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PREFACE.

THIS Manual was undertaken with the hope of supplying, in some degree, a want frequently felt by those who are preparing for Holy Orders.

The earnest desire of the Author is, that it may be helpful in leading the mind to keep the Ordination Vow continually in view.

Should the writer's life be spared, it is his intention, God permitting, to prepare a somewhat larger Manual on the Office for Priests.

And while the present work aims at being chiefly prospective, the forthcoming volume will be marked by Prayers and Meditations of a more retrospective cha

racter.

THE FORM AND MANNER

OF

MAKING OF DEACONS,

ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF

The United Church of England and Ereland.

THE PREFACE.

Ir is evident unto all men diligently reading the holy Scripture and ancient Authors, that from the Apostles' time there have been these Orders of Ministers in Christ's Church; Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Which Offices were evermore had in such reverend Estimation, that no man. might presume to execute any of them, except he were first called, tried, examined, and known to have such qualities as are requisite for the same; and also by publick Prayer, with Imposition of Hands, were approved and admitted thereto by lawful Authority. And therefore to the intent that these Orders may be continued, and reverently used and esteemed, in the United Church of England and Ireland; no man shall be accounted or taken to be a lawful Bishop,

B

Priest, or Deacon in the United Church of England and Ireland, or suffered to execute any of the said Functions, except he be called, tried, examined, and admitted thereunto, according to the Form hereafter following, or hath had formerly Episcopal Consecration, or Ordination.

And none shall be admitted a Deacon, except he be Twenty-three years of age, unless he have a Faculty. And every man which is to be admitted a Priest shall be full Four-and-twenty years old. And every man which is to be ordained or consecrated Bishop shall be fully Thirty years of age.

And the Bishop, knowing either by himself, or by sufficient testimony, any Person to be a man of virtuous conversation, and without crime; and, after examination and trial, finding him learned in the Latin Tongue, and sufficiently instructed in holy Scripture, may at the times appointed in the Canon, or else, on urgent occasion, upon some other Sunday or Holy-day, in the face of the Church, admit him a Deacon, in such manner and form as hereafter followeth.

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