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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 Dea

con the space of a whole year (except for rea sonable causes it shall otherwise seem good unto the Bishop) to the intent he may be perfect, and well expert in the things appertaining to the ecclesiastical administration; in execu ting whereof, if he be found faithful and dili gent, he may be admitted by his Diocesan to the Order of Priesthood, at the times appointed in the Canon, or else, on urgent occasion, upon some other day, in the face of the Church, in such manner and form as hereafter followeth.

THE FORM

AND MANNER

OF

ORDERING PRIESTS.

When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, after Morning Prayer is ended, there shall be a Sermon, or Exhortation, declaring the Duty and Office of such as come to be admitted Priests; how necessary that Order is in the Church of Christ, and also how the people ought to esteem them in their office.

TA Priest shall present unto the Bishop, sitting

in his ahair near to the holy table, all those who are to receive the order of Priesthood that day, each of them being decently habited, and shall 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 conver sation, to exercise their ministry duly to the honor of GOD, and the edify. ing of the Church.

The Priest shall answer:

I HAVE inquired concerning them, and also examined them, and think them so to be.

T Then the Bishop shall say unto the People:

And if any great crime or impediment be obJected, the Bishop shall cease from Ordering that person, until such time as the party ac cused 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 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 said the Service for the Commu nion, 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 the Church; mercifully behold these thy servants, now called to the office of Priesthood; and so replenish them with the truth GOOD people, these are they innocency of life, that both by word of thy doctrine, and adorn them with whom we purpose, GOD willing, to and good example they may faithreceive this day unto the holy office fully serve thee in this office, to the of Priesthood: for after due examination, we find not to the contrary, but glory of thy name, and the edification that they are lawfully called to their of thy Church, through the merits of function and ministry, and that they liveth and reigneth with thee and our Saviour JESUS CHRIST, who are 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 ougut not to be received into this holy ministry, let him come forth in the name of GOD, and show what the crime or impediment is. 23*

the HOLY GHOST, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle. Ephes. iv. 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 you, I am the door of the sheep. unto men. (Now that he ascended, All that ever came before me are what is it but that he also descended thieves and robbers; but the sheep first into the lower parts of the earth? did not hear them. I am the door; He that descended, is the same also by me if any man enter in, he shall that ascended up far above all hea-be saved, and shall go in and out, and vens, that he might fill all things.) find pasture. The thief cometh not And he gave some Apostles, and some but for to steal, and to kill, and to Prophets, and some Evangelists, and destroy: I am come that they might some Pastors and Teachers, for the have life, and that they might have it perfecting of the saints, for the work more abundantly: I am the good of the ministry, for the edifying of the shepherd: the good shepherd giveth body of CHRIST; till we all come, his life for the sheep. But he that is in the unity of the faith and of the a hireling, and not the shepherd, knowledge of the Son of GOD, unto a whose own the sheep are not, seeth perfect man, unto the measure of the the wolf coming, and leaveth the stature of the fulness of CHRIST. sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know WHEN JESUS saw the multi- my sheep, and am known of mine. tudes, he was moved with compassion As the Father knoweth me, even so on them, because they fainted, and know I the Father: and I lay down were scattered abroad as sheep having my life for the sheep. And other no shepherd. Then saith he unto his sheep I have, which are not of this disciples, The harvest truly is plen-fold; them also I must bring, and teous, but the laborers are few: Pray they shall hear my voice: and there ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, shall be one fold, and one shepherd..

After this shall be read for the Gospel, part of the ninth chapter of Saint Matthew, as

followeth.

St. Matt. ix. 36.

that he will send forth laborers into

his harvest.

Or else this that followeth, out of the tenth chapter of Saint John.

St. John. x. 1.

Then the Bishop shall say unto them as

followeth.

YE have heard, brethren, as well in your private examination, as in the exhortation which was now made to VERILY, verily, I say unto you, you, and in the holy lessons taken out He that entereth not by the door into of the gospel, and the writings of the the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some Apostles, of what dignity, and of how other way, the same is a thief and a great importance this office is, whererobber. But he that entereth in by unto ye are called. And now again the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. we exhort you in the name of our To him the porter openeth, and the Lord JESUS CHRIST, that ye have sheep hear his voice; and he calleth in remembrance, into how high a his own sheep by name, and leadeth dignity, and to how weighty an office them out. And when he putteth forth and charge ye are called: that is to his own sheep, he goeth before them, say, to be messengers, watchmen, and and the sheep follow him; for they stewards of the LORD; to teach, and know his voice. And a stranger will to premonish, to feed and provide for they not follow, but will flee from the LORD's family; to seek for him; for they know not the voice of CHRIST'S sheep that are dispersed strangers. This parable spake JESUS abroad, and for his children who are unto them, but they understood not in the midst of this naughty world, what things they were which he that they may be saved through spake unto them. Then said JESUS CHRIST for ever. unto them again, Verily, verily, I say

Have always therefore printed in

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your remembrance, how great a trea of them that specially pertain unto you, according to the rule of the same Scriptures; and for this self-same cause, how ye ought to forsake and set aside, as much as ye may, all worldly cares and studies.

sure is committed to your charge. For they are the sheep of CHRIST, which he bought with his death, and for whom he shed his blood. The Church and congregation whom you must serve, is his spouse, and his body. And if it shall happen that the same Church, or any member thereof, do 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 the ministry toward the children of GOD, toward the spouse and body of CHRIST; and see that ye never cease your labor, your care and diligence, until ye 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 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.

