and of his holy sacraments: In the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST. Amen. ness, and that thy word spoken by their mouths may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also, that we may have grace TAKE thou authority to deliver out of thy most holy word, or preach agreeably to the same, as the means the word of God, and to minister of our salvation; that in all our the holy sacraments in the congre words and deeds we may seek thy gation where thou shalt be lawfully glory, and the increase of thy king. appointed thereunto. Then the Bishop shall deliver uuto every one of them kneeling, the Bible into his hand, to hear and receive what they shall saying, When this is done, the Bishop shall go on in the service of the Communion, which all they who receive Orders shall take together, and remain in the same place where hands were laid upon them, until such time as they have received the Communion. The Communion being done, after the last collect, and immediately before the Benedic tion, shall be said this Collect. dom, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord. Amen. THE peace of GOD, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of GOD, and of his Son JESUS CHRIST Our Lord: And the blessing of GOD ALMIGHTY, the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY GHOST, be MOST merciful Father, we be seech thee to send upon these thy servants thy heavenly blessing; that amongst you, and remain with you they may be clothed with righteous-always. Amen. And if, on the same day, the Order of Deacons be given to some, and the Order of Priesthood to others; the Deacons shall be first presented, and then the Priests; and it shall suffice that the Litany be once said for both. The Collects shall both be used; ; first, that for Deacons, then that for Priests. The Epistle shall be Ephesians iv. 7 to 13, as before in this office. Immediately after which, they that are to be made Deacons, shall be examined, and ordained, as is above prescribed. Then one of them having read the Gospel, which shall be either out of Saint Matthew ix. 36, as before in this office; or else Saint Luke xii. 35 to 38, as before in the form for the Ordering of Deacons, they that are to be made Priests, shall likewise be examined, and ordained, as in this office before appointed. THE FORM OF ORDAINING OR CONSECRATING A BISHOP. 1 When all things are duly prepared in the church, and set in order, after Morning Prayer is ended, the Presiding Bishop, or some other Bishop appointed by the Bishops present, shall begin the Communion Service in which this shall be The Collect. glory, through JESUS CHRIST our And another Bishop shall read THIS is a true saying, If a man ALMIGHTY GOD, who by thy Son JESUS CHRIST didst give to thy holy Apostles many excellent gifts, and didst charge them to feed thy flocks; give grace, we beseech desire the office of a Bishop, he dethee, to all Bishops, the pastors of sireth a good work. A Bishop then thy Church, that they may diligently must be blameless, the husband of one preach thy word, and duly adminis- wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, ter the godly discipline thereof; and given to hospitality, apt to teach, not grant to the people, that they may given to wine, no striker, not greedy obediently follow the same; that all of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawl. may receive the crown of everlasting ler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children made you overseers, to feed the in subjection with all gravity; for if Church of God, which he hath pura man know not how to rule his own chased with his own blood. For I house, how shall he take care of the know this, that after my departing Church of GOD? not a novice, lest shall grievous wolves enter in among being lifted up with pride he fall into you, not sparing the flock. Also of the condemnation of the devil. More over he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach, and the snare of the devil. your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years, I ceased not to warn every one, night and day, with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel: yea, ye yourselves know, FROM Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been that these hands have ministered unto with you at all seasons, serving the my necessities, and to them that were LORD with all humility of mind, and with me. I have showed you all with many tears and temptations, things, how that so laboring ye ought which befel me by the lying in wait to support the weak; and to rememof the Jews: And how I kept back ber the words of the Lord JESUS, nothing that was profitable unto you, how he said, It is more blessed to but have showed you, and have give than to receive. taught you publicly, and from house Then another Bishop shall read The Gospel. St. John xxi. 15. JESUS saith to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord JESUS CHRIST. And now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love that shall befal me there; save that the thee. He saith unto him, Feed my HOLY GHOST