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 this: St. Matt. xxviii, 18-20. 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 sermon are ended, the elected person shall be presented by two Elders unto the Bishop, saying, We present unto you this holy man to be ordained a Bishop. Then the Bishop shall move the congregation present to pray, saying thus to them: Brethren, it is written in the gospel of Saint 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 to us, to the work whereunto we trust the Holy Ghost hath called him. 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 Bishop shall say to him that is to be ordained: Brother, forasmuch as the holy Scripture commands 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 on 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? Answ. I am so persuaded. The Bishop. 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? Answ. I am so persuaded and determined by God's grace. The Bishop. 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 whole some doctrine, and to withstand and convince the gainsayers? Answ. I will so do, by the help of God. The Bishop. Are you ready with faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's Word, and both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others to the same? Answ. I am ready, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop. Will you deny all ungodliness and worldly lust, 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 to say against you? Answ. I will so do, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop. Will you maintain and set forward as much as shall lie in you, quietness, love, and peace among all men and such as shall be unquiet, disobedient, and criminal within your district, correct and punish according to such authority as you have by God's word, and as shall be committed unto you? Answ. I will so do, by the help of God. The Bishop. Will you be faithful in ordaining, sending, or laying hands upon others? Answ. I will so be by the help of God. The Bishop. Will you show yourself gentle, and be merciful for Christ's sake, to poor and needy people, and to all strangers destitute of help? Answ. I will so show myself by God's help. Then the Bishop 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 last day, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall Veni, Creator Spiritus, be said. 10 |