THE ORDER of choosing Church-Officers: WITH A Declaration of the Calling of the MINISTERS.  
ALSO 

The Elders, and their Office.  
The Deacons, and their Office.  
Church-Assemblies in general.  
Particular Elderships in Parishes.  
The Order of Excommunication.  
And the greater Presbyteries, or Classes.    
According to the Form of the Presbyterian Government.  
Published according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed for R. A. 1646.   

Of the Calling of Church-Officers.  
AS no man ought to presume to enter into any office Ecclesiastical without an inward calling from God, who only discerneth the intentions, and desires of the heart, whether they be earthly or heavenly, whether they be set upon the glory of God, and edifying of the Church, or upon the means of this life; So none are to be admitted without the approbation and judgement of men, according to the rules of the Word, and the received order of the Church.  
This outward calling of the Officers of the Church doth consist in Election and Ordination, after due trial and examination of their soundness in religion, and godliness of life: For the better understanding of the order of the calling of Ministers, it is to be considered,  
That in every one almost of the Classes, or great Presbyteries, there be Studnets of Divinity; wherefore some, if they have opportunity of their Studies, make their abode within the bounds of the Presbytery, and attend the meetings thereof: Others, who are the greater part, stay at the Universities, and in the time of vocation come home and wait upon the Presbytery.  
The abilities of both the one sort and the other, are to be tried in private, before the Presbytery, and how soon they are found fit to come in public, to enter upon the exercise or prophecy with the Ministers of the Presbytery, and at sometimes employed and allowed to preach before the people: By which means, their gifts and abilities are known to the people, as their manners are manifest by their conversing amongst them.  
Out of the number of these Proposants, or (as you may call them) Expectants, the Pastor is to be nominated to the vacant place by the Eldership, and by the Minister, if any be, with the consent and good liking of the people, and if they can pitch upon none within the bounds of their own Presbytery, to have their liberty to make their choice of an Expectant of good esteem and report in some other Presbytery.  
The person thus known and nominated, is by the particular Eldership, to be named to the greater Presbytery, and there examined of his skill in the Languages, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, in his interpreting of Scripture, in the controversies of Religion, in his gift of exhortation, in the holy and Ecclesiastical History and Chronologie; And first of all, Of his life and manner of conversation; wherein if he be found vicious or scandalous, he is not to be admitted to ●ny other examination.  
After the people have heard him, some Minister of the Presbytery is to be appointed to preach to that people of the necessity of the Ministry, of the excellency of a faithful Minister, of the qualities of a Minister, and of the obedience due to the Gospel, or of some such Theme: And at the same time a public Edict must be served, That if any person or persons, have any thing to object against the literature, doctrine, or life of such a man, why he may not be a profitable Minister of such a Congregation, They shall appear before the Presbytery in such a place, and at such a time, that their objections may be tried and discussed.  
Upon the time appointed, the Doorkeeper of the Presbyterian meeting is to call three several times, if there be any thing to object against the person nominated, and if any thing be alleged against him by any of that particular flock, or any other to whom he is known, it is duly and equally to be pondered by the Presbytery, and if it be found to have any weight, or the case be doubtful, the Ordination is suspended to a more perfect trial; otherwise, if there be nothing but silence, to proceed.  
So that by this means no man is obtruded upon the people, against their open or  consent and approbation, or without the voices of the particular Eldership, with whom he is to serve in the Ministry. But if the person nominated be a Pastor of some other flock, and his faithfulness known in his former charge, this Process is spared, and his Translation more speedily expedited, if there be no impediments of another kind.  
Upon the day appointed for accomplishing his election, and for his Ordination, which is in due time to be made known to the Congregation, and agreed upon by them, a Fast aught to be ordained to be kept, with more than ordinary supplication, for the assistance and blessing of God, in a work of so great concernment: and one of the Pastors of the Presbytery is appointed to preach to that People of the mutual duties of Pastor and People: all which being done, the party (during the time of the exercise of public Worship sitting in some conspicuous place before the Pulpit with the Elders, and some Ministers of the Presbytery) is to be called and demanded concerning his willingness and desire to serve the Lord Jesus, for the good of that people; with other questions of that kind: and the people also are to be demanded, whether they will receive him for their Pastor, and submit themselves unto his Ministry in the Lord. Both having declared their readiness and mutual consent, the Minister coming from the Pulpit with so many Ministers present as may conveniently come near, lay their hands upon his head, and in the name of Jesus appoint him to be Pastor of that people, praying that from Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of the Father, and giveth gifts unto men, he may find the demonstration of the Spirit, and the power and blessing of God in his Ministry, to the comfort of that People: after which, the whole Eldership give unto him the right hand of Fellowship. Last of all, the Minister going to the Pulpit, is to conclude with pertinent Thanksgiving and Prayers; and (a Psalm being sung) the Assembly dismissed with a Blessing.  
