The Order of Confirmation, OR OF Admission to the Lord's Supper of those that are Baptized and come to years of discretion. THE MINISTER MAY DELIVER AN ADDRESS OR EXHORTATION TO THE YOUNG PERSONS DESIROUS OF BEING ADMITTED TO THE HOLY COMMUNION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. HE MAY THEN ASK THEM RESPECTING THEIR REPENTANCE TOWARDS GOD AND FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THEIR DESIRE AND PURPOSE TO LIVE IN HIS GRACE AS FAITHFUL MEMBERS OF HIS CHURCH. Minister. OUR help is in the Name of the Lord; Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth. Minister. Blessed be the Name of the Lord; Answer. Henceforth, world without end. Minister. Lord, hear our prayers. Answer. And let our cry come unto thee. Let us pray. LMIGHTY and everliving God, who dost by thy Holy Spirit regenerate thy faithful people, and grant unto them forgiveness of all their sins; Strengthen these thy servants, 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 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. The following Prayer may then be said. 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. Minister. The Lord be with you. Answer. And with thy spirit. OUR Let us pray. UR Father, 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 trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. A LMIGHTY and everliving God, who makest us both to will and to do those things that be good and acceptable unto thy divine Majesty; We make our humble supplications unto thee for these thy servants. 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, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen. ALMIGHTY Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the love of thy truth, 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. THE Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you for ever. Amen. THE FORM OF Solemnization of Matrimony. DEARL 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 the Apostle Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained. First, It was ordained that Christian men and women might be united in families, and their children be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name. Secondly, It was ordained that the husband and wife should live together in love and chastity, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body. Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be united together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace. ¶ The Minister may then say, REQUIRE and charge you both, as ye will answer at the day of judgement 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 so many as are joined together otherwise than God's Word doth allow are not united together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful. M. ¶ If no impediment be alledged, then may the LT thou have this Woman to thy WILT 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 other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live ? T The Man shall answer, |