Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…

§. 5. Behold the Work assigned unto the Pastors of the Churches. But many Observers have thought that their Discipline might have this Complaint still made of it, One Thing thou Lackest. Any well disposed Young Men, of a Liberal Education have been brought into the Pulpits by any of the Pastors, as soon as they pleased, and if the People approved of them, they were at Liberty, without any more ado, to proceed unto an Election of them for the Work of the Ministry, and the Fastoral Charge in any Vacancy. But hearing this frequently complained of, as too r•iss and unsafe a Conduct, a Convention of Ministers at ⟨p. 118⟩Boston, did about the beginning of the present Century publish the Ensuing Instrument.

§. 5. Behold the Work assigned unto the Pastors of the Churches. But many Observers have thought that their Discipline might have this Complaint still made of it, One Thing thou Lackest. Any well dispesed Young Men, of a Liberal Education have been brought into the Pulpits by any of the Pastors, as soon as they pleased, and if the People approved of them, they were at Liberty, without any more ado, to proceed unto an Election of them for the Work of the Ministry, and the Fastoral Charge in any Vacancy. But hearing this frequently complained of, as too r•iss and unsafe a Conduct, a Convention of Ministers at ⟨p. 118⟩Boston, did about the beginning of the present Century publish the Ensuing Instrument.

PROPOSALS; for the Preservation of Religion in the Churches, by a due TRIAL of them that stand CANDIDATES OF THE MINISTRY. It is a thing of Great Consequence to the Safety and Welfare of our Churches, and the Interests of our Holy Religion are not a little concerned in it, That the Candidates of the Evangelical Ministry from time to time arising among us, should still be offered unto the Acceptance of the Churches, under the Advantage of their having undergone a due TRIAL of their Qualifications, for so solemn, and sacred a Service. And it hath long been the Wish of prudent Men, who wish well to the Interests Religion, That none of our Christian Congregations may countenance any, who shall set up for public Preachers of the Gospel, until they can produce a Testimonial of their having been duly proved and approved, as Qualified for so Weighty an Undertaking. Therefore, I. It is proposed, that every Candidate of the Ministry, be furnished with a TESTIMONIAL, under the Hands of at least Four or Five settled Pastors in our Churches, of his having been Tried upon the EXPECTED ARTICLES, and of his being upon Trial found competently Qualified, for the Encouragements of a public