(Vol. v., p. 274.)
No such oath as that given in page 274. of "N. & Q." is taken by
Presbyterian ministers. Immediately previous to the ordination of a
minister of the church of Scotland, the Moderator--that is, the member
of Presbytery who presides upon the occasion--calls upon him to answer
certain questions, acknowledging the Scriptures to be the word of God,
the doctrines of the Confession of Faith to be the truth of God;
disowning certain doctrinal errors; declaring his belief that the
Presbyterian government and discipline of this church are founded on the
word of God, and agreeable thereto; expressing the views with which he
enters the ministry, and his resolution faithfully to discharge its
duties. Having answered these questions satisfactorily, he is set aside
to the work of the ministry by prayer and imposition of the hands of the
Presbytery (the local Ecclesiastical Court).
At the conclusion of the service he is called on to sign what is called
the Formula, an abstract of the first portion of the questions put to
him. It is as follows:--
"I, A. B., do hereby declare, that I do sincerely own and believe
the whole doctrine contained in 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; 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, 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 Kirk Sessions, 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
prejudice 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, or government of this church.
"Signed, A. B."
No oath is taken, and no obligation come under but the above. In the
Confession of Faith, under the head Church, the supremacy of the Pope is
denied; but neither in that, the Questions, or the Formula, is there any
other reference to any other form of church government.