former sins, steadfastly Christ, with a thankful repurposing to lead a new membrance of his death; life; have a lively faith in and be in charity with all God's mercy through men. The Minister of every Parish shall diligently, upon Sundays and Holy Days, or on some other convenient occasions, openly in the Church, instruct or examine so many Children of his Parish, sent unto him, as he shall think convenient, in some part of this Catechism. And all Fathers, Mothers, Masters, and Mistresses, shall cause their Children, Servants, and Apprentices, who have not learned their Catechism, to come to the Church at the time appointed, and obediently to hear and to be ordered by the Minister, until such time as they have learned all that is here appointed for them to learn. 1 So soon as Children are come to a competent age, and can say the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and can answer to the other questions of this short Catechism, they shall be brought to the Bishop. ↑ And whensoever the Bishop shall give knowledge for Children to be brought unto him for their Confirmation, the Minister of every Parish shall either bring, or send in writing, with his hand subscribed thereunto, the Names of all such Persons within his Parish, as he shall think fit to be presented to the Bishop to be Confirmed. THE ORDER OF CONFIRMATION, OR LAYING ON OF HANDS UPON THOSE WHO ARE BAPTIZED, AND COME TO YEARS OF DISCRETION. Upon the day appointed, all that are to be then Confirmed, being placed and standing in order before the Bishop; he, or some other Minister appointed by him, shall read this Prefuce following. To the end NO the end that Con- That none shall be Conmay be firmed, but such as can say the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments; and can also answer to such other ministered to the more edifying of such as shall receive it, the Church hath thought good to order, Questions, as in the short Catechism are contained: which order is very convenient to be observed; to the end, that children, being now come to the years of discretion, and having learned what their Godfathers and Godmothers promised for them in Baptism, may themselves, with their own mouth and consent, openly before the Church, ratify and confirm the same; and also promise, that, by the grace of God, they will evermore endeavour themselves faithfully to observe such things, as they, by their own confession, have assented unto. Then shall the Bishop say, Do ye here, in the pres ence of God, and this congregation, renew the solemn promise and vow that ye made, or that was made in your name, at your Baptism; ratify ing and confirming the same; and acknowledging yourselves bound to believe and to do all those things which ye then un dertook, or your Sponsors then undertook for you? And every one shall audibly UR help is in the Name Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth. Bishop. Blessed be the Name of the Lord; Answer. Henceforth, world without end. Bishop. Lord, hear our prayer. Answer. And let our cry come unto thee. Bishop. Let us pray. A living God, who hast vouchsafed to regenerate these thy servants by Water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given unto them forgiveness of all their sins; Strengthen them, we beseech thee, O Lord, with the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, and daily increase in them thy manifold gifts of grace; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength, the spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and fill them, O Lord, with the spirit of thy holy fear, now and for ever. Amen. thy Holy Spirit more and more, until he come unto thy everlasting kingdom, Amen. Then shall the Bishop say, And all kneeling down, the Ο ever be over them; let thy Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of thy Word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen. vouchsafe, our UR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Ο ALMIGHTY Lord, thy Name. Thy kingdom and everlasting God, come. Thy will be done we beseech on earth, As it is in heaven. thee, to direct, sanctify, Give us this day our daily and govern, both bread. And forgive us hearts and bodies, in the our trespasses, As we for- ways of thy laws, and in give those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. the works of thy commandments; that, through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. I Then the Bishop shall bless them, saying thus, THE FORM OF SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY. The laws respecting Matrimony, whether by publishing the Banns in churches, or by License, being different in the several States, every Minister is left to the direction of those laws, in every thing that regards the civil contract between the parties. of And when the Banns are published, it shall be in the following form: I publish the Banns of Marriage between M. of, and N. If any of you know cause, or just impediment, why these two persons should not be joined together in holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the first [second or third] time of asking. At the day and time appointed for Solemnization of Matrimony, the Persons to be married shall come into the body of the Church, or shall be ready in some proper house, with their friends and neighbours; and there standing together, the Man on the right hand, and the Woman on the left, the Minister shall say, D EARLY beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace. And also speaking unto the Per sons who are to be married, he shall say, well assured, that if any persons are joined together otherwise than as God's Word doth allow, their marriage is not lawful. The Minister, if he shall have reason to doubt of the lawfulness of the proposed Marriage, may demand sufficient surety for his indemnification: but if no impediment shall be alleged, or suspected, the Minister shall say to the Man, M. WILT thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live? The Man shall answer, the Woman, I REQUIRE and charge you the dreadful day of judgment Then shall the Minister say unto when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either Ν. of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully Joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For beyel WILT thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou (obey him. and serve him love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health: and, forsaking all others. keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live? I The Woman shall answer, Then shall the Minister say, Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man? Then shall they give their troth to each other in this manner. The Minister, receiving the Woman at her father's or friend's hands, shall cause the Man with his right hand to take the Woman by her right hand, and to say after him as followeth. M. take thee N. to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in heath, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy or dinance: and thereto I plight thee my troth. Then shall they loose their hands; and the Woman with her right hand taking the Man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Minister: N. take thee M. to my wedded I husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth. Then shall they again loose their hands; and the Man shall give ETERNAL God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace. the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surety perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge.) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the Minister join their right hands together, and say, Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder Then shall the Minister speak unto the company: as M. and N unto the Woman a Ring. And FORASMUCH ed eterin the Minister taking the Ring shall deliver it unto the Man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the Wo man's left hand. And the Man holding the Ring there, and taught by the Minister, shall say, I thee wed, WITH thithrinf holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a Ring, and by joining hands; I pronounce that they are Man and Wife, In the Name |