The Book of Common Prayer Part 48

_Question_.

How many Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Church?

_Answer_. Two only, as generally necessary to salvation; that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord.

_Question_. What meanest thou by this word Sacrament?

_Answer_. I mean an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace given unto us, ordained by Christ himself, as a means whereby we receive the same, and a pledge to a.s.sure us thereof.

_Question_. How many parts are there in a Sacrament?

_Answer_. Two: the outward visible sign, and the inward spiritual grace.

_Question_. What is the outward visible sign or form in Baptism?

_Answer_. Water: wherein the person is baptized, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

_Question_. What is the inward and spiritual grace?

_Answer_. A death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness: for being by nature born in sin, and the children of wrath, we are hereby made the children of grace.

_Question_. What is required of persons to be baptized?

_Answer_. Repentance, whereby they forsake sin: and faith, whereby they stedfastly believe the promises of G.o.d, made to them in that Sacrament.

_Question_. Why then are infants baptized, when by reason of their tender age they cannot perform them?

_Answer_. Because they promise them both by their sureties: which promise, when they come to age, themselves are bound to perform.

_Question_. Why was the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper ordained?

_Answer_. For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits which we receive thereby.

_Question_. What is the outward part or sign of the Lord's Supper?

_Answer_. Bread and Wine, which the Lord hath commanded to be received.

_Question_. What is the inward part, or thing signified?

_Answer_. The Body and Blood of Christ, which are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lord's Supper.

_Question_. What are the benefits whereof we are partakers thereby?

_Answer_. The strengthening and refreshing of our souls by the Body and Blood of Christ, as our bodies are by the Bread and Wine.

_Question_. What is required of them who come to the Lord's Supper?

_Answer_. To examine themselves, whether they repent them truly of their former sins, stedfastly purposing to lead a new life; have a lively faith in G.o.d's mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of his death; and be in charity with all men.

_The Curate of every Parish shall diligently upon Sundays and Holy-days, after the second Lesson at Evening Prayer, openly in the Church instruct and 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 Dames, shall cause their Children, Servants, and Prentices,_ (_which have not learned their Catechism,_) _to come to the Church at the time appointed, and obediently to hear and be ordered by the Curate, 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, in their mother tongue, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments; and also can answer to the other questions of this short Catechism; they shall be brought to the Bishop: And every one shall have a G.o.dfather, or a G.o.dmother, as a witness of their Confirmation_.

_And whensoever the Bishop shall give knowledge for Children to be brought unto him for their Confirmation, the Curate of every Parish shall either bring or send in writing, with his hand subscribed thereunto, the names of all such persons within his Parish, as he shall think fit to be presented to the Bishop to be confirmed. And, if the Bishop approve of them, he shall confirm, them in manner following_.

THE ORDER OF CONFIRMATION,

OR LAYING ON OF HANDS UPON THOSE THAT 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 Bishop; he_ (_or some other Minister appointed by him_) _shall read this Preface following_.

To the end that Confirmation maybe ministered to the more edifying of such as shall receive it, the Church hath thought good to order, That none hereafter 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 G.o.dfathers and G.o.dmothers promised for them in Baptism, they 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 G.o.d they will evermore endeavour themselves faithfully to observe such things, as they by their own confession have a.s.sented unto.

_Then shall the Bishop say_,

Do ye here, in the presence of G.o.d, and of this Congregation, renew the solemn promise and vow that was made in your name at your Baptism; ratifying and confirming the same in your own persons, and acknowledging yourselves bound to believe and to do all those things, which your G.o.dfathers and G.o.dmothers then undertook for you?

_And every one shall audibly answer_,

I do.

_The Bishop_.

Our help is in the Name of the Lord;

_Answer_. Who hath made heaven and earth.

_Bishop_. Blessed be the Name of the Lord;

_Answer_. Henceforth world without end.

_Bishop_. Lord, hear our prayers.

_Answer_. And let our cry come unto thee.

_Bishop_.

Let us pray.

Almighty and ever-living G.o.d, who hast vouchsafed to regenerate these thy servants by Water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given unto them forgiveness of all 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 G.o.dliness; and fill them, O Lord, with the spirit of thy holy fear, now and for ever. _Amen_.