Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

owed by the Scriptures; but yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lord's Supper, for that they have not any visible Sign or Ceremony ordained of God.

The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about, but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome effect or operation but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves damnation, as St. Paul saith.

Art. XXVI. Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the Lffect of the Sacraments.

we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ; and likewise the Cup of Blessing is a partaking of the Blood of Christ. Transubstantiation (or the change of the Substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ; but it is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many Superstitions.

The Body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper, only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper, is Faith.

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's Ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped. Art. XXIX. Of the Wicked, which eat not of the Body of Christ in the Use of the Lord's Supper.

The wicked, and such as be void of a lively faith, although they do carnally and visibly press with their teeth (as St. Augustine saith) the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ; yet in no wise are they partakers of Christ; but rather to their Condemnation do eat and drink the Sign or Sacrament of so great a thing.

Although in the visible Church the evil he ever mingled with the good, and sometime the evil have chief authority in the ministration of the Word and Sacraments: yet, forasmuch as they do not the same in their own name, but in Christ's, and do minister by his Commission and Authority, we may use their Ministry, both in hearing the Word of God, and in receiving the Sacraments. Neither is the effect of Christ's Ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of God's gifts diminished from such, as by faith, and rightly, do receive the Sacraments ministered unto them, which be effectual, because of Christ's institution and promise, although they be minister-parts of the Lord's Sacrament by Christ's ed by evil men. Ordinance and Commandment, ought to be ministered to all Christian men alike. XXXI. Of the one Oblation of Christ finished upon the Cross. The offering of Christ once made, is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole there is none other satisfaction for sin, world, both original and actual; and

Art. XXX. Of both Kinds The Cup of the Lord is not to oe denied to the Lay-People: for both the

Nevertheless, it appertaineth to the Discipline of the Church, that inquiry be made of evil Ministers, and that they be Art. accused by those that have knowledge of their offences: and finally, being found guilty, by just judgment, be deposed.

of Masses, in which it was commonly said,

but that alone. Wherefore the Sacrifice

that the Priest did offer Christ for the

Art. XXXII. Of the Marriage of
Priests.

Art. XXVII. Of Baptism. Baptism is not only a sign of Profession, and mark of Difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that } be not christened: but it is also a sign of Regeneration, or new Birth, whereby, as| by an instrument, they that receive Bap-quick and the dead, to have remission of tism rightly are grafted into the Church: pain or guilt, were blasphemous fables, the promises of the forgiveness of sin, and and dangerous deceits. of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed: faith is confirmed, and grace increased by virtue of Prayer unto God. The Baptism of young children is in any wise to be retained in the Church as most agreeable with the institution of Christ. Art. XXVIII. Of the Lord's Supper. The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the Love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another; but rather it is a Sacrament of our Redemption by Christ's death: insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same the Bread which

Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, are not commanded by God's Law, either to vow the estate of single life, or to abstain from Marriage: therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christian men, to marry at their own discretion,as they shall judge the same to serve better to godliness. Art. XXXIII. Of excommunicate Per

sons, how they are to be avoided. That person which by open denuncia tion of the Church, is rightly cut off from the Unity of the Church, and excommunicated, ought to be taken of the whole

multitude of the faithful, as an Heathen and Publican, until he be openly reconciled by Penance, and received into the Church by a Judge that hath authority

thereunto.

Art. XXXIV. Of the Traditions of the

Church.

16. Of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost.
17. For the Rogation-days.
18. Of the State of Matrimony.
19. Of Repentance.
20. Against Idleness.
21. Against Rebellion.

[This Article is received in this Churc It is not necessary that Traditions and so far as it declares the books of Homilies Ceremonies be in all places one, or utterly to be an explication of Christian doclike; for at all times they have been di-trine, and instructive in piety and morals. vers, and may be changed according to But all references to the constitution and the diversity of countries, times, and laws of England are considered as inapmen's manners, so that nothing be ordain-plicable to the circumstances of this ed against God's word. Whosoever, Church, which also suspends the order through his private judgment, willingly for the reading of said Homilies in and purposely doth openly break the Tra- Churches until a revision of them may be ditions and Ceremonies of the Church, conveniently made, for the clearing of which be not repugnant to the word of them, as well from obsolete words and God, and be ordained and approved by phrases, as from the local references.] common authority, ought to be rebuked Art. XXXVI. Of Consecration of Bishops openly (that other may fear to do the like) and Ministers. as he that offendeth against the common The Book of Consecration of Bishops, Order of the Church, and hurteth the Authority of the Magistrate, and wound- and Ordering of Priests and Deacons, as eth the Consciences of the weak Brethren.set forth by the General Convention of this Every Particular or National Church Church in 1792, doth contain all things hath Authority to ordain, change, and necessary to such consecration and orderabolish Ceremonies or Rites of the ing; neither hath it any thing that, of itChurch, ordained only by man's authori- self, is superstitious and ungodly: and, ty, so that all things be done to edifying. therefore, whosoever are consecrated or ordered according to said form, we de cree all such to be rightly, orderly, and The second Book of Homilies, the seve-lawfully consecrated and ordered. ral titles whereof we have joined, under this Article, doth contain a godly and Art. XXXVII. Of the Power of the Civil wholesome Doctrine, and necessary for these Times, as doth the former Book of Homilies, which were set forth in the time of Edward the Sixth; and therefore we judge them to be read in Churches by the Ministers diligently and distinctly, that they may be understanded of the people.

Art. XXXV. Of Homilies.

Of the Names of the Homilies. 1. Of the right Use of the Church. 2. Against Peril of Idolatry. 3. Of repairing and keeping clean of

Churches.

Of good Works: first of Fasting. 5. Against Gluttony and Drunkenness. 6. Against Excess of Apparel. 7. Of Prayer.

8. Of the Place and Time of Prayer. 9. That Common Prayers and Sacra ments ought to be ministered in a known tongue.

10. Of the reverent estimation of God's Word.

11. Of Alms-doing.

Magistrates.

The power of the Civil Magistrate extendeth to all men, as well Clergy as Lai. ty, in all things temporal; but hath no authority in things purely spiritual. And we hold it to be the duty of all men who are professors of the Gospel, to pay respectful obedience to the civil authority, regulate ly and legitimately constituted.

Art. XXXVIII. Of Christian Men's

Goods, which are not common. The Riches and Goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor according to his ability. Art. XXXIX. Of a Christian Man's Oath.

As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ, and James his Apostle: so we judge that Christian Religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the Magistrate requireth, in a cause of Faith and Charity, so it be done ac15. Of the worthy receiving of the Sacra-cording to the Prophets' teaching in Jas

12. Of the Nativity of Christ.

13. Of the Passion of Christ.

14. Of the Resurrection of Christ.

ment of the Body and Blood of Christ

tice. Judgment, and Truth.

277

THE FORM AND MANNER OF MAKING, ORDAINING, AND CONSECRATING

BISHOPS, PRIESTS, AND DEACONS,

According to the Order of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, as established by the Bishops, the Clergy, and Laity of said Church, in General Convention, in the month of September, Á. D. 1792.

THE PREFACE.

It is evident unto all men, diligently reading Holy Scripture and ancient Authors. that from the Apostles' time there have been these Orders of Ministers in Christ 3 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 public Prayer, with imposition of Hands, were approved and admitted thereunto by lawful Authority. And therefore, to the intent that these orders may be continued, and reverently used and esteemed in this Church, no man shall be accounted or taken to be a lawful Bishop, Priest, or Deacon, in this Church, 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 Episcopal Consecration or Ordination. And none shall be admitted a Deacon, Priest, or Bishop, except he be of the age which the Canon in that case provided may require.

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 sufficiently instructed in the holy Scripture, and otherwise learned as the Canons require, may at the times appointed, or else, on urgent occasion, upon some other day, in the face of the Church, admit him a Deacon, in such Manner and Form as followeth.