witnesseth in every lambs. He saith to him again the city, saying, that bonds and afflic second time, Simon son of Jonas, tions abide me. But none of these lovest thou me? He saith unto him, things move me, neither count Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love life dear unto myself, so that I I my thee. He saith unto him, Feed my finish my course with joy, and the sheep. He saith unto him the third ministry which I have received of time, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou the Lord JESUS; to testify the Gospel me? Peter was grieved because he of the grace of God. And now, be said unto him the third time, Lovest hold, I know that ye all, among whom thou me? And he said unto him, I have gone preaching the kingdom Lord, thou knowest all things: thou of God, shall see my face no more. knowest that I love thee. JESUS Wherefore I take you to record this saith unto him, Feed my sheep. might day, that I am pure from the blood of Or this: St. John xx. 19. all men for I have not shunned to THE same day at evening, being declare unto you all the counsel of the first day of the week, when the GOD. Take heed, therefore, unto doors were shut where the disciples yourselves, and to all the flock, over were assembled for fear of the Jews, the which the HOLY GHOST hath came JESUS and stood in the midst, 1 and saith unto them, Peace be unto forth his twelve Apostles. It is writyou. And when he had so said, he ten also, That the holy Apostles showed unto them his hands and his prayed, before they ordained Matthias side. Then were the disciples glad, to be of the number of the twelve. when they saw the Lord. Then saith JESUS to them again, Peace be unto you: As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the HOLY GHOST: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. Or this: St. Matt. xxviii. 138. Let us, therefore, following the example of our Saviour CHRIST, and his Apostles, offer up our prayers to ALMIGHTY GOD, before we admit and send forth this person presented unto us, to the work whereunto we trust the HOLY GHOST hath called him. And then shall be said the Litany; save only, that after this place, That it my please thee to illuminate all Bishops, &c, the proper Suffrage shall be, JESUS came and spake unto them, THAT it may please thee to bless saying, All power is given unto me this our brother elected, and to send in heaven and in earth. Go ye there- thy grace upon him, that he may duly fore and teach all nations, baptizing execute the office whereunto he is them in the name of the FATHER, and called, to the edifying of thy Church, of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST; and to the honor, praise, and glory of thy name; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: Answer. We besecch thee to hear and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. After the Gospel and the Sermon are ended, the elected Bishop, vested with his rochet, shall be presented by two Bishops of this Church appointed, in unto the Presiding Bishop, or to the Bishop chair near the holy table; the Bishops who present him saying, REVEREND father in GOD, we present unto you this godly and welllearned man to be ordained and consecrated Bishop. tion, and shall cause them to be read. us, good LORD. Then shall be said this Prayer following. ALMIGHTY GOD, giver of alk good things, who by thy HOLY SPIRIT hast appointed divers orders of ministers in thy Church; mercifully behold this thy servant now called to the work and ministry of a Bishop; and so replenish him with the truth of thy doctrine, and adora Then shall the Presiding Bishop demand testi- him with innocency of life, that both monials of the person presented for Consecra- by word and deed he may faithfully 1 He shall then require of him the following serve thee in this office, to the glory of Promise of conformity to the doctrine, disci- thy name, and the edifying and well Church. of the Protestant Episcopal governing of thy Church, through pline, and worship IN the name of God, Amen. I the merits of our Saviour JESUS N. chosen Bishop of the Protestant Then the Presiding Bishop shall move the them: BRETHREN, it is written in the Gospel of St. Luke, That our Saviour CHRIST continued the whole night in prayer, before he chose and sent CHRIST, who liveth and reigneth BROTHER, forasmuch as the holy Scripture and the ancient canons command that we should not be hasty in laying on hands, and admitting any person to government in the Church of CHRIST, which he hath purchased with no less price than the effusion of his own blood; before we admit you to this administration, 1 we will examine you in certain arti- world; that you may show yourself cles, to the end that the congregation in all things an example of good present may have a trial, and bear works unto others, that the adversary witness, how you are minded to be- may be ashamed, having nothing to have yourself in the Church of GOD. ARE you persuaded, that you are truly called to this ministration, according to the will of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, and the order