Then after a Hymn and a Sermon, and immediately at the close of the Prayer for the Church Militant, let such as desire Ordination to the Diaconale be presented to the Bishop, or Presbyter presiding, in these words: Presbyter. REVEREND Sir, I present unto you these persons to be admitted Deacons. TAKE The Bishop, or Presbyter presiding. AKE heed that the persons whom you present unto us be apt and meet to exercise their ministry duly, to the honor of God, and to the edifying of His Church. Presbyter. I HAVE inquired concerning them, and also examined them, and think them so to be. Then let the one presiding say unto the people: BRETHREN, if there be any of you who knoweth any impediment, or nota ble crime, in any of these persons presented to be ordained Deacons, for the which he ought not to be admitted to that office, let him come forth in the Name of God, and show what the crime or impediment is. And if any crime or impediment be charged against any of the candidates, the ordination of such candidates should cease until such time as the accused shall be found clear of that crime. Then let the Bishop, or Presbyter presiding, examine each of those who are to be ordained, in the presence of the people, after this manner following: Do you trust that you are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you this Office and Ministration, to serve God for the promoting of His glory and the edifying of His people? Answer. I trust so. Question. Do you unfeignedly believe all the Canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Law of God and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ? Answer. I do believe them so to be. Question. Will you faithfully preach the Gospel when you are licensed thereto ? Answer. I will. Question. It appertaineth to the office of a Deacon, where he is appointed to assist a Presbyter, to help him in divine service, and especially when he ministereth the Holy Communion; to instruct the youth in the absence of the Presbyter; to christen infants; and to preach, if requested thereto. And furthermore, it is his office to search for the sick, poor, and impotent people of the parish, to intimate their estates, names, and places where they dwell, unto the Rector, that by his exhortation they may be relieved with the alms of the Parishioners, or others. Will you do this gladly and willingly? Answer. I will so do, by the help of God. Question. Will you apply all your diligence to frame and fashion your lives, and the lives of your families, according to the Doctrines of Christ; and to make both yourselves and them, as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples of the flock of Christ? Answer. I will so do, the Lord being my helper. Then the Ministers in the Chancel, laying their hands severally upon the head of every one of them, kneeling, the Bishop, or Presbyter presiding, should say: TAKE NAKE thou authority to execute the office of a Deacon in the Church of God. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then let the Communion be proceeded with, and after the last Collect, and immediately before the Benediction, let there be said this Collect following: AL LMIGHTY God, giver of all good things, who of Thy great goodness hast vouchsafed to accept and take these Thy servants into the office of Deacons in Thy Church, make them, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to be modest, humble, and constant in their ministration, that they, having always the testimony of a good conscience, and continuing ever stable and strong in Thy Son Christ, may so well behave themselves in this office, that they may be found worthy to be called unto the further ministries in Thy Church, through the same Thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory and honor, world without end. Amen. THE HE 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 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen. And here it should be declared unto the Deacon that he should continue in that office of a Deacon the space of a whole year (except for reasonable causes it shall otherwise be deemed best), to the intent he may be perfect, and well expert in the things appertaining to the ecclesiastical administration ; in executing whereof, if he be found faithful and diligent, he may be admitted as a Presbyter, at the time appointed, in such manner and form as hereafter followeth. THE FORM AND MANNER OF Ordaining Presbyters. Let the Service be opened with the Order for the Celebration of the Holy Communion. The Epistle, Gospel, Psalter, and Collect being as follows: UNT THE EPISTLE.-Ephes. iv. 7. NTO 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 men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. JESUS THE GOSPEL.—St. Mall, xxviii. 18. ESUS 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. THE PSALM XXIV. HE earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2. For He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? and who shall stand in His holy place? 4. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of His salvation. 6. This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. 7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. 8. Who is this King of Glory? the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. 10. Who is this King of Glory? the Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory. PSALM XXVI. JUDGE UDGE me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide. 2. Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3. For Thy loving-kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in Thy truth. 4. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 5. I have hated the congregation of evil-doers, and will not sit with the wicked. 6. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass Thine altar, O Lord: 7. That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Thy wondrous works. 8. Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honor dwelleth, 9. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: 10. In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. 11. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. 12. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. THE COLLECT. ALM LMIGHTY God, Giver of all good things, Mercifully behold these Thy servants, now called to the office of the Presbytery. And so replen ish them 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 our Saviour Jesus Christ, world without end. Amen. Then after a Hymn and a Sermon, and immediately at the close of the Prayer for the Church Militant, let a Presbyter present unto the Bishop or to the Presbyter presiding, all those who are to receive the order of the Presbytery, each of them being decently habited, and say: R EVEREND Sir, I present unto you these persons to be admitted to the TAKE The Bishop, or Presbyter presiding. AKE heed that the persons whom you present unto us be apt and meet to exercise their ministry duly, to the honor of God, and to the edifying of His Church. Presbyter. I HAVE inquired concerning them, and also examined them, and think them so to be. Then let the one presiding say unto the people: BELOVED brethren, these are they whom we purpose, God willing, to re ceive this day unto the holy Office of Presbyter: for after due examination we find not to the contrary, but that they are lawfully called to this Function and Ministry, and that they 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 ought 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. And if no crime or impediment be shown, the ordination should proceed, the officiating Minister first addressing the Candidates as follows: YE E have heard, brethren, as well in your private examination as in the holy lessons of the Gospel and the writings of the Apostles, of what dignity and of how great importance this office is whereunto ye are called. And now again we exhort you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye have in remembrance into how high a dignity and to how weighty an office and charge ye are called: that is to say, to be messengers, watchmen, and stewards of the Lord; to teach, and to warn, to feed and provide for the Lord's family; to seek for Christ's sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for His children who are in the midst of this naughty world, that they may be saved through Christ for ever. Have always therefore printed in your remembrance, how great a treasure 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 punishment that will ensue. Wherefore consider with yourselves |
