V. 4. And no man taketh this ho-

nour unto himself, but he that is call- ed of God, as was Aaron.
'" Tit. i. 5. For thi^ 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 appointed thee. 1 Tim. v. 21. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jejus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one before ano- ther, doing nothing by partiality. Ver, 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither he partaker of other men's gin?; keep thyself pure
" Numb. viii. 10. And thou shalt bring the I^icvites before the Lord, and the children of Israel si tall put their hands upon the l^evires : VtT. 1 1. And Aaron shall offer the Levit«s before the Lord, for an offering of the children of Israel; that they m^iy execute the service of the Lord. Ver. 14. Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children, ot Israel : and the Levites shall be mine. Ven 19. And i have given the Le- vites as a gift to .\aron, and to his sons, from among the children of Is- rael, to do the service of the children of Israel in t^ie tabernacle of the con- gregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel : that tliere be no plague among the children of I-.rael, when the children of I.-r.iel come nigh unto the sanctuary. Ver. 22. And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the taber- nacle of the congregation, before Aaron, and before his sons : as the Lord had commanded Moses concem- hig the jA'vites,sodidthey unto them. Acts vi. 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you ieven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Ver. §- And the saying pleased the whole multitude : and they chose Stephen, a maw full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Thilip, and Prochorus, and K'.canor, and 'J'inion, and J? b 4 Parmenas,
5S4
The Form of Church-Government.
Every minister of the word is to be ordained by imposi- tion of hands, and prayer, with fasting, by those preacliing presbyters to whom it doth belong "".
It is agreeable to the word of God, and very expedient, that such as are to be ordained ministers, be designed to some particular church, or other ministerial charge p.
He that is to be ordained minister, must be duly qualified, both for life and ministerial abilities, according to the rules of the apostle ''.
He is to be, examined and approved by those by whom he is to be ordained \
No
ParmenaSj and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch : Ver. 6. Whom they set before the apostles ; and when they had prayed, tliey laid their hands on fhem.
" 1 Tim. V. 22. Lay hands sudden- ly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins : keep thyself pure. Nets xiv. 23. And when they had r Jained them elders in every church, :ind had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Acts xiii. 3. \nd when they had fasted and pray- J, and laid their hand'i on them, liey sent them away.
1' Acts xiv. 23. [Si-c Lfon:] Tit. i.
. 1 or this cause left I thee in Crete,
iiat thou shoiildest set in order the
tilings that are wanting, and ordain
elders in every city, as I had appoint-
■d thee. Acts xx. 17. And from
Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and call-
d the elders of the church. Ver. 28.
:\ike heed therefore unto yourselves,
ind to all the flock over the which
The Holy Ghost hath made you over-
rcers, to feed the church of God,
which he hath purchased with his
own blood.
^ i Tim. iii. 2. A bishop then must "^ blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour,
given to hospitality, apt to teach ; Ver. 3. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, Ijut patient ; not a brawler ; not covetous : Ver. 4. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity: Ver. 5. (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God ?) Ver. 6. Not a novice, lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall in- to the condemnation of the devil. Tit. i. 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and or- dain elders in every city, as I had ap- pointed thee. Ver. 6. If any be blame- less, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly : Ver. 7. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God ; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filchy lucre ; Ver. 8. 13ut a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, lioly, temperate ; Ver. 9. Flolding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gain- say ers.
^ 1 Tim. iii. 7. Moreover, he
iviv.st have a good report of them
which
^Thc L oVM nj Lnuixn-ijuii/nnaftl. 585
No man is to be ordained a minister for a particular con- gregation, it* they ofthat congregation can shew just cause of exception against him \
O
Touching the Pourr of Ordhuilion.
RDINATION is the act of a pres])ytery ^ The power of ordering the whole work of ordination is in the whole presbytery, whicli, when it is over more congregations than one, whether those congregations be fixed or not fixed, in regard of officers or members, it is iiHliHereni; as to the jX)int of ordination".
It is very requisite, that no single congregation, that can conveniently associate, do assume to itself all and solo power in ordination :
1. Because there is no example in scripture that any single congi*egation, which might conveniently associate, did assume to itself all and sole power in ordination; neither is there any rule which may warrant such a practice.
