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 fio, and the children of wrath, we are hereby made the children of grace. Quell. What is required of perfons to be baptized? Anfw. Repentance, whereby they forfake fin; and faith, whereby they fted fafly believe the promises of God made to them in that Sacrament. Queft. 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, themfelves 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. Quelt. 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 ? Antw. The Body and Blood of Chrift, which are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lords Supper. 1 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. Quelt. 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, ftedfaßtly 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 Prayer, openly in the church inflruct and examine fo many children of his Parish fent unto him, as he shall think convenis ent in fome part of this catechifm. And all Fathers, Mothers, Mafters, and Dames, fhall cause 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 Joon 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 subscribed thereto, the Names of all juch per● Jons within kis Parish as be shall think fit to be prefented to the Bishop to be confirmed. And if the Bishop 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 (or Jome other Minifier appointed by him) hall read this Preface following, O be miniftred to the more 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 also answer to fuch other Queftions, 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 themselves, 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 obferve fuch 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 Then fhall the Bishop Jay,... O ye here in the prefence of God, and of this congregation, renew the folemn promife and vow that was made in your name at your Baptism; ratifying and confirming the fame in your own perfons, and acknowledging yourselves bound to believe, and to do all those things which your Godfathers and Godmo thers then undertook for you? UNE se • ") And every one fhall audibly answer, I do. Aniver. Who hath made heaven and earth. f a boung Bishop. Let us pray. A LMIGHTY and everliving God, who haft vouchsafed to regenerate thefe thy fervants by water and the holy Ghott, and haft given unto them forgiver efs of all their fins; ftrengthen 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 underftanding; the fpirit of council and ghoftly ftrength; the fpirit of knowledge and true godli nefs; and fill them, O Lord, with the fpirit of thy holy fear, now and for ever. Amen. Then all of them in order kneeling before the Bishop, be hall lay his hand upon the head of every one severally, Jaying, D And (all kneeling down) the Bishop fhall add, Let us pray. UR Fa her, 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 trefpafles as we forgive them that trefpaís against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil, Amen, And this Collect. able unto thy divine Majefty; We make our humble fupplications unto thee for these thy fervants, upon whom (after the example of thy holy apoftles) we have now laid our hands, to certify them (by this fign) of thy favour and gracious goodness towards them. Let thy fatherly hand, we beseech thee, ever be over them; let thy Holy Spirit ever be with them; and fo lead them in the knowledge and obedience of thy word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life, through our Lord Jefus Chrift, who with thee and the holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchlafe, we beseech thee, to direct, fanctify, and govern both our in ways and in the thy commandments; thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preferved in body and foul, through our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift. Amen. Then the Bishop shall bless them, faying thus, T HE bleffing of God Almighty, the Father, the con, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you for ever. Amen. And there fhall none be admitted to the boly " Communion, until such time as he be confirmed, or be ready and defirous to be confirmed. 21.0 * The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony. r the Banns of all that are to be married together, must be published in the Church three feveral Sundays or Holy-days, in the time of divine fervice, immediately before the Sentences for the Offertory, the Curate Jaying after the accustomed manner. .[ 112 Publish the Banns of Marriage between M. of and N. of If any of you know caufe or juft impedi ment, why these two perfons fhould not be joined together in holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it: This is the first [fecond, or third] time of alking. I *''** The reasonableness of this Inftitution appears in fome meafure from the evil confèquences which would follow G upon an unlimited Commerce betwixt the two Sexes, fuch a brutal manner of life must neceffarily produce Confusion And it the Perfons that are to be married, dwell in divers Parishes, the Banns must be afked in both Parishes, and the Curate of the one Parish all not folemnize Matrimony betwixt them, without a certificate of the Perifh Banns being thrice asked from the Crate of the other Parish. 742 At the day appointed for the Soleumization of Matrimony, the perfons to be married shall come into the body of the EARLY beloved, we are gathered here together in the fight of God, and in the face of this con. together this in inftituted of God in the time of man's innocency, fignitying unto us the myftical union that is betwixt Chrift and his Church: which holy estate Chrift adorned and beautified with his prefence, and firft miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of St. Paul to be honourable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly or wantonly, to fatisfy men's carnal lufts and appetites, like brute beafts that have no undertanding; but reverently, difcreetly, advifedly, foberly, and in the fear of God; duly confidering the caufes for which Matrimony was ordained. First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the tear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praife of his holy Name. Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against fin, and to avoid fornication, that such perfons as have not the gift of continency, might marry, and keep themfelves undefiled members of Chr ft's body. Thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual fociety, help and comfort that the one ought to have of the other, both in profperity and adverfity. Into which holy eftate these two perfons prefent come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can fhewany juft caufe why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now fpeak, or elfe here after for ever held his peace. And alfo peaking to the perfons that shall be married, he shall fog, I Require and charge you both (as ye will anfwer at the dreadful day of judgment, when the fecrets of alty hearts fhall be difc ofed) that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confefs it. For be ye well affured, that fo many as are coupled together otherwife, than Gods Word doth allow,, are not joined together by God, neither is their Matrimony lawful, If no impediment be alledged, then ball the Curate jay unto the Man. N. W!! ILT thou have this woman to thy wedded wite, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy eftate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sickness and in health, and forfaking all other, keep thee only unto her, fo long as ye both fhall live? The Man fhall anfwer, I will. Then fhall the Prieft fay unto the Woman, N. ILT thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy effate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, ferve him, love, honour, and keep him in fickness and in health, and forfaking all other, keep thee only unto him, fo long as ye both shall live f The Woman shall anfier, I will. Then fhall the Minifter fay,. Who giveth this woman to be married to this Man? Then fhall they give their troth to each other in this manner ; The Minifler receiving the woman at her Fathers, or Friends hands, fhali caufe the man with his right hand to take the to Woman by her right hand and to fay after him as followeth : 2 I N. 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 fick nets and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth. Then fhall they loufe their hands, and the Woman with ker right hand taking the Man by bis right baud, fall likewife Jay after the Minifter. I N. take thee N. to my wedded hufband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in fickness 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 hall thev again loofe their hands, and the man fhall give unto the Woman a Ring, laying the fame upon the book, with tre accufiomed duty to the Priest and Clerk And the Priest taking the Ring, fhall deliver it unto the and utterly prevent that affectionate and mutual Assistance which contributes fo much to the Support as well as Propagation of our Species; and without which the bufnels of Education would be liable to be neglected; befides, where the Ma riage Union is founded upon Virtue, fupported by Prudence and good nature; it bids fair for producing the greatest happiness this world can afford: A happiness which mutual Intereft will strengthen, reciprocal kindness will improve, a finiting Offspring confirm, and death fcarcely diffolve. See Gen. 2, 18, 22, 23. John 2. 1. 1 Cor. 7, 2. Heb. 13. 4. Man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the Woman's left hand. And the man holding the Ring there, and taught by the Prieft, fhall fay, ITH this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then the Man leaving the Ring upon the fourth finger of th Womans left hand, they fhall both kneel down, and the Minister fhall fay, Let us pray. Eternal God, creator and preferver of all mankind, giver of all fpiritual grace, the author of everlasting Send thy blefling upon thefe thy fervants, this man and this woman, whom we blefs in thy name; that as Ifaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, fo thefe perfons may furely 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 Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen. O lite ; Then hall the Priest join their right hands together, and fay, Orafmuch as N. and N. have confented together in holy wedlock, and have witneffed the fame ba declared the fame by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft. Amen. And the Minifter fhall add this blefing. GOD OD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghoft, bleis, preferve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour lock upon you, and fo fill you with all fpiritual benediction and grace, that ye may fo live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlafting. Amen. Then the Minifter, or Clerks going to the Lord's Table, fhall fay or fing this Pfalm following- LESSED are all they that fear the Lord; and walk in his ways. B For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be. Lo, thus fhall the man be blefied; that feareth the Lord. Or this Pfalm. Deus miferatur. Pfalm 67. G OD be merciful unto us, and bless us: and fhew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us, That thy way may be known upon earth: thy faving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God: yea, let all the people praife thee. O let the nations rejoice and be glad: for thou thalt judge the folk righteoufly, and govern the nations upon earth 'The Lord from out of Sion fhall fo bless thee: that thou fhall fee Jerufalem in prosperity all thy life long; Yea that thou shalt fee thy children's children; and peace upon Ifrael. Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the, &c. Let the people praise thee, O God: let all the people praise thee. Then fhall the earth bring forth her increafe: and God, even our own God, fhall give us his bleffing. God fhali blets us: and all the ends of the world fhall fear him. Glory oe to the Father, &c. As it was in the, &c. The Pfalm ended and the Man and the Woman kneeling before the Lords Table, the Prieft ftanding at the table, and turne ing his face towards them fall fay, Lord, have mercy upon us. Anfw. Chrift, have mercy upon us. Minifter, Lord, have mercy upon us. UR Father, which art in heaven; Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in O° earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trefpaffes, as we for give them that trefpafs against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. Minifter. O Lord, fave thy fervant and thy handmaid; Anfw. Who put their trust in thee. Minifter. O Lord, fend them help from thy holy place. Aufw. And evermore defend them. 18 Minifter. Be unto them a tower of strength, Jovis Imato dare? to cama - Minifler.. OGOD lative GOD of Abraham, God of Ifaac, God of Jacob, blefs thefe thy fervants, and fow the feed of eter nal life in their hearts, that whatfoever in thy holy word they fhall profitably learn, they may indeed fulfil the fame. Look, O Lord, mercifully upon them from Heaven, and bless them. And as thou didit fend they bleffing upon Abraham and Sarah, to their great comfort; fo vouchfafe to fend thy bleffing upon thefe thy fervants, that they obeying thy will, and alway being in fafety under thy protection, may abide in thy love unto their lives end, through Jefus Christ our Lord. Amen. This Prayer next following shall be omitted, where the Woman is past child-bearing: O Merciful Lord and heavenly Father, by whofe gracious gift mankind is increased; We befeech thee affift with thy blefling these two perfons, that they may both be fruitful in procreation of children, and alfo live together, fo long in godly love and honefty, that they may fee their children chriftianly and virtu oufly brought up, to thy praife and honour, through Jefus Christ our Lord. Amen. God, who by thy mighty power haft made all things of nothing, who alfo (after other things fet in order) didft appoint that out of man (created after thine own image and fimilitude) woman fhould take her be ginning and knitting them together, didit teach that it fhould never be lawful to put afunder those whom thou by Matrimony hadit made one: O God, who haft confecrated the ftate of Matrimony to fuch an excellant myftery, that in it is fignified and reprefented the fpiritu 1 marriage and unity betwixt Chrit and his Church; Look mercifully upon thefe thy fervants, that both this man may love his wife, according to thy word, (as Chrift did love his fpoufe the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it even as his own fleth) and alfo that this woman may be loving and amiable, faithful and obedient to her hufband, and in all quietness, fobriety and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, blefs them both, and grant them to inherit thy everlasting kingdom, through Jefus Christ our Lord." Amen. Then fhall the Pricft fay, who at the create our first Adam and Eve, and did and join them together in marriage; Pour upon you the riches of his grace, fandify and bless you, that ye may please him bo h in body and foul, and live together in holy love unto your lives end. Amen.. After which if there be no Sermon declaring the duties of Man and Wife the Minifter fball read as followeth : LL ye that are married, or that intend to take the holy eftate of Matrimony upon you, hear what the holy as Saint Paul in his Epifle to the Ephefians, the fifth Chapter, deth give this commandment to all married men, Hufbands love your wives, even as Chrift alfo loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might fanctify and cleanfe it with the washing of water, by the word; that he might prefent it to himself a glorious Church, not having fpot or wrinkle, or any fuch thing; but that it fhould be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies: he that loveth his wife, loveth himself. For no maa ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this caufe shall a man leave his father and mother, and thall be joined unto his wife, and they two fhall be one flesh. This is a great myftery; but I fpeak concerning Chrift and the Church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular fo love his wife, even as himself. Ephef. v. 25. Likewife the fame St Paul, writing to the Coloffians, speaking thus to all men that are married, Hufbands, love your Wit es, and be not bitter against them. COL. iii, 19. Hear alfo what St. Peter the Apostle of Chrift, who was himself a married man, faith unto them that are married; Ye husbands dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered. 1 S. PET. iii. 7. Hitherto ye have heard the duty of the husband toward the wife. Now likewife, ye wives hear and learn your duties toward your husbands, even as it is plainly fet forth in holy Scripture.. St. Paul in the aforenamed Epiftle to the Ephefians teacheth you thus; Wives, fubmit yourfe'ves unto your Church and he is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the Church is fubject unto Chrift, fo let the wives as be to their own husbands in every thing. And again he faith, Let the wife fee that the reverence her husband. EPHES. V. 22. And in his Epistle to the Coloffans, Saint Paul giveth you this short leffon, Wives fubmit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. COL. iii. 18, Saint Peter alfo doth inftruft you very well, thus faying, Ye wives, be in fubjection to your own husbands; that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word, be won by the converfation of the wives; while they behold your chafte converfation coupled with fear. Whofe adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man ofthe heart, in that which is not corruptable even the ornament of a mieek and quiet spirit, which is in the fight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the ho y women also, who trusted in God, |