The Congregation, where he who is presented to serve, is called, if they have aught to object against his Doctrine or life, after they have heard him, or that their consent may be had: and if he be found Reus ambitus, or to have gone about to procure a presentation, he is to be repelled, and declared incapable of that place. No Pastor may thrust himself upon a flock, nor after his entry, desert his charge, or remove himself to another Congregation at his own pleasure. The deserters, if any be, are appointed to be admonished, and in case of obstinacy, to be excommunicated. If a Minister, upon lawful and urgent causes, desire to remove from one Congregation to another, for which he is more fit, or be called forth upon grave considerations, for some public employment, tending to the common benefit of the Church; this is not done by private transaction, and particular agreement, of Ministers and Congregations, but by the wisdom and authority of the Presbyteries or Assemblies of the Church; not is it done by them, but upon such reasons as should move that Church wherein for the present he administereth, to give her consent: for whose supply also, either a convenient course is presently taken, or the way of supply is seen to be easy.  
The Ministers thus removed from one Church to another, receiveth no new Ordination, but by virtue of his first Ordination serveth in the place, unto which he is called and elected: Only at his admission one of the Presbytery, who is appointed to preach of the duty of Pastors and people, and to pray for a blessing recommendeth him to the Congregation, who have before declared their willingness and desire to receive him, and the Congregation to his care and fidelity; and the Pastor, if any be, together with the Elders, with whom he is to sit before the Pulpit, take him by the hand. Pastors and Ministers of the Word, through old age, sickness or other infirmity being disabled to bear the weight, and discharge the duty of their Pastoral charge, do notwithstanding still retain the honour of their office, and comfort of maintenance during their life time: And they performing what they are able, in teaching, government, visitation and catechising, others are joined with them by the Presbytery, with the consent of the people, to be their fellow-labourers, and to undergo charge.  
The same course of election and admission for substance, and in form according to the nature of their office, is observed in the calling other Officers, as Ruling Elders and Deacons: at the beginning, and where there be none, the Pastor, with the gravest, holiest, and those of the soundest judgement, and best affection to Religion, do choose them with the consent of the rest of the people. And where particular Elderships are already constitute, the Pastor and Elders who are in office, do choose such as are to succeed those who are removed by death, or any other way, or by vicissitude are to relieve such as are in place; and that the election of one or more at first, or afterward may proceed with the consent of the people, their names are to be published and made known to the Congregation by the Pastors, that if aught may be objected against any of them, why they may not be received to the office of an Elder or Deacon, it may be examined; and if it be found important, others may be chosen. When the day of their admission cometh, the Pastor having framed his Doctrine to the purpose, calls them up, and remembering both them of their duty in their charge, and the people of their submitting themselves unto them, they are to be solemnly received, with lifted up hands, giving their promises to be faithful.  

Of Elders and their Office.  
THe Calling, Election, and admission of Elders is before spoken of. The number of Elders in every Parish is not definite, but doth vary, according to the number and necessity of the people; In some parishes six, in some ten or twelve, etc.  
Such are to be chosen for Elders as come nearest to the gifts, and qualities, required by the Apostle; and after they are chosen, are (at all occasions) to be exhorted by the Pastor to be ensamples to the flock, and to watch over them faithfully, against all corruptions, in Religion and life. And as the Pastor should be diligent in teaching and sowing the seed, so are the Elders desired to be careful in seeing and seeking the fruits of the people.  
The Elders are to attend with the Pastor in Catechising the people, to assist him in visiting the sick, in admonishing all men of their duty, and if any will not hear them, they must bring the disobedient before the Eldership; But a principal part of their duty is to join always, with the Pastor in the particular Eldership, and in other assemblies of the Church, as they shall be called, for exercising of discipline, and governing the whole Congregation.   

