Likeas the Assembly considering the prejudice of Elders coming to Presbyteries for strengthening a faction in opposition to the Publick Judicatories, Ordains, that Presbyteries shal require the same things fore-mentioned of every Ruling Elder that comes to sit and act in Presbyteries; and in case of his refusal, shall not admit him to act as an Elder in the Presbyterie, but require the Kirk Session from which he is sent, to make choise of, and send another, who for the Peace of this Church, shal agree to perform the conditions required.
No. V.
Act for putting in execution former Acts and Constitutions of Generall Assemblies, anent trying, admitting, removing, and deposing of Church Officers, censuring of scandulous persons, receiving of penitents, and debarring of persons from the LORDS Table.
Edinburgh 3 August 1652. Post meridiem. Sess. 20.
The Generall Assembly, considering the obligations that lyes upon all Ecclesiastick Judicatories and Ministers within this Land, by the commandment of GOD, and our Covenants and Engagements taken upon us, before GOD and the World, (whereunto they resolve, in the power of the LORD’S might, constantly to adhere) and to shew themselves faithfull and zealous in all their administrations for the LORD, and for advancing the Work of Reformation; and particularly, considering that the condition of this time doth require in speciall wayes, that in trying, admitting, removing and deposing of Church-Officers, censuring of scandalous persons, dispensing of Ordinances, receiving of penitents, the Rules of the Word of GOD, and Constitutions of this Kirk, be diligently put in execution, and accuratly observed.
Therefore,
The Assembly Ordains, That Presbyteries and Synods, in admitting of Persons to the Ministery, be accurate in their tryals, according to the Order prescribed in this Church, that none be admitted to the holy and high function, but such as are qualified according as is required in the Word of GOD, and Constitutions of this Kirk, both for knowledge in the mystery of godlinesse, and abilities to teach and convince the gainsayers, as also in conversation and godlinesse, that they lay hands suddenly on no man, nor be partaker of other mens sin; and for this end, that every Presbyterie be careful to have gathered together such Acts of Assemblies as concerneth the triall of Ministers, and have them before them, whensoever any person is called to any place of the Ministery, and is upon his trials.
2. Ordains that Presbyteries and Synods, in their respective bounds, make conscience, that such Ministers as are found either ignorant and not apt to feed the people of God with knowledge and understanding, or erroneous in their judgment in matters of Religion, or are scandalous in their life and conversation, and are not examples unto their flocks in godly and holy walking, or disaffected to the work of Reformation, be censured according to the degree of their offence, and Acts of Assemblies. And for this end, that they be frequent and accurate in visitation of Kirks, and therein make consciencious use of the rules prescribed for visitations, and of such Acts of former Assemblies, as holds forth the duties of Ministers, and the grounds and causes of censure.
3. Ordains that, where Ministers lawfully deposed, are unlawfully admitted, and not according to the Order prescribed in the Acts of Generall Assemblies, or intrudes themselves into places, Presbyteries and Synods make use of that power and authority which Christ hath put in their hands, to remedy the same, and to censure such disorders and enormities, as they deserve, And that people be not accessory unto, or concurring with any Ministers that are deposed, in intruding themselves into places, nor give them any countenance that does so, as they would not draw upon themselves the wrath of God, by contemning and despising Christs Ordinance of Discipline, And that no Presbyteries or Synods proceed to open the mouths of, or re-admit unto the Ministery, any deposed Ministers, but according to the Order prescribed in the Acts of Generall Assemblies, As they will be answerable unto the General Assembly.
4. Ordains that Sessions be carefull that none be admitted to be Elders in Congregations, but such as are in some competent measure able and qualified with knowledge of Religion, and understanding of the duties of their Calling, for discharging the duties of that Office, and of a blameless, Christian, and godly conversation; And that before any be admitted to be an Elder, the Persons name that is designed, be publickly intimate to the Congregation the Lords day before, that if any have any thing to object against him, they may present the same to the Session or to the Minister. And that if any Elder be found negligent in the duties of his charge, and continue so after admonition, or scandalous in his life and conversation, or to be a neglecter of the worship of GOD in his Family, he be removed from, and purged out of the Session.
5. Ordains that Sessions and Presbyteries be carefull, and make conscience by all means to censure impartially all persons of whatsoever rank or condition, that are scandalous, either in things of the first, or in things of the second Table, according to the Rules and Order which Christ hath prescribed in his Word, and to proceed to the highest censures, with such as are grossely and obstinately scandalous, or are ignorant, and contemn, and continuedly neglect the means of knowledge, as publick and private catechizing, &c. after they are made inexcusable by sufficient means used to reclaim and gain them.