Pastors of thy Church, that they may diligently preach thy word and duly administer the godly discipline thereof; and grant to the People that they may obediently follow the same, that all may receive the crown of everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall be read by one of the Elders,

The Epistle. Acts xx, 17-35.

From Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the Church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came to Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all shunned to declare unto you all Take heed therefore unto your

For I have not the counsel of God.

selves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Alsc of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years 1 ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Then another shall read,

The Gospel. St. John xxi, 15-17.

Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him,

Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Or this: St. Matthew xxviii, 18-20. Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unte the end of the world.

After the Gospel and the Sermon are ended, the Elected Person shall be presented by two Elders unto the Bishop, saying,

We present unto you this holy man to be consecrated a Bishop.

Then the Bishop shall move the Congregation present to pray, saying thus to them:

Brethren, it is written in the Gospel of Saint Luke that our Saviour Christ continued the whole night in prayer before he did choose and send forth his twelve Apostles. It is written also in the Acts of the Apostles that the disciples who were at Antioch did fast and pray before they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas, and sent them forth on their first mission to the Gentiles. Let us therefore, following the example of our Saviour Christ, and his Apostles, first fall to prayer before we admit and send forth this person presented to us to the work whereunto we trust the Holy Ghost hath called him.

Then shall the following prayer be offered :

Almighty God, Giver of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers Offices in thy Church: mercifully behold this thy servant now called to the Work and Ministry of a Bishop, and replenish him so

with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn him with innocency of life, that both by word and deed he may faithfully serve thee in this Office, to the glory of thy name, and the edifying and well governing 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.

Then the Bishop shall say to him that is to be Consecrated: Brother, forasmuch as the Holy Scriptures command that we should not be hasty in laying on hands and admitting any person to Government in the Church of Christ, which he hath purchased with no less price than the shedding of his own blood; before you are admitted to this Administration, you will, in the fear of God, give answer to the questions which I now propound:

Are you persuaded that you are truly called to this Ministration, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Ans. I am so persuaded.

The Bishop. Are you persuaded that the Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ ? And are you determined out of the same Holy Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your charge, and to teach or maintain nothing as required of necessity to eternal salvation but that which you shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved by the same?

Ans. I am so persuaded and determined, by God's

grace.

The Bishop. Will you then faithfully exercise yourself in the same Holy Scriptures, and call upon God by prayer for the true understanding of the same, so that you may be able by them to teach and exhort with wholesome doctrine, and to withstand and convince the gainsayers?

Ans. I will do so, by the help of God.

The Bishop. Are you ready with faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word, and both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others to the same ?

Ans. I am ready, the Lord being my helper.

The Bishop. Will you deny all ungodliness and worldly lust, and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, that you may show yourself in all things an example of good works unto others, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing to say against you?

Ans. I will so do, the Lord being my helper.

The Bishop. Will you maintain and set forward, as much as shall lie in you, quietness, love, and peace among all men; and such as shall be unquiet, disobedient, and criminal, correct and punish according to such authority as you have by God's word, and as shall be committed unto you?

Ans. I will do so, by the help of God.

The Bishop. Will you be faithful in Ordaining, or laying hands upon and sending others, and in all the other duties of your office ?

Ans. I will so be, by the help of God.

The Bishop. Will you show yourself gentle, and be merciful, for Christ's sake, to poor and needy people, and to all strangers destitute of help?

Ans. I will so show myself, by God's help.

Then the Bishop shall say:

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who hath given you a good will to do all these things, grant also unto you