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ers; 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.

THE ORDERING OF PRIESTS.

After this shall be read for the Gospel part of the ninth Chapter of Saint Mat­thew, as followeth.

St. Matth. ix. 36. THEN Jesus saw the multitudes,

WH he was moved with compas­

sion 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.

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, sitting in his chair, shall say unto them as hereafter fol­loweth.

Y

OU 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

I Jesus that have in re­membrance, into how high a Dignity, and to how weighty an Office and Charge ye are called: that is to say, to be 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.

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 Have always therefore printed in a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know your remembrance, how great a trea­not the voice of strangers. This pa- sure is committed to your charge. rable spake Jesus unto them, but For they are the sheep of Christ, they understood not what things they which he bought with his death, and were which he spake unto them. for whom he shed his blood. The Then said Jesus unto them again, Church and Congregation whom you Verily, verily I say unto you, I am must serve, is his Spouse, and his the door of the sheep. All that ever Body. And if it shall happen the caine before me are thieves and rob- same Church, or any Member there­bers; but the sheep did not hear of, to take any hurt or hindrance by them. I am the door; by me if any reason of your negligence, ye know man enter in, he shall be saved, and the greatness of the fault, and also shall go in and out, and find pasture. the horrible punishment that will Wherefore consider with The thief cometh not but for to steal, ensue. and to kill, and to destroy: I am yourselves the end of your Ministry come that they might have life, and towards the children of God, towards that they might have it more abun- the Spouse and Body of Christ; and dantly. I am the good Shepherd: see that you never cease your labour, the good Shepherd giveth his life for your care and diligence, until you the sheep. But he that is an hire- have done all that lieth in you, ac­ling, and not the Shepherd, whose cording to your bounden duty, to own the sheep are not, seeth the woif bring all such as are or shall be com­coming, and leaveth the sheep, and mitted to your charge, unto that a­fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, I greement in the faith and knowledge

Or else this that followeth, out of the tenth Chapter of Saint John. St. John x. 1.