GOD. And if thou fulfil this thy charge with a right heart and mind, thou shalt have a share in the fellowship of the Saints and elect of GOD. Then shall the Archdeacon read the Gospel. S. Luke iv. 16-21. And JESUS came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the sabbathday, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias: and when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised; to preach the acceptable year of the LORD. And He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him. And He began to say unto them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears. Ry. Thanks be to GOD. The Gospel ended, the Bishop shall say, &c. . The LORD, &c. Ry. And with, . Let us pray. 579. O Almighty GoD, Who didst choose Thy servant Ezra, and gavest him wisdom to read Thy Law unto the people; look graciously on this Thy servant, whom Thou hast chosen as a Reader of Thy Word. Make him wise in Thy commandments, and understanding in Thy statutes. Enlighten the eyes of his mind, that he may clearly know Thy precepts, and grant him with purity of heart and with faith unfeigned to meditate and read therein, unto the edifying of them that hear, so that they may declare the honour and glory of Thy kingdom, where with Thy SON and HOLY SPIRIT, Thou livest and reignest, GOD, for ever and ever. Prevent us, &c. The peace, &c. ORDINATION OF SUBDEACONS. The Archdeacon shall present the GOD, and the edifying of His candidates, vested in cassock, gir- Church. dle, and surplice, to the Bishop, seated in his chair before the High Altar, and shall say, Right Reverend Father in GOD, we present unto you these persons NN. here present, who seek the imposition of hands for the office of Subdeacon. Bishop. Take heed that the persons whom ye present unto us, be apt and meet, for their learning and godly conversation, to exercise their Ministry duly, to the honour of The Archdeacon shall answer, I have inquired of them, and also examined them, and think them so to be. Then the Bishop shall say unto the people, Brethren, if there be any of you who knoweth any impediment, or notable crime, in any of these persons presented to be ordered Subdeacons, for the which he ought not to be admitted to that Office,let him come forth in the Name of GOD, you. Be sober; be vigilant; be and show what the crime or impediment is. And if any great crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall surcease from Ordering that person, until such time as the party accused shall be found clear of the crime. Then the Bishop (commending such as shall be found meet to be ordered to the prayers of the Congregation) shall, with the clergy and people present, sing or say the Litany, with the prayers following. The Litany and special Suffrages. (See Form of making Deacons in Book of Common Prayer. Then shall follow the Holy Eucharist, with the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel as under. Collect. 580. O LORD our heavenly FATHER, Almighty, everlasting GOD, vouchsafe to bless this Thy servant, whom Thou hast chosen for the office of Subdeacon; make him diligent in Thy sanctuary, a vigilant watchman in the heavenly warfare, a faithful minister at Thy holy Altar, and cause to rest upon him the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and godliness,and fill him with the spirit of Thy fear; stablish him in the sacred ministry, that obedient in word and deed, he may obtain Thy grace. Through. Epistle. 1 S. Pet. v. 5-11. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder; yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for GOD resisteth the proud,and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of GoD, that He may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for cause your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that all grace, Who hath called us unto are in the world. But the God of His eternal glory by CHRIST JESUS, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish,strengthen, settle you: to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Gospel. S. Mark xiii. 33—37. JESUS said unto His disciples, Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning: lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch. The Nicene Creed ended, the Bishop shall say, Beloved, ye that seek the holy office of Subdeacon, must needs ponder carefully again and again what a duty it is that ye desire to take upon yourselves. I demand therefore, Do you seek this office freely, not being constrained thereto, nor for the sake of gain, but for the honour and service of GOD? Ans. I do so seek it. Bishop. Do you believe that GOD Himself has called you to His service? Ans. I do so believe. Bishop. Will you be diligent in framing your life and conduct after the rule of CHRIST's doctrine? Ans. I will, the LORD being my helper. Bishop. Will you be zealous in discharging your office according to the laws of this Church of GOD? Ans. I will do so, by the help of GOD. Bishop. It belongeth to the office of a Subdeacon to aid the' Deacon in his ministry; to serve at the Altar of God; to care for the holy vessels, linen and books thereof, keeping them in readiness, purity, and order; to read the Epistles in the Church; to minister the oblations at the offertory; to see that all things are prepared for Divine Service, and to perform such other duties in the Church and parish as shall be enjoined him by lawful authority. See therefore that ye be henceforth zealous, watchful, sober, pure, and devout, which may He grant you, Who liveth. Then the Bishop laying his hands severally upon the head of every candidate, kneeling before him, shall say, Receive the office of a Subdeacon in the Church of GOD. In the Name, &c. Then shall the Archdeacon put into the hands of each of them the flagon or cruet, and the Book of Epistles, while the Bishop says, Take heed to the ministry which is committed unto thee, and see that thou so fulfil it as shall be well-pleasing unto God. Then shall follow the Offertory, and in the Post-Communion the Collect subjoined shall be said. 581. Almighty, everlasting GOD, Who hast given unction to kings, Who didst raise up and sanctify Thy prophets, Who calledst the just; so call and choose Thy servants for the office of Subdeacon, that they may be good stewards in Thy Church, bestowing on them the gift of Thy HOLY SPIRIT, granting that they may love the beauty of Thy House, and the communion of Thy sacraments, and plant them as fruitful olive trees to bring forth the fruits of righteousness unto CHRIST JESUS our LORD. Who liveth. INSTITUTION OF AN INCUMBENT OF A PARISH OR CHURCH. The Bishop (or in his absence, the Archdeacon or Rural Dean) shall be seated in