PROVINCE OF LONDON: FOURTH CLASSIS

A transcript of the register book of the Fourth Classis of the Province of London from its creation in November 1646 until November 1659. The original register was presented to Dr. Williams's Library, London, in 1884. A condition of the gift was that a transcript should be made and lodged in another library, preferably that of Sion College. Following the abolition of episcopacy in 1646 the Classes (or Classical Presbyteries) were established under Parliamentary legislation for the reform of the Church on a Presbyterian basis. Twelve Classes were proposed for the Province of London, but four of these never functioned. The Fourth Classis comprised fourteen parishes in the City of London: St. Andrew Hubbard, St. Benet Gracechurch, St. Botolph by Billingsgate, St. Clement Eastcheap, St. Dionis Backchurch, St. George Botolph Lane, St. Leonard Eastcheap, St. Magnus the Martyr, St. Margaret New Fish Street, St. Martin Orgar, St. Mary at Hill, St. Michael Cooked Lane, St. Michael Cornhill, and St. Peter Cornhill. Ministers and ruling elders took part in meetings of the Classis. The Classes were to carry the Parliamentary ordinances for the reform of religion down to parochial levels, to secure spiritual discipline, and to act as examining and ordaining bodies in lieu of the abolished bishops. The London Classes sent delegates (ministers and ruling elders) to the London Provincial Assembly. For the minutes of the latter, see Sion L40.2/E17. Tipped in on a flyleaf are: A letter from Thomas Hunter, Librarian of Dr. Williams's Library, to Revd. William Henry Milman, Librarian of Sion College. 22 April 1885. A note by Revd. Dr. Harold Smith on the provenance of the original register and the stipulation in 1884 that a transcript should be made. 14 June 1926.

'The register-booke of the fourth classis in the province of London, 1646-1659. Transcribed from the original MS. in ... Dr. Williams' Library, London with introduction and expository index by Charles E. Surman' (London: Harleian Society, 1953). Harleian Society vols 82-83. Copy in Lambeth Palace Library at H5107.L8

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