DIE Veneris, 4 die Octobris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Bridge.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Answer from the H. C.

Sir Rob't Rich and Mr. Page returned with this Answer to the Message sent by them to the House of Commons on Wednesday last:

That they agree to the Alterations in the Ordinance for the Earl of Manchester's Army; and concerning the Ordinance for the Lord Fairefaix's Chaplain, they will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Lord Mayor to be presented.

Ordered, That the Lord Mayor Elect of the City of Lond'n shall be presented to this House on Wednesday next.

E. of Carlisle's Petition, for an Allowance out of his Estate.

Upon reading the Petition of James Earl of Carlile, directed to both Houses of Parliament; sheweth, "That his Estate being sequestered for his Delinquency, wherein he doth acknowledge Justice and Clemency, in that there hath been allowed unto his Wife, for her own Maintenance, Part thereof: Sheweth like, that the Petitioner came in according to the Invitation and Engagement of both Kingdoms, by which is expressed, that those which should lay Hold on that Offer, and take the National Covenant, should be preserved from Ruin; which Offer the Petitioner hath willingly embraced, and (fn. *) will take the National Covenant accordingly.

"He beseecheth Leave to offer to their Lordships Consideration, that his Estate is but Two Thousand Six Hundred Pounds per Annum; out of which his Wife doth Yearly pay to the Parliament Eleven Hundred Pounds, and payeth also all Assessments laid upon the whole Two Thousand Six Hundred Pounds per Annum; in regard whereof, she cannot (out of that which remaineth to her) spare the Petitioner necessary Subsistence.

He humbly therefore prayeth, that such Allowance may be made him, out of the said Eleven Hundred Pounds a Year, as to their Wisdoms shall seem meet, that so he may be kept from Ruin, which otherwise he cannot possibly avoid."

Hereupon this House Ordered, That this Petition be referred to the same Committee as is appointed for the Earl of Thanett's Petition; and their Lordships, upon Consideration thereof, are to report their Opinions to this House.

Their Lordships to meet when they will.

Message to the H. C. with Ordinances;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Greene, &c.

To desire Concurrence in divers Particulars:

1. An Ordinance for Advance of Ten Thousand Pounds, for the Lord General's Army. (Here enter it.)

Read Thrice, and Agreed to.

2. An Ordinance for assigning Monies to be paid Sir Walter Erle, for furnishing the Lord General with a new Train of Artillery, &c. (Here enter it.)

Read Thrice, and Agreed to.

and with a Deputy Lieutenant's Name for Essex.

3. To desire that Mr. Sheffeild may be made a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Essex.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to all the Particulars now brought up.

Culmer's Petition, for a Preacher's Place in the Cathedral of Canterbury.

Upon reading the Petition of Richard Culmer, Minister, dwelling in the City of Canterbury; shewing, That whereas a Preacher's Place, worth about Thirty Pounds per Annum, in the Cathedral of the said City, heretofore in the Gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury, became void about Six Months since, by the Death of Mr. Ely the last Incumbent, which Place is now belonging unto their Lordships Gift, by reason of the Suspension of the said Archbishop, according to an Ordinance of Parliament of the 10th June, 1643; and whereas the Petitioner being approved of by the Assembly of Divines, and by the Committee for plundered Ministers, and other good Testimonials of his Life and Doctrine, and Fidelity and Activeness in the common Cause, and of his unjust Sufferings under the said Archbishop:

"The humble Desire of the Petitioner is, that their Lordships would be pleased to nominate and recommend the Petitioner to the Vicar General, to be by him instituted and inducted unto the said Preacher's Place."

Hereupon this House Ordered, That the Vicar General do institute and induct him, according as is desired in the Petition.

Message from the H.C. about the Evidences against Ld. M'Gwire and M'Mahowne;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Nicolas, &c. consisting of these Particulars:

1. To desire that the Letters, Examinations, and other Evidences, concerning Macguire and Mackmabowne, be delivered to the Counsel assigned to manage the Evidence at the Trial of the said Maguire and Mackmahowne, then to be made Use of at the Trial of the said Two Rebels.

