IX. The call, thus prepared, shall be presented to the presbytery, under whose care the person called shall be; that, if the presbytery think it expedient to present the call to him, it may be accordingly presented and no minister or candidate shall receive a call but through the hands of the presbytery.

X. If the call be to the licentiate of another presbytery, in that case the commissioners deputed from the congregation to prosecute the call, shall produce, to that judicatory, a certificate from their own presbytery, regularly attested by the modera tor and clerk, that the call has been laid before them, and that it is in order. If that presbytery present the call to their licentiate, and he be dis posed to accept it, they shall then dismiss him from their jurisdiction, and require him to repair to that presbytery, into the bounds of which he is called; and there to submit himself to the usual trials preparatory to ordination.

XI. Trials for ordination, especially in a different presbytery from that in which the candidate was licensed, shall consist of a careful examination. as to his acquaintance with experimental religion; as to his knowledge of philosophy, theology, ecclesiastical history, the Greek and Hebrew languages, and such other branches of learning as to the presbytery may appear requisite; and as to his knowledge of the constitution, the rules and principles of the government, and disclipine of the church; together with such written discourse, or discourses, founded on the word of God, as to the presbytery

shall seem propera. The presbytery, being fully satisfied with his qualifications for the sacred office, shall appoint a day for his ordination, which ought to be, if convenient, in that church of which he is to be the minister. It is also recommended that a fast day be observed in the congregation previous to the day of ordination".

XII. The day appointed for ordination being come, and the presbytery convened, a member of the presbytery, previously appointed to that duty, shall preach a sermon adapted to the occasion. The same, or another member appointed to preside, shall afterward briefly recite from the pulpit, in the audience of the people, the proceedings of the presbytery preparatory to this transaction: he shall point out the nature and importance of the ordinance; and endeavour to impress the audience with a proper sense of the solemnity of the transaction.

Then, addressing himself to the candidate, he shall propose to him the following questions, viz.

1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?

2. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the confession of faith of this church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures?

3. Do you approve of the government and iscipline of the Presbyterian Church in these United Statese ?

a See the proofs in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, of chapter iv. b Acts xiii. 2, 3.

2 Tim. iii. 16. Eph. ii. 20.

d 2 Tim. i. 13.

• See letter ".

4. Do you promise subjection to your brethren in the Lord' ?

5. Have you been induced, as far as you know your own heart, to seek the office of the holy ministry from love to God, and a sincere desire to promote his glory in the Gospel of his Son?

6. Do you promise to be zealous and faithful in maintaining the truths of the Gospel, and the purity and peace of the church; whatever persecution or opposition may arise unto you on that accounth?

7. Do you engage to be faithful and diligent in the exercise of all private and personal duties, which become you as a Christian and a minister of the Gospel; as well as in all relative duties, and the public duties of your office; endeavouring to adorn the profession of the Gospel by your conversation; and walking with exemplary piety before the flock over which God shall make you overseeri?

8. Are you now willing to take the charge of this congregation, agreeably to your declaration at accepting their call? And do you promise to discharge the duties of a pastor to them, as God shall give you strength?

XIII. The candidate having answered these questions in the affirmative, the presiding ninister shall propose to the people the following questions: 1. Do you, the people of this congregation, con

f 1 Pet. v. 5.

1 Cor. ii. 2. 2 Cor. iv. 5.

b Acts xx. 17-31.

See the epistles to Timothy and Titus throughout.
1 Pet. v. 2.

tinue to profess your readiness to receive whom you have called to be

nister?

your mi

2. Do you promise to receive the word of truth from his mouth, with meekness and love; and to submit to him in the due exercise of discipline1?

3. Do you promise to encourage him in his arduous labour, and to assist his endeavours for your instruction and spiritual edificationTM?

4. And do you engage to continue to him, while he is your pastor, that competent worldly maintenance which you have promised; and whatever else you may see needful for the honour of religion, and his comfort among you"?

XIV. The people having answered these ques. tions in the affirmative, by holding up their right hands, the candidate shall kneel down in the most convenient part of the church. Then the presiding minister shall, by prayer, and with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, according to the apostolic example, solemnly ordain him to the holy office of the Gospel ministry. Prayer being ended, he shall rise from his knees; and the minister who presides shall first, and afterward all the members of the presbytery in their order, take him by the right-hand, saying, in words to this purpose, "We give you the right-hand of fellowship, to take 'part of this ministry with us." After which

1 James i. 21. Heb. xiii. 17.

m 1 Thess. v. 12, 13.

" 1 Cor. ix. 7—15.

Acts xiii. 2, 3.

P Tim. iv. 14.

• Gal. ii. 9. Acts i. 25.

the minister presiding, or some other appointed for the purpose, shall give a solemn charge in the name of God, to the newly ordained bishop', and to the people, to persevere in the discharge of their mutual duties; and shall then, by prayer, recommend them both to the grace of God, and his holy keeping, and finally, after singing a psalm, shall dismiss the congregation with the usual blessing. And the presbytery shall duly record the transaction.

XV. As it is sometimes desirable and important that a candidate who has not received a call to be the pastor of a particular congregation, should, nevertheless, be ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, as an evangelist to preach the Gospel, administer sealing ordinances, and organize churches, in frontier or destitute settlements; in this case, the last of the preceding questions shall be omitted, and the following used as a substitute :viz.

Are you now willing to undertake the work of an evangelist; and do you promise to discharge the duties which may be incumbent on you in this character, as God shall give you strength?

CHAPTER XVI.

Of Translation, or Removing a Minister from one Charge to another.

I. No bishop shall be translated from one church to another, nor shall he receive any call for that purpose, but by the permission of the presbytery. r 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2.

• Mark iv. 24. Heb. ii. 1. See also letters 1 m =