1928 Proposed Book of Common Prayer: The Ordinal · 1928 Proposed Book of Common Prayer: Preface

The Book of Common Prayer

	The
	Proposed Book of Common Prayer (1928)
	of the Church of England

THE	The
	preface is identical to that of 1662, and so is not given here.
FORM	Sections
AND MANNER	in grey are unchanged from 1662.
OF
MAKING
OF DEACONS.
¶
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 as come to be admitted Deacons; 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 his Deputy, shall present unto the Bishop (sitting
in his chair near to the Holy Table) such as desire to be ordained Deacons,
(each of them being decently habited,) saying these words,
REVEREND
Father in God, I present unto you these persons fi present, to be admitted
Deacons.
The
Bishop.
TAKE
heed that the persons, whom ye present unto us, be apt 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,
I
HAVE enquired of them, and also examined them, and think them so to
be.
Then
the Bishop shall say unto the people:
BRETHREN,
if there be any of you who knoweth any Impediment, or notable Crime,
in any of these persons presented to be ordered Deacons, for the which
he ought not to be admitted to that Office, 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.
¶
Then shall the Bishop proceed, saying,
I
COMMEND these that have been found meet to be ordered Deacons to the
prayers of the congregation.
¶	The
Then the Bishop may, with the Clergy and people present, sing or say	Litany is given out in full in the 1662 edition.
the Litany.
¶
Then shall be sung or said the Service for the Communion, with the
Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, as followeth.
The
Collect (if
Deacons alone are being ordained).
ALMIGHTY
God, who by thy Divine Providence hast appointed n divers Orders of
Ministers in thy Church, and didst inspire thine Apostles to choose
into the Order of Deacons the first Martyr Saint Stephen, with others;
Mercifully behold these thy servants now called to the like Office and
Administration; 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 merits of our Saviour
Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost,
now and for ever. Amen.
¶ The Epistle. 1 Timothy 3. 8.
LIKEWISE
must the Deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine,
not greedy of filthy lucre, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the
Office of a Deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives
be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the Deacons
be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses
well. For they that have used the Office of a Deacon well purchase to
themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in
Christ Jesus.
Or
else this, out of the sixth of the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts
6. 2.
THEN
the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said,
It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God, and serve tables.
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report,
full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry
of the Word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose
Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the holy Ghost, and Philip, and
Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte
of Antioch; whom they set before the Apostles; and, when they had prayed,
they laid their hands on them. And the Word of God increased, and the
number or" the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly, and a
great company of the Priests were obedient to the faith.
¶
And before the Gospel, the Bishop, sitting in his chair, shall examine
everyone of them that are to be Ordered, in the presence of the people,
after this manner following.
DO
you trust that you are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon
you this Office and Ministration, to serve God for the promoting of
his glory, and the edifying of his people?
Answer. I trust so.
The
Bishop.
DO
you think that you are truly called, according to the will of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and the due order of this Realm, to the Ministry of the
Church?
Answer. I think so.
The
Bishop.
Do
you unfeignedly believe all the Canonical Scriptures of the Old and
the New Testament,
as given of God to convey to us in many parts and in divers manners
the revelation of himself which is fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ
?
Answer. I do.
The
Bishop.
WILL
you diligently read the same unto the people assembled in the church
where you shall be appointed to serve?
Answer. I will.
The
Bishop.
IT
appertaineth to the Office of a Deacon, in the Church where he shall
be appointed to serve, to assist the Priest in Divine Service, and specially
when he ministereth the Holy Communion, and to help him in the distribution
thereof; and to read Holy Scriptures and Homilies in the church; and
to instruct the youth in the Catechism; in the a.bsence of the Priest
to baptize infants; and to preach, if he be admitted thereto by the
Bishop. And furthermore, it is his Office, where provision iii so made,
to search for the sick, poor, and impotent people of the Parish, to
intimate their estates, names, and places where they dwell, unto the
Curate, that by his exhortation they may be relieved with the alms of
the Parishioners, or others. ·Will you do this gladly and willingly?
Answer. I will so do, by the help of God.
The
Bishop.
WILL
you apply all your diligence to frame and fashion your own lives, and
the lives of your families, according to the Doctrine of Christ; and
to make both yourselves and them, as much as in you lieth, wholesome
examples of the flock of Christ?
Answer. I will so do, the Lord being
my helper.
The
Bishop.
WILL
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 shall the Bishop rise from his chair and say,
LET
us pray to Almighty God, dearly beloved, that it may please him to accept
these his servants now called into the Order of Deacons in his Church,
and to pour upon them the grace of his heavenly benediction.
