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and New Testament to be the only Word of God and the perfect doctrine unto salvation; and dost thou reject all doctrines repugnant thereto?

Thirdly. Dost thou promise faithfully to discharge thy office, according to the same doctrine as above described, and to adorn it with a godly life; also, to submit thyself, in case thou shouldst become delinquent, either in life or doctrine, to ecclesiastical admonition, according to the public ordinance of the churches?

To which the Candidate shall give answer:

Answer. Yes, truly, with all my heart.

Then the Minister, who did demand those questions of him, and other Minis ters who are present, shall lay their hands * on his head and say:

GOD, our Heavenly Father, who hath called thee to this Holy Ministry, enlighten thee with His Holy Spirit; strengthen thee with His hand; and so gov ern thee in thy Ministry, that thou mayest decently and fruitfully walk therein, to the glory of His Name, and the propagation of the Kingdom of His Son Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Then the Minister shall, from the pulpit, exhort the ordained Minister, and the congregation, in the following manner :

TAKE heed, therefore, beloved brother and fellowservant in Christ, unto yourself and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseer, to feed the Church of God which He hath purchased with His own blood: love Christ, and

This ceremony shall not be used in ordaining those who have before been in the ministry.

feed His sheep, taking the oversight of them not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lord over God's heritage, but as an example to the flock. Be an example of believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee; meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all; take heed to thy doctrine, and continue steadfast therein. Bear patiently all sufferings and oppressions, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, thou shalt receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

And you, likewise, beloved Christians, receive this your Minister in the Lord with all gladness, 'and hold such in reputation." Remember that God Himself through him speaketh unto you and beseecheth you. Receive the word, which he, according to the Scripture, shall preach unto you, "not as the word of man, but, as it is in truth, the Word of God." Let the feet of those that preach the Gospel of Peace, and bring glad tidings of good things, be beautiful and pleasant unto you. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. If you do these things, it shall come to pass, that the peace of God shall enter into your houses,

and that you, who receive this man in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward, and through his preaching, believing in Christ, you shall through Christ inherit life eternal. Since no man is of himself fit for any of these things, let us call upon God with thanksgiving:

PRAYER.

MERCIFUL FATHER, we thank Thee that it pleaseth Thee, by the ministry of men, to gather a Church to Thyself unto life eternal, from among the lost children of men. We bless Thee for so graciously providing the Church in this place with a faithful Minister. We beseech Thee to qualify him daily more and more by Thy Holy Spirit, for the ministry to which Thou hast ordained and called him. Enlighten his understanding to comprehend Thy Holy Word, and give him utterance, that he may boldly open his mouth, to make known and dispense the mysteries of the Gospel. Endue him with wisdom and valor to rule aright the people over which he is set, and to preserve them in Christian peace; to the end that Thy Church, under his administration and by his good example, may increase in number and in virtue. Grant him courage to bear the difficulties and troubles which he may meet with in his ministry; that being strengthened by the comfort of Thy Spirit, he may remain steadfast to the end, and be received with all faithful servants into the joy of His Master.

Give Thy grace also to this people and Church,

that they may becomingly deport themselves to wards this their Minister; that they may acknowledge him to be sent of Thee; that they may receive his doctrine with all reverence and submit themselves to his exhortations; to the end that they may, by his word, believing in Christ, be made partakers of eternal life. Hear us, O Father, through Thy Beloved Son, who hath taught us to pray:

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME: THY KINGDOM COME: THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN: GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD: AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS: AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL: FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER. ΑΜΕΝ

II.

FOR ORDAINING ELDERS AND DEACONS.

When Ordained at the same time; if Ordained separately, this Form shall be used as occasion requires.

BELOVED CHRISTIANS: you know that we have several times published unto you the names of our brethren here present, who are chosen to the office of Elders and Deacons in this Church, to the end that we might know whether any person had aught to allege, why they should not be ordained to their respective offices. And, whereas, no one hath appeared before us, who hath alleged anything lawful against them, we shall, therefore, at present, in the name of the Lord, proceed to their ordination.

But first, you, who are to be ordained, and all those who are here present, shall attend to a short declaration from the Word of God, concerning the institution and the office of Elders and Deacons.

Of the ELDERS it is to be observed, that the word Elder or Eldest (which is taken out of the Old Testament, and signifieth a person who is placed in an honorable office of government over others) is applied to two sorts of persons who administer in the Church of Jesus Christ: for the Apostle saith, "the Elders that rule well shall be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the Word and doctrine." Hence, it is evident that there were two sorts of Elders in the Apostolic Church, the

* Elders and Deacons may be re-elected; but, in such case, need not be reordained.-CONSTITUTION, IV., 7.

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