cate supernatural strength to encounter their spiritual enemies, and enables them to perform what they undertake.

Q. What care has the Church of England shewn for the effectual administration of confirmation?

A. Such is the wise discipline of our holy mother, that, both by her rubrics and canons, she trains us up by gradual steps for a worthy partaking of this holy rite. For in our baptism she requires sureties that shall engage for us, and give security for our Christian education in the communion of the Church; they being obliged not only to see us instructed in all necessary points of faith and practice, but to take care that, when we are fit, we be brought to the bishop for confirmation.

Exhortat.

at the end of

Public Bap

tism.

Q. What farther care has the Church expressed in this particular?

Can, lix.

A. The parish-priest or curate is particularly enjoined to catechise, to instruct, and examine the youth and the common people in the principles of the Christian religion, according to the Church Catechism. Rubric after And the Church farther requires, the Catechism. that none be presented as candidates till they can give an account and reason of their faith, of which the minister who presents them is to be

C

judge; and none are even then to be confirmed except the bishop approves of them. And to strike a greater awe in the candidates, they are solemnly charged to answer as in the presence of God and the whole congregation.

Rub. at the

Q. Why is a godfather or godend of Cate mother required for the person to be confirmed?

chism

A. As a voucher for the sincerity of the parties they stand for, and to be a continual monitor to them to perform their vows, as well as a witness of their making the same.

Q. How hath the Church endeavoured to prevent any neglect in those that are intrusted with the administration of confirmation?

Can ix

A. She wills and ordains, that every bishop, or his suffragan, in his usual triennial visitation, should perform in his own person this rite and usage; but if, through any infirmity, he is hindered from making his triennial visitation, he is charged not to omit it the following year, as soon as conveniently may be.

Q. What is the minister of the parish obliged to when the bishop giveth notice of a confirmation?

A. The minister of every parish is obliged Last Rubric to bring or send in writing, with his after the Ca- hand subscribed thereunto, the names

techism.

of all such persons within his parish

as he shall think fit to be presented to the bishop to be confirmed.

Q. Ought confirmation to be received more than once?

A. It is not to be repeated, because this solemn renewal of our baptismal vow is sufficient by being once performed; and for farther supplies of grace we have hereby a title to receive the holy communion.

A Prayer before Confirmation,

To be used by those that are preparing for it.

Most merciful God, by whose gracious providence I was born of Christian parents, and early dedicated to Thee in holy baptism; make me thoroughly sensible, I beseech Thee, of Thy infinite goodness in bestowing upon me the blessed privileges of being made a member of Thy Church, a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven.

Grant, O Lord, that by the assistance of Thy grace, I may carefully and zealously perform all those conditions upon which Thou wert pleased to vouchsafe to me such inestimable benefits; that I may constantly resist the devil, and all those temptations by which he seeks to destroy

me; that I may renounce all covetous desires of honour, riches, and pleasure, and all those evil customs and maxims of the world which alienate men's minds from the love of God; that I may mortify the inordinate appetites of my own corrupt nature, of my own carnal mind; that I may believe all Thy holy revelations, and keep Thy blessed will and commandments all the days of my life.

And now, O Lord, that I am about to renew the solemn vow of my baptism, and publicly in Thy presence to ratify all those things I then promised by my sureties; I humbly beseech Thee to enlighten my mind with the knowledge and understanding of that solemn engagement I then made, and am now about to confirm; influence my will, and all the faculties of my soul, heartily and sincerely to perform it. Let not the many and grievous sins that I have committed deprive me of those assistances of Thy Holy Spirit which I now expect to receive; but, on my true repentance, let the precious blood of my Saviour wash away all my past sins, and grant that I may be enabled to mortify and subdue them for the time to come. And forasmuch as without Thee I am not able to please Thee, pour Thy Holy Spirit into my heart, that by His holy inspiration I may think those things which are good, and by His merciful guidance

may perform the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose blessed name and words I continue to pray, saying,

Our Father, &c.

A Prayer after Confirmation,

Which may be said while others are Confirming, and may be added to the Evening Prayer of the party Confirmed.

BLESSED and praised be Thy holy name, O Lord, for those fresh supplies of grace which Thou hast been pleased to communicate to me.

Blessed be Thy name for those comfortable assurances Thou hast given me of Thy favour and goodness towards me. Blessed be Thy name for that privilege Thou hast now bestowed upon me of approaching Thy holy table, and of strengthening and refreshing my soul by partaking there of the body and blood of Christ.

Increase in me, O Lord, more and more the gifts of Thy Holy Spirit, that I may be wise for eternity, and make it the chief business of my life to please Thee in all my actions; that I may love and fear Thee above all things; that I may be just and righteous in all my dealings, and ready to communicate to the necessities of others; that I may keep a constant watch over