A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded upon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded vpon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…

2. That Princes ought also to take order and course, that well qualified men, and no others, be advanced and called to bear charge and office in the Church: for which purpose, they should cause, not one disdainful p•lat, but a whole Presbytery or company of Elders, to take trial of him who is to be taken into the number of preaching Elders, and to examine well the piety of his life, the verity of his Doctrine, and his fitness to teach. And further, that due trial may be continually had of the growth or decay of the graces and utterance of every Pastor: it is the part of Princes to enjoin the visitation of particular Churches, and the keeping of other Presbyterial meetings, likewise the assembling of Provincial and National Synods, for putting order to such things as have not been helped in the particular Presbyteries. And as for the other sort of Elders, together with Deacons, we judge the ancient order of this Church, to have been most convenient for providing of well qualified men for those functions and offices. For the eight head of the first book of Discipline, touching the election of Elders and Deacons, ordaineth that men of best knowledge and cleanest life, be nominat to be in Election, and that their names be publicly read to the whole Church by the Minister, giving them advertisement, that from among them must be chosen Elders and Deacons: that if any of these nominat be noted with public infamy, he ought to be repelled: And that if any man know others of better qualities within the Church, then these that be nominat, they should be put in election, that the Church may have the choice.

2. That Princes ought also to take order and course, that well qualified men, and no others, be advanced and called to beare charge and office in the Church: for which purpose, they should cause, not one disdainfull p•lat, but a whole Presbytery or company of Elders, to take triall of him who is to be taken into the number of preaching Elders, and to examine well the piety of his life, the verity of his Doctrine, and his fitnesse to teach. And further, that due triall may be continually had of the growth or decay of the graces and utterance of every Pastor: it is the part of Princes to injoyne the visitation of particular Churches, and the keeping of other Presbyteriall meetings, likewise the assembling of Provinciall and Nationall Synods, for putting order to such things as have not beene helped in the particular Presbyteries. And as for the other sort of Elders, togither with Deacons, we judge the auncient order of this Church, to have beene most convenient for provyding of well qualified men for those functions and offices. For the eight head of the first booke of Discipline, touching the election of Elders and Deacons, ordaineth that men of best knowledge and cleanest life, be nominat to be in Election, and that their names be publikely read to the whole Church by the Minister, giving them advertisement, that from among them must be chosen Elders and Deacons: that if any of these nominat be noted with publike infamie, hee ought to be repelled: And that if any man know others of better qualities within the Church, then these that be nominat, they should be put in election, that the Church may have the choice.