IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 12.8 m m 2.2 ^ 1^ "' — If ^ lllllSl ■UUU III 1.25 i 1.4 1.6 -1 7a / *^ ."> ^* ^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WeST MAIN STMIT WiBSTH.N.Y. 149S0 (716) •72-4503 k %^ ■r . i CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Hfstorical MicrorAproductions / Institut Canadian da microreproductions historiquas s Technical and Bibliographic Notas/Note* techniques et bibliographiquet The Institute has attempted to obtain the best; original copy available for filming. Features of this copy whcch may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, oi' which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked bHow. n n D n n D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur □ Covers damaged/ C< !;ouverture endommag6e Covers r»stored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur^e et/ou pellicul^e □ Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes gdographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intirieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^ns lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte. mais. lorsque ceJa 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6td film6es. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl6mentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exempiaire qu'il lui a 6ti possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exempiaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographiqus. qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mithode normals de filmage sont indiquis ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul^es Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d6co!ori§es, tachet^es ou piqudes □ Pages detached/ Pages ddtachdes \/ D Showthrough/ Transparence I I Quality of print varies/ Quality indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du matdriel suppl^mentaire Only edition available/ Seule Mition disponibie Pages wholly or parttally obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc.. have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure. etc.. ont 6t6 filmies i nouveau de fapon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film6 au taux de rMuction indiqui ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X ■J 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X Th« copy film«d h«r« has b—n r«produc«d thanks to tha ganarosity of: D. B. Waldon Library University of Western Ontario L'axampiaira film* fut raproduit grica i la ginArositi da: D. B. Weldon Library University of Western Ontario Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality possibia conaidaring tha condition and lagibilit/ of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha filming contract spacificationa. Laa imagaa suivantaa ont iti raproduitas avac la plua grand soin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattati da l'axampiaira film*, at an conformiti avac laa conditions du contrat da filmaga. Original copiaa in printad papar covars ara fiimad baginning with tha front eovar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or illustratad impraa- sion, or tha back covar whan appropriata. All othar original copias ara fiimad baginning on tha first paga with a printad or illuatratad impraa- sion, and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illuatratad imprassion. Laa axamplairas originaux ant la eouvertura 9n papiar aat imprimia sont filmte an commandant par la pramiar plat at 9n tarminant soit par la darniAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'impraasion ou d'illustration, soit par la sacond plat, salon la cas. Tous laa autras axamplairas originaux sont filmte an commandant par la pramiira paga qui comporta una amprainta d'impraasion ou d'illustration at an tarminant par la darniAra paga qui comporta una taila amprainta. Tha laat racordad frama on aach microficha shall contain tha symbol — »> (moaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol ▼ (maaning "END"), whichavar appliaa. Un daa symboiaa suivants apparaitra sur la darniAra imaga da chaqua microficha. salon la cas: la symbols — *• signifia "A SUIVRE". la symbols V signifia "FIN". Mapa, platas, charts, ate, may ba fiimad at diffarant raductlon ratioa. Thoaa too larga to ba antiraly includad in ona axposura ara fiimad baginning in tha uppar laft hand cornar, laft to right and top to bottom, aa many framaa aa raquirad. Tha following diagrama illustrata tha mathod: Laa cartas, planchaa, tabiaaux, ate, pauvant Atra filmte A daa taux da reduction diff Grants. Lorsqua la documant ast trop grand pour Atra raproduit an un saul clichA, il ast film* A partir da I'angia supAriaur gaucha, da gaucha A droita. at da haut an baa, an pranant la nombra d'imagas nteassaira. Las diagrammas suivants illustrant la mithoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 •^ 22 Hsjptlf m of Altultf . glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow or be led by them ? Ans. I renounce them all. Ques. Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth 1 and in Jesus Christ his only be- gotten Son our Lord ? and that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary? that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried ? that he rose again the third day? that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Al- mighty, and from thence shall come again, at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead 1 And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost ? the Holy Catholic Church % the Communion of Saints 1 the Remission of !i ' JBaptiim •! %kvlU. 23 Sins? the Resurrection of the Body» and everlasting life after death 1 Ans, All this I steadfastly believe. Ques. Wilt thou be baptized in this faith ? Ans. That is my desire. Ques. Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy will and command ments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life? A718. I will endeavour so to do> God being my helper. Then shall the Minister take each person to be baptized \ by the right hand, and placing him conveniently by the Jontf according to his discretunif shall ask the name : and then shall sprinkle or pour water upon him^ ory if he shall desire itf shall immerse him in watery saying^ N. I Baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer^ all kneeling. Our Father who art in heaven, Hal* lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. { i 24 Baptism of ^bults. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but de- liver us from evil. Amen. Then ahaU the Minister conclude with extempore prayer. THE ORDER OF THE ADMINISTRATION OP THE LORD'S SUPPER OR HOLY COMMUNION. i f 1 .1 1 i j ■ i ii 1 f 1 ' THE ORDER OF THE ADMINISTRATION or THE LORD'S SUPPER OR HOLY COMMUNION. Qo£S. Are there any directions to be given concern,' ing the administration of the LorcTa Supper f Ans. 1. Let those who have scruples concerning the receiving of it kneeling, be permitted to receive it either standing or sitting, 2. Let no person w7io is not a Member of our Churchy he admitted to the Communiont without examination^ and some token given by the Minister. 3. No person shall be adtnitted to the Lord's Sup- per among us, who is guilty of any practice for which we would exclude a member of our Church. The Minister shall say one or more of these senteri' ces : % ^'1 'I' * !! 1 1 1 !h1 i 1 ' ! i It « i ji!:; 1 II 1 1 ■ "!' f 1 ■. . j i 1 1 1 J i 1 1 1 j 1 i 28 ^bt Communton. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glo* rify your Father who is in heaven. — Matt. V. 16. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. — Matt vi. 19, 20. Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them : for this is the law and the prophets. — Matt, vii. 12. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.-'Matt, vi. 21, {R^t Communion. 