THE

FORM AND MANNER

OF

ORDERING OF PRIESTS.

I When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, after Morning Prayer

is ended, there shall be a Sermon or Exhortation, declaring the Duty and

of such as come to be admitted Priests; how necessary that Order is in the Church of Christ, and also how the people ought to esteem them in their Office.

First, the Archdeacon, or, in his table Crime, in any of them, for

absence, one appointed in his the which he ought not to be restead, shall present unto the Bi

ceived into this holy Ministry, let shop (sitting in his chair near to

him come forth in the Name of the holy Table) all them that shall

God, and shew what the Crime receive the Order of Priesthood that day (each of them being de

or Impediment is. cently habited) and say,

( And if any great Crime or ImᎡᎬ EVEREND Father in God,

pediment be objected, the Bishop I present unto you these per

shall surcease from Ordering that sons present, to be admitted to

person, until such time as the

party accused shall be found clear the Order of Priesthood.

of that Crime. The Bishop

Then the Bishop (commending such as shall be found meet to be

Ordered to the Prayers of the conwhom ye present unto us, be apt and meet, for their learning

gregation) shall, with the Clergy

and people present, sing or say and godly conversation, to exer- the Litany, with the Prayers, as cise their Ministry duly, to the

is before appointed in the Form honour of God, and the edifying of Ordering Deacons ; save only, of his Church.

that, in the proper Suffrage there

added, the word (Deacons) shall 1 The Archdeacon shall answer, be omitted, and the word [Priests] HAVE enquired of them, and

inserted instead of it. I also examined them, and think

1 Then shall be sung or said the them so to be.

Service for the Communion, with

the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, Then the Bishop shall say unto the people;

as followeth. LOOD people, these are they

The Collect. G whom we purpose,

LMIGHTY God, giver of all holy Office of Priesthood: Foraster Spirit hast appointed divers Orders due examination we find not to of Ministers in the Church; Merthe contrary, but that they be cifully behold these

thy servants lawfully called to their Function row called to the Office of Priestand Ministry, and that they be hood; and replenish them so with persons meet for the same. But the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn yet if there be any of you, who them with innocency of life, that, knoweth any Impediment, or no- both by word and good example,

they may faithfully serve thee in To him the porter openeth, and this Office, to the glory of thy the sheep hear his voice; and he Name, and the edification of thy calleth his own sheep by name, Church; through the merits of and leadeth them out. And when our Saviour Jesus Christ, who he putteth forth his own sheep liveth and reigneth with thee and he goeth before them, and the the Holy Ghost, world without sheep follow him; for they know end. Amen.

his voice. And a stranger will The Epistle. Ephes. iv. 7.

they not follow, but will flee from

him; for they know not the voice UNTo every one of us is given

of strangers. This parable spake grace, according to the mea

Jesus unto them, but they undersure of the gift of Christ. Where- stood not what things they were fore he saith, When he ascended

which he spake unto them. Then up on high, he led captivity cap- said Jesus unto them again, Verily, tive, and gave gifts unto men. verily I say unto you, I am the (Now that he ascended, what is door of the sheep. All that ever it but that he also descended first

came before me are thieves and into the lower parts of the earth?

robbers; but the sheep did not He that descended, is the same hear them. I am the door ; by me also that ascended up far above if any man enter in, he shall be all heavens, that he might fill all saved, and shall go in and out, things.) And he gave some Apos- and find pasture. The thief comtles, and some Prophets, and some eth not but for to steal, and to Evangelists, and some Pastors and

kill, and to destroy: I am come Teachers; for the perfecting of the that they might have life, and Saints, for the work of the Minis- that they might have it more atry, for the edifying of the Body bundantly. I am the good Shepof Christ; till we all come in the herd: the good Shepherd giveth unity of the faith, and of the

his life for the sheep. But he that knowledge of the Son of God, is an hireling, and not the Shepunto a perfect man, unto the herd, whose own the sheep are measure of the stature of the

not, seeth the wolf coming, and fulness of Christ.

leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and After this shall be read for the

the wolf catcheth them, and scatGospel part of the ninth Chapter

tereth the sheep. The hireling of Saint Matthew, as followeth. fleeth, because he is an hireling, St. Matth. ix. 36.

and careth not for the sheep. I

am the good Shepherd, and know titudes, he was moved with

my sheep, and am known of mine.

As the Father knoweth me, even compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad

so know I the Father; and I lay as sheep, having no shepherd.

down my life for the sheep. And Then saith he unto his disciples,

other sheep I have, which are not The harvest truly is plenteous, but

of this fold: them also I must the labourers are few. Pray ye

bring, and they shall hear my therefore the Lord of the harvest,

voice; and there shall be one fold, that he will send forth labourers

and one Shepherd. into his harvest.

