CHAPTER XXII.

287

§ 3. THE ARGUMENT FROM EXPEDIENCY.

(1.) Expediency the resort when other
supports fail-Paley's view-Dr Hooker
-Four considerations of utility-
(2.) Distinction between order and de-
gree-Usher-Consequences-(3.) Pro-
per to submit to civil and ecclesiastical
authorities-Can arrangements desti-
tute of Scripture authority be allowed?
-Dr Whately's disallowance - The
lowlier and safer path,

Prelacy inexpedient.-Remedy worse than

disease-The system, not those within

it, held inexpedient-Failed in pro-

moting the extension and beneficial

regulation of the Church-Instances, 291

Conclusion.-(1.) The arguments are be-

side the question-(2.) Prelacy has

not been proved to be of Divine right-

(3.) Presbytery fully established-

Assumptions Presumptions - And

longings,

-

293

PRESBYTERIAL EPISCOPACY.

Three important conditions of good

government, .

1. Liberty, not lawlessness, secured-

Church power inherent in all the mem-

bership This is for doctrine, discip-

line, worship, and government-Exer-

cised in well-appointed channels-(1.)

Election-All have an equal voice in

the selection of officers-Essential to

liberty-(2.) Representation-Exercise

of power by representatives consistent

with liberty-(3.) Assent or consent

must be obtained in extraordinary

cases (4.) Appeal and protest - If

aggrieved, there may be reference or

appeal-Protest the last resort-The

ruling elder the embodiment of free-

dom,

2. Authority.-Ministerial authority not

from the people, but from Christ-To

make and associate disciples - The

highest office-No authority to domi-

nate. Manifestations Separatists-

Congregationalism - Popery - Prelacy

-The argument from monarchy in-

volves Popery-Contradicted by Scrip-

ture and experience-How dignity

rises and falls-Equal authority-Ten-

dencies to Prelatic Episcopacy-Pres-

byterial parity manifesting authorita-

tive guidance and instruction,

305

305

309

-

The

316

3. Unity maintained is manifested-
(1.) Locally-(a) Conjunct government
manifests unity in the congregation-
(b) So, amongst neighbouring asso-
ciated congregations, as a river--This
impossible when there is a refusal to
unite-This removable-Circumstan-
ces regulate extent and regularity-In-
dependency may be a necessity,

(2.) Nationally.-In a province, for re-

view of proceedings and difficulties in

presbyteries--So, in a nation, the

smaller subject to the larger, and that

to the Church-Continual association

of teaching and ruling elders neces-

sary-People ought not to assemble for

deliberation - Two chambers

check provided-Free representative

assemblies the cardinal principle, 318

(3.) Universally.-The government co-

extensive with the Church-Difficulty

of solution-Two questions-(a) Is uni-

versal government by Presbytery scrip-

tural? -Answered by commission,

actions, predictions (b) Has such

government been beneficially exem-

plified?.

Three instances (1.) The Council of Nice

-Occasion-Proceedings.

(2.) The Synod of Dort-Convention-

Decision-Usefulness-(3.) The West-
minster Assembly-General-The re-
sult,
May not universal representative govern-
ment obtain its proper place?-Only
great questions-At rare intervals-A
grand moral spectacle-The Evangeli-
cal Alliance-Something more definite
necessary-Cannot yet be authorita-
tive-May it not be for conference ?-
How obstacles to the establishment of
the kingdom may be removed,

No modern fancy-Reformers, English

ministers, Second Book of Discipline,

and Westminster divines desired it-

The hope of the world,

.

Benefit-

Table scriptural principles-How re-

garded by the Churches,

The finding from the previous scriptural

inquiry-In this examination Presby-

tery remains-Presbytery the medium

of harmony-Wherein it harmonizes

with Prelacy and Independency-

Presbytery, in its fundamental prin-

ciples, binding by divine right,

If universal assembly possible-Still 'the
Presbytery' subject to the guidance of
the Word and Spirit of Christ-Liberty,
authority, unity nowhere else-Most
fully exercised and harmonized when
moved by the Holy Spirit,

322

323

327

329

331

332

333

PAGE

CHAPTER I.

STARS IN THE NIGHT.

