A. Yes; I call it Confirmation, becaufe by the Bishop's laying his Hands on me, and by the Prayers of him and the Congregation, I hope to be ftrengthned with the Holy Ghost the Comforter, and defended with his heavenly Grace, that I may continue the Lord's for ever.

Why was this Ordinance instituted? A. It was inftituted in order to make us, who were baptized in our Infancy more fenfible of the Obligation we are under to believe and do what was then promised for us.

2. What are the Benefits of this Inftitution?

A. They who are duly confirm'd, have the Benefit of God's Grace procured to them, by the Prayers of the Bishop and the Congregation in their behalf; are duly inftructed in the Principles of the Chriftian Religion; and are engaged to begin betimes both to confider their Duty, and to apply themselves to the discharge of it.

2. Are all Godfathers and Godmothers obliged to fee, that those for whom they answer be firft duly inftructed in the Principles of their Religion, and then brought be confirmed by the Bishop?

A. Yes

A. Yes certainly. As they have received a folemn Charge to fee that the Infant he taught, fo foon as he shall be able to learn ing what a folemn Vow, Promise and Profeffion he hath made by them and to take care that the Child be brought to the Big shop to be confirmed by him; fo nothing can excufe them from the Obligations of AC this Duty, when they have Power, and Opportunity to do either.

Q. What is required of Perfons to be confirmed?

A. That, when they are come to Years of Difcretion, they be taught to know and understand what a folemn Vow, Promife and Profeffion they made by their Godfathers and Godmothers when they were baptized; and that they be ready and defirous in their own Names to ratify and confirm the fame.

Q. How often ought any Chriftian to be confirmed?

A. But once. As there is one Baptifm, fo there is required but one folemn Ratification or Confirmation of it.

Q. Do they not then fhew themselves very ignorant, who go to the Bifhop to be confirmed every time he confirms ?

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A. This proceeds from their not knowing what Confirmation is, which accordingly they call by the Name of being Bihop'd, or receiving the Bishop's Bleffing.

Q. What Foundation have you in Scripture for the Practice of Confirmation?

A. The Example of the Apostles, Acts viii. 17. xix. 6. Who laid their Hands on thofe that had been baptized, that they might receive the Holy Ghoft.

Heb. vi. 1, 2. The laying on of hands is reckoned among those Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, from whence his Difciples may go on unto Chriftian Perfection.

Q. Does the Bifhop then give the Holy Ghoft now, as the Apostles did then, by their laying on of Hands?

A. We do not fay, that the Apostles gave the Holy Ghoft; they laid on their Hands, and God gave the Holy Spirit to thofe on whom they laid them. And fo we hope, that by the fervent Prayers of the Bishop and the Church, they on whom he now lays his Hands, fhall also receive the Holy Ghoft, if they do but worthily prepare themselves for it.

Q. Is there any Promife of God on which to build fuch an Hope?

A. Christ

A. Chrift has declared, that God will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him: and if fo, we have more reafon to hope, that he will give his Holy Spirit, when he is fo earnestly and folemnly afk'd of him by the Paftors of his Church, whom he has appointed not only to pray for, but to bless his People.

A PRAYER to be faid by a Child Morning and Evening.

Lord my God, who art Lord of Heaven and Earth, the Father of Mercies, and the God of all Confolation; I defire to adore and praise thy Goodness expreffed towards me, who am lefs than the least of all thy Mercies; for my Creation, Prefervation, and all the Bleffings of this Life: But above all, I defire to praise thy Name, for thy wonderful Love in Chrift Jefus my Lord; for the Means of Grace which, through him, thou haft placed me in the Poffeffion of, and thofe Hopes of Glory which, by the Covenant which thou waft gra ciously pleased to feal with me at my Baptifm, thou haft confirmed to me. O make me, I befeech thee, duly fenfible of the Value of thy Favour; and accordingly to be defirous of it:

And

And to this End, make me always mindful of that folemn Vow which I made at my Baptifm and give me Grace to refift the feveral Temp tations of the Devil, the World, and my own corrupt Nature. Poffefs me with a Hatred of all my former Breaches of this facred Obligation, and to take Care to walk more cautiously for the Time to come. Purify my Heart from all vain Thoughts and Defires: Keep my Tongue from Evil-fpeaking, Lying and Slandering, and my Body in Temperance, Sobernefs and Chastity; and in every refpect let my Converfation be as becometh the Gospel. Keep me by thy Power, through Faith, unta Salvation.

Enlarge and blefs the holy Catholick Church with more abundant Peace and Purity: Pardon the Sins of the Nation I live in, and make us a holy People, zealous of good Works. Bless the King, and all that are put in Authority under Him. Blefs the Minifters of thy holy Word and Sacraments; blefs all my Relations and Benefactors, and forgive all my Enemies.

Take me into thy Protection this Day, (or Night.) It is Thou only, Lord, makeft me dwell in Safety. But whether I fleep or wake, live or die, let me be found thine own, to thy eternal Glory, and my everlafting Salvation, through Jefus Chrift; in whofe bleffed Name and Words I fum up my imperfect Prayers; faying, Our Father, &c.