The Bishop. TILL you reverently obey your Ordinary, and other chief Ministers of the Church, and them to whom the charge and government over you is committed, following with a glad mind and will their godly admonitions? Answer. I will endeavour myself, the Lord being my helper. Then the Bishop laying his Hands severally upon the Head of every one of them, humbly kneeling before him, shall say, AKE thou Authority to execute The Office of a Deacon in the Church of God committed unto thee; Then shall the Bishop deliver to every one of them the New Testament, saying, AKE thou Authority to read the Gospel in the Church of God, and to preach the same, if thou be thereto licensed by the Bishop himself. Then one of them, appointed by the St. Luke xii. 35. LE Then shall the Bishop proceed in the Communion, and all that are Ordered shall tarry, and receive the holy Com munion the same day with the Bishop. The Communion ended, after the last Collect, and immediately before the Benediction, shall be said these Collects following. ALMIGHTY God, giver of all good things, who of thy great goodness hast vouchsafed to accept and take these thy servants unto the Office of Deacons in thy Church; Make them, we beseech thee, O Lord, to be modest, humble, and constant in their Ministration, to have a ready will to observe all spi ritual Discipline; that they having PRE T THE peace of God, which passeth 1 all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the Bless ing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen. And here it must be declared unto the Deacon, that he must continue in that Office of a Deacon the space of a whole year (except for reasonable causes it shall otherwise seem good unto the Bishop) to the intent he may be perfect, and well expert in the things appertaining to the Ecclesiastical Administration. In executing whereof il he be found faithful and diligent, he may be admitted by his Diocesan to the Order of Priesthood, at the times appointed in the Canon; or else, on urgent occasion, upon some other Eunday, or Holy-day, in the face of the Church, in such manner and form as hercafler followth. When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, after Morning Prayer is ended, there shall be a Sermon or Exhortation, declaring the Duty and Office of such ca come to be admitted Priests; how necessary that Order is in the Church of Christ, and also how the people ought to esteem them in their Office. First, the Archdeacon, or, in his absence, one appointed in his stead, shall present unto the Bishop (sitting in his chair near to the holy Table) all them that shall receive the Order of Priesthood that day (each of them being decently habited) and say, REVEREND Father in God, I present unto you these persons present, to be admitted to the Order of Priesthood. The Bishop. AKE heed that the persons, Then the Bishop (commending such as shall be found meet to be Ordered to the Prayers of the congregation) shall, with the Clergy and people present, sing or say the Litany, with the Prayers, as is before appointed in the Form of Ordering Deacons; save only, that, in the proper Suffrage there added, the word Deacons) shall be omitted, and the word [Priests) inserted instead of it. Then shall be sung or said the Service for the Communion, with the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, as followeth. The Collect. T whom ye present unto us, be apt ALMIGHTY God, giver of all and meet, for their learning and godly conversation, to exercise their Ministry duly, to the honour of God, and the edifying of his Church. The Archdeacon shall answer, HAVE enquired of them, and also examined them, and think them so to be. I Then the Bishop shall say unto the people; LOOD people, these are they whom we purpose, God willing, to receive this day unto the holy Office of Priesthood: For after due examination we find not to the contrary, but that they be lawfully called to their Function and Ministry, and that they be persons meet for the same. But yet if there be any of you, who knoweth any Impediment, or notable Crime, in any of them, for the which he ought not to be received into this holy Ministry, let him come forth in the Name of God, and shew what the Crime or Impediment is. And if any great Crime or Impediment be objected, the Bishop shall surcease from Ordering that person, until such time as the party accused shall be found clear of that Crime. of things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers Orders of Ministers in the Church; Merci fully behold these thy servants now called to the Office of Priesthood; and replenish them so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with innocency of life, that, both by word and good example, they may faithfully serve thee in this Office, to the glory of thy Name, and the edification of thy Church; through the who liveth and reigneth with thee merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. The Epistle. Ephes. iv. 7. NTO every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended upon high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended, is the all heavens, that he might fill all same also that ascended up far above things.) And he gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teach and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd. Then the Bishop, sitting in his chair, shall say unto them as hereafter followeth. OU have heard, Brethren, as well in your private examination, as in the exhortation which was now made to you, and in the holy Lessons taken out of the Gospel, and the writings of the Apostles, of what dignity, and of how great importance this Office is, whereunto ye are called. And now again we exhort you, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you have in remembrance, into how high a Dignity, and to how weighty an Office and Charge ye are called: that is to say, to be Messengers, Watchmen, and Stewards of the Lord; to teach, and to premonish, to feed and provide for the Lord's family; to seek for Christ's sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for his children who are in the midst of this naughty world, that they may be saved through Christ for ever. ERILY, verily I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but Have always therefore printed in will flee from him; for they know your remembrance, how great a trea. not the voice of strangers. This pa- sure is committed to your charge. rable spake Jesus unto them, but For they are the sheep of Christ, they understood not what things they which he bought with his death, and were which he spake unto them. for whom he shed his blood. The Then said Jesus unto them again, Church and Congregation whom you Verily, verily I say unto you, I am must serve, is his Spouse, and his the door of the sheep. All that ever Body. And if it shall happen the came