a Minister of God of the Church he may receive comfort and absolution to the satisfaction of his mind and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness requiring such as shall be satisfied with a general confession not to be offended with them that do use to their further satisfying the auricular and secret confession to the Priest nor those also which think needful or convenient for the quietness of their own consâ—iences particularly to open their sins to the Priest to be offended with them which are satisfied with their humble confession to God and the general confession to the Church But in all these things to follow and keep the rule of charity and every man to be satisfied with his own conscience not judging other mens minds or acts whereas he hath no warrant of Gods word for the same The time of the Communion shall be immediatly after that the Priest himself hath received the Sacrament without the varying of any other rite or ceremony in the Masse until other order shal be provided but as heretofore usually the Priest hath done with the Sacrament of the body to prepare blesse and consecrate so much as will serve the people so it shall yet continue still after the same manner and form save that he shall blesse and consecrate the biggest Chalice or some faire and convenient cup or cups full of wine with some water put unto it And that day not drink it up all himself but taking one onely sup or draught leave the rest upon the altar covered and turn to them that are disposed to be partakers of the Communion and shall thus exhort them as followeth DEarly beloved in the Lord ye coming to this holy Communion must consider what S. Paul writeth to the Corinthians how he exhorteth all persons diligently to try and examine themselves or ever they presume to eat of this bread and drink of this Cup for as the benefit is great if with a truely penitent heart and lively faith we receive this holy Sacrament for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ and drink his blood then we dwell in Christ and Christ in us we be made one with Christ and Christ with us So is the danger great if we receive the same unworthily for then we become guilty of the body and blood of Christ our Saviour we eat drink our own damnation because we make no difference of the Lords body we kindle Gods wrath over us we provoke him to plague us with divers diseases and sundry kinds of death Iudge therefore your selves brethren that ye be not judged of the Lord. Let your minde be without desire to sin Repent you truely for your sinnes past have an earnest and lively faith in Christ our Saviour be in perfect charity with all men so shall ye be meet partakers of these holy mysteries But above all things you must give most humble and hearty thanks to God the Father the Son and the holy Ghost for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ both God and man who did humble himself even to the death upon the crosse for us miserable sinners lying in darknesse and the shadow of death that he might make us the children of God and exalt us to everlasting life And to the ende that we should alwayes remember the exceeding love of our Master and onely Saviour Iesus Christ thus doing for us and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding he hath obtained to us he hath left in these holy mysteries as a pledge of his love and a continual remembrance of the same his own blessed body and precious blood for us spiritually to feed upon to our endlesse comfort and consolation To him therefore with the Father and the holy Ghost let us give as we are most bounden continual thanks submitting our selves wholly to his holy will and pleasure and studying to serve him in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life Amen Then the priest shall say to them which be ready to take the Sacrament If any man here be an open blasphemer adulterer in malice or envie or any other notable crime and be not truely sorry therefore and earnestly minded to leave the same viâ—es or that doth not trust himself to be reconciled to Almighty God and in charity with all the world let him yet a while bewaile his sins and not come to this holy table least after the taking of this most blessed bread the devil enter into him as he did into Iudas to fulfil in him all iniquity and to bring him to destruction both of body and soul Here the Priest shall pause a while to see if any man will withdraw himself and if he perceive any so to do then let him commune with him privily at convenient leasure and see whether he can with good exhortation bring him to grace and after a little pause the Priest shall say You that do truely earnestly repent you of your sins and offences committed to almighty God and be in love and charity with your neighbours and intend to lead a new life and heartily to follow the Commandments of God and to walk from hence forth in his holy wayes draw neer and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort make your humble confession to almighty God and to his holy Church here gathered together in his name meekly kneeling upon your knees Then shall a general confession be made in the name of all those that are minded to receive the holy Communion either by one of them or else by one of the ministers or by the Priest himself all kneeling humbly upon their knees Almighty God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ maker of all things judge of all men we knowledge and bewaile our manifold sins and wickednesse which we from time to time most grievously have committed by thought word and deed against thy divine majesty provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us we do earnestly repent and be heartily sorry for these our misdoings The remembrance of them is grievous unto us the burthen of them is intolerable have mercy upon us have mercy upon us most mercyful Father for thy son our Lord Iesus Christs sake Forgive us all that is past and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life to the honour and glory of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lord. Then shall the priest stand up and turning him to the people say thus Our blessed Lord who hath left power to his Church to absolve penitent sinners froÌ„ their sins to restore to the grace of the heavenly Father such as truely believe in Christ have mercy upon you pardon and deliver you from all sins confirm and strengthen you in all goodnesse and bring you to everlasting life Then shall the Priest stand up and turning him toward the people say thus Here what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith to all that truely turn
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 edifying of his Church The Archdeacon shall answer I Have enquired of them and also examined them and think them so to be And the Bishop shall say unto the people BRethren if there be any of you who knoweth any impediment or notable 〈◊〉 in any of these persons presented to be ordered Deacons for the which he ought not to be admitted to the same 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 try himself clear of that crime Then the Bishop commending such as shall be found meet to be Ordered to the prayers of the Congregation with the Clerks and people present shall say or sing the Letany as followeth with the prayers The Letany 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 blindnesse of heart from pride vain-glory and hypocrisy from envy hatred and malice and all uncharitablenesse 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 and privie conspiracy from all false doctrine and heresie from heardnesse 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 Baptisme Fasting and Temptation Good Lord deliver us By thine Agony and bloody Sweat by thy Crosse and Passion by thy precious death and burial by thy glorious resurrection and ascenson and by the coming of the holy Ghost God Lord deliver us In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the hour oâ—… 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 universally in the right way We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshiping of thee in righteousnesse and holinesse of life thy servant CHARLES our most gracious King and Governour We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to rule his heart in thy faith fear and love and that he 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 his defender and keeper giving him the victory over all his enemies We beseech thee to hear us good Lord That it may please thee to blesse and preserve our gracious Queen Mary Prince James Duke of York and the rest of the Royal Progeny We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of the Church 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 edue the Lords of the Councel and all the Nobility with grace wisdome and understanding We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to blesse and keep all the Magistrates giving them grace to execute Iustice and to maintain truth We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to blesse 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 vp 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 be 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 childe 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 be 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 persecuters 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 ignorances and to
labouring ye ought to receive the weak and to remember the words of our Lord Iesus how that he said It is more blessed to give then to receive Or else this third Chapter of the first Epistle to Timothy 1 Tim. 3. This when Deacons and Priests are made both in one day THis is a true saying If any man desire the Office of a Bishop he desireth an honest work A Bishop therefore must be blamelesse the husband of one wife diligent sober discreet a keeper of hospitality apt to teach not given to overmuch wine no fighter not greedy of filthy lucre but gentle abhorring fighting abhoring covetousnesse one that ruleth well his own house one that hath children in subjection with all reverence for if a man cannot rule his own house how shall he care for the congregation of God he may not be a young scholar lest he swell and fall into the judgement of the evil speaker He must also have a good report of them which are without lest he fall into rebuke and snare of the evil speaker Likewise must the Ministers be honest not double tongued not given to much wine neither greedy of filthy lucre but holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience and let them first be proved and then let them minister so that no man be able to reprove them Even so must their wives be honest not evil speakers but sober and faithful in all things Let the Deacons be the husbands of one wife and such as rule their children well and their own housholds For they that minister well get themselves a good degree and great liberty in the faith which is in Christ Iesus These things write I unto thee trusting to come shortly unto thee but if I tarry long that then thou mayest have yet knowledge how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the house of God which is the congregation of the living God the pillar and ground of truth And without doubt great is that Mystery of godlinesse God was shewed in the flesh was justified in the spirit was seen among the angels was precahed unto the Gentiles was believed on in the world and received up in glory After this shall be read for the gospel a piece of the last Chapter of Matthew as followeth 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 to the end of the world Or else this that followeth out of the tenth Chapter of Saint John VErily verily I say unto you He that entreth not in by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up some other way the same is a thief and a murderer But he that entreth 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 hath sent forth his own sheep he goeth before them and the sheep follow him for they know his voice A stranger will they not follow but will flee from him for they know not the voice of strangers This Proverb spake Iesus unto them but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them Then said Iesus unto them again Verily verily I say unto you I am the door of the sheep and all even as many as came before me are thieves and murderers but the sheep did not hear them I am the door by me if any man enter in he shall be safe and go in and out and finde pasture A thief cometh not but for to steal 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 A good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep An hired servant and he which is not the shepherd neither the sheep are his own seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep and fleeth and the wolf catcheth and scattereth the sheep The hired servant fleeth because he is an hired servant and careth not for the sheep I am the good shepherd and know my sheep and am known of mine As my Father knoweth me even so know I also my Father And I give my life for the sheep And other sheep I have which are not of this fold them also must I bring and they shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold and one shepherd Or else this of the 20. Chapter of John THe same day at night which was the first day of the Sabboths when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled together for fear of the Iews came Iesus and stood in the midst and said 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 said Iesus unto them again Peace be unto you As my Father sent me even so send I you also And when he had said those words he breathed on them and said unto them receive ye the holy Ghost Whosoevers sins ye remit they are remitted unto them and whosoevers sins ye retain they are retained When the Gospel is ended then shall be said or sung COme holy Ghost eternal God proceeding from above Both from the Father and the Son the God of peace and love Visit our minds and into us thy heavenly grace inspire That in all truth and godliness we may have true desire Thou art the very Comforter in all wo and distress The heavenly gift of God most high which no tongue can express The fountain and the lively spring of joy celestial The fire so bright the love so clear and unction spiritual Thou in thy gifts art manifold whereby Christs Church doth stand In faithful hearts writing thy law the finger of Gods hand According to thy promise made thou givest speech of grace That through thy help the praise of God may found in every place O holy Ghost into our wits send down thy heavenly light Kindle our hearts with fervent love to serve God day and night Strength and stablish all our weakness so feeble and so frail That neither flesh the world nor devil against us do prevail Put back our enemy far from us and grant us to obtain Peace in our hearts with God and man without grudge or disdain And grant O Lord that thou being our leader and our guide We may eschew the snares of sin and from thee never slide To us such plenty of thy grace good Lord grant we thee pray That thou mayest be our Comforter at the last dreadful day Of all strife and dissension O Lord dissolve the bands And make the knots of peace and love throughout all Christian lands Grant us O Lord through thee to
ALmighty God most merciful Father which of thine infinite goodness hast given thy only and most dear beloved Son Iesus Christ to be our Redeemer and 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 Pastours and Doctors to the edifying and making perfect his Congregation grant we beseech thee to this thy servant such grace that he may evermore be ready to spread abroad thy Gospel and glad tidings of reconcilement to God and to use the authority given to him not to destroy but to save not to hurt but to help so that he as a wise and faithful servant giving to thy family meat in due season may at the last be received into joy through Iesu Christ our Lord who with thee and the holy Ghost liveth and raigneth one God world without end Amen Then the Archbishop and Bishops present shall lay their hands upon the head of the elected Bishop the Archbishop saying TAke the holy Ghost and remember that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee by imposition of 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 these things contained in this book Be diligent in them that the increase coming thereby may be manifest unto all men Take heed unto thy self and unto teaching and be diligent in doing them for by doing this thou shalt save thy self 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 together the broken bring again the outcasts seek the lost be so merciful that ye be not too remiss so minister discipline that you forget not mercy that when the chiefe Shepherd shall come you may receive the immarcescible crown of glory