The Book of Common Prayer Part 123

_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 a.s.sembled 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 G.o.d, we present unto you this G.o.dly 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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d.

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 G.o.d's grace.

_The_ [_Primus_].

Will you then faithfully exercise yourself in the same holy Scriptures, and call upon G.o.d 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 G.o.d

_The_ [_Primus_].

Be you ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to G.o.d'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 unG.o.dliness and worldly l.u.s.ts, and live soberly, righteously and G.o.dly 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 G.o.d's Word, and as to you shall be committed by the Ordinance of this [Church]?

_Answer_. I will so do, by the help of G.o.d

_The_ [_Primus_].

Will you be faithful in ordaining, sending, or laying hands upon others?

_Answer_. I will so be, by the help of G.o.d.

_The_ [_Primus_].

Will you shew yourself gentle, and be merciful for Christ's sake to poor and needy people, and to all strangers dest.i.tute of help?

_Answer_. I will so shew myself, by G.o.d's help.

_Then the_ [_Primus_], _standing up, shall say_,

Almighty G.o.d, 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,