Then the Bishop shall deliver to every one of them kneeling, the Bible into his hands, saying,

Take thou authority to preach the word of God, and to administer the holy sacra ments in the congregation.

Then the Bishop shall say,

Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to send upon these thy servants thy heavenly blessings, that they may be clothed with righteousness; and that thy word spoken by their mouths may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also that we may have grace to hear and receive what they shall deliver out of thy most holy word, or agreeably to the same, as the means of our salvation; and that in all our words and deeds we may seek thy glory, and the increase of thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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 among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

[If on the same day the order of Deacons be given to some, and that of Elders to others, the Deacons shall be first presented, and then the Elders. The collects shall both be used; first that for Deacons, then that for Elders. The epistle shall be Ephesians iv, 7-13, as before in this office. Immediately after which, they that are to be ordained Deacons shall be examined and ordained as is above prescribed. Then one of them having read the Gospel-which shall be St. John x, 1, as before in this office-they that are to be ordained Elders shall likewise be examined and ordained, as in this office before appointed.]

III. THE FORM AND MANNER OF MAKING OF DEACONS.

[When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, there shall be a sermon or exhortation, declaring the duty and office of such as come to be admitted Deacons.]

After which, one of the Elders shall present unto the Bishop the persons to be ordained Deacons, and their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall say unto the people:

BRETHREN, if there be any of you who knoweth any impediment or crime in any of these persons presented to be ordained Deacons, for the which he ought not to be admitted to that office, let him come forth in the name of God, and show what the crime or impediment is.

[If any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall surcease from ordaining that person, until such time as the party accused shall be found clear of that crime.]

Then shall be read the following collect und epistle.

The Collect.

Almighty God, who by thy Divine providence hast appointed divers orders of ministers in thy Church, and didst inspire thy apostles to choose into the order of Deacons thy first martyr, St. Stephen, with others; mercifully behold these thy servants, now called to the like office and administration; replenish them so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with innocency of life, that both by word and good example they may faithfully serve thee in this office to the glory of thy name, and the edification of thy Church, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost now and forever. Amen.

The Epistle. 1 Tim. iii, 8–13.

Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a Deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their

wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the Deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a Deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Then shall the Bishop examine every one of those who are to be ordained, 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 the office of the ministry in the Church of Christ, to serve God for the promoting of his glory and the edifying of his people?

Answ. I trust so.

The Bishop. Do you unfeignedly believe all the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testament?

Answ. I do believe them.

The Bishop. Will you diligently read or expound the same unto the people whom you shall be appointed to serve?

Answ. I will.

The Bishop. It appertaineth to the office