The Bishop. Will you then give your faithful diligence, always so to minister the doctrine and sacra-a ments, and discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath commanded ? Answ. I will so do, by the help of the Lord. The Bishop. Will you be ready with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word; and to use both public and private monitions and exhortations, as well to the sick as to the whole within your district, as need shall require and occasion shall be given ? Answ. I will, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop. Will you be diligent in prayers, and in reading of the holy Scriptures, and in such studies as help to the knowledge of the same, laying asido the study of the world and the flesh? Answ. I will endeavour so to do, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop. Will you be diligent to frame and fashion your own selves, and your families, according to the doctrine of Christ: and to make both yourselves and them, as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples and patterns to the flock of Christ? Answ. I shall apply myself thereto, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop. Will you maintain and set forward, as much as lieth in you, quietness, peace and love among all Christian People, and especially among them that are or shall be committed to your charge? Answ. I will so do, the Lord being my helper. The Bishop. Will you reverently obey your chief ministers, unto whom is committed the charge and government over you'; following with a glad mind and will their godly admonitions, submitting yourselves to their godly judgments ? Answ. I will so do, the Lord being my helper. Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say, Almighty God, who hath given you this will to do all these things, grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that he may accomplish his work which he hath begun in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [After this the Congregation shall be de sired, secretly in their prayers, to make their humble supplications to God for all these things: for the which prayers there shall be silence kept for a space.] After which shall be said by the Bishop, (the Persons to be ordained Elders all kneeling) Veni, Creator, Spiritus, the Bishop begin ning, and the Elders and others, that are present, answering by verse as followeth : Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, Teach us to know the Father, Son, And thee of both, to be but one; That through the ages all along, This may be our endless song; Praise to thy eternal merit, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That done, the Bishop shall pray in this-wise, and say, Let us Pray. Almighty God, and heavenly Father, who of thine infinite love and goodness towards us, hast given to us thy only and most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ to be our Redeemer, and the Author of everlasting life : who after he had made perfect our redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, sent abroad into the world his Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Doctors, and Pastors : by whose labour and ministry he gathered together a great flock in all parts of the world, to set forth the èternal praise of thy holy name: for these so great benefits of thy eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call these thy servants here present to the same Office and ministry appointed for the salvation of mankind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks, we praise and worship thee: and we humbly beseech thee by the same thy blessed Son, to grant unto all, who either here or elsewhere call upon thy Name, that we may continue to shew ourselves thankful unto thee for these and all other thy benefits; and that we may daily increase and go forward in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by the Holy Spirit. So that as well by these thy Ministers, as by them over whom they shall be appointed thy Ministers, thy holy Name may be forever glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world with out end. Amen. |