y0^^^ ^^^^Clfo^ A ff^OioGicM s:^-V BX 9195 .L6 1841 c. 1 Lorimer, John Gordon, 1868. 180A- The Eldership of the church of Scotland ELDERSHIP CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. p THE ELDERSHIP CHURCH OF SCOTLAND THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF THE OFFICE THE DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS — POPULAR MODE OF APPOINT- MENT— HISTORICAL AND PRACTICAL VIEWS — COM- PRISING ALSO A RARE TRACT BY GUTHRIE THE MARTYR, ETC., ETC. V REV. JOHN G. LORIMER, UINISTER OF ST. DA\nD's PARISH, GLASGOW. GLASGOW : WILLIAM COLLINS, S. FREDERICK STREET. EDINBURGH : OLIVER AND BOYD, WILLIAM WHYTE AND CO., WILLIAM OLIPHANT AND SON, AND JOHN JOHNSTONE. LONDON: WHITTAKER AND CO., HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO., BELFAST; WM. M'COMB. DUBLIN: WM. CURRY, JUNIOR, AND CO., AND SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO. 1841. Printed by William Collins & Co., Glasgow. PHIxTGSTOIT TIIIOLOGICiL TO THE KIRK-SESSION AND CONGREGATION OF ST; DAVIDS, THE FOLLOWING LITTLE WORK, DESIGNED TO VINDICATE AND ILLUSTRATE IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES IN CONNECTION ViTTU THE OFFICE OF RULING ELDER, IS INSCRIBED, WITH WARMEST WISHES FOR THEIR WELFARE, AND FERVENT PRAYERS FOR THE PROSPERITY OF THE CHURCH . OF CHRIST GENERALLY, BY THEIR ATTACHED PASTOR, THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. Page General Preface, . . . . • . i Notice of the Rev. James Guthrie, . . 5 Guthrie's Treatise of Ruling Elders and Deacons, . 7 Preface, ...... ix Address to the Christian Reader, . . . xiii V Of Ruling Elders, — Chapter I. Their Names, . 15 ^ Chapter II. Of the Institution of Ruling Elders, 17 •^ Chapter III. Of the Vocation or Calling of Ruling Elders, 20 Vchapter IV. Of the Duties of Ruling Elders, . 22 V Chapter V. More private Duties, . . 26 V Chapter VI. More public Duties, . . 28 V Chapter VII. Duties in connection with Discipline, 30 Of Deacons Chapter I. Of their Name, . . 36 Chapter II. Of the Institution of Deacons, . 36 Chapter III. Of the Calling of Deacons, . . 39 Chapter IV. Of their Duty, Conversation, . 39 Chapter V. Of the Duties of their Calling, . 40 CHAPTER I. scriptural authority for the office of ruling elder. Introductory remarks on Church Government in general, 42 — Presumptions in behalf of the office of Ruling Elders, 45 — Argument from the nature of Church Government in the Jewish Church, 46 — Testimony of George Gillespie on this point, (note,) 47 — Argument from the number of Elders spoken of in the New Testament, 50 — Scripture passages esta- V Vlll CONTENTS. blishing the office, (Rom. xii, 4,) 51 — Calvin on the pMMge, 53— (I Cor. xii, 28,) 5.3— (1 Tim. v, 17,) 54— Eminent wri- ters on the passage, 56 — Dr. Owen*g testimony, .57 — Other texts, 57. CHAPTER II. ARGUMENT IN BEHALF OF THE RCLINC ELDER DRAWV FROM THE HISTORY OF THE CHBI«TIAN CHURCH. Testimony of the Fatherf?, .58 — Cause of the disappearance of the office from a large part of the professedly Christian Church in Middle Ages, 60 — The office of Ruling Elder in operation in early Scottifeh Church, 62 — Syrian, 62 — Waldensian, 62 — Bohe- mian, 6.3 — Swiss, 6i — Views of the Church of England shortly, after the Reformation favourable to the office, 64 — Testimony of celebrated Reformers and Divines in behalf of its diirioe ao- thority, 66 — Nearly imanimous testimony of the Churches o the Reformation in its £avour, 66. CHAPTER III. OF THE SATUBK AND KECE8S1TV Of T.fE OiflCE OP KLtiNC ELDER. Not a civil office, 68 — Is spiritual, 69 — Absolute need for this office in the administration of discipline, 71 — Inability of the Pastor or whole Communicants to exercise discipline, 71 — Proved by experience, 7.3 — Dr. Owen's testimony to this pur- pose, 74. CHAPTER IV. OF THE DnTIEfs AND QUALIFICATIONS OF Til>. f J J-I' '. RLDEE. Brief view of Duties, public and private, 75 — Frequent failure is no objection to the office, 76— Ql'alificationb, 77 — Stand- ing in point of years not indispensable but desirable, 77 — Piety essential, 78— Prudence and good judgment, 80 — Being well reported of, 81 — Public spirit, 82 — Attachment to the CONTENTS. IX constitution and principles of the Church of Scotland, 83 — Devotional spirit, 84' — The office shtfuld not be lightly de- clined on the score of want of qualification, 85. CHAPTER V. OBJECTIONS ANSWERED — SCRIPTURE AUTHORITY FOR COURTS OF REVIEW AND THE RULING ELDER HAVING A SEAT IN THEM. Alleged absence of the names of Ruling Elders in General and Provincial Councils of the early Church explained, 87 — Scrip- ture authority drawn from the ]3th chapter of Acts of the Apostles, 88— Full exposition of the passage, 88 — Advantages of Courts of Review in checking false doctrine, 96 — Testimony of Gillespie on this point, 97 — Presumptuous claims of the new school of Semi-Popery in the Church of England noticed 98. • CHAPTER VI. SCOTLAND, EMBRACING A BRIEF VIEW OF THE LAW OF THE CHURCH REGARDING ELECTION, AND THE ADVAN- TAGES WHICH HAVE BEEN WROUGHT OUT BY THE OFFICE. Number of Elders in the early Reformed Church of Scotland, 100 — The Reformers of the Church of Scotland proceeded on the word of God, (note,) 100 — Election of Elders agreeably to Scripture vested in Church Members, 102 — First Book of Dis- cipline, 102— Order of the Church of Edinburgh, (1560,) 102 —Explanation of the Act (1642,) 103— Popular Election of Elders at Dunfermline, (in 1733,) 104 — At Kinglassie, (same period,) 105 — Veto of the existing Session in such cases pro- per, 106. History of Ruling Elders, 107 — The office existed under Epis- copacy, 107 — Elders of Glasgow in middle of I7th century> 108 — In the Parish of Dunfermline at same period, 108 — In- teresting Sessional records indicative of the character and pro- X CONTENTS. ceedings of the Kirk Sessions of these days, 109 — Proposals for the improvement of the Eldership at that time, 110 — Rules to be observed by Sessions in connection with admission to the Lord's table, 112 — Illustrations of the Eldership drawn from (Torryburn) a country Parish in the same age, 113 — Number of Sessional Meetings, 113 — Duties as then exercised, IH — Labours in promoting education, Church Extension, due ob- servance of the Lord's Supper, Christian liberality, 114 — Ex- planation of the severity of the discipline, 1 17 — Particularly in regard to witchcraft, 1 18— Eldership at the Revolution (1688) 118 — Important Acts of the General Assembly on the Elder- ship, 1 1 9 — Great moral and religious results wrought out by the Church aided by the Eldership, 120 — Unfavourable change in the Eldership of the Church of Scotland generally, 121 — Growing improvement, 122 — Advantage of election to the office by Communicants, 122. CHAPTER VII. PaOCEEDINGS IN ST. DAVID'S CONGREGATION IN THE POPULAR APPOINTMENT OF ELDERS. Circular to the Congregation, 124 — Steps taken in regard to the Election, 125 — Result favourable, 126 — Tlie usual questions asked, 127. CHAPTER VIII. CHARGE TO NEWLY ORDAINED ELDERS. General duties, 128 — More particular, 129 — Exposure to misre- presentation, 1.30— Exhortation as to the manner of discharg- ing duty, 130 — Encouragements, 133. CHAPTER IX. CHARGE TO THE CONGREGATION. Feelings with which the Ruling Elder should be regarded-, 1.% — Particularly in cases of Church Discipline, 137 — How Con- gregations should treat their Elders, 138 CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER X. TESTIMONIES FROM EXPERIENCE TO THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF THE POPULAR ELECTION OF RULING ELDERS. Country Parishes Carnock; Letter of Rev. Mr. Gilston, 139 —West Kilbride ; Letter of Rev. Mr. Findlay, 14.L Town Parishes. — North Parish, Kelso ; Letter of Rev. Mr. Bonar, 144 — St. John's, Leith ; Letter of Rev. Mr. Lewis. 145 — Anderston, Glasgow; Letter of Rev. Mr. ^Q^I^fAj^^Uif^V Presbyterian Church of Ireland. — Loq^Sefiir^^lii'i^ B^" Denham, 148. TIISOLOGIG APPENDIX SUCCESSFUL MORAL OPERATION OF PRESBYli^M^ ^JgMlrOO^'^t^, MENT on SOCIETY. ' '^"^^^^y'^^'J iTT'l^ •"""* Comparative state of crime in Glasgow, Liverpool, Dublin, and London, 149 — Small amount of crime in the Highlands and Islands, 150 — Misapprehension as to crime in Scotland (note,) 151 — Superior morality of Presbyterians in Ireland, 152 — In England during the days of Presbytery, 154 — In America un- der the same ecclesiastical government, 154*. CONVERSIONS FROM INDEPENDENCY TO PRESBYTERY — DR. OWEN AND PRESIDENT EDWARDS. Dr. Owen became an Independent, 155 — Proof of this, 156 — Change to Presbyterianism, 156 — Testimony to Presbyterian Church Government on his deathbed, attested by the Wodrow MSS., 157 — Testimony of Jonathan Edwards to Presbyterian Church Government, 157. SENTIMENTS OF CALVIN ON THE SUBJECT OF THE RULING ELDER. High powers and noble character of Calvin, 158 — Lofty estima- tion in which he was held by eminent men, particularly the early Fathers and Founders of the Church of England, 159 — Xll CONTENTS. Calvin a decided and enlightened Presbyterian, 160 — Circum- stances which led to the peculiar consideration of the office of Ruling Elder by him, 161 — Driven from Geneva by popular tumult, 162 — Alleged cruelty and intolerance of the Geneva Reformer, 163. PRESENT STATE OF ELDERS IN THE REFORMED CHURCHES ON THE CONTINENT. In Switzerland, France, and Holland, 165. NOTES ON WITCHCRAFT AS A MATTER OF ECCLESIASTICAL DISCIPLINE. Fearful executions for Witchcraft on the Continent before and after the Reformation, 166--In Britain, 166--In Scotland, 167 — The Presbyterian Church not to be held responsible for them, 168. PREFACE, Having recently had my attention called more parti- cularly than usual to the Eldership in the Presbyterian Church, I found in common with friends in different quarters a great want of works on the subject, em- bracing in a short compass such knowledge regarding the office as seemed most desirable to diffuse at the pre- sent day. The Rev. Dr. Burns of Paisley, in his impor- tant work on Pauperism, has a chapter on the Elder- ship ; but the book is now almost inaccessible, and the chapter is written chiefly with an eye to the Eldership, in connection with the management of the poor. The Rev. Mr. Lewis of Dundee published a valuable pam- phlet on the subject a few years ago ; but it is chiefly designed to stir up to the faithful discharge of the duties of the office, by contrasting the present with the past state of the Eldership in Scotland, and showing, from a particular example, what still may be done even in a large town. This is a very im- portant view, but does not exhaust the points as to which many wish for information, especially at the pre- sent day. The Presbyterian Review, of Nov. 1834 and Jan. 1835, contains two admirable articles on the El- dership, understood to be written by Alexander Dunlop, Esq., advocate — himself a noble specimen of an able and devoted Elder of the Church of Scotland. But the work is not generally accessible, and the views dis- cussed chiefly regard the office as it appears in the standards of the Church, its present state, the causes of its decline, and the means of its renovation — the last consisting mainly of a recommendation of the popular election of the elders by the communicants of the church. The most complete treatise which I have seen on the subject, and to which 1 gladly acknow- ledge my obligations in the following pages, is a work A 11 rREFACE. * On the Office of the Ruling Elder, by Dr. Samuel Miller, Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the Pres- byterian College of Princeton, New Jersey.' Hut the ■work is large for the general reader : though repub- lished in this country it is little known : and though as a whole most excellent, it contains sentiments on various important ])oints which no consistent member of the Church of Scotland can approve or recommend. In these circumstances I have felt that there was not only room but a call for a short treatise which should be universally accessible, comprising a vindication of the Scripture authority of the office of Ruling Elder, full views of its duties and qualifications, a representa- tion of the sentiments of the standards and laws of the Church of Scotland on the subject, adclresses to elders and people where an appointment is made to the office, and various testimonies from experience to the safety and desirableness of the popular election of El- ders at the present day. I have thought, moreover, that to preface these with the republication of an unknown but valuable tract on the Eldership, ascribed to the Rev. James Guthrie of Stirling, one of the celebrated martyrs of the Scottish Church, would ma- terially add to the interest and usefulness of the little work. While anxious to avoid unnecessary controversy about church government and order at a period when the friends of evangelical religion of all churches should be united against many and formidable common foes, it is impossible to shut one's eyes to the fact that in various (juarters there is a growing disposition to assail the pe- culiarities of the Presbyterian church ; nay, to call in <{uestion and deny the validity of her administration of ordinances. Hence it is well that her members should be alive to her claims, and should be armed with wea- pons for defending them, and repelling the assaults of opponents. Not a few, especially of late, have allowed themselves to think and to speak very disparagingly of the Presbyterian church as a whole; but it should be borne in mind, that she claims a high, even an aposto- lic origin — that prior to the rise of Popery the Church of Scotland was Presbyterian — that during the reign of PREFACE, 111 the "Man of sin," the faithful witnessing Waldenses were Presbyterian — that at the reformation Presbyterianisni was recovered, and, with the exception of England, spread almost throughout the whole of Protestant Christendom — Switzerland, Germany, France, Hun- gary, Holland, Scotland, &c. — that almost one half of the Protestants of England — when evangelical religion was most prevalent throughout her borders, were also Presbyterian — that the founders of the Christian church in the new world were Presbyterian — and that at the present day the most extensive and powerful of the Christian denominations of America is the Presbyter- ian Church in its different branches. It is to be re- membered that the members of the Presbyterian church have not only been all along very numerous, and con- tinue to be so throughout Protestant Christendom, and are rapidly encreasing in their numbers both at home and abroad ; but that the ministers of the Presbyterian church have been as well educated and learned, yea as a whole more so perhaps than those of any other Chris- tian church — that they have been as sound in the evangelic faith, and where there has been decline have been as early and extensively revived as any others ; and that social advantages, to say the least, have been as marked in the train of Presbyterianisra as in the train of any of its rivals: Witness the intellectual, moral, and re- ligious character, and through it the social condition of Scotland, Switzerland, Holland, the north of Ireland, the Presbyterian parts of the United States, as compared with the character and condition of the country where Presbyterianism is unknown^ — witness also the services of Presbyterianism in behalf of civil and religious free- dom. It maybe added that in those cases where there has been a decline in the religion and morality of any part of the Presbyterian church, this very frequently may be traced to the previous degeneracy or abandonment of her peculiar principles of government ; and whether this admit of proof or not, it is certain that her peo- ple in point of knowledge and character, even where fallen, will be found fully equal to Episcopalians or ' For some practical proofs of the beneficial operation of Pres- byterian church government, see Appendix. IV PIIEFACE. Congregationalists in the same circumstances. Sucli being leading and well known facts in connection with the Presbyterian church, it must be very unreasonable for any party to speak lightly of a body so large in numbers and high in character, and powerful in influ- ence. Most of all is it preposterous for a party, pro- bably not constituting the tenth part of Protestant Chris- tendom, and not more eminent for talent, learning, edu- cation, piety, and moral worth, than their neighbours, if indeed they are as eminent, to unchurch the Presby- terian and all other Christian churches, and declare their ordinances null and void while unable themselves to produce one testimony from the Word of God in be- half of their own extravagant pretensions — pretensions not only disowned by Scripture, and the earliest records of the primitive church, and of the Church of England herself in her purest days, but in themselves presump- tuous, uncharitable, generally allied to serious error, and always unfriendly to Christian liberty and union of sympathy and effort for the conversion of the world by the universal propagation of the gospel of Christ. Since unhappily the semi-popish pretensions to which I refer are understood to be on the encrease in Great Britain, it is the more necessary to spread information on the Scripture authority of the office of the Ruling El- der. This office is at utter war with such unscriptural claims, and would, had it been adopted in the Church of England, have prevented their rise. The general under- standing now of its true nature is well fitted to check and counteract their progress. There is nothing more likoiy to expose proud pretension to exclusive Christianity, hecauhb flowing through a particular organisation, than to show that the organisation is itself essentially defec- tive— leaving out what both the word of God and apos- tolic and primitive antiquity demand shall be present. I commend the work to the care and blessing of the great Head of the church, whose honour in the vindica- tion of the office, and thereby the growing efficiency of the Christian church, it is designed to promote. John G. Lorimek. May, 1811. NOTICE OF REV. JAMES aUTHRIE. I HAVE been indebted for a sight of the following inte- resting Tract to the kindness of the Rev. Mr. Omond of Monzie. The copy bears to have been the gift of the eminent Lord Grange to the Kirk-session of Salt Preston, or Prestonpans, May, 1726. It is usually, and I believe without any question, attributed to the pen of James Guthrie of Stirling, the brother of William Guthrie of Fenwick, author of the 'Trial of a Saving Interest in Christ.' The writer is well known as a distin- guished minister and martyr of the Church of Scotland. He was honoured to live at a period — from 1638 to 1661 — when the Eldership of the Church was most efficient and powerful, and bore a distinguished part in the deliv- erance of the country from civil and spiritual thraldom, and in raising the mass of the people (after making every allowance for serious defects and gross crimes, not unu- sual in the land) to a degree of religious knowledge, moral elevation, and patriotic devotedness, and that in a very short space of time, altogether unknown in the history of the world. It was a proud day for Scotland when sixteen Christian peers couldbeseen sitting as elders in her Gene- ral Assembly at the same time. But Guthrie lived to see an unfavourable change. From 1649 to 1660, through the age of Cromwell, there was a partial decline owing to dissension among the ministers of the Church, and the presence of sectaries in the English army stationed in Scotland. It seems to have been from a wish to counteract this downward tendency that the following short treatise was written, and admirably is it fitted with A 2 6 NOTICE OF REV. JAMES GUTHRIE. the Divine blessing to stir up office-bearers in the Church to tlie faithful discharge of their duty. It is not necessary to say any thing of the character of the author. His violent death, like that of his divine Master, under the forms of law, was as cold-blooded a murder as was ever perpetrated. Charles II, with his profligate advisers, wished to strike a blow which should spread terror over Scotland. Hence, scarcely a year alter the Restoration, first the noble marquis of Argyle, and then the not less morally noble James Guthrie, were basely butchered, by men whose character was so low and abandoned as justly to expose themselves to the severest punishment. The case of Guthrie is too well known to need any special notice. I may merely mention, that it is related in the unpublished Wodrow MSS. that he declared he never had sweeter commun- ion with God than when, mixed up with cursing sol- diers, he overheard his judges determining on the mode of carrying his sentence into effect, where his head and the different parts of his body were to be stuck up. Con- versing with clerical friends some time before of beset- ting sins, it is related that Guthrie reckoned among his besetting sins "too eager a desire to die a violent death for Christ." It is certain that his composure in the pros- pect of death was imperturbable, such as to surprise be- holders accustomed to resolution, and to equal if not surpass the attainments of the bravest martial warriors. TREATISE RULING ELDERS AND DEACONS L\ WHICH THESE THINGS AVHICH BELONG TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR OFFICE AND DUTY ARE CLEARLY AND SHORTLY SET DOWN. MINISTER OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. REVISED AND PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE GENERAL MEETING OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS OF THIS CHURCH. " Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour." — • 1 Tim. V, 17. *" They that have used the office of a deacon well purcha.sc to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."— 1 Titri. iii, 13. THE PREFACE The Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and whose furnace i:7 in Jerusalem,^ hath, in depths of his wisdom, spoken by terrible things in righteousness^ against this nation, he hath brought us down wonderfull}',^ and hath made our breach wide as the sea ; who can heal us?'^ Our bruise is incurable, and our wound is grievous, for the Lord hath wounded us with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, because our sins were encreased ; ^ he hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst of us which causeth us to err in every work as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit,*^ and we eat every man the flesh of his own arm ;^ for all this His anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still ; the yoke of our transgressions is bound by his hand, they are wreathed and come up upon our neck ;^ and in the day of our calamity He hath covered us with a cloud in his anger,^ that, like blind men in the dark, we grope for the wall, ^° and cannot find either our sin or our duty. Some cry that there be many of our pro- phets who have not discovered our iniquity to turn away our captivity ; others complain that not a few of them have seen for us false burdens and causes of banish- ment : what shall we do whilst it is thus with us ? Surely it is meet to be said unto God, Show me why thou contendest with me.^^ I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more. That which 1 see not,^teach thou me ; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more,*- ' Isaiah, xxxi, 9. ^ Psalm Ixv, o. -^ Lam., i, 9. * Lam., ii, 13. ^ Jer., xxx, 12, l-I-. ^ Isaiah, xix, U. ■' Isaiah, ix, 20. "' Lam., i, li. •' Lam., ii, 1. '' Isaiah, lix, 10. '^ .Job, x, 2. i-> job,xxxiv,31, 32. X THE PREFACE. until the Lord shall reveal it uDto us, and make us wise in heart to understand this,^ and speak to us that we may declare it, for what the land mourns. It is fit that, in the things of the Lord's controversy, and of our duty whereto we have already attained, we walk by the same rule and mind the same things. 1 do suppose that all of us are of one mind in this, that our corrupt mixture in church members and church officers are one main cause why so much wrath is gone forth from the Lord against us and doth abide upon us. The Lord's design upon Scotland for a long time past seems to have been to purge his house, and as to have his ordinances pure so to have his people and his officers also pure.^ I mean not of a higher pitch than the doctrine and policy of our church doth reach, because (I fear not to say it) the measuring line of the sanctuary hath been stretched over these to give unto them due ^Scripture dimen- sions concerning the qualifications of Church members and Church officers. If in these things our practice were agreeable to our rule we need not be ashamed, but might speak with our enemies in the gate, and answer him that reproaclieth us. Our sin is, that being weighed in our own balance, we are found too light. How many church members are there in Scotland whom our church (if conscientiously wielded) would cut off as rotten. How many church officers whom that discipline would cast out as unsavoury salt; such have rejoiced in our pride and been haughty because of the Lord's holy mountain,^ but have not so zealously cared that holiness to the Lord might be engraven on all the pots of his house."* We have boasted of a reformation of the ordinances, without seeking as really to reform church members according to the pattern thereof. Pure ordinances are indeed things precious and excellent, (and what soul among us that hath any measure of the true zeal of the Lord's house can behold the defacing of these, and not make it the matter of their lamentation.) yet these are but means subordinate to a more high and super-excellent end, to ' Jeremiah, ix, 12.- - Ezek., xxiv, 13; Isa., i, 25; Ezek., xx, 38; Zeph.. iii, 9. 3 Zephaniah, iii, 11. ^ Zechariali, xiv, 20, 21. THE PREFACE. X wit, that we may thereby be brought with open face to behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord, and be changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord,^ that we may all come unto the unity of the faith unto the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.'^ It is true that all the members of the church visible will not be living and lively stones in the Lord's temple, neither doth the rule of church constitution hold out or cast out all who are really not such ; but this is the great scope that all of us ought to level at, that all the Lord's people may be holy — that all who profess faith in Jesus Christ may walk as becomes the gospel of Jesus Christ f and how shall this be attained unless those who bear the vessels of the Lord, and to whom the charge of holy things be com- mitted, be holy? The sons of Levi must be purified and purged as gold and silver before they offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. When that is done, then are the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem ])leasant unto the Lord.'