MINUTE BOOK OF THE WIRKSWORTH CLASSIS. 141 



erred considerably (both Episcopalian and Nonconformist) in 

 representing that it was only in Lancashire and the Metropolis 

 that Presbyterianism was organised. This error, so far as we 

 know, universally adopted and blindly copied into all handbooks 

 and dictionaries of sects, seems to have arisen from there only 

 being extant Ordinances of Parliament establishing Classes 

 throughout districts in these two cases. But it is known that 

 there is no perfect record or catalogue of these Ordinances, 

 and even if no others were passed by Parliament, it by no 

 means follows that the Presbyterian system was not generally 

 adopted, and for a time, at all events, in full operation in 

 many a province without this formal authorisation. For be it 

 remembered that numbers of the staunchest Presbyterians did not 

 want this approval of the civil power, and were all the better 

 pleased if they could establish what they considered a theocracy 

 without its aid. 



We are convinced that Presbyterianism prevailed far more 

 widely throughout England than has been generally supposed. 

 Without any particular investigation, evidence has almost 

 casually reached us of the large area over which the 

 Classis system prevailed throughout the counties of Somerset- 

 shire, Dorsetshire, and Berkshire ; and we think there is 

 considerable probability that Provincial Synods, though, perhaps, 

 unauthorised by Parliament, may have met in several other 

 districts besides London and Lancashire.* So far as Derbyshire is 

 concerned, we are able to state that the organisation was very 

 thorough and complete. A Classical Assembly or Classis was 



of Mr. J. E. Bailey, F.S.A., the well-known author of The Life of Fuller, 

 etc., who is editing it for the Chetham Society. There is a copy of this in the 

 Chetham Library, Manchester. 



There is a copy of the Minute Book of the Bolton Classis (the second 

 Classis of the Lancashire Province) ai the Bodleian, among the Walker MSS. ; 

 but the original is not extant. 



The Provincial Synod for Lancashire usually met in the Church of Preston. 



* It is certain that there was such a Synod in the county of Devon, for 

 Flavel was Moderator of the Provincial Synod of the province of Devonshire 

 about 1050. With respect, too, to Parliamentary authority, it should not be 

 forgotten that, on January 29th, 1647-8, an Ordinance was passed " for the 

 speedy dividing and settling oi the several counties of the Kingdom into distinct 

 classical presbyteries and congregational elderships." 



