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, steadfastly 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.

T 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.

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 minister for confirmation.

¶ Persons not born or educated in the parish, and others who decline a confirmation in Church, may be confirmed privately on the discretion of the Priest, when they are known to be of good life and conduct.

24*

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 Minister; he shall read this preface following:

TO the end that confirmation 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 endeavor themselves faithfully to observe such things as they, by their own confession, have assented

unto.

¶ Then shall the Minister say,

Do ye here, in the presence of God, and of this congregation, renew the solemn promise and vow that ye made, or that was 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?

I do.

¶ And every one shall audibly answer,

Minister.

OUR help is in the name of the Lord;

Answer. Who hath made the world and all things therein.

Minister. Blessed be the name of the Lord;
Answer. Henceforth, world without end.
Minister. Lord, hear our prayer;
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.
Minister. Let us pray.

GRACIOUS Father, who hast vouchsafed to receive these thy servants by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given unto them forgiveness of 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 Minister, he shall lay his hands upon the head of every one severally,

saying,

DEFEND, 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.

T Then shall the Minister say,

The Lord be with you.

Ans. And with thy Spirit.

¶ All kneeling down, the Minister shall add,
Let us pray.

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 those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

T And these Collects.

HEAVENLY Father, who makest 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 favor and gracious goodness toward them. Let thy fatherly hand, we beseech thee, 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. Amen.

LORD, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to di

rect, 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.

T Then the Minister shall bless them, saying thus,

THE

HE Blessing of God Almighty, of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you for ever. Amen.