54. Why is such a form of government necessary to the church?

Because the christian church is a society, and no society can exist without laws and order,and because the church, having no civil power, authority or interference, requires a spiritual authority sufficient to preserve order, censure the disobedient, expel the rebellious, and to encourage and sustain the pious.

Heb. xiii, 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do it with joy, and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you.

Isa. xxxiii, 20, 23. Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken: for the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; he will save us.

55. What is meant by the divine right of church government ?

By the divine right of church government, we are taught, that it is sanctioned by divine approbation, established by divine acts, and enforced by divine precepts.

56. Have different forms of church government been adopted by different churches of professing christians?

Yes, there have been several different forms of church government adopted by different denominations of professing christians.

SECTION II.

Of the Presbyterian form of church government.

57. What form of church government do you believe to be most agreeable to the word of God, and therefore to be most properly entitled to the claim of divine right?

That plan of church government which is denominated Presbyterianism.

58. What is the origin of the word Presbyte

rianism?

The word is taken from scripture, in which the officers of the church are called Presbyters or Elders.

Acts xiv, 23. And when they had ordained them elders (i. e. presbyters) in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 1 Tim. iv, 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

59. Were there in the times of the apostles, churches which were called by different names, and which yet claimed to be the true churches of Christ, such as the Episcopalian church, the Roman Catholic church, &c.?

No, we read of no such names in scripture? 60. By what name then, were believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, at that time called?

They were at first called disciples, and afterwards christians, while their churches were denominated after the place in which they were located.

61. When were these various names by which the church is now distinguished, introduced?

They were introduced at various times, as different opinions arose on the subjects to which these names refer.

62. Why was the term Presbyterian applied to those by whom it is now received?

When those scriptural principles, by which the equality of ministers, and the government of the church by Presbyters, were subverted and denied; this name was adopted to hold forth the attachment of those who embraced it, to that form of church government, and to those doctrines, which are sanctioned by scripture, in opposition to those forms and doctrines which were founded on human authority, and which had usurped their place.

63. Do Presbyterians acknowledge any man to be their head or founder, by whose name they are called?

No, they call no man master on earth; neither do they acknowledge any other foundation for their system of faith and government, than the word of God.

64. What are the essential principles of the Presbyterian form of church government?

The supreme headship of Jesus Christ,-the official equality of its ministers,-the office of ruling elders,-the election of the officers of particular churches by church members, and the ministerial and subordinate authority of its courts and rulers.

65. What is further essential to the constitution of the Presbyterian church?

It is essential to the constitution of the Presbyterian church that all her pastors be equal in authority; that the government and discipline in each particular church be conducted by a bench of presbyters or elders, and not by all the communicants; and that all the several churches be bound together under the authority of presbyteries, and other courts of review and control, as circumstances may render expedient and neces

sary.

66. Is it then necessary, in order to constitute any particular church Presbyterian, that it should be in formal connexion with a presbytery?

It has certainly been the unvarying doctrine of the Presbyterian church, founded on the word of God, that all particular churches should be united together, under one presbyterial government; and that any church, therefore, which remains in a state of isolated independency, or goes back to that condition, cannot be considered as truly a Presbyterian church.

67. What do you mean by the supreme headship of the Lord Jesus Christ?

By the supreme headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, I mean that under Him, the whole number of the elect shall be collected into one house and family of God; that He has given to this catholic visible church, the ministry and ordinances, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints in this life, to the end of the world; that he doth, by his own presence and spirit,

according to his promise, make them effectual thereunto; and that further, besides the Lord Jesus Christ there is no other head of the church having authority to legislate for it, or to frame laws and institute officers, binding on the consciences of men.

Psa. ii, 6. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. Matt. xxviii, 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 1 Pet. v, 3. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. See also Matt. xxvii, 22. Col. i, 18. Eph. i, 22. Matt. xxiii, 8-10. 2 Thess. 2-4. Eph. iv, 11–23.