We have good hope that ye have well weighed these things with your selves long before this time; and that ye 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, ye will apply your selves wholly to this one thing, and draw all your cares and studies this way; and that ye will continually pray to GOD the FATHER, by the mediation of cur only Saviour JESUS CHRIST, for the heavenly assistance of the HOLY GHOST; that by daily reading and weighing the Scriptures, ye inay wax riper and stronger in your ministry; and that ye may so endeavor 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 may also under. stand 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.

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 to show your selves 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 ye 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 ARE you persuaded that the holy to the same; consider how studious Scriptures contain all doctrine re ye ought to be in reading and learn-quired as necessary for eternal salvaing the Scriptures, and in framing tion through faith in JESUS CHRIST? the manners both of yourselves, and land are you determined out of the

Do you think in your heart, that you are truly called, according to the will of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, and according to the Canons of this Church, to the order and ministry of Priesthood?

Answer. I think it.

The Bishop.

The Bishop.

said Scriptures to instruct the people | committed to your charge, and to teach nothing, as necessary to eternal ward, as much as lieth in you, quiWILL you maintain and set forsalvation, but that which you shall be ctness, peace, and love among all persuaded may be concluded and Christian people, and especially proved by the Scripture ? mitted to your charge? among them that are or shall be com

Answer. I am so persuaded, and have so determined, by God's grace.

The Bishop.

Answer. I wil so do, the LORD being my helper.

The Bishop.

WILL you then give your faithful diligence, always so to minister the WILL you reverently obey your doctrine and sacraments, and the dis- Bishop, and other chief ministers, cipline of CHRIST, as the LORD hath who, according to the Canons of the commanded, and as this Church hath Church, may have the charge and received the same, according to the government over you; following with commandments of GOD; so that you glad mind and will their godly admay teach the people committed to monitions, and submitting yourselves your cure and charge, with all dili- to their godly judgments? gence to keep and observe the same? Answer. I will so do, by the help of the LORD.

The Bishop.

a

Answer. I will so do, the LORD being my helper.

Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say, ALMIGHTY GOD, who hath WILL you be ready with all faith- given you this will to do all these ful diligence to banish and drive things, grant also unto you strength away from the Church all erroneous and power to perform the same; that and strange doctrines contrary to he may accomplish his work which GOD's word; and to use both public he hath begun in you, through JESUS and private monitions and exhorta- CHRIST our Lord. Amen. tions, as well to the sick as the whole within your cures, as need shall require, and occasion shall be given? Answer. I will, the LORD being my helper.

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After this, the congregation shall be desired, secretly in their prayers, to make their humble supplications to God for all these things: for the which prayers there shall be silence kept for a space.

After which, shall be sung or said oy the Bishop, the persons to be ordained Priests all kneeling, Veni, Creator Spiritus; the Bishop beginning, and the Priests and others that are present answering by verses, as followeth.

COME, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire:
Thou the anointing Spirit art,,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart :
Thy blessed unction from above,
Is comfort, life, and fire of love:
Enable with perpetual light
The dulness of our blinded sight:
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace:
Keep far our foes, give peace at home,
Where thou art guide, no ill can come
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee, of both to be but one:
That through the ages all along
This may be our endless song;
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
¶ Or this:
COME, Holy Ghost, eternal God,
Proceeding from above,
Both from the Father and the Son,
The God of peace and love;

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Evangelists, Doctors, and Pastors; by whose labor 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 show ourselves thankful unto thee for these and all thy other benefits; and that we may daily increase and go for ward 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 the same JESUS CHRIST our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same HOLY SPIRIT, world without end. Amen.

When this prayer is done, the Bishop with the Priests present, shall lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth the order of Priesthood; the receivers humbly kneeling, and the Bishop saying,

RECEIVE the Holy Ghost for the office and work of a Priest in the Church of Gop, now committed unto thee by the imposition of our hands: whose sins thou dost forgive, they are

That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise, forgiven: and whose sins thou dost

and say, Let us pray. ALMIGHTY GOD and heavenly Father, who, of thine infinite love and goodness toward 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,

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