THE CONSECRATION OF BISHOPS.

A

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, you may be found perfect and irreprehensible at the latter day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Bishop elect put on the rest of the Episcopal habit; and kneel­ing down, Veni, Creator Spiritus, shall be sung or said over him, the Archbishop beginning, and the Bishops, with others that are present, answering by verses, as followeth.

COME, Holy Ghost, our souls in­

And lighten with celestial fire. Thou the anointing Spirit art, Who dost thy seven- fold gifts im­

part.

Thy blessed Unction from above, Is comfort, life, and fire of love. Enable with perpetual light The dulness of our blinded sight. Anoint and cheer our soiled face With the abundance of thy grace.

Keep far our foes, give peace at

home:

Where thou art guide, no ill can

come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son, And thee, of both, to be but One. That, through the ages all along, This may be our endless song; Praise to thy eternal merit, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Or this:

COME, Holy Ghost, eternal God,

& c.

As before in the Form for Ordering Priests.

T That ended, the Archbishop shall say, Lord, hear our prayer. Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.

393

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, and most mer­

ciful of thine infi­nite goodness hast given thine only and dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, and the 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 his Church; Grant, we beseech thee, to this thy servant such grace, that he may evermore be ready to spread a­broad thy Gospel, the glad tidings of reconciliation with thee; and use the authority given him, not to destruc­tion, but to salvation; not to hurt, but to help: so that as a wise and faithful servant, giving to thy family their portion in due season, he may at last be received into everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who, with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

T Then the Archbishop and Bishops present shall lay their hands upon the head of the elected Bishop kneeling before them upon his knees, the Archbishop saying,

RECI

ECEIVE the holy Ghost, for the Office and Work of a Bishop in the Church of God, now commit­ted unto thee by the Imposition of our hands; In the Name of the Fa­ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And remember that thou stir up the grace of God which is given thee by this Imposition of our hands: for God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and soberness.

T Then the Archbishop shall deliver him the Bible, saying,

G

NIVE heed unto reading, exhorta­tion, and doctrine. Think upon the things contained in this Book. Be diligent in them, that the in­

Bb