THE

FORM and MANNER

OF

Ordaining DEACONS.

When there is occafion for a Deacon to be ordained, the Faithful of the Parish shall elect a proper perfon; notice whereof shall be given to the Bishop : And if when the perfon elected hath been examined by the two Deacons who are to present him at the ordination, and by the Bishop himself, be (after confulting with his College of Presbyters) approve of him, he shall give notice of the day of Ordination (which shall always be a Lord's day) both to the Clergy of the Diocese, and to the Faithful of the Parish.

On all Wednesdays and Fridays between the time of the Bishop's notice and the day of ordination, the following prayer shall be used in the Penitential Office after the Prayer for all forts and conditions of men.

A

Lmighty God

our heavenly Father, who hast

purchased to thy felf an universal church by the precious blood of thy dear Son; mercifully look upon the fame, and at this time so guide and govern the mind of thy fervant our Bishop, that he

may

may not lay on hands fuddenly, but may faithfully and wifely ordain a fit person to the office of Deacon. And to him who shall be ordained to that holy function, give thy grace and heavenly benediction, that he may faithfully ferve before thee, to the glory of thy great name, and the benefit of thy holy church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Note, that a Deacon is not to be ordained, till he is Twenty five years of age, unless upon a particular occafion, of which the Bishop is to be judge.

When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, he and as many of the Clergy of the Diocese as conveniently can, shall repair to the Cathedral Church or to the Parish Church where the Deacon Elect is to minifter. And after the Greed in the Morning Prayer there Shall be a fermon or exhortation, declaring the duty and office of Deacons, how necessary that Order is in the Church of Christ, and how the People ought to esteem them in their office.

When all things are duly prepared in the Church, and Set in order; at the time appointed for celebrating the Holy Eucharift, before the Communion Service begins, the Elected Deacon (being decently habited) shall be presented by two Deacons unto the Bishop fitting in his Chair near the Altar, the Deacons that present him saying,

RIght Reverend Father in God, we present unto you this perfon to be admitted a Deacon,

The

The Bishop.

TAKE heed that the perfon whom ye prefent unto us, be apt and meet, for his learning and godly conversation, to exercise this ministry duly, to the honour of God and the edifying of his Church.

The two Deacons shall fay,

We have enquired of him, and also examined him, and think him fo to be.

Then shall the Bishop fay unto the People,

Beloved, if there be any of you who knoweth any

impediment or notable crime in this person presented to be ordained Deacon, 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.

And if any great crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall furceafe from ordaining that perfon, until fuch time as the party accused shall be found clear of that crime.

But if no great crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall begin the Communion Service, in which the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel shall be as follow.

The Collect.

A Lmighty God, who of thy divine providence haft appointed divers Orders of Ministers in thy church, and didst by thine holy apostles admit into the Order of Deacons the first Martyr Saint Stephen, with others; mercifully behold this thy servant now called called to the like office and administration. Replenish him so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn him with innocency of life, that both by word and good example he 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 Chrift, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, now and for ever. Amen.

The Epistle. 2 Tim. 3. 8.

I Ikewife must the Deacons be grave, not double

tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre, holding the mystery of faith in a pure confcience. 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 flanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the Deacons be the husband 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 Chrift Jefus.

The Gospel. S. Luke 12. 35.

LET your loins be girded about, and your lights

burning; and ye your selves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching. Verily, I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them fit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch,

watch, and find them so, blessed are those ser

vants.

After the Gospel and Nicene Creed are ended, the Bishop fitting in his Chair, shall say to him that is to be ordained,

Beloved, forasmuch as the Holy Scripture and the

ancient canons, command, that we should not be hafty in laying on hands; before I admit thee to this administration, I will examine thee in certain articles, to the end that the congregation here prefent may have a trial, and bear witness how thou art minded to behave thy felf in the Church of God.

Bish. Doft thou think in thy heart, that thou art truly called, according to the will of our Lord Jefus Chrift and the laws of the Church, to the order and ministry of Deacons?

Anfw. I think it.

Bish. Dost thou unfeignedly believe all the Canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testament? And wilt thou diligently read the fame unto the people affembled in the Church, where thou shalt be appointed to ferve?

Anfw. I do believe them, and will diligently read

them.

Bish. Wilt thou be diligent to frame and fashion thy life according to the doctrine of Christ, and to make thy felf, as much as in thee lieth, an wholfom example to the flock of Chrift?

Answ. I will so do, the Lord being my helper.