29 reasures Zaccheus stood forth and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor ; and if I have done any wrong to any ruan I restore him fourfold. — Luke xix. 8. He that soweth little shall reap little; and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteoiisly. Let every man do accord- ing as he is disposed in his heart ; not grudgingly, or of necessity ; for God lov- eth a cheerful giver. — 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7. While we have time let us do good unto all men, and especially unto them that are of the household of faith. — Gal. vi. 10. * Godliness with contentment is great gain ; for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. — 1 Tim. vi. 6, 7. Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, and glad to I! •v li ili! H ii 1 t I ill ill 111 ;■ I 30 ^f)t ComntunfoTt. ■-^ /^v-^./-'^^ distribute, laying np in store for them- selves a good foundation against the time to come that ihey may attain eternal life. —1 Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19. God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works and labour that pro- ceeded of love; which love ye have showed for his name's sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister. — Heb. vi. 10. To do good, and to distribute, forget not ; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. — Heb. viii. 16. Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, howdwelleth the love of God in him? — 1 John iii. 17. / He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord ; and look, what he layeth ^^t CommuniAtt. 31 out, it shall be paid him again. — Prov. xix. 17. Blessed is the man that provi'^eth for the sick and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in time of trouble. — Psalm xli. 1. [While these sentences are in reading, some fit person appointed for that purpose, shall receive the alms for the poor, and other devotions of the people, in a decent basin, to be provided for that purpose ; and then bring it to tho Minister, who shall place it upon the table.] Ji/ter tohich the Minister shall say^ Ye that do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are iw love and charity with your neighbours, and intend io lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in His Holy ways ; draw near with faith and take His Holy Sacrament to your comfort ; and make your humble confes- sion to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees. ; I ii !! |i!t w k'l '■'I I! ! i Mi; ill; 32 iRU Communion. Then tlialf Ws general confesfiion be made by the Minister, in the name of all those thot are minded to receive th% Holy Communion, both he and a'l the people knfHing humbly upon their knees, and saying, A 1 'nighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things. Judge of all men ; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins, and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy Divine Majesty, provok- ing most justly Ihy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings ; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father ; for thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past ; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honour and glory :'h QCt)t Communion. 33 of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the Mtni$ter tay, O Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy great mercy hast promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto thee ; have mercy upon us ; pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ,^ THE COLLECT. ■ t ; . Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy Holy Name, through Christ our Lord. Amen, Bl 34 tR1)t Communion \ i ; i: |!|i Then shall the Minister say^ It is very meet, right, nnd our bounden duty. Ilmt we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God. Therefore, with Angels and Arch- Angels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glori- ous name, evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, huly, holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Amen. Then shall the Minister say. ] ' 1 > We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting iu our own righteousness, but in thy mani- fold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always (Stt S^ommunion. 35 '^./- ./^J^,/^ ■* *"V>- bounden ?s and in , O Lord, fing God. J Arcli- ipany of ly glori- hee, and God of II of thy )rd most this thy sting ill y mani- are not up the hou art always to have mercy ; Grant lis, therefore, gra- cious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful souls and bodies may be made clean by his death, and washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen. Then the Minuter shall say the Prayer of Consecration as follotoeth : Almighty God, our heav^dly Father, who of thy tender merey didst give thy only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption ; who made there (by his oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world : and did insti- tute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death, until his coming again : hear us, O merciful Father, we most hum- bly beseech thee, and grant that we, re- w I I m i'l . Hi! ! "1(1'' w I i , j \U ii ,11 ' ' .li ' I 36 Sbt Communion. ceiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution in remem- brance of his death and passion^ may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood, who in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread ; (1) (i) Her«theMini6- 11 i_ 1 1 • ter is to take the plato and when he had given of bread into his hand, thanks, he brake it (2) (2) And here to I *j. ^ 1 ' I* - break the bread, and gave it to his disci- ples, sayfng, take eat ; this (3) this is my body (8) And here to lar which is given for youjI^'b^Si "'"'" •^' do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper he took (4) the (4) Here he is to cup ; and when he had ^^^^^^ ^"^ ^ *»« given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, drink ye all of this; for this (5) is (5) And here to my blood of the New Tes- I'lf th^eS S tament, which is shed for ^^"'**'* ^^ ^*°«- you, and for many, for the '^ ' j^emmmlmm (Kbt (JTommunion. 37 remission of sins ; this do ye, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. Amen. Then shall the Minister first receive the Communion in both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same to the other Ministers in like manner, (if^^ny he pres- ent,) and after that to the people also, in order, into their hands. And when he dtlivereth the bread he shall say : The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ* which was given for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thj/ heart by faith, with thanksgiving. And the Minister that delivereth the cup shall say ; The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee^ preserve thy soul and bodi/ unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee^ and be thankful. [If the consecrated Bread or Wine be all spent before all have communicated, the Minister may consecrate more, by repeating the Prayer of Consecration.] [When all have communicated, the Minister shall return to th« Lord's Table, and place upon it what remaineth of Ill I r- 1 1 H'ifj! • "!!;! 1 m !f!l!: m; f' 60 ^rbinttion of ^iniitiif. ance this office is whereunto you are called. And now again we exhort yon, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christi that you have in remembrance into how high a dignity and to how weighty an office ye are called : That is to say, to be messen- gers, watchmen, and stewards of the Lord, to teach and to premonish, to feed and provide for the Lord's family, to seek for Christ's sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for his children who are in the midst of this evil world, that they may be saved through Christ for ever. Have also, therefore, printed in your remembrance how great a treasure is committed to your charge. For they are the sheep of Christ, which he bought with his death, and for whom he shed his blood. The Church and congregation whom yon must serve, is his spouse and bis body. And if it shall happen the same Church, or any member thereof, do #r5inatitn •£ iKiniitiii. 