The Book of Common Prayer / and The Scottish Liturgy

by Episcopal Church in Scotland

This Oath shall not be made at the Consecration of an Archbishop.]

Then the [Primus] shall move the Congregation present to pray, saying thus to them:

Brethren, it is written in the Gospel of St Luke, that our Saviour Christ continued the whole night in prayer, before he did choose and send forth his twelve Apostles. It is written also in the Acts of the Apostles, that the disciples who were at Antioch did fast and pray, before they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas, and sent them forth. Let us therefore, following the example of our Saviour Christ and his Apostles, first fall to prayer, before we admit and send forth this person presented unto us, to the work whereunto we trust the Holy Ghost hath called him.

And then shall be said the Litany, as before in the Form of Ordering Deacons, save only that after this place, That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops, &c. the proper Suffrage there following shall be omitted, and this inserted instead of it;

That it may please thee to bless this our Brother elected, and to send thy grace upon him, that he may duly execute the office where unto he is called, to the edifying of thy Church, and to the honour, praise and glory of thy Name,

Answer. We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

Then shall be said this Prayer following.

Almighty God, giver of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers orders of Ministers in thy Church: Mercifully behold this thy servant now called to the work and ministry of a Bishop; and replenish him so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn him with innocency of life, that both by word and deed he may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory of thy Name, and the edifying and well-governing of thy Church; through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Then the [Primus], sitting in his Chair, shall say to him that is to be consecrated,

Brother, forasmuch as the holy Scripture and the ancient Canons command that we should not be hasty in laying on hands, and admitting any person to government in the Church of Christ, which he hath purchased with no less price than the effusion of his own blood: Before I admit you to this administration, I will examine you in certain articles, to the end that the Congregation present may have a trial, and bear witness, how you be minded to behave yourself in the Church of God.