2. Because there is in scripture example of an ordination in a presbytery over divers congregations; as in the church of Jerusalem, where were many congregations: tliese many congregations were under one presbytery, and this presby- tery did ordain.
The preaching presbyters orderly associated, either in cities or neighbouring villages, are those to whom the im- position of hands doth appertain, for those congregations \\ ithin their bounds respectively.
Covjcernin^
Rrhich are without ; lest lie kui u.to \\:re, ML^iuinc, soiicr, of good bc-
peproach, and the snare of the devil. haviour, given to hospitality, apt to
"er. 10. And let these also first bo teach. Tit. i. 7. For a bishop must
reved ; then let them use the o£Bce be blameless, as the steward of God
9fa deacon, being found blameless, ^ ] Tim. iv. 14. Neglect not the
Tim. V. 22. Lay hands suddenly gift that is in thee, which was
no man, neither be partaker of given thee by prophecy, with the
Dthtr men's sins : keep thyself pure. laying on cf the hands of t^ pres-
^ 1 Tim. iii. 2. A bishop then must bytery.
\tt blameless, the husband of one - i rim. iv. 14. ^S'-, ih /ttfer^.l
Bb.5^ w^r.
586 The Form of Churck-Govcnimeni.
Concerjiing the Doctrinal Part of Ordination of Mini&ters,
1. XrO man ought to take upon him the office of a mini- -*^^ ster of the word without a lawful calling '^. 2. Ordination is always to be continued in the church *. 5. Ordination is the solemn setting apart of a person to
some publick church office y.
4. Every minister of the word is to be ordained by im- position of hands, and prayer, with fasting, by these preaching presbyters to whom it doth belong'.
5. The power of ordering the whole work of ordination is in the whole presbytery, which, when it is over more congregations than one, whether those congregations be fixed or not fixed, in regard of officers or members, it is indifFerent as to the point of ordination ^.
6. It is agreeable to the word, and very expedient, that such as are to be ordained ministers, be designed to some particular church, or other ministerial charge ^.
7. He that is to be ordained minister, must be duly qua- lified, both for life and ministerial abilities, according to the rules of the apostle *".
8. He is to be examined and approved by those by whom he is to be ordained *^.
9. No man is to be ordained a minister for a particular longregation, if they of that congregation can shew just cause of exception against him ^.
10. Preaching presbyters orderly associated, either in cities or neighbouring tillages, are those to whom the im- position of hands doth appertain, for those congregations within their bounds respectively ^
11. In
^'' ^'^£g Before w ktter '. d Sie before in letter '^.
Si!' before in letter ^. *^ See before in Utter *.
See hef ore in letter^, f 1 Tim. iv. 14:. Neglect not the
• Sec before in letter *'. gift that is in thee, which was
•^ «S\y bffore in letter ". given thee by prophecy, with the
"o Sr-e Lfure in letter P. laying on of the hands of the pres-
. i-fofc i/i letter % bytery.
? 2 Chron.
The Form of Chirclv-Govcrnmcnt. 5S
11. In extraordinary cases, sometliin^ extraordinary may be done, until a settled order may be had, yet kecji- ing as near as possibly may be to the rule ".
12. There is at this time (as we humbly conceive) au extraordinary occasion for a way of ordination for the present supply of ministers.
The Director}^ for the Ordination of Mumtcrs.
TT being manifest by the word of God, that no man ought ^ to take upon him the office of a minister of the gospel, until he be lawfully called and ordained thereunto; jnul that the work of ordination is to be performed with all due care, wisdom, gravity, and solemnity, we humbly tender these directions, as requisite to be observed.
1. He that is to be ordained, being either nominated by the people, or otherwise commended to the presbytery, for any place, must address himself to the presbytery, and bring with him a testimonial of his taking the Covenant of the three kingdoms ; of his dili£:ence and Droficiencv in his
dies ; what degrees he hath taken in the university, and > hat hath been the time of his abode there; and withal of li^ age, which is to be twenty-four years ; but especially of liis life and conversation.
