Bishop appointed by his commission: the Bishops that present him saying.

MOST reverend father in God, we present unto thee this godly and well learned man, to be consecrated Bishop.

Then the King's mandate to the Archbishop for the consecration shall be read. And the oath touching the knowledge of the King's supremacy shall be ministered to the person elected, as it is set out in the Order of Deacons. And then shall be ministered also the oath of due obedience unto the Archbishop, as followeth.*

The oath of due Obedience to the Archbishop.

In the name of GOD, Amen. I 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, and his holy Gospel.t

[This oath shall not be made at the consecration of an Archbishop. Inserted in 1552.]

Then the Archbishop shall move the congregation present to pray: saying thus to them.

BRETHREN, it is written in the gospel of Saint Luke, that our Saviour Christ continued the whole night in prayer. or ever that he did choose and send forth his xii Apostles, It is written also in the Acts of the Apostles, that the Disciples which were at Antioch did fast and pray, or ever they laid hands upon, or sent forth Paul and Barnabas. Let us therefore, following the example of our Saviour Christ and his Apostles, first fall to prayer, or that 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 afore in the order of Deacons.

• The rubric stands thus in the form of 1552: "Then shall the Archbishop demand the Queen's mandate for the consecration, and cause it to be read. And the oath touching the knowledge of the Queen's supremacy shall be ministered to the person elected, as it is set out in the Order of Deacons. And then shall be ministered also the oath of due obedience unto the Archbishop."

"And his holy Gospel," with the sign of the cross, omitted in 1552.

And after this place: That it may please thee to illuminate all
Bishops, &c. he shall say.

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 whereunto 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.

¶ Concluding the Litany in the end with this prayer.

ALMIGHTY God, giver of all good things, which by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed diverse 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 innocency of life, that both by word and deed he may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory of thy name, and profit of thy 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 Archbishop, sitting in a chair, shall say this to him that is to be consecrated.

BROTHER, forasmuch as holy scripture and the old Canons commandeth, that we should not be hasty in laying on hands, and admitting of any person to the government of the congregation of Christ, which he hath purchased with no less price than the effusion of his own blood: afore that I admit you to this administration whereunto ye are called, I will examine you in certain articles, to the end the congregation present may have a trial and bear witness, how ye be minded to behave your self 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 realm ?

Answer. I am so persuaded.

The Archbishop. Are you persuaded that the holy scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine, required of necessity for eternal salvation, through the faith in Jesu Christ? And are you de termined, with 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 you shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved by the same?

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

The Archbishop. Will you then faithfully exercise your self in the said holy scriptures, and call upon God by prayer for the true understanding of the same, so as ye may be able by them to teach and exhort with wholesome doctrine, and to withstand and convince the gainsayers?

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

The Archbishop. 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 other to the same?

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

The Archbishop. Will you deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and Godly in this world, that you may shew your self in all things an example of good works unto other, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing to lay against you?

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

The Archbishop. 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 ye have by God's word, and as to you shall be committed by the ordinance of this realm ?

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

The Archbishop. 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 my self by God's grace.

The Archbishop. 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, yo may be found perfect and irreprehensible at the latter day, through Jesu Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall be sung or said Come Holy Ghost, &c., as it is set down* in the Order of Priests.

That ended, the Archbishop shall say.

The Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

Lord, hear our prayer.†

Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.

ALMIGHTY God, and most merciful Father, which of thy infinite goodness hast given to us thy only and most dear beloved Son Jesus Christ, to be our redeemer and 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 of his congregation grant, we beseech thee, to this thy servant such grace, that he may be evermore ready to spread abroad thy Gospel and glad tidings of reconcilement to God, and to use the authority given unto him, not to destroy, but to save; not to hurt, but to help: so that he as a faithful and wise servant, giving to thy family meat in due season, may at the last day be received into joy, through Jesu Christ our Lord who with thee, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God, world without end. Amen.

Then the Archbishop and Bishops present shall lay their hands upon the head of the elect‡ Bishop, the Archbishop saying,

TAKE

AKE the Holy Ghost, and remember that thou stir up the grace of God, which is in thee by imposition of hands; for God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and of soberness.

Then the Archbishop shall lay the Bible upon his neck,ş saying,

GIVE

IVE heed unto reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Think upon these things contained in this book: be diligent in them, that the increase coming thereby may be manifest unto all men. Take heed unto thy self, and unto teaching, and be

† Added in 1552.

"Set out "-1552.

"Elected "-1552.

S

"Shall deliver him the Bible,”—1552.

diligent in doing them: for by doing this thou shalt save thy self, and them that hear thee.

Then shall the Archbishop put into his hand the Pastoral Staff, saying.*

E to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf: feed them,

together 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 come, ye may receive the immercescible crown of glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the Archbishop shall proceed to the Communion, with whom the new consecrated Bishop with other† shall also communicate. And after the last Collect, immediately before the benediction, shall be said this prayer.

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 an wholesome example, in word, in conversation, in love, in faith, in chastity, and 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.

As in the two preceding Forms for ordination, so in the present the office to which the person is to be set apart is several times mentioned: 1st, in the proper Epistle; 2ndly, in the rubric after the proper gospel; 3rdly, in the presentation to the consecrating Archbishop or Bishop: 4thly, in the Oath of due obedience; 5thly, in the special prayer with which the Litany is ordered to be

This direction is omitted in 1552, and the words "Be to the flock" follow immediately after "them that hear thee."

† Added 1552.