Ordinary (Lat. ordinarius) is a word used in common and canon law to designate one who has regular or immediate jurisdiction, in opposition to those who are extraordinarily appointed. In England the bishops: conmonly the ordinary fora diocese, and the archbishop for a province. Says Coke, in his Second Institute, p 398, "This word signifieth a bishop, or he or they iht have ordinary jurisdiction, and is derived ab'ordine and gives this quaint reason, that the name was selected for the purpose of keeping the individual who bears it in perpetual remembrance of "the high order and office that he is called unto." When the word is used at the present day, it generally, denotes either the individual who has the right to grant letters of administration of the effects of deceased persons, or him who has the right of ecclesiastical visitation. The ordinary of assizes and sessions was formerly a deputy of the bishop appointed to give malefactors the neck- verse — i.e. the verse which was read by a party to entitle him to the benefit of clergy. The ordinary of Newgate is a clergyman who attends on condemned culprits, and, as it is commonly expressed, prepares them for death.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More