DIRECTIONS OF THE Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, After advice had with the Assembly of Divines, for the electing and choosing of RULING-ELDERS in all the Congregations, and in the Classical Assemblies for the Cities of London and Westminster, and the several Counties of the Kingdom: For the speedy settling of the Presbyteriall-Government. Die Martis, 19 Aug. 1645. ORdered by the Lords Assembled in Parliament, That these Directions for electing of Elders in particular Congregations, and Classical Assemblies, be forthwith printed and published. J. Brown, Cler. Parliamentorum. LONDON, Printed for John Wright, at the King's head in the Old-baily. August 20. 1645. Die Martis, 19 Augusti. 1645. DIRECTIONS FOR THE Election of Elders. 1. THat the Ruling Elders of a Parochial and congregational Eldership shall be chosen by the several Ministers, and members of their Congregation respectively, being such as have taken the Nationall Covenant, and are not persons under age, no● servants that have no families. 2. That notice of such election, and of the day when it shall be given by the Minister in the public Assembly the next Lord's day but one before, and on that said Lords day a Sermon be preached preparatory to that weighty business. 3. That no man be chosen for a Ruling-Elder but only for one Congregation, and that in the place where his most settled dwelling and employment doth lie. 4. That it shall be lawful for the Congregation respectively, or any other persons to exhibit exceptions against any person elected as aforesaid, touching the right of his election, or touching matter of ignorance, or scandal, hereafter mentioned, within fourteen days next after the said election to such persons, Ministers, and others, as shall be appointed by Authority of Parliament, to receive the said exceptions, which said persons shall have power to receive, hear, and determine all complaints against any Elder, of ignorance and scandal, within the description of ignorance and scandal hereafter-mentioned. And shall have power to approve the person so elected, in case no just exception, as aforesaid, shall be proved against him. But if he shall upon just proof be found ignorant or scandalous, as aforesaid, then to remove him. And if any of the said Elders shall be adjudged to be removed, as aforesaid, than another shall be chosen in his place, as aforesaid. 5. That such shall be chosen for Ruling-Elders as are men of good understanding in matters of Religion, sound in the faith, prudent, discreet, grave, and of unblameable conversation. And willing to undergo the said Office. 6. That all Parishes and places whatsoever, (as well privileged places, and exempt jurisdictions, as others) be brought under the government of congregational, Classical, Provincial, and Nationall Assemblies. Provided, that the Chapels or places in the houses of the Peers of this Realm shall continue free for the exercise of Divine duties, to be performed according to the Directory. 7. That the Chapel of the Rolls, the two Sergeants Inns, and the four Inns of Court, shall be each of them a congregational Presbytery within themselves, and make a Classical Presbytery in the whole. 8 That the Province of London shall be divided into twelve Classical Elderships according to the distributions hereafter following: The first Classis to contain: ALhallowes Breadstreet, Andrews Wardrobe, Anne Black Friars, Augustine's parish, Bennet Paul's wharf, Faiths, Gregory's, John Evangelist, Margaret Moses, Martin Ludgate, Mary Aldermary, Mary le Bow, Matthew Fridaystreet, Mildred's Breadstreet, Paul's, Peter Paul's wharf. The second Classis to contain: Anthomes vulgo Anthelms Bennet Sherehog, James Garlickhithe, John Baptists, Martin in the Vintry, Marry Magdalen old Fish-street, Mary Somerset, Mary Mounthaunt vulgo Mou●thaw. Michael Queen Hithe, Michael Royal, Nicholas old Abbey, Nicholas Olaves, Pancret Soperlane, Thomas Apostle, Trinity Parish. The third Classis to contain: All-hallows the greater, All-hallows the less, All-hallows Lumberstreet, Edmunds Lumberstreet, Laurence Pountney, Mary Abchurch, Mary Bothaw, Mary Woolchurch, Mary Woolnoth, Nicholas Aron, Stephens in Walbrook, Swithins, The fourth Classis to contain: Andrew Hubbert, Bennet Grace-church, Buttolph Billingsgate, Clements in Eastcheap. Dionis Backchurch, George Buttolph-lane, Leonard in Eastcheap, Magnus, Margaret New-fishstreet, Martin Orgars, Maryhill, Michael Crookedlane, Michael Cornhill, Peter Cornhill. The fifth Classis to contain: Anne Aldersgate, Buttolph Aldersgate, Brides, Bridewell, Christchurch, John Zachary, Leonard Fosterlane, Mary Staynings, Michael