Of the Deacons and their Office.  
What manner of persons the Deacons ought to be, the Scripture is plain, and such they make choice of as are so qualified, so fare as may be; The form of their election is before expressed. Their number must be considered of, according to the number of the poor, and the proportion of the Congregation, as we spoke before of the Elders.  
Their main duty is, to collect, receive, and distribute, not only the alms for the poor, but the whole Ecclesiastical goods, which are not assigned and appointed, for the maintenance of particular persons.  
These duties they must perform; at the discretion, and by the appointment of the Pastor, and Elders; for which cause, and not for government, they are to be present at the ordinary meetings of the Eldership.  
The means (for the maintenance of the poor) are collected by the Deacons, the first day of the week, and other days of the public assembling the people to the worship of God, at the entry of the Church. And if this prove not a competency, then do the people either bring in their Charity, on such days as are appointed by the Eldership, or are willing to be taxed, according as they shall be judged to be able In Cities and Parishes, where this order shall be carefully observed, none will be suffered to beg, and none lack.   

Of Church Assemblies in general.  
NO man, were he never so eminent above others, for piety wisdom or learning, or doth he never so much arrogate authority to himself, hath the rains of Church-Government in his hands to determine, or to do what seemeth good in his own eyes; But all matters are to be advised, determined, and judged with common consent, in the meetings and assemblies of the Church, which for this end are of four sorts and degrees, which are commonly called by the names of Church-Sessions, or particular Elderships, or Consistories; Presbyteries or Classes; Provincial Synods, and Nationall, or General Assemblies.  
Each of these assemblies hath a Precedent or Moderator, who beginneth and endeth with Prayer; propoundeth matters to be treated; procureth them to be debated if need be, and in orderly way, that all may be heard, and none interrupted, unless he speak too much; gathereth the voices, which are noted by the Clerk, and pronunceth the sentence, or if there be an equality, remitteth it to the greater Presbytery; each of them hath a Clerk, or a Notary; and a Register of all things debated and done by them, especially of such matters as may be of future use.  
None of these Assemblies, from the least to the greatest, are to treat of matters pertaining to the civil Jurisdiction and Magistrate, but only of matters Spiritual, and Ecclesiastical, that the doctrine and worship may be kept in purity, all things be done decently, and in order, in the particular Churches, and that all the Members of the Churches may walk worthily of the Gospel.  
The lesser and inferior Assembly is subordinate to the superior and greater, so that if any person shall think himself wronged or distressed, by the unjust proceed of the inferior Assembly, it is lawful for him to seek relief of the greater, providing, it be done in an humble and peaceable way, and in the right order, by proceeding to the greater Assembly, and so of the rest, if need be, taking them in their subordination, until either he be satisfied, or which rarely cometh to pass, he ascend unto the highest of all.  
In matters difficult or such as belong to superior Assemblies, references from the lesser are ordinary, but nothing belonging to an inferior Assembly is brought before a greater, till either it cannot be settled, or be disorderly done by them, or some complaint arise. And in that case, so fare as may stand with truth and peace, the greater Assembly is careful to preserve the power and authority of the lesser, and therefore matters belonging to the inferior Assemblies are commonly remitted unto them by the greater.  
No one Church, be it never so great, is to have authority over another, nor is it governed by any extrinsecall power; but all the particular Churches are of equal power and authority, and are ruled and judged by themselves, and their own intrinsical power in Assemblies composed, and consisting of their Officers and Commissioners from them.   

Of particular Elderships in Parishes.  
THe particular Eldership or Church-Session consisteth of one or more Ministers, and of Elders, so many in number as the proportion of the Congregation doth require, who ordinarily do meet once in the week.  
The Deacons are always to be present with the Elders, not for government, but that they may make known the case and necessities of the poor, and may consult and receive direction for their supply.  
The Minister of the Parish is always to be Moderator of this Meeting, and if there be more Ministers than one, the Moderator is either chosen, or they do moderate by course, providing that none be Moderator while any matter is treated which concerneth his own particular.  
The matters treated by this Eldership, are such particulars as concern the worship of God in that Church; as what days of the week are meetest for assembling to the public Worship, if it may be had, and be thought necessary, what hours on the Lord's day, before and after noon, which are variable, according to the length, or shortness of the day in Summer and Winter; what times are fittest for public Catechising, and for visiting of particular Families; how often and at what times the Lords Supper is most seasonably to be administered: all which are fitting for keeping of order in the Church, and cannot be so fitly determined by a superior Assembly; the Elders also do here delate scandalous persons, and bring them to public repentance, according to the Form prescribed in the greater Assemblies: but if there be any doubt or difficulty, or if the delinquents and obstinacy and impenitency to their fault, then are they warned to appear before the greater Presbytery, there to receive order for their censure, or to be sent home again to give satisfaction, or to make their repentance in their own Church where they have given offence, and where the fault was committed: For example, a man behaving himself scandalously with a woman, both unmarried and single persons, is first admonished and rebuked; if fornication appear, he is called before the Eldership, brought to the sense and confession of his fault, and ordained to make his public repentance, according to the order of the Church, and to abstain from all scandalous behaviour afterward. But if he prove obstinate, he is convened before the greater Presbytery, the matter is examined, and either promiseth to give obedience to his own Eldership, or in case of continued obstinacy, the censures of the Church proceed against him. But if there be a scandal of adultery or murder, the noise and scandal whereof is far spread, and filleth all men's ears round about, the parties are brought before the greater Presbytery, and the particular Eldership doth before prepare the parties for their appearance before the Presbytery.  
The same faults which are brought before the particular or greater Presbytery in an Ecclesiastical way, are also published by the civil Magistrate, and the pecunial mulct or penalty is given to the Deacons to be kept in the Church treasure for the benefit of the poor, or other pious uses.  
Nothing useth to be done by the lesser or greater Presbytery in ordering the public Worship, in censuring of delinquents or bringing them to public repentance, but according to the settled order of the Church and with express or  consent of the Congregation, and if there be any new emergents that cause doubting or haesitation, the matter is remitted to the great Assemblies of the Church.   

The order of Excommunicating.  
ALL baptised persons, when they come to age and discretion, are not admitted to the Lords Table; but such only as either upon examination are found to have a competent measure of knowledge in the principles of Religion, do profess that they are believers and do live unblamedly, or coming from another Congregation bring with them sufficient testimony that they are such, or are otherwise well known and approved.  
The Ministers and Elders are to use all the means in public and private to bring all others within the Parish to knowledge, faith, and holiness of life, that they may be fitted for the Lords Table.  
But this not admission to the Communion is one thing & excommunication of heinous or obstinate offenders, is another thing very different. In case of obstinacy and wilful impenitency, even when the offences are not so great and scandalous they proceed to excommunication, but with great meekness, long suffering, and by many degrees the censure being so weighty and they desire to gain the sinner to repentance. If any person walk unworthy of the Gospel, or commit any trespass he is (unless the scandal be public and notorious) admonished first secretly by one, next by two or three more; and thirdly, if he contemn both, then according to the order prescribed by our Saviour, Mat. 18. The matter is brought before the Minister and Elders, where he is accused both of the trespass and of the contempt. If he cannot yet be brought to repentance, then is the matter in some measure to be made known unto the Congregation, and he called before the greater Presbytery; where if he give signs of his repentance, he is remitted to satisfy his own session. But if he persist in his obstinacy, then by the Ordinance of the Presbytery, the particular Eldership is to proceed against him, with the censure of the Church, even to Excommunication.  
The matter being thus heard known & judged, and the whole process revised by the greater Presbytery, the next Sabbath without delay, the trespass and order of admonitions are to be declared to the Congregation, and the person without specification of his name, admonished yet to satisfy; which if he still refuse to do, the next Sabbath his name, with his offence and contempt, are published; if he yet continue obstinate, than the next, which is the third Sabbath, is he charged publicly to satisfy for his offence and contempt under the pain of excommunication. If now he offer himself to the particular Presbytery, then do they at the appointment of the Presbytery, give order for his public repentance, the removing of the scandal, & his reconcilement to the Church, otherwise the Minister proceedeth in this order.  