Ordered accordingly.

for the Judges to attend that Trial;

2. To desire that their Lordships would require the Judges to attend the Commission of Oyer and Terminer, for the Trial of the Two Irish Rebels.

Ordered, That the Judges shall attend the Commission of Oyer and Terminer, when Notice shall be given them.

about the Archhishop of Cant's Counsel being heard in Point of Law;

3. That whereas their Lordships sent down to the House of Commons a Paper, subscribed by the Counsel of the Archbishop, concerning being heard in Point of Law, in Behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury; and they do agree that the Archbishop's Counsel may have Leave to argue this Point; videlicet,

Whether, in all or any of the Articles charged against the Archbishop, there be contained any Treason?"

But they desire that the Counsel of the Archbishop's may not be heard concerning any Exception that they shall take against the Articles in Point of Certainty, because an Exception to a Charge of High Treason in Point of Certainty (being but Matter of Form), especially after Evidence given, is not to be allowed in Parliament.

Agreed to.

and for a short Day for hearing them.

4. To desire a short Day for hearing the Archbishop's Counsel, as aforesaid.

Ordered, That the Counsel of the Archbishop shall be heard on Friday next, in the Morning, "Whether, in all or any of the Articles charged against the Archbishop of Cant. there be contained any Treason?"

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House hath Ordered, That the Examinations and Letters concerning Maguire and Mackmahowne be delivered, as they desired; and have Ordered, That the Judges shall attend the Commission of Oyer and Terminer, as is desired, upon Notice given to them; and lastly, that this House hath appointed Friday Morning next, to hear the Counsel of the Archbishop of Canterbury, whether in all or any of the Articles charged against the Archbishop be contained any Treason.

Squire's Petition, about his Assessment.

Next, the Petition of Thomas Squire was read, directed to both Houses, complaining of "his Over-assessment for his Twentieth Part of his Estate, and of his Goods and Money taken away, by one Grigson, an Officer of Colonel Harvey:" Hereupon this House Ordered, To recommend the Petition to the House of Commons; and that it may be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations.

Message to the H. C. with it, and Sir James Palmer's Order; and to remind them of the Jersey Pertition.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and Dr. Aylett:

1. To desire their Concurrence to the Proviso in the Order concerning Sir James Palmer's Jewels.

2. To put them in Mind of the Petition of the Poor of the Isle of Jersey, which remains with them, that something may be done in their Relief.

3. To deliver them the Petition of Thomas Squire, and desire that the same may be referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations.

Message from the H. C. to sit a while.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Henry Mildmay, &c.

To let their Lordships know, that the House of Commons having received Intelligence that the King's Forces are marching Eastwards, and is come this Side of Dorchester, they are in Hand with an Ordinance to enable the City Regiments to march forth presently; and therefore they desire their Lordships would please to sit a while, for Dispatch of the same.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House will sit a while, as is desired.

Message from thence, with an Ordinance.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Nicolls, &c.

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in an Ordinance for sending out Five Regiments of Foot, out of the City of London, to join with the Earl of Manchester's Forces. (Here enter it.)

Read Thrice, and Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House doth agree with the House of Commons in this Ordinance.

Petition from London.

Next, a Petition was presented to this House, from the City of London, by the Sheriffs and some Aldermen of the said City; and it was read, as followeth.

(Here enter it.)

The Answer returned was:

Answer to the Petitioners.

That this House hath appointed a Committee, to meet this Afternoon, to hear what they can say concerning the Particulars mentioned in their Petition; and what Result is taken by the Committee shall be reported to the House; and then their Lordships will take the Business into further Consideration.

Message from the H.C. about the Ordination of Ministers.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Zouch Tate Esquire:

To desire Concurrence in an Amendment in the Ordinance concerning the Ordination of Ministers.

(Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to.

The Answer was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to the Amendment in the Ordinance for Ordination of Ministers.

London Petition, against allowing a free Trade to the Ports which are in Opposition to the Parliament.

"To the Right Honourable the Lords in the High Court of Parliament assembled.

"The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, in Common Council assembled,

"Sheweth,

"That, at a Common Council of this City, held the Second of this Instant October, a Petition was preferred, by divers well-affected Citizens and others, touching the Matter of free Trade to the Ports in Hostility against the King and Parliament; representing, that, the same being shut up by the Ordinance of the 30th of November 1643, if the same should be opened, and Liberty of free Trade granted to those Places in Hostility, it would undoubtedly be destructive both to the City and Kingdom.

"That the Pretences against that Ordinance were, that the same was against the Civil Law, and Law of Nations, and contrary to the Treaties and Agreements made betwixt this Kingdom and the Kingdoms of Spaine, France, and The United Provinces, and other Foreign Places and States; and that they did hope to make it appear, in open Debate, that the Ordinance of the 30th November is neither against any of these Laws nor Treaties, but agreeable thereunto, and to other good Laws of this and other Kingdoms and States.

"Whereupon the Petitioners, taking the Matter into serious Consideration, did find, by many certain Arguments and Demonstrations, that, if that Ordinance of the 30th November should be checked, and free Trade opened to Foreigners to those Ports and Places in Hostility, however it might be commodious and gainful to some particular Men in their private yet would be utterly destructive to the Public, and tend to the Ruin both of the City and Kingdom; and finding withall, that the Judge of the Admiralty hath refused to give Judgement in divers Cases, both private and public, upon that Ordinance, he pretending that he hath received some Directions of Restraint from some Committees and others, by which Means the Justice of that Court is obstructed, the Adventurers and private Men of War have been discouraged, and declared that they will not set forth any more Ships of War for the Guard of the Kingdom, but call in those they have set forth, unless some speedy and present Course be taken for the upholding of that Ordinance.

"And for that the Matter itself is of that Nature, being not only concerning the Trade and Saving of this Kingdom on the one Side, but also concerning the several Treaties with the Spanish, French, United Provinces, and other Foreign Nations, on the other Side, and the holding good Correspondence with those several Nations; that it would much conduce both to the settling the Business at once, which is the Life of the Thing, and to the Power and Defence of this Nation, and Satisfaction both of Foreigners and of this Kingdom itself, that the Business should receive a free and public Debate, either in the Honourable Houses, or before both Houses; together with Intimation first to be given to the several Foreign Ambassadors to be pleased to be there, and to object, if they thought sit, in the View of the Kingdom, what they had to say against the said Ordinance, either upon their several Treaties, or by the Civil Law, or Law of Nations, that so Answer might be given thereunto in Public, for the clearing of this Nation from all Aspersion that might be cast upon their Honour, either by Foreigners Abroad or illaffected at Home, touching that Business.

"The Petitioners do become humble Suitors to this Honourable House, to be pleased, in a Business of this Weight and Importance, concerning both the securing of this City and Kingdom, and Honour of the whole Nation, to set apart some One Day for the open Hearing thereof, that it may publicly appear that the admitting of free Trade to those Ports in Hostility is destructive; and that the shutting it up according to the said Ordinance is neither against the said Treaties, nor the Civil Law, nor Law of Nations; and to give Intimation thereof to the several Ambassadors, to be present if they please, and have public Audience given them for what they have to say or object against it, if they please.

"And the Petitioners shall pray, &c.

"Michell."

Order for the Commissioners of Excise to repay themselves 10,000 l. advanced for the Ld. General's Army.

