The 1689 Proposed Book of Common Prayer: Ordinal · The 1689 Proposed Book of Common Prayer: Morning Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer

	The Proposed Book of Common Prayer (1689)

The	Whereas we have been often
Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of	imposed upon by men pretending to Orders in the Church of Rome, it is therefore
BISHOPS,	humbly proposed whether since we can have no certainty concerning the instruments
PRESBYTERS (commonly called PRIESTS), and DEACONS	of Orders which they show, they may be admitted to serve as deacons or presbyters
according	of this church without being ordained to the following Offices?
to the
Order of the Church of England
THE
PREFACE
IT
is evident unto all men diligently reading holy Scripture and ancient Authors,
that from the Apostles' time there have been these Orders of Ministers in
Christ's Church; Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Which offices were evermore
had in such reverend estimation, that no man might presume to execute any
of them, except he were first called, tried, examined, and known to have
such qualities as are requisite for the same; and also by publick Prayer,
with Imposition of Hands, were approved and admitted thereunto by lawful
authority. And therefore, to the intent that these Orders may be continued,
and reverently used and esteemed, in the Church of England; No man shall
be accounted or taken to be a lawful Bishop, Priest, or Deacon in the Church
of England, or suffered to execute any of the said functions, except he
be called, tried, examined, and admitted thereunto, according to the Form
hereafter following, or hath had formerly Episcopal Consecration or Ordination.
And
none shall be admitted a Deacon, except he be full twenty-three Years
of age unless he have a Faculty. And every man which is to be admitted
a Priest shall be full twenty-four years of age unless being over twenty-three
years of age he have a Faculty. And every man which is to be ordained
or consecrated Bishop shall be full thirty years of age.
And
the Bishop, knowing either by himself or by sufficient testimony any person
to be a person of virtuous conversation and without crime, and after examination
and trial finding him to possess the qualifications required by law and
sufficiently instructed in holy Scripture may on the Sundays immediately
following the Ember Weeks or on the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels
or of Saint Thomas the Apostle, or on such other days as shall be provided
by Canon, in the face of the Church, admit him a Deacon in such manner
and form as hereafter followeth.
The
persons who desire to be ordained, shall send their testimonials to the
Bishop from the place of their present residence at least a month before
: and come themselves to be examined at least a week before.
After
the receipt of the testimonials the Bishop shall give order that public
notice be given of their desiring holy orders, in the church, chaple,
or college where they reside, the Lord's-day before the ordination day.
The Form and Manner 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, or such other persons as by ancient
custom havethe right so to do, 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 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 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, say the Litany, with the Prayers, as followeth.
The Litany and Suffrages
O
GOD the Father of heaven : have mercy upon us miserable sinners.
O God the Father of heaven : have mercy upon us
miserable sinners.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world : have mercy upon
us miserable sinners.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world : have mercy
upon us miserable sinners.
O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and
the Son : have mercy upon us miserable sinners.
O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father
and the Son : have mercy upon us miserable sinners.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three Persons
and one God : have mercy upon us miserable sinners.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three Persons
and one God : have mercy upon us miserable sinners.
Remember not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences
of our forefathers; neither take thou vengeance of our sins: spare us,
good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious
blood, and be not angry with us for ever.
Spare
us, good Lord.
From all evil and mischief; from sin, from the crafts and assaults of the
devil; from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all blindness of heart; from pride vain-glory, and
hypocrisy; from envy, hatred: and malice, and all uncharitableness,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From fornication, and all other deadly sin; and from
all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From lightning and tempest; from plague, pestilence,
and famine; from battle and murder, and from sudden death,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; from
all false doctrine, heresy and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt
of thy Word and Commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us.
By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity
and Circumcision; by thy Baptism, Fasting and Temptation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
By thine Agony and bloody Sweat; by thy Death and Cross
and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection
and Ascension; and by the coming of the Holy Ghost,
Good Lord, deliver us.
In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our wealth;
in the hour of death, and in the day of judgement,
Good Lord, deliver us.
