Touching the Doctrine of Ordination
Touching the Doctrine of Ordination
The Form of Presbyterial Church Government of the Westminster Assembly (1645), with audio and free PDF: church structure in presbyteries and synods, and the government of elders
NO man ought to take upon him the office of a minister of the word without a lawful calling.
Ordination is always to be continued in the church.
Ordination is the solemn setting apart of a person to some publick church office.
Every minister of the word is to be ordained by imposition of hands, and prayer, with fasting, by those preaching presbyters to whom it doth belong.
It is agreeable to the word of God, and very expedient, that such as are to be ordained ministers, be designed to some particular church, or other ministerial charge.
He that is to be ordained minister, must be duly qualified, both for life and ministerial abilities, according to the rules of the apostle.
He is to be examined and approved by those by whom he is to be ordained.
No man is to be ordained a minister for a particular congregation, if they of that congregation can shew just cause of exception against him.