^ 1 acknowledge that we were once upon a fair way for purging the house of God in this land. They who interrupted us shall bear their burden ; but what was done in this thing was not more refresh- ing to gracious hearts than it was sorely repined at, and opposed by others, (a sin that provoked the Lord to stop the current of so rich a mercy,) therefore do many make haste again to intrude themselves upon the congregations whence they were justly cast out, and not a few amongst the people love to have it so, as though there were a conspiracy to return to Egypt and to build again the walls of Jericho and repair the ruins of Edom. I do also acknowledge it with thankfulness unto the great Shepherd of souls that there is a great company of gracious men amongst the officers of his church who walk in the ways of the Lord and keep his charge ; but there be also many that neither do so nor know how to do it — to say nothing of ministers. It is more than manifest that there is a generation of igno- rant, slothful, earthly-minded men who bear the name of ' 2 Corinthians, iii, 18. ^ Ephesians, iv, 13. ^ Psalm, xciii, 5 ; PhiJippians, xii, 27. ^ Malachi, iii, 2, 4. Xll THE PREFACE. elders and deacons in many congregations, and where sucli bear rule, what can be expected but that the people should perish for want of knowledge, and holi- ness be despised and lye in the dust, and congregations still abide in too swarthy a temper? If we might find grace in the Lord's sight, to be thoroughly convinced of this great church evil, whence many church evils flow, and be brought with some measure of sincerity to endeavour the remedy thereof, what a branch of hope might it be, that our reproach should be taken away and we become a people instructed in the way of the Lord, and walking to. the praise and commendation of the Gospel, which is now evil spoken of, because of the ignorance and loose conversation of many among us. Therefore am I bold as pressed in spirit (albeit one of the weakest and most unworthy) to offer this little treatise, with an eye upon this end. And let me, with- out offence, beseech all the ministers, elders, deacons, congregations, presbyteries, and assemblies of this church in the bowels of the Lord Jesus Christ, yea, let me obtest them by the blood of the everlasting covenant, by their zeal for the Lord's honour^ by the credit of the Gospel, by their love to souls, and by the fury of the Lord, which he hath caused to rest upon us,^ because }w jMirged us and we would not be purged — and as they desire the Lord should bring us again, and cause us to stand before him, and leave us a remnant and give us a nail in his holy place f that they would each of them in their stations, endeavouring to take forth the pre- cious from the vile,^ and purge the Lord's house in this land from corrupt officers and corrupt members ; oh, will we not be made clean ; when will it once be !* ' Ezekie!, xxiv, 13. - Ezra, ix, 8. Jeremiah, xv, 10. * Jeremiah, xiii, 27. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. The inducements that persuaded me first to write this little treatise of Ruling Elders and Deacons were chiefly these: 1st. The sensible impression that the Lord hath made upon n)}- spirit, as also, I know, upon the spirits of the godly of the land, of the great preju- dice that comes to this poor Church by a multitude of men in these offices, who neither know their duty nor make conscience to perform it. 2nd. The vindicating the doctrine of our Church concerning these church officers, that the mouths of such who speak evil may be stopped, and others who stumble may be satisfied. 3rd. The pressing desire of brethren, ministers, and elders in the Presbytery and congregation, where the Lord hath set me, all w^hich did receive some spirit and life, when I found my name among those to whom the General Assembly of this Church did commit and recommend this work long ago. I have endeavoured to handle it with as much plain- ness and evidence of truth and as shortly without wrong- ing of the matter as I coull. It is not unlikely but some may think I have done no great business, because I have brought no new thing. I acknowledge that it is so; what I have said is for the matter, I trust, and in many things for the words too, the doctrine of the Scriptures, and of Protestant divines and of our Church in the acts and policy thereof. I have put together in one, and digested into some method what was lying scattered before, that these who either could not or would not be at the pains to search for such things may now have them at their hand. Others may look upon this treatise as not plain enough orasnotso exact, full, and perfectas it ought to be; with these I shall not contend ; I have done what I could, at least what I conceived best in order to the ends ] propounded to myself. If others shall find fa- vour of the Lord to do better, I shall bless his name on their behalf, and receive and make use of their pains 13 XIV TO TUK CmUSlIAN RliADER. with thankfulness. And some may haply think that there is here too much laid upon Ruling Klders, more than they shall be able or willing to undertake; yea, more than the Lord doth require of them, most of the things that are mentioned by us being incumbent to Ministers rather than to Elders. It is true what is said of the Elder's duty is also the duty of Ministers, for whatsoever the Elder ought to do by virtue of his call- ing, that also ought the Minister to do and somewhat more ; but so far as we know, nothing is spoken here of the Elder that doth not belong to him. If through ig- norance or want of ability or neglect or custom Elders have not done these things, it is that which ought to be hel})cd — it is now high time for them to awake and to know and own and follow their duty, and for the church of God in Scotland to know how much she hath smarted under the hands of ignorant and slothful, yea, and scandalous men ; we would not always satisfy ourselves with disguised and histrionical men puffed up with titles' or with idols, dead in sins, to be I^ldeis; but would seek after holy men, who being endued with faith in (Jod and walking in his obedience, God autho- rising them, and the Church his spouse choosing them and calling theuj, undertake tho government thereof, that they may labour to the conversation and edifica- tion of the same in Christ — neither needs the (jualifi- cation or multitude or difficulties of the particulars here spoken of to discourage or scare any. It is not so much the measure as the truth of the thing that is to be looked at. We have set down what a Ruling Elder ought to be in regard of the whole extent of his charge, sundry particulars whereof the most part of Ruling Elders are seldom called to exercise, and if they be in some measure fitted for these parts of the charge which God calls them to exercise, and follow tiie same with sin- gleness of heart, that they may believe that they shall be assisted and accepted of (iod in Christ Jesus. The employment is not theirs, but the Lord's, from whom they may exi)ect both their furniture and also their re- ward. Let them arise and be doing and the Lord shall be with them. . ' Junius, Eccles. I. 2, c. 3. A SHORT TREATISE RULING ELDERS. CHAPTER L OF THEIR NAMES. What is necessary to be understood concerning Rul- ing Elders may be taken up in the explanation of these four: 1st. Their name; :2nd. Their institution ; 3rd. Their calling; 4th. Their qualification and duty. The word elder in the Scripture doth signify divers things.' 1st. It signifies old men or men come to age." Ixebuke not an Elder, but entreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren. 2nd. It signifies those who have lived in the times of old.^ Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the Elders. 3rd. It is taken for honourable and worthy men. The Lord of hosts doth take away from Jerusalem and Judah the prudent and tlie ancient.* It is the name'of a spiritual ofliicer in the house of God. And when they had ordained them Elders in every city.^ In this last signification it is taken in this place, for these who bear rule in the house of God, who are called Elders because of the knowledge, gifts, experience, prudence, and gravity wherewith they ought to be endued. The oflScers in the house of God, who in the Scriptures are called by the name of Elders,^ are of several sorts, preaching ' The Second Book of Discipline, 6tli sect. Assertion of the government of tl)e Church of Scotland, 1st part, chap. 1. (This able work is understood to have proceeded from the pen of the celebrated Rev. George Gillespie of Edinburgh, 1641.) — Editor. ^ 1 Tim. V, 1. ^ Mat. xv, 2. •* Isa. iii, 2. ^ Acts, xiv, 23. '' The 2nd Book of Discipline, chap, vi, Sect. 1. 16 ELDERSHIP. Elders or Ministers, teaching Elders or Doctors, and ruling and governing Elders — all these three are often- times in the New Testament comprised under the ge- neral name of Elders.' It is the Ruling Elder^ whom we have now to do with ; who is so called not because the power of ruling and governing the church belongs to him alone, for it also belongs to the preaching and teaching Elders, or to the Ministers and Doctors. But because to rule and govern is the principal and chief part of his charge and employment, it is the highest act of his office. It is not competent for him to preach — that belongs to the Pastor or Minister; nor to teach — that belongs to the Doctor : but his office is combined within the compass of ruling and governing the church; and therefore he is called the governing or ruling Elder. The apostle, in the Epistle to the Romans,^ calleth him, him that ruleth ; and he calls them governments,* put- ting the abstract for the concrete, governments for go- vernors. Thus then we have the proper or right names of these church officers, which seem to correct a two- fold mistake. The first, of these who either out of ig- norance or disdain do call them lay elders, as if they were a part of the people only, and not to be reckoned amongst the officers of the Lord's house, whom the Popisrh church, in their pride, and others following them, calls " the clergy," that is, the Lord's inheritance, in opposition to" the laity" or people, whom they look upon as base and much inferior to the other in worth and excellency, whereas all the Lord's people are his portion and the lot of his inheritance.^ The second mistake is of these who do call these only ruling Elders who sit in Presbyteries, Synods, and General Assem- blies, allowing to others the name of Elders, but not of ruling Eldei-s. But every Elder in the Lord's house is a ruling Elder,^ because the power and exercise of rule and government belongs to every Elder, though some of them upon especial occasions be called to a more eminent exercise of it than others. > Acts XV, 6, 22; XX, 17; 1 Pet. v. ^ The Second Book of Discipline, chap, vi, sect. 3. 3 Rom. xii, 8. •* 1 Cor. xii, 2a ^ Deut. xxxii, 9 ; '* 1 PeU V, .S. ELDERSHIP. 17 CHAPTER 11. OF THE INSTITUTION OF RULING ELDERS. The institution of the office of Ruling Elders is divine/ it is not an ordinance of man but of God. The Lord Jesus, upon whose shoulder the government is, and who is faithful in all his house, hath in his eternal wisdom thought fit to appoint such an officer in his house for the right and orderly governing thereof. It is true that by the sloth, or rather by the pride of teachers, whilst they alone would seem to be somewhat, and by the policy of Satan and inadvertance of the church, these officers were for many ages together out of use in the Christian church. But certain it is, that both the Jewish syna- gogue and afterwards the Christian church had seniores or elders, without whose counsel nothing was done in the church. That the Jewish church had such, appears from 2 Chron. xix, 8; Jer. xxix, 1 ; Mat. xvi, 21 — 23, 26, 57, 59; Acts iv, 5;* and that the Christian church also had them in the primitive and purest times thereof, appears from the testimony of ancient writers, as may be found by those who will take pains to search into these things. But we have a more sure word for the divine institution of Elders in the Christian church than any testimony of man, to wit the testimony of God in the Scriptures of the New Testament. The first place of Scripture is, "Having then gifts dif- fering according to the grace which is given us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith ; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering ; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on ex- hortation ; he that gives, let him do it with simplicity ; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness."^ In which text the apostle doth at first comprehend all the several kinds of ordinary standing ^ The Second Book uf Di-cipline, cliap. vi, sect. 2. - Ambrose com. on I Tim. v, I ; Tert. in his 34 — 8. B2 IS ELDERSHIP. officers in the church of God under two general heads ; to w it, Prophecy^ whereby is meant the ordinary faculty of right understanding and expounding the Scripturei*, and Ministry, under which is comprehended all other church officers and employments; to each of these the apostle addeth their general duties, namely ; that be who prophesieth should do it according to the propor- tion of faith, that is, according to the measure of know- ledge of the word of faith that he hath received of God : and he tliat ministers, let him wait on his ministering, that is, let him not do it negligently or slothfully, but faithfully and diligently. Then he subdivides these two generals into the special ofl&ces contained under them. He divides him that prophesieth into him that teacbetb. and him that exhorteth, or into the doctor to whom the work of teaching or instructing belongs, and the patstor to whom the word of exhortation is competent Under him that ministereth, he comprehends first bim that giveth, by whom is meant the deacon, w ho is appointed for the supply of the poor; secondly, him that ruleth by whom can be meant no other than the Ruling Eider. Seeing an ordinary ruling officer in the church, who \& diffierent from the Pastor and Teacher, is here spoken of by the apostle. The second place of Scripture that proves the office of Ruling Elders is, "And God hath set some iu the church, first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers; afterwards miracles; then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."^ Some of the bibles of the late Engli^h translation read " helps in go- vernments,'' but cress to the text in the original language that bears " helps, governments,*' as two distinct things, and therefore in other editions of that translation this is helped. In this text the apostle reckons several offi- cers of the church : some extraordinary, which were to continue but for a season, such as apostles, prophet*, powers, or miracles, gifts of healing, kinds of tongues; some ordinary; which were to continue in the church to the end of the world, and these are teachers or the ordinary chuicli officers who are exercised in the word: helps, that is, Ihe deacons who are appointed for the ' 1 Cor. xii, 28. ELDERSHIP. 19 help and relief of the poor ; and governments, that is, the governing and Ruling Elders ; for it is clear from the words that the apostle, by governments, doth mean, a church officer whom God hath set in his church for ruling and governing thereof. Now this cannot beany other of the church officers, for these he hath named besides, and therefore it remains that it is the Ruling Elder. The third place of Scripture is; " Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine."^ — Which text doth hold forth and distinguish two sort of Elders in the church to whom the Lord Jesus hath committed the power of ruling : One sort who do also labour in the word and doctrine, namely, pastors and teachers; another sort who do only rule, and doing it well are accounted worthy of double honour; and these are the Ruling El- ders of whom we speak. From this, that the office of the Ruling Elder is of divine institution," we gather these conclusions ; first, that it is not a thing arbitrary and indifferent for such to wait upon their charge ; yea or no as they please, or as their attendance may contribute for their own or their friend's particular (ad vantage), which is the custom of too many Elders; but that they are bound in con- science diligently to attend and follow the duties thereof, whether they be such as they owe to the several mem- bers of the congregation, or the keeping of Session, or Presbytery, and other assemblies of the church, when they are called and desired thereto. Secondly, that Elders ought to do their office not for- mally and hypocritically for the fashion only, but sincere- ly and honestly as in the sight of God, by whom they are called unto this holy calling, and to whom they must render an account for their discharge of this great trust. Thirdly, they ought not to domineer over their fel- low-brethren and Elders, but to carry themselves hum- bly and serviceably, as those who are appointed of the Lord Jesus for ministering untOj^and edifying of his body, the church. 1 1 Tim. V, 17. 2 Second Book of Discipline, chap, iii, sect. 13 — 16. Assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland, part i, chap. 3, pp. 11, 17. 20 ELDERSHIP. Fourthly, that they ought to carry themselves with that authority, holiness, gravity, and prudence, that becomes those who are called of God to bear rule in his house. Fifthly, that Elders, once lawfully called to the office and having gifts from (/od meet to exercise the same, unless they be removed therefrom, because of mis- carriages, are still Elders, though haply in congrega- tions where many qualified men may be found, some may be permitted for a time to cease from the exer- cise of the cliarge,^ and others be put in their room, as was among the i.evites under the law in serving in the temple by courses. Sixthly, that people ought to obey such as those who have the rule over them, and to submit themselves, be- cause they wait for their souls as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief.^ Yea, they should know them as these who are over them in the Lord, and do admonish them and es- teem them very highly in love for their work's sake/^ CHAPTER III. OF THE VOCATION OR CALLING OF RULING ELDERS.* As no man is to intrude into any employment without a lawful calling, so much less ought any man to intrude himself without a calling into any sacred function in the house of God.^ Therefore before any take upon him to exercise the office of Ruling Elder, he ought to be lawfully called thereunto.^ This calling is in- ward or outward : the inward calling is the testimony of a good conscience concerning some measure of abi- lity and gifts for the charge, and a sincere and honest inclination and purpose to employ these gifts for the honour of God, the advancement of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the good of souls. The outward call- ' 2n(l Book of Discipline, chap. iii. ~ Heb. xiii, 17. ' 1 Tlies. V, 12, 13. * 2nd Book of Discipline, chap, iii, ' Heb. V, 4f. 8 2nd Book of Discipline, chap. iii. ELDERSHIP. 21 ing is to be after the same manner with that of other church officers ; and it stands in their election and in the trial of their carriage, gifts, and admission to the charge. The Election is to be made by the congregation wherein they are to bear charge.^ That it may be gone about in the more orderly way, it is fit that a nomination be made by the minister and eldership of the congrega- tion of the persons fittest and best qualified for the employmen!, and that the names of the persons nomi- nated by them be publicly intimated to the congregation ; and they desired, in case of their not being satisfied, as having exception, or knowing others better qualified, to represent the same to the minister and eldership. If there be no eldership in the congregation, a nomina- tion may be made either by the Presbytery or by the most judicious and godly members of the congregation, particularly masters of families, together with the minis- ter, or one or more ministers of the Presbytery, in case the congregation are in want of a minister. The trial ^ is to be by the minister and eldership of the congrega- tion, or in case of the want of these, by the Presbytery. And they are to be tried both in regard of their con- versation— that it be blameless and holy — and also in regard of their knowledge and experience in the things of God and of the affairs of his house, and of their ability and prudence for government. It is true that the trial of Elders, in their knowledge and gifts required for their charge, hath not been much in use in this church, it being taken for granted that conscience would be made in making choice of such as had know- ledge, and were able and tit, or that if any ignorant, or not able and fitted, were nominated, that some of the congregation, upon the intimation of their names, would except against them ; but by this means it hath come to pass that many ignorant and unqualified men have been admitted Elders in many congregations to the great detriment of religion and no small reproach to our church. The Apostle, speaking of Deacons, which ^ Acts, vi, 3, 5; xiv, 23; Second Book of Discipline, viii, tuucliing the election of Elders and Deacons. ^ First Book of Discipline, 8th head. 29 ELDERSHIP. is the lowest rank of the officer of the church, requires that these also first be proved : then let them use the office of a Deacon, being found blameless.^ And the same reasons and grounds that plead for the trial of a minister plead also for the trial of Elders, in a way suitable to the qualifications required in them.^ Their admission is to be by the minister of the con- gregation, or one appointed by the Presbytery, in the presence of the whole congregation, with the preaching of the word concerning their duty, and vvith prayer and humiliation concerning the spirit of their calling, to be poured out upon them, and that the pleasure of the Lord may prosper in their hands. At which time they are so- lemnly to engage themselves before the Lord, to be faith- ful and diligent and watchful over the flock committed to their charge, and in all the duties of that holy and honourable employment; and the people are also to engage themselves to obey them and to submit them- selves to them in the Lord, and to honour them and highly esteem them in love for their works' sake. CHAPTER IV. OF THE DUTIES OF RULING ELDERS. The duties of a Ruling Elder are of two sorts, some that are personal, and relate to his conversation as a Chris- tian, others that are official, and relate to his ruling as an office-bearer in the house of God.^ His personal qualifications, or the duties of his conversation, are the same with those which the apostle requires in the con- versation of a minister.* In which scriptures, under the name of £*;me. 6th. He must not be soon angry, whether upon real or conceived causes of provocation. The things of the second sort be these : 1st. He must be blameless, that is, one who walks without offence towards God and men. 2nd. If married, he must be the husband of oife wife: such a one who shuns all un- lawful lusts, satisfying himself with and keepiui: him- self within the bounds of the remedy provided of God. 3rd. He must be vigilant, watchful over his own soul, that no temptation prevail upon him, watchful unto every good duty, and to take hold 24 ELDERSHIP. of every opportunity of well-doing. 4th. He must be sober and temperate and of a sound and humble mind, moderating his own appetite and affections, and satisfying himself with a moderate use of tlie creatures and of the things of this world. 5th. He must be of a good behaviour or modest, of a grave and staid, yet of an affable and courteous carriage, neither light and vain to the losing of his authority and rendering himself contemptible, nor sullen and self-pleasing to the dis- couraging and scaring away of the flock l)y his needless distance and austerity. 6th. Given to hospitality, ready to receive strangers to his house, especially the poor and those who are of the household of faith. 7th. Apt to teach, that is, a man of knowledge, and able to in- struct others, one who hath a ready and willing mind to teach others, which is not so meant as if it were re- quisite for the Ruling Elder to be endued with the gifts of exhortation and instruction competent to the Pastor and Teacher, or that he may and ought to employ himself therein,butofthat fitness and ability to teach that is com- petent to his calling, which he must be ready and willing to exercise so far as belongs thereto. 8th. Moderate in the original language, k^tiukv;, rendered patient.^ Not ri- gorous, nor exacting the height of the law in his deal- ing, but in his own particular of a condescending nature, and remitting something of strict justice. 9th, Patient, one who witliout wearying waits on his duty, notwith- standing difficulties, and doth bear the delays, untract- ableness, and injuries of others. 10th. One who rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity ; to which the apostle adds this reason, "if a man know not how to rule his own house how shall he take a care of the church of God f ^ The church of (lod is of a larger extent than one family, and the duties to be performed in it be of greater eminency and diffi- culty, and require more skill, wisdom, and courage than these that are to be performed in a family. The ruling well of his own house doth import not only ability for doing of it, but also that he make conscience of and actually perform these duties that are required for the right and well ordering of a Christian family, to teach ' 1 Tim. iii. ^ ] 'i\a), iij, 5. ELDERSHIP. 25 and instruct his cliildren and servants in the knowledge of God, to take care of their sanctifying the Lord's day, of their profiting in godliness, of their seeking of God, and of their ordering their conversation aright, to read the Scriptures, sing psalms, pray in the family, and to exhort, admonish, rebuke, and comfort all that are of his household, as their condition doth require ; for if these duties lye upon all masters of families who profess the Gospel, then in a special way upon Elders, who are ap- pointed to stir up and go before others in the perfor- mance thereof. 11th. A lover of good men, one whose soul cleaves to those who fear God, having such in es- timation above all others, cherishing them and conver- sing ordinarily and familiarly with them. 12th. He must be just, one who is straight and upright in all his dealings among men, deceiving no man, defrauding no man, withholding nothing from any man that is due to him, but giving to every man his own. 13th, Holy ; careful to express the life of religion and power of god- liness in all his conversation. 