¶ Then the Presiding Bishop, standing up, shall say, ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hath given you a good will to do all these things, Grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that, he accomplishing in you the good work which he hath begun, you may be found perfect and irreprehensible at the latter day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the Bishop elect put on the rest of the Episcopal habit; and, kneeling down, Veni, Creator Spiritus shall be sung or said over him; the Presiding Bishop beginning, and the Bishops, with others that are present, answering by verses, as followeth OME, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, COM And lighten with celestial fire. Thou the anointing Spirit art, Thy blessed Unction from above, Anoint and cheer our soiled face Teach us to know the Father, Son, This may Thou art the very Comforter In grief and all distress; The heavenly gift of God most High; The fountain and the living spring The fire so bright, the love so sweet, Thou in thy gifts art manifold, By them Christ's Church doth stand: In faithful hearts thou writ'st thy law, The finger of God's hand. According to thy promise, Lord, O Holy Ghost, into our minds Send down thy heavenly light; Our weakness strengthen and confirm, Put back our enemy far from us, And help us to obtain Peace in our hearts with God and Man, (The best, the truest gain;) And grant that thou being, O Lord, Our leader and our guide, We may escape the snares of sin, And never from thee slide. Such measures of thy powerful grace Grant, Lord, to us, we pray; That thou may'st be our Comforter At the last dreadful day. Of strife and of dissension Dissolve, O Lord, the bands, Grant us the grace that we may know That we of his beloved Son May gain the blissful sight; And that we may with perfect faith To God the Father laud and praise, And pray we, that our only Lord ¶ That ended, the Presiding Bishop shall say, Lord, hear our prayer. Answer. And let our cry come unto thee. Presiding Bishop. Let us pray. ALMIGHTY God, and most merciful Father, who, of thine. infinite goodness, hast given thine only and dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, and the Author of everlasting life; who, after that he had made perfect our Redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, poured down his gifts abundantly upon men, making some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, some Pastors and Doctors; to the edifying and making perfect his Church; Grant, we beseech thee, to this thy servant, such grace, that he may evermore be ready to spread abroad thy Gospel, the glad tidings of reconciliation with thee; and use the authority given him, not to destruction, but to salvation; not to hurt, but to help so that, as a wise and faithful servant, giving to thy family their portion in due season, he may at last be received into everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who, with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. 2 Then the Presiding Bishop and Bishops present shall lay their Hands upon the Head of the Elected Bishop, kneeling before them, the Presiding Bishop saying, ECEIVE the Holy Ghost for the Office and Work of a Bishop in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the Imposition of our hands; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And remember that thou stir up the grace of God, which is given thee by this Imposition of our hands: for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and soberness. ¶ Then the Presiding Bishop shall deliver him the Bible, saying, GIVE heed unto reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Think upon the things contained in this Book. Be diligent in them, that the increase coming thereby may be manifest unto all men; for by so doing thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf; feed them, devour them not. Hold up the weak, heal the sick, bind up the broken, bring again the outcasts, seek the lost. Be so merciful, that you be not too remiss; so minister discipline, that you forget not mercy; that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you may receive the never-fading crown of glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then the Presiding Bishop shall proceed in the Communion Service; with whom the new Consecrated Bishop, with others, shall also communicate. And for the last Collect, immediately before the Benediction, shall be said this Prayer. MOS OST merciful Father, we beseech thee to send down upon this thy servant thy heavenly blessing; and so endue him with thy Holy Spirit, that he, preaching thy Word, may not only be earnest to reprove, beseech, and rebuke, with all patience and doctrine; but also may be to such as believe a wholesome example in word, in conversation, in love, in faith, in chastity, and in purity; that, faithfully fulfilling his course, at the latter day he may receive the crown of righteousness, laid up by the Lord, the righteous Judge, who liveth and reigneth one God with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end. 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 amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen. THE LITANY AND SUFFRAGES. GOD the Father of heaven; have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O God the Father of heaven; have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world; have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world; have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son; have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son; have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three Persons and one God; have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three Persons and one God; have mercy upon us miserable sinners. Remember not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers; neither take thou vengeance of our sins: spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever. Spare us, good Lord. From all evil and mischief; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation, Good Lord, deliver us. |