CCLXXIV. An Address, and Solemn Questions to the Bishop-elect. The Archbishop.-1. 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. 1. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 1 Tim. v. 22. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts xx. 28. A Bishop must be blameless. Moreover he must have a good report among them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Tim. iii. 2. 7. 2. Are you persuaded that you be truly called to this Ministration, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Order of this Realm! Ans. I am so persuaded. See Sections 1, 2. in CCLV. The Archbishop.-3. Are you persuaded that the holy Scriptures contain suffi ciently all doctrine required of necessity to eternal salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ? And are you determined out of the same holy Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your charge; and to teach or maintain nothing, as required of necessity to eternal salvation, but that which you shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved by the same? Ans. I am so persuaded, and determined by God's grace. 3. The Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. iii. 15. A Bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God. Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Titus i. 7. 9. Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine. Titus ii. 1. See also, Sections 3, 4. in CCLV. The Archbishop.-4. Will you then faithfully exercise yourself in the same holy Scriptures, and call upon God by prayer, for the true understanding of the same; so as ye may be able by them to teach and exhort with wholesome Doctrine, and to withstand and convince the gain-sayers? Ans. I will so do, by the help of God. 4. Search the Scriptures. John v. 39. Open thou mine eyes, that I may see the wondrous things of thy law. Psal. cxix. 18. Son of Man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. Ezek. iii. 17. Refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 1 Tim. iv. 7. In doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed. Titus ii. 7, 8. Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Tim. iv. 2. The Archbishop.-5. Are you ready, with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God's Word; and both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others to the same! Ans. I am ready, the Lord being my helper. The Archbishop. 6.Will you deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, world; that you may shew yourself in all things an example of good works unto others, that the 5. See Section 5. in CCLXII. 6. The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Titus ii. 11, 12. If a man desire the office of a Bishop, righteously, he desireth a good work. A Bishop then must be and godly, in this present blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?) not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of thing to say the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of against you? Ans. I will them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Tim. iii. 1 to 7. Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Tim. iv. 12. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot adversary may be ashamed, having no so do, the Lord being my helper. The Archbishop.-7. Will you set forward, as much as shall lie in you, quietness, love, and peace, among all men; and such as be criminous, be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Titus ii. 7, 8. Give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 1 Tim. v. 14. Having a good conscience; that they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 1 Pet. iii. 16, See also, Titus i. 6. 8. 7. Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But maintain and foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And 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. Shun profane and vain babblings for they will increase unto more ungodliunquiet, dis- ness. 2 Tim. ii. 22 to 25. 16. Be instant in seaobedient, and son, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all within your longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Tim. iv. 2. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others may fear. 1 Tim. v. 20. Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and God's Word, profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of and as to you mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealnance of this ers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be Realm ? I will any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; so do, by the according to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God. help of God. 1 Tim. i. 9, 10, 11. Rebuke them sharply, that Diocese, correct and punish, according to such authority as you have by shall be com mitted by the Ordi they may be sound in the faith. Titus i. 13. I write The Archbishop.-8. Will you be faithful in ordaining, upon others? shining after rain. 2 Sam. xxiii. 2, 3, 4. See also, Section 7. in CCLXII. 8. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had apsending, or pointed thee. Titus i. 5. The things that thou hast laying hands heard of me among many witnesses, the same comAns. I will mit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach so be, by the help of God. others also. 2 Tim. ii. 2. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 1 Tim. v. 22. And when they [Paul and Barnabas] had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Acts xiv. 23. The Arch bishop.-9. Will you shew yourself gentle, ciful for 9. The servant of the Lord must be gentle unto all men. 2 Tim. ii. 24. Yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that we were gentle among and be mer- you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. 1 Thess. ii. 1. 7. Hold fast the form of sound words, which Christ's sake, to poor and thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in needy people, Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. i. 13. Follow charity. 2 Tim. ii. 22. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Luke vi. 36. Blessed are the merciful: and to all strangers destitute of help? So shew myself, by God's help. Ans. I will for they shall obtain mercy. Matt. v. 7. Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matt. x. 42. Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Mark ix. 41. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers. Heb. xiii. 2. Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 John iii. 17. He shall deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. Psal. lxxii. 12, 13. The Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, and a mighty, which regardeth not per sons, nor taketh reward: he doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger. Deut. x. 17, 18, 19. The Archbishop.-10. Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who hath given you a good will to do all these things; Grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that, he accomplishing in you the good work which he hath begun, you may be found perfect and irreprehensible at the latter day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 10. See Section 9, in CCLXII. CCLXXV. A Prayer that the Bishop-elect may have grace to make known the glad tidings of Salvation; and duly to administer the discipline of the Church. The Archbishop.-Lord, hear our prayers.-Ans. And let our cry come unto thee. Let us pray.-1, 2. Almighty God, and most merciful Father, who of thine infinite goodness, hast given thine only and dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, and the Author of everlasting life; who, after that he had made perfect our Redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven; poured down his gifts abundantly upon men, making some, Apostles, some, Prophets, some, Evangelists some, Pastors and Doctors, to the edifying and making perfect his Church; 3. Grant, we beseech thee, to this thy ser vant such grace, that he may be evermore ready to spread abroad 1, 2. See Sections 1, 2, in CCLXV. 3. Every good gift and every perfect gift cometh down from the Father of lights. James i. 17. He giveth more grace. James iv. 6. A bishop must be As much as in me apt to teach. 1 Tim. iii. 2. is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I long to see you, that I may thy Gospel, impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; now I would not have you reconciliation ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. Rom. i. 15. 11. 13. We are come as far as to you also in preaching the Gospel of the glad tidings of with thee; and use the authority given him, not to des truction, but not to hurt, to salvation; Christ. 2 Cor. x. 14. How beautiful are the feet but to help; of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Rom. x. 15. All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the |