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 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. A RE 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? I am so persuaded. A The Archbishop. RE 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? I am so persuaded and determined, by God's grace. W The Archbishop. ILL 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? I will so do, by the help of God. A The Archbishop. RE 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? I am ready, the Lord being my helper. WILL you deny all The Archbishop. ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world ; that you may show yourself, in all things, an example of good works unto others, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing to say against you? I will so do, the Lord being my helper. W The Archbishop. TILL 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? I will so do, by the help of God. The Archbishop. WILL you be faithful in ordaining, sending, or I will so be, by the help of God. The Archbishop. laying hands upon, WILL you show yourself gentle, and be merciful, for Christake to poor and needy people, and to all strangers destitute of help? I will so show myself, by God's help. A shall say. Then the Archbishop, standing up, sha LMIGHTY 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 celestial fire; Thou the anointing Spirit art, Anoint and cheer our soiled face Teach us to know the Father, Son, Praise to thy eternal merit, COME, Holy Ghost, eternal God, Proceeding from above, &c. As before in the Form of Ordering for Priests. That ended, the Archbishop shall say. Lord, hear our prayer. And let our cry come unto thee. A Let us pray. LMIGHTY 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, and 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, R ECEIVE 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. G Then the Archbishop shall deliver him the Bible, saying. increase coming thereby may be manifest unto all men. 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. MOS OST merciful Father, we beseech thee to send down upon this thy servant, thy heavenly blessing; and so endue him with thy holy Be so mercifut that you be not too remiss.] -" Be so merciful," or, "be merciful in such manner, or such degree, that you be not too remiss." 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. P REVENT 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 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. A FORM OF PRAYER WITH THANKSGIVING, To be used yearly upon the Fifth Day of November, For the happy deliverance of King JAMES I. and the three Estates of ENGLAND, from the most traitorous and bloody-intended massacre by gunpowder: And, also, for the happy arrival of his Majesty King WILLIAM on this Day, for the deliverance of our Church and Nation. The Minister of every parish shall give warning to his parishioners publicly in the Church at Morning Prayer, the Sunday before, for the due observation of the said Day. And after Morning Prayer, or Preaching, upon the said Fifth Day of November, shall read publicly, distinctly, and plainly, the Act of Parliament, made in the third Year of King James the First, for the observation of it. The service shall be the same with the usual Office for Holy-days in all things; except where it is, hereafter, otherwise appointed. If this Day shall happen to be Sunday, only the Collect proper for that Sunday shall be added to this Office in its place. T Morning Prayer shall begin with these Sentences. HE Lord is full of compassion and mercy; long-suffering, and of He will not alway be chiding; neither keepeth he his anger for ever. Verse 9. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. Verse 10. Instead of Venite exultemus shall this Hymn following be used; one verse by the Priest, and another by the Clerk and people. 0 Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious; and his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm cvii. 1. Let them give thanks, whom the Lord hath redeemed, and delivered from the hand of the enemy. Verse 2. Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up, may Israel now say; Psalm cxxix. 1. Yea, many a time have they vexed me from my youth up, but they have not prevailed against me. Verse 2. They have privily laid their net to destroy me, without a cause; yea, even without a cause have they made a pit for my soul. Psalm xxxv. 7. They have laid a net for my feet, and pressed down my soul; they have digged a pit before me, and are fallen into the midst of it themselves. Psalm lvii. 7. For the happy deliverance of King James I.-And, also, for the happy arrival of his Majesty King William (III.)]-The former event took place in the year A.D. 1605;-the latter, in the year A. D. 1688. |