Chapter XXIV: Appendix (12)

In the Name of God, Amen. _N_. chosen Bishop of the Church and See of _N_. do profess and promise all due reverence and obedience to the Archbishop and to the Metropolitical Church of _N_. and to their Successors: So help me God, through Jesus Christ.

_This Oath shall not be made at the Consecration of an Archbishop_.]

_Then the_ [_Primus_] _shall move the Congregation present to pray, saying thus to them_:

Brethren, it is written in the Gospel of St Luke, that our Saviour Christ continued the whole night in prayer, before he did choose and send forth his twelve Apostles. It is written also in the Acts of the Apostles, that the disciples who were at Antioch did fast and pray, before they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas, and sent them forth. Let us therefore, following the example of our Saviour Christ and his Apostles, first fall to prayer, before we admit and send forth this person presented unto us, to the work whereunto we trust the Holy Ghost hath called him.

_And then shall be said the Litany, as before in the Form of Ordering Deacons, save only that after this place_, That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops, &c. _the proper Suffrage there following shall be omitted, and this inserted instead of it_;

That it may please thee to bless this our Brother elected, and to send thy grace upon him, that he may duly execute the office where unto he is called, to the edifying of thy Church, and to the honour, praise and glory of thy Name,

_Answer_. We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

_Then shall be said this Prayer following_.

Almighty God, giver of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers orders of Ministers in thy Church: Mercifully behold this thy servant now called to the work and ministry of a Bishop; and replenish him so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn him with innocency of life, that both by word and deed he may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory of thy Name, and the edifying and well-governing of thy Church; through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. _Amen_.

_Then the_ [_Primus_], _sitting in his Chair, shall say to him that is to be consecrated_,

Brother, forasmuch as the holy Scripture and the ancient Canons command that we should not be hasty in laying on hands, and admitting any person to government in the Church of Christ, which he hath purchased with no less price than the effusion of his own blood: Before I admit you to this administration, I will examine you in certain articles, to the end that the Congregation present may have a trial, and bear witness, how you be minded to behave yourself in the Church of God.

Are you persuaded that you be truly called to this ministration, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the order of this [Church]?

_Answer_. I am so persuaded.

_The_ [_Primus_],

Are you persuaded that the holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ? And are you determined out of the same holy Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your charge, and to teach or maintain nothing as required of necessity to eternal salvation, but that which you shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved by the same?

_Answer_. I am so persuaded and determined, by God's grace.

_The_ [_Primus_].

Will you then faithfully exercise yourself in the same holy Scriptures, and call upon God by prayer, for the true understanding of the same; so as you may be able by them to teach and exhort with wholesome doctrine, and to withstand and convince the gainsayers?

_Answer_. I will so do, by the help of God

_The_ [_Primus_].

Be you ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God's Word; and both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others to the same?

_Answer_. I am ready, the Lord being my helper.

_The_ [_Primus_].

Will you deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world; that you may shew yourself in all things an example of good works unto others, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing to say against you?

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

_The_ [_Primus_].

Will you maintain and set forward, as much as shall lie in you, quietness, peace, and love among all men; and such as be unquiet, disobedient and criminous within your Diocese, correct and punish, according to such authority as you have by God's Word, and as to you shall be committed by the Ordinance of this [Church]?

_Answer_. I will so do, by the help of God

_The_ [_Primus_].

Will you be faithful in ordaining, sending, or laying hands upon others?

_Answer_. I will so be, by the help of God.

_The_ [_Primus_].

Will you shew yourself gentle, and be merciful for Christ's sake to poor and needy people, and to all strangers destitute of help?

_Answer_. I will so shew myself, by God's help.

_Then the_ [_Primus_], _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 h e 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_ [_Primus_] _beginning, and the Bishops, with others that are present, answering by verses, as followeth_.

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,

_And lighten with celestial fire_.

Thou the anointing Spirit art,

_Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart_.

Thy blessed Unction from above

_Is comfort, life, and fire of love_.

Enable with perpetual light

_The dulness of our blinded sight_.

Anoint and cheer our soiled face

_With the abundance of thy grace_.

Keep far our foes, give peace at home:

_Where thou art guide, no ill can come_.

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_.

_Or this_:

Come, Holy Ghost, eternal God, &c.

_as before in the Form of Ordering Priests_.

_That ended, the_ [_Primus_] _shall say_,

Lord, hear our prayer.

_Answer_. And let our cry come unto thee.

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_.

_Then the_ [_Primus and_] _Bishops present shall lay their hands upon the head of the elected Bishop kneeling before them upon his knees, the_ [_Primus_] _saying_,

Receive 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_ [_Primus_] _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. Take heed unto thyself, and to doctrine, and be diligent in doing them: 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_ [_Primus_] _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 these Prayers_.

Most 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_.

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with I thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _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_.

ACCESSION SERVICE

| The form of prayer with thanksgiving, now authorised in the | Church of England for use upon the anniversary of the day of | the Accession of the reigning Sovereign, is authorised in the | EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN SCOTLAND.

FORMS OF PRAYER

WITH THANKSGIVING TO ALMIGHTY GOD;

For use in all Churches and Chapels within this Realm, every year, upon the anniversary of the day of the Accession of the reigning Sovereign, or upon such other day as shall be appointed by authority.