June 1654: An Ordinance for giving further time for Approbation of Publique Preachers.

June, 1654.

[23 June, 1654.]

Ord. of 20 March, 1653, as to public preachers recited.; Powers of Commissioners appointed thereby for approbation of preachers prolonged to 23 July next.

Whereas by an Ordinance, Entituled, An Ordinance appointing Commissioners for Approbation of Publique Preachers, it is among other things Ordained, That in case any person who since the first day of April, One thousand six hundred fifty and three, hath been placed in any Benefice or Publique Lecture, shall not before the four and twentieth day of June, One thousand six hundred fifty and four, obtain Approbation and Admittance, in maner as in the said Ordinance is expressed, then the person or persons, who have right thereunto, shall or may present or nominate some other fit and able person to such place. Forasmuch as divers persons concerned in that Clause of the said Ordinance, have tendred themselves to Approbation, whose cases could not by the time aforesaid be determined; Be it Ordained by His Highness the Lord Protector, by and with the Advice and Consent of His Council, That the said Commissioners be and hereby are Impowered to give Approbation and Admittance to any person concerned in that Clause of the said Ordinance, according to the rules mentioned and expressed in the said Ordinance, at any time before the three and twentieth day of July next, and that in the mean time no person or persons shall present or nominate any person to any Benefice or Publique Lecture, in the place of any such person, for want of such Approbation, by the time aforesaid, Any thing in the said recited Ordinance to the contrary notwithstanding. But if such approbation and Admittance be not by the said three and twentieth of July, obtained by the persons therein concerned, then such person or persons as have right thereunto, may present or nominate some other fit and able person to such place, according to the said Ordinance.