MINUTE BOOK OK THE W1RKSWORTH CLASSIS. 1 43 



tracts of the British Museum.* It is a small quarto pamphlet of six 

 pages, and has not, so far as we can ascertain, been reprinted or 

 referred to at any length. It is the more important to give 

 a correct idea of what ordination under the presbytery was, for 

 there has been a singular concurrence of misstatement among 

 historical authorities on this particular point. One text book of 

 English Church history, widely accepted as specially trustworthy, 

 says that " the rules (under the Commonwealth) about ordination 

 are peculiarly indefinite ; and the power vested in the hands of 

 the presbytery seemed to lie open to the admission of almost 

 anyone, provided he would take the covenant, and could 

 satisfy his examiners of the evidence of his calling to the ministry, 

 and of the grace of God which was in him."t How far such a 

 statement is accurate can be judged from the following abstract of 

 the ordinance in question. 

 It is entitled : — 



" An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliamtnt for 

 the Ordination of Ministers of the Classicall Presbyters within their respective 

 Bounds for the severall Congregations in the Kingdom of England. Die Veneris 

 28 August, 1646. London printed for John Wright at the Kings Head in the 

 Old Bayley. 31 Aug. 1646." 



The preface, after setting out that Presbyter, Elder, and Bishop 

 are all equal, with the usual arguments of Presbyterians, lays down 

 that each Presbyterian Classis is to examine, approve, and ordain, 

 Presbyters within their several and respective bounds. It also en- 

 joins that the candidate must be 24 years of age, and must bring 

 testimonials of (a) his having taken " the Covenant of the three 

 Kingdoms," (£>) his diligence and proficiency in his studies, 

 (r) his degrees at the University and time of residence, and 

 (d) especially of his life and conversation. 



The Presbytery is enjoined to enquire respecting the candidate, 

 (<?) of the grace of God in him, and (b) of his holiness of life ; 

 also to examine him touching (c) his learning, (d) the evidence of 



* Collection of Pamphlets, King's Library, vol. 276, No. 4. 

 t Bishop Short's History of the Church of England, ch. xiii. 590. 

 A work recommended by our Episcopate for candidates for Holy Orders. 



