THE ORDER OF

CONFIRMATION,

OR LAYING ON OF HANDS UPON THOSE WHO ARE BAPTIZED, AND COME TO YEARS OF DISCRETION.

¶ Upon the day appointed, all that are to be then Confirmed, being placed and standing in order before the Bishop; he, or some other Minister appointed by him, shall read this Preface following.

TO the end that Confirmation may be ministered to the more edifying of such as shall receive it, the Church hath thought good to order, That none shall be confirmed but such as can say the Creed, the Lords Prayer, and the Ten Commandments; and can also answer to such other Questions, as in the short Catechism are contained: which order is very convenient to be observed; to the end, that children, being now come to the years of discretion, and having learned what their Godfathers and Godmothers promised for them in Baptism, may themselves, with their own mouth and consent, openly before the Church, ratify and confirm the same; and also promise, that, by the grace of God, they will evermore endeavour themselves faithfully to observe such things, as they, by their own confession, have assented unto.

¶ Then shall the Bishop say,

DO ye here, in the presence of God, and of this congregation renew the solemn promise and vow that ye made or that was made in your name, at your Baptism; ratifying and confirming the same; and acknowledging yourselves bound to believe and to do all those things which ye then under took, or your Sponsors then undertook for you? 

¶ And every one shall audibly answer,

I do. 

Bishop. 

OUR help is in the Name of the Lord; 
Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth, 
Bishop. Blessed be the Name of the Lord; 
Answer. Henceforth, world without end. 
Bishop. Lord, hear our prayer. 
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee. 
Bishop. Let us pray. 

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who hast vouchsafed to re- generate these thy servants by Water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given unto them forgiveness of all their sins; Strengthen them, we beseech thee, O Lord, with the Holy Ghost, the Comforter; and daily increase in them thy manifold gifts of grace; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength, the spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and fill them, O Lord, with the spirit of thy holy fear, now and for ever. Amen.
 

A Page from the Confirmation service, from an edition published in 1849.

¶ Then all of them in order kneeling before the Bishop, he shall lay his hands upon the head of every one severally, saying, 

DEFEND, O Lord, this thy child [or, this thy Servant] with Thy heavenly grace; that he may continue thine for ever; and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until he come unto thy everlasting kingdom. Amen. * 

¶ Then shall the Bishop say,

The Lord be with you. 
Answer. And with thy spirit.

¶ And all kneeling down, the Bishop shall add,

Let us pray.

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. 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 those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

¶ And these Collects.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who makest us both to will and to do those things which are good, and acceptable unto thy Divine Majesty; We make our humble supplications unto thee for these thy servants, upon whom, after the example of thy holy Apostles, we have now laid our hands, to certify them, by this sign, of thy favour and gracious goodness towards them. Let thy fatherly hand, we beseech thee, ever be over them; let thy Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them the knowledge and obedience of thy Word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God world without end. Amen.

O ALMIGHTY Lord and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee to direct, sanctify, and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments, that through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

¶ Then the Bishop shall bless them, saying thus,

THE Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you for ever. Amen.

¶ And there shall none be admitted to the Holy Communion, until such time as he be Confirmed, or be ready and desirous to be Confirmed.

* "Amen" was omitted here until 1822; in Roman type 1822-38; in italics from 1838-45; and back to Roman thereafter.