The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Finally, that the degrees of Superstition and Idolatry which now resteth within this Realm, being purged and removed, we may all not only have occasion to glorify thee our only Lord and Saviour, but also daily to grow in godliness and obedience of thy most holy will, to the destruction of the body of sin, and to the restitution of that image, to the which we were once created, and to the which after our fall and defection we are renewed by participation of thy holy Spirit, which by true Faith in thee we do profess, as the blessed of thy Father, of whom the perpetual increase of thy graces we crave, as by thee our Lord, King, and only Bishop we are taught to pray. Our Father, &c. The Prayer ended, the rest of the Ministers, if any be, and Elders of that Church present, in sign of their consent, shall take the elected by the hand. The chief Minister shall give the Benediction, as followeth; God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath commanded his Gospel to be Preached, to the comfort of his Elect, and hath called thee to the Office of a Watch-man over his people, multiply his graces with thee, illuminate thee with his holy Spirit; comfort and strengthen thee in all virtue; govern and guide thy Ministry, to the praise of his holy Name, to the propagation of Christs Kingdom, to the comfort of his Church; and finally, to the plain discharge and assurance of thine own conscience in the day of the Lord Jesus; to whom with the Father and with the holy Ghost, be all honour, praise, and glory, now and ever. So be it. The last Exhortation to the elected. Take heed to thy self, and unto the flock committed to thy charge, feed the same carefully, not as it were by compulsion, but of very love which thou bearest to the Lord Jesus. Walk in simplicity and pureness of life, as it becometh the true servant and the Ambassador of the Lord Jesus. Usurp not dominion nor tyrannical authority over thy brethren, be not discouraged in adversity, but lay before thy self the example of the Prophets, Apostles, and of the Lord Jesus, who in their Ministry sustained contradiction, contempt, persecution, and death: fear not to rebuke the world of Sin, Justice, and Judgement. If any thing succeed prosperously in thy Vocation, be not puffed up with pride, neither yet flatter thy self, as that the good success proceedeth from thy virtue, industry or care.

Finally, that the degrees of Superstition and Idolatry which now resteth within this Realme, being purged and removed, we may all not onely have occasion to glorifie thee our onely Lord and Saviour, but also daily to grow in godlinesse and obedience of thy most holy will, to the destruction of the body of sin, and to the restitution of that image, to the which we were once created, and to the which after our fall and defection we are renewed by participation of thy holy Spirit, which by true Faith in thee we do professe, as the blessed of thy Father, of whom the perpetuall increase of thy graces we crave, as by thee our Lord, King, and onely Bishop we are taught to pray. Our Father, &c. The Prayer ended, the rest of the Ministers, if any be, and Elders of that Church present, in signe of their consent, shall take the elected by the hand. The chiefe Minister shall give the Benediction, as followeth; God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath commanded his Gospel to be Preached, to the comfort of his Elect, and hath called thee to the Office of a Watch-man over his people, multiply his graces with thee, illuminate thee with his holy Spirit; comfort and strengthen thee in all vertue; governe and guide thy Ministerie, to the praise of his holy Name, to the propagation of Christs Kingdom, to the comfort of his Church; and finally, to the plaine discharge and assurance of thine owne conscience in the day of the Lord Jesus; to whom with the Father and with the holy Ghost, be all honour, praise, and glory, now and ever. So be it. The last Exhortation to the elected. TAke heed to thy selfe, and unto the flock committed to thy charge, feed the same carefully, not as it were by compulsion, but of very love which thou bearest to the Lord Jesus. Walk in simplicity and purenesse of life, as it becometh the true servant and the Ambassadour of the Lord Jesus. Usurpe not dominion nor tyrannicall authority over thy brethren, be not discouraged in adversity, but lay before thy self the example of the Prophets, Apostles, and of the Lord Jesus, who in their Ministery sustained contradiction, contempt, persecution, and death: fear not to rebuke the world of Sin, Justice, and Judgement. If any thing succeed prosperously in thy Vocation, be not puft up with pride, neither yet flatter thy self, as that the good successe proceedeth from thy vertue, industrie or care.