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The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

[If on the same day the order of Deacons be given to some, and that of Elders to others, the Deacons shall be first presented, and then the Elders. The Collects shall both be used first that for Deacons, then that for Elders. The Epistle shall be Ephes. iv. 7. to 13, as before in this office. Immediately after which, they that are to be ordained Deacons shall be examined and ordained, as is above prescribed. Then one of them having read the Gospel, which shall be St. John x. 1. as before in this office: they that are to be or dained Elders, shall likewise be examined and ordained, as in this office before appointed.]

SECTION III.

The Form of Ordaining a Bishop.
The Collect.

Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus # Christ didst give to thy holy Apostles many excellent gifts, and didst charge them to feed thy flock; give grace we I beseech thee, to all the Ministers and Pastors of thy church, that they may di

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ligently preach thy Word, and duly ador minister the godly Discipline thereof; Cou and grant to the people, that they may the obediently follow the same; that all may the receive the crown of everlasting glory, Amen. the through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Then shall be read by one of the Elders,
The Epistle. Acts xx. 17-35.

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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 into 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 temp. tations, which befel me by the lying in wait of the Jews; and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed 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 befal 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 men, For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, 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. Also 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, I 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 them who 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 shewed you all things, how that so labouring 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 unto 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. Matth. xxviii. 18-20

Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in hea-. ven 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 unto the end of the world. After the Gospel and the Sermon are ended, the elected Person shail be presented by two Elders unto the Bishop, saying,

We present unto you this holy Man to be ordained 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. Let us, therefore, following the example of our Saviour Christ, and his Apostles, first fall to prayer before we admit, and send forth this

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