The Form and Manner of Making Deacons.

When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, after Morning Prayer is ended, there shall be a Sermon, or Exhortation, declaring the Duty and Office of such as come to be admitted Deacons; how necessary that Order is in the Church of Christ, and also how the People ought to esteem them in their Office.

TA Priest shall present unto the Bishop
sitting in his chair near to the holy
Table, such as desire to be ordained
Deacons, each of them being decently
habited, saying these words:
Rsent unto you these Persons present,

EVEREND Father in God, I pre

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 conversation, to
exercise their Ministry duly to the honour
of God, and the edifying of his Church.
The Priest shall answer:
I also examined them, and think them
HAVE inquired concerning them, and

so to be.

Then the Bishop shall say unto the

People:

which he ought not to be admitted to that Office, let him come forth in the name of God, and show what the crime or impediment is.

And if any great Crime or Impediment be objected, the Bishop shall cease from Ordering that Person, until such time as the Party accused shall be found clear of that Crime.

Then the Bishop (commending such as
shall be found meet to be Ordered, to the
Prayers of the Congregation) shall,
with the Clergy and People present,
say the Litany.

Then shall be said the Service for the
Communion, with the Collect, Epistle,
and Gospel, as followeth.
The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who by the Divine Providence hast appointed divers BRETHREN, if there be any of you, Orders of Ministers in thy Church, and

who knoweth any impediment, or no- didst inspire thine Apostles to choose into table crime in any of these Persons pre- the Order of Deacons the first Martyr sented to be ordered Deacons, for the Saint Stephen, with others, mercifully

A a

Answer. I think so.

behold these thy servants now called to Jesus Christ, and according to the Canons the like Office and Administration; so re- of this Church, to the Ministry of the plenish them with the truth of thy Doc-same? trine, and adorn them with innocency of life, that both by word and good example they may faithfully serve thee in this Office, to the glory of thy name, and

The Bishop.

Do you unfeignedly believe ah the
Canonical Scriptures of the Old and

Answer. I do believe them.

the edification of thy Church, through New Testament?
the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and

The Bishop.

unto the People assembled in the

Church where you shall be appointed to serve?

Answer. I will.

The Bishop

the Holy Ghost, now and for ever. Amen.WILL you diligently read the same The Epistle. 1 Tim. iii. 8. LIKEWISE must the Deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be Tappertaineth to the Office of a Dea proved; then let them use the Office of a con, in the Church where he shall be ap Deacon, being found blameless. Even so pointed to serve, to assist the Priest in Di must their wives be grave, not slanderers, vine Service, and specially when be min sober, faithful in all things. Let the Dea-istereth the Holy Communion, and to cons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their Children and their own Houses well. For they that have used the Office of a Deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Or else this, out of the sixth Chapter of
the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts vi. 2.

THEN the Twelve called the multitude
of the disciples unto them, and said,
is not reason that we should leave the
word of God, and serve tables. Where-
fore, brethren, look ye out among you
seven men of honest report, full of the
Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may
appoint over this business. But we will
give ourselves continually to prayer, and
to the ministry of the Word. And the

saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: whom they set before the Apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word

of God increased, and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly, and a great company of the Priests were obedient to the faith.

help him in the distribution thereof; and
to read holy Scriptures and Homilies in
the Church; and to instruct the Youth in
the Catechism; in the absence of the
Priest to baptize Infants; and to preach,
if he be admitted thereto by the Bishop.
And furthermore it is his Office, where
provision is so made, to search for the
sick, poor, and impotent People of the
Parish, to intimate their estates, names,
and places where they dwell, unto the
Curate, that by his exhortation they may
be relieved with thealms of the Parishion
ers, or others: Will you do this gladly
and willingly?

Answer. I will so do, by the help of God.
The Bishop.

WILL you apply all your diligence to

frame and fashion your own lives, and the lives of your families, according to the Doctrine of Carist; and to make both yourselves and them, as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples of the flock of Christ?

