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THE BAPTISM

OF THOSE WHO ARE OF RIPER YEARS.

The Minister may begin the Service with the following Observations, relating to the Appointment, Nature, and Use of Baptism.

OUR blessed Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, commissioned his apostles to complete the work he had begun, by preaching his gospel to all nations.

All power, said he, is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world.

By this direction of our Saviour, all persons are to be acknowledged as members of his church, by baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. They are then consecrated to the divine service, in that religion which which came from God the Father, was published to the world by his Son, and confirmed by the operations of his holy Spirit. Water is employed as an emblem of purity, or of that moral and religious improvement, in which all our Christian advantages should terminate.

Let us, therefore, as many as are here assembled, by the present administration of baptism, take occasion to establish in our minds a lively sense of our obligations to serve God, according to the gospel of his Son, in holiness and righteousness all our days.

Then shall the Minister say to the Person desiring to be baptized,

OUR Lord Jesus commanded, that all persons baptized should be in structed in his holy gospel. You in the profession of the Christian faith, present yourself to be baptized according to his institution. Do you now promise, that you will receive the instructions of the Christian religion, and govern your faith and practice by its doctrines and laws?

Answ. This I now promise, and by the help of God, will endeavor to perform.

The Minister shall then baptize the Person, saying,

I BAPTIZE thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Min. Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, regard in mercy the prayers of thy people; and bless thy servant, who hath now been acknowledged as a member of the Christian church, by baptism. Incline his heart to receive with all readiness the doctrines and instructions of Christ, and to submit faithfully to the authority of his laws. Give him strength to triumph over the temptations of vice, and to be steadfast in the practice of that holiness. which baptism is designed to represent; that, living as becometh a good and faithful member of the Christian church here on earth, he may at length

partake in heaven of that eternal kingdom which thou hast revealed to us by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WE give 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, that we may be enabled to mortify all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily to proceed in all virtue and

godliness of living, till

we come to that eternal kingdom, which thou hast promised by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

NOW unto him who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, through Jesus Christ, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE EXHORTATION.

Christian Brother,

IN obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all persons baptized be instructed in his

holy religion; you have now engaged, by a solemn promise before God and this assembly, that you will receive the instructions of the

Christian Religion, and govby its doctrines and laws. ern your faith and practice May you carefully keep in mind this promise, and perform it faithfully. To this end, you are diligently and honestly to search the Scriptures. These contain every thing necessary to eternal

salvation; and from these you may obtain all that information which is requisite to improve your understanding and confirm your faith. Above all, you are carefully to obey the precepts of the gospel, and to cultivate that purity of heart and affections, which all its laws, ordinances, and doctrines are designed to promote.

Having the fear of God before your eyes, be you with fidelity and exactness now exhorted to discharge the duty you have now acknowledged. To the due observance of it may God

incline your heart; and may he bless you with success, for your improvement in Christian knowledge, and holiness of life, for the hon

or of religion, and the glory of his holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

END OF BAPTISM OF THOSE OF RIPER YEARS.

MATRIMONY.

First the Banns of those who are to be married, may be published in the Church three several Sundays or Holydays, in this manner;

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tate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency; which 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 honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, or taken in hand, lightly or unadvisedly; but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the fear of God.

And also, speaking to the Persons who are to be married, he shall say,

I REQUIRE and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when the

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