From Alan Jacobs’ newsletter:
The rite for Holy Baptism in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer contains a series of renunciations:
Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
I renounce them.Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
I renounce them.Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
I renounce them.But in the old 1662 book, the whole matter is conveyed more tersely:
Dost thou renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh; so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them?
I renounce them all.I love that: “I renounce them all.” All that crap, totally renounce it, no exceptions. I’m done with every bit of it. RENOUNCE.