¶
Then those who ate to be ordained, with the congregation, shall
kneel down; and, after silent prayer, the Bishop shall say,
Lift up your hearts;
Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Bishop. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God;
Answer. It is meet and right so to do.
Then
shall the Bishop continue,
IT
is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times,
and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty,
Everlasting God; and especially are we bound to praise thee, because
in thy great goodness thou dost send forth labourers into thy harvest,
and hast vouchsafed to call these thy servants into the Office of Deacons
in thy Church. Fill them, we beseech thee, with the Holy Ghost, that,
enabled by the sevenfold gift of his grace, they may be faithful to
their promises, modest, humble, and constant in their ministration,
and may have a ready will to observe all spiritual discipline; that,
having always the testimony of a good conscience, they may continue
ever stable and strong in thy Son Christ: to whom with thee and the
same Holy Spirit be honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
¶
Then the Bishop laying his Hands severally upon the Head of every
one of them, humbly kneeling before him, shall say,
TAKE
thou Authority to execute the Office of a Deacon in the Church of God
committed unto thee; In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
¶
Then shall the Bishop deliver to everyone of them the New Testament,
saying,
TAKE
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 Bishop, shall read the Gospel.
St.
Luke 12. 35.
L
ET your
loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye L yourselves
like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the
wedding; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find
watching. Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make
them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if
he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find
them so, blessed are those servants.
¶
Then shall the Bishop proceed 'in the Communion; and all that are
Ordered shall tarry, and receive the Holy Communion the same day with
the Bishop.
¶
The Communion ended, after the last Collect, and immediately before
the
Benediction, shall be said
this Collect following.
PREVENT
us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favour, and further
us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued,
and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally by thy
mercy obtain everlasting life; 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 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 if 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 Sunday, or Holy-day, in the face of the Church, in such manner
and form as hereafter followeth.
THE
FORM AND MANNER
OF
ORDERING OF PRIESTS.
¶ 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 as 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 0rder 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.
TAKE heed that
the persons, whom ye present unto us, be apt 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,
I HAVE enquired
of them, and also examined them, and think them so to be.
Then the Bishop
shall say unto the people;
GOOD 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.
¶ Then shall the Bishop proceed
saying,
I COMMEND these that have been found
meet to be Ordered Priests to the prayers of the congregation.
Then the Bishop may, with the Clergy
and people present, sing or say the Litany.
¶ Then shall be sungor
said the Service for the Communion, with the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel,
as followeth.
The Collect
(if Priests alone arc being ordained.)
ALMIGHTY God, giver
of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers Orders
of Ministers in the Church; Mercifully 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 merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with
thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
¶ The Epistle.
Ephesians 4. 7.
UNTO every one
of us is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on 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 same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might
fill all things.) And he gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and
some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers; for the perfecting
of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the
Body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
the stature of the fulness of Christ.
¶ After this
shall be read for the Gospel part of the ninth Chapter of Saint Matthew,
as followeth.
St. Matthew 9. 36.
WHEN Jesus saw
the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted,
and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he
unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers
are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send
forth labourers into his harvest.
Or else this that
followeth, out of the tenth Chapter of Saint John.
St. John 10. 1.
VERILY, 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 will flee from him;
for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto
them, but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto
them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily I say unto you,
I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves
and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; by me if
any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find
pasture. The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have
it more abundantly. I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth
his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the Shepherd,
whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the
sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scatttereth 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 flock, and one Shepherd.
¶ Then the
Bishop, sitting in his chair, shall say unto them as hereafter followeth.
YOU
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.
Have always therefore printed in your remembrance;
how great a treasure is committed to your charge. For they are the sheep
of Christ, which he bought with his death, and for whom he shed his
blood. The Church and Congregation whom you must serve, is his Spouse,
and his Body. And if it shall happen the same Church, or any Member
thereof, to take any hurt or hindrance by reason of your negligence,
ye know the greatness of the fault, and also the horrible punishment
that will ensue. ·Wherefore consider with yourselves the end
of your Ministry towards the children of God, towards the Spouse and
Body of Christ; and see that you never cease your labour, your care
and diligence, until you have done all that lieth in you, according
to your bounden duty, to bring all such as are or shall be committed
to your charge, unto that agreement 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 yourselves offend, nor
be occasion that others offend. Howbeit, ye cannot have a mind and will
thereto of yourselves; 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 be wholesome and
godly examples and patterns for the people to follow.
And now, that this present Congregation 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 you be truly called, according to the will
of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 rt 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.
WILL
you then give your faithful .diligence always so to Minister the Doctrine
and Sacraments, and the Discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath commanded,
and as this Church 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?