61 take any hurt or hindraiico by reason of your negligence, ye know the greatness of the fault, and also the horrible punish* ment thut will ensue. Wherefore con* sider with yourselves the end of the Min- istry towards the children of God, towards the spouse ajd body of Christ ; and see that you never cease your labor, your care and diligence, until you have done all that lieth in you, according to your bounden duty, to bring all such as are or shall be committed to your charge, unto that agreement in the faith and knowledge of God, and to that ripeness and per/ect» ness of age in Christ, that there be no place left amonsr you either for error ii^ religion or for viciousness in life. , ir>^ Forasmuch then as your ofKce is both of so great excellency and of so great difficulty, ye see with how great care and study ye ought to apply yourselves, as well that ye miv show vourselvcs dutiful 52 ^rbfnattfiit of fBLinlMint. Ik! • In .1 *fi i^- and thankful unto that Lord who hath placed you in so high a dignity, as also to beware that neither you yourj^elves offend, nor be occasion that others offend. Howbeit ye cannot have a mind and will thereto of yourselves ; for that will and ability is given of God alone : Therefore ye ought and have need to pray earnestly for his Holy Spirit, And seeing that ye cannot by any other means compass the doing of so weighty a work, pertaining to the salvation of man, but with doctrine and exhortation taken out of the Holy Scriptures, and with a life agreeable to the same ; consider how studious ye ought to be in reading and learning the Scriptures, and in framing the manners both of yourselves and of them that specially pertain unto you, according to the rule of the same Scriptures ; and, for this self-same cause, how ye ought to forsake and set aside (as much as you may) all worldly cares and stndies- i ^ i ® lb instion ftl fSiiniMtUM. 5H tiath also •Ives end. and efore estly It ye 3 the ngto jtrine Holy le to ye the iners that ig to |(i, for It to you We have good hope that you have all weighed and pondered these things with yourselves long before this time; and that you have clearly determined, by God's grace, to give yourselves wholly to this office wbereunto it hath pleased God to call you ; so that, as much as lieth in you« you will apply yourselves wholly to this one thing, and draw all your cares and studies this way, and that you will con- tinue to pray to God the Father, by the mediation of our only Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the heavenly assistance of Ihe Holy Ghost, that, by the daily reading and weighing of the Scriptures, ye may wax riper and stronger in your Ministry ; and that ye may so endeavour yourselves, from time to time to sanctify the lives of you and yours, and to fashion them after the rule and doctrine of Christ, that ye may be wholesome and godly examples and patterns for the people to follow. c2 64 dcbinxtioti o£ fAiniiUiM. : ? II If 111! i ^nd now that this present congregation of Christ here assembled may also under* stand your minds and wills in these things, and that this your promise may the more move you to do your duties, — ye shall answer plainly to these things which we, in the name of God and his Church, shall demand of you touching the same: ^ * - * The President. Do you think, in your heart, that you are truly called, accord- ing to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the office, of Ministers ? '^ -v ilra5« I think so. * The President. Are you persuaded that the Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ? and are you determined out of the said Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your charge, and to teach nothing as required of necessity to eternal 1 i ®ctr(nst(on of ^(ndtiif. 55 tion der bese may ings his hing your jord- irist, that ently r for Tesus ut of eople each ernal salvation but that Avhich you shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved by the Scriptures 1 Ans. I am so persuaded, and have so determined, by God's grace. The President. Will you then give your faithful diligence always so to minister the Doctrine, and Sacraments, and Dis- cipline of Christ, as the Lord hath com- manded? Ans. I will so do, by the help of the Lord. The President. Will you be ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word ; and to use both public and private monitions and exhort- ations, as well to the sick as to the whole within your charge, as need shall require and occasion shall be given 1 - Ans, I will, the Lord being my helper. 3%e President. Will you be diligent in 56 ©rbination oC fiSiiniMtttK. if k m 411 'I prayers and in reading of the Holy Scrip- turesy and in such studi(*s as lieip to the knowledge of the same, laying aside thn study of the world and the flesh ? Ans. I will endeavour so to do, the Lord being my helper. ITie President. Will you be diligent to frame and fashion yourselves, and your families, according to the doctrines of Christ ; and to make both yourselves and them, as much as in you lieth, whole- some examples and patterns to the flock of Christ 1 Ans, I shall apply myself thereto, the Lord being my helper. ^ The President. Will you maintain and set forward, as much as lieth in you, quietness, peace, and love among all Christian people, and especially among them that are or shall be committed to your charge? Ans» I will so do, the Lord being my helper. Qrbinttion of fBLirdgittt. 57 IVie President, VV i 1 1 y ou reverent I y obey your chief Ministers, unto whom is com- miited the charge and government over you; following with a glad mind and will their godly admonitions, submitting yourselves to their godly judgments 7 Ans, I will so do, the Lord being my helper. TTien shall the President ^ standing up^ say^ Almighty God, who hath given you this will to do all these things, grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that he may accomplish his work which he hath begun in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [After this the congregation shall be desired, secretly in their prayers, to make their humble supplications to God for all these things, for the which prayers there shall be silence kept for a space.] After which fhall he said by the President^ (thf. persons to be ordained Ministers all kneeling,) Veni, Creator, Spiritus, the President beginning^ and the Ministers and others that are present answering by verse^ as foV loweth : if V^'\ ft} 68 Ot^Uatien o( fBLlnitittM 7 Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, *v And lighten with celestial Jire. ^^> ujtw 1 'i'hou the auointing Spirit nrt,tlmnrni h- Who d<»ttky sev*n-fold gifts impart, ^^' 'Nf %{}^ nitmr tti'lHM! V Hh * Thy blessed Unction from aboi^d, Is comfort i llfe^ andfireoflove.^ ^ Enable with perpetual light^ ^ "^^ ^ ^ The dullness of our blinded sight, ^ ^^ Anoint and cheer our soiled facmmt^^ With the abundance of thi/ grace i^ m W Keep far 01^ foes, give peace at home;* i-iiWhere thou art guide^ no ill can eome*^^ f iTeach uf^ to know the Father, Sonf **^ And Thee, of both to be but one : V^ I That through the ages all along, "j^ >iliThis may be our endless sougf^.^^ ?*i'ii5 Praise to thy eternal ^^^^'i^^^^C^r^^^^ Father J Son, and Holy Spirit. 4W Thut dmBi the f^resident shall pray in this wit, and :\%^-^^^.0^^^¥i. gay ^*^«*?-*^^i^^ Isr* H.v^ ., ?; V J^ct US prftf . * \ )m^4 %f ■"■Vf and zss: ^rbinatien o! ^iitUtiif. 59 ,.,♦ Almighty God, and heavenly Fatheri who of thine infinite love and goodness towards us, hast given to us thy only and most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ io be our Redeemer and the Author of ever- lasting life ; who, after he had made per- fect our redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, send abroad into the world his Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Doctors, and Pastors; by whose labour and ministry he gathered together a great flock in all parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise of thy holy name : For these, so great benefits of thy eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vo'ichsafed to call these thy servants here present to the same oflSce and minis- try appointed for the salvation of man- kind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks. We praise and worship thee ; and we humbly beseech thee, by the same thy blessed Son, to grant unto all, who 60 ^liination o£ jHdiUtiii. either here or elsewhere call upon thy name, that we may continue to show our- selves thankful unto thee for these and all other thy benefits, and that we may daily increase and go forward in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by the Holy Spirit. So that, as well by these thy Ministers, as by them over whom they shall be appointed thy Ministers, thy holy n£^me may be for ever glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who Jiveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. ■'"^U'VV^^ f«' "^ % .