Then the Bishop, sitting in his Or else this that followeth, out of chair, shall minister unto every the tenth Chapter of Saint John. one of them the Oath concerning St. John x. 1.

the Queen's Supremacy, as it is

before set forth in the Form for VE ERILY, verily I say unto

the Ordering of Deacons. you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheep-fold, And that done, he shall say unto but climbeth up some other way,

them as hereafter followeth. in

well in your private exadoor is the Shepherd of the sheep. mination, as in the exhortation

the same is a thief and a robber. Yovelha ve heard, Birthteen, as

which was now made to you, and dutiful and thankful unto that in the holy Lessons taken out of Lord, who hath placed you in so the Gospel, and the writings of high a Dignity; as also to beware, the Apostles, of what dignity, that neither you yourselves offend, and of how great importance this nor be occasion that others offend. Office is, whereunto ye are call- Howbeit, ye cannot have a mind ed. And now again we exhort and will thereto of yourselves; for you, in the Name of our Lord that will and ability is given of Jesus Christ, that you have in God alone: therefore ye ought, remembrance, into how high a and have need, to pray earnestly Dignity, and to how weighty an for his holy Spirit. And seeing Office and Charge ye are called : that you cannot by any other that is to say, to be Messengers, means compass the doing of so Watchmen, and Stewards of the weighty a work, pertaining to the Lord; to teach, and to premon- salvation of man, but with docish, to feed and provide for the trine and exhortation taken out Lord's family; to seek for Christ's of the holy Scriptures, and with sheep that are dispersed abroad, a life agreeable to the same; conand for his children who are in sider how studious ye ought to be the midst of this naughty world, in reading and learning the Scripthat they may be saved through tures, and in framing the manners Christ for ever.

both of yourselves, and of them Have always therefore printed that specially pertain unto you, in your remembrance, how great according to the rule of the same a treasure is committed to your Scriptures: and for this self-same charge. For they are the sheep cause, how ye ought to forsake of Christ, which he bought with and set aside (as much as you may) his death, and for whom he shed all worldly cares and studies. his blood. The Church and Con- We have good hope that you gregation whom you must serve, have well weighed and pondered is his Spouse, and his Body. these things with yourselves long And if it shall happen the same before this time; and that you Church, or any Member thereof, have clearly determined, by God's to take any hurt or hindrance grace, to give yourselves wholly by reason of your negligence, ye to this Office, whereunto it hath know the greatness of the fault, pleased God to call you: so that, and also the horrible punishment as much as lieth in you, you will that will ensue. Wherefore con- apply yourselves wholly to this one sider with yourselves the end of thing, and draw all your cares and your Ministry towards the chil- studies this way; and that you dren of God, towards the Spouse will continually pray to God the and Body of Christ; and see that | Father, by the Mediation of our you never cease your labour, your only Saviour Jesus Christ, for the care and diligence, until you have heavenly assistance of the Holy done all that lieth in you, accord- Ghost; that, by daily reading and ing to your bounden duty, to bring weighing of the Scriptures, ye may all such as are or shall be com- wax riper and stronger in your mitted to your charge, unto that Ministry; and that ye may so agreement in the faith and know- endeavour yourselves, from time ledge of God, and to that ripeness to time, to sanctify the lives of and perfectness of age in Christ, you and yours, and to fashion that there be no place left among them after the Rule and Doctrine you, either for error in religion, of Christ, that ye may be wholeor for viciousness in life.

some and godly examples and patForasmuch then as your Office terns for the people to follow. is both of so great excellency, And now, that this present Conand of so great difficulty, ye see gregation of Christ bere assembled with how great care and study may also understand your minds ye ought to apply yourselves, as and wills in these things, and that well that ye may shew yourselves this your promise may the more

move you to do your duties, ye

The Bishop. shall answer plainly to these things,

of WT!

TILL you be diligent in Pray

ers, and in reading of the and of his Church, shall demand holy Scriptures, and in such stuof you touching the same.

dies as help to the knowledge of

, the saine, laying aside the study that you be truly called, ac- of the world and the flesh ? cording to the will of our Lord Answer. I will endeavour myJesus Christ, and the order of self so to do, the Lord being my this United Church of England helper. and Ireland, to the Order and

The Bishop.
Ministry of Priesthood ?
Answer. I think it.

TILL you be diligent to frame
WILL

and fashion your own selves, The Bishop

and your families, according to

the Doctrine of Christ; and to A

make both yourselves and them, holy Scriptures contain suf

as much as in you lieth, wholeficiently all Doctrine required of

some examples and patterns to necessity for eternal salvation

the flock of Christ? through faith in Jesus Christ?

Answer. I will apply myself and are you determined, out of thereto, the Lord being my helper. the said Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your charge,

The Bishop. and to teach nothing, as required WILL you maintain and set

,

, lieth but that which you shall be per- in you, quietness, peace, and love, suaded may be concluded and among all Christian people, and proved by the Scripture ?

especially among them that are Answer. I am so persuaded, or shall be committed to your and have so determined by God's charge ? grace.

Answer. I will so do, the Lord The Bishop.

being my helper. faithful diligence always so

The Bishop. to minister the Doctrine

and Sa- WILL you reverently obey your craments, and the Discipline of

and Christ, as the Lord hath com

Ministers, unto whom is commit

ted the charge and government manded, and as this Church and Realm hath received the same,

over you; following with a glad according to the Commandments

mind and will their godly admoof God; so that you may teach the

nitions, and submitting yourselves people committed to your Cure

to their godly judgements ? and Charge with all diligence to

Answer. I will so do, the Lord keep and observe the same?

being my helper. Answer. I will so do, by the

Then shall the Bishop, standing help of the Lord.

up, say, The Bishop.

LMIGHTY God, who hath WLL, you be ready, with all

these things; Grant also unto you faithful diligence, to banish

strength and power to perform and drive away all erroneous and

the same; that he may accomstrange doctrines contrary to God's

plish his work which he hath beword; and to use both publick

gun in you; through Jesus Christ and private monitions and exhor

our Lord. Amen. tations, as well to the sick as to the whole, within your Cures, as

After this, the Congregation shall

be desired, secretly in their Prayneed shall require, and occasion ers, to make their humble suppli. shall be given ?

cations to God for all these things: Answer. I will, the Lord being for the which Prayers there shall my helper.

be silence Icept for a space.