THE MINISTRATION OF

PUBLIC BAPTISM,

TO BE USED IN THE CHURCH.

THE NATURE AND DESIGN OF BAPTISM.

BAPTISM in the Christian Church signifies the same as Circumcision in the Israelitish Church; for, as Circumcision signified the rejection of the lusts of the flesh, so does Baptism signify the same rejection, and the consequent purification from the evils of heart and life.

The first use of Baptism is introduction into the Christian Church; the second is, that the Christian may know and acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as his Redeemer; and the third, which is the final use, is that man may be born again, or regenerated, by a life according to the Divine Commandments. These three uses all cohere in one, and the design of Baptism is, therefore, that man may be redeemed and saved.

¶ Then shall the Minister say, 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 the Spirit, I beseech you to supplicate Him for the persons now to be baptized, that they may not only receive the Christian name, but know and acknowledge the Lord, and finally be made partakers of everlasting life. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Minister say,
Let us pray.

MERCIFUL God, grant that the old Adam in this [child, person, or persons,] may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in him. Amen.

Grant that all carnal affections may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in him. Amen. Grant that he may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen.

Grant that whosoever is here dedicated to thee in Holy Baptism, may be endued with heavenly virtues, and receive the gift of eternal life, through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live, and govern all things, world without end. Amen.

UR Father who art in the heavens, hal

OUR

lowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so upon the earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Then the Minister shall take the Child into his hands, and shall say to the Parents, or Godfathers and Godmothers,

Name this Child.

¶ And then naming it after them he shall| sprinkle water upon it, saying,

NI baptize thee In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Then the Minister shall say,

WE receive this Child, now baptized with

water, into the congregation of Christ's flock, as an earnest 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.

In cases of Adult Baptism the Minister shall take each person by the right hand; and, repeating the name, shall pour or sprinkle water upon him, saying,

E receive this person now baptized, &c.

WE

[as above.]

Then shall the Minister read the following selections from the Holy Word.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth were it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

¶ After which the Minister shall pronounce the Benediction.

THE

HE LORD bless thee, and keep thee; the LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

THE MINISTRATION OF THE

LORD'S SUPPER

AND HOLY COMMUNION.

NATURE AND USES OF THE HOLY SUPPER.

As BAPTISM is an introduction into the Church, so is the HOLY SUPPER an Heavenly Feast; for the Holy Supper is a sign and a seal that those who come to it worthily are the Sons of God. The Lord there really presents himself to man; but in order to conjunction with the Lord, man must actually receive the Lord in His Divine goodness and truth, by means of the bread and wine which the Lord called his flesh and blood. To all who thus present themselves, the Lord is entirely present in his glorified Humanity.

Hear now the Lord's own Words concerning his Flesh and Blood, and concerning the Bread and Wine-John vi.

The bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Lord, evermore give us this bread.

I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye