to be a lawful Bishop, Priest, or Deacon in the Church of England, or suffered to execute any of the said ffunctions, except he be called, tryed, examined, and admitted thereunto, according to the form hereafter following, or hath had formerly Episcopall Consecration, or Ordination. And none shall be admitted a Deacon, except he be twenty three yeares of age, unless he haue a faculty. And euery man which is to be admitted a Priest, shall be full four and twenty yeares old. And euery man which is to be ordained or Consecrated Bishop, shall be fully And the Bishop knowing either by himselfe, sufficient testimony, any person or by to be a man of vertuous conversation, and without crime, and after examination and tryall, finding him learned in the Latine tongue, and sufficiently instructed in holy Scripture, may at U. Pr. Q. Pr. 1. 2. The United Church of England and 1. 2. The United Church of England and Ireland. Ireland. the times appointed in the Canon, or else upon urgent occasion, on some other - Sunday or Holyday, in the face of the Church, admit him a Deacon, in such manner and form as hereafter followeth. 1. 5. The 347th page of the MS. Book has no catch-word. 344 The fforme and Manner 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 that Deacons; how necessary that order is in the Church of Christ; and also, how the people ought to esteem them in their office. ffirst the Arch-Deacon or his Deputy shall present unto the Bishop (sitting in his Chair, neare to the holy Table) such as desire to be ordained Deacons; (each of them being decently habited) saying these words, Reuerend ffather 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 Arch-deacon shall answer, I haue enquired of them, and also examined them, and thinke them so to be. Then the Bishop shall say unto the people, Brethren, if there be any of you who knoweth 1. 1. The 349th page of the MS. Book commences with the word “The”. 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, untill 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 followeth. The Litany and Suffrages. O God the ffather of heaven: haue mercy upon O God the ffather of heauen: haue mercy upon O God the son, Redeemer of the world: haue O God the son, Redeemer of the world; haue mercy upon us miserable sinners. O God the holy Ghost, proceeding from the ffather, and the Son: haue mercy upon us miserable sinners. 1. 6. The 349th page of the MS. Book has no catch-word. 1. 7. The 350th page of the MS. Book commences with the words "And if". 346 |