This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth an honest work. A Bishop therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, diligent, sober, discrete, a keeper of hospitality, apt to teach, not given to overmuch wine, no fighter, not greedy of filthy lucre, but gentle, abhorring fighting, abhorring covetousness, one that ruleth well his own house, one that hath children in subjection with all reverence. For if a man cannot rule his own house, how shall he care for the congregation of God? He may not be a young scholar, lest he swell and fall into the judgment of the evil speaker. He must also have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into rebuke and snare of the evil speaker.
The Form of Consecrating
of an Archbishop or Bishop.
At the Communion
The Epistle.
The Gospel.
John xxi.
Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon Johanna, lovest thou me more than these? He said unto him, yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee: he said unto him, feed my lambs. He said to him again the second time: Simon Johanna, lovest thou me? He said unto him, yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee: he said unto him, feed my sheep. He said unto him the third time; Simon Johanna, lovest thou me? Peter was sorry, because he said unto him the third time, lovest thou me, and he said unto him: Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said unto him, feed my sheep.
Or else out of the tenth Chapter of John, as before in the order of Priests.
After the gospel and Creed ended, first the elected Bishop shall be presented by two Bishops unto the Archbishop of that Province, or to some other Bishop appointed by his commission: The Bishops that present him saying.
Most reverend father in God, we present unto you this godly and well-learned man to be consecrated Bishop.
The Oath of Due Obedience to the Archbishop.
Then shall the Archbishop demand the King's mandate [Queen's Mandate] for the consecration and cause it to be read. And the oath touching the knowledge of the king's supremacy, [acknowledging of the Queen's Sovereignty] 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.
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 Metropolitan 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 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, And after this place: That it may please thee to illuminate the 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.
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 innocence 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 Jesus 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 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 realm?
Answer. I am so persuaded.
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 Jesus Christ? And are you determined 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.
Answer. I am so persuaded and determined by God's grace.
The Archbishop. Will you then faithfully exercise yourself 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 so do, by the help of God.
Answer. I will so do, 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 others to the same?
Answer. I am ready, the Lord being my helper.
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 show yourself in all things an example of good works unto others, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing to lay against you?
Answer. I will so do, the Lord being my helper.
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 criminal 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.
Answer. I will so do by the help of God.
The Archbishop. Will you show 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 show myself by God's grace.
Answer. I will so show myself 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, ye may be found perfect, and irreprehensible at the latter day, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall be sung or said, Come Holy Ghost, &c. as it is set out in the Order of Priests.
That ended, the Archbishop shall say.
Lord, hear our prayer. Answer. And let our cry come into thee.
Let us pray.
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 reconciliation 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 wise and a faithful servant, giving to thy family meat in due season, may at the last day be received into joy, through Jesus 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 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 deliver him the Bible, saying.
Give 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 thyself, and unto teaching, and be diligent in doing them, for by doing this thou shalt 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 together the broken, bring again the outcasts, seek the lost. Be so merciful, that you be not too remiss, so minister discipline, that ye forget not mercy; that when the chief shepherd shall come, ye may receive the immarcessible crown of glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then the Archbishop shall proceed to the Communion, with whom the new consecrated Bishop with others, 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 Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.