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 Scrip tures, 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 wholesome 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 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 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 handı 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 desti tute of help? Answer. I will so show myself, by God's help. ¶ Then the Presiding Bishop, standing up, shall say, ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hath given you a good will to do all these things, Grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that, he accomplishing in you the good work which he hath begun, you may be found perfect and irreprehensible at the latter day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the Bishop elect put on the rest of the Episcopal habit and, kneeling down, Veni, Creator Spiritus shall be sung or said over him; the Presiding Bishop beginning, and the Bishops, with others that are present, answering by verses, as followeth. COME, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, And lighten with celestial fire. Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart. Or this. COME, Holy Ghost, eternal God, Both from the Father and the Son, Visit our minds, into our hearts Thou art the very Comforter In grief and all distress; The heavenly gift of God most High; No tongue can it express; The fountain and the living spring The fire so bright, the love so sweet, Thou in thy gifts art manifold, By them Christ's Church doth stand: In faithful hearts thou writ'st thy law, The finger of God's hand. According to thy promise, Lord, Thou givest speech with grace; O Holy Ghost, into our minds Send down thy heavenly light; Our weakness strengthen and confirm Put back our enemy 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, We may escape the snares of sin, Such measures of thy powerful grace Of strife and of dissension And knit the knots of peace and love 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 Father laud and praise, And to the Holy Spirit of grace, And pray we, that our only Lord T That ended, the Presiding Bishop shall say Lord, hear our prayer. Answer. And let our cry come unto thee. Let us pray. ALMIGHTY God, and most merciful Father, who, of thing infinite goodness, hast given thine only and dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, and the Author of everlasting life; who, after that he had made perfect our Redemp tion by his death, and was ascended into heaven, poured down his gifts abundantly upon men, making some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, some Pastors and Doctors; to the edifying and making perfect his Church; Grant, we beseech thee, to this thy servant, such grace, that he may evermore be ready to spread abroad thy Gospel, the glad tidings of reconciliation with thee; and use the authority given him, not to destruction, but to salvation; not to hurt, but to help: so that, as a wise and faithful servant, giving to thy family their portion in due season, he may at last be received into everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. Then the Presiding Bishop and Bishops present shall lay their Hands upon the Head of the Elected Bishop, kneeling before them, the Pre siding Bishop saying, RECEIVE the Holy Ghost for the Office and Work of a Bishop in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the Imposition of our hands; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And remember that thou stir up the grace of God, which is given thee by this Imposition of our hands: for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and soberness. Then the Presiding Bishop shall deliver him the Bible, saying, G 1IVE heed unto reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Think upon the things contained in this Book. Be diligent in them, that the increase coming thereby may be manifest unto all men; for by so doing thou shalt both save thyself 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 up the broken, bring again the outcasts, seek the lost. Be so merciful, that you be not too remiss; so minister discipline, that you forget not mercy: that when the Chief Shepherd shall ap you may receive the never-fading crown of glory; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Then the Presiding Bishop shall proceed in the Communion Service; with whom the new Consecrated Bishop, with others, 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 down upon this thy servant thy heavenly blessing; and so endue him with thy Holy Spirit, that he, preaching thy Word, may not only be earnest to reprove, beseech, and rebuke, with all patience and doctrine; but also may be to such as believe a wholesome example in word, in conversation, in love, in faith, in chastity, and in purity; that, faithfully fulfilling his course, at the latter day he may receive the crown of righteousness, laid up by the Lord, the righteous Judge, who liveth and reigneth one God with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end. 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 on, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen. THE LITANY AND SUFFRAGES. 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. |