We sinners do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God: and
that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church universal in
the right way,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in
the true worshipping of thee, in righteousness and holiness of life, thy
Servants WILLIAM and MARY, our most gracious King and Queen
and our Governors,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to rule their hearts in thy faith,
fear, and love, and that they may evermore have affiance in thee, and ever
seek thy honour and glory,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to be their defender and keeper,
giving them the victory over all their enemies,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless and preserve Catherine
the Queen Dowager, the Princess Anne of Denmark, and all the Royal Family,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops, Priests,
and Deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of thy Word; and that
both by their preaching and living they may set it forth and shew it accordingly,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless these thy servants, now to be admitted
to the Order of Deacons, [or Priests,] and to pour thy grace upon them;
that they may duly execute their office, to the edifying of thy Church,
and the glory of thy holy Name,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to endue the Lords of the Council,
and all the Nobility, with grace, wisdom, and understanding,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless and keep the Magistrates,
giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give to all nations unity,
peace, and concord,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us an heart to love and
dread thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give to all thy people increase
of grace, to hear meekly thy Word, and to receive it with pure affection,
and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth
all such as have erred, and are deceived,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand;
and to comfort and help the weak-hearted; and to raise up them that fall;
and finally to beat down Satan under our feet,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to succour, help, and comfort
all that are in danger, necessity, and tribulation,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to preserve all that travel by
land or by water, all women labouring of child, all sick persons, and young
children; and to shew thy pity upon all prisoners and captives,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to defend, and provide for, the
fatherless children, and widows, and all that are desolate and oppressed,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to have mercy upon all men,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors,
and slanderers, and to turn their hearts,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use
the kindly fruits of the earth, so as in due time we may enjoy them,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to
forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with
the grace of thy Holy Spirit, to amend our lives according to thy holy Word,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
Son of God: we beseech thee to hear us.
Son of God: we beseech thee to hear us.
O Lamb of God: that takest away the sins of the world;
Grant us thy peace.
O Lamb of God: that takest away the sins of the world;
Have mercy upon us.
O Christ, hear us.
O Christ, hear us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
¶
Then shall the Priest, and the people with him, say the Lord's Prayer.
OUR
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy
will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass
against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Priest. O Lord, deal not with us after our sins.
Answer. Neither reward us after our iniquities.
Let
us pray.
O
GOD, merciful Father, that despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart,
nor the desire of such as be sorrowful: Mercifully assist our prayers
that we make before thee in all our troubles and adversities, whensoever
they oppress us; and graciously hear us, that those evils, which the craft
and subtilty of the devil or man worketh against us, be brought to nought,
and by the providence of thy goodness they may be dispersed; that we thy
servants, being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore give thanks unto
thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
O Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us for thy Name's
sake.
O
GOD, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us,
the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before
them.
O Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us for thine
honour.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to
the Holy Ghost;
Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
From our enemies defend us, O Christ.
Graciously look upon our afflictions.
Pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts.
Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.
Favourably with mercy hear our prayers.
O Son of David, have mercy upon us.
Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ.
Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us,
O Lord Christ.
Priest. O Lord, let thy mercy be shewed upon us;
Answer. As we do put our trust in thee.
Let
us pray.
WE
humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities;
and for the glory of thy Name turn from us all those evils that we most
righteously have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put
our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in
holiness and pureness of living, to thy honour and glory; through our
only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶
Then shall be sung or said the Service for the Communion, with the
Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, as followeth.
The
Collect.
ALMIGHTY
God, who by thy divine providence hast appointed 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 S. Tim. 3. 8
LIKEWISE
must the deacons be grave, not be 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 of
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
every one 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, having a sincere and fervent desire 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 Church of England, to the Order
and ministry of Deacons?
Answer. I think so.
The
Bishop.
DO
you unfeignedly believe all the Canonical Scriptures of the Old and New
Testament?
Answer. I do believe them.
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 absence 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 is 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 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 every one 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. S. Luke 12. 35
LET
your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye 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 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 spiritual
discipline; that they having always the testimony of a good conscience,
and continuing ever stable and strong in thy Son Christ, may so well behave
themselves in this inferior office, that they may be found worthy to be
called unto the higher ministries in thy Church; through the same thy
son our Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and honour world without
end. Amen.
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 which shall otherwise seem good unto the Bishop) to the intent
that he may be perfect and well expert in the things appertainting 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 on the Sundays immediately following the Ember Weeks or
on the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels or of Saint Thomas the Apostle,
or on such other days as shall be provided by Canon, in the face of the
Church, in such manner and form as hereafter followeth.
The
Form and Manner of Ordering PRIESTS, i. e., PRESBYTERS.
Seeing that the Reformed Churches abroad are in that imperfect state
that they cannot receive ordination from Bishops; it is humbly proposed
whether they may not be received by an imposition of a bishop's hands,
in these or other such like words.
Take
thou authority to preach the Word of God and to minister the holy Sacraments
in this Church as thou shalt be lawfully appointed thereunto.
