1662 & 1962: III. Confirmation

This is the fourth in a series by Consular on the 1662 BCP and the 1962 Canadian BCP. Read the first article here for an index.

The Order of Confirmation, or Laying on of hands with prayer upon those that are Baptized and come to years of discretion.

RED denotes omissions from 1662.
BLUE denotes additions by 1962.

[Note: Words in brackets are large sections of material unique to 1962]

PREFACE, 1962: This Service may be taken by itself, or in combination other Services in this Book, the arrangements for the Service, including the place of the Sermon, and the place and choice of Hymns, being subject to the discretion of the Bishop. The Apostles' Creed may be recited if the Bishop so determined, and Collects and other devotions from this Book may be used.

RUBRIC: 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. (1962: the Minister shall present them unto the Bishop, and say:)

[1962: REVEREND Father in God, I present unto you these persons to receive the laying on of hands.

Bishop. Take heed that the persons whom ye present be duly prepared and meet to receive the laying on of hands.

Minister. I have instructed them and inquired of them and believe them so to be.]

Preface, 1662: To the end that Confirmation may be ministred to the more edifying of such as shall receive it, the Church hath thought good order, that none hereafter shall be confirmed, but such as can say the Creed, the Lord's 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, that children being now come to the years of discretion, and having learned that their Godfathers and Godmothers promised for them in Baptism, they 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.

Preface, 1962: Brethren, these are they to whom we purpose, God willing, to administer the Apostolic rite of the laying on of hands.

The Church has thought good order that none shall be confirmed, but such as can say the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and are further instructed in the Church Catechism, set forth for that purpose.

We are assured that these persons present, being by baptism members of Christ's Church, are prepared as aforesaid, and we are assembled here to bless them by laying on of hands with prayer.

This order is very convenient to be observed.

[First. Because it is evident from sundry places in holy Scripture that the Apostles prayed for and laid their hands upon those who were baptized; and the same is agreeable with the usage of the Church since the Apostles' time. This holy rite is reckoned in the Epistle to the Hebrews to be one of the first principles of Christ.

Secondly. In order that persons, having come to the years of discretion, may acknowledge openly the vows made at their Baptism and dedicate their lives to the will of God.

Thirdly. In order that by prayer and laying on of hands they may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, manfully to fight under the banner of Christ crucified, against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue Christ's faithful soldiers and servants unto their life's end.

RUBRIC, 1962: Then the Bishop, or some Minister appointed by him, shall read the following Lessons from holy Scripture.

Hear the words of holy Scripture written in the eighth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, beginning at the fourth verse.

(ACTS 8:4-15)

Hear also the words of holy Scripture written in the nineteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, beginning at the first verse.

(ACTS 19:1-7)

RUBRIC, 1962: The bishop shall then require THE RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL VOWS, saying:]

RUBRIC, 1662: Then shall the Bishop say,

"Do ye here in the presence of God and of this Congregation, renew the solemn promise and vow that was made in your name at Baptism (?"); ratifying and confirming the same in your own persons, and acknowledging yourselves bound to believe and do all those things which your Godfathers and Godmothers then undertook for you?"

And everyone shall audibly answer: "I do."

[RUBRIC, 1962: Or else the Bishop shall say:

"Do you here, in the presence of God and of this Congregation, renounce the devil and all his works, the pomp and vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh?"

Answer. "I do."

Bishop. "Do you believe the Christian Faith as it is set forth in the Apostles' Creed?"

Answer. "I do."

Bishop. "Will you endeavour to keep God's holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of your life?"

Answer. "I will, God being my helper."

RUBRIC, 1962: Then shall the Bishop proceed with THE CONFIRMATION, commending those who are to be confirmed to the prayers of the Congregation, and saying:]

"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 prayers;"

Answer. "And let our cry come unto thee."

Bishop. "Let us pray.

Almighty and everliving God, who hath/hast vouchsafed to regenerate these thy servants by water/Water and the holy Ghost/Holy Spirit, and hast given unto them forgiveness of all their sins; confirm and strengthen them, we beseech thee, O Lord, with the holy Ghost/Spirit the comforter/Comforter, and daily increase in them the/thy manifold gifts of grace; the spirit of wisdom and understanding; the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength (1962: and might); the spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and fill them, O Lord, with the spirit of thy holy fear, now and for ever. Amen."

RUBRIC: Then all of them in order kneeling before the Bishop, he shall lay his hands on every one of them (1962: his hand upon the head of every one severally) saying:

"Defend, O Lord, this thy child [or this thy servant] (1962: 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."

RUBRIC: Then shall the Bishop say,

"The Lord be with you."

Answer. "And with thy spirit."

RUBRIC, 1662: And, all kneeling down, the Bishop shall say:
RUBRIC, 1962: Then shall be said by all:

"Let us Pray"

ADDITIONAL RUBRIC, 1962: Then shall be said by all:

(THE LORD'S PRAYER)

RUBRIC, 1662: And this Collect.
RUBRIC, 1962: Then the Bishop shall say:

"Almighty and everlasting (1962: everliving) God, who makest us both to will and to do those (1962: such) 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 certifie them (by this sign) of thy favour and gracious goodness towards them. Let thy fatherly hand, we beseech thee, ever be over them (1962: ever be with 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."

"O Almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctifie/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 forever. Amen."

RUBRIC, 1962: It is desirable that every one shall have a Godfather or Godmother as witness at the Confirmation.

RUBRIC, 1962: When the Confirmation follows immediately after holy Baptism, the shortened form on page 538 may be used.

RUBRIC, 1662 & 1962: And there shall none be admitted to the holy Communion, until such time as he be confirmed, or be ready and desirious to be confirmed.

Here Endeth the CONFIRMATION