science, and continuing ever stable and strong in thy Son Christ, may so well use themselves in this inferior office, that they may be found worthy to be called unto the higher ministries in thy church, through the same thy Son our Saviour Christ; to whom be glory and honour world without end. Amen.

¶ And here it must be shewed unto the Deacon that he must continue in that office of a Deacon the space of a whole year at the least, (except for reasonable causes it be otherwise seen to his Ordinary,) to the intent he may be perfect, and well expert in the things appertaining to the ecclesiastical administration; in executing whereof, if he be found faithful and diligent, he may be admitted by his Diocesan to the order of Priesthood.

¶ The Form of Ordering Priests.

¶ When the Exhortation is ended, then shall follow the Communion. And for the Epistle shall be read out of the twentieth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles as followeth :

FROM Mileto Paul sent messengers to Ephesus, and called the elders of the congregation: which when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know that from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humbleness of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which happened unto me by the layings await of the Jews: because I would keep back nothing that was profitable unto you, but to shew you and teach you openly throughout every house; witnessing both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, the repentance that is toward God, and the faith which is toward our Lord Jesus. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall come on me there; but that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bands and trouble abide me. But none of these things move me, neither is my life dear unto myself, that I might fulfil my course with joy, and the ministration of the word, which I have received of the Lord Jesu, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I am sure that henceforth ye all (through whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God) shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have spared no labour, but have shewed you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, among whom the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to rule the con

gregation of God, which he hath purchased with his blood. For I am sure of this, that after my departing, shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Moreover of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them. Therefore awake, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one of you night and day with tears.

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build further, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have desired no man's silver, gold, or vesture. Yea, you know yourselves, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to receive the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesu, how that he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Or else this third chapter of the first Epistle to Timothy.

THIS is a true saying, If any man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth an honest work. A bishop therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, diligent, sober, discreet, a keeper of hospitality, apt to teach; not given to overmuch wine, no fighter, not greedy of filthy lucre; but gentle, abhorring fighting, abhorring covetousness; one that ruleth well his own house, one that hath children in subjection with all reverence. For if a man cannot rule his own house, how shall he care for the congregation of God? He may not be a young scholar, lest he swell, and fall into the judgment of the evil speaker. He must also have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into rebuke and snare of the evil speaker.

Likewise must the ministers be honest, not doubletongued, not given unto much wine, neither greedy of filthy lucre; but holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. And let them first be proved, and then let them minister, so that no man be able to reprove them.

Even so must their wives be honest, not evil speakers, but sober and faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, and such as rule their children well, and their own households. For they that minister well get themselves a good degree, and great liberty in the faith which is in Christ Jesu.

These things write I unto thee, trusting to come shortly unto

thee: but and if I tarry long, that then thou mayest have yet knowledge how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the congregation of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth. And without doubt, great is that mystery of godliness: God was shewed in the flesh, was justified in the Spirit, was seen among the angels, was preached unto the Gentiles, was believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

After this shall be read for the Gospel a piece of the last chapter of Matthew, as followeth :

JESUS came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even until the end of the world. Matt. xxviii.

Or else this that followeth, of the tenth chapter of John.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not in by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a murderer. But he that entereth in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep heareth his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he hath sent forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. A stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him for they know not the voice of strangers. This proverb spake Jesus unto them; but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All (even as many as come before me) are thieves and murderers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door by me, if any man enter in, he shall be safe, and go in and out, and find pasture. A thief cometh not, but for to steal, kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: a good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. An hired servant, and he which is not the shepherd, (neither the sheep are his own,) seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth and scattereth the sheep. The hired servant fleeth, because he is an hired servant, and careth not for the

sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As my Father knoweth me, even so know I also my Father: and I give my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.

Or else this, of the twentieth chapter of John.

THE same day at night, which was the first day of the sabbaths, when the doors were shut, (where the disciples were assembled together for fear of the Jews,) came Jesus and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father sent me, even so send I you also. And when he had said those words, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

When the Gospel is ended, then shall be said or sung,

COME, Holy Ghost, eternal God, proceeding from above,
Both from the Father and the Son, the God of peace and love;
Visit our minds, and into us thy heavenly grace inspire,

That in all truth and godliness we may have true desire.

Thou art the very Comforter, in all woe and distress,

The heavenly gift of God most high, which no tongue can express; The fountain and the lively spring of joy celestial,

The fire so bright, the love so clear, and unction spiritual.

Thou in thy gifts art manifold, whereby Christ's church doth stand;
In faithful hearts writing thy law, the finger of God's hand.
According to thy promise made thou givest speech of grace,
That through thy help the praise of God may sound in every place.
O Holy Ghost, into our wits send down thine heavenly light,
Kindle our hearts with fervent love, to seve God day and night;
Strength and stablish all our weakness, so feeble and so frail,
That neither flesh, the world, nor devil, against us do prevail;
Put back our enemy far from us, and grant us to obtain
Peace in our hearts with God and man, without grudge or disdain.
And grant, O Lord, that thou, being our Leader and our Guide,
We may eschew the snares of sin, and from thee never slide.
To us such plenty of thy grace, good Lord, grant, we thee pray,
That thou mayest be our Comforter at the last dreadful day.

Of all strife and dissension, O Lord, dissolve the bands,

And make the knots of peace and love throughout all Christian lands.
Grant us, O Lord, through thee to know the Father most of might,
That of his dear beloved Son we may attain the sight:
And that with perfect faith also we may acknowledge thee,
The Spirit of them both alway, one God, in Persons three.
Laud and praise be to the Father, and to the Son equal,
And to the Holy Spirit also, one God coeternal.

And pray we that the only Son vouchsafe his Spirit to send,
To all that do profess his name unto the world's end. Amen.

And then the Archdeacon shall present unto the Bishop all them that shall receive the Order of Priesthood that day; the Archdeacon saying,

REVEREND father in God, I present unto you these persons present, to be admitted to the Order of Priesthood, Cum interrogatione et responsione, ut in Ordine Diaconatus.

And then the Bishop shall say to the people,

GOOD people, these be they whom we purpose, God willing, to receive this day unto the holy office of priesthood. For after due examination we find not the contrary but that they be lawfully called to their function and ministry, and that they be persons meet for the same: but yet if there be any of you which knoweth any impediment, or notable crime in any of them, for the which he ought not to be received into this holy ministry, now in the name of God declare the same.

And if any great crime or impediment be objected, &c. ut supra in Ordine Diaconatus usque ad finem Litanie cum hac Collecta.

ALMIGHTY God, giver of all good things, which by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed diverse orders of ministers in thy church; Mercifully behold these thy servants, now called to the office of priesthood, and replenish them so with the truth of thy doctrine, and 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 profit of the congregation, through the merits of our Saviour Jesu Christ; who liveth and reigneth, with thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Then the Bishop shall minister unto every of them the oath concerning the king's supremacy, as it is set out in the Order of Deacons. And that done, he shall say unto them which are appointed to receive the said office, as hereafter followeth : You have heard, brethren, as well in your private examination,