History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

undergo examination before the elders, to whom he
must give proofs that his learning was competent,
that his pulpit gifts were such as might enable him
to edify the people, and, above all, that his life was
pure, lest he should dishonor the pulpit, and bring
reproach upon "the holy office of the ministry." If
found qualified in these three particulars, "he shall
be presented," say the canons, "to the magistrate
for his approbation, in order to his preaching to the
people," that they, too, may be satisfied as to his
fitness to instruct them. There still awaits him
another ordeal before he can enter a pulpit as pastor
of a flock. He has been nominated by the
magistrate with advice of the ministers; he has
been examined by the elders; he has been accepted
by the people; and thus has given guarantees as to
his learning, his life, and his power of
communicating instruction; but before being
ordained to the office of the ministry, "his name
shall be published from the pulpit," say the canons,
"three Sundays successively, to the end that if any
man has aught to object against him, or can show
any cause why he should not be admitted, he may
have time to do it." We shall suppose that no
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