Enable with perpetual light, The dulness of our blinded sight: Where thou art guide, no ill can come. T Or this: COME, Holy Ghost, eternal God, That truth and godliness we may Thou art the very Comforter, In grief and all distress; The heavenly gift of God most High; The fountain and the living spring Of joy celestial; The fire so bright, the love so sweet, The unction spiritual. Thou in thy gifts art manifold, By them Christ's Church doth stand: In faithful hearts thou writ'st thy law, According to thy promise, Lord, Thou givest speech with grace; That, through thy help, God's praises may Resound in every place. O Holy Ghost, into our minds, Send down thy heavenly light; Kindle our hearts with fervent zeal, To serve God day and night: Our weakness strengthen and confirm, That neither devil, world, nor flesh Put back our enemies far from us, And help us to obtain Peace in our hearts with God and man, The best, the truest gain; And grant that thou being, O Lord, Our leader and our guide, We may escape the snares of sin, And never from thee slide. Such measures of thy powerful grace, Grant, Lord, to us, we pray; That thou may'st be our Comforter Of strife and of dissension Dissolve, O Lord, the bands, And knit the knots of peace and love Throughout all Christian lands. Grant us the grace that we may know That we of his beloved Son May gain the blissful sight; And that we may, with perfect faith The Spirit, of Father, and of Son, To God the Fatner laud and praise, And to the Holy Spirit of grace, And pray we, that our only Lord Would please his Spirit to send On all that shall profess his name, From hence to the world's end. Amen. That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise, and say, Let us pray. ALMIGHTY God and heavenly Father, who, of thine infinite love and goodness towards 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, 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 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 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 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 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, ᎡᎬ ECEIVE the Holy Ghost for the office and work of a Priest in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the imposition of our hands: whose sins thou dost forgive, they are forgiven: and whose sins thou dost 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. ¶ Or this: TAKE thou authority to execute the office of a Priest in the Church of God.now committed to thee by the imposition of our hands; 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. Then the Bishop shall deliver unto every one of them, kneeling, the Bible into his hand, saying, TAKE thou authority to preach the word of God, and to minister the holy sacraments in the congregation where thou shalt be lawfully appointed thereunto. When this is done, the Bishop shall go on in the Service of the Communion, which all they who receive Orders shall take together, and remain in the same place where hands were laid upon them, until such time as they have received the Communion. The Communion being done; after the last Collect, and immediately 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 clothed with righteousness, and that thy word spoken by their mouths may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also, that we may have grace to hear and receive what they shall deliver out of thy most holy word, or agreeably to the same, as the means of our 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. THE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and 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 if, on the same day, the Order of Deacons be given to some, and the Order of Priesthood to others, the Deacons shall be first presented, and then the Priests; and it shall suffice that the Litany be once said for both. The Collects shall both be used; first, that for Deacons, then that for Priests. The Epistle shall be Ephesians iv. 7 to 13, as before in this office. Immediately after which, they that are to be made Deacons, shall be examined, and ordained, as is above prescribed. Then one of them having read the Gospel, which shall be either out of Saint Matthew ix. 36, as before in this office, or else Saint Luke xii. 35 to 38, as before in the form for the Ordering of Deacons, they that are to be made Priests shall likewise be examined and ordained, as in this office before appointed. THE FORM OF ORDAINING OR CONSECRATING A BISHOP. When all things are duly prepared in the church, and set in order, after Morning Prayer is ended, the Presiding Bishop, or some other Bishop, appointed by the Bishops present, shall begin the Communion Service, in which this shall be The Collect. ALMIGHTY God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy holy Apostles many excellent gifts, and didst charge them to feed thy flocks; give grace, we beseech thee, to all Bishops, the pastors of thy Church, that they may diligently preach thy word, and duly administer the godly discipline thereof; and grant to the people, that they may obediently follow the same; that all may receive the crown of everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. And another Bishop shall read The Epistle. 