Q. What may we learn from the observation of this Fast?

A. That great care ought to be taken in admitting persons into the exercise of the holy functions, since the welfare of the church, and the honour of religion, rely so much upon the behaviour of those who are admitted into holy orders. That the salvation of men's souls, in a very great measure, depends upon the watchfulness and conduct of those who are to be their guides to heaven. That all persons ought to enter upon so weighty and tremendous a charge with great seriousness and consideration, with such preparation of mind as may qualify them to receive that grace and assistance which is necessary to the discharge of it. That it is the duty of all Christians, at this time, by prayer and fasting, to beg God's blessing upon his own institution, that we may not seem careless or negligent in a matter of such vast importance. That we ought to bless God, that in the reformation of our church from the corruptions of popery, his good providence hath preserved to us the ancient Apostolical government, those primitive orders, in a due subordination, whereby we are secured of a right and truly canonical ministry. That we ought to pity and compassionate those that wanted the advantages we enjoy, and exhort them for their own sakes, and by the love of Jesus Christ, that they would endeavour to get the ancient primitive Apostolical church government, and by it an undoubted mission re-established among them; to pray for them, and hope that God will make allowances for their defects, till his good providence enables them to find a remedy. That no man ought to take upon him to be God's representative, or constitute any to be such, without his express commission for this

purpose.

THE PRAYERS.

FOR THE CANDIDATES FOR ORDINATION.

ALMIGHTY God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers orders in thy church; give thy grace, I humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great name, and to the benefit of thy holy church, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

FOR DEACONS.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast constituted several degrees of ministers in thy church, and didst inspire thy holy Apostles to choose into the order of deacons the first martyr St. Stephen with others full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom; mercifully behold thy servants at this time to be 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 Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and for ever. Amen.

THANKFULNESS FOR THE BENEFITS OF THE

PRIESTHOOD.

ALMIGHTY God and heavenly Father, who of thy infinite love and goodness towards us, hast given to us thy only and most dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to

be our Redeemer and author of eternal 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 praise of thy holy name; for these so great benefits of thy eternal goodness, and that thou still vouchsafest to call others to the same office and ministry of the salvation of mankind, I render unto thee most hearty thanks, I worship and praise thee. And I humbly beseech thee, by the same thy Son, to grant unto me, and all that call upon thy name, that we may shew ourselves thankful to 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 thy Holy Spirit; so that as well by thy ministers, as by them to whom they shall be appointed ministers, thy holy name may be always glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through the same thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

FOR PRIESTS.

MOST merciful Father, I beseech thee to send upon thy servants now to be ordained priests in thy church, thy heavenly blessing, that they may be clothed with righteousness, and that thy words spoken by their mouths may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain grant also that thy people may have grace to hear and receive the same as thy most holy word, and the means of their 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..

CHAP. VIII.

EMBER-DAYS IN SEPTEMBER.

Q. What Fast does the church observe at this time? A. The third season of the Ember-days, which are the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, after the fourteenth of September: the Sunday following being one of the stated times for conferring the great honour and dignity of holy orders.

Q. Wherein consists the dignity of the priesthood? A. In the peculiar relation it hath to God, whether we consider him as the author of it, from whom it received its institution, or the nature of those affairs it treats about, it being ordained for men in things pertaining unto God. An employment, as in its own nature the most honourable and the most happy, so in its effects the most beneficial to mankind.

Q. How does it appear to be the most honourable employment?

A. Because no man can be employed in any work more honourable than what immediately relates to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and to the salvation of souls, immortal in their nature, and redeemed by the blood of God. The powers committed to their trust cannot be exercised by the greatest princes, as such; and it is the same work in kind, and in the main end and design of it, with that of the blessed angels, who are ministering spirits for those who shall be heirs of salvation. It is the same the Son of God discharged, when he condescended to dwell among men. It is the increasing and maintaining that building whereof he laid the foundation when upon earth. It is the promoting b Heb. v. 1.

a

Heb. i. 14.

his glorious design and undertaking for the salvation of souls.

ment?

Wherein consists the happiness of this employ

A. In that it fixes the mind upon the best and the noblest objects; upon God, a Being infinite in all perfections, and upon that happiness which is placed in the eternal enjoyment of him, and upon those methods that are established for the attaining of it. In that it engages men in the greatest acts of doing good, in turning sinners from the error of their ways, and by all wise and prudent means in gaining souls unto God. In that it sets men above the low and mean concerns of this life; and instead of bodily labour, confines them to the more delightful exercises of the mind. Add to all this, that the faithful and diligent discharge of the holy function gives a title to a higher degree of glory in the next world; for they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars, for ever and ever.

C

Q. What are the benefits of the priesthood?

A. It is by the execution of the priest's office, that men are made members of the church of Christ by baptism; and without being born of water and of the spirit, we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven:d that our spiritual life is maintained by the holy eucharist; for it is the cup of blessing which they bless, that is the communion of the blood of Christ; it is the bread which they break, that is the communion of the body of Christ.R That the pardon of our sins is signed and sealed to us; for by the administration of the sacraments are the benefits of Christ's sacrifice really conveyed to all worthy receivers; and that our minds and consciences are quieted a John iii. 5. 1 Cor. x. 16.

Dan. xii. 3.

e