3. Because, by so doing, we keep up a perpetual witness and memory of his death, until his coming again. 1 Cor. xi. 26. 4. Because, accordingly, this is our EUCHARIST, our great and most appropriate act of thankfulness and gratitude (εvxapioría) to Him. 5. Because it is the act by which we more especially declare, ratify, and maintain our Communion with his Church. 1 Cor. x. 17. 6. Because the Church has ever held those who neglect it to be virtually excommunicated. Compare neglect of the Passover. Numb. ix. 10. 13. XII. What are the types or similitudes by which Holy Communion is represented to us in the Bible? 1. Tree of Life. Gen. iii. 22. John vi. 35. 2. Sacred Feast of Melchizedek. Heb. vii. 1-3. 17. Gen. xiv. 18. 3. Manna and water in the wilderness. 1 Cor. x. 3, 4. John vi. 58. XIII. What are the rules prescribed by our Church with respect to the observance of this ordinance? 1. That all who have been confirmed are forthwith XIV. What is required of all who have partaken of the Holy Communion, i.e. of Christ's Sacrifice? To offer and present unto God themselves, their souls, and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto Him. See the first Prayer in Post Communion. XV. What is the third ordinance which God has appointed for his people as a continual means of grace and confirmation? READING THE INSPIRED WORD. See Matt. iv. 4. John vi. 63. Rom. iv. 4 (" comfort of the Scriptures"). Ps. xix. 7, 8. 2 Tim. iii. 15-17. John v. 39. 1 Pet. i. 23. XVI. What is the fourth ordinance which God has appointed to the same end? THE PREACHING AND TEACHING OF HIS MINISTERS. See Matt. xxviii. 20. Luke x. 16. XVII. Show how great is the responsibility that attaches to the use you shall hereafter make of such teaching. See Mark iv. 24—27. Luke viii. 18. x. 16. Heb. ii. 1-3. XVIII. Are there any other special duties or goodworks, which are pointed out in God's word as continual means of His grace and favour? 1. Alms-giving, as expressive of compassion and love xii. 33. 1 Tim. vi. 17-19. 2. Religious Fasting, as expressive of self-abasement, iv. 2, JESUS CHRIST.-Jonah iii. 5-10, Ninevites. -Levit. xxiii. 26-32. Acts xxvii. 9, Day of Atonement. (Comp. Ezra viii. 21-23. Is. lviii. 3.)— Judges xx. 26-35, Battle of Gibeah. 1 Sam. vii. 3-12, Victory at Mizpeh. 2 Sam. xii. 16. Ps. lxix. 10, et alib. David. 1 Kings xxi. 27-29, Ahab. 2 Chron. xx. 3, 4. 22, Jehoshaphat. Joel ii. 15-20. Jerem. xxxvi. 9. Jehoiakim. Dan. ix. Ezra, ut supr. Nehem. 3-27. Zechar. viii. 19. XIX. You have now been taught what it is to be a Christian. If you despise this teaching, or draw back from it, will you not incur the certain displeasure of Almighty God, and be in danger of losing all the benefits you received from Him in your Baptism? See Heb. x. 38. Luke ix. 62. xvii. 32, Lot's wife. Ps. cxxv. 5. Jer.ii. 19. Heb.ii. 1-3. vi. 4-9. 2 Pet. ii. 20, 21. XX. On the other hand, if you persevere, and continue in this state of salvation, what will be your reward? 1. In this life. See Matt. vi. 33. Ps. xxxvii. 25. Mark x. 29. 1 Tim. iv. 8. 10, 11. 1 Cor. ii. 9. See Heb. x. 35. 2 Pet. i. "BE THOU GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE." Rev. ii. 10. FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, AND I WILL " HE THAT OVERCOMETH THINGS. Rev. xxi. 7. SHALL INHERIT ALL "WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT .... ENTER THOU INTO THE JOY OF THY LORD." Matt. xxv. 23. APPENDIX. I. THE MINISTRATION OF PUBLIC BAPTISM OF INFANTS, TO BE USED IN THE CHURCH. (1.) The people are to be admonished, that it is most convenient that Baptism should not be administered but upon Sundays, and other Holy-days, when the most number of people come together; as well for that the Congregation there present may testify the receiving of them that be newly baptized into the number of Christ's Church; as also because in the Baptism of Infants every Man present may be put in remembrance of his own profession made to God in his Baptism. For which cause also it is expedient that Baptism be ministered in the vulgar tongue. (Nevertheless, if necessity so require,) Children may be baptized upon any other day. (2.) And note, that there shall be for every Male-child to be baptized two Godfathers and one Godmother; and for every Female, one Godfather and two Godmothers. (3.) When there are Children to be baptized, the Parents shall give knowledge thereof over night, or in the morning before the beginning of Morning Prayer, to the Curate. And then the Godfathers and Godmothers, and the people with the Children, must be ready at the Font, either immediately after the last Lesson at Morning Prayer, or else immediately after the last Lesson at Evening Prayer, as the Curate by his discretion shall appoint. And the Priest coming to the Font, (which is then to be filled with pure Water,) and standing there, shall say, First Question. HATH this Child been already baptized, or no? C Eph. ii. 3. 18. John iii. 3.5. ¶ If they answer, No: Then shall the Priest proceed as followeth. First Exhortation. DEARLY beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin; and that our Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God, except he be regenerate and born anew of Water and of the Holy Ghost; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous mercy he will grant to this Child that John i. 12, thing which by nature he cannot have; that he may be baptized with Water and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's holy Church, and be made a lively member of the same. 13. Acts ii. 41. 47. . Cor. xii. 13. 1 Pet. iii. Acts xxii. Then shall the Priest say, Let us pray. First Prayer. ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who of thy great mercy 19, 20, 21. didst save Noah and his family in the ark from perishing by 1 Cor. x. 1, 2. water; and also didst safely lead the children of Israel thy people through the Red Sea, figuring thereby thy holy Baptism ; and by the Baptism of thy well-beloved Son Jesus Matt. iii. 13, Christ, in the river Jordan, didst sanctify Water to the mysti14, 15. cal washing away of sin; We beseech thee, for thine infinite mercies, that thou wilt mercifully look upon this Child; wash him and sanctify him with the Holy Ghost; that he, being delivered from thy wrath, may be received into the ark of Christ's Church; and being stedfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity, may so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that finally he may come to the land of everlasting life, there to reign with thee, world without end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 16. Second Prayer. ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the aid of all that need, the John xi. 25. helper of all that flee to thee for succour, the life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the dead; We call upon thee for this Infant, that he, coming to thy holy Baptism, Titus iii. 5. may receive remission of his sins by spiritual regeneration. Receive him, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy wellbeloved Son, saying, Ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: So give now unto us that ask; let us that seek find ; open the gate |