14th, He must be one who holds fast the faithful word that he hath been taught, one who is stable in the faith, holding fast the truth of God, without wavering or turning aside to error. Lastly, He must be one who hath a good report of those who are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil, that is, he must be such a one whose blameless conversation and sober and Christian walking doth ex- tort a testimony even from those who know not God, and who doth by well-doing put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, that if any speak evil of him, as of an evil doer, they may be ashamed who speak falsely against his good conversation in Christ. The apostle comprehends all these summarily in two sentences. " Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in con- versation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.' "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."^ 1 1 Tim. iv, \2. ^ 1 Tim. vi, II. •>F. ELDEliSHIP. CHAPTER V. OF THE DUTIES OF THEIR CALLING WHICH ARE MORE PRIVATE. The duties of their calling are those that belong to their watching over and ruling of the flock, ^ and they be of two sorts; some that they are to perform by themselves alone, and so may be called more private duties; others that they are to perform jointly^ with the rest of the overseers of the house of God, and may be called more public. The duties of their calling that be more pri- vate" are all these that private Christians are bound to perform each of them unto another, by the law of cha- rity and love, and these are, 1st, To instruct one an- other;* 2ndly, To exhort and stir up one another to provoke unto love and good works ;^ 3rdly, To admonish and rebuke one another,^' first, privately, and if they will not hearken, then before witnesses, and if yet they will not hearken, then to tell the church, and if they will not hear the church then let them be unto us as heathens and publicans;" 4thl\', To comfort the afflicted, and support the weak ;- athly. To restore those that are fallen ;'" 6thly, To reconcile those who are at variance;'*' 7thly, To pray one for another;'^ 8thly, To visit the sick and those who are in bonds and distress.*^ AH these duties Elders are to perform to the several mem- bers of the congregation by virtue of their calling. The Scriptures do expressly mention some of them as incumbent unto them, to wit, admonishing those over whom God hath set them ;^" visiting and praying over the sick ;''^ feeding the flock by instruction, exhortation, ' Firft Book of Discipline, 8th Head; Second Book of Discip. Gth Chap. =^ Assertion of the Government of the Church of Scotland, Part J ; Chap, ii, Part I, p. 15. ^ Jun. Eccles. lib. ii, cap. 3rd, p. 107. * Job, iv, 29, Acts, xviii, 20. * Htb. x, 24. 25. * Lev. xix, 17. ■ Matth. xviii, 15 — 17. 8 1 Thess. v. 11. ^ Gal. vi, I. >'^ Matth. V, 9. ' Jude, 10. '^ Matth, xxv. .%, ' 1 Thess. v, 12. •' Jamee, v, 14. ELDERSHIP. 27 rebuke, and comfort, in such a way as is competent to their station.^ The rest we may warrantably gather by analogy and proportion from these. If private Christians be obliged thereto, much more are Ciiristian elders, who have the charge of souls in a special way, obliged thereto. These things are well expressed in the 6th Chap, of the Second Book of Discipline. As the Pastors and Doctors (say they) should be diligent in teaching and sowing the seed of the word," so the Elders should be careful in seeking of the fruit of the same of the people. It appertains to them to assist the Pastor in examination of them that come to the Lord's table. In visiting the sick they should cause the Acts of the Assemblies, as well particular as general, to be put in execution carefully; they should be diligent to admonish all men of their duty according to the rule of the evangelist; things that they cannot correct by pri- vate admonition they should bring to the Eldership. From what hath been said concerning these duties of Ruling Elders these three things follow: 1st, That they ought to be men of such ability as are in some measure able to instruct, exhort, admonish, rebuke, comfort, pray, and do these duties now mentioned. 2ndly, That is needful for them not only to have some measure of ability for these things, but also to have some measure of dexterity, wisdom, experience, tenderness, in following the same. 3rdly, That they be well ac- quainted with the condition of the congregation and the members thereof, and therefore be careful to ob- serve their carriage, and frequently to visit and take inspection of families, tiiat they may instruct the igno- rant, exhort the negligent, admonish the slothful, and rebuke those who walk disorderly; comfort the afHict- ed, establish those who waver; visit the sick, encourage those who do well, and see piety and godliness promoted in families, and every one edifying another in love, walking in the fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Ghost. ' Acts, XX, 28. - Second Book of Disciplhie, Cliap. vi. 28 ELDERSHIP. CHAPTER VI. OF THOSE DUTIES WHICH ARE MORE PUBLIC, AND WHICH THEY ARE TO PERFORM JOINTLY WITH OTHERS. The duties of Elders which are more public, and which they are to perform jointly with others,^ are those which lye upon them in the assemblies or courts of the Church, which are made up of preaching Elders, teaching El- ders, and Ruling Elders. These assemblies are in our church of four sorts : either they are of the Elders of particular congregations, which is the Church-session, or of the Elders of more congregations than one lying near together, which is the Presbytery, or of the elders of more presbyteries than one, which is the Provincial Sy- nod, or of the Elders' Commissioners from all the pres- byteries in the land, which is the General or National Assembly. To these we may add a fifth sort, to wit, that which is made up of Elders from all or divers na- tions professing the faith of Jesus Christ. Whilst we speak of Elders, of which the assemblies of the Church are made up, we mean all sorts of Elders — Ministers, Doctors, and Ruling Elders. It is true that in the congregations of our church, because of the want of maintenance, there be few or no Doctors or teaching Elders, distinct from Pastors or Ministers, ♦ who perform the duties both of the preaching Elder and of the teaching Elder, only in the schools of divinity are such. In all assemblies of the Church,'^ Ruling Elders, being thereto rightly called, have power to sit, write, debate, vote, and conclude in all matters thatare handled therein.^ The things which are handled in the assemblies of the Church be either matters of faith, matters of order, matters of discipline, or that ' First Book of Discipline, 8th Head; Second Book, 6th Chap. The oSice and duties of Elders prefixed to the Psalm Book. ^ Second Book of Discipline, rhaps. 6 and 7. '■^ Acts, XV, 2, and vi, 22, 23. ELDERSHIP. -9 which conceriietli the sending of church officers, accord- ing to which they have a fourfold power.' 1st, That which is called Dogmatic, whereby they judge of truth and error in points of doctrine, according to the word of God only. 2nd, That wiiich is called Diatactic, by which they discern and judge of the circumstances of those things that belong to the worship of God, as times, places, persons, and all such particulars in ecclesiastic affairs as are not determined in the word, according to the general rules thereof, concerning order and decency, avoiding of scandal, doing all to the glory of God, and to the edifying of the Church. 3rd, That which is Critic or Corrective, by which censures are exercised upon the scandalous and obstinate, and such as are penitent again admitted to the ordinances, fellowship, and society of the Church. 4th, That which is called Exusiastic, by virtue of which they send, authorise, and give power to Church officers to serve in the house of God. All these assemblies are not to exercise all these powers, but to keep themselves within due bounds, the inferior leaving these things that are of more com- mon concernment to the superior ; but in all those powers Ruling Elders have a share, and do put forth the same in exercise according to the measure that be- longs to the assembly whereof they are members." How- beit the execution of some decrees of the Church Assemblies — such as the imposition of hands, the pro- nouncing the sentence of excommunication, the receiving of penitents, the intimation of the deposition of ministers, and such like, do belong to ministers alone. These being the duties and powers of Ruling Elders in the assemblies of the church, it is requisite that they be indued with such abilities and qualitications as are needful for the exercising thereof. But because all Ruling Elders are not always called to sit in all these assemblies, but one from every Session sufficeth to the Presbytery and provincial Synods, and a few from every Presbytery and from greater congregations or Burghs therein, to the General Assembly, as also a few from the whole Church throughout the land to a more uni- versal assembly, therefore, though it is to be wished First Book of Dii,cipliiie, chap. 7. ~ Acts, xv, 6, 22, 2.J. C2 30 ELDERSHIP. and endeavoured that all Elders may have due qualifi- cations for all these things, and though special care is to be taken everywhere to choose the most qualified, yet, in particular congregations, men may he chosen Elders who have not such a measure of all these quali- fications, they being otherwiv«e men of a blameless and Christian conversation, and having such a measure of knowledge and prudence as is lit for governing that congregation and judging of the things that are handled in the session thereof, which for the most part are mat- ters of scandal, and trying and admitting of penitents ; but if there be any who are not of a blameless and Christian conversation, and have not some measure of those qualifications required by the word of God in a Ruling Elder, no congregation ought to choose any such, nor any Session or Presbytery to admit them to the charge, for it is not seemly that the servants of cor- ruption should have authority to judge in the Kirk of God, and if any such have been admitted, they are to endeavour the removal of them, as they would not par- take of their sin, and be found guilty before the Lord of the blood of souls, which cannot but suffer prejudice through negligence or ill guiding of such men. .CHAPTER VII. OF THE DUTY OF ELDERS IN CENSURING SCANDALS AND SCANDALOUS PERSONS, AND RECEIVING OF PENITENTS. Because the government and duty of elders in congre- gations lies for most part in censuring scandals and scan- dalous persons, and trying and admitting of penitents, therefore it is fit to speak somewhat of their right way of following their duty in these things, — 1st, For the per- sons about whom their censures are to be exercised, it is all the members of the congregation indifferently and impartially, without respect of persons, th(? rich as well as the poor, the high as well as the low, their friends, kins- men, alliance, neighbours, and acquaintance, as well as others.^ 2nd. The word sharply reproves those who have ' First Book of Discipline, concerning persons subject to Dis- cipline, Second Book of Discipline, chaps, i and vii. ELDERSHIP. 31 the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons, by preferring the rich to the poor, and Solomon says that divers weights and measures are an abomination to the Lord ; must it not then be wor- thy of rebuke to have the censures of our Lord Jesus with respect of persons, and to weigh the rich and the poor, the high and the low, in divers balances, by tak- ing notice of the one and passing by the other. 3rd. It is incumbent on them to exercise their power not only over the people of the congregation, but also over those of their own number. As all Christians, so they in a special way who are to be followers in the work of the Lord, ought to consider and admonish one another, and if any of them be found negligent or insufficient, or do in anything miscarry to the otfence of the Gospel and blaming of the eldership, he is to be censured by the minister or ministers and the rest of the elders as the degree of his offence doth require.^ The Apostle Paul - gives charge to all elders to take heed to themselves, as well as to the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers. 4th. As all sorts of scandalous persons, whether in the congregation or amongst themselves, so all sorts of scandals and offences are to be taken notice of by them. The apostle, 2 Thess. iii, 6, commands that we withdraw from every brother that walketh dis- orderly and amongst disorderly walkers he doth, (verse 11,) reckon idle persons who do no work at all but are busy bodies; intimating to us that even these scandals and disorders which are by many little taken notice of and looked upon as no faults, ought to be taken notice of by the Church, that all her members may walk honestly and as it becomes the gospel of Jesus Christ. The acts of our Church do appoint that whatsoever it be that might spot the Christian congregation ought not to escape either admonitions or censures ; so in the order of ecclesiastic discipline, 1567. Two great neglects there be that by ignorance or custom have crept in among Elders in many congregations. 1st. That they do not take notice of the omission of duties ' First Book of Discipline and Head. The weekly assembling of Ministers, Elders, and Deacon prefixed to the old Psalms. - Acts, XX, 28. -yj ELDEKSHtP. as the coramission of faults: as, for instance, — If there be any member of the congregation who lives idly and waits Dot upon his calling, who is not given to prayer, who is not charitable to the poor, who waits not upon the public ordinances, if there be any master of a family who prays not in his family, who does not bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; or, 2nd. That they do not take notice of the commission of faults, and scandals of all sorts, but of some few only, such as fornication, adultery, and profaning of the Lord's day, and suffering many others, such as tippling, drunk- enness, filthy communication, lying, cursing, swearing, oppression, reproaching of piety, and godliness, &c., to pass without observation. 3rd. Elders are to take heed that they bring in no civil questions and debates before the Assemblies of the Church, and that they do not use nor inflict any civil mulct or punishment upon persons convicted of scandal, these being proper to the civil magistrate,' — the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the censures thereof, being spiritual and not of this world.' 4th. In the taking notice of offenders they are to ob- serve this order: If the offence be private and known to but a few, then they are, in the first place, to ad- monish the offender privately ; and if he hearken to the admonition and amend, it needs go no farther, nor be delated to the Church : If he does not hearken nor amend, then is the elder to take with him some of his brethren and to admonish the offender before witnesses, and if he hearken the Church needs not be acquainted therewith, but, if he despise this second admonition then is he to be delated by the Elder to theChurch that he may be called before tTie Session and convicted and censured by them.^ This is the order commanded and prescribed by Jesus Christ."' If the offence be public and open, then is the offender, without such previous admonition, to be delated to the Session, that, according to the Apostle's rule,^ "They that sin (meaning openly) may be rebuked 1 First Book of Discipline, chap, vii, sect. 6. ^ John, xviii,36. 3 The order of Ecclesiastic Discipline appointed by the Assembly 1567, and in the Order of Excommunication commanded to be printed by the Assembly ISTl.") * Matthew, xviii, 15—17. ^ ITimothy, r, 20. ELDERSHIP. Jjo before all, that others may fear."^ 5th. In these delations theyare to take heed that theydonot upon every rumour and jealousy orsuspicion bring men to be questioned pub- licly as scandalous walkers, but first to be careful to make diligent and prudent inquiry about the truth of the mat- ter, and to see if it can be proven by witnesses, or that the scandal thereof be common and flagrant, or attended %vith frequent likelihoods and presumptions of truth, before they bring it in public, that so it may appear to the congregation and to the party themselves that they are not questioned and challenged without cause. In the matter of delation and censure they are in the fear of God and in the simplicity and sincerity of their hearts to take heed that fear or favour or solicitations or threat- enings or gifts or bribes do not make them pass by or wink at the fault of any, and that passion or malice or private quarrels and particulars make them not to delate or rip up or censure the miscarriage of any, and that they carry with all tenderness and compassion and moderation towards the offender, that they may approve themselves to his conscience ; that nothing puts them on to delate him and proceed against him but the con- science of duty and a desire to gain his soul, and to purge the Church of scandals." It is a high provocation before the Lord for a Church officer to abuse the power given him of God, for edifying his body the Church unto the satisfying of his own passions and corrupt affections. 6th. They are to take heed that they do not use the censures of the Church as a bodily punishment or pen- ance to satisfy for sin, but a spiritual medicine for humbling and gaining of the soul; all church cen- sures, even excommunication itself, which is the most terrible and destroying-like censure, being ordained of God for this end.^ The apostle commands to deliver the incestuous person to Satan, not that he may satisfy for his sin, but that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ- The word satisfaction may admit of a tolerable construction in church censures, in order to the removing of tiie scandal before men ; but this being so much abused in the popish church, ' Second Book of Discipline, chap, vi, sect. 12. 2 Galatians, vi, 1 ; 2 Corintliians, iv, 2. ^1 Cor. x, 5. 34 EI.DF.RSIJIi'. and the hearts of men being so prone to turn true gos- pel repentance to a mere legal penance, and to conceive that by mere outward submission and obedience to the censures of the Church, the guilt of their sin is done away before God, therefore Elders should carefully shun every thing that may give occasion to the fostering this pernicious opinion, and take pains to instruct offenders in the true nature and ends of the censures of the Kirk. 7th. A great part of the Elder's work is to travail and take pains with scandalous persons, who are now con- victed^— to bring them to repentance by seasonable and frequent conference — instructing, exhorting, and admo- nishing them, until they perceive some measure of true and earnest humiliation wrought in them for their sin, and they fitted to evidence and declare the same in public be- fore the congregation, thatso the scandal may be removed. 8th. They are not to desire or appoint any to profess repentance before the congregation, until the signs of repentance appear in them. The incestuous Corinth- ian sorrowed exceedingly before the apostle did any thing concerning the receiving of him. And the disci- pline of our Church appoints Ministers and Elders sharply to examine those who offer themselves to re- pentance what fear and terror they have of God's judg- ments, what hatred of sin and sorrow for the same, and what sense and feeling they have of God's mercies — the which, if they be ignorant, they ought diligently to be instructed; for it is (say they) but a mocking to put such to public repentance who neither understand " what sin is, what repentance is, what grace is, nor by whom God's mercies and favours are purchased ? And that after he is instructed in these things, and brought to have some taste of God's judgments, especially of his mercies in Jesus Christ, he may be presented before the public church. These things are set down in the form and order of public repentance, appointed by the As- sembly 1567. Lastly, When the signs and evidences of true and unfeigned repentance do appear in those who have of- fended. Elders should show themselves ready and wil- ' The form and order of public repentance prefixed to the old Psalm Book. ELDERSHIP. 35 ling to receive them with all tenderness and compassion, and to forgive and comfort them, and confirm their love towards them.^ The number of elders in every congre- gation cannot be well limited or determined ; but it is to be more or less according to the quantity of the con- gregation, and necessities and condition of the people, and as men qualified and fit for the charge can be found. It hath been an evil custom in some congrega- tions, that rather than they would want any of their wonted number they would choose unqualified men ; and that in several congregations the office of Elder hath been given to those of the richer and higher sort, as due to such (though unhappily of no experience in the things of Jesus Christ, and in many things of an un- tender and blameworthy conversation,) because of their condition in the world, or conceiving that their secular power and credit was the best means to promote the kingdom of Jesus Christ; and men qualified with knowledge and experience in the things pertaining to souls, and of a Christian and godly carriage, have been passed by because of a mean condition in the world. Better it .'.^ that the number be few, before we choose the ignorant and scandalous', and that they be of a low degree if godly, than of a high degree if otherwise. That Elders may the more conveniently discharge their duty,- it is convenient that the congregation be divided into so many parts, and that some competent part be assigned to the more peculiar care and inspection of every Elder, yet so as he neglect not to take heed to all the flock of God, over which the Holy Ghost hath made him an overseer. ^ First Book of Discipline, chap, vi, sect. 4 ; 2 Cor. ii, 7, 8. 2 Acts of the Assembly 164-6. 'M ELDERSHIP. OF DEACONS. CHAPTER I. OF THEIR NAME. That we may also understand what doth belong unto Deacons, we shall speak of them shortly after the same order. 1st, CJf tlieir name. 2nd, Of their institution. .3rd, Of their callinj:^. 4th, Of tiieir duty and qualifi- cation. The word Deacon, largely taken, signifies any servant or minister.' Therefore in the New Testament it doth sometimes comprehend all church officers, even the apostles themselves." Because every church officer is appointed of God for perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, ug c^yov %iocx.ov,a^, and edifying the body of Christ.^ When we speak of Deacons in the. Kirk, it is not taken in this large sense for any church officer of whatsoever sort, but for a certain kind oi church officers,*^ distinct from pastors, teachers, and elders, to whom the collection and distribution of the goods of tlie Church doth belong, for the supply of the necessities of the poor. CHAPTER n. OF TJIE INSTITUTION OF DEACONS. 'J'he institution of the office of Deacon in the church of Christ is divine — It is a special ordinance and ap- ])«)intment of Jesus Chvisl, that there should be a Dea- cons in his house.^^ The apostle gives command to the ' First Book of Discipline, chap, viii ; Matt xxiii, II. -' 1 Cor. iii, 5. 3 Eph. iv, 12. * F' St Book of Discipline, chap. viii. ^ Acts, vi, 3. ^ i .le rcudcrmay wislito see the remaiks of Gillespie in his work iilreiidy relened lo, " Asset tioii of the Government of ihe Church of Scotland in the points of Uuling Elder, &c., Edinbu'gh, IG-II," ELDERSHIP. 37 disciples to choose out among themselves men of hon- est report, full of the Holy Ghost and of wisdom, whom they might appoint over the business of the poor, which was accordingly done, as may be seen in the 5th and 6th verses of that chapter. Neither was this a temporary institution upon this particular occa- sion for the church of Jerusalem only, but for all the churches of Christ to the end of the world. ^ Therefore the apostle Paul, in several of his epistles to the churches, doth mention them." He exhorteth him that gives or imparts (i. e. the Deacon, to whom the care of giving and distributing is committed,) to do it with simplicity.' He reckons helps (i. e. Deacons, who are appointed for helping the poor,) among those officers or the subject of Deacons, as the office is understood and prac- tised in churches not Presbyterian. He says, page 79, " In the Roman, yea in Prelatical churches, there are scarcely any foot- steps at all of the offices of Preaching Presbyters and Deacons as they were instituted by the apostles. The apostles ordained Presbyters to preach the word, to minister the sacraments, to govern the churcli, and to make use of the keys. But the Popish and Prelatical Presbyters have not the power of the keys nor the power of Church government, for it is proper to their Prelates (Bishops). As for the other two they are common to their Deacons, for they also do preach and baptize. The office of the Popish priest standeth in two things — to consecrate and offer up the body of Christ, and to absolve the faithful from their sins. (See Conci. Trident, de Sacr. ordin. cap. 1. Hier. Sa- vanarola. Triumph cruc. lib. iii, cap. 16.) And the same, too, make up the proper office of the priest by the order of the Eng- lish Service Book. " As touching Deacons, they were ordained by the Apostles for collecting, receiving, and distributing of ecclesiastical goods, for maintaining of ministers, schools, churches, the sick, stran- gers, and poor. The Popish and Prelatical Deacons have no such office, but an office which the apostles never appointed to them, for they had no preaching or baptizing. Philip preached and baptized, not as a Deacon, but as an Evangelist, Acts, xxi, 8. Besides, at the time of his preaching and baptizing, he could not have exercised the office of his deaconship by reason of the persecution which scattered rich and poor and all. Acts, viii, 1. That which Stephen did. Acts, vii, was no more than every be- liever was bound to do when he is called to give a testimony to tlie truth, and to give a reason of his faith and practice." ' First Book of Discipline, chap. viii. - Rom. xti, 8- ^ I Cor. xii, 2a D 38 ELDERSHIP. whom God hath set in his church ; and writing to the Philippians, he directs his epistle to all the saints in Christ, with the Bishops, (or overseers, under whom he comprehends ministers, teachers, and elders,) and to the Deacons,^ wherein he gives rules concerning the qualifi- cation and carriage of all church officers. He treats of the Deacons at large, ch. iii, 8 — 13. From the divine institution of Deacons we gather — Isr, That the Deacon is a distinct officer from the elder.'