through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Then the Archbishop shall proceed to the Communion with whom the new consecrated Bishop with other shall also Communicate And for the last Collect immediately before the Benediction shall be said this Prayer MOst merciful Father we beseech thee to send upon this thy servant thy heavenly blessing and so endue him with thy holy Spirit that he preaching thy word may not onely be earnest to reprove beseech and rebuke with all patience and doctrine but also may be to such as believe an wholsome example in word in conversation in love in faith in chastity and purity that faithfully fulfilling his course at the latter day he may receive the crown of righteousnesse laid up by the Lord the righteous Iudge who liveth and reigneth one God with the Father and the holy Ghost world without end Amen AT THE HEALING THE GOSPEL Written in the XVI Chapter of St. MARK beginning at the 14. verse IESUS appeared unto the Eleven as they sate at meat and cast in their teeth their unbelief and hardnesse of heart because they believed not them which had seen that He was Risen again from the dead And he said unto them Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to all Creatures He that believeth and is Baptized shall be Saved but he that believeth not shall be damned And these Tokens shall follow them that believe In my Name they shall cast out divels they shall speak with new tongues they shall drive away serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them * Here the infirm persons are presented to the KING upon their knees and the King layeth his Hands upon them They shall lay their hands on the Sick and they shall recover So when the Lord had spoken unto them he was received into Heaven and is on the right hand of God And they went forth and preached every where the Lord working with them and confirming the word with Miracles following THE GOSPEL Written in the I. Chapter of St. JOHN beginning at the first verse IN the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and God was the Word The same was in the beginning with God All things were made by it and without it was made nothing that was made In it was Life and the Life was the Light of men and the Light shined in the Darknesse and the darkness comprehended it not There was sent from God a man whose name was JOHN The same came as a witnesse to bear witnesse of the Light that all men through him might believe He was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of the Light * Here they are again presented unto the KING upon their knees the KING putteth his Gold about their necks That light was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world He was in the World and the world was made by him and the World knew him not He came among his own and his own received him not But as many as received him to them gave he power to be made Sons of God even them that believed on his Name which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor yet of the will of man but of God And the same Word became Flesh and dwelt among us and we saw the Glory of it as the Glory of the onely begotten Son of the Father full of grace and truth THE PRAYERS Vers Lord have mercy upon us Resp Lord have mercy upon us Vers Christ have mercy upon us Resp Christ have mercy upon us Vers Lord have mercy upon us Resp Lord have mercy upon us OUr Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy Name Thy kingdom come Thy will be done on 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 These Answers are to be made by them that come to be Healed Vers O Lord Save thy Servants Resp Which put their trust in thee Vers Send help unto them from above Resp And evermore mightily defend them Vers Help us O God our Saviour Resp And for the Glory of thy name deliver us be merciful unto us sinners for thy Names sake Vers O Lord hear our Prayer Resp And let our Cry come unto thee O Almighty God who art the Giver of all health and the aid of them that seek to Thee for succour we call upon thee for thy help and goodnesse mercifully to be shewed unto these thy servants that they being Healed of their infirmity may give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord AMEN THe Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Ghost be with us all evermore AMEN A copy of thacte made for
the rod of Discipline 1 Cor. 4. ult By vertue of this Power Commission S. Paul delivers the incestuous Corinthian to Satan and casts him out of the Churches Communion 1 Cor. 5. and the same St. Paul not only exercises this Jurisdiction himself but also directs his son Bishop Timothy how to behave himself in the ordering of these Church censures 1 Tim. 5.19 not to receive an accusation against a Presbyter under two or three witnesses and when he hath heard to rebuke or censure as the cause requires without partiality or leaning to either side all which speak plainly a Tribunal erected in the Church and acknowledged by the Apostle enough to prove the power of Jurisdiction Then the Legislative of making Laws and Constitutions for regulating manners and determining doubts and controversies it cannot with reason be denied to be granted in that large Commission forecited St. John 20. As my father sent me so send I you For here committing the Government of the Church to his Apostles our Lord Commissions them with the same Power that was committed to him for that purpose when he was on earth with the same necessary standing power that he had and exercised as Man for the good of the Church Less cannot in reason be thought to be here granted then all power necessary for the well and peaceable government of the Church and such a power is this of making lawes this is a Commission in general for making lawes then in particular for making Articles and decisions of doctrines controverted the power is more explicit and expresse S. Matth. 