His prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt-offering upon the altar. And when the burnt-offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel. And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt-offering was finished. Ry. Thanks be to GOD. On Maundy Thursday of each year the Bishop shall consecrate the Chrism and Oils for his diocese after this form. He shall celebrate the Holy Eucharist, and after the oblation of the Bread and Wine, at the end of the Church Militant Prayer, the Archdeacon or Chaplain shall present to him the vessel containing the Oil for the sick, (which shall be brought from the Sacristy by one of the assistant Ministers, attended by two servers), saying, Reverend Father in GOD, the Oil for the Sick. The Bishop, placing the vessel at the Epistle corner of the Altar, shall 680. Send, O LORD, we beseech Thee, Thy HOLY GHOST the Comforter from heaven upon this fatness of the olive, which Thou hast vouchsafed to bring forth from the green tree, for the refreshment of body and soul; that as Thou didst anoint Thy Priests, Kings, Prophets, and Martyrs, so this oil may, by Thy blessing, be to every one anointed therewith, a heavenly medicine and remedy, to banish all pain, weakness, and suffering of body and soul, and that Thy perfect anointing and blessing may abide within us for evermore. 681. O LORD JESU CHRIST, Whose Name is as ointment poured bl+ess and sanc+tify this holy oil, forth in grace, purifying the world, the sign of Thy mercy, and impart it unto Thy servants for salvation and deliverance from sickness; wash and cleanse the defilements of their souls, purge them from their manifold offences, assuage their sorrows, drive their troubles, and scataway ter their afflictions. Through Thy mercy. Then shall the Bishop deliver the Oil for the Sick to the Archdeacon, who shall cause it to be carried into the Sacristy. Then shall the Oil for Catechumens be brought in like manner to the Bishop, who shall say, V. The LORD, &c. Ry. And with, &c. V. Let us pray. 682. O GOD, Bestower of all spiritual increase and progress, Who by the might of Thy HOLY SPIRIT confirmest the first efforts of feeble souls; we pray Thee, O LORD, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to send Thy bless+ing upon this oil, and grant through its anointing cleansing of body and soul to them who shall come to the laver of blessed regeneration; that if any stains of their spiritual enemies have clung to them, they may depart at the touch of this hallowed oil. Let there remain in them no room for ghostly wickedness, no abode for the rebel powers, no lurking-place for secret sins; but as Thy servants come to the true faith, and to be cleansed by the operation of Thy HOLY SPIRIT, let this unction be profitable for that salvation which they are to obtain through the birth of heavenly regeneration in the Sacrament of Baptism. Through. Then shall the Oil of Catechumens be carried to the Sacristy, and the Celebration shall proceed to the end of the Preface and Sanctus. The balsam and oil for the Chrism shall then be carried in two separate vessels by two Priests to the Archdeacon, while a third Priest bears the vessel in which they are to be mingled. While this is being done, the Choir sings: O Redeemer, take the tribute of the song Trees, which kindly light made fruitful, 684. O LORD, Maker of all creatures, Who by Thy servant Moses didst command holy ointment to be compounded of principal spices; we humbly beseech Thy mercy that Thou wouldst bestow spiritual grace on this ointment, the fruit of a tree, and pour upon it the fulness of Thy hal+lowing. Let it be compounded for us, O LORD, with the gladness of faith, let it be the lasting Chrism of priestly anointing, let it be fitted for impressing the sign of the heavenly banner, that whoso are anointed therewith after being born the fullest blessing of body and soul, again in holy Baptism, may obtain and ever increase in the gift of that blessed faith which they have acquired. Through. He shall then proceed to bless the Chrismal Oil, as follows: 685. Be present, O FATHER Most Highest, and hearken to the prayers of us miserable sinners who call upon Thee. Send us, O LORD, that HOLY SPIRIT wherewith Thou didst anoint Thy SON above His fellows, that Thou mayest hal+low with the savour of Thine ointments this Chrism here made ready, and fulfil it with Thy sevenfold spiritual grace. So vouchsafe to Only-Begotten, in Whom Thou art well pleased, and showing thereby that Thou hadst anointed Him with the oil of gladness above His fellows, as David Thy Prophet testi shine on them whom Thou redeemest by spiritual washing, that this holy anointing may be to them the Chrism of blessing, the weddinggarment, the bestowal of stead-fied; we pray Thee, O LORD, our fastness, the remission of sins, the adoption of children, the increase of holy might, and the full perfection of spiritual grace; that whoso