^ It is a defect and fault in some con- gregations that they put no difference betwixt these two, but so confound and mingle them together, as if they were both one, either appointing none for the office of Deacon, but leaving that charge also upon the elders, or else giving the Deacons the same power and employment with the elders. It is true whatsoever tiie Deacon may do by virtue of his office, that same ijiay be done by an elder, as whatsoever is done by an elder may be done by a minister ; because the higher and more eminent officers in the church include the powers of the lower. It is also true that the Dea- cons may assist in judgment with the ministers and elders,^ and be helping to them in those things that concern the oversight of the congregations by infor- mation and advice; yet it is necessary that congrega- tions should so far regard the ordinances and reverence the wisdom of God in appointing these officers, as to have both Elders and Deacons, and to preserve them distinct in their actings and operations, not giving to the Deacons or suffering them to assume the Elder's office. 2nd, That Deacons are not to count light of this employment, or any others to esteem lightly of them, because they are called thereunto and do exei-cise the same; but that they themselves and all others ought to look upon it as one of these holy and honourable employments which the wisdom of God hath thought tit to appoint in his house for supplying the necessities of the saints. The Lord Jesus himself did not disdain to wash his disciples' feet ; angels are all of them mi- nistering spirits, sent forth to minister for their sakes ' 1 Timothy. ~ First Book of Discipline, chap, ii, p. 74. ■ First Book of Discipline, chap, ii, p. 57. ELDERSHIP. 39 who are appointed to be heirs of salvation. Why then should any think it below them to serve the church of Christ, and to minister to the saints in this employ- ment ? ^ CHAPTER III. OF THE CALLING OF DEACONS. None is to step into this office but he that is lawfully called thereto.- Unto their calling it is needful — 1st, That they have abilities and gifts fit for the charge, to- gether with an honest purpose of heart to serve the Lord faithfully in the discharge of the same, by seek- ing his honour and the good of the church. 2nd, That they be chosen by the congregation in which they are to sfrve, which choice is to be made after the same manner as that of a Ruling Elder. 3rd, That trial be taken by the minister and elders concerning their conversation, that it be blameless and holy; and concern- ing their gifts, that they have that tenderness, discretion, dexterity, and prudence that is fit for that employment, and that they be admitted to their charge with prayer and supplication and opening of the w ord, concerning their duty, publicly in the congregation, where they are solemnly to engage themselves to be faithful in the trust committed to them of God.^ CHAPTER IV. OF THEIR DUTY — FIRST, OF THEIR CONVERSATION. Their duty is either that which concerns their con- versation or their office and calling. For their conver- sation the apostle shows what it must be.'^ 1 . They must not be double-tongued nor liars nor dissemblers nor de- ceivers. 2. They must not be given to much wine, nor tiplers nor drunkards, nor lovers nor followers of strong ' I Tim. iii, 13. ~ Second Book of Discipline, chap. viii. 3 Acts, vi, 3, 5, 6; 1 Tim. iii, 10. "* 1 Tim. iii, 8—12. 40 ■ ELDERSHIP. drink. 3. They must not be greedy of filthy lucre, norsuch as are covetous, and whose hearts run after the things of the world. 4. Tiiey must he grave men, of a posed and staid carriage, and not of a light and vain behaviour. 5. They must be such as hold fast the mystery of faith in a pure conscience, that is, who do not only know the doctrine of the Gospel, but do hold fast the faith thereof without wavering, and study to have a good conscience in walking answerably thereto. 6. They must be the husband of one wife, such as abstain from all unlawful lusts, satisfying themselves with the remedy allowed of God. 7. They must be such as rule their own houses and their children well ; such as command and instruct their children and household to keep the way of the Lord, going before them in the practice of piety and godliness, and all holy and religious duties. CHAPTER V. OF THE DUTIES OF THEIR CALLING. The duties that Deacons are bound to perform in their calling may be reduced to these heads :^ 1st. That they be careful to take exact notice of such as are poor in the congregation, and have not wherewith to maintain themselves. 2nd. That they be careful from time to time to collect and receive from the several members of the congregation and strangers that come among them wiiat the Lord shall incline their hearts to give for a supply of the necessities of the poor ; and in a seasonable and Christian way to stir u]) and exhort to charity and liberality that the more may be given. 3rd. That what is received and collected by them be faithful- ly delivered that it may be put into the treasury of the congregation. 4th. That they do timeously make known the several conditions and necessities of the several poor within the congregation to tiie Church Session, that provision may be appointed accordingly for each ' Second Book of Discipline, chap. viii. ELDERSHIP. 41 of them, that so the poor may not be put to begging, to the grief of their spirits and the reproach of the Gospel. 5th. That they be careful, honestly and in simplicity with- out respect of persons, to distribute and deliver to the poor what is appointed for supply of their necessities ; and if they be orphans and young ones, or such who have no knowledge nor understanding, nor ability to dispose and order the things that concern their food and raiment, that the Deacons honestly employ and bestow what is given for their use that they may be supplied in these things. 6th. That they be careful that what belongs to the poor be not dilapidated nor applied to any other use ; and if there be any stock in the church treasure it be improved to the best advantage for the benefit and use of the poor. Yet so that the poor be rather always supplied than money treasured up for a vain show. 7th. That they be careful to take notice of those that are sick that they may acquaint the ministers and elders therewith for visiting them, and if they be poor, that their necessities may be supplied. That Deacons may the more conveniently discharge their duty, it is fit that some part of the congregation be assigned to every one of them for the better inspec- tion of the poor thereof, and that the diets of collecting for the poor be divided amongst them. The number of Deacons in every congregation is to be according to the proportion of the congregation and of the poor therein ; and though there be no necessity of an equal number of Elders and Deacons, yet it is fit that each Elder have some Deacon to be assisting to him in the bounds of which he hath more peculiar inspec- tion, that so both the one and the other may discharge their duty with the greater facility to themselves, and with the greater benefit and advantage to the congre- gation. D2 SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY OFFICE OF RULING ELDER. CHAPTER I. Though the foregoing admirable Tract gummarily embraces most of the leading points connected with the eldership in the Presbyterian church, and i* composed in a style far ahead of the age in which it was written — a plain proof that it is the production of a superior mind; and though the views of the office which it unfolds be most exact and enlightened, still there is room for additional observations. The Scripture argument, as well as that which is drawn from church history, ad- mits of a much more ample illustration, and such state- ments are peculiarly called for in the present day. I have only to regret the necessary repetition of sentiments M'hich may already have been expressed in the Tract of Guthrie. But this the intelligent reader will readily bear with. There is not a little in what follows which, it is believed, will be new and interesting to many readers. In treating of the office of Elder, it is impossible to avoid alluding to the question of the Scriptural form of Church government — a question as to which Presby- terians seriously differ from many with whom they are happily at one in the higher question of doctrine ; but I shall not enter more into these points than is absolutely ELDERSHIP. 43 necessary to vindicate the procedure of the Presbyte- rian church, I shall not unnecessarily assail the prin- ciples and practice of other Protestant and evangelical churches. In treating of Church Government at all, or of a leading part of it, of course it is impossible to avoid altogether referring to opposite and rival systems of rule. I trust, however, that where this is done, it -w^ll be done without bitterness or prejudice, in a firm and decided, but withal gentle and Christian spirit. I am not called upon to enter on the general ques- tion of Church government — to advocate Presbytery as opposed to Episcopacy and Independency or Congrega- tionalism— to maintain the equality of ministers against the one, or a gradation of Courts, embracing Kirk Ses- sions, Presbyteries, Synods, and General Assemblies, against the exclusive rule of each individual congrega- tion in the other. It is one part, and only one, but now a distinctive part of Presbyterian church government which I am called on to consider, and that is the office of the Ruling Elder. The time was when this office was substantially recognised by Episcopalians. Eminent Episcopal writers could be referred to for this point. And the time was when the most distin- guished Independent writers, and even official docu- ments of Independent churches could be appealed to, vindicating its scriptural authority :^ but in more mo- dern times these views have disappeared, and now the Ruling Elder is one of the distinguishing characteristics of Presbyterian church government. It is essential to its existence : and to few parts of the Presbyterian sys- tem are Episcopalians and Independents more keenly ^ One of the most masterly vindications of the office of the Ruling Elder on Scriptural grounds is to be found in Dr. Owen's • True Nature of a Gospel Church and its Government,' pp. 224» — 302, written at a time when he was an Independent. Indeed all the distinguished British Independents of the seventeenth century held the same views. And from Mather's ' Magnalia,' (Platform of Church Discipline, 1619,) it is manifest that the Congregational Churches of New England, whicli were generally looked up to by religious parties in this country as the very re- presentatives of pure Congregational principle, recognised the same office as of divine authority, and embodied it in their stan- dards. 44 ELDERSHIP. opposed. Indeed they have made it a matter of no small reproach. The term "/«?/ elder" is itself a term of scorn; but the reproach is unfounded. There is no such office. The office of Elder is an ecclesiastical one. He who holds it ceases to be a layman. The proper term is Ruling Elder, to distinguish it from the Minis- ter, who is a Teaching Elder, or Bishop.^ ^ All agree that there must be government of some kind in the Christian church. Without this it is not an organised body. It is a miscellaneous mob — open to universal anarchy and confusion. All, too, agree in holding that Christ has appointed a particular govern- ment in his church. Men have differed as to the place where, or persons in whom the right of government is placed by Scripture. Some have placed it in one or i\ few individuals, overseeing the whole flock — this is Prelacy or Episcopacy, which corresponds to what in civil government would be called an absolute mon- archy. Others have vested it in the whole body of Christian members male and female, in a particular congregation, and without any appeal to others — this is Congregationalism or Independency, and corresponds in civil government to democracy. And others again have placed it in Church courts composed of ministers and elders elected by the church members, with the li- berty of appeal from one court of review to another, in order to secure the highest wisdom and judgments un- ^ Perhaps it would tend to correct false impressions as to officers in the Presbyterian cluircli, were the Presbyterians of this country to adopt the practice, which is followed by their brethren in the United States of Annerica, of using only Scriptural names when speaking of their ecclesiastical officers. Thus, in reporting members to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of America, ministers are styled bisliops, and elders are denominated ruling elders. Tliis restores the word bishop to its primitive Scripture meaning, and deprives our Episcopalian friends of an undue advantage which they possess, from the popu- lar impression that there can be no bishops but diocesan bishops, such as govern tlie Church of England, owing to the word in common speech being appropriated to them. In the same way, the term elder would be speedily freed from absurd and unmerited reproach. More error is conveyed and perpetuated by incorrect names tlian many imagine. They exert an injurious influence even over minds which know better. ELDERSHIP. 45 biassed by local prejudice — this last is Presbytery, the form of government under which the members of the Church of Scotland have the happiness to live. It is essentially representative, and corresponds to the popu- lar branch of a limited monarchy or republic. These three forms of government exhaust the great leading divisions of ecclesiastical rule. Power must be placed somewhere, either in the hands of a few, or in the hands of a multitude, or in representatives elected from the many. Now, as I have said, all Christian churches are agreed that Christ has appointed a par- ticular government in his house. The question is, which is the government ; and though far inferior in importance to the question of what is saving truth, still it is not to be despised. It is of high importance, and is daily rising in magnitude. Not long ago good men were disposed to give up all points of mere government, form, discipline, and worship, as matters of no moment But this latitudinarianism is not countenanced by Scrip- ture, and the course of events is rapidly bringing Chris- tians round to sounder views. The question which I am called upon to establish is that the office of the Ruling Elder, as distinct from the Minister on the one hand and the Deacon on the other, is an ecclesiastical office, founded on express scriptural authority, and that no Christian church is entitled to dispense with it. However important may be the con- siderations of expediency in behalf of this office — if we could only plead expediency — if we could not point to the authority of the word of God, our ground, compa- ratively speaking, would be weak and insecure. The great thing, in whatever is connected with the Chris- tian church, is to be able to point to the mind and will of God. This solves all difficulties — settles all disputes. Men may devise what is mischievous, think- ing it a good ; but God is infallible, and all His ar- rangements, whether we comprehend them or not, must tend to the well being of his people. Looking at the matter abstractly and without refer- ence to Scripture, one would naturally expect that there should be some such office as that of the Ruling Elder in the Christian church, — that some men should be 46 ELDERSHIP. associated with the minister to aid him in taking charge of and governing the church. The duties of super- intending even a moderately-sized congregation in the most favourable circumstances, of attending to the young and the sick, candidates for a/lmission, and sub- jects of discipline, are evidently far too numerous and weighty to be adequately discharged by a single indi- vidual, however active and able, amid all the distrac- tion and anxiety connected with other and strictly pro- fessional duties. Besides, ministers from their studies and habits and unacquaintance with the world, are often imperfectly fitted for the business and management of a congregation, in which much knowledge of cha- racter and prudence and tact are necessary. These things render the aid of Ruling Elders peculiarly re- quisite- Even those who are on scripture principle opposed to the office, confess the propriety and im- portance of such aid as it supplies; and not a few ministers who are not Presbyterian are glad to ask and receive the aid of laymen in carrying forward thr- great religious objects which the charge of a congregation involves. Knowing, as we do, the condescension and considerate kindness of the Great Head of the church to his ministering servants w hen engaged in his work, we would naturally expect Him to make some provision for their assistance and encouragement, and that in a direct, regular, and authorised form. We can scarcely imagine that he would leave them to bear the burden undivided and alone. These expectations are supported by scripture fact. It is well known that the New Testament church rose out of the Old, and that in all which is not ceremonial but moral, the Jewish is, in point of great principles and institutions, a guide and example to the Christian church. We can see a reason for this. Such were the strong prejudices of the Jews that the Saviour and his Apostles were most averse to innovate, unless the in- novation were expressly required. They were anxious to win to the faith of the Gospel, and this could only be done by coming as near to the Jews as possible. We know that in the matter of circumcision and other prac- tices the primitive teachers conformed to the views and ELDERSHIP. 47 wishes of the Jews — a pretty plain indication that they would yield to them in church government, and in what was less important. The want, too, of very full and exact descriptions of church government and order for the Christian church confirms the same idea. It intimates that in those points the early believers were left to follow the practice of the Jewish church with which they were intimately acquainted. This, of course, would render specific directions less necessary.)) And what, then, was the order of the Jewish church ? It embraced, we may safely say, through the whole period of its history, elders of the people as dis- tinct ecclesiastical officers. We have the testimony of Scripture to this effect, and also of the most learned en- quirers into Jewish antiquities. We read ^ of the elders of the priests and the elders of the people, and the elders of the people forming constituent members of the great Sanhedrim — of the chief of the fathers being joined with the priests and judging in the matters of the' Lord. We read '^ of the same parties in the days of Christ and his Apostles holding meetings as a court and judging in ecclesiastical causes, as in the alleged blas- phemy of our blessed Saviour,^ and in that of Stephen ^ Jer. xix, 1. ^2 Chron. xix, 8. ^ As George Gillespie was one of the most eminent ministers of the Church of Scotland, a commissioner from Scotland, and leading member of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, and as his work on the ' Government of the Church of Scotland with the points of Ruling Elders,' &c. is comparatively rare and little known, I shall subjoin a few sentences upon the matter in hand. Alluding to the time of Christ he says, pp. 85, 86 — " Notwith- standino^ that in these later times all good order had much dege- nerated and grown to confusion, yet it seems to me, that even in tlie days of our Saviour Christ, the civil and ecclesiastical courts j-emained distinct. Let me say my opinion, with all men's leave, and under correction of the more learned. That night that our Lord was betrayed, he was led to the liall of Caiaphas, where an ecclesiastical sanhedrim was held, who asked Jesus of his dis- ciples and his doctrine, received witness against him, and pro- nounced him guilty of blasphemy Matt, xxvii, 57; Mark, xiv, 53 — 55; John, xviii, 19. 1 find nothing in this council why we should think it civil ; for as touching the smiting and buffeting of Christ, some think it was by the servants of the high priests and elders, after they themselves had gone and left the council. However, it was done tumultuously, not judicially; and tumults 48 ELDERSHIP. the first martyr. We read, too, of the rulers of tlie Synagogue, who were obviously neither priests nor Levites, and much less civil magistrates. Indeed the distinction between the elders of the people and the civil magistrate is apparent from many passages of Scripture, and has been demonstrated by Samuel Rutherford of the Church of Scotland, and by bishop Stillingfleet of the Church of England,^ beyond the possibility of cavil. The most learned writers on Jew- ish antiquities, following Jewish authorities, too, how- ever much they may differ on other points, whether Episcopalians or Presbyterians, have established that under the Jewish church there was a court of three elders in every synagogue, which took charge of the whole of its ecclesiastical inspection, government, and discipline, receiving and rejecting members, &c. &c. No fact is more certain or universally acknowledged in Jewish history. It is of no consequence to the argu- ment whether all these elders did, or did not teach — they all ruled. They formed a court for this purpose,; and hence it is evident that the government of the Jew- ish church was neither in the hands of one individual, as it is among the Episcopalians, nor in the hands of the whole members of the Synagogue, as it is among the Independents of the present day ; but that so far as the office of the Ruling Elder is concerned it was strictly Presbyterian. Spencer, a learned Episcopalian divine of the 17th century, in perfect harmony with the views which have been stated, says, " The Apostles, that this reformation of the change from the Old to the New Testament dis- pensation might proceed gently and without noise, re- may fall forth in any judicatory, whether civil or ecclesiastical. As for the sentence which they gave, (he is guilty of death,) it proves not that this was a civil court; for just so, if an incestu- ous person should be convicted before an assembly of our church, the moderator might ask the assembly — " What think ye?" and they might well answer he is guilty of death — away with him to the magistrate. Shortly then, the matter debated in this noc- turnal council was merely ecclesiastical, and the accusation of sedition and making himself a king were not spoken of till he was brought before Pilate. 1 ."Miller, p. 20. ELUEnsiiip. 49 ceived into the Christian church many of tliose institu- tions which had long been in use among the Jews. Among the number of these may be reckoned the im- position of hands, bishops, elders, and deacons, excom- munication and ordination, and other things familiar to learned men.'' ^ Tiie cekbrated Neander of Berlin, himself a converted Jew, and perhaps the most pro- foundly learned church historian in Lurope at the pre- sent day, bears a similar testimony, particularly as to the Jewish Ecclesiastical Courts of Elders — the point liiore immediately in hand. We now pass from the Old to the New Testament, and in doing so, what do we find ? Do we meet with any repeal of the synagogue form of government ? Of course the temple passed away as a typical institution, when Christ the substitute had come; but the divine worship of the synagogue being moral, is permanent in its nature. Are there, then, any cautions addressed to the primitive Christians, who were Jews, against adopting the synagogue form of government, in which there were ministers and Ruling Elders? There was no small danger of men modelling the Christian church after the synagogue ; but there is not one word of re- peal or caution. Nothing is said of a new form of government, the Episcopal, or Prelatical, or Indepen- dent, being introduced with the new dispensation. The primitive Christians unchallenged are allowed to act upon the forms of government to which they had been accustomed. There is force in such considerations. Christian churches, both established and non-esta- blished, are in the habit of reasoning upon them as valid. We argue for the civil establishment of true religion — for the observance of infant baptism, and the moral obligation of the Sabbath, from the fact, that in the New Testament there is not only no repeal but no caution against principles involving these — recognised and acted upon in the Old ; and why should church government be an exception to the rule? If we count it a good argument for infant baptism and sabbath ob- servance and church establishments that they are found in the Old Testament, and that they are not repealed in I Miller, p. .31. E 50 ELDERSHIP. the New, is it not .equally u good argument for the office of Ruling Elder that we find it in the Jewish church, and that we nneet with no abrogation of, or even cau- tion against it in the New Testament? In such cir- cumstances the burden of proof lies with o})ponents. So far from meeting with anything which savours of a different system, when we begin to read the New Tes- tament we immediately meet with language which re- minds us of the church government of the Old. The first thing which strikes one in the pages of the New Testament, as afi'ording a strong presumption of the identity of the church governments of the Old and New is the number of the Elders who are spoken of as attached to each church. So far as I remember, we never read of one Elder being ordained to a church. It might have been so, and still the government have been Presbyterian — (there might have been only one ti) be had) — but we always read of more than one — we read of Elders. And when they had ordained them Elders in every church, they commended them to the Lord.^ Paul called for the Elders of the church of Ephesus.'*' Is any sick among you, let him send for the Elders of the church.^ Titus was left in Crete that he might ordain Elders in every city."^ Obey them that have the rule over you — not IdmJ' Let the Elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour. It is plain that the elders spoken of were not all teaching Elders or ministers. It would be absurd to imagine that, in primitive times, when many churches were very sniall, and when all were most anxious to propagate the Gospel, there was a plurality of three or four ministers in every church. The Elders then must have been persons who did not teach — except occasionally upon an emergency — per- sons whose office it was to rule. It is worthy of no- tice, that the apostles are not said to ordain Elders — only in large congregations, but in every church, however small. Being ruling Elders, they were essential to its complete organisation. As teaching Elders or minis- ters they would have been needed only in the large ' Acts, xiv, 23. ~ Acts, xx, 20. ^ James, v, 14.. ^ Titus, i, 5. * Hcb. xiii, 17. ELDERSHIP. 