The Sabbath after the third public admonition, the Minister, with consent of the Eldership, is to make known to the Congregation that such a person is to be excommunicated, warning all that have any thing to object against it, that they appear the next Session day: and for the present, that the whole Congregation pour forth their supplications, that God would grant him repentance, and to come out of the snare of the Devil. If nothing be objected, or if none for him witness any appearance of repentance, then is the danger of the person, and the weight of the sentence laid open the next Sabbath▪ and he the second time prayed for publicly. If at last, upon the next Sabbath, there be no sign of repentance, then is he prayed for the third time; and there being no means unassayed, nor remedy left to reclaim him, he is strucken with the terrible sentence of excommunicating▪ with calling upon the Name of God to ratify the sentence in Heaven, and the people warned to hold him as an Heathen, or an Publican and to shun all communion with him, except in natural and civil duties, to be still performed by such as are bound. It is to be understood, that where the crimes are such▪ that they cry to the Heavens for revenge, waste the conscience, and by the law of God deserve death, and the transgressor certainly known, the Process may be more summary, and Excommunication more hastened; as on the other part of Absolution, the time would be longer, and the trial of repentance more exact.  
After excommunication, he is permitted to come to the preaching of the Word, yet so as it may appear that he cometh as one not having communion with the Church. Neither is he debarred from private counsel, instruction, admonition, and prayer, that in the end his spirit may be saved. If after excommunication the Eldership find the signs of repentance, as the good life and behaviour of the excommunicate, declaration of the grief of his heart, and his humble submission to the order of the Church, in all things that may reconcile him to God & his people they shall with joy of heart make it known to the Congregation by the Minister, that they also may have joy over their brother repenting: or if they have aught to object against the truth of his repentance, they may give notice thereof at the next meeting of the Eldership, where if nothing be alleged against him, after he hath obeyed the injunction of the Eldership for his further humiliation and the better trial of his repentance, he is either brought before the greater Presbytery, as all other penitents for great crimes, or by relation from his own Eldership, is to give them satisfaction in the signs of his repentance that he may be absolved.  
As all public penitents are received, so is the excommunicate absolved in the face of the Congregation, before whom being brought by the Elders at the time appointed, he maketh free confession of his sin and mourneth for it, cryeth to God formercy, seeketh to be reconciled to the Church, and promiseth new obedience; with which all being satisfied, and willing to receive him into their common and mutual consolation, the Minister who preacheth for that time pronounceth him upon his repentance to be absolved in the Name of Christ from his sin and free of the censures of the Church, and have right through faith to Christ and all his benefits and ordinances, praising God for his grace and praying that he may be fully accepted to his favour, loosed in Heaven and hear the voice of joy and gladness.  
After the sentence of absolution▪ the Minister speaketh to him as a brother, exhorting him to watch and pray or comforting him if he have need, the Elders embrace him, and the whole Congregation keepeth communion with him as if he had never offended.  
As the Presbytery excommunicateth profane professors, so doth it also depose Preachers, if they be teachers of corrupt Doctrine, if their lives continue scandalous after admonition, if they be busy in renting the Church asunder by schism and division; if they be given to blasphemy, profanation of the Lords day, simony, perjury, drunkenness, sighting, or any other sin, for which, whether in respect of the greatness of the sin, or by reason of the contempt and obstinacy when the sin is not so great, private persons are excommunicated; and although they be upon their repentance absolved from the sentence of excommunication, yet in some cases especially, where the crime inferreth a perpetual infamy, are they never readmitted to the Ministry, except upon the most unanimous and most earnest desire of the whole Church where they served before.   

Of greater Presbyteries or Class●es.  
THe Presbytery or Classical meeting doth consist of particular neighbouring Churches in such a circuit as many conveniently meet together, to the number of 10, 16, 20, or so many as the vicinity of the places and Parishes may well accommodate.  
It is supposed that the whole particular Elderships cannot well assemble in one place ordinarily, neither is it necessary. There must be therefore, beside the Minister or Ministers of the Congregation, who are supposed to be perpetual members of the Presbytery, some of special note cho●en out of the Elders, and by them, who receiving from them Commission, may represent the whole; from each particular Eldership, one of the Elders with the Minister or Ministers repaireth to the place of meeting: so that the members of this Presbyterial meeting are all Ministers within the Circuit, & one Elder delegated from each particular Eldership. None of the Ministers are permitted to be absent unless they be detained by necessary impediment or extraordinary employments. And therefore the day of the meeting of the Presbytery may not be destinate to ordinary preaching? Nor are they to wait that day upon solemnising of marriages. The names are called by the Clerk, and the absents are noted and examined the next day upon the reasons of their absence; and if any happen to absent themselves many days without reasonable causes, they are set apart and censured as guilty of the contempt or neglect of the Order of the Church. But the Elders are not so strictly tied to ordinary attendance; but if there be any matter of great weight to be handled they are all to be warned to be present and if he who was formerly Commissioner may not assist, another Commissioner in his place may be chosen by the Eldership.  