^4. 'lal- ■- IVhen this prayer is done^ the President wHh two or more of the Ministers present^ shall lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth the order of Ministers / the Receivers humbly kneeling upon their kneeSy and the President saying. ■M> The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost for the Office and Work of a Min- OrbinitioR •£ ^(niitirf. 61 .'-•^ oly in- later in the Church of God, now commit- ted unto thee by the imposition of our hands. And be thou a faithful Dispenser of the Word of God, and of his Holy Sacraments ; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. ■ «-■"•/« ^ •■' ■ ■ ■' '■* ' v Then the Prttidtud shall deliver to wety one of them^ kneetingf the Bible into hia hand$f eayingf Take thou authority to preach the Word of God, and to administer the Holy Sacraments in the congregation. * ;H ^^r T^en the President shall sapf *,,?»':, Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to send upon these thy servants thy hea- venly blessings, that they may be clothed with righteousness, and that thy Word spoken by their mouths may have such success that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also that we may have grace to hear and receive what they shall de-^ liver out of thy most Holy Word, or agree- 62 ^rliii«tjftii •! iHinfftftf . I I" ably to the same, as the means of our sal- vation ; and that, in all our words and deeds, we may seek thy glory and the in* crease of thy kingdom, througli Jesus Christ our Lord. Afnen. Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favour, and fur- thei: us. with thy continual help, that, in all our works begun, continued, and end- ed in thee we may glorify thy holy name, and finally', by thy meccy> obtain evertast*- ing life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ' X'.'V^\ The peace of God which passetb all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God^ and of bis Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty^, the Father, the $on, and the; Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain witkyou always. ' *r: .f • rV 'vf,i^; ■IS' \ ri THE FORM f's 4m n^ 'f%^\ 15 '.f* -i-i^n r:.fi%,:>^'i iW ^■-' 't% t^'j If ■**'4: -■#.» ''ft . . ': ; T*r .H -if tr J L '* .' ' _iik SOLEMNIZATION OF MATBIMON fet' *f * ffei-afaai •) -ia. 5.1 '♦ i'%. :*i.? i * *. •>. * ., '. i}'nm. 3^ , ,rf „J«, V^M »* ^I'^V «■ r */,.'»« * • . ,i '*- ' .*»'•••*' »i f :>\- ; *«. ,?^'' ; t* vi o ■■'. ^ , /fT-.i/; '' i i.K h f .♦>.» .'^v*'. 11*4, "'.j^ar ".c u: .»Ti- r-'-di? tftsi,;','*-* »^».. i*'*!.*"^ V = \ ^r- ^. v\\ I''. ] Z,x 4^j^ :■■ 'k kiM i^K i^-A^smKi- «• v ^-^^Hj V \i liff lYJ*'/ Ji. t t;.i i •!»«■ v'-.? iA?^-* '(^i>S'. ]V ? 'S*'U**^"X;h v«* ^ •■: »\i J>,j' ■».■*• 1.1- ,r ' ■; H '•■■■'• .r'lT'.J tf:. ::^i;>$ m i\s.^-<-: si;5 .,T;-'^f/a"|i ^i-,- 4 ■/ - '« *• ■ „'%? M *« •■* .* '?' k a. i i tun- ■ i^ J. ¥ ;.?. >i J '.f< I 'i • . • I^ ; • ' ( :^ THE FORM ; ^' ' ^ * OF- « SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY. 1 / ,; : ,■ . 1 5 / '1.f* Firtif IA« IfajuM 0/" all thai arB to be motrried togetKer mu$t be pubtUked in the Congtegoiitm three etnemtt Sundays J in the time of Divine Servicet {unleee they be otherwiee qualified according to laWf) the 3iiniiter Kiyingt after the tteetuMtomed fiMumer,— - I » L I Publish the Banns of Marriage between M of and N of . — . If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the first [second or r&inl] time of asking, ^>i mh',w -jvl At the dais and time appointed fim the eolemnixotien qf 3ikUrimanyf the Pereons to be marwied etandiMg together^ the man on the rigM hand and the vnman on the left, the MiniMer ehcdl tay, d2 66 Soltmnt^atton of ^atrimonj. n m. ft Dearly beloved, we are gathered to- gether here, in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony, which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mysti- cal union that is betwixt Christ and his Church ; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of St. Paul to be honourable among all men ; and therefore is not by any to be enter- prised or taken in hand unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God. f Ft,.;, i Into which holy estate these two per- sons present come now to be joined. Therefore, it any can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined to- Solemni^atifin of iHattimons. 67 to- rn per- illed, luse to- gether, let him now speak, or else here- after for ever hold his peace. -. And alto »ptaking unto the Peraont that are to be marriedj h^ ihall tay^ I require and charge you both, (as you will answer at the dreadful day of judg- ment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed,) that, if either of you know ainy impediment why yon may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, you do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled to- gether otherwise than as God's word doth allow, are not joined together by God, neither is their Matrimony lawful. ' -' - If no Impediment be alleged, then shaU the Minister say unto the Man^ M.y Wilt thou have this Woman to be thy wedded Wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of Ma- trimony'! Wilt thou love her, comfort / 68 JSoUmni^&iioK o( ^HattimAits. *./^ y^.^.».<'V-^^.> '^ pi' i! IP' her, honour and keep her in sickness and and in health ; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live? j . . Tlie Man shall answer^ h ^ I WILL. I r Thm, the MinUier $haU say unto ths Women, ay . N,f Wilt thou have this Man to be thy wedded Husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of Matrimony 1 Wilt thou obey him» seive him, love, honour and keep him, in sick- ness and health ; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall livel - » '^ ^ u^ v% ..> ,,i .^. ^.^^ The Woman shall answer^ I WILL. Thwt the Minister shall cause the Man Vfith his right hand to take the Woman by her right hand and to say after him asfoUoweth : . ^ ; I M., take thee iVl, to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold, from this d»y !l4' i^oUmni^attou of ^atrimonji. 69 y*. '*.'* ,/*>*' -^ y^ -^ ^ j^>>^ - -,^^ /-H*^t.,-k>*.„^ ,*>,/^«*.J*-S,/^,- „*--vy->» ■* -*-^^^ forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, ac- cording to God's holy ordinance ; and thereto I plight thee my faith. Thenthall they loose their hands^ and the JVonmn, with her right hand, taking the Man by his right hand* shall likewise say after the Minister ^ I iV., take thee ilf., to be my wedded Husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love cherish, and obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance ; and thereto I give thee my faith.- * ~ IfTken the parties desite to be married with a Ringy the following form may be used : The Man pi icing the Ring upon the fourth finger of th« Woman's left hand, shall say after the Minister, With this Ring, a token and pledge of the Vow and Covenant now made between me and thee — I do thee wed, in the Name 70 ^oI(ii(nt;3ti9n aC ^atiinton^. ^ **..^.^^ ./V/^ . -v -* ,**w^>^ y^-^,^^«^ ^ ^y-^^~^.y^ y- y-\y*>~>^ ^ ^ ^ ./^ /^^.>^ ^ .r^ ^ .