51 towns; and not always in them ; for in not a few, such as Antioch and Cartilage, we know that tiiere was but a single place of worship centuries after tlie death of our blessed Lord. From the very number of Elders then spoken of in the New Testament, and which forcibly reminds us of the Elders so often spoken of in the Old Testament, we draw not a proof, but a strong presump- tion, that the great body of them were Ruling Elders. At least the fact seems inexplicable on the supposition of the opposite systems of church government. But, turning from presumptions to proofs, we find three passages of Scripture which distinctly recognise the office of the Ruling Elder, and which no efforts of ingenuity, (and these have not been small,) can force to bear a different interpretation. The apostle Paul, after expounding the great leading doctrines of the Gos- pel, in his Epistle to the Romans, concludes with prac- tical counsels ; among the parties whom he addresses are the office-bearers and members of the church at Rome. Comparing the church and its office-bearers, ordinary and extraordinary, to the human body and its different members, he says, in the 12th chapter, at the 4th verse : — " For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office ; so we being many are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts, (or offices, ) differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy, according to the proportion of faith ; or ministry, let us wait on our mi- nistering ; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation : he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity ; he that ruleth, with diligence ; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness." Here distinct offices and office-bearers are pointed out. Some extra- ordinary, such as prophesying; others ordinary, such as teaching, and among the latter are numbered the rul- ing Elder and the Deacon. " He that ruleth" is to do so with diligence — marking the Elder: " he that giveth," with simplicity — marking the Deacon. The office of ruling is distinct from that of teaching — as distinct as the different parts of the human body, the hands and the feet, are from each other. The ruler is as distinct 52 ELDERSHIP. from the teacher as he is distinct from the deacon. It is expressly said that " all members have not the same of- fice." It is vain, then, to say that the apostle speaks not of different persons; but different gifts belonging to one and the same person. The language and imagery distinctly exclude such an idea, and prove, whatever may be the nature of the duties, that there is in the Christian church an office of ruler distinct from that of teacher or pastor. For this office and office-bearer, how- ever, we look in vain in Episcopal or Congregationa! churches, and thus far they depart from Scripture rule and authority. Some old Presbyterian ministers of the city of London, after remarking, in an al)le work on Church Government, that he that ruleth is distinguished from all the other ordinary officers in the church of Christ by a distinct name — a distinct work — and a dis- tinct direction as to the right discharge of his duties, pertinently add — " Now, what other solid reason can be imagined why he that ruleth should here have a distinct name — a distinct employment — and distinct direction how to manage his work, save this, that the Holy Ghost might set him out to us as an ordinary officer in the church, distinct from all the other standing officers here enumerated ?" ^ Supposing that there were such an officer as the Rul- ing Elder in the early church, how could he, accord- ing to the general counsels in which the apostle was dealing, have been more appropriately referred to ? Supposing there were no such officer, what could be more fitted to mislead than the allusion made? Let none object to the interpretation which has been given from the impression that it makes the Ruling Elder the only Elder. No. To adopt the language of the same old writers — "Though the lluling Elder be here called 'he that ruleth;' yet this doth not exclude the pastor from ruling no more than, when the ordinary ministers are called pastors and teachers, the apostles and evangelists are excluded from feeding and teaching the flock. The Elder is called ' he that ruleth' — not because there is no other ruler than he, but because he only rules — he does not teach." - \ 'Divine Right of Church Government,' &c. London, 1646. p. 121. 2 Ibid., p. 124. ELDERSHIP. 53 Calvin in his ' Institutions,' book iv, chap. 3, refer- ring to the passage which has been quoted, maiies these among other remarks : — " There are two offices that are ipermanent, (/overnment and the care of the poor. Those who governed were, in my opinion, Elders cho- sen out of the laymen of each congregation, who, toge- ther with the bishops (or ministers), bore rule in the correction of morals and in the exercise of discipline. For no one can otherwise expound that which the apos- tle saith, Rom. xii, 8, * He thatruleth let him do it with diligence.' Every church, therefore, from the begin- ning had its own senate^ collected from among the godly, grave, and holy, who had jurisdiction over the correction of vices. Moreover, that this was the order of more than one age, experience itself teaches. This office of government, tjuerefore, is necessary for all A passage, similar to that we have been considering, and warranting the same conclusion, is to be found in 1st Cor. xii, 28. It proceeds upon the same compari- son of the church of Christ to the human body, and runs in these terms : — " And whether one member suf- fer, all the members suffer with it ; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first, apostles ; se- condarily, prophets ; thirdly, teachers ; after that mi- racles ; then gifts of healings, helps, governments^ di- versities of tongues. Are all apostles ? are all pro- phets ?'' &c. arly church, let us now briefly pursue the history downwards. Our Lord promised to his people that there should be a true church in every age — a church, against which the gates of hell should not prevail. Whether, besides true believers, this prondse was meant to include a church correct in all its external forms of government, we know not. I'robably a company of faithful followers, scattered in different outward communions, was all that was promis- ed. IJul it would not be diiiicult to trace a Presbyterian chureh from primitive down to the present times. We have seen the signs and ])roofs of the Ruling Elder, ill other words, of Presbvlerianism, in the 4th and even the Gth centuries. Now, upon the authority of lioman Catholic historians, we can trace the Wal- densian church, M'hich was Presbyterian, up to the ^H2th year of the Christian era. There can be no doubt, too, that the early Scottish church, prior to the reign of I\)p(>ry, was a PresV)ytenan church. And we have not only these Presbyterian lines in the Western ])arts of the world, we can trace the same in the East. The Syrian churches in India, which were visited by Dr. Claudius Buchanan in 1807, can trace their history up to between the Srd and 4th centuries. They lived ill such seclusion as not to be aware of the pretensions of the Pope of Rome — and what was their form of church government ? It was, and is essentially Pres- byterian. In the church which Dr. Buchanan visited, he (lid not find Episcopacy or Independency. There may have been admixture; but, to use his own lan- guage, he "found three principal Christians or lay El- ders belonging (o the chureh, whose names were Abra- ham, Thomas, and Alexandros." - With regard again to the Waldenses, those faith- ful witnesses in the darkest days, of whom it is esti- mated that, from first to last, not less than one mil- ' Miller, p. 71. - Vide Christian Rcscvirches, p. 75. ELDERSHIP. 63 lion have fallen a sacrifice to Home, for their attach- ment to Protestant and evangelical religion — I say that with regard to them their Presbyterianism is well known. In their Confession of faith, which compre- hends the ancient as well as the modern church, they say, " it is necessary for the church to have pastors to preach God's word, to administer the sacraments, and to watch over the sheep of Christ, and also Elders and Deacons, according to the rules of good and holy church discipline, and the practice of the primitive church.'' Here the three orders of the Presbyterian church are distinctly recognised, the Pastor, the Elder, the Deacon. Their Confession of Faith was drawn up hundreds of years before the birth either of Luther or of Calvin. It cannot then be said with truth, that Presbyterianism originated with the Reformation from Popery. A similar statement might be made with regard to the Bohemian church. It was a branch of the Wal- densian, and was planted two hundred years before the days of Jerome and of Huss. They, again, it will hv. remembered, were harbingers of the Reformation, and lived a century earlier than Luther or Calvin ; and yet, from their Confession of Faith, it is plain that they held by the essential principles of Presbyterianism. Luther, after mature information, had the highest opinion of them, eulogised their Confession of Faith, and declared, to use his own words, " there hath not arisen any people, from the times of the Apostles, whose churcii hath come nearer to the apostolic doctrine and order than the brethren of Bohemia." What their order was, besides the testimony of their Confession of Faith, may be gathered from the testimony of Martin Bucer, a celebrated Lutheran reformer. " The rule which they observe," says he, was this — "besides ministers of the word and sacraments, they had in each church a bench or college of men excelling in gravity and pru- dence, who performed the duties of admonishing and correcting offenders, composing differences, and judi- cially deciding in cases of dispute." Whatever other offices the Bohemian church may have recognised, it is plain that she held by the Ruling Elder, and that is 64 ELDERSHIP. a leading and essential feature in Presbyterianism. So far from this office having been first invented, as has been ignorantly alleged, by Calvin the great re- former of Geneva, it was in full operation in the Christian church ages before he vi'as born ; and there is reason to think that, in addition to the light of the word of God, one of the considerations which strongly weighed with Calvin to advocate the office so ably was the felt necessity of maintaining the discipline of the church — a discipline which cannot well be upheld without an eldership. Some may remember that Cal- vin, and other faithful ministers were, by popular tumult, expelled for a season from Geneva, because they would not administer the Lord's Supper to un- worthy applicants. This seems to have impressed his mind more strongly than before with the importance of being surrounded with such guardians of discipline as adorned the ancient Bohemian church.^ I am afraid that the line of observation which I am pursuing may seem to some as if I were resting an important church office upon human authority, the testimony of great names; but it is not so. I have al- ready and fully appealed to the word of God as the only standard, and believe its authority to be conclusive on the matter. But the case is one where it is of conse- quence to be able to refer to the constitution and prac- tice of the Christian church, and to the sentiments of illustrious men, the more especially, as it has been so often and so industriously, but, withal, so ignorantly asserted, that the Presbyterian Ruling Elder has no footing in Ecclesiastical history. The very reverse is the truth. Pursuing the history, then, from the Waldensian and Bohemian churches, we pass on to the Church of Swit- zerland. The great reformers, Zuingle and CEcolam- padius, speak clearly and decidedly on the office of the Ruling Elder as a scriptural office, and as holding a place in the early Christian church. Peter Martyr, a native of Italy, who settled in England, and greatly aided the Reformation there, and John Alasco, a Pole, who set- tled in London as superintendant of the many foreigners who resided there in the reign of Edward VI, amount- ' Vide Appendix for a notice of Calvin in this connection. ELDERSHIP. 65 ing, it is said, to 3000 persons, both express themselves strongly in behalf of the Ruling Elder. From the state- mentof the latter it appearsthat it was upon Presbyterian principles that the congregations of the French, Italian ; and German Christians in London were conducted; and yet Alasco was highly patronised by King Ed- ward and Archbishop Cranmer. Perhaps this will not seem so wonderful w^hen it is remembered, (and tiie circumstance itself is a strong testimony in behalf of the Scriptural authority of the office of the Ruling Elder,) that in the reign of this pious monarch, Cran- mer, and leading men of the Church of England, ac- tually recommended the adoption of Ruling Elders to that church, a proposal which, humanly speaking, only the short life of the king and the opposition of certain parties prevented from being carried into ef- fect. A few years afterwards, in the reign of Eliza- beth, the Rev. Dean Nowell of the Church of England published a well-known catechism, unanimously ap- proved by the same Lower House of Convocation which passed the 39 Articles, in which, treating of the administration of discipline, there is the most distinct recognition of the Ruling Elder as essential. A Pres- byterian could scarcely have described the practice of the Presbyterian church more accurately than the cate- chism describes the appropriate office-bearers for the exercise of discipline. Nay, more, Bishop Burnet of the Church of England states a reason why Ruling Elders were not adopted. It was not because they were without Scripture authority, nor because they were without the sanction of the early church, or were unneeded, (for they were loudly called for;) but be- cause certain political parties demonstrated to the Queen, "that these new models would certainly bring with them a great abatement of her prerogative, since, if the concerns of religion came into popular hands, there would be a power set up distinct from her's, over which she could have no authority. This she perceived well, and therefore resolved to maintain the ancient govern- ment of the church, which is Prelatical and Popish."^ ' For t^^e^e sukI similar testimonies at lengtlf, see Hie adirira- i)le ' Plea of Preshyttvy, by Ministers of the General Synod of Ulster,' pp. 36-2—360. * I" 2 66 ELDERSHIP. Tlie bishop might have added that Presbyterianism was still more ancient. In subsequent reigns the same false views as to the place of the Sovereign, in connection with the church of God, prevented the adoption and spread of Presbyterianism in the South, and occasioned no small share of the suffering of Presbyterians in the North. I might refer to many other Christian churches and high authorities in confirmation of the views which have been presented ; such as the Protestant churches of France, Holland, Geneva, Poland, Germany, Hun- gary, Transylvania, Scotland, the Presbyterian churches of England, of Ireland, and the United States of Ame- rica. 1 might refer also to high names in these churches, and also in the Church of England, in behalf of the Scriptural office of the Ruling Elder ; but this is unne- cessary. In addition to the names which have been quoted, let me only mention a few others. Of great wri- ters in different churches and countries, who have had occassion to touch on the subject of church government, may be enumerated, in Germany, Luther, Melancthon, Piscator, Pareus, Chemnitius, and the Magdeburg di- vines; in Holland, Junius, and Salmasius; in Italy, Zanchius; in France, Marloratus, and Danceus ; in Geneva, Calvin and his brethren ; in England, in the Establishment, Cartwright ; among the Non-Conform- ists, Ames, (joodwin, and Owen, who has been already named ; and among the Independents of America, Cot- ton, and Mather — the latter of whom explains how the office dropt out of the Congregational Churches of the New World. The duties of Ruling Elder were devolved, not upon several, but on one person ; and in days of declining Christianity, the elder felt the duty so painful and unpopular, on his own responsibility, to exclude from ordinances and administer discipline, that he aban- doned the office, and it went into desuetude. This, however, was a gross misapplication and mismanage- ment of the office, and contains no just reflection upon the office itself. Men put it on an unscriptural footing. To use the language of one, who has written ably and well on the subject of the Ruling Elder: ^ — " The 'Miller, UG, 117. ELDERSHIP. 67 great body of the Protestant churches, when they came to organise their several systems, in a state of separation from the Papacy and from eacli other, differing as they did in many other respects, were ahuost unanimous in adopting and maintaining the office of tlie Ruling Elder. Instead of this office being confined, as many appear to suppose, to the Ecclesiastical Establishments of (Geneva and Scotland, it was generally introduced with the lieformation by Lutherans as well as Calvinists, and is generally retained to the present day in almost all the Protestant churches except that of England.^ Those of France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, &c., received this class of elders early, and expressly refer to them in their public Confessions as founded on the Word of God. It is probably sate to affirm, that at the period of the Reformation more than three-fourths of the whole Protestant world declared in favour of this office, not merely as expedient, but as warranted by Scripture, and as necessary to the order and edification of the church. Truly, it is difficult to conceive how any one, who seriously and impartially weighs these facts can resist the impression, that an institution, in behalf of which so many eminently learned and pious men, of different and distant countries, without concert with each other, and without any common interest to serve in reference to the matter, have so remarkably concurred in opinion, must have some solid foundation both in the inspired volume and in the nature and necessities of the church." ' Vide Appendix, on Elders in the Continental Cluirches. 6S CHAPTER III. ON THE NATURE AND NECESSITY OP THE OFFICE OF RULING ELDER. Having established the authority of the office of Hulirig Elder alike from the testimony of the Word of God, and the practice of the Christian church in primi- tive and subsequent tinnes, we now naturally come to enquire into the nature of the office. We have found that there is an office of rule distinct from that of the minister in the church of Christ What is its nature? First of all, then, it is not a civil office. It has no- thing to do with the possession or administration of ci- vil power — that is the province of the civil magistrate. The office, strictly and exclusively, belongs to the church. It regards the inspection, discipline, and go- vernment of the members of tfie church, and that by moral, not civil means. The elder does not discharge his duty by punisliing church offenders, where necessary, with civil pains and penalties. No. All that he has to do is, in conjunction with the minister and other members of session, to admonish, warn, reprove, sus- pend, and, last of all, cut off from the communion of the church. His power extends no farther. In the history of the Christian church, church-officers have sometimes, yea often, gone beyond this. In the Church of Home, which is Prelatical, and does not recognise the office of the Ruling Elder at ail, it has been common to deliver over church offenders from the ecclesiastical to the civil arm — to the punishments of the Inquisition. And even in our own church, particularly in early times, when the civil power was very weak, and the country was in a rough and lawless condition, church offenders were visited with civil pains and penalties by the session ; such as fines and coporal inflictions. But however natural the proceedure may have been in the ELDERSHIP. 69 peculiar circumstances in which the ciiurch was placed for a season, the principle is indefensible. The wea- pons of the church are not carnal — they are spiritual ; they consist of moral discipline, and this is the universal practice of the Church of Scotland at the present day. By a recent act of the General Assembly, no money is received, even for the poor, from those who have been the subjects of church censure, lest it should seem as if she were dealing in civil penalties, and also lest any should imagine that, like the Church of Rome, she compounded with men for their sins in consideration of pecuniary acknowledgments. As to the civil magistrate punishing men for breaches of the law of God-;— such as offences against the first table, blasphemy, sabbath-breaking — that is another matter, and proceeds upon other grounds. It is the doing of the State, not of the Church, and because such offences are breaches of the law of the State, and most injurious to its interests ; while, at the same time, they happen also to be breaches of the law of the church, which is founded on the Word of God : thus a man might be punished both by the Church and the State for the same crime. The one might excommunicate him from her pale — the other visit him with a heavy fine. But the two authorities are distinct. This is ma- nifest from the fact, that the church might, and often does, inflict censure where the civil or criminal law sees nothing to blame. The office of the Ruling Elder, then, is not civil. It is strictly ecclesiastical. It deals with ecclesiastical offences, and restrains and punishes them in an ecclesiastical way ; and it rewards and encou- rages the faithful members of the church also by spiri- tual, not temporal means — by the diligent discharge of duty, and the prayers and approbation of the good. But, further, the office of the Ruling Elder is not only ecclesiastical — it is spiritual in its t-ature. Though an office within the church, it might have been occupieil with temporal matters belonging to the church ; sucli as its finance, and the maintenance of the poor. But, No. It is not identical with the office of the deacon. In practice they may have been conjoined in Scotland and some other Presbyterian countries, but in Scrip- 70 ELDEKSilll'. ture the offices are distinct ; and it is desirable, as much as possible, to keep them distinct in practice. The union is attended with various evils, fitted to de- feat the ends of the eldership as a spiritual office. At the same time, from the paucity of persons able and willing to disciiarge the duties of both offices separ- ately, they are frequently united. And since, then, the office of elder is neither civil, nor affect? temporal matters, what is its nature? It is, as I have said, strictly and exclusively, spiritual. It is designed to aid the pastor in the inspection, guidance, and government of the flock, and to promote the edifi- cation of all classes connected with the congregation — the young, by seeing that they are reljgiously educated — the careless, by seeing that they are warned — candi- dates for admission, by seeing that they are well quali- fied— offenders against the rules of the church, by seeing that thej' are dealt with by admonition, suspension, or exclusion — the infirm and the sick, by seeing that they are visited — mourners, by seeing that they are encou- raged. Where, (as in an Established church,) in addi- tion to the congregation, there is a territorial division, comprehending many individual.':,whoareestrangedfrom all Christian churches and communions, growing up in ungodliness, it is the duty of elders, as of ministers, to use all the means in their power to reach and reclaim them, as by schools — week-day and sabbath — and also district visitations. While the elder, as his name inti- mates, has his appropriate place in the rule or govern- raentof the church — as a raemberof its Sessions, Synods, and, it may be. General Assemblies — these may be re- garded as his more public duties, but he has, like the minister, vd^nons private duties, all bearing on the same end — the furtherance of the moral and religious good ; in other words, the instruction and edification of the different classes and characters composing the Christian congregation with which he is connected. I need scarcely add, that, in order to the successful discharge of the duties of the office, it is necessary to have some time to spare, and it is necessary also to cultivate sonie acquaintance with the congregation in which it is ex- ercised. ELDEKSIIIP. 