sciples unto them, and said, Look

ng you seven men of honest report, full Ghost and wisdom, whom we may ap And the saying pleased the whole multiather those Stephen, a man full of faith the Ear Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, e si Ime, and Parmenas, and Nis of Antioch: whom they set before Niven they had prayed, they laid es az dcts vi. 1, 2, 3. 5, 6. No s horor unto himself, but he that is Got as was Aaron. So also Christ gloLust be made an High Priest; but Si un in. Thou art my Son, to day ma then. Hek v. 4, 5. And the Lord Las sing Bing the tribe of Levi resent them delire Aaron the priest, that 1st in him. Jem. iii. 5, 6. And Mosses, saying. Take the Levites the size of Israel, and cleanse them. sol the the Levites before the Lord Song at the charm of Israel, that they the service of the Lord. And thou

serer Aaron, and before Eis Se then je u sfering unto the Lord. that separate the Levites from amor of Istan; and the Levites shall te vil & § 11. 18 14. Paul and TIsses Christ, to all th Jars Jests which are at Philippi,

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a Deacon, being found blameless. Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 1 Tim. iii. 8, 9, 10. 6. The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. 2 Tim. ii. 24, 25. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God. 1 John iv. 1. He must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Tim. iii. 7. Look ye out among you seven men of honest report. Acts vi. 3. Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. Acts xxiv. 16. And Jehoshaphat said to the judges, Take heed what ye do. Let the fear of the Lord be upon you; for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons. 2 Chron. xix. 6, 7.

O God the Father of heaven, &c.

CCLII. Particular Petition in the Litany in behalf of the Candidates for the office of Deacon.

Bless thine inheritance. Psal. xxviii. 9. They ee to bless shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Num. vi. 27. Thus shalt thou be admitted separate the Levites from among the children of the Order Israel: and the Levites shall be mine. And after or Priests] that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the nd to pour tabernacle of the congregation; for they are wholly pon them; given unto me from among the children of Israel. Num. viii. 14, 15, 16, I will pour upon the house xecute their of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the alifying of spirit of gesen, Zech x 10. It is a good thing

1. Almighty God, who by thy Divine Providence hast appointed divers Orders of Ministers in

and didst inspire thine Apostles to choose into

the order of

Deacons the first Martyr Saint Stephen, with others;

the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Eph. iv. 11, 12. The Church which is his body. Eph. i. 22, 23. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Phil. i. 11.

Our Father which art in heaven, &c.

O God, merciful Father, &c. as XVIII.
We humbly beseech thee, &c. as XIX.

CCLIII. A Prayer for the Candidates for the office
of Deacon.

He

1. Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Matt. xxviii. 18. When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and thy Church, some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers. Eph. iv. 8. 11. God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers. 1 Cor. xii. 28. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. Heb. v. 4. As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. John xx. 21. And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matt. xxviii. 20. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of wisdom, whom we may appoint. 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. Acts vi. 3. 5, 6.

2. Merci. fully behold these thy ser

vants now called to the like Office and Administration;

3. replenish * *++ m_so with

2. Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory. Isa. Ixiii. 15. Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Tim. i. 2. The Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Acts xiii. 2.

3. For this cause we also do not cease to pray th of for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with

and adorn

them with

lite, that,

ample, they

may faithfully serve

thee in this Office, to the

glory of thy Name, and the edification of thy Church; through the

Christ, who

liveth and reigneth with thee and the

Holy Ghost, ever. Amen.

now and for

thy Doctrine, the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of innocency of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every both by word good work, and increasing in the knowledge of and good ex God: strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power. Col. i. 9, 10, 11. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John xvii. 17. He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth. The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all merits of our things. When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He Saviour Jesus will guide you into all truth. John xiv. 16, 17, 26. xvi. 13. Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Tim. iv. 12. Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine; in all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned. Titus ii. 1. 7, 8. Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 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. 1 Tim. iii. 8 to 13. Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. 2 Tim. iii. 14. Say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. Col. iv. 17. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Cor. iv. 2. Be thou faithful unto death. Rev. ii. 10. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt. v. 16. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit. John

xv. 8. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Cor. iv. 7. Seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the Church. 1 Cor. xiv. 12. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Pet. iv. 11.

The Epistle. 1 Tim. iii. 8 to 13.-Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not doubletongued, 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 slamderers, 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 Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. Acts vi. 2. to 7.— Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, losk 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 multitude: 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 God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the Priests were obedient to the faith.

CCLIV. The Oath of the King's Sovereignty.

I A. B. do swear, That I do from my heart, abhor, detest, and abjure, as impious and heretical, that damnable doctrine, and position, That Princes excommunicated or deprived by the Pope, or any authority of the see of Rome, may be deposed or murthered by their subjects, or any other whatsoever. And I do declare, That no foreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State, or Potentate, hath, or ought to have, any jurisdiction, power, superiority, pre-eminence, or authority, Ecclesiastical or Spiritual, within this Realm.

Thou shalt do no murder. Matt. xix. 18. Honour all men. Honour the King. 1 Pet. ii. 17. And David said, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless? 1 Sam. xxvi. 9. And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be dismayed for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee