Part 119 (1/2)

Pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts.

_Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people_.

Favourably with mercy hear our prayers.

_O Son of David, have mercy upon us_.

Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ.

_Graciously hear us, Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ_.

_Priest_. O Lord, let thy mercy be shewed upon us;

_Answer_. As we do put our trust in thee.

Let us pray.

We humbly beseech thee, O Father, merci fully to look upon our infirmities; and for the glory of thy Name turn from us all those evils that we most righteously have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honour and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_Then shall be sung or said the Service for the Communion, with the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, as followeth_.

THE COLLECT.

Almighty G.o.d, who by thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders of Ministers in thy Church, and didst inspire thine Apostles to choose into the Order of Deacons the first Martyr Saint Stephen, with others: Mercifully behold these thy servants now called to the like office and administration; replenish them so with the truth of thy doctrine, 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 edification of thy Church; through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and for ever. _Amen_.

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 proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons 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 of the Acts of the Apostles_.

Acts vi. 2.

Then the twelve called the mult.i.tude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of G.o.d, and serve tables. Wherefore, 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 mult.i.tude: 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 G.o.d increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

_And before the Gospel, the Bishop, sitting in his Chair, shall examine every one of them that are to be ordered, in the presence 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 G.o.d, for the promoting of his glory, and the edifying of his people?

_Answer_. I trust so.

_The Bishop_.

Do you think that you are truly called, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the due order of this [Church], to the Ministry of the Church?

_Answer_. I think so.

_The Bishop_.