shall be signed with this holy anointing, and receive the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Thy dear SON, may feel Thy protection, and obtain everlasting life. Through the same. Then mingling the Balsam and Oil together, the Bishop shall say, In the Name of the FATHER, and of the SON,+ and of the HOLY GHOST, let this mingling be unto all anointed therewith for a propitiation and spiritual safeguard for ever and ever. Amen. Let us pray. 686. O GOD, Who amongst other gifts of Thy bounty and lovingkindness hast given the wholesome fruit of the olive for the use of man, and for the making of holy Chrism; Who didst typify by that olive-leaf which the dove brought back to the Ark when the waters abated, the remission of sins in holy Baptism and the purifying unction of oil; Who didst command Thy servant Moses that his brother Aaron should be anointed therewith for the priesthood of the Old Testament; Who didst bestow on it yet greater honour, when Thy SON JESUS CHRIST our LORD caused Himself to be baptized by John in the waters of Jordan, and Thou didst send the HOLY GHOST upon Him in the form of a Dove, declaring Him to be Thine heavenly FATHER, Almighty, everlasting GOD, through the same Thy SON our LORD JESUS CHRIST, that Thou wouldst hal+low this matter of holy oil and fragrant balsam, sancti+fying it with the power of Thine Anointed. And we humbly beseech Thee, O LORD, that Thou wouldst enrich this fatness with the might of the HOLY GHOST, and make it abound with the sweetness of Divine love, and stablish it with all blessing. Let it be a holy unction and a sweet savour unto Thee, a sign of certain victory to those who are born again of water and the HOLY GHOST, a joyful anointing, a hope of blessedness, a cleansing from sin, a medicine of life, and a help on their way to the heavenly country; that being sanctified in soul and body, they may be acknowledged by Angels and Archangels and all the heavenly powers, be feared by all evil and unclean spirits, and become a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, sealed with Thy divine mystery, bearing Thy CHRIST in their hearts, made a meet dwelling for Thee, O GOD the FATHER, through the grace of Thy HOLY SPIRIT, Who livest and reignest in the TRINITY of co-eternal majesty, One GOD Almighty, world without end. Amen. Then shall the Chrism be reverently carried to the Sacristy, and the Bishop shall proceed with the Holy Eucharist in the usual manner, ending with the Blessing. BENEDICTION OF LITTLE CHILDREN. y. Our help is in the Name of the LORD. Ry. Who hath made heaven and earth. . The LORD, &c. Ry. And with, &c. V. Let us pray. 687. O LORD JESU CHRIST, Who didst take into Thine arms little children presented and coming unto Thee, and laying Thine hands upon them (here the Bishop shall lay his hands upon the child's head) didst bless them, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven, and their angels do ever behold the face of My FATHER; have regard, we beseech Thee, unto the innocence of this present infant, and the devotion of his parents, and mercifully bless him by my ministry, that he ever advancing by Thy grace and mercy, may know Thee, love Thee, and fear Thee, may keep Thy commandments and those of his parents, and happily attain everlasting life. Through Thy mercy. The Blessing of GOD the FA+ THER Almighty, of the So+N, and of the HOLY+GHOST, descend upon you, keep you, govern you, and abide with you evermore. Ry. Amen. PRIVATE PRAYERS FOR BISHOPS. For Wisdom in ruling. 688. O LORD JESU CHRIST, Shepherd and Bishop of souls, grant me to take the oversight of the flock committed to my charge, not as lording it over GOD's heritage, but in the spirit of wisdom and justice, of love and gentleness, that guiding Thy sheep with Thy staff and rod, I may at length enter with them into Thine everlasting pastures. Through Thy mercy. godliness, and that no wolf may, by reason of my error or blindness, enter in to ravin and destroy the sheep which Thou hast purchased with the Blood of Thy dear SON. Through the same. For Simplicity of Life. 690. O LORD JESU CHRIST, King of kings, Whose earthly crown was of thorns, Whose sceptre was a reed; give me grace to shun all worldly pomp and luxury, and so For wise Choice of Candidates for to endure hardship as Thy good Holy Orders. 689. O GOD, Who didst guide the lot, which fell upon Thy servant Matthias; grant me the gift of spiritual insight and discernment, that I may lay hands suddenly on no man, but choose for the ministry of Thine Altar and the preaching of Thy Word faithful men, who shall be an ensample to the flock in all soldier, that I may at length attain Kingdom. Through Thy mercy. the spiritual riches of Thine eternal For right exercise of Patronage. 691. Grant, O LORD, that I may bestow the offices which Thou hast intrusted to my stewardship, on fit and worthy persons, choosing in all purity and simplicity of heart, |