"Whereas John Towse Esquire, Alderman of the City of London, and the rest of the Commissioners of Excise, for the Supply of my Lord General the Earl of Essex's Army, have advanced and lent the Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds: Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, and by Authority of the same, That the said Commissioners of Excise shall and may satisfy and reimburse themselves of the said Ten Thousand Pounds, with Interest after the Rate of Eight per Cent. for so long Time as they shall be out of the same, or any Part thereof, out of such Intervals of Receipts as shall happen between such Times as other Ordinances already assigned upon the Excise shall not fall due, or, in Default of such Intervals, shall and may re-pay themselves in such Order and Course as this Ordinance, according to its Date, doth take Place; and shall not, by other Order or Ordinance of One or both Houses of Parliament, be secluded from satisfying and reimbursing themselves accordingly; and that the said Ten Thousand Pounds be paid unto Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Treasurer at Wars, whose Receipt shall be a sufficient Discharge for the Payment thereof."

Ordinance for assigning Monies to be paid to Sir W. Erle, for furnishing the Ld. General with a Train of Artillery.

"Whereas, by an Ordinance of Parliament of the Six and Twentieth of March last, intituled, "An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, for the speedy compleating and maintaining of the Army under the immediate Command of Robert Earl of Essex, Lord General of the Forces raised by the Parliament," it was Ordained, That, for the Maintenance and Payment of the said Army, and for Provision of Arms and Ammunition for the Kingdom, there should, for the Space of Four Months, to commence from the Twentieth Day of March, 1643, accounting Twenty-eight Days to the Month, (fn. *) be charged and levied, upon the Cities of London and Westm. the Hamlets of The Tower, the Borough of Soutbwarke, and all other Parishes and Places within the Lines of Communication and Weekly Bills of Mortality, the Sum of Six Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-two Pounds, Four Shillings; and in the County of Middlesex, without the said Limits, the Sum of One Thousand Fourscore Pounds and Eleven Shillings; the said Sums to be levied, collected, and paid, unto Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Treasurer at Wars, at such Times, and in such Manner, as in and by the said Ordinance is mentioned and expressed: And whereas there is of the said Sums Nine Thousand Seven Hundred Pounds, or thereabouts, partly remaining in the Hands of the said Sir Gilbert Gerrard, and others authorized to receive the same, and partly yet remaining uncollected and in Arrear; the Lords and Commons in Parliament now assembled do Ordain, That so much thereof as hath by the said Sir Gilbert Gerrard been received, and still remains in his Hands, and so much of the said Arrears by him by virtue of the said Ordinance to be received, as will make up the Sum of Nine Thousand Pounds, shall, by the said Sir Gilbert Gerrard, be paid over unto Sir Walter Erle Knight, Lieutenant of the Ordnance, for and towards the providing of a new Train of Artillery, with the Necessaries thereunto belonging, for the Army now under the said Lord General's Command, whose Acquittance, or Note of Receipt thereof, shall unto the said Sir Gilbert Gerrard be a sufficient Discharge And the said Lords and Commons do hereby (fn. *) enjoin all and every such Persons as by the formerly recited Ordinance are appointed to collect and levy the said Arrears, forthwith to proceed effectually therein, and to make Payment of the same unto the said Sir Gilbert Gerrard, in such Manner as in and by the said first-recited Ordinance is limited and appointed."

Order for Ordnance for the Ld. General.

"It is Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Officers of the Ordnance do forthwith deliver, out of the Public Stores which are upon The Tower Wharf, Two Brass Demy Culverins, Four Brass Sakers, and Two Six-pound Bullet Drakes, for the furnishing the Lord General's new Train of Artillery; any former Order to the contrary notwithstanding."

Order for some of the City Forces to be ready to join the E. of Manchester, or Sir W. Waller, to stop the Progress of the King's Forces.

