MINUTE BOOK OF THE WIRKSWORTH CLASSIS. 



161 



M« 



Minist" 



t Watkinson Modi* 

 Shelm'dine 

 Wiersdale 



Martin Topham 

 Porter 

 Otefield 

 Coke, srb. 



Others 



M r John Sclat r 

 William Storer 

 Gilbert Wailis 

 German Buxton 

 John Rudiard 



M r Pet' Watkinson Pastor of the Church at Kirk Iieton being Moderator 

 began with prayer. 



This day appeared M r Nich: Hill to be ordained a preaching presbyter 

 who this day preached his Approbacon Sermon & his paines approved : was 

 examined of the Grace of God in him, his call to the Ministrie, his 

 studies, skill in y e Tongues & other Sciences & was approved. Had this 

 Thesis given him . . . 



And lastly was ordered to appeare the next sitting of the Classis on 

 Tuesday the last day of this instant & to bring with him his Testimonials 

 & Tytle. 



This day the case of Cousen-Germanes marrying was debated, according 

 to the ord r of the Classis at their last meeting ; & upon a full debate it 

 was determined that though it might be lawful], yet it was not expedient 

 in regard of the offence that many Godlie Ministers did take thereat it 

 being the verie next degree to those that are expresly p'bibited in Scrip- 

 ture. 



Ordered that the next Classicall fast be kept at Tissington the second 

 Thursday of the next Moneth, And that the Scribe of the Classis be carefull 

 to write unto M r Stubbs minist 1 of Blore & M r Rock* minist' of Mathfield 

 signifying unto them that it is the desire of the Classis that they would 

 afford their paines in preaching there & then for the Classis. 



Voted that M r Pet r Watkinson preach the next Ordinacon day intended 

 to be this day five vveekes being the Classis usual meeting day. 



Voted that M r Pet' Coates pastor of the Church at South wingfield 

 moderate the next Classicall Meeting & likewise manage the business of 

 Ordinacon if in case it be on that day solemnized. 



M r Pet r Watkinson being Moderator ended with prayer. 



* Joseph Rock subsequently left Mathfield for Rowley, Staff 

 Calamy describes him as " a very calm, humble, sober, peaceable, godly, and 

 blameless minister, and of very good abilities.'' 





