Part 46 (2/2)
O merciful G.o.d, 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 to 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 G.o.d, who dost live, and govern all things, world without end. _Amen_.
Almighty everliving G.o.d, 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, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: Regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of this Congregation; sanctify this Water to the mystical was.h.i.+ng away of sin; and grant that the persons now to be baptized therein 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 Priest take each person to be baptized by the right hand, and placing him conveniently by the Font, according to his discretion, shall ask the G.o.dfathers and G.o.dmothers the Name; and then shall dip him in the water, or pour water upon him, saying_,
_N_. I baptize thee, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
_Then shall the Priest say_,
We receive this person into the Congregation of Christ's flock; and * do sign _him_ with the sign of the Cross, in token that hereafter _he_ shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto _his_ life's end. Amen.
* _Here the Priest shall make a Cross upon the person's forehead_.
_Then shall the Priest say_,
Seeing now, dearly beloved brethren, that _these persons_ are regenerate and grafted into the body of Christ's Church, let us give thanks unto Almighty G.o.d for these benefits, and with one accord make our prayers unto him, that _they_ may lead the rest of _their_ life according to this beginning.
_Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer, all kneeling_.
Our 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 trespa.s.ses, As we forgive them that trespa.s.s against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
We yield thee humble thanks, O heavenly Father, that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and faith in thee; Increase this knowledge, and confirm this faith in us evermore. Give thy Holy Spirit to _these persons_, that, being now born again, and made heirs of everlasting salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, _they_ may continue thy servants, and attain thy promises; through the same Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, everlastingly. _Amen_.
_Then, all standing up, the Priest shall use this exhortation following; speaking to the G.o.dfathers and G.o.dmothers first_.
Forasmuch as _these persons_ have promised in your presence to renounce the devil and all his works, to believe in G.o.d, and to serve him: Ye must remember that it is your part and duty to put _them_ in mind, what a solemn vow, promise, and profession _they_ have now made before this Congregation, and especially before you their chosen witnesses. And ye are also to call upon _them_ to use all diligence to be rightly instructed in G.o.d's holy Word; that so _they_ may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and live G.o.dly, righteously, and soberly in this present world.
(_And then, speaking to the new baptized persons, he shall proceed, and say_,)
And as for you, who have now by Baptism put on Christ, it is your part and duty also, being made the _children_ of G.o.d and of the light by faith in Jesus Christ, to walk answerably to your Christian calling, and as becometh the children of light; remembering always, that Baptism representeth unto us our profession; which is, to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like unto him; that as he died and rose again for us, so should we, who are baptized, die from sin and rise again unto righteousness, continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and G.o.dliness of living.
_It is expedient that every person, thus baptized, should be confirmed by the Bishop so soon after his Baptism as conveniently may be; that so he may be admitted to the holy Communion_.
_If any persons not baptized in their infancy shall be brought to be baptized before they come to years of discretion to answer for themselves; it may suffice to use the Office for Public Baptism of Infants, or_ (_in case of extreme danger_) _the Office for Private Baptism; only changing the word_ [Infant] _for_ [Child _or_ Person]
_as occasion requireth_.
A CATECHISM,
THAT IS TO SAY,
AN INSTRUCTION TO BE LEARNED OF EVERY PERSON BEFORE
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