"It is this Day Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Committee of the Militia of the City of London, and Parts adjacent, within the Lines of Communication and Parishes mentioned in the Weekly Bills of Mortality, shall have Power, and is hereby authorized, to command the Red and Blue Regiments of Trained Bands of the said City, and the Red Regiment of Trained Bands of Westm. the Yellow Regiment of Trained Bands of the Borough of Southwarke, and the Yellow Regiment of Auxiliaries of the Hamlets of The Tower, consisting of Five Thousand Men, or thereabouts, and such other Forces as they shall think sit, either of Horse or Foot, raised, or to be raised, under the Command of the said Committee of the Militia, within the Limits aforesaid, to march from the several Parts aforesaid, according to the Discipline and Order of War, under the Conduct and Command of such Major General, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Captains, and other Officers, as the said Committee shall appoint, together with all such necessary Provisions of Arms, Ammunition, Ordnance, and other Carriages; and to join with such other Forces of Horse and Foot as are under the Command of the Earl of Manchester and Sir William Waller, or either of them, according as they shall be directed by both Houses, or the Committee of both Kingdoms, to resist and subdue the Forces raised without Authority of Parliament, and to recover and preserve such Places as are now possessed by the Enemy.

"And, for Prevention of such Inconveniences as by Experience hath been discovered to fall out in former Expeditions, by giving great Sums of Money beforehand to hired Soldiers, and by their refusing to serve unless they may have their own Demands, it is further Ordained, That no Advance shall be henceforth given before-hand to any Soldiers, hired, or to be hired, besides their Weekly Pay; and that the Committee of the Militia, and their Sub-committees respectively, shall have Power to imprest, within their several Limits, all such Persons as shall be by them thought fit to be hired to serve in this Expedition (excepting such Persons as are excepted in the Ordinance of Parliament, made the Twelfth of July last, 1644).

"And it is further Ordained, That the said Committee shall have Power, and is hereby authorized, to call back such Forces as they shall command to march forth by virtue of this Ordinance, when they shall think fit; and that all the said Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Captains, Officers, Soldiers, and other Persons under the Command of the said Committee of the Militia, whether Masters or Servants, shall obey the Directions of the said Committee of the Militia from Time to Time, upon Pain of Imprisonment, or Expulsion out of the Limits aforesaid, and such other Punishments as the said Committee shall think fit to impose upon them, by reasonable Fines, or according to the Course of War; and to levy the said Fines by Distress and Sale of their Goods, and to employ the same for the Service of the City, as the said Committee shall appoint; and all Sub-committees, made or to be made, Constables, Headboroughs, Provost Marshals, and other Officers, are hereby required to be aiding and assisting, from Time to Time, for the better furthering and effecting all such Services as are contained or intended by this Ordinance, according as they shall be directed by the said Committee within the Limits aforesaid, as they will answer the contrary under the Penalties herein mentioned.

"And it is further Ordained, That all such Forces as shall be sent forth by the said Committees of the Militia, by virtue of this Ordinance, shall be paid, during their Continuance abroad, by the Parliament, according to the new Establishment of the Army under his Excellency the Earl of Essex.

"And it is further Ordained, That the Sub-committees appointed, or to be appointed, by the said Committee of the Militia, shall have Power, and are hereby authorized, to cause all or any the Clauses contained in this Ordinance to be put in due Execution, when and as often as they shall receive Directions from the said Committee; and as well the said Committee, as also their Sub-committees, and all other Persons acting in the Premises according to the true Intent of this Ordinance, shall be saved harmless, by the Authority of both Houses of Parliament."

Alderman Atkins, Lord Mayor elect, to be presented.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords in Parliament assembled, That Mr. Alderman Atkins, lately elected to be Lord Mayor of the City of London for the next Year ensuing, shall attend the Lords in Parliament on Wednesday next, being the Ninth of this Instant October, by Ten of the Clock in the Morning, that the said Lord Mayor may be approved of, in his said Election, by their Lordships."

(fn. *) "An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, after Advice had with the Assembly of Divines, for the Ordination of Ministers pro Tempore, according to the Directory for Ordination, and Rules for Examination therein expressed.

Ordinance for the Ordination of Ministers.