before me are thieves and rob- same Church, or any Member therebers; but the sheep did not hear of, to take any hurt or hindrance by them. I am the door; by me if any reason of your negligence, ye know, man enter in, he shall be saved, and the greatness of the fault, and also. shall go in and out, and find pasture. the horrible punishment that will The thief cometh not but for to steal, ensue. Wherefore consider with and to kill, and to destroy: I am yourselves the end of your Ministry come that they might have life, and towards the children of God, towards that they might have it more abun- the Spouse and Body of Christ; and dantly. I am the good Shepherd: see that you never cease your labour, the good Shepherd giveth his life for your care and diligence, until you the sheep. But he that is an hire- have done all that lieth in you, acling, and not the Shepherd, whose cording to your bounden duty, to own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf bring all such as are or shall be com coming, and leaveth the sheep, and mitted to your charge, unto that a-i fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them,greement in the faith and knowledge of God, and to that ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ, that there be no place left among you, either for error in religion, or for viciousness in life. Forasmuch then as your Office is both of so great excellency, and of so great difficulty, ye see with how great care and study ye ought to apply yourselves, as well that ye may shew yourselves dutiful and thankful unto that Lord, who hath placed you in so high a Dignity; as also to beware, that neither you your selves offend, nor be occasion that others offend. Howbeit, ye cannot have a mind and will thereto of your. selves; for that will and ability is given of God alone: therefore ye ought, and have need, to pray earnestly for his holy Spirit. And seeing that you cannot by any other means compass the doing of so weighty a work, pertaining to the salvation of man, but with doctrine and exhortation taken out of the holy Scriptures, and with a life agreeable to the same; consider how studious ye ought to be in reading and learning the Scriptures, and in framing the manners both of yourselves, and of them that specially pertain unto you, according to the rule of the same Scriptures and for this self-same cause, how ye ought to forsake and set aside (as much as you may) all worldly cares and studies. We have good hope that you have well weighed and pondered these things with yourselves long before this time; and that you have clearly determined, by God's grace, to give yourselves wholly to this Office, whereunto it hath pleased God to call you: so that, as much as lieth in you, you will apply yourselves wholly to this one thing, and draw all your cares and studies this way; and that you will continually pray to God the Father, by the Mediation. of our only Saviour Jesus Christ, for the heavenly assistance of the Holy Ghost; that, by daily reading and weighing of the Scriptures, ye may wax riper and stronger in your Ministry; and that ye may so endeavour yourselves, from time to time, to sanctify the lives of you and yours, and to fashion them after the Rule and Doctrine of Christ, that ye may he wholesome and godly examples and patterns for the people to follow. And now, that this present Con gregation of Christ here assembled may also understand your minds and wills in these things, and that this your promise may the more move you to do your duties, ye shall answer plainly to these things, which we, in the Name of God, and of his Church, shall demand of you touching the same. Do you think in your heart, that the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, you be truly called, according to and the order of this Church of England, to the Order and Ministry of Priesthood? Answer. I think it. The Bishop. ARE you persuaded that the holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all Doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ? and are you determined, out of the said Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your charge, and to teach nothing, as required of necessity to eternal salvation, but that which you shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved by the Scripture? Answer. I am so persuaded, and have so determined by God's grace. The Bishop. W diligence always so to minister the Doctrine and Sacraments, and hath commanded, and as this Church the Discipline of Christ, as the Lord and Realm hath received the same, according to the Commandments of God; so that you may teach the people committed to your Cure and Charge with all diligence to keep and observe the same? you then give your faithful Answer. I will so do, by the help of the Lord. The Bishop. WILL you be ready, with all faith ful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word; and to use both publick and private monitions and exhortations, as well to the sick as to the whole, within your Cures, as need shall require, and occasion shall be given? Answer. I will, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop. WILL, you be diligent in Prayers, and in reading of the holy Scrip. tures, and in such studies as help to WI The Bishop. WILL you reverently obey your Ordinary, and other chief Ministers, unto whom is committed the charge and government over you; following with a glad mind and will their godly admonitions, and submitting yourselves to their godly judgements? Answer. I will so do, the Lord being my helper. Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say, ALMIGHTY God, who hath given you this will to do all these things; Grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that he may accomplish his work which he hath begun in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 4 men. Thy blessed Unction from above, COM NOME, Holy Ghost, eternal God, Proceeding from above, Both from the Father and the Son, The God of peace and love; Visit our minds, into our hearts Thy heavenly grace inspire; That truth and godliness we may Pursue with full desire. Thou art the very Comforter In grief and all distress; The heav'nly gift of God most high, No tongue can it express; The fountain and the living spring The fire so bright, the love so sweet, Thou in thy gifts art manifold, In faithful hearts thou writ'st thy law, The finger of God's hand, According to thy promise, Lord, Thou givest speech with grace; That through thy help God's praises may Resound in every place. O Holy Ghost, into our minds Send down thy heav'nly light; Kindle our hearts with fervent zeal, To serve God day and night. Our weakness strengthen and confirm, (For, Lord, thou know'st us frail;) That neither devil, world, nor flesh, Against us may prevail. Put hack our enemy far from us, Peace in our hearts with God and man, |