1 Tim. iii. 1. THIS is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a good work. A Bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God? not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach, and the snare of the devil. Or this: For the Epistle. Acts xx. 17. FROM Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations, which befel me by the lying in wait of the Jews and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befal me there; save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus; to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men: for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore, unto yourselves, and to all theflock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years, I ceased not to warn every one, night and day, with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel; yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak; and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Then another Bishop shall read The Gospel. St. John xxi. 15. JESUS saith to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Sinion son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¶ Or this: St. John xx. 19. THE same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut, where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus, and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then saith Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost; whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them, and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. Or this: St Matthew xxviii. 18. 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 unto the end of the world. After the Gospel and the Sermon are ended, the elected Bishop, vested with his rochet, shall be presented by two Bishops of this Church unto the Presiding Bishop, or to the Bishop appointed, sitting in his chair, near the holy table; the Bishops who present him saying, REVEREND father in God, we present unto you this godly and welllearned man to be ordained and consecrated Bishop. Then shall the Presiding Bishop demand testimonials of the persons presented for Consecration, and shall cause them to be read. He shall then require of him the following promise of conformity to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church. IN the name of God, Amen. I, N. chosen Bishop of the Protestant Epis copal Church in N. do promise conformity and obedience to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America: So help me God, through Jesus Christ. Then the Presiding Bishop shall move the congregation present to pray, saying thus to them: BRETHREN, it is written in the Gospel of St. Luke, That our Saviour Christ continued the whole night in prayer, before he chose and sent forth his twelve Apostles. It is written also, That the holy Apostles prayed, before they ordained Matthias to be of the number of the twelve. Let us, therefore, following the example of our Saviour Christ, and his Apostles, offer up our prayers to Almighty God, before we admit and send forth this person presented unto us, to the work whereunto we trust the Holy Ghost hath called him. And then shall be said the Litany; save only, that after this place, That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops, &c., the proper Suffrage shall be, THAT it may please thee to bless this our brother elected, and to send thy grace upon him; that he may duly execute the office whereunto he is called, to the edifying of thy Church, and to the honour, praise, and glory of thy name; Answer. We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord. Then shall be said this Prayer following: ALMIGHTY God, giver of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers orders of Ministers in thy Church; mercifully behold this thy servant, now called to the work and ministry of a Bishop; and so replenish him 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 Presiding Bishop, sitting in his chair, shall say to him that is to be consecrated, BROTHER, forasmuch as the Holy Scripture and the ancient canons command 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 we admit you to this administration, we will examine you in certain articles, to the end that the congregation present may have a trial, and bear witness, how you are minded to behave yourself in the Church of God. ARE you persuaded, that you are truly called to this ministration, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the order of this Church? Answer. I am so persuaded. The Presiding Bishop. Are you persuaded that the Holy Scriptures contain all doctrine required as necessary 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 necessary to eternal salvation, but that which you shall be persuaded, may be concluded and proved by the same? Answer. I am so persuaded, and determined, by God's grace. The Presiding Bishop. Will you then faithfully exercise yourself in the Holy Scriptures, and call upon God by prayer for the true understanding of the same; so that you may be able by them to teach and exhort with wholesme doctrine, and to withstand and convince the gainsayers? Answer. I will so do, by the help of God. The Presiding Bishop. Are you ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away from the Church all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God's word, and both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others to do the same? Answer. I am ready, the Lord being my helper. The Presiding Bishop. Will you deny all 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? Answer. I will so do, the Lord being my helper. The Presiding Bishop. Will you maintain and set forward, as much as shall lie in you, quietness, love, and peace among all men; and diligently exercise such discipline, as by the authority of God's word, and by the order of this Church, is committed to you? Answer. I will so do, by the help of God. The Presiding Bishop. Will you be faithful in ordaining, sending, or laying hands upon others? Answer. I will so be, by the help of God. The Presiding Bishop. Will you show yourself gentle, and be merciful for Christ's sake to poor and needy people, and to all strangers destitute of help? Answer. I will so show myself, by God's help. |