"Whereas the Word Presbyter, that is to say Elder, and the Word Bishop, do in the Scriptures intend and signify one and the same Function, although the Title of Bishop hath been by corrupt Custom appropriated to One, and that unto him ascribed, and by him assumed, as in other Things, so in the Matter of Ordination, that was not meet; which Ordination, notwithstanding, being performed by him, a Presbyter joined with other Presbyters, we hold for Substance to be valid, and not to be disclaimed by any that have received it; and that Presbyters so ordained, being lawfully thereunto appointed and authorized, may ordain other Presbyters; and whereas it is also manifest by the Word of God, that no Man ought to take upon him the Office of a Minister until he be lawfully called and ordained thereunto, and that the Work of Ordination, that is to say, an outward solemn setting apart of Persons for the Office of the Ministry in the Church, by Preaching Presbyters, is an Ordinance of Christ, and is to be performed with all due Care, Wisdom, Gravity, and Solemnity: It is Ordained, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, and by the Authority of the same (after Advice had with the Assembly of Divines now convened at Westminster), That, during the present Exigencies of the Armies, of the Navy, and of many Congregations, destitute of able and faithful Ministers of the Gospel, and until a Government of the Church be formed up to the full Power and Work of it, and the whole Course of Ordination of Ministers in an ordinary Way be set up and settled for all the Three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, these Persons in the City of London, being Presbyters, videlicet, Dr. Cornelius Burges One of the Assessors of the Assembly, Dr. William Gouge, Mr. John Ley, Mr. George Walker, Mr. Edmund Calamy, Mr. Daniel Cawdry, Mr. Stanley Gower, Mr. John Conant, Mr. Humphrey Chambers, Members of the Assembly of Divines, Mr. Henry Robrough One of the Scribes of the Assembly, Mr. John Downham, Mr. Charles Offspring, Mr. Richard Lee, Mr. Timothy Dod, Mr. James Cranford, Mr. Thomas Horton, Mr. Thomas Clenden, Mr. Arthur Jackson, Mr. Samuel Clerke, Mr. Emanuel Bourne, Mr. Foulke Bellers, Mr. Francis Roberts, Mr. Leonard Cooke, or any Seven of them being the whole Number present, or any Seven or more of them being the major Part of them that shall be present, may examine, approve, and ordain Presbyters, according to the Directory for Ordination, and Rules for Examination, hereafter expressed; that is to say,

"First, That he that is to be ordained must address himself to the Ministers appointed to ordain, and bring with him a Testimonial of his taking the Covenant of the Three Kingdoms, of his Diligence and Proficiency in his Studies, what Degrees he hath taken in the University, and what hath been the Time of his Abode there; and withall of his Age, which is to be Twenty-four Years at the least; but especially of his Life and Conversation.

"Secondly, The Ministers appointed to ordain shall proceed to enquire touching the Grace of God in him, and whether he be of such Holiness of Life as is requisite in a Minister of the Gospel; and to examine him touching his Learning and Sufficiency, and touching the Evidence of his Calling to the Holy Ministry, and in particular his fair and direct Calling to that Place to which he is designed.

The Rules for Examination are these:

1. That the Party examined be dealt with in a brotherly Way, with Mildness of Spirit, and with special Respect to the Gravity, Modesty, and Quality of every one.

2. He shall be examined touching his Skill in the Original Tongues, and that Trial to be made by reading the Hebrew and Greek Testaments, and rendering some Portions of them into Latine; and Enquiry also shall be made after his other Learning, and whether he hath Skill in Logic and Philosophy.

3. What Authors in Divinity he hath read, and is best acquainted with; and Trial shall be made of his Knowledge in the chief Grounds of Religion, and of his Ability to defend the Orthodox Doctrine contained in them, against all unsound and erroneous Opinions, especially those of the present Age; of his Skill in the Sense and Meaning of such Places of Scripture as shall be proposed unto him, in Cases of Conscience, and in the Chronology of Scripture, and of the Ecclesiastical History.