28. All power is given to me Go therefore and teach all nations that is with authority and by vertue of that power that is given to me and what is it to teach the truth with authority but to command and oblige all people to receive the truth so taught and this power was not given to the Apostles persons only for Christ there promised to be with them in that Office to the end of the world that is to them and their successors in that Pastoral Office to the Apostles or Bishops that should succeed them to the end of the world This will appear still more clear by S. Paul Heb. 13. where after he had commanded them not to be carried about with divers and strange doctrines he prescribes this as the preservative against such errours and inconstancy Obey them that have the oversight over you and watch for your souls obey them in the guidance and conduct of your souls in their determinations and decisions about such divers and strange Doctrine all which supposes in those Guides a power to govern and rule us in such doubts and controversies about doctrines and matters of belief an authority to determine in controversies of faith as our Church teaches in her 20. Article adde to this that St. Paul tells us 1 Tim. 3.15 that the Church is the ground and pillar of truth And whither then should we go in doubts and controversies for the determination of what is truth but to the ground and pillar of truth For the clearer understanding of this power in the Church know that to this one holy Church our Lord committed in trust the most holy faith and the whole stock of necessary Christian truth therefore called the ground and pillar of truth This truth she must endeavour to preserve as by stopping the mouthes of obstinate gainsaiers so by guiding and governing the meek but weak doubters into the truth by determining their doubts and controversies Not that the Church can make Articles of faith and obtrude them upon the members but that she may and must if the true sense of faith and holy Scriptures be called in question declare and determine what that sense is which she hath received in trust from Christ and his Apostles commanding under penalties and censures all her children to receive that sense and to profess it in such expressive words and form as may directly determine the doubt Thus she did in the great NICENE Council venerable over all the Christian world when the Arrians had perverted by subtil controversies and questions the true sense of the Creed concerning our Saviours Divinity she first declared what sense of the Creed she had received by constant tradition from the Apostles and then enjoyned all Christians to profess that sense by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the same substance with the Father a word directly determining the controversie in hand Nor did the Christian world ever question her Authority in this particular And in controversies about doctrines where she hath received no such clear determination of either part from Christ and his Apostles she hath power to declare her own sense in the controversie and to determine which part shall be received and profest for truth by her members and that too under Ecclesiastical penalty and censure which they accordingly are bound to submit to not as an infallible verity but as a probable truth and rest in her determination till it be made plain by as great or a greater authority that this her determination 〈…〉 our and if it shall appear to any of the members to be an errour or if they shall think it so to be by the weight of such reasons as are privately suggested to them yet are they still obliged to silence and peace where the Decision of a particular Church is against the Doctrine of the Universal not to profess in this case against the Churches determination because the professing of such a controverted truth is not necessary but the preservation of the peace and unity of the Church is This is not to assert infallibility in the Church but authority The sentence shall binde to submission though the Superiors may erre in the sentence Thus God ordered it Deut. 17. that in doubts the inferior were to stand to the decision and sentence of the Priests and the Judge and yet their judgement was not infallible 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the whole assembly the chiefest Senate might erre sin through ignorance a sacrifice is appointed for the expiation of their error Lev. 4.13 Better that inferiours be bound to stand to such fallible judgement as to quiet submission in such kind of controversies as afore mentioned then that every man be suffered to interpret Laws determine controversies which will bring into the Church certain confusion Nor wil such submission in the Inferiors be damnable seeing in this submission to authority they follow Gods method obeying them that have the oversight over them Heb. 13. and keep order of which God is the Author 1 Cor. 14.33 God is not the Author of confusion but of order and peace as in all Churches of the Saints This Authority in determining doubts and controversies the Church hath practised in all Ages and her constant practice is the best interpreter of her right We read not onely of St. Pauls determining controversies about rites and circumstances 1 Cor. 14. but
