Almighty God, who by thy divine providence hast appointed divers
Orders of Ministers in thy Church, and didst inspire thine Apostles
to choose into the Order of Deacons the first Martyr Saint Stephen,
with others: Mercifully behold these thy servants now 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 our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and for ever. _Amen_.
THE EPISTLE. 1 Tim. iii. 8.
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given
to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of
the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved;
then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful
in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling
their children and their own houses well. For they that have used
the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree,
and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
_Or else this, out of the sixth of the Acts of the Apostles_.
Acts vi. 2.
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them,
and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God,
and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you
seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,
whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves
continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the
saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man
full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus,
and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of
Antioch: whom they set before the Apostles: and when they had
prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased
and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly;
and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
_And before the Gospel, the Bishop, sitting in his Chair, shall
examine every one of them that are to be ordered, 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.
_The Bishop_.
Do you think that you are truly called, according to the will of
our Lord Jesus Christ, and the due order of this [Church], to the
Ministry of the Church?
_Answer_. I think so.
_The Bishop_.
Do you unfeignedly believe all the Canonical Scriptures of the Old
and New Testament?
_Answer_. I do believe them.
_The Bishop_.
Will you diligently read the same unto the people assembled in the
Church where you shall be appointed to serve?
_Answer_. I will.
_The Bishop_.
It appertaineth to the office of a Deacon, in the Church where he
shall be appointed to serve, to assist the Priest in Divine Service,
and specially when he ministereth the holy Communion, and to help
him in the distribution thereof, and to read holy Scriptures and
Homilies in the Church; and to instruct the youth in the Catechism;
in the absence of the Priest to baptize infants; and to preach, if
he be admitted thereto by the Bishop. And furthermore, it is his
office, where provision is so made, to search for the sick, poor,
and impotent people of the Parish, to intimate their estates,
names, and places where they dwell, unto the Curate, 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.
_The Bishop_.
Will you apply all your diligence to frame and fashion your own
lives, and the lives of your families, according to the doctrine
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.
_The Bishop_.
Will you reverently obey your Ordinary, and other chief Ministers
of the Church, and them to whom the charge and government over you
is committed, following with a glad mind and will their godly
admonitions?
_Answer_. I will endeavour myself, the Lord being my helper.
_Then the Bishop laying his hands severally upon the head of every
one of them, humbly kneeling before him, shall say_,
Take thou authority to execute the office of a Deacon in the Church
of God committed unto thee; In the Name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
_Then shall the Bishop deliver to every one of them the New
Testament, saying_,
Take thou authority to read the Gospel in the Church of God, and
to preach the same, if thou be thereto licensed by the Bishop
himself.
_Then one of them, appointed by the Bishop, shall read_
THE GOSPEL. St Luke xii. 35.
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye
yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will
return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they
may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom
the lord when he cometh shall find watching. Verily I say unto
you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat,
and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the
second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed
are those servants.
_Then shall the Bishop proceed in the Communion: and all that are
ordered shall tarry, and receive the holy Communion the same day
with the Bishop_.
_The Communion ended, after the last Collect, and immediately before
the Benediction, shall be said these Collects following_.
Almighty God, giver of all good things, who of thy great goodness
hast vouchsafed to accept and take these thy servants unto the
office of Deacons in thy Church: Make them, we beseech thee, O Lord,
to be modest, humble, and constant in their ministration; to have
a ready will to observe all spiritual discipline; 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 inferior office, that they may be found worthy to be called
unto the higher ministries in thy Church; through the same thy Son
our Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and honour world without
end. _Amen_.
Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favour,
and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works,
begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name,
and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life; 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 here it must be declared unto the Deacon, that he must
continue in that office of a Deacon the space of a whole year_
(_except for reasonable causes it shall otherwise seem good unto
the Bishop_) _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 by his Diocesan to the Order of Priesthood, 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, in such manner
and form as hereafter followeth_.