It is evident unto all men diligently reading holy Scripture and
ancient Authors, that from the Apostles time there have been these
Orders of Ministers in Christ's Church; Bishops, Priests, and
Deacons. Which offices were evermore had in such reverend estimation,
that no man might presume to execute any of them, except he were
first called, tried, examined, and known to have such qualities as
are requisite for the same; and also by public Prayer, with
Imposition of Hands, were approved and admitted thereunto by
lawful authority. And therefore, to the intent that these Orders
may be continued, and reverently used and esteemed, in the Church
of England; No man shall be accounted or taken to be a lawful
Bishop, Priest, or Deacon in the Church of England, or suffered
to execute any of the said functions, except he be called, tried,
examined, and admitted thereunto, according to the Form hereafter
following, or hath had formerly Episcopal Consecration or Ordination.
And none shall be admitted a Deacon, except he be twenty-three years
of age, unless he have a Faculty. And every man which is to be
admitted a Priest shall be full four-and-twenty years old. And
every man which is to be ordained or consecrated Bishop shall be
fully thirty years of age.
And the Bishop, knowing either by himself, or by sufficient
testimony, any person to be a man of virtuous conversation, and
without crime; and after examination and trial finding him learned
in the Latin tongue, and sufficiently instructed in holy Scripture,
may at the times appointed in the Canon, or else, on urgent
occasion, upon some other Sunday or Holy-day, in the face of the
Church, admit him a Deacon, in such manner and form as hereafter
followeth.