^^ ^ >• -/^v*>* f\jr-~^ x*^> of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. ^.j ,, .4 L-', * TTien shall the Minister say^ ^^•* ♦ ^if:k'si,^ Let us pray. O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all Mankind, Giver of all Spiritual Grace, the Author of Everlasting life ; send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this Man and this Woman, whom we bless in thy name ; that as Isaac and Re* becca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made» and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws, through Jesns"^ Christ our Lord. Amen. v fW ^ ^ -w Tken shall the Minister join their right hands together and say, Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. — -^ - '^ Forasmuch as M. and N. have consent- "r *-i' iSoItmni^ttion of ^attimens. 71 it- ed together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith either to other, and have declared the same by joining of hands ; and by the giving and receiving of the significant ring, I pronounce that they are Man and Wife togethers^ — In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Anien. t t.m- t Ml'- ■ *^!x: yj And iht MinUUr shall add this ble^sinf^, rt%*^ i God the Fatbf^r, God the. Son» God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keepr you ; the Lord mercifully with hi^ favQur lod^ upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace^ that ye may so live together in this life that ia the world tO; come ye may have life ever- ■i' i' T%en ik^ Minister Aallta^, m Our Father who art in heaven. Hallow- 72 JSoUmni^stion o( ^atilmoni, I ed be thy name. Thy kingdom comer Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. t I ' . 1 1 TJien thaU the Minister say^ 4 « O God ot Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, bless this Man and this Woman, and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts, that whatsoever in thy holy word they shall profitably learn, they may in- deed fulfill the same. Look, O Lord, mercifully on them from heaven, and bless them. And as thou didst send thy bless- ings upon Abraham and Sarah, to their great comfort ; so vouchsafe to send thy blessings upon this Man and this Woman, that they, obeying thy will, and always being in safety under thy protection, may JSoIcmni^atioit of ^atrimoni. 73 abide in thy love unto their lives* end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, who by thy mighty power hast made all things of nothing, who also (after other things set in order) didst ap- point that out of man (created after thine own image and similitude) woman should take her beginning, and, knitting them together, didst t^ach that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom thou by Matrimony hast made one; & God, who hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church : Look mercifully upon this Man and this Woman; that this Man may love his Wife, according to thy Word, (as Christ did love his Spouse, the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it, even as his own K 74 JSoItmnf^atfon o! ^atrimons. flesh ;) and also that this Woman may be loving and amiable, faithful and obedient to her Husband; and in all quietness, sobriety and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, bless them both, and grant them to inherit thy ever- lasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. I , , TJien shall the Minister say, , Almighty God, who at the beginning did create our first parents, Adam and Eve, and did sanctify and join them to- gether in marriage, pour upon you the riches of his grace, sanctify and ble;^s you, that ye may please him both in body and soul, and live together in holy love, unto your lives' end. Amen. 'i ,.' . I ■ J .fft,.,yff : ; v;.,'0 ;v; ^.r THB ORDER «'l l*OR THI i"-'V-'*' *:Wi*#-*,'l.t* I .Sii* i^^t/ IBURIAL OF THE DEAD. :^"^r''^ ^..f M'' 1* I'V - I ■U >' : XJ ?■'* -*-iii- (^'i-'- iX'l ,^'ji* v-,U i-i* V ll ' \ THE ORDER FOB THB BURIAL OF THE DEAD. N. B. The following or some other solemn service shall be used. Tlie Minister meeting the Corpse, and going bejore it, shall say : I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord ; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and who- soever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John xi. 25, 26. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and thiat he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though, after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh 78 Sb< JBucial o( ttc JBcal). 4 1 rf"* I shall I sec God ; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. Job xix. 25, 26, 27. We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 1 Tim. vi. 7. Job. i. 2L At the grave, when the Corpse is laid in the earthy the Minister shall say, Man that is born of a woman tiath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower; he fieeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay. In the midst of life we are in death ; of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins are justly displeased? , ,, • ' Yet, O Lord God most holy, Lord most mighty, O holy, and most merciful (Ebt fiurtal of tbt fifaD. 79 Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death. Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers, but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Jud^e eternal, suffer us not at our last hour for any pains of death to fall from thee. [ Then^ while the earth shall be cast upon the tndy by some standing by^ the Minister shall say^ Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God in his infinite wisdom to remove the departed from among us, we now commit his body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, awaiting the resurrection of the dead at the last great $,-. ;^Vf ^ .R^v.!>:; t "t ! day.] V- Then shaU be said, I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, write : From henceforth blessed 80 tRU Burial fi( tf)< jStab. Hlfl h^ are the dead who die in the Lord ; even so, saith the Spirit ; for they rest from their labours. lyien slicUl the Minister say, Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us. Our Father who art in Heaven, Hal- lowed be thy name : Thy Kingdom come : Thv will be done on earth as it is in heaven : Give us this day our daily bread ; and forgive us our trespasses, as we for- give them that trespass against us : and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. '■t> THE COLLECT. O Merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die ; and whosoever .^fr (RU Burial o( ttie JBtall. 81 liveth and believeth in Him shall not die eternally : We meekly beseech thee, O, Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness ; that when we shall depart this life we may rest in Him ; and, at the general resurrection on the last day, may be found acceptable in thy sight, and receive that blessing which thy well-beloved Son shall then pro- nounce to all that love and fear thee, say- ing. Come ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ our Media- tor and Redeemer, Amen, The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all ever- more. Amen. El APPEN DIX THE FORM Of RENEWING THE COVENANT. [After a short sermon impressing upon every soul the importance of giving himself to Qod, and that without de- lay, each Preacher is recommended, on his first tour round his Circuit in the New Tear, beginning the first Sabbath in January, to read the following directions in every congre- gation, and persuade as many as possible to join in the Covenant it contains — to procure a copy of it as a me- morial, and to sign their names to it, as a pledge in the pres- ence of the Searcher of hearts, and by his grace, to keep the Covenant inviolate unto the day of Christ's coming ] I. Get these three principles fitted in your heart : That things eternal are much more considerable than things temporal ; that things not seen are as certain as the things that are seen ; that upon your present choice depends your eternal lot. Choose Christ and his waysi and you are blessed forever; refase, and you are undone forever. And then, II. Make your choice. Turn either to the right hand or to the left ; lay loth 86 i^tntininjj tt)t Cobtnant. I l~i ■4 oil th parts before you, with every link of each j C hrist with his yoke, his cross and his crown ; or, the devil with his wealth, his pleasure, and curse ; and th 3n put your- selves to it thus : *' Soul, thou secst what is before thee: what wilt thou do ? Which wilt thou have, either the crown or the curse ? If thou choosest the crown, re- member that the day thou takest this, thou must be content to submit to the cross and yoke, the service and the sufferings of Christ, which are linked to it. What say est thou 1 Hadst thou rather take the gains and pleasures of sin, and venture on the curse ? Or wilt thou yield thyself to Christ, and so make sure of the crown ? " If your hearts fly off, and would fain waive the busi. ness, leave them not so. If you be unresolved, you are resolved; if you remain undetermined for Christ, you are determined foy the devil. Therefore give not off, but follow your hearts from day to day ; let them not rest till the matter be brought to an issue ; and see that you make a good choice. This is your choosing the good part : God and the blessedness of the world to come, for your portion and happiness ; and in this is included your renouncing the world and worldly happiness. III. Embark with Christ. m iSttnifaatng ttr Cobtnant. 