in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus, and hereafter enter into the joy of your Lord. On the other hand, beloved christians, receive these men as servants of God: count the elders that rule well worthy of double honour, give yourselves willingly to their inspection and government. Provide the deacons with good means to assist the indigent. Be charitable, ye rich, give liberally, and contribute willingly. And, ye poor, be poor in spirit, and deport yourselves respectfully towards your benefactors, be thankful to them, and avoid murmuring: follow Christ, for the food of your souls, but not for bread. Let him that hath stolen (or who hath been burthensome to his neighbours) steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the things which are good, that he may give to him that needeth. Each of you, doing these things in your respective callings, shall receive of the Lord, the reward of righteousness. But since we are unable of ourselves, let us call upon the name of the Lord, saying,

LORD God and heavenly Father, we thank thee that it hath pleased thee, for the better edification of thy church, to ordain in it, besides the ministers of the word, rulers and assistants, by whom thy church may be preserved in peace and prosperity, and the indigent assisted; and that thou hast at present granted us in this place, men, who are of good testimo

ny,

and we hope endowed with thy spirit. We beseech thee, replenish them more and more with such gifts, as are necessary for them in their ministration; with the gifts of wisdom, courage, discretion, and benevolence, to the end that every one may, in his respective office, acquit himself as is becoming; the elders in taking diligent heed unto the doctrine and conversation, in keeping out the wolves from the sheep-fold of thy beloved Son; and in admonishing and reproving disorderly persons. In like manner, the deacons in carefully receiving, and liberally and prudently distributing of the alms to the poor, and in comforting them with thy holy word. Give grace both to the elders and deacons, that they may persevere in their faithful labour, and never become weary by reason of any trouble, pain or persecution of the world. Grant also especially thy divine grace to this people, over whom they are placed, that they may willingly submit themselves to the good exhortations of the elders, counting them worthy of honour for their work's sake; give also unto the rich, liberal hearts towards the poor, and to the poor grateful hearts towards those, who help and serve them; to the end that every one acquiting himself of his duty, thy holy name may thereby be magnified, and the kingdom of thy Son Jesus Christ, enlarged, in whose name we conclude our prayers, &c.

THE FORM

FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF MARRIAGE,

W

BEFORE THE CHURCH.

HEREAS married persons are generally, by reason of sin, subject to many troubles and afflictions; to the end that you N. and N. who desire to have your marriage-bond publicly confirmed, here in the name of God, before this church, may also be assured in your hearts of the certain assistance of God in your afflictions, hear therefore from the word of God how honourable the marriage state is, and that it is an institution of God, which is pleasing to him. Wherefore he also will (as he hath promised, bless and assist the married persons, and on the contrary, judge and punish whoremongerers and adulterers.

In the first place you are to know, that God our Father, after he had created heaven and earth, and all that in them is, made man in nis own image and likeness, that he should have dominion over the beasts of the field, over the fish of the sea, and over the foris of the air. And after he had created nian, he said, it is not good that man should be alone, I will make him an help-meet for him." And the Lord caused a deep skep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, this is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore shail a man, leave his father, and bis mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh." Therefore ye are not to doubt, but that the married state is pleasing to the Lord, since he made unto Adam his wife, brought and gave hr himself to him to be his wife; witnessing thereby that he doth yet as with his hand bring unto every man his wife. For this reason the Lord Jesus Christ did also mighly honour it with his presence, gifts and miracles in Cana of Galile, to show thereby that this holy state ought to kept honourably by all, and that he will aid and protect marrud persons, exon when they are least deserving it. But that you may live godly in this state, you must know the reasons, wherefore God hath instituted the same. The first reason is, that each faithfully assist the other, in all things that belong to this life, and a better.

Secondly. That they bring up the children, which the Lord shall give them, in the true knowledge and fear of God, to his glory, and their salvation.

Thirdly. That cach of them, avoiding all uncleanness and evil lusts, may live with a good and quiet conscience.

For, to avoid fornication, let every Man have his own wife, and every Woman her own husband; insomuch that all, who are come to their years, and have not the gift of continence, are bound by the command of God, to enter into the marriage state, with knowledge and consent of parents, or guardians and friends; that so the temple of God, which is our body, may not be defiled; for, whosoever defileth the temple of God, him shall God destroy.

Next, you are to know, how each is bound to behave respectively towards the other, according to the word of God,

First. You, who are the bridegroom, must know, that God hath set you to be the head of your wife, that you, according to your ability, shall lead her with discretion; instructing, comforting, protecting her, as the head rules the body; yea, as Christ is the head, wisdom, consolation and assistance to his church. Besides, you are to love your wife as your own body, as Christ hath loved his Church you shall not be bitter against her, but dwell with her as a man of understanding, giving honour to the wife as the weaker vessel, considering that ye are joint heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered; and since it is God's command, "that the man shall eat his bread in the sweat of his face," therfore you are to labour diligently and faithfully in the calling, wherein God hath set you, that you may maintain your household honestly, and likewise have something to give to the poor.

