prophets, evangelists, doctors, and pastors, by whose labor and ministry he gathered together a great flock in all parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise of thy holy name: for these so great benefits of thy eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call these thy servants here present to the same office and ministry appointed for the salvation of mankind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks: we praise and worship thee; and we humbly beseech thee by the same, thy blessed Son, to grant unto all who either here or elsewhere call upon thy name, that we may continue to show ourselves thankful unto thee for these, and all other thy benefits, and that we may daily increase and go forward in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by the Holy Spirit. So that as well by these thy ministers, as by them over whom they shall be appointed thy ministers, thy holy name may be for ever glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through the same, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world with

out end.

Amen.

When this prayer is done, the bishop, with the elders present, shall lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth the order of elders; the receivers humbly kneeling upon their knees, and the bishop saying,

The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost for the office and work of an elder in the

Church of God, now committed unto thee by the imposition of our hands. And be thou a faithful dispenser of the word of God, and of his holy sacraments; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then the bishop shall deliver to every one of them, kneeling, the Bible into his hands, saying,

Take thou authority to preach the word of God, and to administer the holy sacraments in the congregation.

Then the bishop shall say,

Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to send upon these thy servants thy heavenly blessings, that they may be clothed with righteousness, and that thy word spoken by their mouths may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also that we may have grace to hear and receive what they shall deliver out of thy most holy word, or agreeably to the same, as the means of our salvation; and that in all our words and deeds we may seek thy glory, and the increase of thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, 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 among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

*[If on the same day the order of deacons be given to some, and that of elders to others, the dea cons shall be first presented, and then the elders. The collects shall both be used: first that for dea cons, then that for elders. The epistle shall be Ephes. iv, 7 to 13, as before in this office. Immediately after which, they that are to be ordained deacons shall be examined and ordained as is above prescribed. Then one of them having read the Gospel, which shall be St. John x, 1, as before in this office; they that are to be ordained elders shall likewise be examined and ordained, as in this office be fore appointed.]

SECTION III.

The Form and Manner of making of Deacons.

[When the day appointed by the bishop is come, there shall be a sermon or exhortation, declaring the duty and office of such as come to be admitted deacons.]

After which, one of the elders shall present unto the bishop the persons to be ordained deacons, and their names being read aloud, the bishop shall say unto the people :

Brethren, if there be any of you who knoweth any impediment or 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.

[If any crime or impediment be objected, the bishop shall surcease from ordaining that person, until such time as the party accused shall be found clear of that crime.]

Then shall be read the following collect and epistle ·

The Collect.

Almighty God, who by thy divine Providence hast appointed divers orders of ministers in thy Church, and didst inspire thy apostles to choose into the order of deacons thy first martyr, St. 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 reign eth with thee and the Holy Ghost now and for ever. Amen.

The Epistle. 1 Tim. iii, 8–13.

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.

Then shall the bishop examine every one of those who are to be ordained, in the presence of the people, af ter this manner following:

Do you trust that you are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you the of fice of the ministry in the Church of Christ, to serve God for the promoting of his glory and the edifying of his people?

Answ. I trust so.

The bishop. Do you unfeignedly believe all the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testament?

Answ. I do believe them.

The bishop. Will you diligently read or expound the same unto the people whom you shall be appointed to serve ?

Answ. I will.

The bishop. It appertaineth to the office of a deacon to assist the elder in divine service. And especially when he ministereth the holy communion, to help him in the distribution thereof, and to read and expound the Holy Scriptures; to instruct the youth, and in the absence of the elder to baptize. And furthermore, it is his office to search for the sick,