of this Church? Answer. I am so persuaded. The Presiding Bishop. ARE you persuaded, that the holy Scriptures contain all doctrine required as necessary for eternal salvation through faith in JESUS CHRIST? And are you determined, out of the same holy Scriptures, to instruct the people committed to your charge, and to teach or maintain nothing, necessary to eternal salvation, but that which you shall be persuaded, may be concluded and proved by the same ? Answer. I am so persuaded, and determined by God's grace. The Presiding Bishop. WILL you then faithfully exercise yourself in the holy Scriptures, and call upon GOD by prayer for the true understanding of the same; so that you may be able by them to teach and exhort with wholesome doctrine, and to withstand and convince the gainsayers? say against you. Answer. I will so do, the LORD being my helper. The Presiding Bishop. WILL you maintain and set forward, as much as shall lie in you, quietness, love, and peace among all men; and diligently exercise such discipline, as by the authority of God's word, and by the order of this Church, is committed to you? Answer. I will so do, by the help of GOD. The Presiding Bishop. WILL you be faithful in ordain ing, sending, or laying hands upon Answer. I will so be, by the help of GOD. The Presiding Bishop. WILL you show yourself gentle, and be merciful for CHRIST'S sake to poor and needy people, and to all strangers destitute of help? Answer. I will so show myself, by GOD's help. Then the Presiding Bishop, standing up, shall say, ALMIGHTY GOD, our heavenly Father, who hath given you a good Answer. I will so do, by the help will to do all these things, grant also of GOD. The Presiding Bishop. unto you strength and power to per. form the same; that he accomplishing in you the good work which he ARE you ready, with all faithful hath begun, you may be found perdiligence, te banish and drive away fect and irreprehensible at the latter from the Church all erroneous and day, through JESUS CHRIST our strange doctrine contrary to GOD'S Lord. Amen. word; and both privately and open-Then shall the Bishop elect put on the rest ly to call upon and encourage others to the same? Answer. I am ready, the LORD being my helper. The Presiding Bishop. WILL you deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present of the Episcopal habit; and, kneeling down, Veni, Creator Spiritus, shall be sung or said over kin, the Presiding Bishop beginning, and the Bishops, with others that are present, an swering by verees as followeth: COME, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, Of joy celestial; The fire so bright, the love so sweet, By them Christ's Church doth stand: The finger of God's hand. Resound in every place. Send down thy heavenly light; To serve God day and night: Put back our eneinies far from us, That thou hou may'st be our Comforter Dissolve, O Lord, the bands, May gain the blissful sight; Ever acknowledge thee, The Spirit of Father, and and of Son, One God in Persons three.. To God the Father laud and praise, And to his blessed Son, And to the Holy Spirit of grace, Co-equal Three in One. And pray we, that our only Lord Would please his Spirit to send On all that shall profess his name, From hence to the world's end. Amen. That ended, the Presiding Bishop shall say, LORD, hear our prayer; Ans. And let our cry come unto thee. Presiding Bishop. Let us pray. ALMIGHTY GOD and most merciful Father, who of thine infinite goodness hast given thine only and dearly beloved Son JESUS CHRIST, to be our Redeemer, and the author of everlasting life; who, after that he had made perfect our redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, poured down his gifts abundantly upon men, making some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, some Pastors and Doctors, to the edifying and making perfect his Church; grant, we beseech thee, to this thy servant such grace, that he may evermore be ready to spread abroad thy Gospel, the glad tidings of reconciliation with thee; and use the authority given him, not to destruction, but to salvation; not to hurt, but to help: so that as a wise and faithful servant, giving to thy family their portion in due season, he may at last be received into everlasting joy, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord, who, with thee and the HOLY GHOST, liveth and reigneth, one GOD, world without end. Amen. Then the Presiding Bishop, and Bishops present, shall lay their hands upon the head of the elected Bishop kneeling before them, the Presiding Bishop saying, RECEIVE the Holy Ghost for the office and work of a Bishop in the Church of GOD, now committed unto thee by the imposition of our hands: In the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST. Amen. And remember that thou stir up the grace of GOD, which is given thee by this imposition of our hands: for GOD hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and soberness. Then the Presiding Bishop shall deliver him the Bible, saying, GIVE heed unto reading, exhortation, and doctrine; think upon the things contained in this book; be 1 |