2. Which
" 2 Chron. xxix. S4. But the pric-i'ts For u\k: king iiad tak'ij luui:^ i, autL
e too few, so that they could not his princes, and all the coiigrej^ation
all the burnt-offerings: where- in Jerusalem, to keep the pabsover in
their brethren the Levites did the second month. Ver. '6. Kor they
them till the work was ended, could not keep it at that time, be-
until the other priests had sancti- cauie the priests had not sanctified
; themselves ; for the JLevites were themselves «ufriciently, neither had
e upright in heart to sanctify the people gathered themselves togc-
iiiselvesthan the priests, Ver. 35. . ther to Jerusalem. Ver. 4. And the
::J also the burnt-ofFeri.iss were in thing pleased the kin;^ and all the
a: iindance, with the fat ot rhe peace- congregation. V?r. .5. So they esta-
cf^"' rings, and the drink-ofTeririgs for blished a decree, ro make proclama-
every burnt-offering. So the service tion throughout all Israel, from Beer-
of the house of the Lord was set in shtba even to Dan, that they should
order. Ver. 36. And Hezekiah re- ' come to keep the passover unto the
joiced, and all the people, that God Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem : for
had prepared the people ; for the thing they had not done it of a long time
was done suddenly. 2 Chron. xxx. 2. in such a sort as it was written*
fib G
5SS TJic Form of Church-Government.
2. Which being considered by the presbytery, they are to proceed to enquire touching the grace of God in him, and whether he be of such holiness of life as is requisite in a minister of the gospel ; and to examine him touching his learning and sufficiency, and touching the evidences of iiis calling to the holy ministry ; and, in particular, his ikir and direct calling to that place.
The Rules for Examinalion arc these : ''(].) That the party examined be dealt witlial in a bro' therly way, with mildness of spirit, and with special re- • s})ect to the gravity, modesty, and quality of every one. "' (2.) He shall be examined touching his skill in the ori- '' ginal tongues, and his trial to be made by reading the Hebrew and Greek Testaments, and rendering some por- tion of some into Latin ; and if he be defective hi them, *" enquiry shall be made more strictly after his other learn- "ving, and whether he hath skill in logick and philosophy. " (5.) What authors in divinity he hath read, and is best '' acquainted with; and trial shall be made in his knowledge *' of the grounds of religion, and of his ability to defend the *' orthodox doctrine contained in them against vdl unsound *' and erroneous opinions,especially these of the present age ; *' of his skill in the sense and meaningof such placesof scripture '^ as shall be proposed unto him, in cases of conscience, and in ' thechronologyof the scripture,andthe ecclesiastical history. " (4.) If he hath not before preached in publick with ap- •' probation of such as are able to judge, he shall, at a com- " petent time assigned him, expound before the presbytery *-' such a place of scripture as shall be given him.
" {!?.) He shall also, within a competent time, frame a *' discourse in Latin, upon such a common-place or con. "' troversy in divinity as shall be assigned to him, and ex- "^ hibit to the presbytery such theses as express the sum *' thereof, and maintain a dispute upon them.
*' (().) He shall preach before the people, the presbytery, '' or some of the ministers of the word appointed by them, ** being present.
" (7.) The proportion of his gifts in relation to the *■ place imto \>hich he is called shall be considered.
*^ (8,) Preside
The Forvi of Church-Governmenl, 689
[*' (8.) Beside the trial of his gifts in preaching, he shall undergo an examination in the premises two several days,
'' (9.) And as for him that hath formerly been ordained " a minister, and is to be removed to another charge, he " shall bring a testimonial of his ordination, and of his abi- '* lities and conversation, whereupon his fitness for that " place shall be tried by his preaching there, and (if it shall *• be judged necessary) by a further examination of him.'' 5. In all which he being approved, he is to be sent to the church where he is to serve, there to preach three several days, and to converse with the people, that they may have trial of his gifts for their edification, and may have time and occasion to enquire into, and the better to know, his life and conversation.
4-. In the last of these three days appointed for the trial of iiis ^ifts in preaching, there shall be sent from the presbytery to tiie congregation, a publick intimation in writing, which shall be publickly read before the people, and after affixed to the church-door, to signify, that such a day a competent mnnber of the members of that congregation, nominated by themselves, shall appear before the presbytery, to give their consent and approbation to such a man to be their minister; or otherwise, to put in, with all Christian discretion and meekness, what exceptions they have against him. And if, upon the day appointed, there be no just exception against jiim, but the people give their consent, then the presbytery bhall proceed to ordination.