Chronological table, first five centuries, 336

§ 1. Early condition of the kingdom.-Its

foundation laid-Its influence extended

-Prevailing characteristic of govern-

ment-Whether history confirms, a

question of interest-Hindrances of

the period-The evidence defective-

Sufficient to establish five particular

facts in the first three centuries-Cloud

spreading over the firmament,

Chronological Tree, see p. 567.

§ 2. Times of darkness.-The fog and its

requirements-The starlight obscured

by three methods,

Fourth century-Jerome, Ambrose, and

Augustine,

Fifth and sixth centuries-Law of the
Church-Nine bishops in Italy,
Seventh century-Papal corruptions-

337

339

340

341

Mansuetus-The Paulicians,

341

Eighth century-Bede and his work-

Bavaria,

343

Supremacy of Rome-The Church re-
formed after the divine model-Ty-
ranny felt, but not withstood-A feeble
presbyter instrumental,
§1. The Presbyter.-Luther's propositions
-Papal demands and bulls consumed
-Diet of Worms declared Luther and

others enemies of the empire-The

Wartburg-Demand of German princes

-The action of the Elector of Saxony

followed,

360

362

364

367

372

373

§ 2. The Protest.-Change of religion de-

clared to be unlawful, protested against, 375

§ 3. The Augsburg Confession.-The com-
pact-Conference - Confession - This
not permitted to be read in public, and
declaration of vengeance-War,

§ 4. Positions and Principles.-No differ-
ence of ministerial rank-Superinten-
dents-Restoration of doctrine only by
the overthrow of false government-
Luther's views-Articles of Smalcald
and the Lutheran Church-Too much
yielded to magistrates,

5. Religious Condition.-The Prussian
State-Bavaria-Wurtemberg-Saxony
-The Moravians-Spiritual life-Ra-
tionalism,
Table of statistics,

CHAPTER V.

376

377

380

383

SWITZERLAND AND THE REFORMERS.

§ 1. The Swiss Reformation.-Simultane-
ous enlightenment of Zwingle-Un-

PAGE

CHAPTER I.

STARS IN THE NIGHT.

Chronological table, first five centuries, 336

§ 1. Early condition of the kingdom.-Its

foundation laid-Its influence extended

-Prevailing characteristic of govern-

ment-Whether history confirms, a

question of interest-Hindrances of

the period-The evidence defective-

Sufficient to establish five particular

facts in the first three centuries-Cloud

spreading over the firmament,

Chronological Tree, see p. 567.
§ 2. Times of darkness.-The fog and its
requirements-The starlight obscured
by three methods,

Fourth century-Jerome, Ambrose, and
Augustine,

Fifth and sixth centuries-Law of the
Church-Nine bishops in Italy,
Seventh century-Papal corruptions-

Mansuetus-The Paulicians,

337

339

340

341

341

Eighth century-Bede and his work-

Bavaria,

343

Ninth century-Claud of Turin,

344

Tenth, eleventh, and twelfth centuries-

The Cathari and Albigenses,

345

Thirteenth century-These and the Wal-
denses spread over Europe,

246

Fourteenth century-John Wickcliffe,

Fifteenth century-John Huss, Jerome

of Prague, and the Lollards,

CHAPTER II.

THE CULDEES.

§ 1. Introduction of Christianity.-By

highway between Britain and Syria

-By the transport ships of Rome-

By the persecution-The missions of

Ninias and Palladius abortive,

§ 2. The Green Isle.-Patrick, his churches

and presbyters,

§ 3. Missionary Institutes.-Columba and

Iona-Abernethy-The Holy Isle-

Why termed Culdees - The Church

not prelatic, nor popish, but presby-

terial,

$4. The Struggle-Two discussions proof

that not subject to Rome-Coleman's

protest-How and when subdued-

Murray's protest-Traces of its exist-

ence and influence,

350

352

353

355

§ 2. The Protest.-Change of religion de-

clared to be unlawful, protested against, 375

§ 3. The Augsburg Confession. -The com-
pact-Conference-Confession - This
not permitted to be read in public, and
declaration of vengeance-War,

§ 4. Positions and Principles.-No differ-
ence of ministerial rank-Superinten-
dents-Restoration of doctrine only by
the overthrow of false government-
Luther's views-Articles of Smalcald
and the Lutheran Church-Too much
yielded to magistrates,

85. Religious Condition.-The Prussian
State-Bavaria-Wurtemberg-Saxony
-The Moravians-Spiritual life-Ra-
tionalism,