Page:The Book of Common Prayer.djvu/523

 Jt is evident vnto all men, diligently reading holy Scripture, and ancient Authors, That from the Apostles time, there have been these Orders of Ministers in Christs Church; Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Which offices were evermore had in such reverend estimation, that no man might presume to execute any of them, except he were first called, tried, examined and known to have such qualities as are requisite for the same; and also by publique prayer with imposition of hands, were approved, and admitted therevnto by lawfull authority. And therefore to the intent that these orders may be continued, and reverently vsed, and esteemed in the Church of England ; No man shall be accounted or taken to be a lawfull Bishop, Priest, or Deacon in the Church of England, or suffered to execute any of the said Functions, except he be called, tryed, examined, and admitted therevnto, according to the Form hereafter following, or hath had formerly Episcopall Consecration or Ordination. And none shall be admitted a Deacon, except he be twenty three years of age, Vnless he have a Facultie. And every man which is to be admitted a Priest shall be full foure and twenty years old. And every man which is to be ordeyned, or consecrated Bishop shall be fully thirty years of Age. And the Bishop knowing either by himself, or by sufficient testimony, any person to be a man of vertuous conversation, and without Crime, and after examination and tryall finding him learned in the latine tongue, and sufficiently instructed in holy scripture, may at the times appointed in the Canon, or else, on vrgent occasion, vpon some other sunday or holy-day in the face of the Church, admit him a Deacon in such manner and form as hereafter followeth. The