It is permitted to the expectants having entered before upon the public exercise or prophesy, to sit by the Ministers and Elders in the meeting of the Presbytery, and to give their judgement of the Doctrine, but they have no voice when matters of doctrine or discipline are debated. And in the handling of some matters which are thought fit to be concealed and kept secret, till they be by common consent published they are to be removed.  
Because the whole discipline in a manner is in the hands of the Presbytery, they are to meet once a week or fortnight upon a certain day, and in a certain place, but in some places through the length and deepness of the way in Winter they do not meet so often  
The subject and matters treated by the Presbytery are all Ecclesiastical matters of weight, which concern the particular Churches there represented as the examination, ordination, suspension, axd depositions of Ministers; scandals of Ministers in Doctrine, life or any part of their calling; the discerning of excommunication, references, and appellations from particular Elderships, and the amending of any thing that hath been negligently or weakly done by them; the answering also of questions & requests from other Presbyteries, Churches, or persons, or sending of Commissioners in some cases to other Churches or Presbyteries, whether to admonish them, or to seek counsel from them but so that they have no authority without the limits of their own consociation.  
The Ministers and Elders who are Commissioners, together with the expectants and others who are pleased to be present, meeting in the place, and at the day and hour appointed, which useth to be one half hour after nine a clock in the forenoon▪ where of warning is given by the sound of a bell, that so all the affairs of that day (unless there be somewhat extraordinary to hold them longer) may be expedited against midday, do begin with prayer, and proceed to the textual interpretation of Scripture, which is done by the Ministers, each one in his own place by course, or by the expectants, whose names are set forth in a Table, or written in the Register of the Presbytery for that end; after the first speaker, some other who followeth in order and is also appointed by the Presbytery the day before, speaketh in the second place, collecting some doctrine soon or moe upon the text expounded and showing the use thereof. The second speaker having ended about eleven a clock, the exercise is closed with thanksgiving by him who spoke first. The matter of each day's exercise is some portion of that particular book of the old or new Testament agreed upon in the Presbytery: once every month some common place or controversy is handled, unto which the exercise giveth place for that day. The ground is read in Scripture, the state of the question propounded, the arguments for the truth pressed and vindicated from the sophistication of the adversaries; but the arguments contra are left to be proponed in the Presbyterial meeting by such Ministers as are by the Moderator called to dispute upon the propositions, or Theses exhibit, the day of the meeting next before, by the controversar, and are propugned by him, the Moderator being prases of the disputation. That that the Presbytery may go through all the controversies, they have also a table wherein they are all digested in order, so that each minister or expectant knoweth a month before what is next to be treated.  
The exercise or common head of controversy ended in public, the people departed, and the Ministers and Elders with others, who are permitted to be present go to the private place of their meeting, where all being set in order, and the Moderator having begun with prayer, the doctrine delivered in public is examined, and each one of the Presbytery and Expectants, either approveth, or in charity and soberness of spirit, propoundeth his doubt against any point spoken of, which being done, the speakers for that day are called upon (they being apart at this time) their interpretation and doctrine approved, and they encouraged or (if there be cause) they are in a brotherly manner admonished. The doctrine censured (for this is called the censure of the doctrine.) The matters before mentioned to be the subject of the Presbyterial jurisdiction, are propounded, modestly debated, and either concluded, or taken to further deliberation, or remitted to the Synod and so the meeting concluded with prayer. The Moderator either continueth in his place between one Provintiall Synod and another, or for a shorter time, but they think it not fit to change the Moderator at every meeting.  
The Presbyteries also do visit the several Churches within their bounds either by holding their full meeting at the Churches, or by sending their Commissioners thither, that they may see how the Ordinances of Christ are used and obeyed, by the Minister, Eldership, and all the Congregation, and that if any thing be amiss, it may be rectified.   
FINIS.