The Book of Common Prayer Part 121

Will you 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 and the flesh?

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

_The Bishop_.

Will you be diligent to frame and fas.h.i.+on your own selves, and your families, according to the doctrine of Christ; and to make both yourselves and them, as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples and patterns to the flock of Christ?

_Answer_. I will apply myself thereto, the Lord being my helper.

_The Bishop_.

Will you maintain and set forwards, as much as lieth in you, quietness, peace, and love, among all Christian people, and specially among them that are or shall be committed to your charge?

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

_The Bishop_.

Will you reverently obey your Ordinary, and other chief Ministers, unto whom is committed the charge and government over you; following with a glad mind and will their G.o.dly admonitions, and submitting yourselves to their G.o.dly judgements?

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

_Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say_,

Almighty G.o.d, who hath given you this will to do all these things; Grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that he may accomplish his work which he hath begun in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_After this, the Congregation shall be desired, secretly in their prayers, to make their humble supplications to G.o.d for all these things: for the which prayers there shall be silence kept for a s.p.a.ce_.

_After which shall be sung or said by the Bishop_ (_the persons to be ordained Priests all kneeling_) Veni, Creator Spiritus; _the Bishop beginning, and the Priests, and others that are present, answering by verses, as followeth_.

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,

_And lighten with celestial fire_.

Thou the anointing Spirit art,

_Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart_.

Thy blessed Unction from above

_Is comfort, life, and fire of love_.

Enable with perpetual light

_The dulness of our blinded sight_

Anoint and cheer our soiled face

_With the abundance of thy grace_.

Keep far our foes, give peace at home:

_Where thou art guide, no ill can come_.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,

_And thee, of both, to be but one_.

That, through the ages all along,

_This may be our endless song_:

Praise to thy eternal merit,

_Father, Son, and Holy Spirit_.

_Or this_:

Come, Holy Ghost, eternal G.o.d, proceeding from above,

_Both from the Father and the Son, the G.o.d of peace and love_;

Visit our minds, into our hearts thy heavenly grace inspire;

_That truth and G.o.dliness we may pursue with full desire_.

Thou art the very Comforter in grief and all distress;

_The heav'nly gift of G.o.d most high, no tongue can it express_;

The fountain and the living spring of joy celestial;

_The fire so bright, the love so sweet, the unction spiritual_.

Thou in thy gifts art manifold, by them Christ's Church doth stand:

_In faithful hearts thou writ'st thy law, the finger of G.o.d's hand_.

According to thy promise, Lord, thou givest speech with grace;

_That through thy help G.o.d's praises may resound in every place_.

O Holy Ghost, into our minds send down thy heav'nly light;

_Kindle our hearts with fervent zeal to serve G.o.d day and night_.

Our weakness strengthen and confirm, (for, Lord, thou know'st us frail;)

_That neither devil, world, nor flesh, against us may prevail_.