unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof; but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit: Then the Minister shall speak to the persons to be baptized on this wise: Well beloved, who are come hither, desiring to receive holy Baptism, ye have heard how the congregation hath prayed, that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe to receive you and bless you, to release you of your sins, to give you the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. And our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in his holy word to grant all those things that we have prayed for: which promise he for his part will most surely keep and perform. Wherefore after this promise made by Christ, you must also faithfully, for your part, promise in the presence of this whole congregation, that you will renounce the devil and all his works, and constantly believe God's holy word, and obediently keep his commandments. Then shall the Minister demand of each of the persons to be baptized, severally, Quest. Dost thou renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow or be led by them? Answ. I renounce them all. Quest. Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth? and in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son our Lord?-and that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary? that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he rose again the third day; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and from thence shall come again, at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead. And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints; the Remission of sins; the Resurrection of the body, and everlasting life after death? Answ. All this I steadfastly believe. Quest. Wilt thou be baptized in this faith? Answ. This is my desire. Quest. Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life? Answ. I will endeavour so to do, God being my helper. Then shall the Minister say, O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in these persons may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in them. Amen. Grant that all carnal affections may die in them, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in them. Amen. Grant that they may have power and strength to have victory, and triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen. Grant that they being here 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 this congregation and grant that the persons now to be baptized, may receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the Minister take each person to be baptized by the right hand; and placing him conveniently by the font, according to his discretion, shall ask the name; and then shall sprinkle or pour water upon him, (or if he shall desire it, shall immerse him in water,) saying, N. I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall be said the Lord's prayer, all kneeling. Our 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 them that trespass against us: And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen. [Then let the Minister conclude with extemporary prayer.] SECTION III. The form of Solemnization of Matrimony. of First, the banns of all that are to be married together, must be published in the congregation, three several Sundays undays in the time divine service, (unless they be otherwise qualified according to law,) the minister saying after the accustomed manner, 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 standing together, the man on the right hand, and the woman on the left, the Minister shall say, Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, 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 St. Paul to be hon |