Whereas
it has been the constant practice of the ancient Church to allow of no
ordinations of Priests (i. e.) Presbyters, or Deacons without a Bishop,
and that it has been likewise the constant practice of this Church ever
since the Reformation, to allow none that were not ordained by bishops
where they could be had; yet in regard that several in this Kingdom have,
of late years, been ordained only by Prasbyters, the Church being desirous
to all that can be done for peace, and in order to the healing of our
divisions, has thought fit to receive such as have been ordained by Presbyters,
only to be ordained according to this Office with the additions of these
words in the following places.
Archdeacon:
Reverend Father in God . . . order of Priesthood, if they have not been
already ordained.
Bishop:
Good people . . . Priesthood, if they have not been already ordained.
Bishop:
Receive ye the holy Ghost for the office and work of a Priest in the Church
of God now commited unto thee by the imposition of our hands, if thou
hast not been already ordained.
By
which she retains her opinion and practice which make a Bishop necessary
to the giving of Orders when he can be had; so she does likewise leave
all such persons as have been ordained by Presbyters only, the freedom
of their own thoughts concerning their former ordinations. It being, with
all, expressly provided that this shall never be a precedent for the time
to come, and that it shall only be granted to such as have been ordained
before the——day of——.
Letters
of Orders are to be given them in so much of the form as was used in Ireland
upon the return of king Charles II to his kingdoms, by D. Bramshall, Archbishop
of Armagh.
———
Non annihilantes priores ordinis (si quos habult) nec validitatem nec
invaliditatem eorundem determinantes, multo minus omnes ordines sacros
Ecclesiarum Forinsecarum condemnantes, quos proprio Judici relinquimus;
sed salummodo supplentes quicquid prius defuit per canones Ecclesiae Anglicanae
requisitum, et providentes paci Ecclesiae ut Schismatis tollatur occasio,
et conscientiis Fidelium satisfiat, nec ullo modo dubitent de ejus Ordinatione,
sut actus suos presbyteriales tanquam invalidos aversentur: In cujus rei
Testimonium.
¶
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,
or such other person as by ancient custom have the right so to do, 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.
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 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.
ALMIGHTY
God, giver of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers
Orders of Ministers in thy 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. Ephes. 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 of the ninth chapter of Saint
Matthew, as followeth.
S.
Matth. 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.
S.
John 10. 1
VERILY,
verily I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold,
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 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.
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. Aid 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 role of the same Scriptures: and for this selfsame
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 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 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 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 specially 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; 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.
[Both
versions of the Veni Creator Spiritus, which normally follows at this
point, were deleted. Replacements were intended, but never composed or
chosen.]
¶
That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise, and say,
Let
us pray.
ALMIGHTY
God and heavenly Father, 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.
¶	Whereas it was the constant practice
When this prayer is done, the Bishop with the Priests Present shall	of the Church to ordain by prayer, which practice continued for many ages
lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth the	and that the pronouncing these words (Receive the holy Ghost) in the imperative
Order of Priesthood, the receivers humbly kneeling upon their knees, and	mood, it was brought into the Office of Ordination in the darkest time of
the Bishop saying,	Popery: it is humbly submitted to the Convocation, whether it be not more
Pour down, O Father	suitable unto the general rule the Church of England has gone upon of conforming
of Lights, ye holy Ghost on this thy servant, for the Office and work	herself to the primitive Church to put these words in some form as this.
of a Priest in the church of God, now committed unto him by the imposition
of our hands that whose sins he does forgive they may be forgiven, and
whose sins he doth retain, they may be retained, and that he may be a
faithful dispenser of God's Word and Sacraments, to the edification of
his Church, and the glory of his holy name through Jesus Christ, to whom
with the Father and the holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without
end. Amen.
¶
Then the Bishop shall deliver to every one of them kneeling the Bible
into his hand, saying,
IN
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, 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 Communion being done, after the last Collect, and immediately before
the Benediction, shall be said these Collects
MOST
merciful Father, we beseech thee to send upon these thy servants thy heavenly
blessing, that they may be clothed with righteousness, 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 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, 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 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 Ephes 4. 7-13 as before
in this Office. Immediately after which, they that are to be made Deacons
shall he examined and ordained, as is above prescribed. Then one of them
having read the Gospel (which shall be either out of S. Matth. 9.
36-38, as before in this Office; or else S. 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.
Form
of Ordaining or Consecrating of an ARCHBISHOP or BISHOP,
which
is always to be performed upon some Sunday or Holy-day.
[No
changes were made in this service, other than eliminating the Veni Creator
Spiritus, as mentioned above in the Ordering of Priests.]

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