concerning probationers or intrants to the ministry, is seriously recommended to all presbyteries; and some overtures, about licensing probationers, and the trial of them, or intrants to the ministry, are transmitted, and the observance of them recommended, until the next assembly.-Act 13. Ass,

1708.

XXI. Enacted, that none be admitted to trials, in order to be licensed, but such as have attended the profession of divinity for six years, or have closely followed the study of divinity and of the languages, for that space at least, after they have passed their course of philosophy at the college, and made proficiency therein, in case their circumstances did not allow them to attend the profession; though it were to be desired that they should attend the profession of divinity much of that time; but this is not extended to students having the Irish language; providing that before any presbytery license such students within the said first six years, they first consult the general assembly, or the commission thereof, in the matter. And 'tis further ordained, That none be licensed in any presbytery, except they have resided therein for the space of six years, or produce to them sufficient testimonials from the presbyteries in whose bounds they have last, or for the most part resided, bearing expressly, that it is the desire of these presbyteries, that these students should be entered upon trials: And such students as come from abroad, shall produce satisfying testimonials from the professors under whom they studied; and the time of their being abroad shall be accounted a part of the said six years; but none of these students shall be entered on trials for the space of a whole year after they come to Scotland: And 'tis also ordained, That, the above space of six years being expired, and testimonials produced in manner foresaid, the presbytery which is to take trial of these students, shall, before they enter them upon trials in order to be licensed, write letters to all other presbyteries within the synod, acquainting them with their design; and at the next meeting of the synod, they shall also acquaint the synod thercof, and

obtain their special advice and judgment in that particular. And the punctual observance of all acts already made concerning probationers and intrants to the ministry, is seriously recommended to all presbyteries; and that, before any presbyteries receive any upon trials, in order to his being licensed, three or four of the number be appointed to converse with him, and to take trial of his orthodoxy, knowledge in divinity; particularly, the modern controversies, and other necessary qualifications for the ministry, and what sense and impression he has of religion upon his own soul; and that they make report of their diligence herein, before the presbytery admit him to the probationary trials. And presbyteries are discharged to put the call of any parish into the hand of the probationer called; and they are appointed to keep the same still in their own hands, until the said probationer's trials be over, and that the presbytery be fully satisfied both as to his sufficiency and fitness for that parish: And certain questions are appointed to be put to all such as pass trials in order to be licensed; as also to such as shall be ordained ministers, or admitted to any ministerial charge or parish: And a Formula is set down, which they are appointed to subscribe before they be licensed, ordained, or admitted respectively: And the licensing, ordaining, or admitting any who shall not give satisfying answers to these questions, and subscribe the formula here subjoined, is prohibited and discharged.Follow the

Questions to be put to probationers.-1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the word of God, and the only rule of faith and manners? 2. Do you sincerely own and believe the whole doctrine of the confession of faith, approven by the general assemblies of this national church, and ratified by law in the year 1690, and frequently confirmed by divers acts of parliament since that time, to be the truths of God contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament? And do you own the whole doctrine therein contained as the confession of your faith? 3. Do you sincerely own the purity of worship presently authorised and

practised in this church, and asserted in Act 15, Ass. 1707, intitled, Act against innovations in the worship of God? And also own the Presbyterian government and discipline, now so happily established in this church? And are you persuaded, That the said doctrine, worship, discipline, and church-government are founded upon the holy Scriptures, and agreeable thereto? 4. Do you promise, That, through the grace of God, you will firmly and constantly adhere to, and in your station, to the utmost of your power, assert, maintain, and defend the said doctrine, worship, discipline, and the government of this church by kirk-sessions, presbyteries, provincial synods, and general assemblies? 5. Do you promise, That in your practice you will conform yourself to the said worship, and submit yourself to the said discipline and government of this church, and shall never endeavour, directly or indirectly, the prejudice or subversion of the same? 6. Do you promise, That you shall follow no divisive courses from the present establishment of the church? 7. Do you renounce all doctrines, tenets or opinions whatsoever, contrary to, or inconsistent with the said doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of this church? 8. Do you promise, That you will subject yourself to the several judicatures of this church?Follows the

