this in com

himself and those holy

have their

my commenda

tion in the

to scriptures, so

that in respect

calleth their

but attributeth unto

them righte

ousness.

they may be saved. Thou therefore, O Lord, that art the God of the just, hast not appointed repentance to the just, as to Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob, which have nota sinned He speaketh against thee; but thou hast appointed repentance unto me that parison of am a sinner: for I have sinned above the number of the sand fathers which of the sea. My transgressions, O Lord, are multiplied: transgressions are exceeding many and I am not worthy behold and see the height of the heavens for the multitude of of himself he mine unrighteousness. I am bowed down with many iron sins nothing, bands, that I cannot lift up mine head, neither have any release. For I have provoked thy wrath and done evil before thee. I did not thy will, neither kept I thy commandments. I have set up abominations and have multiplied offences. Now therefore I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of grace. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge my transgressions: but I humbly beseech thee, forgive me: O Lord, forgive me, and destroy me not with my transgressions. Be not angry with me for ever by reserving evil for me, neither condemn me into the lower parts of the earth. For thou art the God, even the God of them that repent and in me thou wilt shew all thy goodness: for thou wilt save me that am unworthy, according to thy great mercy therefore I will praise thee for ever all the days of my life. For all the power of the heavens praise thee, and thine is the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The fourme

and maner of making

and consecratyng,

bisshops, prie

stes, and

dea=

cons.

Anno domini.

1559.

[The copy, which has been followed, is in the Library of the Rev.

W. Maskell.]

The Preface.

Ir is evident unto all men, diligently reading holy Scripture, and ancient authors, that from the Apostles' time there hath been these orders of Ministers in Christ's Church: Bishops, Priests, and Deacons : which officers' were evermore had in such reverent estimation, that no man, by his own private authority, might presume to execute any of them, except he were first called, tried, examined, and known to have such qualities as were requisite for the same; and also by public prayer, with imposition of hands, approved and admitted thereunto. And therefore, to the intent these orders should be continued, and reverently used and esteemed in this Church of England: it is requisite, that no man (not being at this present Bishop, Priest, nor Deacon) shall execute any of them, except he be called, tried, examined, and admitted, according to the form hereafter following. And none shall be admitted a Deacon, except he be .xxi. years of age at the least. And every man, which is to be admitted a Priest, shall be full .xxiiii. years old. And every man, which is to be consecrated a Bishop, shall be fully thirty years of age. And the Bishop, knowing, either by him self 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, upon a Sunday or holy day, in the face of the Church, admit him a Deacon, in such manner and form, as hereafter followeth.

The form and manner of ordering of Deacons.

First, when the day appointed by the Bishop is come, there shall be an exhortation, declaring the duty and office of such as come to be admitted Ministers, how necessary such orders are in the church of Christ, and also how the people ought to esteem them in their

vocation.

After the exhortation ended, the archdeacon, or his deputy, shall present such as come to the Bishop to be admitted, saying these words. REVEREND father in God, I present unto you these persons present, to be admitted Deacons.

The Bishop. Take heed that the persons whom ye present unto us, be apt and meet, for their learning and godly con

[Misprint for, offices.]

versation, to exercise their ministry duly, to the honour of God, and edifying of his church.

The Archdeacon shall answer.

I have inquired of them, and also examined them, and think them so to be.

¶ And then the Bishop shall say unto the people.

BRETHREN, if there be any of you, who knoweth any impediment, or notable crime, in any of these persons presented to be ordered Deacons, for the which he ought not to be admitted to the same, let him come forth in the name of GOD, and shew what the crime or impediment is.

¶ And if any great crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall surcease from ordering that person, until such time as the party accused shall try him self clear of that crime.

Then the Bishop, commending such as shall be found meet to be ordered to the prayers of the congregation, with the Clerks and people present, shall say or sing the Litany as followeth, with the

prayers.

The Litany and Suffrages.

O God the Father, of heaven: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

O God the Father, of heaven: have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

:

O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three persons and one God have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three persons and one God: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

Remember not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers, neither take thou vengeance of our sins. Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed