Conftituent Mem- from each prefbytery, in the fol-. bers of the General Affembly. lowing proportion: viz. each prefbytery, confifting of not more than fix minifters fhall fend one minifter and one elder; each prefbytery, confifting of more than fix minifters and not more than twelve, fhall fend two minifters and two elders; and in like proportion, for every fix minifters, in any prefbytery: And thefe delegates, fo appointed, fhall bear the title of Commiffioners to the general affembly. Quorum Sect. III. Any fourteen, or more, of thefe commiffioners, one half of whom fhall thereof. be minifters, being met, on the day, and. at the place appointed, fhall be competent to form a general affembly, and to proceed to bufinefs. Sect. IV. The affembly fhall receive and iffue all appeals and references, which Power of the may be regularly brought before them from the inferior judicatories; they fhall review the minutes and proceedings of every fynod, to approve or cenfure them; they shall give their advice and instructions, in all other cafes fubmitted to them; and they fhall also constitute the bond of union, peace, correspondence, and mutual confidence, among all our churches. Sect. V. To the affembly alfo belongs the power of confulting, reafoning, and the Affembly. judging, in controverfies refpecting doctrine and difcipline; of reproving, warning, or bearing teftimony againft error: Other Powers of in doctrine, or immorality in practice, in any church, prefbytery, or fynod; of correfponding with foreign churches; of putting a flop to fchifmatical contentions, and difputations; and, in general, of recommending and attempting reformation of manners; and of promoting charity, 'truth and holinefs, through all the churches ; and of erecting new fynods, when they judge it neceffary. Restriction of Sect. VI. Before any overtures or regulations, propofed by the affembly to be estabthe power of lifhed as conftitutional rules, fhall be the Affembly obligatory on the churches, it fhall be neceffary to tranfmit them to all the prefbytcries, and to receive the returns of, at least, a majority of the prefbyteries, in writing, approving thereof. CHA P. XII. Of Electing and ordaining ruling Elders and Deacons. Sect. I. H AVING defined the officers of the church, and the affemblies by which it fhall be governed, it is proper here to prefcribe the modes in which ecclefiaftical rulers fhall be ordained to their refpective offices. Mode of elect Sect. II. Every congregation shall elect perfons to the office of ruling elder, and to ing ruling El- the office of deacon, or either of them, ders, &c. in the mode moft approved, and in use in that congregation'. But in all cases, the perfons elected, must be male communicating members in that church, in which they are to exercise their office. Sect. III. When any person shall have been elected to either of thefe offices, and fhall have declared his willingness to How to be or dained. accept thereof, he fhall be fet apart in the following manner, Sect. IV. After fermon, the minifter fhall Engagements required of El. propose to him, in the presence of ders and Dea- the congregation, the following queftions: viz. cons. 1. Do you believe the fcriptures of the Old and New Testament, to be the word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice? 2. Do you fincerely receive and adopt, the confeffion of faith of this church, as containing the fyftem of doctrine taught in the holy scriptures? 3. Do you approve of the government and difcipline of the prefbyterian church, as exercifed in thefe United States ? 4. Do you accept the office of ruling elder For deacon as the cafe may be] in this congrega a I Cor. 14. 40. Let all things be done decently and in order. tion, and promise faithfully to perform all the duties thereof ? After having answered these questions in the affirmative, he fhall be fet apart, by prayer, to the office of elder [or deacon as the cafe may be ;] and the minifter fhall give him, and the congregation, an exhortation fuited to the occafion. To be fet apart by Prayer. CHAP. XIII. Of licensing Candidates, or Probationers, to preach the Gospel. Sect. I. Probationers. THE HE holy fcriptures require that fome trial be previously Prefbyteries had of those who are to be ordainought to License ed to the ministry of the gospel, that this facred office may not be degraded, by being committed to weak or unworthy men; and that the churches may have an opportunity to form a better judgment respecting the talents of those by whom they are to be instructed and governed. For this purpose presbyteries fhall licence probationers, to preach the gospel; that after a competent trial of their talents, and b Acts 6. 5, 6. a 1 Tim. 3. 6. Not a novice. 2 Tim. 2. 2. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witneffes, the fame receiving from the churches a good report, they may, in due time, ordain them to the paftorai officeb. cenfed. Sect. II. It is proper and requifite, that candidates, applying to the prefbytery Teftimonials to to be licenfed to preach the gofpel, be produced by Candidates ap produce fatisfactory teftimonials of plying to be Li- their good moral character, and of their being regular members of some particular church. And it is the duty of the presbytery, for their fatisfaction with regard to the real piety of fuch candidates, to examine them refpecting their experimental acquaintance with religion, and the motives which influence And it is rethem to defire the facred office. commended, that the candidate be alfo required to produce a diploma, of bachelor or matter of arts, from fome college or univerfity: or at leaft authentic teftimonials of his having gone through a regular course of learning. Sect. III. Because it is highly reproachful to religion, and dangerous to the to Lincenfe. Trials in order church, to intruft the holy miniftry to weak and ignorant men", the commit thou to faithful men who fhall be able to teach others alfo. b 1 Tim. 3. 7. 3 John 12. Rom. 2. 21. Thou, therefore, who teachest another, teach eft thou not thyself? &c. in connection with letter a. d See letters a and b. |