public ministern.

1564 tr. M. Flacius Illyricus Godly Admon. Decrees Counsel of Trent 41 They are celebrated by the publicque minister of the Churche [L. a publico Ecclesiæ ministro] not for him selfe only, but also for all the faithfull, whiche pertayne vnto the body of Christe.

1607 T. Rogers Faith, Doctr., & Relig. 135 The publike ministers of the word, are to be the Administers of the Sacraments.

1660 E. Stillingfleet Irenicum ii. vi. 289 The publick Minister of the Synagogue, called the Angel of the Congregation.

1795 W. B. Cadogan Funeral Serm. 21 One who by his age, by his experience, by his character, deserved to be considered as a leading man, by every public Minister, and every private Christian.

1888 C. M. Doughty Trav. Arabia Deserta II. xiii. 369 The townspeople tolerated me hitherto... But the Muttowwa, or public ministers of religion, from the first, stood contrary.

1992 J. T. Burtchaell From Synagogue to Church (2004) i. 56 Though the church may retain from its founding era a differentiation of titles and functions among its public ministers, there is no hierarchy of honor or authority among them.

1624 Proclam. James I Ambassadours & Forreigne Ministers 8 Mar. (single sheet) The great priuiledges, which by the Lawes of God and Nations are attributed unto the persons of Ambassadors, Agents, and publique Ministers of forreigne Princes and States.

1651 J. Howell S.P.Q.V. 196 This necessary Rule that evry Ambassador, or public Minister of state ought to render himself agreeable to the Prince, with whom he negotiates.

1707 J. Chamberlayne Angliæ Notitia (ed. 22) ii. xi. 147 All Letters, Intelligences, Negotiations of the Queen's publick Ministers abroad.

1787 Constit. United States Amer. iii. §ii. 17 The President..shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not..otherwise provided for.

1854 N.-Y. Daily Times 24 Mar. 4/4 The immunities of a public minister do not protect such of their attendants as are debtors, as to debts incurred before their entering the minister's service.

1917 Times 14 May 4/6 The doubt..whether an Ambassador or public Minister can be brought into Court against his will.

1925 T. H. Lay Foreign Service of U.S. 48 The Senate..possesses two distinct executive functions..to confirm, by simple majority vote, the nominations of the President to the position of ambassador, or other public minister, or consul.

1965 Times 22 Oct. 10/3 The Federal Government has sought to originate proceedings in the Supreme Court, which it is permitted to do in cases affecting ambassadors, other public Ministers and counsels.

2001 M. Keens-Soper in G. R. Berridge Diplomatic Theory from Machiavelli to Kissinger v. 102 On 20 December [1675] the Court of Holland imprisoned him on the grounds that although he was a public minister (diplomat) he remained a Dutch national and in the paid service of the States.