.5. Upon the day appointed for ordination, which is to be
• rformed in that church where he that is to be ordained is
» serve, a solemn fast shall be kept by the congregation,
iiat they may the more earnestly join in prayer for a bless-
>i^ upon the ordinance of Christ, and the labours of his ser-
\ ant for their good. The presbytery shall come to the place,
(ir at least three or four ministers of the word shall be sent
thither from the presbytery; of which one ap|K)inted by thr
.resbytery shall preach to the people concerning the office
;ind duty of ministers of Christ, and how the people ought
to receive them for their work's sake.
6. After
590 The Form of Chirch-Government
6. After the sermon, the minister who hath preached shall, in the face of the congregation, demand of him who is now to be ordained, concerning his faith in Christ Jesus, and his persuasion of the truth of the reformed religion, ac- cording to the scripture; his sincere intentions and ends in desiring to enter into this calling; his diligence in praying, reading, meditation, preaching, ministering the sacraments, discipline, and doing all ministerial duties towards his charge ; his zeal and faithfulness in maintaining the truth of the gospel, and unity of the church, against error and schism ; his care that himself and his family may be un- blameable, and examples to the flock ; his willingness and humility, in meekness of spirit, to submit unto the admoni- tions of his brethren, and discipline of the church ; and his resolution to continue in his duty against all trouble and persecution,
7. In all which having declared himself, professed his will- ingness, and promised his endeavours, by the help of God ; the minister likewise shall demand of the people concerning their willingness to receive and acknowledge him as the minister of Christ ; and to obey and submit unto him, as having rule over them in the Lord ; and to maintain, en- courage, and assist him in all the parts of his office.
8. Which being mutually promised by the people, the presbytery, or the ministers sent from them for ordination, shall solemnly set him apart to the office and work of the ministry, by laying their hands on him, which is to be ac- companied with a short prayer or blessing, to this effect :
" Thankfully acknowledging the great mercy of God in ** sending Jesus Christ for the redemption of his people ; *' and for his ascension to the right hand of God the Father, *' and thence pouring out his Spirit, and giving gifts to *' men, apostles, evangelists, prophets, pastors, and teachers; " for the gathering and building up of his church; and for ** fitting and inclining this man to this great work*: to en- * *' in his name we thus set apart to this holy service) to ful- *^ fil the work of his ministry in all things, that he may both ** save himself, and his people committed to his charge."
9. This
* Here let them impose hands on his head.
The Form of Church^Government. 591
9. This or the like form of prayer and blessing being ended, let the minister who preached, briefly exhort him to consider of the greatness of his office and work, the danger of negligence both to himself and his people, the blessing which will accompany his faithfulness in this life, and that to come ; and withal exhort the people to carry themselves to him, as to their minister in the Lord, ac- cording to their solemn promise made before. And so by prayer commending both him and his flock to the grace of God, after singing of a psalm, let the assembly be dis- missed with a blessing.
10. If a minister be designed to a congregation, who hath been formerly ordained presbyter according to the form of ordination which hath been in the church of Eng- land, which we hold for substance to be valid, and not to be disclaimed by any who have received it ; then, there being a cautious proceeding in matters of examination, let him be admitted without any new ordination.
1 1 . And in case any person already ordained minister in Scotland, or in any other reformed church, be designed to another congregation in England, he is to bring from that church to the presbytery here, within which that congrega- tion is, a sufficient te*;timonial of his ordination, of his life and conversation while he lived with them, and of the causes of his removal ; and to undergo such a trial of his fitness and sufficiency, and to have the same course held with him in other particulars, as is set down in the rule immediately going before, touching examination and ad- mission.
12. That records be carefully kept in the several pres- byteries, of the names of the persons ordained, with tlieir testimonials, the time and place of their ordination, of the presbyters who did im})ose hands upon them, and of the charge to which they are appointed.
13. That no money or gift, of what kind soever, shall be received from the person to be ordained, or from any on his behalf, for ordination, or ought else belonging to it, by any of the presbytery, or any appertaining to any of them, upon what pretence soever.
