III - How the persons that beare Ecclesiasticall functions, are to bee admitted to their office

Vocation or calling is common to all that should beare office within the Kirk, which is a lawfull way, by the which qualified persons are promoted to any spirituall office within the Kirk of God.

Without this lawful calling it was never leasome to any person to meddle with any function Ecclesiasticall.

There are two sorts of Calling, one extraordinarie by God immediately, as was of the Prophets and Apostles, which in Kirks established, and well alreadie reformed hath no place.

The other calling is ordinarie, which besides the calling of God, and inward testimony of a good conscience, is the lawfull approbation, and outward judgement of men, according to Gods word, and order established in his Kirk.

None ought to presume to enter in any office Ecclesiasticall without this good testimony before God, who onely knowes the hearts of men.

This ordinary and outward calling hath two parts, election and ordination. Election is the chosing out of a person, or persons, most able, to the office that vakes, by the judgement of the Eldership, and consent of the Congregation, to which shall be the person, or persons appointed.

The qualities in generall requisite in all them, who should beare charge in the Kirk, consist in soundnesse of religion, and godlinesse of life, according as they are sufficiently set forth in the Word.

In the order of Election it is to be eschewed, that any person be intrused in any offices of the Kirk, contrary to the will of the congregation to which they are appointed, or without the voice of the Eldership.

None ought to be intrused, or placed in the places already planted, or in any roome that vakes not, for any worldly respect: and that which is called the benefice ought to be nothing else, but the stipend of the Ministers that are lawfully called.

Ordination is the separation and sanctifying of the person appointed to God and his Kirk, after he be well tryed and found qualified.

The Ceremonies of Ordination are fasting, earnest prayer, and imposition of hands of the Eldership.

All thir, as they must be raised up by God, and by him made able for the work whereto they are called; so ought they know their message to be limited within Gods word, without the bounds of the which they ought not to passe.

All thir should take these titles and names onely (lest they be exalted and puft up in themselves) which the Scriptures gives unto them, as these which import labour, travell and work, and are names of offices and service, and not of idlenesse, dignity, worldly honour or preheminence, which by Christ our Master is expresly reproved and forbidden.

All these Office-bearers should have their own particular flocks amongst whom they exercise their charge.

All should make residence with them, and take the inspection and oversight of them, every one in his vocation.

And generally thir twa things ought they all to respect: the glorie of God, and edifying of his Kirk, in discharging their dueties in their calling.