THE

FOR M

OF

PRESBYTERIAL CHURCH-GOVERNMENT,

AND

OF ORDINATION OF MINISTERS;

AGREED UPON BY:

THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES

AT WESTMINSTER,

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF

.COM MISSIONER S

FROM THE

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,

AS

A Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of CHRIST in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland:

WITH

An Act of the General Assembly, Anno 1645, approving the same.

Ezek. xliii. 11. And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof; and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.

Assembly at Edinburgh, February 10. 1645. Sess. 16.

Acr of the General Assembly of the Kirk of ScotLAND, approving the Propositions concerning Kirkgovernment, and Ordination of Ministers.

THE General Assembly being most desirous and solicitous, not only of the establishment and preservation of the Form of Kirk-government in this kingdom, according to the word of God, books of Discipline, acts of General Assemblies, and National Covenant, but also of an uniformity in Kirk-government betwixt these kingdoms, now more straitly and strongly united by the late Solemn League and Covenant; and considering, that as in former times there did, so hereafter there may arise, through the nearness of contagion, manifold mischiefs to this kirk from a corrupt form of government in the kirk of England: likeas the precious opportunity of bringing the kirks of Christ in all the three kingdoms to an uniformity in Kirkgovernment being the happiness of the present times above the former; which may also, by the blessing of God, prove an effectual mean, and a good foundation to prepare for a safe and well grounded pacification, by removing the cause from which the present pressures and bloody wars did originally proceed: and now the Assembly having thrice read, and diligently examined, the propositions (hereunto annexed) concerning the officers, assemblies, and government of the kirk, and concerning the ordination of ministers, brought unto us, as the results of the long and learned debates of the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, and of the treaty of uniformity with the Commissioners of this kirk there residing; after mature deliberation, and after timeous calling upon, and warning of all, who have any exceptions against the same,: to make them known, that they might receive satisfaction; doth agree to and approve the propositions afore-mentioned, touching Kirk-government and Ordination; and doth hereby authorise the Commissioners of this Assembly, who

are to meet at Edinburgh, to agree to and conclude in the name of this Assembly, an uniformity betwixt the kirks in both kingdoms, in the afore-mentioned particulars, so soon as the same shall be ratified, without any substantial alteration, by an ordinance of the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England; which ratification shall be timely intimate and made known by the Commissioners of this kirk residing at London. Provided always, That this act be no ways prejudicial to the further discussion and examination of that article which holds forth, That the doctor or teacher hath power of the administration of the sacraments, as well as the pastor; as also of the distinct rights and interests of presbyteries and people in the calling of ministers; but that it shall be free to debate and discuss these points, as God shall be pleased to give further light.

THE

ESUS CHRIST, upon whose shoulders the government is, whose name everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace a; of the increase of whose government and peace there shall be no end; who sits upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and justice, from henceforth, even for ever; having all power given unto him in heaven and in earth by the Father, who raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, far above all principalities and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, and put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all: he being ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things, received gifts for his church, and gave officers necessary for the edification of his church, and perfecting of his saints b.

a isa. ix. 6, 7.

b Mat. xxviii. 18, 19, 20. Eph, i. 20, 21, 22, 23. Compared with Eph. iv. 8, 11. and Psal. lxviii. 18.

Of the Church,

THERE is one general church visible, held forth in the

New Testament 2.