SECTION IV. The Order of the Burial of the Dead. N. B. The following or some other solemn service shall be used. The Minister meeting the Corpse, and going before it, shall say, I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. John xi 25, 26. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. Job xix. 25, 26, 27. We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord. 1 Tim. vi. 7. Job i. 21. At the Grave, when the Corpse is laid in the earth, the Minister shall say, Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is eut down like a flower: he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay. In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased? Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death. Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts: shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers, but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not at our last hour for any pains of death to fall from thee. Then shall be said, I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write: From henceforth blessed are the dead who die in the Lord even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labours. M Then shall the Minister say, Lord have mercy upon us. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven: Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us: And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. The Collect. O merciful God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die and whosoever liveth and believeth in him, shall not die eternally: We meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness: that when we shall depart this life, we may rest in him; and at the general resurrection on the last day, may be found acceptable in thy sight, and receive that blessing which thy well beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, saying, Come ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. CHAPTER IV. THE FORM AND MANNER OF MAKING AND ORDAINING OF BISHOPS, ELDERS, AND DEACONS. SECTION. 1. 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 orime 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 shew 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 and 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 |