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

The Bishop. WILL you reverently obey your Di shop, and other chief Ministers, who, according to the Canons of the Church, may have the charge and goThen shall the Bishop examine every one vernment over you; following with a glad of those who are to be Ordered, in the pre-mind and will their godly admonitions? sence of the People, after this manner following: Do you trust that you are inwardly

moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you this Office and Ministration, to serve God for the promoting of his glory, and the edifying of his people? Answer. I trust so.

D

The Bishop.

you think that you are truly called according to the will of our Lord

Answer. I will endeavour so to do, the Lord being my helper.

Then the Bishop, laying his Hands seve rally upon the Head of every one of them humbly kneeling before him, shall

[blocks in formation]

Then shall the Bishop deliver to every one of them the New Testament, saying, TAK MAKE thou Authority to read the Gospel in the Church of God, and to preach the same, if thou be thereto licensed by the Bishop himself.

in thy Church; make them, we beseech thee, O Lord, to be modest, humble, and constant in their Ministration, to have a ready will to observe all spiritual Discipline; that they having always the testimony of a good conscience, and continuing ever stable and strong in thy Son Christ, may so well behave themselves in this inferior Office, that they may be The Gospel. St. Luke xii. 35. found worthy to be called unto the highET your foins be girded about, and er Ministries in thy Church, through the your lights burning, and ye your- same thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; selves like unto men that wait for their to whom be glory and honour, world Lord, when he will return from the wed-without end. Amen. ding; that when he cometh and knock

Then one of them appointed by the
Bishop shall read

L

eth, they may open unto him immediately.THE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts Blessed are those servants whom the and minds in the knowledge and love of Lord when he cometh shall find watch- God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our ing: Verily I say unto you, That he shall Lord: And the blessing of God Almigh gird himself, and make them to sit down ty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy to meat, and will come forth and serve Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with them. And if he shall come in the se- you always. Amen. cond watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

Then shall the Bishop proceed in the
Communion; and all who are Order-
ed, shall tarry, and receive the Holy
Communion the same day with the
Bishop.

The Communion ended, after the last
Collect, and immediately before the Ben-
ediction, shall be said this Collect fol-
lowing:

LMIGHTY God, giver of all good

A things, who of thy great goodness

hast vouchsafed to accept and take these thy servants unto the Office of Deacons

[ocr errors]

And here it must be declared unto the Deacon, that he must continue in that Office of a Deacon the space of a whole Year (except for reasonable Causes it shall otherwise seem good unto the Bishop) to the intent he may be perfect, and well expert in the things appertaining to the Ecclesiastical Administration; in executing whereof, if he be found faithful and diligent, he may be admitted by his Diocesan to the Order of Priesthood, at the times appointed in the Canon, or else on urgent occasion, upon some other day, in the face of the Church, in such manner and form as hereafter followeth.

The Form and Manner of Ordering Priests.

When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, after Morning Prayer is ended, there shall be a Sermon, or Exhortation, declaring the Duty and Office of such as come to be admitted Priests; how necessary that Order is in the Church of Christ. and also how the People ought to esteem them in their Office.

A Priest shall present unto the Bishop,

sitting his Chair near to the

ble, all those who are to receive the Or

T The Priest shall answer:
HAVE

also examined them, and think they

der of Priesthood that day, each of so to be. them being decently habited, and shall

say:

Then the Bishop shall say unto the,
People:

EVEREND Father in God, I pre-GOOD People, these are they whom

Rsent unto you these Persons

present, to be admitted to the order of Priesthood.

¶ The Bishop. TAKE heed that the Persons whom ye present unto us, be apt and meet for their learning and godly conversation, to exercise their Ministry duly to the honour of God, and the edifving of the Church.

we purpose, God willing, to receive this day unto the Holy Office of Priesthood: For after due examination, we find not to the contrary, but that they are lawfully called to their Function and Ministry, and that they are Persons meet for the same. But yet if there be any of you, who knoweth any impediment notable crime in any of them, for

« ElőzőTovább »