Thus
502 The Form of Church-Govermmif,
Thus far ofordinari/ Rules, and course of Ordination^ in the ordinary way ; that which concerns the extraordinayy way, requisite to he now practised, followeth. 1. In these present exigencies, while we cannot have any presbyteries formed up to their whole power and work, and that many ministers are to be ordained for the service of the armies and nav}^, and to many congre;Tations where there is no minister at all; and where (by reason of the publick trou- bles) the people cannot either themselves enquire and find out one who may be a faithful minister for them, or have any with safety sent unto them, for such a solemn trial as was be- fore mentioned in the ordinary rules; especially when there can be no presbytery near unto them, to whom they may ad- dress themselves, or which may come or send to them a fit man to be ordained in that congregation, and for that people ; and yet notwithstanding, it is requisite that ministers be or- dained for them by some, who, being set apart themselves for the work of the ministry , have power to join in the setting a- part others, who are found fit and worthy. In those cases, un- til, by God's blessing, the aforesaid difficulties may be in some good measure removed, let some godly ministers, in or about the city of London, be designed by publick authority, who, being associated, may ordain ministers for the city and the vicinity, keeping as near to the ordinary rules fore-mentioned as possibly they may; and let this association be for no other intent or purpose, but only for the work oi' ordination.
2. Let the like association be made by the same authority in great towns, and the neighbouring parishes in the several counties, which are at the present quiet and undisturbed, to do the like for the parts adjacent.
3. Let sjLich as are chosen, or appointed for the service of the armies or navy, be ordained, as aforesaid, by the associ- . ated ministers of London, or some others in the country.
4. Let them do the like, when any man shall duly and lawfully be recommended to them for the ministry of any congregation, who cannot enjoy liberty to have a trial of his parts and abilities, and desire the help of such mini- sters so associated, for the better furnishing of them with such a person as by them shall be judged tit for the service of that church and people.
\ FINIS.
THE
DIRECTORY
FOR
F A M I L Y-W O R S H I P,
APPROVED BY THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE
cHUiiC'ii or >co'i],\M),
I'lLTY and UNIFORMITY in Secret and Private WORSHIP, and mutual EDIFICATION.
An Act of the General Asaembly, .^- -- ">• '". for observing the j-ame.
[ 594 ]
Assembly at Edinburgh^ August 24. 1 647. Sess. 10.
Act for observing the Directions of the General As- sembly for secret and private Worship^ and mutual Edification ; and censuring such as neglect Family- worship,
nnHE General Assembly, after mature deliberation, doth ■*- approve the following Rules and Directions for che- rishing piety, and preventing division and schism ; and doth appoint ministers and ruling elders in each congrega- tion to take special care that these Directions be observed and followed ; as likewise, that presbyteries and provincial synods enquire and make trial whether the said Directions be duly observed in their bounds ; and to reprove or cen- sure (according to the quality of the offence) such as shall be found to be reprovable or censurable therein. And, to the end that these Directions may not be rendered ineffec- tual and unprofitable among some, through the usual neglect of the very substance of the duty of Family-wor- ship, the Assembly doth further require and appoint mini- sters and ruling elders to make diligent search and en- quiry, in the congregations committed to their charge re- spectively, whether there be among them any family or families which use to neglect this necessary duty ; and if any such family be found, the head of the family is to be first admonished privately to amend his fault; and, in case of his continuing therein, he is to be gravely and sadly re- proved by the session ; after which reproof, if he be found still to neglect Family- worship, let him be, for his obsti- nacy in such an offence, suspended and debarred from the Lord's supper, as being justly esteemed unworthy to communicate therein, till he amend.
DIRECTIONS
( 595 ) DIRECTIONS
OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
Concerning secret and private Worship, and mutual Edifi- cation; for cherishing Piety, for maintaining Unity, and avoiding Schism and Division.
T>E SIDES the publick worship in congregations, mer- •^ cifully established in this land in great purity, it is expedient and necessary that secret worship of each person alone, and private worship of families, be pressed and set up; that, with national reformation, the profession and power of godliness, both personal and domestick, be advanced.