a chair before the Altar. The new Incumbent shall kneel at the Litany-stool in front of him. The Bishop. ing him thereto, I require that if any of you do know of any just cause or impediment why he should not be instituted to this office, ye do now declare it. If any objection be alleged, the Institutor, according to his discretion, shall suspend or continue the Service. Dearly beloved brethren, N., elected Pastor of this Church, is present here to enter upon his office; wherefore we think fit that Brother, seeing that the grace of he shall be examined, according to GOD, and the choice of the patron the rule of the 'godly Fathers, in of this benefice [or of the congrethose things which belong to our gation, as may be the case], and thy holy religion and to the clerical former life and conversation have state. Wherefore, before institut-called thee to this office, we desire to know from thine own lips, whether thou art willing to dwell with thy flock in this place, to refrain thyself from all evil ways, and to devote thyself to all good works, as GOD shall grant? Ans. I am willing. Bishop. Wilt thou diligently observe and keep thy priestly vows and pledges, and instruct those set under thee? Ans. I will, with the help of God. Bishop. Wilt thou be a good steward of the goods of this Church, and guard them for the benefit of the brethren, the poor, and strangers? Ans. I will. Ans. I will, Gop being my helper. Bishop. Wilt thou busy thyself in holy things, and shun earthly concerns and filthy lucre, so far as human frailty suffereth thee? Ans. I will, with the help of GOD. Bishop. Wilt thou be courteous and merciful to the poor and the stranger, and to all that are in need, for the honour of God's Name? Ans. I will, with the help of GOD. Bishop. Wilt thou yield canonical obedience in all things to the mother Church, N.? Ans. I will. He then makes his profession in the usual form, and signs his name to the document. The Senior Churchwarden, or some other lay parishioner, shall deliver the keys of the Church to the new Incumbent, saying, In the name of this Parish [or Church] I, A. B., acknowledge you, C. D., as Priest and Rector [Vicar or Perpetual Curate] of the same, and in token thereof give into your hands the keys of this Church. Then the new Incumbent shall I, C. D., receive these keys of the House of GOD at your hands, as the pledge of my institution, and of your recognition, and I promise to be a faithful shepherd over you, in the Name of the FATHER, &c. Bishop. Almighty God be thy Helper, in these and all other good things. &c. . The LORD, &c. Ry. And with, LORD, have mercy, &c. . O LORD, save Thy servant. Ry. Who putteth his trust in Thee. . The LORD preserve thy coming in. Ry. From this time forth for evermore. . The LORD preserve thee from all evil. Ry. The LORD Himself be the keeper of thy soul. y. Send thee help from His holy place. Ry. And strengthen thee out of Sion. V. O LORD, arise, help us. Ry. And deliver us for Thy Name's sake. V. The LORD, &c. R. And with, &c. Let us pray. 582. Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, the increase of Thy grace to this Thy servant, whom we have elected to the cure of souls, that by Thy bounty we, and the choice we have made, may be pleasing unto Thee. Through. Let us pray. 583. O GOD, Who rulest all the kingdoms of the earth according to Thy divine pleasure; we humbly the grace of heavenly sanctification pray and beseech Thee to bless with this Thy servant N., whom we have chosen as Pastor of this Church; that in his days holy discipline may revive, and that by Thy help, he may set a good example to his flock, and carrying on his warfare in Thy fear and with gentleness to his people, may be ever peacefully sheltered under the shield of Thy Majesty. Vouchsafe to enrich him with Thy divine right hand, that he may be a wise steward, and able to help lovingly all them that need. Be Thou his worship, his joy in his home, his companion in his journeys, his comfort in sorrow, his counsel in doubt, his medicine in sickness, his helper in toil, his defence in adversity, his patience in tribulation. Let him learn in Thee forethought and wisdom, to rule prudently the flock entrusted to him, that ever prospered and rejoicing in the riches of Thy bountiful goodness, he may thankfully enjoy the temporal gifts of this present life, and finally be united in everlasting fellowship with the heavenly citizens and the choirs of angels. Through. Let us pray. and to administer the Sacraments herein. Then putting a Bible into the hand of the new Incumbent, he shall say, I charge thee before GOD and the LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who shall judge the quick and the dead, at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine. He shall then lead him to his stall, Exalt Him also in the congregation The Bishop, returning to the Altar, shall stand before it, facing the people, and say, LORD, we beseech Thee, on this Thy 584. Look down graciously, Oness, and declare the wonders that servant, and give him true knowledge, unshaken hope, right counsel, and holy doctrine, that he may be meet to receive the grace of Thy blessing, and, without offence, may follow the footsteps of Thy Saints, and cause his flock to follow him by his godly teachings, and that he may bear in mind that whoso taketh on himself the guidance of souls, must give an account for them all in the Judgment Day to our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Who. Then the Bishop, turning to the Altar, shall kneel, and recite, with the clerks and people, the Veni Creator. This ended, the Bishop shall seat 585. O GOD, the Author of all good things, Who by Thine Apostle Paul didst ordain elders to bear rule in every Church; we humbly_beseech Thee to guard with Thy gracious protection this Thy servant N., instituted this day as pastor over Thy sheep in this place, and grant him, we pray Thee, so to rule those set under him, that he and heaven, and that ever aided by Thy they all may attain the kingdom of of Thine Apostles, he may joyfully help, and stayed up by the doctrine enter the gates of Paradise, bearing fruit an hundredfold, and there hear Thy commendation, Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast will set thee over many things; been faithful over a few things, I enter thou into the joy of thy LORD. Which may He grant, Who with I, N., Bishop of the See of [or Archdeacon, &c., acting under commission from the Bishop of N.,] by the authority committed to me, do hereby give thee, N., Institution and Mission [and cure of souls] as Pastor of this Church [or Parish,] the FATHER, &c. and authority to preach the Word, Te Deum. Blessing. |