reason of their tender age they cannot perform them? Answer. Because they promise them both by their Sureties; which promise, when they come to age, themselves are bound to perform. Question. Why was the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper ordained? Answer. For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits which we receive thereby. Question. What is the outward part or sign of the Lord's Supper? Answer. Bread and Wine, which the Lord hath commanded to be received. Question. What is the inward part, or thing signified? Answer. The Body and Blood of Christ, which are spiritually taken and received by the faithful in the Lord's Supper. Question. What are the benefits whereof we are partakers thereby? Answer. The strengthening and refreshing of our souls by the Body and Blood of Christ, as our bodies are by the Bread and Wine. Question. What is required of those who come to the Lord's Supper? Answer. To examine themselves, whether they repent them truly of their former sins, stedfastly purposing to lead a new life; have a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of his death; and be in charity with all 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, us he shall think convenient, in some part of this Cutechism. 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. 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. CONFIRMATION, OR LAYING ON OF HANDS UPON THOSE WHO Upon the day appointed, all that are to be then confirmed, being placed and standing in order before the Bishop, sitting in his chair near to the Holy Table, he, or some other Minister appointed by him, may read this Preface following; the People standing until the Lord's Prayer. end that ation may be ministered to the more edifying of such as shall receive it, the Church hath thought good to order, That none shall be confirmed, but such as can say the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments; and can also answer to such other 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 the Minister shall present unto the Bishop those who are to be confirmed, and shall say, REVEREND Father in God, I present unto you these children [or these persons] to receive the Laying on of Hands. Then the Bishop, or some Minister appointed by him, may say, Hear the words of the Evangelist Saint Luke, in the eighth Chapter of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. W which were at Jerusa WHEN the apostles lem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Then shall the Bishop say, ye here, in the presence of God, and of this congregation, renew the solemn promise and vow that ye made, or that Iwas made in your name, at your Baptism; ratifying and confirming the same; and acknowledging yourselves bound to believe and to do all those things which ye then undertook, or your Sponsors then undertook for you? 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. Then all of them in order kneeling before the Bishop, he shall lay his hands upon the head of every one severally, saying, ¶ And every one shall audibly DEF answer, I do. Bishop. UR help is in the Name of the Lord; 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. ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who hast Vouchsafed to regenerate EFEND, O Lord, this thy Child [or this thy Servant] with thy heavenly grace; that he may continue thine for ever; and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until he come unto thy everlasting kingdom. Amen. ¶ Then shall the Bishop say, The Lord be with you. Answer. And with thy spirit. And all kneeling down, the Let us pray. UR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive throse who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. And these Collects. LMIGHTY 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. Aliving GOTY and ever- ALMIGHTY Lord, and us both to will and to do those things which are good, and acceptable unto thy Divine Majesty; We make our humble supplications unto thee for these thy servants, upon whom, after the example of thy holy Apostles, we have now laid our hands, to certify them, by this sign, of thy favour and gracious goodness towards them. Let thy fathee, ever be over them; let therly hand, we beseech thy Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of thy Word, that in everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in 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. Then the Bishop shall bless them, saying thus. Tighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you for ever. Amen. HE Blessing of God Al The Minister shall not omit earnestly to move the Persons confirmed to come, without delay, to the Lord's Supper. And there shall none be admitted to the Holy Communion, until such time as he be confirmed, or be ready and desirous to be confirmed. SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY. The laws respecting Matrimony, whether by publishing the Banns in Churches, or by Licence, 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. And when the Banns are published, it shall be in the following form: I publish the Banns of Marriage between M. of, and N. of. 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, DE 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 an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church: which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and 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 Persons who are to be mar ried, he shall say, REQUIRE and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that if any persons are joined together otherwise than as God's Word doth allow, |