4. If he hath not before preached in Public with Approbation of such as are able to judge, he shall, at a competent Time assigned him, and before the Ministers appointed to ordain, expound such a Place of Scripture as shall be given him.

5. He shall, in a competent Time, also frame a Discourse in Latin, upon such a common Place or Controversy in Divinity, as shall be assigned him; and exhibit to the Ministers appointed to ordain such Theses as express the Sum thereof, and maintain a Dispute upon them.

6. He shall preach before the People and the Ministers appointed to ordain, or some of them.

7. The Proportion of his Gifts, in relation to the Place unto which he is called, shall be considered.

8. Besides the Trial of his Gifts in Preaching, he shall undergo an Examination in the Premises Two several Days, or more, if the Ministers appointed to ordain shall judge it necessary.

"Thirdly, After which, he, being approved, is to be sent to the Church, or other Place where he is to serve (if it may be done with Safety and Conveniency); there to preach Three several Days, and to converse with the People, that they may have Trial of his Gifts for their Edification, and may have Time and Leisure to enquire into, and the better to know, his Life and Conversation.

"Fourthly, In the last of those Three Days appointed for the making known of his Gifts in Preaching, there shall be sent by the Ministers appointed to ordain (if it may done with Safety and Conveniency) a Public Instrument in Writing, which shall publicly be read before the People, and after affixed to the Church Door, to signify such a Day, any Member or Members of the said Congregation, or any other Person or Persons whatsoever, or any of them, may put in, with all Christian Discretion and Meekness, what Exceptions they have against him; and if, upon the Day appointed, there be no just Exceptions against him, the Ministers appointed to ordain shall proceed to Ordination.

"Fifthly, In the Day appointed for Ordination, which is to be performed in that Church where he that is to be ordained is to serve (if it may be done with Safety and Convenience), a solemn Fast shall be kept by the Congregation, that they may more earnestly join in Prayer to God, for a Blessing upon the Person and Labours of this His Servant, solemnly to be set apart to the Office of the Ministry, for their Good: The Ministers appointed to ordain, or Seven of them, shall come to the Place, whereof One shall preach to the People concerning the Office and Duty of the Ministers of Christ, and how the People ought to esteem him for the Work's Sake.

"Sixthly, After the Sermon ended, the Minister which hath preached shall, in the Face of the Congregation, demand of him who is now to be ordained concerning his Faith in Christ Jesus, and his Persuasion of the Truth of the Reformed Religion, according to the Scriptures; his sincere Intentions and Ends in desiring to enter into this Calling; his Resolution to be diligent in Prayer, Reading, Meditation, Preaching, Ministering the Sacraments, and doing all Ministerial Duties towards his Charge; his Zeal and Faithfulness in maintaining the Truth of the Gospel, and Unity of the Church, against Error and Schism; his Care that himself and Family may be unblameable, and Examples to the Flock; and his Resolution to continue in his Duty against all Trouble and Persecution.

"Seventhly, In all which, having declared himself, prosessed his Willingness, and promised his Endeavours, by the Help of God; the Ministers appointed to ordain shall solemnly set him apart to the Office and Work of the Ministry, laying their Hands on him, with a short Prayer or Blessing, to this Effect:

"Thankfully acknowledging the great Mercy of God, in sending Jesus Christ for the Redemption of His People, and for His Ascension to the Right Hand of God the Father, and there pouring out His Spirit, and giving Gifts to Men, Apostles, Evangelists, Prophets, Pastors, and Teachers, for the gathering and building up of His Church; and, for fitting and inclining this Man to this great Work, to beseech Him to fill him with His Holy Spirit, whom in His Name we (fn. *) set apart to this Holy Service, to fulfil the Work of his Ministry in all Things, that he may both save himself and the People committed to his Charge.

