Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy holy
Apostles many excellent gifts, and didst charge them to feed thy
flock: 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 shewed 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 the flock 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 shewed
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, Simon, 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 else 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 shewed unto
them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when
they saw the Lord. Then said 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 Matth. 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 Nicene Creed, and the Sermon are ended,
the elected Bishop_ (_vested with his Rochet_) _shall be presented
by two Bishops unto the_ [_Primus_] (_or to some other Bishop
appointed by lawful commission_,) _the_ [_Primus_] _sitting in
his Chair, near the holy Table, and the Bishops that present him
saying_,
Most reverend Father in God, we present unto you this godly and
well-learned man to be ordained and consecrated Bishop.
[_Then shall the Archbishop demand the King's Mandate for the
Consecration, and cause it to be read. And then shall be ministered
unto them the Oath of due obedience to the Archbishop, as
followeth_.
_The Oath of due obedience to the Archbishop_.
In the Name of God, Amen. _N_. chosen Bishop of the Church and
See of _N_. do profess and promise all due reverence and obedience
to the Archbishop and to the Metropolitical Church of _N_. and
to their Successors: So help me God, through Jesus Christ.
_This Oath shall not be made at the Consecration of an Archbishop_.]
_Then the_ [_Primus_] _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 did choose
and send forth his twelve Apostles. It is written also in the
Acts of the Apostles, that the disciples who were at Antioch did
fast and pray, before they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas, and
sent them forth. Let us therefore, following the example of our
Saviour Christ and his Apostles, first fall to prayer, 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, as before in the Form of
Ordering Deacons, save only that after this place_, That it may
please thee to illuminate all Bishops, &c. _the proper Suffrage
there following shall be omitted, and this inserted instead of it_;
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 where
unto 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 replenish him so 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_ [_Primus_], _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 I admit you to this administration, I will
examine you in certain articles, to the end that the Congregation
present may have a trial, and bear witness, how you be minded to
behave yourself in the Church of God.
Are you persuaded that you be 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_ [_Primus_],
Are you persuaded that the holy Scriptures contain sufficiently
all doctrine required of necessity 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 required of necessity 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_ [_Primus_].
Will you then faithfully exercise yourself in the same holy
Scriptures, and call upon God by prayer, for the true understanding
of the same; so as 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_ [_Primus_].
Be you ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive
away 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_ [_Primus_].
Will you deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly,
righteously and godly in this present world; that you may shew
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_ [_Primus_].
Will you maintain and set forward, as much as shall lie in you,
quietness, peace, and love among all men; and such as be unquiet,
disobedient and criminous within your Diocese, correct and punish,
according to such authority as you have by God's Word, and as to
you shall be committed by the Ordinance of this [Church]?
_Answer_. I will so do, by the help of God
_The_ [_Primus_].
Will you be faithful in ordaining, sending, or laying hands upon
others?
_Answer_. I will so be, by the help of God.
_The_ [_Primus_].
Will you shew 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 shew myself, by God's help.
_Then the_ [_Primus_], _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 h
e 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_ [_Primus_] _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_.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
_Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart_.