Answer. I will so do, by the help of the
Lord.
The
Bishop.
WILL
you be ready, with all faithful 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 thc
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 Scriptures, and
in such studies as help to the knowledge of the same, laying aside the
study of the world and the flesh?
Answer. I will endeavour myself so to do,
the Lord being my helper.
The
Bishop.
WILL
you be diligent to frame and fashion your own selves, and your families,
according to the Doctrine of Christ; and to make both yourselves and
them, as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples and patterns to the
flock of Christ?
Answer. I will apply myself thereto, the
Lord being my helper.
The
Bishop.
WILL
you maintain and set forwards, as much as lieth in you, quietness, peace,
and love, among all Christian people, and especially among them that
are or shall be committed to your charge?
Answer. I will so do, the Lord being my
helper.
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; r\. 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.
Amen.
¶
After this, the Congregation shall be desired, secretly in their
Prayers, to make their humble supplications to God for all these things:
for the which Prayers there shall be silence kept for a space.
¶
After which shall be sung or said by the Bishop (the persons to
be Ordained Priests all kneeling) Veni, Creator Spiritus; the Bishop
beginning, and the Priests, and others that are present, answering by
verses, as followeth.
COME,
Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart.
Thy
blessed Unction from above,
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dulness of our blinded sight.
Anoint
and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home :
Where thou art guide, no ill can come.
Teach
us to know the Father, Son,
And thee, of both, to be but One.
That, through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song;
Praise
to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
¶ That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise, and say,
Lift
up your hearts;
Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Bishop. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God;
Answer. It is meet and right so to do.
Then
shall the Bishop continue,
IT
is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times,
and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty,
Everlasting God; Who, of thine infinite
love and goodness towards us, hast given to us thy only and most dearly
beloved Son .Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, and the Author of everlasting
life; who, after he had made perfect our redemption by his death, and
was ascended into heaven, sent abroad into the world his Apostles, Prophets,
Evangelists, Doctors, and Pastors: by whose labour and ministry he gathered
together a great flock in all the parts of the world, to set forth the
eternal praise of 'thy holy name: For these so great benefits of thy
eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call these thy
servants here present to the same Office and Ministry appointed for
the salvation of mankind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks, we
praise and worship thee; and we humbly beseech thee, by the same thy
blessed Son, to grant unto all, which either here or elsewhere call
upon thy holy name, that we may continue to shew ourselves thankful
unto thee for these and all other thy benefits; and that we may daily
increase and go forwards in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy
Son, by the Holy Spirit. So that as well by these thy Ministers, as
by them over whom they shall be appointed thy Ministers, thy holy name
may be for ever glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged; through
the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with
thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.
¶ When this Prayer is
done, the Bishop with the Priests present shall lay their hands severally
upon the head of everyone that receiveth the Order of Priesthood; the
Receivers humbly kneeling upon their knees, and the Bishop saying,
RECEIVE the Holy
Ghost for the Office and Work of a Priest in the Church of God, now
committed unto thee by the Imposition of our hands. Whose sins thou
dost forgive, they are forgiven; and whose sins thou dost retain, they
are retained. And be thou a faithful Dispenser of the Word of God, and
of his holy Sacraments; In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
¶ Then the
Bishop shall deliver to everyone of them kneeling, the Bible into his
hand, saying,
TAKE thou Authority
to preach the Word of God, and to minister the holy Sacraments in the
Congregation, where thou shalt be lawfully appointed thereunto.
¶ When this is done,
the Nicene Creed shall be sung or said; and the Bishop shall after that
go on 'in the Service of the Communion, which all they that 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
The Communion being done, after the last Collect, and immediately	Communion being done, for the last Collect, immediately before the Benediction,
before the Benediction, shall be said these Collects.	shall be said these Prayers.
MOST	in 1927 Final Draft
merciful Father, we beseech thee to send upon these thy servants thy
heavenly blessing; that they may be clothed with righteousness, and
that thy 'Yard spoken by their mouths may have such success, that it
may never be spoken in vain. Grant also, that we may have grace to hear
and receive what they shall deliver out of thy most holy Word, or agreeable
to the same, as the means of our salvation; that in all our words and
deeds we may seek thy glory, and the increase of thy kingdom; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PREVENT
us, Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favour, and further
us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued,
and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally by thy
mercy obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE
peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in t1}e 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 amongst you, and remain with you 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. The following shall be the Collect.