71 And now, luiving explained the nature of the office of the Ruling Elder, let nie briefly advert to the abso- lute NECESSITY of sucii an office in the Christian church. All who have just views of Christianity and of the Christian church will allow that discipline is indis- pensable— that religious ordinances, such as Baptism and the Lord's Supper, cannot^ without mockery and profanation, be granted to all indiscriminatelj', what- ever tiieir character. All will allow that none should be recognised as members of the Christian church save those v.ho make a creditable profession ; and that to attain this knowledge demands some time and care. Hence it is obvious that the whole management of the discipline of the church cannot be committed to the hands of one individual, and he the minister. His own pecu- liar duties, public and private, even in a small congre- gation, are far too many and onerous to admit of his suitably attending to them all, and the whole disci- pline of the congregation besides. Hence it is that, where left to the minister alone, as in the Church of England, there is really no discipline. It is not a very pleasant, though a very important employment, to in- spect morals, and, where necessary, reprove. Accord- ingly the duty is neglected, and the very office ultimate- ly disappears. Independently of the want of time and ability to rule a whole church or parish alone, it is not desira- ble that so much power should be entrusted to a single individual. Even good men are liable to many mistakes and prejudices, and to be misled by a few in- judicious friends. How serious a thing to commit the examination, trial, and acqiiittal or condemnation of cha- racter— in ecclesiastical affairs, to a single individual, without any appeal from his judgment ! The very pos- session of such despotic power would be most injurious to the character of the minister himself, and also of his flock. It would nourish pride and ambition on the one hand, and slavish submission on the other. This has been remarkably verified in the history of the Christian church. As soon as men departed from the Scriptural and apostolic order of having Ruling Elders in each congregation, the pride and ambition of the clergy, as 7'2 ELDEKSIUP. a distinct order, obtained free scope, and favoured by other adverse influences, at length became the mightiest engine of tyranny which the world ever saw, while the so-called Christian people crouched under them as the most abject slaves. In short, the real character and ends of the Christian church were destroyed. Had it not been for the abandonment of the primitive and Presbyterian order of the church, the world might — we may safely say would — have been spared much of the usurpation and corruption of the Church of Rome. It is plain, then, that a single individual, however able or excellent, cannot administer aright the govern- ment of the church. All history has proved this ; and tlien it is to be remembered that all ministers are not able and excellent. We see, then, the necessity of the pastor being at once assisted and checked by others — and they responsible persons — associated with him. And now the question arises, Who shall these others be? The Congregatlonalists or Independents say that the whole members of the church, young and old, male and fe- male, should bear a part in the government, and, more- over, that there should be no appeal from their judg- ment, each congregation being independent in itself; but this plan is exposed to insuperable objections. Many persons, though possessed of sufficient knowledge and character to be admissible, with propriety, to church privileges, are totally unfit, from their education, and temper, and habits of thinking, and situation in life, for administering so delicate a matter as the govern- ment and discipline of the church of Christ. Think of new converts, in some cases, as in the South seas, con- stituting the great majority of the congregation, with Iheir imperfect views and newly acquired ideas, becom- ing at once rulers in the church, to inspect, admonish, reprove, excommunicate others, and receiving as much power as the gravest, most aged, and experienced mem- bers ! What can be expected to arise out of such a state of things but confusion in the first instance, and then endless divisions and parties ? Accordingly this, in a great degree, is the history of such congregations. Hu- manly speaking, it is only a remarkable outpouring of the Spirit which can prevent the result. ELDERSHIP. y3 And it would be still more the history, were the professed principles of the Independent body carried out; but this is not the case — they cannot, in fact, be acted on to any great extent. From the unplea- santness of the employment, or other causes, a large body of the members do not regularly or steadily bear a part in the administration of the government of the church, and the exercise of discipline. Con- sequently these fall into the hands of a few, who may be said really to become the Ruling Elders — but, with this disadvantage, that they are not a recognised or re- sponsible party more than others. Their judgments may be upset without appeal as often as a sufficient number of the members remain to outvote them. Moreover, the persons who in this way fall into the possession of ecclesiastical power are not composed, as in Presbyte- rian churches, of the men most noted for character and prudence and habits of business, but very often of the self-confident, the ambitious, the rash, in short, the very persons whose temperament specially unfits them for church rule. These are the persons who are most fond of government, and who are most regular and persevering in their attendance, and so become the rulers. In remarkable harmony with what might have been expected, I believe it is no secret that, in many Independent congregations, both in this and other countries, there is a private committee of the most pru- dent and able men, who prepare business for the larger body — the church ; in other words — real con- gregational principles are found to be impracticable. The committee substantially become the eldership, and Independent churches are ruled only by having re- course to the principles of Presbyterian ones. It would not avail to repose the whole power in the pastor, and allow him to consult with friends in cases of discipline. Not only would this not meet all the duties of the Rul- ing Elder, but, being optional, some pastors would con- sult, others would not. Those with whom they con- sulted would feel no official responsibility, and very frequently and naturally they would consist of one or two attached friends, who would not run counter to the G 71 Ki.DKnsnTP. pastor's known vioMs and likings, and licnco the footinjij on which tlie govcrntnent and discipline of the church would rest would be as uiisatisCactory as ever. There is no real remedy for these various and opposite '•vils but the eldership of the IVesbyterian church — a body of men of approved qualification, invested with a distinct office in the government of the church. And is the appointment of such a body of men more than might have been expected ? Surely the Redeemer, who showed such condescension and love to his people, would never leave them in/o important a matter as the rela- tionship of church members — a ])rey to clerical despot- ism on the one liand, or of confusion, leading to ty- ranny, on the other. Surely he would make sonje pro- vision for their being ruled in a comfortable, afi'ection- ate, and edifying njantier. 1\) adopt the strong lan- guage of Dr. Owen, when speaking of Huling KIders : — " It is evident that neither the purity, nor the order, nor the beauty or glory of I he, church of Christ, nor the reputation of His own majesty and authority in the government of them, can long be ))reserved without a multiplicity of elders in them according to the propor- tion of the resj)ectable members, for their rule and guidance ; and for want h(!reof have the churches of old and of late either degenerated into anarchy and confusion — (their self-rule being managed with vain disputes and janglir.gs unto their division and ruin) — or else giving up themselves to the dominance of some prelatical teachers to rule them at their jdeasure, which })roved the bane and poison of all primitive churches, and they will, and must do so, in the neglect of this order (namely, of Iluling Elder) for the future." ' ' Owen's Gospel Cliuich, p. 178. /J CHAPTER IV. ON THE DL'TIES AND (QUALIFICATIONS OF THE UL'LlNd ELDER. Having established the Scripture authority of tlie ofhce of the Ruling Eider, and shown tlie sanction vviiich can be pleaded in its behalf, from the sentiments and prac- tice of the Christian church in primitive and suhsf- quenl times; having also shown the nature and absolute necessity for such an otiice from the nature of the church of Christ, and the proved inability of men to govern it in a satisfactory manner in any other way, [ now come shortly to explain the duties and qualifica- tions of the Eldership. I have already noticed the duties incidentally. As the very name of the office of Ruling Elder intimates, its chief and distinguishing peculiarity is that of ruling or governing the church of Christ. The leading />w6- lic duties of the Elder are included under this denomi- nation;— of course, in order to rule a Christian church or congregation satisfactorily and aright, there must be knowledge of the members, inspection of their charac- ter and conduct, admonition, advice, reproof, where needed; there must be a care to compose differences where tht^y exist among the members, tlie visitation of the sick and infirm, attention to the religious education of the young, assisting the minister in the administra- tion of the sacraments, and the exercise of church dis- cipline on offenders, and a general desire and efibrt to make oneself serviceable in every possible way to the congregation, especially in the furtherance of their spiritual comfort and edification. In addition to these there are the duties of judging in church courts, and conducting the business of the church. Such are the leading public duties of the Elder ; and then he has various private duties common to him with all Christians, and some peculiar ones rising out of the 76 ELDERSHIP. ecclesiastical office which he holds. Among these may be reckoned, the duties under which Christians li<' to instruct one another — to exhort and stir up one another to love and ^ood works — to admonish one another — to comfort the afflicted and support the weak — to restore the fallen, and visit thcjse who are in dis- tress— and pray one for another. It may he remember- ed that among the private duties of the Elder, Scripture expressly singles out admonition to tiie careless be- liever, and prayer for the afflicted. " We beseech you, brethren, to know t#iem which labour among you and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you." "Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him anointing him with oil, in the name of the Lord*' — that is, using all appropriate means for his recovery, while combined with these there is a holy dependence upon God in the exercise of prayer. But the duties are so well stated in (iuthrie's tract, and so fully, that I need not enlarge. The duties of the Eldership in all Presbyterian churches may often have been very partially and im- perfectly discharged, and sometimes they may have fallen into such desuetude as almost to become un- known, so that congregations have ceased to expect rhem; but in this respect the duties of the Elder hkve not been more neglected, than oftentimes have been those of the pastor and of the private Christian. In general, religious decline affects all offices and all duties. But, however far Presbyterian churches may have frequently come short of their duty, the office of the Ruling I{,lder is a permanent one in the church of Christ, and its duties are permanent. Blessed be (rod there is a growing disposition to revive its duties. These, from the altered circumstances of society, especially in our large towns, may often be of very • lifficult application — much more difficult than in T".- tired rural parishes, where every man is known to his neighbour, and attends the same parish chunrh. Still, whatever may be the difficulties of the exercise of the office of Elder in our towns and cities, both as regards the congregation and the parish, there can be little e their cha- racter, it is not known how they will stand the tempta- tions of the world till they have experienced them. From their comparative unacquaintance too with family distresses, they can imperfectly sympathise with those who are bereaved ; while yet an important part of their duty as Elders lies among such persons and families. Perhaps it is in some measure to meet the two last, that the word of God recommends that the Elder should be married. I. Having stated what is not essential to the qualifica- tions of the Elder, I shall now state what qualifications are indispensable. And, 1st, there is piety. All ::;ust at once see not only the importance but the necessity of this. Were the office of Elder a mere secular pro- fession, a matter of business connected with the world, piety might be dispensed with; but it is an ecclesiasti- cal office, and concerned about spiritual duties — and ELDERSHIP. 79 how then can it be exercised with intelligence or profit, or indeed at all, without that piety which springs from the faith of the Gospel, and which consists of love to God and love to man? Piety is as necessary for the Elder as for the minister: without it there may be some of the external forms; butthere can be nolife or powerorpleasureinthe office. The Eidercannotbe truly respected by the congregation, and he must soon weary of the office itself. It is only the principles and motives of piety which can sustain him amid the difficulties and misapprehensions and misrepresentations to which the discharge of the office frequently exposes. Not only is piety requisite, but, if possible, superior piety. The higher the attainment, the greater the success with which the duties, it may be expected, will be observed. This may not always be attainable, but at least there should be sincere and solid principle manifested in an orthodox creed — irreproacliable conduct and a consistent profession of religion. Apart from these a congregation had better want Elders for a time altoge- ther. A man unsound in the faith, without love to God, and consequently really opposed to Christ and his king- dom, is not only quite unfit for tlie duties of the Eldership whether public or private, but he is a drag and restraint upon the faithful members of session. He hinders their welfare in a variety of ways, such as their fellowship in prayer, and their different schemes for doing good, I cannot better describe this part of the qualification of Elders than in the words of inspiration. They are equally applicable to the ruling as to the teaching Elder, and were, doubtless, designed to mark what should be the character of both. " An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children; one that ruieth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity, not accused of riot or unruly, not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre, but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate, and sound in the faith, in charity, in patience." Of course, these requirements include the personal virtues, and such duties as family worship, and a regular attendance upon divine ordinances. 80 ELDERSHIP. Without these piety would lose both the proofs of its existence, and the means of its increase. 2nd. The next qualification for the Eldership is pru- dence and good judgment. Essential as piety is, it is not enough. All pious men are not wise men. Many are rash and hasty and opinionative, and do much to neutralise the effects of their piety, and perhaps to discredit it. Some, too, are weak in point of mental character. Such persons, however sincere and well- intentioned, are not fit for the Eldership. Good sense and ])rudence are almost as essential as piety. The duties of Elders, as has been shown, are many and various, some of them delicate and difficult; they con- cern all classes of character and society, and the management of the house of God besides. Hence they peculiarly call for the exercise of a sound judg- ment, free from vanity or conceit, or zeal without know- ledge. How strong is the Scripture commendation of prudence ! Private Christians, and much more office- bearers in the church, are required to be wise as ser- pents, harmless as doves. Moses, when directing the children of Israel as to the choice of rulers, exhorted them in these words : — " i ake ye wise men and under- standing, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you." Suppose church mem- bers had the election of civil judges in their hands, would they choose weak or rash or forward men, how- ever sincere and well-intentioned in heart? No. And are such persons more fit for acting the part of ecclesiastical judges? It is to be feared that the rash- ness and imprudence of good men in the church have often marred their success, and given an occasion to the cneniy to find fault, if not to triumph. They have weak- ened, too, the moral influence of the church of Christ as a whole. Why are Christians endowed with reason, if that reason is not to be exercised? There are gifts as well as graces ; but this point is, on all hands, acknow- ledged to be so clear and important, that I need not enlarge. I shall only add that prudence is peculiarly called for in the day in which we live. When the Church of Scotland has many enemies, and not a few eyes are upon her, watching for her halting and wearying for her fall. Such a qualification, too, is ELDERSHIP. 81 especially necessary, in an institution like the humble church of our fathers, which has not, like some churches, immense worldly interests on which to lean, which may be said to live purely by character and her public usefulness. 3rd. In the third place, an Elder should not only be a pious and prudent man, but also one well reported of; he should be free from every stain and ground of reproach, and also stand well in public estimation. It is possible for one to be a man of piety and good sense, and yet, from particular circumstances, not to be well reported of. His early life may have been marked with great thoughtlessness and levity, which are not for- gotten, or he may conduct his business in such a way as to seem to forget the exhortation to shun " the appearance of evil." The effect of this is to weaken his influence in the Christian congregation and in society, and so to unfit him for the Eldertihip. We do not say that there is any thing re«//y disqualifying, that either in character or conduct he is blame-worthy ; but the re- sult is the same as if he were. An Elder needs not only to be good, but to be known, and reported to be good. Without this he will be an object of suspicion, at least there will be a want of general confidence in him; he will not be respected or esteemed, and in the same proportion the ecclesiastical court, of which he forms a member, will suffer in its reputation. It will be ex- posed to unfounded taunts, and the weight of its de- liberations and judgments will be weakened. In the discharge of the duties of his office, the Elder is fre- quently called upon to hold converse with those who are without, who are not within the pale of the Christian church. In these circumstances his cha- racter will be made a subject of rigid scrutiny. It is most desirable that in all the relations of life, and in public estimation, it be such that he can easily and thoroughly stand the trial, and come forth unharmed, yea, unsuspected. It is well, when it can be said, that a church suffers no injury from the Ministers or Elders who administer its affairs. But, after all, this is saying little. The happy state of things is, where it can be said that the church decidedly gains by an Elder, and that, S-J ELDERSHIP. by his good character, he recommends its interests and claims even to the profane and ungodly. 4th. The next qualification for the eldership is that state of mind, temper, and conduct, comprehended un- der the name of ptihlic spirit. The men of the world are eminently seltish in their views, and even good men are often feeble and narrow, contenting themselves witii humble attainments and efforts — afraid to do, or to risk much, keeping by a little formal circle of duty, while the great public interests of society — of the church and of the world — are for the most part neglected. This is not the spirit of Christ. He was eminently public spi- rited. He obeyed — he laboured — he sufiered for the good of others. The state of the church and of the world was much upon his heart; so should it be \\ith the rulers in His house. They should seek the things of Christ before, and more highly, than their own. They should mourn for the sins and miseries of the church more than their own. They should rejoice in the prosperity of Zion more than their own. Like old Eli, they should be more troubled for the loss of the ark than for the death of two sons. Like David, they should bewair the conflagration of God's house mor- than their own — the desolation of the church more than that of a kingdom.^ It is highly desirable that the Ruling Elder, whose very office is designed to promote Christ's kingdom upon earth, should be eminent for his love to all true Christians, to whatever orthodox com- niunion they belong — should take a deep interest in all schemes of Christian usefulness, particularly those of the church with which he is associated — should not be narrow in his views, or scanty in his contributions, but should cherish a spirit of enlarged benevolence, and be an example to others of generous effort and donation, so far as his circumstances will allow; and of anxious desire and prayer for the universal extension of the kingdom of Christ ; and, generally, for the furtherance of every good object — humane and religious. This is peculiarly called for in the present day, which teems with enterprisings of Christian benevolence. How sad, where the office-bearers of the church are afraid to 'Vide Viiidicatiun of Presbyrerial Churc-li Govtrnment, p. 80. London, 1G50. ELDEKSinP. 8*3 move for Clirist — cold, timid, half-asleep — correct and excellent men, it may be, in their families and little circles, but without interest, sympathy, or prayer, for the great objects of Christianity on a large and public scale ! If the rulers of the church be wanting in pub- lic spirit, what can be expected of the private members? Truly they will be cold and indifferent, too, and miss the blessing which is promised to those who mind not only their own things, but also the things of Christ. 5th, Another qualification for the eldership is an en- lightened attachment to the principles and constitution of the Church of Scotland, as a Presbyterian evangeli- cal church in union with the State. The very names — Evangelical Presbyterian Establishment — recall various important questions. They remind us that the church to which we belong is an Evangelical church, as opposed to various errors — defective views and false doctrines en- tertained in other churches, and once too current in our own. They remind us that it is a Presbyterian church, as opposed to forms of government which, however venerated, are unsupported by Scripture and the his- tory of the church, and are inexpedient in themselves; and they remind us that it is an Established church, as opposed to those who deny the claims of Christ as King of nations as well as of individuals and churches ; maintaining, on the other hand, that it is the duty of men, in all relations of life, the civil as well as others, to recognise and promote the truth and church of the living God. In any circumstances, it is most import- ant that all elders should have some measure of intel- ligent acquaintance with these great characteristics of the Church of Scotland ; but in the days in which our lot is cast, this is eminently called for. It is well known that ecclesiastical questions, long asleep, are, from various causes — the progress of evangelical reli- gion, and the political state of society — coming up again for discussion, and that Christians of all denominations are called upon anew to examine their principles, and hold fast by that which is scriptural and good. At such a season, it is peculiarly necessary that office-bearers in the church, who are expected to defend her when 84 ELDEllSIIIP. assailed, should have a tolerable acquaintance uith, and be animated with warm attachment to, her princi- ples and institutions. To whom are men to look in the varied walks of society, in private life as well as social intercourse, for able supporters, if not to the Elders? And blessed be God, in the church's various struggles in every age, down to the present day, she has been nobly sustained by many of her elders: they have been among her foremost defenders. I do not say that el- ders should be mere partisans, and in all questions fol- low the majority of the church, whoever these may happen to be. That were unreasonable in itself, and injurious to their own influence ; but, as compared with other churches, I humbly think, those who are called to the eldership in the Church of Scotland should be men of warm and enlightened attachment to her great distinguishing peculiarities ; and that in a contest which divides her own members, the evidence should be ven,- clear — the result of prayerful investigation, and not mere haste and prejudice, which decides them to pursue a course entirely opposite to that of the great majority of their brethren. In connection with this point, and flowing out of it, I may add, that the elder, while tolerant and liberal to all good men, should make it his care specially to coun- tenance the church to which he belongs, and by the regu- larity of his attendance in the congregation of which he is an elder — by the interest which he takes in its schools, its prayer meetings, and its different religious objects ; so far as circumstances will allow, he should encourage the minister and the other office-bearers, in the great work for which they are associated together as a church of Christ. I need not say how unhappy it is, in every light, when elders, of whom other things might have been expected, are ignorant or indifferent about the princi- ples of the church, allow her to be attacked without challenge, and take little or no interest in her general proceedings, or in the religious concerns of the parti- cular congregation to which they belong. 6lh. The last grand qualification for the eldership is a devotional spirit — the spirit of prayer. The duties of 4! ELDERSHIP. 85 elder, when faithfully and unweariedly discharged, are so many, and some of them so difficult — the office is t^xposed to such varied opposition from the wicked and ungodly, and the discharge of its duties is attended with such opposite temptations to neglect, or impatience, or severity — that the elder needs to be upheld by better wisdom than his own, or that of his brethren. He needs the counsel, strength, and blessing of the Great Head of the church, and these are to be had only in answer to prayer. Moreover, it is only those of a de- votional spirit who can be expected, when necessary, to pray with the sick, and to form a part of any asso^ ciation for prayer in the session or in the congrega-^ tion, for a blessing on the labours of the office-bearers of the church. Hence the importance of a prayerful spirit. Besides, it will sweeten all the duties of the el- dership, whether more or less public, and make them pleasant. It will prevent the elder also from wearying in his labours, or being discouraged by, it may be, see- ing little visible fruit from them all. 1 have now noticed the leading qualifications for the successful discharge of the duties of the Ruling Elder — personal piety — good sense and prudence — being well-reported of — public spirit — intelligent attachment to the constitution and principles of the church — and a devotional temper; combined together, they form a most useful and excellent character, which will com- mand the respect and esteem of all Christian men. In yterian j)rinciples and government. In concbiding these arguments, drawn from Scrip- ture and church history, in behalf of the divine authority of the office of the Ruling Elder, is it, possible to forget the presumption — to use no stronger term — of the new semi-popish school in the Church of England, who unchurch all Presbyterian churches, committing the salvation of their members to the " uncovenanted mercies of God" — mercies which are unscriptural, and have no existence ? TJiese par- ties disown an office clearly revealed in the Word of God, and recognised in that primitive antiquity in which they so greatly delight ; and yet, because the Church of Scotland, and other Presbyterian churches, cannot boast of, yea, deny, and do not believe in the scriptural authority of ordination exclusively by dio- cesan bishops ; ' and still less, that these ordinations have descended, without a break or a flaw, for eighteen hundred years, through ages of confusion and corrup- tion— because Presbyterian churches do not credit such absurd and monstrous pretensions, they are forthwith unchristianised, and all their ordinances pronounced in- valid and blasphemous I All the while, these " accus- ers of the brethren," who "call themselves apostles, and are not, but are liars," are administf ring a church without, yea, in open disregard of, a church officer, who was set there by the Lord of the church, and whose place has been recognised and honoured by the most distinguished Reformers of the Church of England, as well as by the fathers of the primitive church of Christ. The same parties belong to a church which has not ' They have a Prtsbyterial ordination as unbroken, or wore so rlian the initiistcrs of the Church of England have an Episcopal ujie. ELDERSHIP. 