W E receive thee into the Sevenfold Eldership of this Church. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The Elders shall impose their hands, and shall say, WE E receive thee unto the fellowship of the rule of this Church, sharing with thee the authority which the Lord hath given unto us under the Angel. Then the Angel and Elders shall all impose their hands, and shall say, Go OD ALMIGHTY, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, bless and confirm thee in all goodness henceforth and for ever. R. Amen. The Elders shall withdraw their hands, and the Peace be with thee. R. Amen. Then ¶ The Elders shall proceed to the proper seat or bench, from which they ordinarily minister, and the newly received Elder shall take his place with them. shall follow the Creed commonly called the Nicene Creed. In the Prayer of Oblation (after Consecration). our prayers. Especially commending unto Thee at this time Thy servant whom Thou hast added to the Sevenfold Eldership in this Church. We beseech Thee of Thy mercy to con serve in him the anointing of the priestly office, and the gift of Thy grace for the ministry which Thou committest unto him. Establish him by Thy quickening Spirit, sanctify and confirm him by Thy heavenly benediction, that he may hold fast his profession without wavering, finish his course with joy, and of Thy goodness receive a full reward in Thine eternal and glorious kingdom. R. Amen. B The Communion Anthem. LESS the Lord, O house of Israel: Bless the Lord, O house of Aaron. Bless the Lord, O house of Levi: Ye that fear the Lord, bless the Lord. Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, that dwelleth at Jerusalem: Praise ye G the Lord. Additional Post-Communion Prayer. RANT, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that the seal of Thy divine sacrament may be effectual to confirm and strengthen in us Thy heavenly grace; and that we, who have partaken of this life-giving meat, may always bear about in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in us. Hear us, we beseech Thee, for the sake of the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, O Father, and with the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. R. Amen. Form of Receiving one of the Prophets, Evangelists, or Pastors, of a Church. ¶ The Order shall be the same as that observed in receiving an Elder, except that the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, shall be those used at the Ordination of Priests, and that after the Gospel (the Minister being brought up by the two junior of his ministry, or by the two junior Priests,) the Angel shall at once proceed to the Prayer, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who for the blessing, &c.," (p. 182.) ¶ Also after the Prayer the Angel, in imposing his hand, shall say, WE E receive thee into the number of the [Prophets, or Evangelists, or Pastors] of this Church, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The Angel and Elders shall then impose their God Almighty, the Father, &c. Also, in the Prayer of Oblation after Consecration, the name appropriate to the ministry of the Priest to be received shall be used in place of the words "Sevenfold Eldership." Office for the Presentation of The Apostle shall commence the Service with this Let us pray. REVENT us, O Lord, in all our doings, with Thy most gracious favour, 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 attain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. R. Amen. The Psalm [Ps. cxlvii.]. The Lesson [Acts, i. 15-26]. After the Lesson, at the direction of the Apostle, the Candidates shall be presented before the sanctuary by the respective Angels having charge over them. The Apostle shall address the Congregation to the following effect: EARLY beloved, DE We have appointed the present time, that these approved and chosen men, who have served in the priest's office faithfully, may be set before the Lord; that, if He be pleased, He may intimate His gracious purpose, and may call, by the word of His prophet, those whom He may choose to His service as angels and bishops in His Church. And you, brethren, who are now to be presented before the Lord, I pray you to remember how unworthy we all are of God's regard, and how unfit to be used by Him. We are all of unclean lips and unholy hearts, and have provoked Him to anger by our many offences. Especially call to mind your provocations and transgressions in your present office, and seek to be purged from all defilement of flesh and spirit; that, whether in your present place, or wheresoever He may call and set you, ye may henceforth serve Him in newness of life, and with perfect faithfulness. And, after that ye have humbled yourselves before Him, and received His blessed word of absolution, we will betake ourselves to supplication and prayer, that we may with His favour address ourselves to our present work. Then the Candidates shall kneel and make this Confession: MOST merciful God and Father, who knowest the secrets of all hearts; I acknowledge and confess the innumerable sins and wicked transgressions, which I have committed against Thee in, thought, in word, and in deed; and especially minė iniquities and sins, my transgressions and omissions, in the fulfilling of the office and ministry of priest. I have sinned, I have sinned, I have grievously sinned, against Thy divine majesty and Thy holy will; I am altogether unworthy of the lowest place in Thy house. Have mercy upon me, most merciful Father; for the sake of Jesus Christ take away all mine iniquity; absolve me from my sin; and give unto me to serve Thee henceforth in newness of life, to the glory of Thy holy Name. Amen. |