ALMIGHTY
God, giver of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed
divers Orders of Ministers in the Church; mercifully behold these thy
servants now called to the Order of Deacons and of Priests: 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 merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
¶
The Epistle shall be Ephes. 4.7-13, 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 St. Matth. 9. 36-38, as before in this
Office; or else St. Luke 12. 35-38, as before in the Form for the Ordering
of Deacons,) they that are to be made Priests shall likewise be examined,
and Ordained, as is in this Office before appointed .
THE FORM OF
ORDAINING OR CONSECRATING
OF AN
ARCHBISHOP OR BISHOP;
WHICH, IF IT IS CONVENIENT, IS TO BE
PERFORMED UPON SOME SUNDAY OR HOLY-DAY.
¶ When all things are
duly prepared in the Church, and set in order, after Morning Prayer
is ended, the Archbishop (or some other Bishop appointed) shall begin
the Communion Service; in which this shall be
The Collect.
ALMIGHTY God, who
by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy holy Apostles many excellent
gifts, and didst charge them to feed thy flock; Give grace, we beseech
thee, to all Bishops, the Pastors of thy Church, that they may diligently
preach thy Word, and duly administer the godly Discipline thereof; and
grant to the people, that they may obediently follow the same; that
all may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
¶ And another
Bishop shall read
The Epistle. 1 Timothy
3. 1.
THIS is a true
saying, If a man desire the Office of a Bishop, he desireth a good work.
A Bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant,
sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given
to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a
brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his
children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how
to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?)
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation
of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are
without; lest he fall into reproach, and the snare of the devil.
Or this.
For the Epistle. Acts
20. 17.
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 with you at all seasons,
serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and
temptations which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how
I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you,
and have taught you publickly, and from house 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 that shall befall me there; save
that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, That bonds and
afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count
I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy,
and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify
the Gospel of the grace of God. And now behold, I know that ye all,
among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face
no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from
the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all
the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all
the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers, to
feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter
in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of 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 everyone 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, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them
that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring
ye ought to support the weak; and to remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
¶ Then another
Bishop shall read
The
Gospel. St. John 21. 15.
JESUS
saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than
these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.
He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time,
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou
knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith
unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter
was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?
And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that
I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Or else this.
St. John 20. 19.
THE same day at
evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus, and stood
in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had
so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples
glad, 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. Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto
them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Or this.
St. Matthew 28. 18.
JESUS came and
spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in
earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them In the
Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo,
I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
¶
After the Gospel, and the Nicene Creed, and the Sermon are ended,
the Elected Bishop (vested with his Rochet) shall be presented by two
Bishops unto the Archbishop of that province (or to some other Bishop
appointed by lawful commission) the Archbishop sitting in his chair
near the holy Table, and the Bishops that present him saying,
MOST
Reverend Father in God, we present unto you this godly and well-learned
man to be Ordained and Consecrated Bishop.
¶ Then shall the Archbishop
demand the King's Mandate for the Consecration, and cause it to be read.
And then shall be ministered the Oath of due Obedience to the Archbishop,
as followeth.
The Oath of due Obedience
to the Archbishop.
IN the name of
God. Amen. I N. chosen Bishop of the Church and See of N. do profess
and promise all due reverence and obedience to the Archbishop and to
the Metropolitical Church of N. and to their Successors: So help me
God, through Jesus Christ.
¶
This Oath shall not be made at the Consecration of an Archbishop.
¶
Then the Archbishop shall move the Congregation present to pray,
saying thus to them
:
BRETHREN,
it is written in the Gospel of Saint Luke, That our Saviour Christ continued
the whole night in prayer, before he did choose and send forth his twelve
Apostles. It is written also in the Acts of the Apostles, That the Disciples
who were at Antioch did fast and pray, before they laid hands on Paul
and Barnabas, and sent them forth. Let us therefore, following the example
of our Saviour Christ, and his Apostles, first fall to prayer, before
we admit, and send forth this person presented unto us, to the work
whereunto we trust the Holy Ghost hath caned him.
Let us pray.
¶ Then may be sung or said the Litany, as
before in this Book, save only that after this place, That it may
please thee to illuminate all Bishops, &c. there shall be inserted,
That it may please thee to bless this our Brother elected, and to send
thy grace upon him, that he may duly execute the office whereunto he
is called, to the edifying of thy Church, and to the honour, praise,
and glory of thy name;
Answer. We beseech thee to
hear us, good Lord.
If the Litany be not said all shall
kneel and silence shall be kept for a space.
¶ Then the Archbishop shall
say this prayer following.
