The Book of Common Prayer | |||||||
|
|
THE FORM AND MANNER OF ORDERING PRIESTS.
¶ When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, after Morning Prayer is ended, there shall be a Sermon, or Exhortation, declaring the Duty and Office of such as come to be admitted Priests; how necessary that Order is in the Church of Christ, and also, how the People ought to esteem them in their Office. ¶ A Priest shall present unto the Bishop, sitting in his Chair near to the Holy Table, all those who are to receive the Order of Priesthood that day, each of them being decently habited, and shall say, REVEREND Father in God, I present unto you these persons present, to be admitted to the Order of Priesthood. The 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 God, and the edifying of His Church. ¶ The Priest shall answer: I HAVE inquired concerning them, and also examined them, I and think them so to be. ¶ Then the Bishop shall say unto the People: GOOD People, these are they whom we purpose, God willing, to receive this day unto the holy Office of Priesthood: for after due examination, we find not to the contrary, but that they are lawfully called to their Function and Ministry, and that they are persons meet for the same. But yet, if there be any of you who knoweth any Impediment, or notable Crime, in any of them, for the which he ought not to be received into this holy Ministry, let him come forth in the Name of God, and show what the Crime or Impediment is. ¶ And if any great Crime or Impediment be objected, the Bishop shall cease from Ordering that person, until such time as the party accused shall be found clear of that 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, say, the Litany, with the Prayers, as is before appointed in the Form of ordering Deacons; save only, that in the proper Suffrage there added, the word Deacons shall be omitted, and the word Priests inserted instead of it. ¶ Then shall be said the Service for the Communion, with the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, as followeth. The Collect. ALMIGHTY God, giver of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers Orders of Ministers in the Church; Mercifully behold these thy servants now called to the Office of Priesthood; and so replenish them with the truth of thy Doctrine, and adorn them with innocency of life, that, both by word and good example, they may faithfully serve thee in this Office, to the glory of thy Name, and the edification 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. The Epistle. Eph. iv. 7. UNTO every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended, is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers; for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. ¶ After this shall be read for the Gospel part of the ninth Chapter of Saint Matthew, as followeth. St. Matt. ix. 36. WHEN Jesus saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. ¶ Or else this that followeth, out of the tenth Chapter of Saint John. St. John x. 1. VERILY,
verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheep-fold,
but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But
he that entereth in by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep. To him the
porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep
by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep,
he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they
know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them, but
they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then
said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door
of the sheep, All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers; but
the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; by me if any man enter in,
he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief
cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that
they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am
the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But
he that is an hireling, and not the Shepherd, whose own the sheep are
not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the
wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because
he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good Shepherd,
and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even
so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep, And other
sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and
they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd.
|
|
||
¶ Then the Bishop shall say unto them as followeth. YE
have heard, Brethren, as well in your private examination, as in the exhortation
which was now made to you, and in the holy Lessons taken out of the Gospel,
and the writings of the Apostles, of what dignity, and of how great importance
this Office is, whereunto ye are called. And now again we exhort you,
in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye have in remembrance, into
how high a Dignity, and to how weighty an Office and Charge ye are called:
that is to say, to the Messengers, Watchmen, and Stewards of the Lord;
to teach, and to premonish, to feed and provide for the Lord's family;
to seek for Christ's sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for his children
who are in the midst of this naughty world, that they may be saved through
Christ for ever. |
|||
DO
you think in your heart, that you are truly called, according to the will
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and according to the Canons of this Church,
to the Order and Ministry of Priesthood? The Bishop. ARE
you persuaded that the Holy Scriptures contain all Doctrine required as
necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ? And are
you determined, out of the said Scriptures to instruct the people committed
to your charge, and to teach nothing, as necessary to eternal salvation,
but that which you shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved by the
Scripture? The Bishop. WILL
you then give your faithful diligence always so to minister the Doctrine
and Sacraments, and the Discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath commanded,
and as this Church bath received the same, according to the Commandments
of God; so that you may teach the people committed to your Cure and Charge
with all diligence to keep and observe the same? The Bishop. WILL
you be ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away from
the Church all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's Word;
and to use both public and private monitions and exhortations, as well
to the sick as to the whole, within your Cures, as need shall require,
and occasion shall be given? The Bishop. WILL
you be diligent in Prayers, and in reading the Holy Scriptures, and in
such studies as help to the knowledge of the same, laying aside the study
of the world and the flesh? The Bishop. WILL
you be diligent to frame and fashion your own selves, and your families,
according to the Doctrine of Christ; and to make both yourselves and them
as much as in lieth, wholesome examples and patterns to the flock of Christ?