87 ^X*V^>*'">-<''^ " Adventure yourselves with him ; cast yourselves upon his righteousness, as that which shal) bring you to God ; as a poor captive exile that is cast upon a strange land, a land of robbers and murderers, where he is ready to perish, and having no hope, either for abiding there, or ot escaping home with life ; and meeting at length with a pilot, that ofifers to transport him safely home, he em- barks with him, and ventures himself, and all he hath, in his vessel. Do you likewise : you are exiles from the presence of God, and fallen into the hands of robbers and murderers ; your sins are robbers, your pleasures are robbers^ your companions are robbers and thieves. If you stay where you are you perish ; and escape home of yourself you canaot ; Christ offers, if you will venture with him, he will bring you home, he will bring you to God. Will you now say to him, " Lord Jcsur, wilt thou undertake for me ? Wilt thou bring me to God, bring me into the Land of Promise ? With thee will I ven- ture myself; I cast myself upon thee, upon thy blood, and thy righteousness ; I lay up all my hopes, and ven- ture my whole interest, soul and body, with thee. This is closing with Christ as your Priest. And in this is included your renouncing your own righteous- ness : you can never, you will never cast yourselves on him alone, till all your hopes in yourselves have given up the ghost. 88 ictcnfteiitfl tb( Cobinant. 'i 4 Hi H , >^-\^*^ > ^ ••» _-\rf^ ,' le of awaking in hell. *' Lord what am I? What nicnn these legions round about me? these chains and fetters that are upon me ? What means this black roll before mine eyes, of curses, and wrath, and woes? Lord where am I ? Have I been playing and sporting, and making merry» and my soul in such a case as this? But is there do hope of escaping out of this wretched state ? I see there is no abiding thus. lam but a dead man, if I continue as I am. What must I do to be saved ?" When he is brought to this, there is some way made for his entertainment with Christ ; yet this is not all that is needful, but he further may be brought to, 2. An utter despair of himself, and all things else without Christ. Being made sensible of his sin, and his danger, a sin- ner will look for help and deliverance; but he will looV: every where else before he will look unto Christ ; noth- ing will bring a sinner to Christ but absolute necessity. He will try to forsake his sins, and to see if by these means he may escape. He will have recourse to prayers, and sermons, and sacraments, and search if there be not salvation in them. But all these, though they be useful in their places, and indeed necessary, yet, looking no further, the sinner sees there is no sanation in them ; his righteousness cannot save him, this is but rngs; his duties cannot save him, these may be reckoned among I ! 90 iHtnttaoing ttt Cobtnant. I>! rir his 8inH; ordinances cannot save him, thcso arc but tf^mpty cisterns ; and all tell him, "You knock at a wronj; door, salvation is not in ua." " Well, the Lord be merciful unto roc," saith the sinner, '' What shall JL do? Abide as I am, I daro not, and how to help m} self I know not : my praying will not save me ; m;, hearing will not; if I give all my goods to the poor, if I should give my body fo be burned, all this would not save my soul. Woe is me ! what shall I do, and whither shall I go ? " And now being brought to this distress, to this utter loss, his despair drives him to the only door of hope that is left open. Then Christ will be acceptable, when lie sees none but Christ can save him. The Apostle tells us, ** We are kept under the law, shut up unto the faith that should afterwards be revealed." (Gal.iii. 23.) All other doors were shut up against us ; there was no hope of escaping but by that one door which was left open. "The faith that was afterwards to be revealed." As the beseiged in a city, that have every gate blocked up, and but one difficult passage left open, by which there is any possibility of escaping, thither throng for the saving of their lives. They are shut up unto that door, to which (if there had been any other way open) they would never have come. And as Christ will never be accepted, so can the sinner Jiil- ■■■ m. Strntlnfng tf)( Cobtnnnt. 91 II nncr never be received of him, till he lets go all other props, and trusts in llini alone. Clirist will have no Hharer with him in the work of saving souls. " If ye seek me, let these go their way," as he said in another cubc ; let not only your sins go, but all dependence on your righteous- ne*^s, all the refuge of lies wherein you have trusted ; let all go, if you will have me to be a refuge to you. I came not to call the righteous ; if I should, they would not come; or if they come, let them go as they eame, let thera go to their righteousneps in which they trust ; and let naked, destitute sinners, distressed sinners, come to me ; who am come to this end, to seek and to save them that are lost. Sinners, will you come now ? Will you venture here? For this your adventuring on Christ, you have this threefold warrant: — 1. God's Ordination. This is he whom God the Fat'ier hath appointed, and sent into the world, to bring back His exiles to himself, to save sinners. This is he whom God the Father hath sealed, hath marked him out for that chosen person, in whom is salvation ; hath sealed him his commission, for the redeeming and recon- ciling the world to himself. As God said unto the three friends of Job, when he was angry with them, "Go to my servant Job, and he shall offer sacrifice for you ; he shall pray for you, for him will I accept ;" (Job xlii. 8 ;) so to sinners : Go, saith the Lord, to my servant •. on thee will I trust, and rest and venture myself. God hath laid my help on thee and on theo I lay my hope for pardon,- for life, for salvation. If I perish, I perish on thy shoulders ; if I sink, I sink on thy vessel ; if I die, I die at thy door. Bid me not go away, for I will not go." IV. Resign and deliver up yourselves to God in TJhrist. ** Yield yourselves to the Lord," that is, as his ser- vants ; give up the dominion and government of your- selves to Christ. "Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin ; butyield your* selves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. To whom ye yield yourselves ser'^antb io obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey." Yield yourselves 80 to the Lord, that you may henceforth be the Lord's : ' 94 iS^tntbiini iU Cobtnant. *' I am thine/' saith the Psalmist. Those that yield themselves to sin and the world, their heart says, ^ Sin, I am thine ; world, I am thine ; riches, I am yours ; pleasures, I am yours." '*I am thine,*' saith the Psalmist; devoted to thy fear, dedicated to thy service. '' I am thine, save me." Give yourselves to Christ, sin- ners; be devoted to his fear. ^^ And this giving yourselves to him, must be such as supposes that ye be heartily contended, — 1. That he appoint you your work. 2. That he appoint you youV station. 