us pray

for him, that the grace of the most Holy Spirit may

descend

upon

him. Answ. Lord, have mercy: We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

Then the Bishop, keeping his hands laid upon his head, shall

say the following Prayer. O ALMIGHTY Lord God, who hast created all things by Christ, and by him dispensest thy fatherly care and providence over them ; (for he who had power to make different creatures, bath also power to provide for and govern them according to their different natures :) O God, who therefore takest care of all beings in various manners, of immortal by preservation, of mortal by succession, of the soul by the provision of laws, of the body by the supply of its wants: Look down upon thy holy Church, and increase the same; multiply those that preside therein, and grant them strength that they may labour both in word and work for the edification of thy people. Look down also upon this thy servant, who is chosen into the Presbytery by the suffrage and judgment of all the Clergy: and fill him with the Spirit of grace and counsel, that he may assist and govern thy people with a pure heart; in like manner as thou hadst respect to thy chosen people, commanding Moses to make choice of Elders, whom thou didst replenish with thy Spirit. And now, Lord, do thou, preserving in us the Spirit of thy grace free from deficiency and imperfection, grant that this person, being endued with healing powers, and filled with instructive discourse, may teach thy people in meekness, may sincerely serve thee with a pure mind and a willing soul, and may unblameably perform the sacred ministrations for the people, through thy Christ; with whom to thee and the Holy Ghost, be glory, honour, and adoration, world without end. Amen.

Then shall the Bishop take his hands off his head, and shall say

the following Prayer, the new-ordained Priest still kneeling.

Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to send upon this thy servant thy heavenly blessing, that he may be clothed with righteousness, and that thy word spoken by his mouth may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also that thy people may have grace to hear and receive what he shall deliver out of thy most holy word, or agreeable to the same, and that all of us in our words and deeds may seek thy glory, and the increase of thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the new-ordained Priest shall rise ; and the Bishop, with

the Presbyters present, shall all salute him with the holy Kiss of Peace in the name of the Lord; and then they shall conduct him to his stall, or to the proper station belonging to his office, the Bishop taking him by the hand, and placing him therein. After which he shall stand up; and the Bishop, turning towards the people, shall pronounce this Benediction, the

people reverently bowing their heads. 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 amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Then the new-ordained Priest shall make a Discourse to the

people ; and afterwards the Bishop shall proceed in the Communion Service.

THE

FORM AND MANNER OF ORDAINING DEACONS. When there is occasion for a Deacon to be ordained, the Faithful

of the Parish shall elect a proper person ; notice whereof shall be given to the Bishop. And if when the person elected hath

been examined by the two Deacons who are to present him at the Ordination, and by the Bishop himself, he (after consulting with his College of Presbyters) approve of him, he shall give notice of the day of Ordination (which shall always be a Lord'sday) both to the Clergy of the Diocese, and to the Faithful of the Parish

On all Wednesdays and Fridays between the time of the Bishop's

notice and the day of Ordination, the following Prayer shall be used in the Penitential Office, after the Prayer for all Sorts and Conditions of Men.

ALMIGHTY God our heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son: Mercifully look upon the same; and at this time so guide and govern the mind of thy servant our Bishop, that he may not lay on hands suddenly, but may faithfully and wisely ordain a fit person to the office of Deacon. And to him who shall be ordained to that holy function, give thy grace and heavenly benediction, that he may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great name, and the benefit of thy holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Note, That a Deacon is not to be ordained till he is twentyfive years of age, unless upon a particular occasion, of which the Bishop is to be judge.

When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, he, and as many

of the Clergy of the Diocese as conveniently can, shall repair to the Cathedral Church, or to the Parish Church where the Deacon elect is to minister. And after the Creed in the Morning Prayer there shall be a Sermon or Exhortation, declaring the duty and office of Deacons, how necessary that order is in the Church of Christ, and how the people ought to esteem them in their office.

When all things are duly prepared in the Church, and set in

order, at the time appointed for celebrating the holy Eucharist, before the Communion Service begins, the clected Deacon (being decently habited) shall be presented by two Deacons unto the Bishop sitting in his chair near the Altar, the Deacons that present him saying :

Right Reverend Father in God, we present unto you this person to be admitted a Deacon.

The Bishop. TAKE heed that the person whom ye present unto us be apt and meet, for his learning and godly conversation, to exercise this ministry duly, to the honour of God, and the edifying of his Church.

The two Deacons shall say,

We have enquired of him, and also examined him, and think him so to be.