and places where they dwell, unto the Curate, that by his
exhortation they may be relieved with the alms of the Parishioners,
or others. Will you do this gladly and willingly?

_Answer_. I will so do, by the help of God.

_The Bishop_.

Will you apply all your diligence to frame and fashion your own
lives, and the lives of your families, according to the doctrine
of Christ; and to make both yourselves and them, as much as in you
lieth, wholesome examples of the flock of Christ?

_Answer_. I will so do, the Lord being my helper.

_The Bishop_.

Will you reverently obey your Ordinary, and other chief Ministers
of the Church, and them to whom the charge and government over you
is committed, following with a glad mind and will their godly
admonitions?

_Answer_. I will endeavour myself, the Lord being my helper.

_Then the Bishop laying his hands severally upon the head of every
one of them, humbly kneeling before him, shall say_,

Take thou authority to execute the office of a Deacon in the Church
of God committed unto thee; In the Name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

_Then shall the Bishop deliver to every one of them the New
Testament, saying_,

Take thou authority to read the Gospel in the Church of God, and
to preach the same, if thou be thereto licensed by the Bishop
himself.

_Then one of them, appointed by the Bishop, shall read_

THE GOSPEL. St Luke xii. 35.

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye
yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will
return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they
may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom
the lord when he cometh shall find watching. Verily I say unto
you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat,
and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the
second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed
are those servants.

_Then shall the Bishop proceed in the Communion: and all that are
ordered shall tarry, and receive the holy Communion the same day
with the Bishop_.

_The Communion ended, after the last Collect, and immediately before
the Benediction, shall be said these Collects following_.

Almighty God, giver of all good things, who of thy great goodness
hast vouchsafed to accept and take these thy servants unto the
office of Deacons in thy Church: Make them, we beseech thee, O Lord,
to be