1* That he appoint you your work : That he put you to whatsoever he pleaseth. Servants, as they must do their master's work, so they must do that work which their master appoints them ; they must be for any work their master hath for them to do ; they must not pick, and choose : ^* This I will do, and that I will not do : '^ they must not say, ** This is too hard," or ** This is too mean," or ^* This may be well enough let alone." Good servants, when they have chosen their master, will let their master choose their work ; and will not dispute his will, but doit. A :, ^ ; f, ^, ,^ ;• - .; Christ has many services to be done ; some are more easy and honourable, others more difficult and disagree- able; some are suitable to our inclinations and interest, others are contrary to both. In some wc may please \ 3St!.iti»inig tti Coifnsnt. 95 Christ) and please ourselves ; as» when he requires us to feed and clothe ourselves, to provide things honest for our maintenance. Yea, and there are some spiritual duties that are more pleasing than others ; as, to re- joice in the Lord, to be blessing and praising God, to be feeding ourselves with the delights and comforts of re- ligion : these are the sweet works of a Christian. But then there are other works, wherein we cannot please Christ but by denying ourselves ; as, giving and lending, bearing and forebearing, reproving men for their sins, withdrawing from their company, witnessing against their wickedness, confessing Christ and his name, when it will cause us shame and reproach ; sailing against the wind, swimming against the tide, steering contrary to the times, parting with our ease, our liberties, and our accommodations for the name of our Lord Jesus. ^ [If there is not time to read the whole of this tract, let the Preachers here begin to ri^ad, on occasion of renewing the Ck>venant annually in the Methodist Societies.] It is necessary, beloved, to sit down, and consider what it will cost you to bo the servants of Christ, 'and take a thorough survey of the whole business of Christianity, and not to engage thoughtlessly to, you knownotwhat >' . ....... a.. First, see what it is that Christ doth expect, and then yield yourselves to his whole will. Do not think of t!^' 96 Utneindtfl t(e Cobtnant. compoandiog or mftking your own terma with Christ : that will never be allowed you. - - * ^ - '* .. i « Go to Christ, and tell him, '* Lord Jesus, if thou wilt receive me into thy hoase* if thou wilt but own me as thy servaDt, I will not stand upon terms ; impose upon me what conditions thou pleasest, write down thine own articles, command me what thou Wilt, put me to any thing thou seest good ; let me come under thy roof, let me be thy servant, and spare not to command me : I will be no longer mine own, but give up myself to thy will in all things.'* 2. Let him appoint you your station and condition : whether it be higher or lower, a prosperous or afflicted state. Be content that Christ should chooee your work and choose your condition ; that he should have the command of you, and the disposal of you. ** Make mo what thou wilt. Lord, and set mo where thou wilt : let me be a vessel of silver or gold, or a vessel of wood or stone, 80 I be a vessel df honor : of whatsoever form or metal, whether higher or lower, finer or coarser, I am content ; if I be not the head, or the eye, or the ear, one of the nobler and mo^ honorable instruments thou wilt employ, let me be the hand, or the fbot, one of the roost laborious, and lowest, and most contemptible of all the servants of my Lord ; let my dwelling be on the dunghill, my portion in the wilderness, my name and \ • r- y" vN,y~ .^ ^ ^- ^^ <-* >^ 97 lot amongst tho bewers of wood and drawers of water, among the door-keepers of thy house ; anywhere wbevc i may be serviceable* I pot myself wholly into thy hands ; put me to what thoa wilt* rank roe with whom thou wilt ; put mc to doing ; put me to suffering ; let me be employed for thee, or laid aside for thee ; exalted ibr theoy or trodden under foot fo? thee { let rae be full, let me be empty j let me have all things, let me have nothing ; I freely and heartily resign all to thy pleasure and disposal.'* This is closing with Christ as your King and sover- eign Lord ; aad in this is included, your renouncing the devil and all his works, the flesh and its lusts ; together with your consenting to all the laws and ordinances of Ohrist and his provideatial Government. Beloved, such an agreement with Christ as you have here been exhorted to, is that wherein the essence of Christianity lies. When you have chosen the incor- uptible crown ; that is, when you have chosen God to be your portion and happiness ; when you have adventured, and laid up your whole interest and all your hopes with Christ, casting yourself wholly upon the merits of his righteousness; when you have understandingly and heartily resigned, and given up yourselves to him, resolv- ing for ever to be at his command, and at his disposal ; then you are Christians indeed, and aever till then. Christ will be the Saviour of dodo but bis servants. 98 ifttuftofirj t|^ Cffbenani. S>*>*»yi ^v.^ /• /s '»V^>-»./^# He is the Author of etornal salrution to those that obey bhn ; Christ will have no servants but by oonsont ; his people are a willing people ; and Ohrist will accept of DO consent but in full to all he requires } he will bo al) in all, or he will be nothing. V. Confirm and complete all this by solemn covenant. [Hare let all inrho are willing to engage to rv.new the <^OTenant, signify it by stan^Hng up, and contitiue standing while the Treacher reads as fSollows :1 : Give yoursJ /es to the Lord as his servants, and bind yourselves to liim as his covenant servants. ' Upon your etftering into covenant ^itfa God, the covenant of God stands firm to you ; God gives you leave, every man, to put in hts own name ivfto the covenant-grant; if it be not fbund there at last, it will be your own fkult ; if it be not thiere, there win be nothing found in the whole covenant "belonging unto you ; if it be there, all is your^s } ^ you have come into the bond of the covenant, you shall hmve your share in the blessings of the covenant. ** Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his jodgmi.ats, to hearken to his voice ; and the Lord liath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee." (Deut. xxvi. 1?, 18.) Observe it. The same day that they avouched the Lord to be their God, the same day the Lord avouched fOttiutoinjB^ t^i ^obiiumt. 99 them lo be his peculiar people. The eamo day thnt they engaged to keep the commandments of God, the same day the Lord cngageth to keep his promise with them. «« • ' .■■f*i' ';■"? --• ■ " ■•■ •-- -■". '•-.■.,-■-' Tliere is a two-fold eovenaiiting with God. In pro- /ejfinon or in reality ; an entering our names, or au engaging our hearts. The former is done in baptism, by all that are baptiited ; who, by receiving that seal of the covenant, are visibly, or in profession, entered into it. The latter is also two-fold. ., 1 . Virtual. Which is done by all those that have ^ucercly made that closure with God in Christ, which we have spoken of. Those that have chosen the Lord* embarked with Christ, resigned «p, and given them- fielvea to the Lord* are all engaged persons, and have virtually covenanted with him. ^ ..,, ,, .,...,, ^^nr -top 2. Formal. Which is our binding ourselves to the ^ord by solemn vow or promise to stand to our ohoic;e. A4)d.thi8 may be either inward in the soul, or outward^ and expressed either by word, lifting up the hands, sub- soribin^ the hand, or the like ; and that by how much the more express and solemn our covenanting with God is, by so much the more sensibly and sir^ngly is it likely to hold our hearts to him. ^ ,,...5 „ -. Now, that which we would persuade you to, is thi3 fiolemii and expreas covenanting with God ; and in order 100 iltncininis iht Cobcnant. 