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

Defend, O LORD, this Thy child [or this !

Sect. 5. The approach to the altar.

They that are to be confirmed now draw nigh to the altar, where the Bishop is waiting to impart to them this gift.

If you have been rightly attentive to the introductory part of the service, you will now strive to realise the awfulness of drawing nigh unto God.

All should go up solemnly and in order: wait, therefore, until your properturn comes. It is best that you should wait in your place, kneeling, until motion is made for you to advance. Occupy this time in prayer and in meditation, especially upon the Third Person of the Eternal TRINITY, Who is coming to you. So, likewise, after you have returned from the altar, keep your mind fixed with joyful awe upon the thought that your body is made His temple, and so remain in devotion as long as there are any more candidates going up.

Sect. 6. The act of Confirmation.

When the Bishop draws near to confirm you, think of what is about to be done to you. The gift of the HOLY GHOST, Who descended upon the Apostles on the day

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, Which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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.

of Pentecost, is now about to be communicated to you.

Think of that text, "Through laying on of the Apostles' hands, the HOLY GHOST was given." (Acts viii. 18.)

Think of Simon, who sacrilegiously profaned that gift.

Humble yourself faithfully, that you may receive it to salvation, and not to destruction.

Collect your thoughts, saying, "In the Name of the FATHER, and of the SoN, and of the HOLY GHOST, Amen." For it is in the Name of the Eternal TRINITY that this act is done.

And pray that nothing on your side may hinder the efficacy of the rite.

Sect. 7. The versicles and LORD'S
Prayer.

Use the LORD's Prayer with the thankful remembrance that GOD has given you an additional privilege of sonship, establishing you more perfectly in union with CHRIST, His only-begotten SoN.

And this Collect.

Almighty and everliving GOD, Who makest us both to will and to do those things that be 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 in 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.