99 only blotted oat the Ruling Elder, but which has per- verted the Scripture office of deacon, raising it from the simple and scriptural charge of the financial affairs of the church and of the poor to the high office of preaching the Gospel, and baptizing in the name of the Holy and Blessed Trinity ! Far be it from me to deny that the Church of England is a church of Christ. With all her defects, she is an important branch of the Protestant Reformation. She has rendered many services to Chris- tianity, against Popery, Socinianism, and Infidelity, and her doctrinal articles are unexceptionable. In all pe- riods— even those most strictly and sternly Presbyterian — her claims to the character of a church of Christ have been recognised by the Church of Scotland ; but surely her professed friends have enough to do to supply her acknowledged defects, and work out her further refor- mation, and maintain their own consistency, without unchurching their neighbours, and creating alienation where there should be concord! I rejoice it is only a party — I hope not a very large party — in her com- munion, who feel and speak in so obnoxious a manner. It will be time enough to yield to their claims of " un- interrupted episcopal succession" when the Church of England has returned to primitive order, by restor- ing the Ruling Eider and Presbyter to their proper place in the church, and by reducing the deacon from his usurped powers. Instead of calling in question the validity of Presbyterian ordinances, it would be a more natural and profitable enquiry for the new Oxford sciiool and their associates to enquire, whether Epis- copal ordinances are what they ought to be, while the office of the Ruling Elder is not recognised — that of the Presbyter shorn of its power — and that of the dea- con perverted ? The tree must surely be sound and good before its '• unbroken succession" can be of much worth. At least such enquiries would tend to create a little toleration for others, who, on many accounts, have a title to ft)rbea ranee, if not respect and gratitude. ]00 CHAPTER VI. HISTOaiCAL SKETCH OF THE ELDERSHIP 15 THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, EMBRACING A BRIEF VIEW OF THE LAW OF THE CHURCH REGARDING ELECTION, AND THE •ADVANTAGES WHICH HAVE BEEN BROUGHT OUT KV THE OFFICE. There was a Presbyterian church in Scotland prior to the days of Poper}'. The Culdees were its ministers — faithful and devoted men — who had only Presbyte- rian ordination, and who, sad to tell for " the un- broken succession," actually ordained English bishops I Doubtless, the Piuling Elder held an appropriate place in the government of this early Scottish church. At the Reformation, in the sixteenth century, the same go- vernment was revived^not as an invention of man's, but as the dictate of Scripture authority.^ Accordingly ' No mistake can be greater tlian that the Church of Scotland, r n drawing up Iier platform of t'overrimerit and order, was guided by human policy — the eircumstaricefi of the times — and the opin- ions of great men. It is plain to all who carefully study her his- tory, that never was a church which more directly drew from the Word of God. 'rhi« is well stated in a rare Tract, published in 1644. Ijy the Comroissioners of the General Assembly to the As- seml)ly of Divines in Englaiul, intended to clear the reformation of church government in Scotland "from some mistakes and pre- judices." The Tract was piobably written by Alexander Hen- derson. 1 subjoin a few sentences. Sjjeaking of the Scottish Reformers, the Commissioners say : — " They did honour Luther and Calvin, and many others, whether their predecessors or con- temporaries, who had heart or hand, especially in an eminent de- trree. in the blessed work of reformation. For their direction they made use of the light which such notable servants of Jesus Christ did hold fortii in doctrine and discipline ; and, in all thankfulness, they did desire and wish rljat their names might be had in ever- lasting remembrance. Nor was it possible that so great an alte- ration as the corrupt state of the cliurch reqiiired could be effected and not carry some remembrance of the instruments — but for this, to call us Calviniarw, atid the Reformed churches Calvinian Re- ELDERSHIP. 101 the First Book of Discipline recognises the office of Ruling Eider as an important part of the government of the Christian church ; and the church acted upon her own convictions in clothing suitable men with the office. The lirst General Assembly consisted of twelve ministers, and thirty Ruling Elders. The first churcli of Edinburgh had twelve elders, and sixteen deacon?;. A striking feature in the early eldership of the Church of Scotland v.as its numbers. Often it seems to have embraced all the leading men of the district — persons of rank as well as of character. In Glasgow, a few years after the Reformation, when there was only one church, there were not less than forty-two elders, and twenty-four deacons — the former comprehending tlfe magistrates and council of the town, and the Principal and Resents of the University.^ This must have af- forded great encouragement to a faithful minister in labouring to promote the moral and religious welfare of his people. The office was originally annual — the same person j;, however, were eligible by re-election. So important was it regarded, and so thoroughly spiri- tual its duties, that it was contemplated to make provi- sion for the maintenance of the elder from the funds of the parish — at least, while he sacrificed his business to his office. This part of the original plan the church was never in circumstances to carry into full or perma- nent effect. The election to the office was vested in the congrega- formed ciiurches. is to disgrace the true churches of Christ, and to symbo'iisie with the Ptipists, who call themselves the Catholic church." Again — " Nothing was farther from their thoughts and incejitions than to frame in their own forge a Lesbian rule answerable to any particular torm of civil polity, or compiiable with State ends — that they looked with singleness of mind to tiie rule of Scripture, we give these evidences : — 1. The great pains they took in searching the will of God; and after they had found ir, tiieir grievous sutferings tiom the civil authority in defence thereof " The other proofs are the restless opposition of worldly men to Presbyterian church government, allegmg it to be incom- patible with monarchy, and the assertion of the true polity of the church by her ministers, "demonstrating that it was in itself un- alternble — because divine.'^ ^ Vide Supplement to article, Glasgow, in New Statistical .'\c- count. I 2 102 ELDERSHIP. tion. The New Testament supplies hs with exam- ples of the popular appointment of the highest and the lowest offices in the church — those of the Apostle and the Deacon. It is in accordance with the ways of God to teach us from such cases how to appoint to other offices — those of the Pastor and Ruling Elder. The Scriptures treat men as rational and intelligent creatures; and hence deal rather in general principles than in formal and specific directions. In the faith of these things, the Reforniers gave the election of the Ruling Elder to the members of the congregation in which he was to be called to labour. When the Second Book of Discipline was adopted, the existing kirk-session nominated a large number to the people — the people be- ing also at liberty to add to the leet — and from this ge- neral number the congregation made choice of a smaller number to discharge the duties of the office for the year. The people, too, had the power of objecting to any who were proposed by the session for the larger leet, and of setting them aside. There seems no reasonable doubt that the election to the eldership was an essentially popu- lar election. Such was the early practice of the church. The First Book of Discipline, while it bears testimony to the high Christian character required of elders, tes- tifies also to their free election : — " Men of best know- ledge in God's word, and cleanest life, and faithful, and of most honest conversation that can be found in the kirk, must be nominate to be in election ; and their names must be publicly read to the whole kirk by the minister giving them advertisement that from amongst them must be chosen elders and deacons. If any of those nominated be noted with public infamy, he ought to be repelled, for. it is not seemly that the servant of corruption should have authority in the kirk of God. // any man know others of better fjuaiUies within the kirk than those that be nominate, let them be put in election with them tlvat the kirk may have the choicer We know from an interesting document in Dunlop's Confessions of Faith, *' On the Election of Elders and Deacons in the Church of Edinburgh, 1560," that the plan sketched in the First Book of Discipline was no mere speculation or good intention, but was actually observed ELDERSHIP. 103 in the church of Edinburgh — the leading church of the country, wliose minister was John Knox, the great Re- former. Nor is this the only evidence which we possess. The practice was not confined to the church of the metropolis. Twenty years later,^ when some question had arisen as to the election of elders, and congrega- tions were anxious for guidance, the General Assembly expressly and authoritatively approved and recom- mended the Edinburgh practice, in these words : — " Concerning a general order of admission to the office of elder, refers to the order used at Edinburgh, ivhich we approve.'^ This was subsequently to the adoption of the Second Book of Discipline — indeed, shortly af- ter. Hence, its provisions must be understood in har- mony with the above " order." As that order is the last act of the church regarding the eleclion of elders, we are entitled to say, that the present written law distinctly re- cognises popular election to the office. And there is nothing in after times at variance with this law. The only act of Assembly which at first sight seems to sanction the common practice of the existing session elect- ing the new elders is an act comprehended in a single sentence, in 1642. But Mr. Dunlop " has satisfactorily shown that the " old session electing the new, in burgh and land," and supplying vacancies in the session, does not refer to the/>Ww2«r7/ election of elders from out of the congregation, but to the calling of men who had been previously elected, according to the First Book of Disci- pline, into the actual service of the church. In short, the existing session are required to supply vacancies in their number, and to choose their successors from the larger list of elders whom the congregation had previously chosen. Hence it is plain, that the popular election of elders was left entire. Indeed, no one who is ac- quainted with the spirit of the church or country in 1642 will readily believe that that was a period when just popular privileges were curtailed. Whatever then may have been the practice of the church in after times, and particularly in later days, there is not only nothing against the popular appointment of elders ; but, so far as the constitution and law of the church are ' 1582. - Presbyterian Review, Nov. 1834, pp. 39, 40. 104 EI-DERSniP. concerned, both expresslj'^ provide for ih No minister or kirk-session, tlien, nnay have any scruple in returning to the old practice of the church. There is no law against them ; and there is law in their favour. It is certain that nothing in the shape of law can be shown for the general practice of later times. The following may be given as cases of popular election at a late period : — '^ 2nd April, 1733. — The Session of Dunfermline hav- ing met for prayer, as is usual, on the first Monday of the month ; and after some time spent in prayer, they having entered on ihe consideration of an addition to the number of the Elders, and having read the list of persons (formerly prepared by themselves), they agreed on the following leet, viz. (18 names), where- upon the Elders were appointed, to make enquiry in the several quarters of the parish, if the foresaid per- sons be the people's choice, and can be constituted Elders by their consent, and to report their diligence thereanent." " \2fh April, 1733. — The Session resuming fhe con- sideration of the foresaid leet of persons for Elders, the several members present gave account to the Session that they had mostly gone through their several quar- ters, and found that the foresaid leet nominated for being Elders were the choice of the generality of all the heads of families in the quarters to which they severally belong; and that, besides the foresaid leet, some others were nominate to them by the people, of whom the Session were well pleased to add to the former leet these following, viz. (four names). These being more generally recommended — them the Session recommended, the ministers and Elders present, that they take occasion to speak and comraurje with the persons nominate, and advertise them of this design." "2()#A April, 1733. — Two more names added to the leet of persons to be Elders." '■^ 29 th April, 17 3. — The Session again considering the leet of persons nominate for Elders, thought fit to add James Orchitt, and appoint the members to speak with the said persons betwixt and Wednesday next ; and also appoints their officer to acquaint them to wait ELDERSHIP. 105 on their ministers, and sucii of the Elders as can con- veniently attend on Wednesday, the 2nd May, at two of the clock afternoon, in the Session-house, and that they may be conversed with anent their willingness to accept, and qualifications for the said office.'' ^''"Ind May, 1733. — These formerly nominate to be Elders being advertised by the Kirk-officer to attend this day accordingly — compeared (names), and being judicially examined as to their qualifications and abilities for that office, they were approved; and appointed intimation to be made from the pulpit, Sab- bath next, that if any person have any thing to object against them why they may not be ordained Elders of this congregation, they may appear before the Ses- sion on Thursday, 17th May instant, with certification, if no relevant objection be made they will go on in their ordination. Absentees appointed to speak with the minister and Elders on Saturday. " nth May, 1733. — The edict of these formerly no- minate to be Elders having been intimate according to appointment, was this day three several times called at the most patent door of the Kirk, and none appearing to object against their being Elders, the Session appoints their ordination by Master Ralph Erskine, Sabbath come eight days." — Sess. Rec. of Dunfermline, 1733. Other cases could be quoted, showing that in very many instances, at least the election of Elders, con- tinued to be popular. The Rev. John Currie of Kinglassie, the able defender of the church, again^^t the early Seceders, in the first part of the last cen- tury, speaking of himself, in 1740, in his 'Vindi- cation of the Real Principles of tlie Reformation,* (p. 293,) states, that it was his principle that the con- gregation had the right of electing Elders as well as Pastors. At the same time, he thought that the existing Elders should turn their attention to such in the congregation as they judged most meet for the office, that they might be proposed to the congregation, who might add or alter, as they saw proper. He then describes his practice shortly before, in connection with the appointment of Elders in his parish. It ap- pears that, after mature deliberation, when the Session 106 ELDERSHIP. had given in their verdict, " and some private persons in the congregation had also been consulted, the Kirk Session judged it proper, that such of them as they thought meet and. would be willing to accept of the office, might be proposed to the congregation, that they might add or alter as they thought meet, which was accordingly done. At which time he told the congre- gation that they had this liberty, desiring them to come to the Session on such a day, or, if any of them had any thing to except against the persons proposed, or any thing to propose anent others wiiom they pre- ferred, if they were, not inclined to come to the iSession, they might tell their mind to him or any of the Elders privately, and what they had to except against any of these named by the Session,, or to propose anent any others, it should be considered." But while the popular election of Elders is agreeable to the constitution of the Church of Scotland, it is be- lieved that it never was — as indeed it never should be so absolute as to exclude the concurrence of the exist- ing Session. No : It is plainly reasonable and right, that in the event of an ignorant and manifestly impro- per election by the communicants, the existing Session should have a veto. Of course, this is a power which, in the great majority of cases, would not be exercised. Sessions would naturally be sparing in their interference with the choice of the people over whom they presided — in spiritual things of this nature. But it is proper that there should be a power in such matters. It seems agreeable to analogy that Sessions should stand in the same relation to Elders that Presbyteries do to candi- dates for the ministry ; and, as presbyteries pronounce judgment on the character and qualifications of a pro- bationer who has l)een elected by the people — so that Kirk Sessions should pronounce upon the same quali- ties in those elected Elders by the people. Besides, this power seems peculiarly requisite, until the memjjers of congregations in towns become more generally and in- timately acquainted with each other. Ere long the brevity of an annual appointment was found inconvenient; but it was in use down to 1642, if not later. The election to the office was permanent, ELDERSHIP. 107 only there were intermissions to the service. In these days the duties were so onerous — occupied so nuich time, and demanded such serious sacrifices, that it could not be expected that men, in the absence of a temporal provision, could continue in the active dis- charge of them for a lifetime. Hence, to use the lan- guage of Gillespie, " that ease of intermission and serv- ing by courses which was allowed to the Levites of old in the temple." During the whole history of the Church of Scotland she has enjoyed the services of Ruling Elders. Even in the periods of violent Episcopal usurpation the office was maintained. Shorn of its power, and much im- paired in the numbers who held it and also in its use- fulness, it still existed. Previously to 1638, at least in some cases, Elders appear to have been deprived of the power of sitting and voting in superior church courts. Currie of Kinglassie, in his 'Vindication,' states, that for eight years previous to 1638, no Ruling Elder sat in the Presbytery of Kircaldy. And it is certain that both the Commissioner and Moderator, in the celebrated General Assembly of that year, speak of the office of Ruling Elder as one which had been intermitted, and was only then reviving. But these were the days when, by royal authority and intrigue, moderators in Presby- teries were made perpetual — when bishops sat in Par- liament, and they and archbishops were ever intermed- dling in the most arbitrary manner with the settlement of ministers. In the dark persecuting days of Charles II, there were Kirk Sessions, or the shadow and skele- ton of them. So essential a part was the Eldership of the Presbyterian church accounted, and so deeply was it en- grained in the affections of the Scottish people, that though inconsistent with the genius of Episcopacy, persecuting prelates were not able utterly to destroy it. The moment that the pressure of persecution was re- moved, and any tolerable measure of freedom restored, and religion revived, that moment did the Eldership regain its character, numbers, and strength. It appears, from an interesting session record, that 108 ELDERSHIP. in 1057, even after decline had begun to infect the Presbyterian churcii, tiie city of Glasgow was divided into five quarters, to each of which 18 Elders and 18 Deacons were attached — making in all 90 Elders and as many Deacons in a town, according to modern esti- mate, by no means considerable. The porportion seems to have been 18 Polders to about 2000 persons, or one Elder to little more than 100 persons. How different is this state of things from the most favourable provision in the same city at the present day — a city where few Elders probably have a smaller number than 500 souls under their care ! Through the intelligence and kindness of William Peebles, Esq. of Dunfermline, an enlightened and de- voted friend of the Church of Scotland, I have been favoured with a number of extracts on the subject of the Eldership from the Session Records of that impor- tant parish — a parish which relatively was more impor- tant in the seventeenth century than at present. Per- haps as full extracts on the same subject have not been collected before. I content myself with a few references. In 1G40, the records show a division of the town into six quarters, with the names of twenty-two elders, who were apportioned among families, and the country part of the parish divided into ten quarters among thirty-two elders, besides two for the Abbey, making in all fifty- six elders in a parish, where the population was so moderate that there was but one church. There seems to have been an elder for every hundred per- sons or twenty-five families. And, as usual, the elders were the leading men of the district. Among the names we find those of Lord Dunferndine, Sir Henry Wardlaw of Pitreavie, William Monteith of Randifurd, Sir James Halket of Pitfirrane, Robert Ged of Baldrig, William Wardlaw of Balmull, Henry Stewart of Beath, the laird of Pittencrief, all landed proprietors — the natural aristocracy of the parish. It is remarkable that in the Episcopal times of Charles H, though there are repeated electionsofclders, there are no "gentlemen" among them, a plain proof that the Presbyterians were not low fana- tics, but had the real gentry on their side. Two years later (1642) we find the, parish mapped out among ELDERSHIP. 109 forty-seven elders, and in 1655 the distinction between the offices of elder and deacon, having according to the appointment of Session been better defined, we read of twenty-three elders and sixteen deacons. The Session constituting a court where character was necessarily a subject of discussion, its proceedings with all propriety were considered confidential. In October 1648 " It is ordained that if any of the elders or deacons shall hereafter divulge or reveal any thing spoken or done in Session, that they shall be deposed from their places.'' Regular attendance at meetings of Session was strictly required. "April, 1647. — It is thought fit that the elders who shall hereafter absent themselves from the Session twice — not having a lawful excuse, shall be censured, and the third time to pay as the Ses- sion shall modify." Both elders and deacons were expected to visit their proportions monthly, and when these were so small and the parties so well known to each other — all members of the same church — this, comparatively speaking, was of easy attainment. In 1646, it is ordained, that all the elders of the parish shall visit the sick — each of them in their own quarters, and give up the names to the minister — that monthly they shall give in to the Session a roll of persons under church censure — and of strangers "and incomers." It is likewise ordained that the deacons shall try and visit the poor within their quarters, and give in a monthly roll of them, and it is also resolved to revive the old practice of visiting the public houses du- ring the time of divine service on the Lord's day, to see t hat none are profaning the day with intemperance, when they ought to be engaged in religious worship. Vaga- bond entrants and servants without testimonials of char- acter are not to be allowed to remain within the parish. Church discipline was strict and comprehensive. Not only were breaches of the Seventh Commandment taken up, but offences against the Fourth and the other Com- mandments. Grinding corn on the Sabbath day was for the first trangression a fine of forty shillings, and for the second four pounds Scots. And quarreling and scolding were severely punished. In some cases im- K no ELDERSHIP. prisoDment was not considered too heavy a panUbment for such sins. The kirk-session of Dunfer;:iline in February 1649 received the following overtures from the Presbytery. OVERirRES FOR ORDERING OF KIRK-SESSIONS. "The Presbytery learning frequently from thebretbren of every parish, that still profaneness abounded, and that they find very ^mall progress of the power of god- liness in the places of their charge, they conceive this — much to flow from the neglect and slackness of elders, not seeingto the manners of people, nor delating scandal- ous livers according to their place — therefore do ap- point that there be a new election of elders and deacons in every congregation of their bounds, whose proper and distinct charge may be learned out of the Books of Dis- cipline, and that they be, 1st. Men of good report both for knowledge and conversation, free of scandalous walking, such as are known to govern their families well and to have all religious exercises in their families, as likewise attenders upon the public worship at all occa- sions. 2nd. It is thought expedient that in the most numerous congregations there be about eighteen elders and twelve deacons. In the less numerous there he about ten elders and eight d- aeons, and in the least there be about six elders and four deacons. .3rd. That magistrates in parishes, having the foresaid qualifications, be chosen elders. 4th. The said elders and deacons to meet together in session with the minister once every week, absentees to be marked and censured, and who shall be found absent without a sufficient reason approved of by the kirk — to be admonished — if continue to be absent, to be called before the Session to be censured, and if he refuse to submit, then to be cited before the public to be cen- sured there. 