Testimony of the Reformers-Further proof that the Waldenses were Presbyterians-Additional testimony also that the Bohemian brethren embraced the doctrine of ministerial parity-The attempts of Dr. Bowden and Mr. How to show that the English Reformers were be- lievers in the divine right of Prelacy, examined and shown to be insufficient-Dr. Bowden represents the first reformation in Scotland, under Knox, as prelatical in its character-This representation shown to be an er- roneous one-Testimony of the Reformers on the conti- nent of Europe-Luther-Augustan Confession-De- fence of the Augustan Confession-Smalkald Articles- Syllabus of controverted Points-Confession of Saxony -Confession of Witemberg-French Confession-Bel- gic Confession--Second Helvetic Confession-Confession of Bohemia-Ursinus-Musculus-Szegedin―Junius- Sadeel-Crakenthorp-Further proof that the Churches of Sweden and Denmark are not, and never were, Epis➡ Testimony of Calvin-Extraordinary pains taken by favourable to Prelacy-Demonstration that this was not the case-Particular quotations from Calvin's Institutes and Commentary to show that he was a uniform believ- er in the apostolic institution of Presbyterianism-Pas- sages from Calvin's writings alleged to be favourable to Prelacy, shown to be of a directly opposite character The assertion, that Calvin was never ordained, refuted -The high honour in which he was held by Archbishop Cranmer, and the other English Reformers-His influ- ence over those Reformers-The prevalence of his opin- ions, at an early period, in the Church of England- Testimonies in favour of Calvin by eminent Episcopal writers-The personal character of Calvin vindicated His conduct in the cases of Castalio, Perrin, Gruet, Bol- sec, and Servetus, set in a true light-Dr. Bowden and Mr. How throw out many reflections against Calvinism -In doing this, they oppose the thirty-nine Articles of their own Church, and many of the most eminent Re- formers of that Church, as well as the Scriptures-The difficulties of Calvinism-Still greater difficulties in Ar- Testimony of the Successors of the Reformers-Le Blanc-Chamier Danau-Bochart-Claude-Daillé -Balduin-Dieterich-Hulsemann-Gerhard-Bud- Rise and Progress of Prelacy-Prelacy introduced, not suddenly, but by little and little-Dr. Bowden proved to be incorrect in his estimate of the great purity of the clergy during the first three centuries-Quota- tions from the Fathers to prove this-Hermas-Hegis- sippus Cyprian-Origen-Eusebius-Proof not only that clerical ambition existed, but that there were ob- vious temptations to it in those early times-Dr. Bow- den misrepresents Blondel, with respect to his opinion, as to the period at which Prelacy arose-Probably mis- represents Salmasius, Chamier, and Du Moulin in the same manner-The early community of the titles of Bi- shop and Presbyter shown to be a strong argument in LETTERS, &c. LETTER I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. CHRISTIAN BRETHREN, IT is more than two years since I addressed you in a series of "Letters on the Constitution and Order of the Christian Ministry, as deduced from Scripture and Primitive Usage." The resolution to call your attention to that subject was reluctantly formed, after much deliberation, and in compliance with what appeared to me an evident and imperious demand of duty. A love of controversy makes no part of my character. Neither my taste nor my talents are by any means suited to the field of contention. But when a minister of the gospel perceives any thing which is likely to have an unfriendly influence on the church of Christ, to which he has solemnly devoted himself, every consideration of B faithfulness forbids him to be idle. Such influence I saw, or thought I saw, was likely to result from certain publications, and other efforts, which had been made by some respectable individuals among our Episcopal brethren, in this city, and in different parts of the state, for several years preceding. The nature and tendency of these efforts are well understood by many of you, but they ought to be understood by all. For more than twenty years after the establishment of American independence, the Presbyterians of New-York dwelt in peace and harmony with. their Episcopal neighbours. They well recollected, indeed, the long course of oppressions and provocations which they had suffered, by means of Episcopal influence, prior to the Revolution. They recollected that, for more than half a century, besides supporting their own churches, they had been forced to contribute to the support of the Episcopal church, already enriched and strengthened by governmental aid. They recollected in how many instances the fairest and most laudable exertions to promote the interest of their denomination, were opposed, thwarted, and frustrated, by the direct interference of the same favoured sect. But when our national independence and equal rights became established; when all denominations of Christians were placed on the same footing, with respect to the state, and left to enjoy their privileges together, the Presbyterians were disposed to forget every injury; to cover every former subject |