"Eighthly, This or the like Form of Prayer or Blesing being ended, let the Minister who preached briefly exhort him to consider the Greatness of his Office and Work, the Danger of Negligence both to himself and his People, the Blessing which will accompany his Faithfulness in this Life and that to come; and withall let him exhort and charge the People, in the Name of God, willingly to receive and acknowledge him as the Minister of Christ, and to maintain, encourage, and assist him in all the Parts of his Office; and so, by Prayer commending both him and his Flock to the Grace of God, after the singing of a Psalm, let the Assembly be dismissed with a Blessing.

"9. Let such as are chosen or appointed for the Service of the Army or Navy, or Colleges, or other Charge, be ordained as abovesaid, in such Church as the Ministers appointed to ordain shall think fit; and such Alterations made by the Minister that ordaineth, from the Exhortation last before prescribed, as the Circumstances of Place and Persons shall require.

"And be it further Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, and by the Authority aforesaid, That every Person formerly ordained a Presbyter, according to the Form of Ordination which hath been held in the Church of England, and is to be removed to another Charge, do bring to the Ministers appointed to ordain for that County where he is to be placed, a Testimonial of his Ordination, and of his Abilities and Conversation; whereupon his Fitness for that Place whither he is to be removed shall be tried by his Preaching there, and (if it shall be judged necessary) by a farther Examination, and so, without any new Ordination, he shall be admitted, if he be approved as fit for that Place; and if any Person ordained Minister in Scotland, or in any other Reformed Church, be designed to a Congregation in England, he is to bring from that Church, to the Ministers appointed to ordain for that County where he is to be placed, a sufficient Testimonial of his Ordination, of his Life and Conversation while he lived with them, and of the Causes of his Removal; and to undergo such a Trial of his Fitness and Sufficiency, and to have the same Course held with him in other Particulars, as is set down in the foregoing Rule and Provision touching the Examination and Admission of Persons formerly ordained in England.

"And it is further Ordained, That Records be carefully kept, by the Register to be nominated by the Ministers appointed to ordain, of the Names of the Persons ordained, with their Testimonial, the Time and Place of their Ordination, and of the Ministers who did ordain them, and of the Charge to which they are appointed; and that no Money or Gift of what Kind soever shall be received from the Person to be ordained, or from any on his Behalf, for Ordination, or aught else belonging to it, by any of the Ministers appointed to ordain, or any appertaining to any of them, upon what Pretence soever; except to the Register for the Entry, Instruments, and Testimonials of his Ordination, which shall not exceed the Sum of Ten Shillings for each Person ordained.

"And it is yet further Ordained, by the Authority aforesaid, That all Persons who shall be ordained Presbyters according to this Directory shall be for ever reputed and taken, to all Intents and Purposes, for lawful and sufficiently authorized Ministers of the Church of England, and as capable of any Ministerial Employment in the Church, with the Rights and Profits belonging thereunto, as any other Presbyters whatsoever already ordained, or hereafter to be ordained; and that all Presbyters who are hereby appointed and authorized to ordain, and shall (according to this present Directory) ordain any Presbyters, are hereby declared to perform an acceptable Service to this Church and Kingdom, and shall have the Protection of both Houses of Parliament for their Indemnity.

"Provided, That this Ordinance shall stand in Force for Twelve Months, and no longer; any Thing in this Ordinance contained to the contrary in any Wise notwithstanding.

"Die Mercurii, 2 Octob. 1644.

"Ordered, That this Ordinance for Ordination of Ministers pro Tempore be forthwith printed; and that it be sent to the Assembly of Divines, to take Care of the Printing thereof; and that no Man do print the same but such as shall be thereunto appointed by the Assembly.

"H. Elsynge, Cler: Parl. Dom. Com.

"October 3.

"Ordered, by the Assembly of Divines, That the Scribes of the Assembly take Care of the Printing of this Ordinance.

"We do appoint Ralph Smith to print this Ordinance.

"Henry Robrough.

"Adoniram Byfield."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.

Footnotes