The Bishop. WILL
you maintain and set forwards, as much as lieth in you, quietness, peace,
and love, among all Christian people, and especially among them that are
or shall be committed to your charge? The Bishop. WILL
you reverently obey your Bishop, and other chief Ministers, who, according
to the Canons of the Church, may have the charge and government over you;
following with a glad mind and will their godly admonition, and submitting
yourselves to their godly judgments? ¶ Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say, ALMIGHTY God, who hath given you this will to do all these things; Grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that he may accomplish his work which he hath begun in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ¶ After this, the Congregation shall be desired, secretly in their Prayers, to make their humble supplications to God for all these things: for the which Prayers there shall be silence kept for a space. ¶
After which, shall be sung or said by the Bishop, the persons to be
ordained Priests all kneeling, Veni, Creator Spiritus; the Bishop
beginning, and the Priests, and others that are present, answering by
verses, as followeth. |
|||
COME
Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, Thy blessed
Unction from above, Anoint
and cheer our soiled face Teach
us to know the Father, Son, ¶ Or this. COME,
Holy Ghost, eternal God, Visit
our minds, into our hearts Thou art
the very Comforter The fountain
and the living spring Thou in
Thy gifts art manifold, According
to Thy promise, Lord, O Holy
Ghost, into our minds Our weakness
strengthen and confirm, Put back
our enemy far from us, And grant
that Thou being; O Lord, Such measures
of Thy powerful grace Of strife
and of dissension Grant
us the grace that we may know And that
we may with perfect faith To God
the Father laud and praise, And pray
we, that our only Lord
|
|||
¶ That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise, and say, Let us pray. ALMIGHTY God, and heavenly Father, who, of thine infinite love and goodness towards us, hast given to us thy only and most dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, and the Author of everlasting life; who, after he had made perfect our redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, sent abroad into the world his Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Doctors, and Pastors; by whose labour and ministry he gathered together a great flock in all the parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise of thy holy Name: For these so great benefits of thy eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call these thy servants here present to the same Office and Ministry, appointed for the salvation of mankind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks, we praise and worship thee; and we humbly beseech thee, by the same thy blessed Son, to grant unto all, which either here or elsewhere call upon thy holy Name, that we may continue to show ourselves thankful unto thee for these and all thy other benefits; and that we may daily increase and go forwards in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by the Holy Spirit, so that as well by these thy Ministers, as by them over whom they shall be appointed thy Ministers, thy holy Name may be for ever glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. ¶ When this Prayer is done, the Bishop with the Priests present, shall lay their hands severally upon the Head of every one that receiveth, the Order of Priesthood; the Receivers humbly kneeling and the Bishop saying, RECEIVE the Holy Ghost for the Office and Work of a Priest in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the Imposition of our hands. Whose sins thou dost forgive, they are forgiven; and whose sins thou dost retain, they are retained. And be thou a faithful Dispenser of the Word of God, and of his holy Sacraments; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. ¶ Or this. TAKE thou Authority to execute the Office of a Priest in the Church of God, now committed to thee by the Imposition of our hands. And be thou a faithful Dispenser of the Word of God, and of his holy Sacraments; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. |
"Amen" in italics here and in the prayer above until 1832. | ||
TAKE thou Authority to preach the Word of God, and to Minister the holy Sacraments in the Congregation, where thou shalt be lawfully appointed thereunto. ¶
When this is done, [the Nicene Creed shall
be said, and]* the Bishop shall go on in
the Service of the Communion, which all they who receive Orders shall
take together, and remain in the same place where Hands were laid upon
them, until such time as they have received the Communion. |
* added in the 1892 BCP.
|
||
¶ The Communion being done, after the last Collect, and immediately before the Benediction, shall be said this Collect. MOST merciful Father, we beseech thee to send upon these thy servants thy heavenly blessing; that they may be clothed with righteousness, and that thy Word spoken by their mouths may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also, that we may have grace to hear and receive what they shall deliver out of thy most holy Word, or agreeable to the same, as the means of our salvation; that in all our words and deeds we may seek thy glory and the increase of thy kingdom; 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. ¶ And if, on the same day, the Order of Deacons be given to some, and the Order of Priesthood to others; the Deacons shall be first presented, and then the Priests; and it shall suffice that the Litany be once said for both. The Collects shall both be used; first, that for Deacons, then that for Priests. The Epistle shall be Ephesians iv. 7 to 10, as before in this office. Immediately after which, they that are to be made Deacons, shall be examined, and Ordained, as is above prescribed. Then one of them having read the Gospel, (which shall be either out of Saint Matthew ix. 36, as before in this Office; or else Saint Luke xii. 35 to 38, as before in the Form for the Ordering of Deacons,) they that are to be made Priests shalt likewise be examined, and Ordained, as is in this Office before appointed. |
Web author: Charles Wohlers | U. S. England Scotland Ireland Wales Canada World |