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prefbytery fhall try each candidate, as to his knowledge of the Latin language; and of the original languages in which the holy fcriptures were written. They thall examine him, on the arts and sciences; on theology, natural and revealed; and on ecclefiaftical history. And in order to make trial of his talents to explain and vindicate, and practically to enforce the doctrines of the gofpel, the prefbytery fhall require of him, an -exegefis on fome common head of divinity; a prefbyterial exercife; a lecture or explication of a portion of feripture; and a popular fermon, or other fimilar exercifes, to be held, at feveral fucceffive feffions, till they fhall have obtained fatisfaction, as to his piety, literature and aptnefs to teach in the churches".

Sect. IV. That the most effectual measures may be taken, to guard against the The Study of admiflion of infufficient men into the Divinity muft

continue at least facred office, it is recommended, two Years be- that no candidate, except in extra

fore Licenfe.

ordinary cafes, be licenfed; unless,

after his having completed the ufual courfe of academical ftudies, he thall have ftudied divinity at least two years, under fome approved divine, or profeffor of theology.

e 1 Tim. 3. 2. pt to teach. See alfo the foregoing quo

tations.

£ See letter a.

required of

Sect. V. Before the prefbytery Engagements proceed to license the candidate, the Probationers, moderator fhall require of him the before Licenfe: following engagements: viz.

1. Do you believe the fcriptures of the Old and New Teftament, to be the word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?

2. Do you fincerely receive and adopt the confeffion of faith of this church, as containing the fyftem of doctrine taught in the holy fcriptures?

3. Do you promife to ftudy the peace, unity, and purity of the church?

4. Do you promife to fubmit yourself, in the Lord, to the government of this prefbytery, or of any other prefbytery in the bounds of which you may be?

Manner of licenfing.

Sect. VI. The candidate having anfwered thefe questions in the affirmative, and the moderator having offered up a prayer fuitable to the occafion, he hall addrefs himself to the candidate, to the following purpose: "In the name of the Lord Jefus Chrift, and by that authority which he hath given to his church for its edification, we do licenfe you to preach the gospel, wherever God in his providence may call you: and for this purpose, may the blefling of God rest upon you, and the Spirit of Chrift fill your heart. Amen." And record fhall be made of the licenfure, in the following form: viz.

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presbytery of

day of

the

Having received. Form of fufficient teftimonials, in favour of

License of his having gone through a regular

course of literature; of his good moral character; and of his being in the communion of the church; proceeded to take the ufual parts of trial for his licenfure: And he having given fatisfac-tion, as to his accomplishments in literature; as to his experimental acquaintance with religion; and as to his proficiency in divinity, and other ftudies; the presbytery did, and hereby do exprefs their approbation of all these parts of trial:: And he having adopted the confeffion of faith. of this church; and fatisfactorily answered the questions, appointed to be put to candidates to be licensed; the presbytery did, and hereby do license him, the faid to preach the gofpel of Christ, as a probationer for the holy miniftry, within the bounds of this presbytery, or wherever he fhall be orderly called:

a Probationer.

Sect. VII. When any candidate fhall, by the permiffion of his presbytery, remove Teftimonials of without its limits, an extract of this record, accompanied with a presby.. terial recommendation, figned by the clerk, fhall be his testimonials, to the presbytery under whofe care he shall come.

M.m.3

CHAP. XIV.

Of the Election and Ordination of Bishops or Pastorsa.

Sect. I.

W

HEN any probationer or probationers, fhall have preach

A Church dispo- ed fo much to the fatisfaction of fed to prepare a

Ordination, fhall

of a Minister.

Call in order to any congregation as that the people afk the affiftance appear prepared to elect a paftor, the feffion thall folicit the presence and counfel of fome neighbouring minifter, to affift them in conducting the election contemplated, unless highly inconvenient on account of distance In which cafe they may proceed without fuch affiftance.

:

Sect. II. On a Lord's day, immediately after The Day for public worship, it fhall be intimated preparing the Call fhall be from the pulpit, that all the members previously ap of that congregation are requested pointed on a Lord's Day.

to meet, on

enfuing, at the church, or ufual place for holding public worship; then and there, if it be

a The contents of the first eight fections of this chapter and of feveral other parts of the form of government, efpecially the whole of the fifteenth chapter, do not, it is apprchended, need to be explicitly and directly fupported by the words of fcripture. They relate to thofe circumstances and arrangements in the oF

agreeable to them, to proceed to the election of a paftor, for that Congregation.

fhall receive the

Sect. III. On the day appointed, the minifter, The Minifter whofe affiftance has been obtained, Votes of none fhall preach a fermon, at the usual but regular feafon for public worship; and after Members, and who punctually fermon, he shall announce to the peopay towards the Support of the ple, that he will immediately proceed Church. to take the votes of the electors of that congregation, for a paftor if fuch be their defire; and when this defire fhall be expreffed, by a majority of voices, he fhall then proceed to take the votes for a paftor. In this election no perfon fhall be entitled to vote, who refuses to submit to the cenfures of the church, regularly administered ; or who does not contribute his just proportion, according to his own engagements, or the rules of that church, to all its neceffary expences.

Sect. IV. When the votes are taken, if it When the people appear that a great proportion of are not unanimous the people are averse from the canthe Minifter fhall didate, who has a majority of votes,

certify the number

and circumftances and cannot be induced to concur in of the diffentients. the call, the affifting minifter fhall endeavour to diffuade the congregation from

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der of God's houfe, which, though useful to be specified in a formula of church government, are and must be left, in a great meafure, to human prudence, affifted by fome general directions of fcripture.

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