know the Father most of might That of his dear beloved Son we may attain the sight And that with perfect faith also we may acknowledge thee The Spirit of them both alway one God in persons three Laud and praise be to the Father and to the Son equal And to the holy Spirit also one God coeternal And pray we that the onely Son vouchsafe his Spirit to send To all that do professe his Name unto the worlds end Amen And then the Arch-deacon shall present unto the Bishop all them that shall receive the Order of Priesthood that day the Arch-deacon saying REverend Father in God I present unto you these persons present to be admitted to the Order of Priesthood Cum interrogatione responsione ut in ordine Diaconatus And then the Bishop shall say to the people GOod people these be they whom we purpose God willing to receive this day unto the holy office of Priesthood For after due examination we finde not to the contrary but that they be lawfully called to their function and ministery and that they be persons meet for the same But yet if there be any of you which knoweth any impediment or notable crime of any of them for the which he ought not to be received into this holy ministery now in the name of God declare the same And if any great crime or impediment be objected Vt supra in Ordine Diaconatus usque ad finem Litaniae cum hac Collecta ALmighty God giver of all good things which by thy holy Spirit hast appointed divers Orders of Ministers in the Church mercifully behold their thy servants now called to the office of Priesthood and replenish them so with the truth of thy doctrine and 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 profit of thy congregation through the merits of our Saviour Iesus Christ who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy Ghost world without end Amen Then the Bishop shall minister unto every one of them the Oath concerning the Kings supremacy as it is set forth in the Order of Deacons And that done he shall say unto them which are appointed to receive the said office as hereafter followeth YOu have heard brethren as well in your private examination as in the exhortation and in the holy lessons taken out of the Gospel and of the writings of the Apostles of what dignity and of how great importance this office is whereunto ye be called And now we exhort you in the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ to have in remembrance into how high a dignity and to how chargeable an office ye be called that is to say the messengers the watchmen the pastors and the stewards of the Lord to teach to premonish to feed and provide for the Lords family to seek for Christs sheep that be dispersed abroad and for his children which be in the midst of this naughty world to be saved through Christ for ever Have alwayes therefore printed in your remembrance how great a treasure is committed to your charge for they be 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 chance the same Church or any member thereof to take any hurt or hinderance by reason of your negligence you know the greatnesse of the fault and also of the horrible punishment which will ensue Wherefore consider with your selves the end of your ministery 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 faith and knowledge of God and to that ripenesse and perfectnesse of age in Christ that there be no place left among you either of errour in religion or for viciousnesse of life Then for as much as your office is both of so great excellencie and of so great difficultie ye see with how great care and study ye ought to apply your selves as well that ye may shew your selves kinde to that Lord who hath placed you in so high a dignity as also to beware that neither you your selves offend neither be occasion that other offend Howbeit ye cannot have a minde and a will thereto of your selves for that power and ability is given of God alone Therefore ye see how ye ought and have need earnestly to pray for his holy Spirit And seeing that you cannot by any other means compass the doing of so weighty a work pertainig to the salvation of man but with doctrine and exhortation taken out of the holy Scriptures and with a life agreeable unto the fame Ye perceive how studious ye ought to be in reading and in learning the Scriptures and in framing the manners both of your selves and of them that specially pertain unto you according to the rule of the same Scriptures And for this self-same cause ye see 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 your selves long before this time and that you have clearly determined by Gods grace to give your selves wholly to this vocation whereunto it hath pleased God to call you so that as much as lieth in you you apply your selves wholly to this one thing and draw all your cares and studies this way and to this end And that you will continually pray for the heavenly assistance o the holy Ghost from God the Father by the mediation of our onely Mediatoâ— and Saviour Iesus Christ that by dayly reading and weighing of the Scriptures ye may so wax riper and stronger in your ministery and that ye may so endeavour your selves from time to time to sanctifie the lives of you and yours and to fashion them after the rule and doctrine of Christ And that ye may be wholsome and godly examples and patterns for the rest of the Congregation to follow and that this present Congregation of Christ here assembled may also understand your minds and wills in these things and that this your promise shall more move you to do your duties ye shall answer plainly to these things which we in the name of the Congregation demand of you touching the same Do you think in your heart that you be truely called according to the will of our Lord Iesu Christ and the Order of this Church of England to the Ministery of Priesthood Answer I think it The Bishop BE you perswaded that the holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation through faith in Iesu Christ And are you determined with the said Scriptures to instruct the people
committed to your charge and to teach nothing as required of necessity to eternal salvation but that you shall be perswaded may be concluded and proved by the Scripture Answer I am so perswaded and have so determined by Gods grace The Bishop WIll you then give your faithful diligence alwayes so to Minister the doctrine and Sacraments and the Discipline of Christ as the Lord hath commanded and as this realm hath received the same according to the Commandements 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 do so by the help of the Lord. The Bishop WIll you be ready with all faithfull diligence to vanish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to Gods 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 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 my self 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 your selves and them as much as in you lieth wholsom examples and spectacles to the flock of Christ Answer I will apply my self the Lord being my helper The Bishop WIll you maintain and set forwards as much as lieth in you quietnesse 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 the government and charge is committed over you following with a glad minde and will their godly admonitions and submitting your selves to their godly judgements Answer I will so do the Lord being my helper Then shall the Bishop 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 until the time he shall come at the latter day to judge the quick and the dead After this the Congregation shall be desired secretly in their prayers to make humble supplications to God for the foresaid things for the which prayers there shall be a certain space kept in silence That done the Bishop shall pray in this wise ¶ Let us Pray ALmighty God and heavenly Father which of thine infinite love and goodnesse towards us hast given to us thy onely and most dearly beloved Son Iesus Christ to be our redeemer and 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 ministery 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 goodnesse and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call these thy servants here present to the same office and ministery of salvation of mankinde we render unto thee most hearty thanks we worship and praise thee and we humbly beseech thee by the same thy Son to grant unto all which either here or elsewhere call upon thy Name that we may shew our selves thankful to thee for these and all other thy benefits and that we may dayly 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 to whom they shall be appointed Ministers thy holy Name may be alwayes glorified and thy blessed kingdom enlarged through the same thy Son our Lord Iesus Christ which liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same holy Spirit world without end Amen When this prayer is done the Bishops with the Priests present shall lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth Orders the receivers humbly kneeling upon their knees and the Bishop saying REceive the holy Ghost Whose sins thou doest forgive they are forgiven and whose sins thou doest 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 The Bishop shall deliver to every one of them the Bible in his hand saying TAke thou Authority to preach the word of God and to minister the holy Sacraments in this Congregation where thou shalt be so appointed When this is done the Congregation shall sing the Creed and also they shall go to the Communion which all they that receive Orders shall take together and remain in the same place where the hands were laid upon them until such time as they have received the Communion The Communion being done after the last Collect and immediatly before the Benediction shall be said this Collect. MOst merciful Father we beseech thee to send upon these thy servants thy heavenly blessing that they may be clad about with all justice and that thy word spoken by their mouthes may have such successe that it may never be spoken in vain Grant also that we may have grace to hear and receive the same as thy most holy word and the means of our salvation that in all our words and deeds we may seek thy glory and the encrease of thy Kingdom through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen And if the order of Deacons and Priesthood be given both upon one day then shall all things at the holy Communion be used as they are appointed at the ordering of Priests saving that for the Epistle the whole third Chapter of the first to Timothy shal be read as it is set out before in the order of Priests And immediatly after the Epistle the Deacons shall be ordered And it shall suffice the Letany to be said once ⧠The form of Consecrating of an Arch-Bishop or Bishop ¶ At the Communion The Epistle THis is a true saying If a man desire the office of a Bishop he desireth an honest work A Bishop therefore must be blamelesse the husband of one wife diligent sober discreet a keeper of hospitality apt to teach not given to over much wine no fighter not greedy of filthy lucre but gentle abhorring fighting abhoring covetousnesse one that ruleth well his own house one that hath children in subjection with all reverence For if a man cannot rule his own house how shall he care for the congregation of God He may not be a young scholar lest he swell and fall into the judgement of