Priests and Deacons, the character and qualifications of such as ought to be appointed to these sacred offices, are strongly set forth in appropriate Scriptures chosen for the occasion; and the prayers which are solemnly offered up to Almighty God in their behalf, shew the necessity of their being "endued with Divine grace," in order "that they may duly execute the office whereunto they are called, to the edifying of the church, and to the honour, praise, and glory of God's name."

When any person is presented to the Archbishop, in order to his being consecrated a Bishop of our church, it is required that two Bishops should bear public testimony to his piety and learning, in the presence of the congregation, and in these terms: "Most Reverend Father in

God, we present unto you this godly and welllearned man, to be ordained and consecrated Bishop." And in compliance with the Holy Scriptures and the ancient canons, which command that hands should not be hastily laid on, or persons admitted to government in the church of Christ, the Archbishop proceeds to examine the Bishop elect "in certain articles; to the end that the congregation present may have a trial, and bear witness, how he is minded to behave himself in the church of God." And here he declares "his persuasion of the sufficiency of Scripture doctrine to eternal salvation; and that

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he is determined to teach and maintain nothing as required of necessity to eternal salvation, but that which he shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved from the same." He also professes himself ready, with the Lord's help, with all 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 do the same." He promises also, by the help of God, to be faithful in ordaining, sending, or laying hands on others." Prayer is then made to "Almighty God who has given him the will, to give him strength and power to perform the same." The sacred influences of the Holy Spirit are invoked in a solemn hymn; and prayer is again made to that God, who gave gifts to Apostles, Prophets, and Evangelists, to bestow upon him such grace, that he may "evermore be ready to spread abroad the Gospel, and use the authority given him, not to destruction, but salvation, not to hurt, but to help."

After the consecration, the Archbishop delivers a Bible into the hands of the newly consecrated Bishop, with the following impressive and weighty charge: "Give heed unto reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Think upon the things contained in this book: be diligent in them; that the increase coming thereby, may be manifest unto all men. Take heed unto thyself

and thy doctrine, and be diligent in doing them : for, by so doing, thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. Be to the flock of Christ, a shepherd, not a wolf; feed them, devour them not. Hold up the weak, heal the sick, bind up the broken, bring again the outcasts, seek the lost; be so merciful, that you be not too remiss; so minister discipline, that you forget not mercy that when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you may receive the never-failing crown of glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (See the form of Consecration.) Thus has the church of England provided in her constitutions, that none but men well and sufficiently reported for their learning and piety, should be called to the government of the same; and their character in these particulars being ascertained, they are set apart to the episcopal office by this most solemn service; a service calculated, one would think, to reach the heart, and make a lasting impression on the mind. Thus qualified and consecrated, Bishops are appointed overseers in the church of Christ, as their name denotes, to watch over her interests, exercise her discipline, feed the flock of Christ themselves, and provide faithful pastors under them, that while they seek to preserve

peace within her walls," there may be also. plenteousness within her palaces; " plenteousness of sound doctrine, and wholesome nourishment, constantly provided for the Lord's family

and household.

To Bishops thus qualified, is intrusted the great and important office of ordaining ministers in the church of Christ.

And here we may observe, that in admitting any to the office of Priest or Deacon, great care is required to be taken and inquiry made, respecting their character and qualifications; the Archdeacon, or some competent minister appointed by the Bishop, is called upon publicly to declare, that he has inquired of, and also examined the candidates for both offices, and "that he thinks them 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." After which, the Bishop calls upon the congregation present, that "if there be any of them, who know any impediment or notable crime in any of the persons presented to be ordained, for which he ought not to be admitted to that office, to come forth in the name of God! and shew what the crime or impediment is." The Bishop then examines those who are to be admitted to either order in the presence of the congregation. The Deacons, whether " they trust that they are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost, to take upon them that office and ministration, to serve God for the promotion of his glory, and the edifying of his people?" to which they answer, "they trust so." The Priests, whether " they are persuaded that

they are truly called to this ministration, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the order of this realm ?" to which they severally reply, "I am so persuaded." The Bishop then questions them concerning their belief of the books of the Old and New Testament that the Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ; and that they are determined out of the same Scriptures to instruct the people committed to their charge. He also examines them, as to their determination to "frame and fashion themselves and their families according to the doctrine of Christ, and to make both themselves and theirs, as much as in them lieth, wholesome examples and patterns to the flock of Christ.” Note (n).

Those who are to be ordained Priests, solemnly promise, "by the Lord's help, to give their faithful diligence always so to minister the doctrine and sacraments, and the discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath commanded, and as this church and realm hath received the same, according to the commandments of God:" "to be ready with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine, contrary to God's word; to be diligent in prayers, and in reading of the Holy Scriptures, and in such studies as help to the knowledge of the same, laying aside the study of the world