will do against all manner of persons, of what estate, dignity, or degree, or condition they be; and in no wise do, nor attempt, nor to my power suffer to be done or attempted, directly or indirectly, any thing or things, privily or apertly, to the let, hinderance, damage or derogation thereof, or any part thereof, by any manner of means, or for any manner of pretence. And in case any Oath be made, or hath been made by me, to any person or persons, in maintenance, defence, or favour of the Bishop of Rome, or his authority, jurisdiction, or power, I repute the same as vain and adnichilate, so help me God, all Saints and the holy Evangelist. Then shall the Bishop 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 ministra tion, to serve God, for the promoting of his glory, and the edifying of his people? I trust so. Answer. The Bishop. Do ye think that ye truly be called, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the due order of this Realm, to the ministry of the Church? I think so. Answer. The Bishop. Do ye unfeignedly believe all the Canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testament? I do believe. Answer. The Bishop. Will you diligently read the same unto the peopie assembled in the church where you shall be appointed to serve? I will. Answer. The Bishop. It pertaineth to the Office of a Deacon, to assist the Priest in Divine Service, and specially when he ministereth the holy Communion, and help him in the distribution thereof, and to read holy Scriptures and Homilies in the congregation, and instruct the youth in the Catechism, and also to baptize and preach, if he be commanded by the Bishop. And furthermore, it is his office to search for the sick, poor, and impotent people of the Parish, and to intimate their estates, names, and places where they dwell, to the Curate, that by his exhortation they may be relieved by the Parish, or other convenient almose. 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 all your family 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 government and charge is committed over you, follow ing with a glad mind and will their godly admonitions? Answer. I will thus endeavour myself, the Lord being my helper. ¶ Then the Bishop, laying his hands severally upon the head of every one of them, 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, the Son, and 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 thereunto ordinarily commanded. Then one of them, appointed by the Bishop, putting on a Tunicle, shall read the Gospel of that day. Then shall the Bishop proceed to the Communion, and all that be 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 this Collect following. ALMIGHTY God, giver of all good things, which of thy great goodness has 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, and 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 use 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 Christ, to whom be glory and honour world without end. Amen. And here it must be shewed unto the Deacon that he must continue in that Office of a Deacon the space of a whole year at the least, (except for reasonable causes it be otherwise seen to his Ordinary,) 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. THE FORM of Ordering of When the exhortation is ended, then shall be sung, for the Expectans expectavi Dominum. Psal. xl. : I WAITED patiently for the Lord unto me, and heard my calling. and he inclined He brought me also out of the horrible pit, out of the mire and clay and set my feet upon the rock, and ordered my goings. : And he hath put a new song in my mouth: even a thanksgiving unto our God. Many shall see it, and fear : and shall put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man that hath set his hope in the Lord and turned not unto the proud, and to such as go about with lies. : . O Lord my God, great are the wondrous works which thou hast done: like as be also thy thoughts which are to us-ward, and yet there is no man that ordereth them unto thee. If I would declare them and speak of them: they should be moo than I am able to express. |