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"sion 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 authorized 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, through "the grace of God, I shall firmly and constantly ad"here 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 Kirk Sessions, Presbyte"ries, 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 prejudice or subversion of the same. "And I promise, that I shall follow no divisive "courses from the present establishment in this "Church, renouncing all doctrines, tenets, and opin"ions whatsoever, contrary to, or inconsistent with "the said doctrine, worship, discipline, and govern"ment of this Church,"

These licentiates are under the inspection, and, in some respects, subject to the orders, of the Presbytery within which they reside; and the nature of their situation is properly expressed by the ecclesiastical name Probationer; a name, which reminds them that the course of their studies, as well as their general conduct, should be directed with a view to their future establishment; and, that, during the time of their probation for the Ministry, although they have no right to dispense the sacraments, they may improve

their talents for composition and elocution, by preaching occasionally, as they are called. Unless, therefore, they be engaged to assist a clergyman disabled by age and sickness, they remain without any regular employment, or fixed charge, until they receive a presentation to a Church. They then-undergo a second trial before the Presbytery, to whom the presentation is addressed, and are required by them to repeat their subscription to the formula. If they' find that he is not qualified, in respect of doctrine, literature, or moral character, their sentence, declaring him unqualified, unless it be reversed by their ecclesiastical superiors, renders his presentation void.

Second. The presentation of the patron. Every parish has a patron, who nominates, or presents a minister. If this patron does not present, within six months after the commencement of the vacancy, the Presbytery may take such steps as they think proper, ' to supply the parish. He may not receive any money as a compensation for the presentation; and, by the laws against simony, the candidate for presentation, who is guilty of it, is punished by deposition. No candidate, but one who has been licensed by the Church, can be presented to a parish. And every candidate thus licensed, must be admitted by the Presbytery; or the patron retains the whole income of the benifice in his own hands. The Church, however, possesses competent power to extend her trial of candidates for presentation, to those particular qualifications which local circumstances render indispensable.

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Third. The voice of the people. These have an opportunity of expressing their sentiments in two different ways. Before a Presbytery to whom a pre-sentation is addressed, take the candidate upon the second trials, which, if a probationer, he is, by the laws of the Church, required to undergo, they appoint him to preach in the parish Church; and, whether he is probationer, or an ordained minister,

they assemble there upon a day, of which notice has been given to the parish, at least ten days before. After a sermon suited to the occasion, by one of their number, they inform the people, that a presentation in his favour has been received, and ask them to subscribe a paper named a call, inviting him to be their minister, and promising him subjection in the Lord. It has been the immemorial practice of the Church of Scotland, by appointing the moderation of a call, to give the people an opportunity of encouraging the labours of their future minister, by addressing to him this invitation; and, in consequence of this practice, one of the legal steps in the settlement of a minister, is a sentence of the Presbytery sustaining the call. But whatever was the state of matters at the time when the practice began, it is now understood, that a call may be sustained, however small the number of subscribers. For although the matter was long vehemently contested, and is still occasionally the subject of discussion, the Church courts have shown, by the train of their decisions, during the greater part of the last century, that they do not consider themselves as warranted by law to refuse admission to a presentee, upon account of any deficiency in the subscriptions to his call.

The second way in which the Church provides for the voice of the people being legally heard in the admission of their Minister, is, by giving the inhabitants of a parish a right to appear as accusers of the presentee. At any time, during the course of his trials, they may give in to the Presbytery, a libel, charging him with immorality of conduct, or un. soundness of doctrine. When they present the libel, they bind themselves, under pain of ecclesiastical censure, to prove it ; but the Presbytery is not at liberty to proceed to the settlement, till the libel be discussed. After the trials of the presentee are finished, all who have any objections to his life or

doctrine, are summoned, by a paper read from the pulpit, which is called an edict, to appear on the day appointed for his ordination, which is at the distance of not less than ten days from the reading of the edict, and may then, without the formality of a libel, state their objections as matter of charge. The charge is disregarded by the Presbytery, if it is frivolous; and as proof must be instantly adduced, the edict does not afford any occasion of vexatious delay, but it gives persons, the most unacquainted with the forms of business, an opportunity of stating their personal knowledge of any circumstance in the character and conduct of the presentee, which renders him unworthy of being a minister of the Gospel.

Fourth. The solemn deed of Presbytery. If no bar has arisen in consequence of the edict, the Presbytery proceed, upon the day of which notice has been given, with a solemnity corresponding to the nature of the Ministerial office, to complete the settlement of the presentee. After a sermon, suited to the occasion, one of their number, who had been appointed to perform that service in their presence, and in face of the congregation, proposes to the presentee the following questions, appointed by the 10th Act of the General Assembly, 1711, to be put to ministers, at their ordination.

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 contained in the Confession of faith, approven by the General Assemblies of this Church, "and ratified by law, in the year 1690, to be founded upon the word of God? And do you acknowledge "the same as the confession of your faith; and will you firmly and constantly adhere thereto, and, to "the utmost of your power, assert, maintain, and "defend the same, and the purity of worship as pre

"sently practised in this National Church, and as"serted in the 15th Act of Assembly, 1707?

3. "Do you disown all Popish, Arian, Socinian, "Arminian, Bourignian, and other doctrines, tenets, "and opinions whatsoever, contrary to, and incon"sistent with, the foresaid Confession of faith?

4. "Are you persuaded that the Presbyterian go"vernment and discipline of this Church are found"ed upon the word of God, and agreeable thereto? "And do you promise to submit to the said govern

ment and discipline, and to concur with the same, " and never endeavour, directly or indirectly, the "prejudice or subversion thereof; but, to the utmost "of your power, in your station, to maintain, sup

port, and defend the said discipline, and Presbyte"rian government, by Kirk Sessions, Presbyteries, "Provincial Synods, and General Assemblies, during "all the days of your life?

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5" Do you promise to submit yourself willingly "and humbly, in the spirit of meekness, unto the "admonitions of the brethren of this Presbytery, and "to be subject to them, and all other Presbyteries "and superior judicatures of this Church, where God, in his providence, shall cast your lot; and "that according to your power you shall maintain "the unity and peace of this Church against error "and schism, notwithstanding of whatsoever trouble "or persecution may arise; and that you shall follow "no divisive. courses from the present established "doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of "this Church?

6. "Are not zeal for the honour of God, love to "Jesus Christ, and desire of saving souls, your great "motives and chief inducements to enter into the "functions of the holy Ministry, and not worldly *designs and interest?

7. "Have you used any undue methods, either "by yourself, or others, in procuring this call? 8. "Do you engage, in the strength of Jesus