ALMIGHTY God, giver
of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit rt 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 replenish him so
with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn him with innocency of life,
that, both by word and deed, he may faithfully serve thee in this Office,
to the glory of thy name, and the edifying and well-governing of thy
Church; through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and
reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
¶ Then the
Archbishop, sitting in his chair, shall say to him that is to be Consecrated,
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 I admit you to this Administration,
I will examine you in certain Articles, to the end that the Congregation
present may have a trial, and bear witness, how you be minded to behave
yourself in the Church of God.
ARE you persuaded
that you be truly called to this Ministration, according to the will
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the order of this Realm?
Answer. I am so persuaded.
The Archbishop.
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 same holy Scriptures to instruct
the people committed to your charge; and to teach or maintain nothing
as required of necessity 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
Archbishop.
WILL
you then faithfully exercise yourself in the same holy Scriptures, and
call upon God by prayer, for the true understanding of the same; so
as you may be able by them to teach and exhort with wholesome Doctrine,
and to withstand and convince the gainsayers?
Answer. I will so do, by the help of God.
The
Archbishop.
ARE
you ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away . all
erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God's Word; and both privately
and openly to call upon and encourage others to the same?
Answer. I am ready, the Lord being my helper.
The
Archbishop.
WILL
you deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously,
and godly, in this present world; that you may shew yourself in all
things an example of good works unto others, that the adversary may
be ashamed, having nothing to say against you?
Answer. I will so do, the Lord being my
helper.
The
Archbishop.
WILL
you maintain and set forward, as much as shall lie in you, quietness,
love, and peace among all men; and such as be unquiet, disobedient,
and criminous, within your Diocese, correct and punish, according to
such authority as you have by God's Word, and as to you shall be committed
by the Ordinance of this Realm?
Answer. I will so do, by the help of God.
The
Archbishop.
WILL
you be faithful in Ordaining, sending, or laying hands upon others ?
Answer. I will so be, by the help of God.
The
Archbishop.
WILL
you shew 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 shew myself, by God's help.
¶
Then the Archbishop standing up shall say,
ALMIGHTY
God, our heavenly Father, who hath given you a good. will to do all
these things, Grant also unto you strength and power to perform the
same; that, he accomplishing in you the good work which he hath begun,
you may be found perfect and irreprehensible at the latter day; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶
Then shall the Bishop elect put on the rest of the episcopal habit;
and kneeling down, Veni, Creator Spiritus, shall be sung or
said over him, the Archbishop beginning, and the Bishops, with others
that are present, answering by verses, as followeth.
COME,
Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart.
Thy
blessed Unction from above,
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dulness of our blinded sight.
Anoint
and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home:
Where thou art guide, no ill can come.
Teach
us to know the Father, Son,
And thee, of both, to be but One.
That, through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song;
Praise
to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
¶
That ended, the Archbishop shall say,
Lift
up your hearts;
Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Bishop. Let us give thanks unto our Lord
God;
Answer. It is meet and right so to do.
IT
is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times,
and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty,
Everlasting God: 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 Archbishop and Bishops present shall lay their hands upon
the head of the elected Bishop kneeling before them upon his knees,
the Archbishop saying,
RECEIVE
the Holy Ghost, for the Office and Work of a Bishop in n., 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
Archbishop shall deliver him the Bible, saying,
GIVE heed unto
reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Think upon the things contained
in this Book. Be diligent in them, that the increase coming thereby
may be manifest unto all men. Take heed unto thyself, and to doctrine,
and be diligent in doing them: for by so doing thou shalt both save
thyself and them that hear thee. Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd,
not a wolf; feed them, devour them not. Hold up the weak, heal the sick,
bind up the broken, bring again the out-casts, seek the lost. Be so
merciful, that you be not too remiss; so minister discipline, that you
forget not mercy: that when the chief Shepherd shall appear you may
receive the never-fading crown of glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
¶ Then the Archbishop
shall proceed in the Communion-Service; with whom the new Consecrated
Bishop (with others) shall also communicate.
¶ And for the
last Collect, immediately before the Benediction, shall be said these
Prayers.
MOST merciful Father,
we beseech thee to send down upon this thy servant thy heavenly blessing;
and so endue him with thy Holy Spirit, that he, preaching thy Word,
may not only be earnest to reprove, beseech, and rebuke with all patience
and doctrine; but also may be to such as believe a wholesome example,
in word, in conversation, in love, in faith, in chastity, and in purity;
that, faithfully fulfilling his course, at the latter day he may receive
the crown of righteousness laid up by the Lord the righteous Judge,
who liveth and reigneth one God with the Father and the Holy Ghost,
world without end. Amen.
PREVENT us, Lord,
in all our doings, with thy most gracious favour, and further us with
thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended
in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally by thy mercy obtain
everlasting life; 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 amongst
you, and remain with you always. Amen.

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