THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST. PART III. THE PAST AND PRESENT CONDITION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. A HISTORICAL CONFIRMATION OF THE SCRIPTURAL FORM OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 'He is the freeman whom the truth makes free, And all are slaves beside.' 'The Lord shall be king over all the earth; in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one.' CHAPTER L STARS IN THE NIGHT. 'Those who gave early notice,-as the lark By striking out a solitary spark, When all the world with midnight gloom was dark,— In vain endeavoured to exterminate.' § 1. EARLY CONDITION OF THE Kingdom. EIGHTEEN centuries ago, one meek and lowly traversed the hills and vales of Palestine. Accompanied by a few poor followers, He proceeded from city to village, stood by its shores, reclined on its hills, and sailed over the bosom of its lakes. A herald preceded Him with the message, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Three years He Himself taught the blessedness of its subjects, fulfilling all righteousness, calling, training, and commissioning officers of that kingdom. At length He expired, dying the cursed death of the cross, while over His head was written: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.' That same Jesus liveth by the power of God. He is exalted a Prince and a Saviour, and shall come again with terrific majesty to judge the world. Only for a time did that kingdom appear to be destroyed. Soon after the crucifixion, its agents spoke and acted with power. The facts concerning Jesus Christ, His incarnation, His character of unequalled benevolence and purity, His atoning death, His victorious resurrection and ascension, were everywhere attested. Persecution and death added fuel to the flames of zeal. New disciples were instructed and empowered to advance His glory. They lived for one end, to worship and serve the Y Saviour. Thus, His chariot advanced through many lands. The kingdom was established, and the promise rejoiced in: 'He must reign,' All nations shall call Him blessed.' Then, in Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, Thessalonica, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and many other places, the grand essential principles of presbyterial church government were more or less fully practised. This position has been established by an examination of the testimony of Scripture. This is one secure foundation, and nothing can add to its strength. The structure-government by presbytery-cannot be overthrown. No weapon formed against even this outer rampart of the kingdom can prosper. Every tongue rising against it in judgment is condemned. It is, notwithstanding, an interesting question, Whether history confirms this declaration? Have Christians, in former and later times, formed and acted upon this testimony of Scripture? Their opinions and practices are of no value as an ultimate standard. Still, that truth, possessed from the Bible, may be more joyfully acknowledged and promoted in the company of the faithful. The preceding table reminds of the period of great tribulation through which the Church of the first three centuries was called to pass. Some attention to the selections already presented from the Christian writings of that period, shows most fully what a difference there is between inspired and uninspired documents. Consequently, on the one hand, it must be remembered that there were many hindrances to the complete organization of the Church; and, on the other, that this evidence at best is not such a foundation as can be built upon with implicit confidence. And yet the testimony presented is sufficient to prove that during the first three centuries, several essentials of presbyterial government prevailed, whilst there is no evidence whatever of Prelacy as such. Thus it is evident— 1. That the only officers in the Church, during the ministry of Clement and Polycarp, were Presbyter-bishops and deacons. 2. That the election of these officers was with the consent of the membership of the several churches. 3. That a distinction amongst ministers arose after the middle of the second century, when the presidents or moderators of Presbytery assumed the title of Bishop,' which distinction became more prominent about the end of the third century. 6 4. That no exclusive power was claimed by these 'Bishops' as an inherent right. And, consequently— 5. That whilst the government was being gradually corrupted, it remained for three centuries substantiaily presbyterial. The cloud in the middle of the second century was very small. By the end of the fourth century, it had darkened the whole of the ecclesiastical firmament. In the fifth, Leo, Bishop of Rome, advanced a claim, hitherto unknown. Prelates saw that this eloquent and clever man was immoderately devoted to the extension of his power; and with one voice they cried, Peter speaks in Leo.' When the fiery car of persecution was arrested, heresies and schisms prevailed. The presbyters felt unable to cope with the prevailing desire for rank and power. Intrigue, worldly ambition, and other vices, rather than godly sincerity and simplicity, were manifested. The absence of a settled purpose to rectify existing evils according to the Word of God, led to the gradual corruption of the Church. In such circumstances, only a continual miracle could have prevented the growth of Prelacy. Satan, as an angel of light, wrought havoc in the Church. Jewish and heathen practices were added to the scriptural doctrine and government, until at length the Mystery of iniquity' was developed. (See Killen's Ancient Church.') § 2. TIMES OF DARKNESS. It is not a very uncommon thing, in some places, for the day to become as the night. In London, such a dense fog occasionally thickens and settles down, that the beams of the sun are almost effectually obscured. Then all the appliances of art are required as in the night season. In addition, the extraordinary agency of torches and guides are requisite, that the difficulty of |