sureties at their

Baptifin. And where Perfons are duly prepared for this
Ordinance it is not to be doubted but itmay be very benefi
cial through the Bleffing of God upon the Prayers of the
Bishop.

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