Formula.-I, -, do hereby declare, That I do sincerely own and believe the whole doctrine contained in the confesson of faith approven by the general assemblies of this national church, and ratified by law in the year 1690, and frequently confirmed by divers acts of parliament since that time, to be the truths of God; and I do own the same as the confession of my faith: As likewise, I do own the purity of worship presently authorised and practised in this church; and also, the presbyterian government and discipline, now so happily established therein; which doctrine, worship, and church-government, I am persuaded, are founded upon the word of God, and agreeable thereto: And I promise, That

a Innovations.

through the grace of God, I shall firmly and constantly adhere to the same; and, to the utmost of my power, shall, in my station, assert, maintain, and defend the said doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of this church by kirksessions, presbyteries, provincial synods, and general assemblies; and that I shall in my practice, conform myself to the said worship, and submit to the said discipline and government; and never endeavour, directly or indirectly, the preju dice or subversion of the same: And I promise, That I shall follow no divisive course from the present establishment in this church; renouncing all doctrines, tenets, and opinions whatsoever contrary to, or inconsistent with the said doctrine, worship, discipline and government of this church.—

Act 10. Ass. 1711.

XXII. For explication of the above Act 10. Ass. 1711, 'tis declared to be fit, That, before one presbytery grant a recommendation or desire to another presbytery, for entering a student of divinity upon trials, they take the usual private trials appointed by the said act to be taken of such students, as if they were to be passed before themselves.Act 10. Ass.

1713.

XXIII. The strict observation of Act 5. Ass. 1705, and of Act 10. Ass. 1711, and other acts of assembly, about trying and licensing probationers, is seriously recommended to all professors of divinity, and presbyteries within this church: And 'tis further recommended to presbyteries, That they cause read to the young men about to be tried, the engagements required by the said Act 10. Ass. 1711, of such as are to be licensed; and that they take a promise of the said young men, That they will subscribe to, and punctually observe the same, in case they be licensed: And presbyteries are desired to record this their promise in their books, and to cause all this to be done before any part of the public trials be prescribed: And in case of students bringing testimonials from their pro

fessors, or from presbyteries wherein they have for the most part resided, in the terms of the foresaid acts in order to their passing trials in some other presbytery; such presbytery, to whom they come so recommended, are not to begin their trials, until they have resided at least half a year immediately before, in their bounds: And the visitors of presbytery-books are appointed to report to their synods, an account of the diligence of the several presbyteries in this matter, but 'tis provided, that what is above-contained shall not be extended to students having the Irish language.—Act 6. Ass. 1714.

XXIV. The ordinary allowances payable by the acts of assembly to preachers, sent from time to time by the assembly or commissions thereof, to supply vacant churches, or in order to be settled in the North, the Highlands, and Islands, are appointed to be paid next to the stated annual charges of the church, and before any other claim and demand whatsoever, that shall be made out of the church's public money.-Act. 5. Ass. 1715.

XXV. Enjoined, That all former acts made with respect to the entering of students upon trials for the ministry be strictly observed. And further, 'tis appointed, That when any presbytery about to enter a person upon trials, shall receive a letter from another presbytery, shewing their dissatisfaction with said person, and giving grounds for it, he shall not be licensed until the synod give their directions in the matter, unless the presbytery which shewed dissatisfaction, afterwards signify their consent, that the trials should go on. And presbyteries who shall receive such letters about students, are appointed to write a return to them, by first post after their meeting. And likewise appointed, That when any young man comes to wait upon the profession of divinity in any university, he shall bring a certificate from the minister whence he comes; and when he leaves the profession, he shall also take with him, besides the professor's certificate, a testimonial from the minister of that parish in which he resided when he attended the profession.-Act. 12. Ass 1727.

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