THE FORM OF PRAYER AND CEREMONIES USED AT THE Consecration of Churches, Chapels, AND Burial Grounds, IN THE DIOCESE OF SALISBURY. By Authority. LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & CO. M.DCCC.LIX. PREPARATIONS IN ORDER TO BO The Consecrating of a Church [AND BURIAL GROUND]. The Church is to be furnished with a Font and Cover, Pulpit, Prayer Desk, Communion Table, Hassocks or Kneeling Mats, Bier or Trestles, one or more Bells, the Ten Commandments, one large Bible, one Book of Common Prayer for the Prayer Desk, and another containing "the Order of Holy Communion" for the Communion Table, a Book of Offices, Register Books, with Iron Chest for keeping the Registers, a Flagon, Chalice, Paten, and Vessel for the Offertory, a Covering for the Communion Table, Linen Cloth and Napkins for the same, and Surplices. T The Burial Ground is to be properly enclosed, fenced, and completed with Gates and Churchways. The Deed of Conveyance or Donation of the Ground, the Endowments and the Evidences thereof, the Nomination of the Minister, and such other Documents as shall in any case be requisite, are to be laid before the Bishop or his Chancellor some time before the day proposed for the Consecration of the Church, in order to the preparing of the Act or Sentence of the Consecration against that day. Notice of the Bishop's intention to consecrate the Church [and Burial Ground], with the day and hour appointed, is to be fixed on the Church door at least three days beforehand. If the Building is to be consecrated as a Chapel, in which some sacramental or religious Rites may not be solemnised, the same directions are to be observed, except with regard to a Font, Bier, Register Books, and other articles not required for the service in the Chapel. Chairs are to be set on the north side of the Communion Table for the Bishop, on the south side for the Chaplains, and one conveniently near the Bishop's chair, but without the rails, for the Chancellor. The Communion Vessels are to be brought to the Bishop to be humbly presented and placed by him upon the Holy Table when the alms and other donations of the people have been brought to him. THE FORM OF Consecration of a Church [AND BURIAL GROUND]. The Bishop, attended by his Chaplains, shall be received at the West Door, or at some other entrance to the Church or Churchyard, by the Minister and Clergy in their Surplices, the Churchwardens, and some of the principal Inhabitants. Here ■ Petition, signed by the Incumbent and Churchwardens, Patron, Trustees, or others, as the case may require, shall be delivered to the Bishop by the Minister or some one of the Persons who receive him, praying that he will consecrate the Church [and the Burial Ground thereto belonging), The Bishop shall receive the Petition, and shall signify his consent to consecrate the Church [and Burial Ground] according to the Prayer therein contained. ¶ Then shall follow the Ceremony of Consecration and Dedication, after the following form. The Bishop and the Clergy, and others attending upon him, shall proceed up the chief Aisie to the Communion Table, saying or singing the 24th Psalm. THE Psalm xxiv. HE earth is the Lord's and all that therein is: the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein. 2. For he hath founded it upon the seas: and prepared it upon the floods. 3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord: or who shall rise up in his holy place? 4. Even he that hath clean hands and a pure heart: and. that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbour. 5. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord: and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6. This is the generation of them that seek him: even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob. 7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors: and the King of Glory shall come in. 8. Who is the King of Glory: it is the Lord, strong and mighty, even the Lord, mighty in battle. 9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors: and the King of Glory shall come in. 10. Who is the King of Glory: even the Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. The Bishop, sitting in his Chair on the North side of the Holy Table, is to have the Instrument or Instruments of Conveyance, Donation, or Endowment (if any) presented to him by the Founder, or some proper Substitute, which he shall lay upon the Communion Table; and then, standing up and turning to the Congregation, he shall say: DEARLY beloved in the Lord: forasmuch as devout and holy men, as well under the Law as under the Gopsel, moved either by the secret inspiration of the Blessed Spirit, or by the express command of God, or by their own reason and sense of the natural decency of things, have erected Houses for the Public Worship of God, and separated them from all profane and common uses, in order to fill men's minds with greater reverence for His Glorious Majesty, and affect their hearts with more devotion and humility in His service; which pious works have been approved of and graciously accepted by our Heavenly Father: Let us not doubt but that He will also favourably approve our godly purpose, of setting apart this place in solemn manner, for the performance of the several Offices of religious Worship, and let us faithfully and devoutly beg His blessing on this our undertaking, and say, Then, all kneeling, the Bishop shall say the following Prayer . ETERNAL GOD, mighty in power, and of majesty incomprehensible, Whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain, much less the walls of Temples made with hands, and Who yet hast been graciously pleased to promise Thy especial Presence in whatever place even two or three of Thy faithful servants shall assemble in Thy Name, to offer up their praises and supplications unto Thee; vouchsafe, O Lord, to be present with us, who are here gathered together, with all humility and readiness of heart, to consecrate this place to the honour of Thy great Name; separating it from henceforth from all unhallowed, ordinary, |