Lord; that they then may acknowledge Thy fatherly goodness and mercy, which Thou hast shown to them and to us; and live in all righteousness under our only Teacher, King, and High Priest, Jesus Christ; and manfully fight and overcome sin, the devil, and his whole dominion to the end that they may eternally praise and magnify Thee, and Thy Son Jesus Christ, together with the Holy Ghost, the one only true God. AMEN. THE FORM OF ADMINISTERING THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM TO ADULT PERSONS. After repeating the first two paragraphs of the preceding office, the Minister proceeds thus: [OWEVER children of Christian parents, although HOWEV they understand not this mystery, must be baptized, by virtue of the Covenant: yet it is not lawful to baptize those who are come to years of discretion, except they first be sensible of their sins, and make confession both of their repentance and of their faith in Christ. For this cause our Lord Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to teach all nations, and then to baptize them, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; adding this promise, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Accordingly, the Apostles baptized none who were of years of discretion, but such as made confession of their faith and repentance. Therefore it is not lawful now to baptize any adult persons, but those who have been taught the mysteries of Holy Baptism, and are able to give an account of their faith by the confession of the mouth. Since then, you, N., are desirous of this holy sacrament, as a seal of your engrafting into the Church of God; that it may appear that you do not only receive the Christian Religion, of which you now make confession, but do, through the grace of God, intend and purpose to lead a life according to the same; you are sincerely to give answer before God and His Church : Dost thou believe in the one only true God, distinct in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; Who hath made heaven and earth, and all that in them is, of nothing, and still maintains and governs them, insomuch that nothing comes to pass, either in heaven or on earth, without His divine will? Answer. Yes. Dost thou acknowledge that thou art conceived and born in sin, and therefore art a child of wrath, by nature wholly incapable of doing any good, and prone to all evil; and that thou hast frequently, both in thought, word, and deed, transgressed the commandments of the Lord; and art thou heartily sorry for these sins? Answer. Yes. Dost thou believe that Christ, Who is the true and eternal God, and very Man, is given thee of God to be thy Saviour; and that thou dost receive by this faith remission of sins in His blood; and that thou art made by the power of the Holy Ghost a member of Jesus Christ and of His Church? Answer. Yes. Dost thou assent to all the articles of the Christian Religion, as they are here taught in this Christian Church, according to the Word of God; and purpose stedfastly to continue in the same to the end of thy life; and also dost thou reject all heresies and schisms, repugnant to this doctrine; and promise to persevere in the communion of our Christian Church, not only in the hearing of the Word, but also in the use of the Lord's Supper? Answer. Yes. Hast thou taken a firm resolution always to lead a Christian life; to forsake the world and its evil lusts, as becometh the members of Christ and of His Church; and to submit thyself to all Christian admonitions? Answer. Yes. The good and gracious God mercifully grant His grace and blessing to this thy purpose, through Jesus Christ. AMEN. Then the Minister of God's Word, in baptizing, shall say: N., I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. AMEN. |