0-^^K0 W ^••^•^/'^•^ > ■ V' '^^S^ • V/" -^ w^ ^'fc^ 1.' '^ v* W * ^N^ ^y^-^'-y'M '-*/-»^v '»/'*^^Ny*^»^ to the putting ibis matter ioto practice, take these few directions: — -^-v* 1. Seek earnestly his special aBi-istance, andgmcioii? acceptance of you. 2. Consider distinctly all the conditions of the Cov- enant, as they have been laid before you. ^ " '" '^'^ ••':•" 3. Searph your hearts, whether you either have al- ready or can now freely make 6uch a closure with Ood in Christ, as you have been now exhorted to. Especially consider what your sins are, and examine whether you can resolve to forego them all. Consider what the laws of Christ are, bow holy, strict, and spiritual, and whether you can, upon deliberation, make choice of them all, (even those that most cross your interests and corrupt inclinations,) as the rule of your whole life. Be sure you be clear in these matters \ see that you do not lie unto God, . Secondly, Compose your spirits into the most serious frame possible, suitable to a transaction of so high im- portance, rj swaf-,* ■*i^t»/^«'. ':v. M-sl ''p.'.' r''-!'**' '5f?/!fe*'vl* ?;i "I Thirdly, Lay hold on the covenant of God, and rely upon his promise of giving ^race and strength, whereby ' you may be enabled to perform your promise. Trust not to your own strenpth, to the strength of your own resolutions, but take hold on his strength. J'ourllily, Resolve to be faithful. Having engaced .•■..« i^tittbiiiij tb< Cobtiunt. 101 ,-K^%.*^^ XdS^X^ V^\^-<^NfrV>\ f^j'-^F^ >V>- ^f.-'S^r^y I your hearts, opened jour mouths, and subscribed with your hands to the Lord, resolve ia his strength never to go back. LasUjr, Being thus prepared, set upon the work ; 8nd» in the nios^ solemn manner pojBsible, as if the Lord were visibly present before your eyes, fall down on your knees, and spreading forth your hands towards heaven, open your lips to the Lord, in these or the like words : [Here let all present kneel down.] most dreadful God ! for tha passion of thjr Son* I beseech thee accept of thy poor prodigal now prostrating himself at thy door. I bay.e falLeu from thee by mine iniquity and am by nature a «on of death, and a thou- sand-fold more the child of hell by my wicked practice ; but of thine infinite grace thou hast promised mercy to me in Christ, if I will but turn to thee with all my heart ; therefore, upon the eall of thy Gospel, I am now come in, and, throwing down my weapons, submit my- self to thy meroy. And because thou requirest, as thm condition of my peace with thee, that I should put away mine idols, and be at defiance with all thine enemies, which I ackQOW- ledge I have wickedly sided with againat thee, I here, from the bottom of n^y heart, reoounce them all ; firmly covenanting with thee not to allow myself in any known sin, but conscientiously to use all the means that I know tboa hast prescribed for the death and utter destruc- :." T" - , :s .sz 102 ^tcntboing t<)( Cobrnant. i*%i^^\^^W ^ ' lion of all my corrupiionH. And vrltcrcas, (brnierly, I have inordiDAtely and idoltitrously let out my affections upon the world, I do here resign my heart to thee that roadest it; humbly protesting before thy glorious Majesty, that it is the firm resolution of my heart, and that I do unfeignedly desire grace from thee, that when thou sbalt call me hereunto* I may practice this my resolution, to forsake all that is dear unto me in this world, rather than turn from thee to the ways of sin ; and that 1 will watch against all its temptations, whether of prosperity or adversity, lest they should withdraw my heart fi^m thee, beseeching thee also to help me against the temptations of Satan, to whose wicked sug- gestions 1 resolve, by thy grcce, never to yield. And because my own righteousness is but filthy rags, I re- nounce all confidence therein ; and acknowledge that I am of myself a hopeless, helpless, undone creature, with* out righteousness or strcDj^th. . ,.^^i -Ui^m ' Ana fbrasmuoh is thou hast, of thy bottomless mercy, offered most graciously to rue, wretched sinner, to be again my God through Christ, if I would accept of thee ; I call heaven and earth to record this day, that I do here solemnly avouch thee for the Lord my God ; and with all possible veneration, bowing the neck of my soul under the feet of my most sacred Majesty, I do here take thee, the Lord, Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy \ iiliiittaiinf t^c Covenant. 103 rfV/^r'W^^^^^^Nrf -^y^Wi ^ Obost, for luy portion ; and do give up my self, body and soul, for thy servant ; promising aod vowing to serve thee, in holiness and righteouoness, all the dsys of my life. *• •"•• •• ■" ■ - - And sinoe thou hast appointed the Lord Jesus Christ the only means of coming unto thee, I do here, upon the bended knees of my soul, accept of Him, as the only new and living way by which sinners may have access to thee ; and do here solemnly join myself in a marriage- covenant to him. O blessed Je^as, I come to thee hungry, wretched, miserable, blind, and naked ; a most loathesome pol- luted wretch ; a guilty condemned malefactor, unworthy to wash the feet of the servants of my Lord, much moro to be solemnly married to the King of Glory ; but since such is thine unparalleled love, I here, with all my power accept thee, and take thee for my head and husband, , for bettor, for worse ; for richer, for poorer ; for all times and conditions, to love, honor, and obey thee before all others, and this to the death, I embrace thee in sll thy offices; I renounce uiy own worthiness, and do here avow thee for the Lord, my righteousness; I re- nounce mine own wisdom, and do here take thee for my only guide ; I renounce mine own will, and do take thy will for my law. -*' - - And Mnce thou hast told mc, I ipi^st suffer if I wi)l 104 ^inciainj tf|( Cobtnant. ii' IV, m -.'-s/'^y^*' ^^ "W" .^ > ' \^ ^> ^fc^* ^ N -.v^*^ >^ -^V*N* '^■\^\/-v^'V.»'-Vy V^>*'x* ■„ •^•^\^-' reign, I do here covenant with thee, to take my lot as it falls with thee, and, by thy grace assisting, to run all hazards with thee ; verily parposing* that neither life nor death shall part between thee and me. And because thou haat been pleased to give me tby holy laws as the rule of my life, and the ways in which I should walk to thy kingdom, I do here willingly put my neck under thy yoke, and set my shoulder to thy burden ; and, subscribing to all thy laws, as holy, just, and good, I solemnly take thtm as the rule of my words, thoughts, and actions ; promising, that, though my flesh contradict and rebel, I will endeavor to order and govern my whole life according to thy direction, and will not allow myself in the neglect of any thing that I know to be my duty. Now, Almighty God, Searcher of Hearts, thou know- est that I make this covenant with thee this day with- out any known guile or reservation, beaeeching thee if thou espieat any flaw or falsehood therein, thou wouldst discover it to me, and help me to do it aright. And now, glory be to thee, God the Father, whom I shall be bold, from this day forward, to look upon as my God and Father ; that ever thou shouldst find out such a way for. the recovery of undone ainners. Glory be to thee, God the Son, who hast loved me, and washed me from my sins in thine own blood, and art now become my Saviour and ^edeemar. Glory be to ^cnetnins tbt Cobtnant. 105 thee, O Goil the Holy Ghost, who, by the finger of thine Almighty power, hast turned about my heart from sin to God. dreadful Jehovah, the Lord God Omnipotent Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, thou art now become by covenant-friend, and I, through thine infinite grace, have become thy covenant servant. Amen. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. (The Preacher will here conclude with exteinporaneous prayer ] This covenant we advise you to make, not only in heart, but in word ; not only in word, but in writing ; and that you would, witli all possible reverence, spread the writing before the Lord, as if you would present it to him as your act and deed ; and when you have done this, set your hand to it ; keep it as a memorial of the solemn transactions that hdve passed between God iind you, that you may have recourse to it in doubts aqd t^n^ptations. T^K BriD.