In like manner, must you, who are the bride, know, how you are to carry yourself towards your husband, according to the word of God: you are to love your lawful husband, to honour and fear him, as also to be obedient unto him in all lawful things, as to your Lord, "as the body is obedient to the head, and the church to Christ. You shall not exercise any dominion over your husband, but be silent: for Adam was first created, and then Eve to be an help to Adam;" and after the fall, God said to Eve, and in her to all women, your will shall be subject to your husband;" you shall not resist this ordinance of God, but be obedient to the word of God, and follow the examples of godly women, who trusted in God, and were subject to their husbands; Sarah was obedient to Abraham, calling him her lord :"y

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as

You

shall also be an help to your husband in all good and lawful things, looking to your family, and walking in all honesty and virtue, without worldly pride, that you may give an example to others of modesty.]

Wherefore you N. and you N. having now understood that God hath instituted marriage, and what he commands you therein; are you willing thus to behave yourselves in this holy state, as you here do confess before this christian assembly, and desirous that you be confirmed in the same?Answer. Yes.

Whereupon the Minister shall say,

I take you all, who are met here to witness, that there is brought no lawful impediment.

Further to the married persons.

Since then it is fit that you be furthered in this your work, the Lord God confirm your purpose, which he hath given you; and your beginning be in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Hereupon they shall join hands together, and the Minister speak first to the bridegroom.

N. Do you acknowledge here before God, and this his holy church, that you have taken and do take to your lawful wife, N. here present, promising her never to forsake her; to love her faithfully, to maintain her, as a faithful and pious husband is bound to do to his lawful wife; that you will live holily with her; keeping faith and truth to her in all things according to the holy gospel?-Answer. Yes.

Afterwards to the bride.

N. Do you acknowledge here before God, and this his holy church, that you have taken, and do take to your lawful husband, N. here present, promising to be obedient to him, to serve and assist him, never to forsake him, to live holily with him, keeping faith and truth to him in all things, as a pious and faithful wife is bound to her lawful husband ac cording to the holy gospel?-Answer. Yes.

Then the Minister shall say,

The Father of all mercies who of his grace hath called you to this holy state of marriage, bind you in true love and faithfulness, and grant you his blessing. Amen.

Hear now from the gospel, how firm the bond of marriage is, as described, Matthew, chap. xix. verses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. "The Pharisees came unto him, tempting him, and sayin unto him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife," &c.

Believe these words of Christ, and be certain and assured, that our Lord God hath joined you together in this holy state. You are therefore to receive whatever befals you therein, with patience and thanksgiving, as from the hand of God, and thus all things will turn to your advantage and salvation. Amen.

PRAYER.

Hearken now to the promise of God, from Psalm 128.Blessed is, &c.

The Lord our God replenish you with his grace, and grant that ye may long live together in all godliness and holiness. Amen.

FOR THE CONSOLATION OF SICK AND DYING

BELIEVERS.

THE FOLLOWING TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE SUGGEST INSTRUC

TION AND COMFORT.

I. Sin and death.-Psalm 51. 5.-Rom. 5. 12.-Gen. 3. 17. 19.-Psalm 89. 48.-Eccles. 9. 5.-Heb. 13. 14.-Heb. 9. 27-2 Sam. 14. 14.-Job. 9. 25.-Psalm 39. 4, 5, 6, 7. -Eccles. 12. 7.-James 4. 14.-1 Pet. 1. 24.-Eccles. 3. 1, 2.—Job 14. 5.—Acts 17. 26.—Job 7. 6.—Job 9. 25.— Heb. 11. 13.-Psalm 90. 10.-2 Pet. 3. 8.-Ephes. 2. 3. Titus 1. 16.--Psalm 14. 1.-Rom. 7. 19.-Psalm 51. 7, 8.

II. Justification for the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us who believe on him.-Rom. 3. 24, 28, 30.—Acts 10. 43.-Phil. 3. 8.-Psalm 32. 1, 2.-Rom. 5. 1.-Rom. 8. 1.

3. 30, 35.-Isa. 1. 18.—Tit. 2. 14.-James 2. 18.-Gal. 3. 13. Acts 13. 38, 39.--Heb. 11. 6.-Heb. 2. 17.-Rom. 3. 28. Rom. 4. 24, 25.-Rom. 5. 17, 18, 19.-Jer. 23. 6. -2 Cor. 5. 21.

III. Death desirable to a Believer.-2 Cor. 5. 1.—8.— Rom. 7. 24.Rom. 8. 22.-1 Cor. 13. 12.-Isa. 64. 4.-1 Cor. 2. 9.-Psalm 84. 10.-Psalm 34. 1, 4.-Psalm 36. 8.

John 14. 2, 3.--Rev. 21. 23.-Phil. 1. 21-23.-John 12. 28.-John 5. 24.-Luke 23. 42, 43.-Eccles. 12. 7.Phil. 3. 20, 21.-1 Pet. 5. 10.-Rom. 8. 17, 18.-2 Cor. 4, 17.-Psalm 30. 5.-1 Pet. 4. 13.--Heb. 13. 12.-1 Pet. 2. 21.-James 1. 2.-Rom. 5. 3, 4, 5.-James 5. 8, 11.-Heb. 2. 9.-Mat. 10. 22.-2 Tim. 4. 7, 8.-James. 1. 12.

IV. Watch and pray.-1 Pet. 4. 7.—Luke 12. 35—43, Mat. 25. 13.-Mark 13. 83.-2 Pet. 3. 10.-Luke 21. 34,