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poor, and impotent, that they may be visited and relieved. Will you do this gladly and willingly?

Answ. I will do so 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 Christ; and to make (both) yourselves, (and them,) as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples of the flock of Christ?

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

The bishop. Will you reverently obey them to whom the charge and government over you is committed, following with a glad mind and will their godly admonitions?

Answ. I will endeavor so to do, the Lord being my helper.

Then the bishop, laying his hands severally upon the head of every one of them, shall say,

Take thou authority to execute the office of a deacon in the Church of God; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then shall the bishop deliver to every one of them the Holy Bible, saying,

Take thou authority to read the Holy Scriptures in the Church of God, and to preach the same.

Then one of them appointed by the bishop shall read the Gospel.

Luke xii, 35-38.

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching. Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second 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 that are ordained shall receive the holy communion.]

The communion ended, immediately before the benediction shall be said these collects following :—

Almighty God, Giver of all good things, who of thy great goodness hast vouchsafed to accept and take these thy servants into the office of deacons in thy Church: make them, we beseech thee, O Lord, to be modest, humble, and constant in their ministration, and 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 found wor thy to be called into the higher ministries in

thy Church, through the same, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; to whom be glory and honor, world without end. Amen.

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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.

CHAPTER IV.

THE FORM OF SOLEMNIZATION OF

MATRIMONY.

First, the banns of all that are to be married together must be published in the congregation three severai Sundays in the time of divine service, (unless they be otherwise qualified according to law,) the minis ter saying after the accustomed manner,

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I PUBLISII the banns of marriage between M. of and N. of If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in holy matrimony, ye are to declare

it. This is the first [second or third] time of asking.

At the day and time appointed for solemnization of matrimony, the persons to be married standing together, the man on the right hand, and the woman on the left, the minister shall say,

:

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is between Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of St. Paul to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, or taken in hand unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God.

Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore, if any can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

And also speaking unto the persons that are to be mar. ried, he shall say,

I require and charge you both (as you will answer at the dreadful day of judg ment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed) that if either of you know any

impediment why you may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you do now confess it for be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's word doth allow, are not joined together by God, neither is their matrimony lawful.

If no impediment be alledged, then shall the minister say unto the man,

M., Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health: and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live ?

The man shall answer,

I will.

Then shall the minister say unto the woman,

N., Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health: and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

The woman shall answer,

I will.

Then the minister shall cause the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and to say after him as followeth :

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