in the Corn, vulgo Querne, Olaves Silverstreet, Peter's Cheap, Pedast alias foster's. The sixth Classis to contain: Albans Woodstreet, All-hallows Honilane, Alphage, Giles Creeplegate, James Chapel Laurence in the Jury, Martin in Iremongerlane Mary Aldermanburic, Marymandlins' Milkstreet Mary Colechurch, Michael in Woodstreet, Mildred in the Poultry, Olives in the Jewry, The seventh Classis to contain: All-hallows by the Wall, Bartholomew Exchange, Bennet Fynck, Buttolph Bishopsgate, Christopher's, Margaret Lothbury, Michael Bashinshaw, Peter poor, Stevens Colemanstreet. The Eight Classis to contain: Andrew Vndershaft, Buttolph Algate, Ethelburge, Hackney, Helen's, James Dukes-place, Katherine Cree-church, Leonard Shoreditch. Martin's Oteswich, vulgo Outwich. Marry Newington, alias Soak Newington. The ninth Classis to contain: All-hallows Barkin, All-hallows Stanings, Dunstan's in the East, Gabriel Fenchurch, Katherine Coleman, Katherine Tower, Margaret Pattons, Olaves Hartstreet, Peter in the Tower, Stepney, Trinity Minories, Wapping, White chapel. The tenth Classis to contain: George Southwark, Lambeth, Mary Magdalen Bermondsey, Mary Overs, Newington Butts, Olives Southwark▪ Rotherhithe vulgo Redriff Thomas Hospital, Thomas Southwark, The eleventh Classis to contain: Clements Danes, Giles in the Fields, Knightsbridge, Margaret's Westminster, martin's in the Fields. Newchurch, Peter Westminster, Paul's chapel in covent Garden. The twelfth Classis to contain: Andrew Holborn, Bartholomew the greater, Bartholomew the less, Chaterhouse, Dunston's in the West, James Carkenwell, Mary Islington, Sepulchers. 9 That all the Several Parishes and Places within the Cities of London and Westminster, and the parts adjacent, according as they are distinguished into twelve several Classis, shall be the extent and bounds of the Province of London. Concerning the members of the Classical and congregational Assemblies in the several counties. THat in the several Counties certain persons, Ministers, and others, shall be appointed by authority of Parliament, who shall consider how their several Counties respectively may be most conveniently divided into distinct classical Presbyteries, and what Ministers and others are fit to be of each Classis. And they shall accordingly make such division, and nomination of persons for each classical Presbytery, which Divisions, and persons so named for every Division shall be certified up to the Parliament. That the Chancellors, Vicechancellors, and heads of the Universities shall consider how the Colleges may be most conveniently put into classical Presbyteries, and do certify the same up unto the Parliament. And the said several Classes respectively being approved by Parliament within their several Precincts shall have power to constitute congregational Elderships where a competent number of persons so qualified for Elders, as aforesaid, shall be found. And where no persons shall be found fit to be Elders, as aforesaid, than that Congregation shall be immediately under the Classical Presbytery, until that congregation shall be enabled with members fit to be Elders, as aforesaid. The congregational Assembly shall meet once every week, and oftener if occasion shall serve. The classical Assembly shall meet once every month. Concerning members of the Provincial Assembly. THe Provincial Assembly shall be constituted of members sent from every Classis within the Province. The number of the members sent from each Classes shall be so proportioned, as that the Provincial Assembly may be more in number then any Classical Presbytery within that Province. And to that end there shall be at least two Ministers, and four Ruling-Elders out of every Classis. And that where there shall be need, the number may be increased, as to the persons appointed for the bounding of the Provincial Assembly shall seem meet. Provided, that the number do not exceed nine of each, Ministers and Ruling-Elders, from any one Classis. And that there be always two Ruling-Elders to one Minister. That the Provincial Assembly being constituted, shall meet twice every year, the first meeting shall be determined by the persons appointed for the bounding of the Provincial and Classical Assembles. Concerning the Nationall Assembly. THat the Nationall Assembly shall be constituted of members sent from the several Provinces aforesaid, the number of the members from each Province to the Nationall Assembly shall be two Ministers, and four Ruling-Elders. The Nationall Assembly is to meet when they shall be summoned by Parliament, and to sit and continue as the Parliament shall order, and not otherwise. FINIS.