5th. That they have their several wards atid bounds, over which in a special manner they watch, and that every first Session-day in the month, the minister en- ELDERSHIP. Ill quire concerning the behaviour of those under their charge, which is not to exempt them from duty towards the rest of the people as they shall have occasion. 6th. That when it is found any connive at faults, neglect to delate them, or speak in Sessions for offenders, that they be censured for the first fault with rebuke; if fail again in any of those, then to be put a while from the exercise of their office, and if continue to be deposed. 7th. That the elders visit the families of their bounds four times a year, to know of their Christian teaching, and what obedience they give to the acts of the kirk, and to report accordingly; and the Session call for an account of their diligence herein on the first Session day of the month of February, of the month of May, of August, and of November, and that they be reminded of this duty every quarter of the year timeously. 8th. That when there is any sick persons within their charge they visit them and give also advertisement to the minister of any sick persons. 9th. That no sooner any stranger, that is, any from another parish, shall come into their bounds to reside but that they give notice thereof to the session at their first meeting, that they may have his testimonials or else that he be removed out of their bounds. 10th. That elders join with the minister in the visita- tion of their several quarters, and that they come with the people of their division to catechising and examination. 11th. That elders and deacons failing in the foresaid duties be censured by the Session, and if they continue in their faults, to be cited before the Presbytery to be censured there. Which orders, being read in session, were received and approved, and appointed to be read publicly out of the pulpit.'' The preceding " Overtures for the ordering of Kirk Sessions," show the spirit of the elders of the middle of the 17th century. Surely neither these nor any thing which has yet been related, indicate that the office- bearers of the church in that day were those ignorant, foolish, weak-minded, preposterous fanatics which so many in our day delight to represent them to have been. With regard to examination previous to admission 112 ELDERSHIP. to the Lord's table, the following rules were adopted in March, 1656: *'27M March, 1656 — The minister and elders go- ing about the examination of the people for the com- munion— Isf. Kesolved, tiiat those persons who neglect the keeping of the diets of examination, whether masters or others, if twice absent, to be admonished by the minister and elders, and if the third time, to be cited to the session, or suspended from the communion, with- out respect of persons, and these to be marked by the ministers and elders. " 2nd. That the ministers, with the elders, shall try the knowledge of every one that comes, according to the act of Assembly, 1*648, August 10, Sess. 38. "3rd. After persons are observed to be ignorant, or absentees from catechising by the ministers and elders, the elders in their several Cjuarters may deal with these by visiting their families, and exhorting their nmsters and themselves yet to learn. " -ith. I'or their measure of knowledge, that the mi- nisters shall agree upon some common quns^tions, to be proposed to every one whose knowledge they doubt of, and that they insist most upon those questions which are preparations for the sacrament. " 5th. Concerning scandalous persons, such as ordi- nary tiplers and swearers, scolders, and who live at variance with their neighbours, ordinary absenters from catechising, ordinary negkctors of the worship of God in their families, &c., that some way be taken for trying them, and keeping them back from the communion, if they continue in it — conform to the directions of the General Assembly. " 6th. That at least there be two elders with the mi- nister at examination. "7th. That if any elder or deacon appointed to wait on be absent, and do not wait on either himself, or some other with whom he may agree, he shall be suspended from his place for a time, except he have a very rea- sonable excuse. " 8th. That with the elders of the quarter, the session appoint any other elder or deacon to wait on at exa- mination." ELDERSHIP. 113 It may render the picture more complctp ami satis- factory if, in addition to the information supplied by the sessional records of a large parish, embracing a con- siderable town, we appeal to that furnished by the re- cords of a neighbouring country parish. Through the kindness of the same friend who assisted me in regard to Dunfermline, aided by the parochial schoolmaster, I am able to refer to the sessional records of the parish of Torryburn — a parish with which I am well ac- quainted, from having had the happiness of being its minister for several years. The parish seems to have been more populous at the period of which I write than at the present day. There were two parishes joined in one (Torrie and Crombie,) and a considerable manufacture of salt. Probably the population might be estimated at from 1700 to 1800; the records stretch as far back as 1629. Even at this period, when the church was suffering under semi- Episcopacy, there were fourteen elders in the parish, and a strict discipline exercised. Sabbath profana- tion by brewers, salt-makers, and others, was carefully prohibited ; penny bridals, or weddings, which were connected with great abuses, restrained ; testimonials of character were required from every entrant into the parish, and absentees from the usual catechetical exa- minations were subjected to admonition and fine ; elders were expected, as in Dunfermline, to visit the families under their care monthly. As an indication of the impor- tance of the duties which were discharged by kirk ses- sions, even in days when Episcopacy had made in many quarters a serious invasion on the constitution of the Presbyterian church, it may be mentioned that it ap- pears from the record there were nineteen sessional meetings in 1630 — 19 in 1631, 19 in 1635, The next two years are not marked. 6 ,, 1636, 20 in 1634, 7 „ 1637. In the two latter years, with the growing distaste for Episcopacy, there was a considerable diminution of sessional meetings, but with the rise of presbytery there is an increase : K2 114 ELDERSHIP. In 1638 there were 12 meetings. In 1647 „ 1639 „ 12 »i „ 1648 ,, 164.0 „ 36 „ 1649 M 16+1 „ 40 „ „ HioO ,. 1612 „ 38 ,, „ 1651 Tliree years me not 2;iveii. ., 1652 „ 1646 ., 18 >» „ 1653 In 1647 there were 23 meetirgs. ,, 31 .. 48 „ » 46 „ „ 36 „ „ 4.0 „ ., 47 „ In the Presbyterian period, from beinj;^ held once a month, sessions came to be held almost once a-week. This sliows that they were in most active operation, and that a verv important part of the business of parishes was conducted by them. The precise number of elders is not given; but in 1647 twelve are appointed to see that the Sabbath be properly observed in three parts of the parish, and two years after thfre is an election held of elders and deacons for eleven districts. There seems to have been nineteen elders, or more than one for every 100 persons. I shall not attempt to enumerate all the duties of THE ELDEKSHIP AS TFIEN EXERCISED; in addition to thos^ already stated, there was an earnest care to promote family worship among the people. In July, 1640, the session "ordains that elders do see that all persons in their several districts keep up family worship, read the word, and catechise." Two years later, " it is agreed that the minister and elder of the district shall go through each district, try every family what care they have of family worship, and press it with all earnestness." In February, 1648, it is stated that "the elders of the quarters received 100 books, intended to supply directions in family worship ; they were to be distributed among the families within their respective quarters, the elders being ordained to bring in two shillings for each book." The money, amount- ing to i'lO, was afterwards paid. While duties more peculiarly belonging to the family were attended to, those of education nt school were not neglected. In IMay, 1642, it is agreed that the minis- ter and elder shall go through the different districts of the parish, "and bring in the account of the names and number of children, both male and female, between se- ven and ten years, that they may be put to school.'* Next month the session ordains " elders to deal with ELDERSHIP. ]15 parents having children in their districts, that they put them to school ; and in case they do it not, to pay twenty shillings to the box, and make public repentance for their perjury in breaking the oath made at the bap- tism of their children, and if any are poor, and unable to pay, the session agree to pay the fees."' These ear- nest desires in behalf of education were most honour- able, and were carried into practical effect. In March, 1C49, " the schoolmasters being enquired at, if ' the bairns' did attend the school, they declared that many parents did withdraw their children ; and the names of those parents were given in to the session, who were ordered to be summoned against next day of meeting. Compeared the said parents, and promised to send their children back to school without fail next week." The religious instruction of the grown-up and the ageil, through the medium of the churchy was provided for as well as the education of youth, through the me- dium of the school. The kirk-sessions of the middle of the 17th century were zealous Church Extensionists. Ill June, 1647, " the elders made heavy regret that the kirk was too little to contain the people of the parish — that hundreds were constrained to sit in the kirk-yard in tin)e of sermon, about the doors and Mindows, and that many staid at home; therefore they unanimously resolved to deal with the heritors to build an aisle on the north side of the kirk to contain two hundred peo- ple, and agreed to be stented (assessed) to that effect ; conform to their means and substance.'' The exertions employed by the kirk-session to bring up tiie people by suitable teaching for partaking aright of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper were most la- borious and praiseworthy. If communicants were not well qualified, it was no fault of their recognised in- structors. In January, 1641, " the session ordains the communion to be held conformably to the acts of Assembly, at two several seasons of the year; viz., in the months of July and October. Ordains examina- tions for the ffrst diet (July) to begin on every Tues- day and Thursday of the month of January ; and tiie session to convene every evening thereafter, and exa- mine on the Sabbath afternoons in the months of March no ELDERSHIP. and April and May, s6 that there bo nothing but to celebrate the communion" — (that is, tliat all be in such a state of preparation that when the time comes round there be no hesitation or delay). " Likewise for the diet of October, ordains examination in the months of June and July, and in the Sabbath after sermon in the months of August and September, so that there be nothing but to celebrate the communion in October." Elders are to attend the diet of examination of their quarters, and absentees from two examinations are to be fined six shillings Scots. Seventeen pounds are raised by the people to defray the expences of the se- cond communion. While kirk-sessions were thus so zealous in instruct- ing the people, and raising their religious character to a high pitch in point of knowledge, they did not fail — and that successfully — to exercise their beneficent af- fections. One may fear that so severe a discipline would render men unfeeling and unamiable. But it is not so. The records are marked with many pleasing traces of kindness to the poor, particularly the suffering saints of (lod. So early as Nov. 1631, we read of thirty pounds Scots being collected under the care of the ses- sion for " distressed Germans." Next year they col- lect for *' the poor captives of Dysart and Kircaldy" detained in Turkish slavery. In 1642, not less than ninety ))ounds Scots are contributed in behalf of the poor Irish Protestants. The succeeding year other thirty pounds are added to the sum ; and, at the same time, forty merks are set apart for the " captives of Inver- keithing, and other parishes." In July, 1647, two hun- dred merks are sent to " the distressed people of Ar- gyle ;" and, three years after, forty pounds are sent for the relief of Scottish soldiers detained as prisoners. The kirk-sessions then, with all their stern discipline, were not insensible to the claims of Christian philanthropy. Like good men, however, living in trying times, they were occasionally depressed in the discharge of their arduous duties. The following extract — the last which we shall give — will show how they and their people M'ere sustained in such circumstances. Under date July, 1650, it is recorded — " The elders reported that the ELDERSHIP. 117 schools were all getting loose — that many strangers had come into the parish — and that people were much dis- heartened from doing their duty either to God or them- selves, by reason of the sad state of affairs, &€., and of soldiers disturbing the country. The minister re- commends to the elders to enjoin upon the people a patient waiting for better times, and in the meantime to endeavour the doing of all duty to God, and themselves, and their neighbours." Similar quotations might be made from the records of other kirk-sessions, both of town and rural parishes. Indeed, what has been adduced may be considered as descriptive of the spirit and discipline of the kirk-ses- sions of Scotland generally, if not universally; and surely they are most creditable to the intellectual, moral, and religious character of the eldership — yea, of the people as a whole, and yet the election was popular I I am aware that it is common with many, in indiscrimi- nate terms, to condemn the strictly Presbyterian periods of Scottish history for the severity of discipline which was exercised, especially in connection with witchcraft; and I am far from approving or vindicating that disci- pline as a whole, it was unduly stern ; and, in re- ference to witchcraft, it was altogether indefensible — founded on popular delusion; but in judging of the discipline of these days, it is no more than candid to bear in mind, that the state of society was very rough, and men felt public exposure less — that the civil and criminal la\^s were weak, and that the ecclesiastical was frequently the only one which could be enforced — that public opinion, in the sense in which we understand the term, was then almost unknown, and hence the actual infliction of church courts needed to be the more se- vere. It is also to be remembered that the harshest discipline of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland was far surpassed by that of the Primitive church, which could not plead the same apologies.^ > As this sheet is passing throujih the press, I have met (Lon- don Missionary Register for Marrh, 18+1, p. 155,) with a curious illustiatioii ot" the discipline ot the Scottisli Ciiurch of the 17th century, in a quarter wliere one would not naturally have looked for it. A missionary of the Church of England at Taliygunge — 118 ELDERSHIP. With regard to the particular offence of witchcraft, which appears so frequently in the church records, it is to be considered that this was the delusion, not of a few years — not of the age — not of Scotland — but of Europe; that there was as much witchcraft, as well as other un- natural crimes, in the Episcopalian as in the Presbyte- rian periods, and that in both it was treated much alike ; tht.t in those cases, where there was any differ- ence, this was not owing to milder or more enlightened general views of the subject, but to the circumstance that there was not the same faithful discharge of duty in detecting and exposing crimes under Episcopal as under Presbyterian rule,^ and that the delusion gener- ally was breaking up when the former rule was in force under Charles II. After the Revolution of 1688, there was, as might have]^been expected, a great revival in the Eldership. The persecution of 30 years was closed, and though it left the church weak, she was zealously alive to her duties. Accordingly most of the acts of Assembly bearing on the qualifications of Elders, and warmly calling them to the discharge of duty, are to be found in this period: such as the Acts 1694, 1697, 1699, 1704, 1706, 1722. We may extract two of them. The Assembly, 1697, " considering how necessary a duty it is that the worship of God and calling upon his a missionary station, I believe, not many miles from Calcutta, with about 100 communicants, writes the other day — *' It is our custom, (hs was that of the primitive church,) in case of noto- rious and flagrant crimes, to suspend from communion, and to make the dehnquerits stand in a conhpicuous place during the whole of the service, partly to [ ui them to open fehame and partly to deter others from the contagion " Our Episcopalian friends are generally most severe in their censure of the old public dit^ci- pline of the Church of Scotland. Here is a congregation of their own, under the immediate eye of the devoted bishop of Calcutta, belonging not to the evangelical, and therefore alleged enthusias- tic • Church Missionary Society,' btit to tlie old higli church ' Gospel Propagation Society,' acting upon the same principles, pleading the authority of the primitive church in their behalf, and so far as appears unchallenged by their supfriors for the practice. Such a case as this should teach a little toleration for the Scottish Presbyterians of the 17th century, ' Vide Lamont's Diary, \f'A% 1 07 1, —also Appendix, for some important facts. ELDERSHIP. 119 name, be daily performed in all families, do recom- mend it to Ministers and Elders in each congregation to take care thereof; and, it being the duty of all Ruling Elders and Deacons to be exemplary herein, the As- sembly renews and confirms the Act of Assembly 1694, recommending that none be Ruling Elders who make not conscience of this unquestionable duty ; and do like- wise appoint^ that in case any Elders or Deacons shall neglect to worship God in their families^ by themselves or others appointed for that effect, that they be seriously admonished to amend, and if need be, rebuked for the same ; and if, notwithstanding, they shall yet continue obstinate in their neglect, that such Elder or Deacon shall be removed from his office by the Presbytery.'' The Assembly, 17*22, — " being deeply affected with the great decay of Christian piety amongst all ranks, and the abounding of vice and immorality; and consi- dering that slackness and partiality iti the exercise of discipline, and untenderness in the walk and conversa- tion of the office-bearers in the Church, cannot but greatly contribute to the increase of these evils; therefore, the General Assembly do earnestly beseech, exhort, and require, all Ministers to take heed to themselves and to their doctrine, and to be exemplary to their people. And, in like manner, the Assembly do earnestly beseech, exhort, and require, Elders and Deacons to be faithful in the discharge of their respective offices, tender and circumspect in their walk, and punctual in their at- tendance upon ordinances, strict in the observance of the Lord's day, and in regularly keeping up the worship of God in their families. And the General Assembly appoints the judicatories of the Church to take good heed that none be admitted to, or continued in, these offices but such as are found qualified, and do behave themselves as above required. And appoints Kirk Ses- sions, Presbyteries, and Synods, strictly and impartially, without respect of persons, to obse.rve this and former Acts of Assembly, relative to office-bearers in the Church."— Act 9th. The elders at this and even a still later day were very numerous. The Rev. Mr. Lewis, in his excellent pam- 120 ELDERSHIP. phlet, mentions a small parish in Fifeshire — probably of not more than nine hundred souls, which in 170i< had not less than twenty-four elders. This was an elder for every forty persons — indicating a complete and easy spiritual oversight of families. A similar small rural parish — now without an elder, had then not less than thirty of these most useful ecclesiastical office-bearers. It is not needful to say anything of the great moral AND RELIGIOUS RESULTS, Wrought out for the country by the church, of which Elders formed so important a part. I have already adverted to some of them, and they are well known. It may be safely said that there is no parallel to these results in the history of the world. The sacrifices which were made by the Church, when struggling for her very existence — fettered and oppres- sed in a thousand ways — were most generous and un- wearied. In promoting the cause of education, in la- bouring for the poor — in overcoming Popery, and then sweeping away its last remains — in maintaining the. sa- cred observance of the Sabbath — contributing for dis- tressed Christians both at home and abroad — cultivating among her ministers literature and learning — in short in civilising and christianising Scotland she stands al- most alone among Christian churches. Her patriotic, self-denied, and successful struggles for civil and reli- gious freedom — struggles in the benefit of which Eng- land and even Europe shared, will never be forgotten, and we trust will be more and more appreciated. But it is plain, that had it not been for her eldership, she could not have rendered the services to patriotism, learning, morality, and religion, which she was hon- oured to yield. Deprived of so large a body of the most pious and influential of the land, she would have been comparatively helpless — as helpless as other churches which do not enjoy the same advantages. In- dependently of the high testimony which was borne to the character, and worth, and influence of the lluling Elders, within the memorable Assembly of 1638 — an Assembly which may be said to have revolutionized Scotland — when a leading clerical member attributed the harmony and success of the proceedings in a great measure to the perseverance of her elders — in addition ELDERSHIP. 121 to this, we have the remarkable fact, that two several times in the history of Scotland, parliament, when le- gislating regarding the settlement of ministers, vested a large share of the power in the Eldership. This is a plain proof of the importance of that body of men in the country at these periods. No legislator at the present day would think of vesting equal power in the Elder- ship as now constituted. Indeed there seems little doubt that the defective state of kirk-sessions generally, (though happily and rapidly improving) is one of the serious bars to the satisfactory settlement of the church's present diffictilties. Many who would be glad to see an abrogation of the law of lay patronage, are at a loss where to vest the right of nomination, so as to be at once popular and safe. This indirectly testifies to the prominence and general weight of the Eldership at an earlier day. With the decline of religion throughout Protestant Christendom, from the middle of the last century down- wards, there was a very unfavourable change in the numbers and character of the eldership of the Church of Scotland. In many cases true religion sunk so low, that men of suitable station as well as piety, to be called to the eldership, could not be found. Hence in such parishes there were and are no elders, or merely nominal Elders. The working of the law of lay patronage also proved most disastrous to kirk-sessions — breaking them up — driving faithful elders into dissent — and preventing good men from joining a session, even where elected, in the dread of an unacceptable appointment to the pulpit, by the death or removal of the present pas- tor putting them under an obnoxious minister. The new mode of appointment to the office was doubtless most injurious. In the great majority of cases a small shrivelled session, under the influence of one or two individuals — named the new elders, who unless de- cidedly objected to by the congregation, (an unpleasant and rarely exercised right,) were forthwith ordained — sometimes not even in public. In not a few instan<;es, men were nominated to the office, not to discharge its ordinary duties, but to be eligible to a seat in the Gene- ral Assembly. These causes tended to lower the office L 122 ELDERSHIP. in public estimation, and to prevent many men of the best qualification from becoming elders. Though willing to join a session when called by the congregation, and satisfied that the people wished their services, they could not be prevailed upon to accept the office upon any other terms. The result of the whole is, that though there has been a great and happy change of late years — a change which continues in rapid progress — still a large number of parishes at the present moment have no elders, and have had none for years, and many more are most imperfectly provided — while not a few, where the complement is not deficient in point of mere num- bers, lag far behind the spirit of the elders of the olden time. It is estimated that upon an average there are not more than three or four elders to every parish in Scotland — a serious change from the day when there were from twenty to thirty elders in the smallest rural parishes. One proof of the decay in the eldership is to be found in the fact that there is scarcely a book, upon the office ; but, as we have already said, there is a great and growing change for the better. Kirk sessions are enereasing in numbers, and improving in religious spirit; and one of the most important ways of hastening on the blessed change is by a more popular election to the office. The advantages of such a course are ably ex- pounded by Mr. Dunlop, in the Presbyterian Review for January, 1833, on the ground that this is a matter where there can be no question as to the power of the Church CO follow what she judges best ; that there is no temptation to a keen canvass, there being no worldly interest at stake, as in the case of the minister ; and that congregations can, for the most part, thoroughly ascer- tain the character and qualifications of those whom they elect; besides, the many evils of a more close system are avoided. It may be added, as an interesting cir- cumstance, that the General Assembly has already checked the unhappy practice of ordaining non-acting elders, merely for the purpose of being returned as members of the General Assembly, and that she is in the course of important discussions to renovate and im- prove the character of the eldership yet more. There can be little question that had the eldership of the Church ELDERSHIP. 123 of Scotland been always numerous, faithful, and good, this part of the Presbyterian constitution must have gone far to prevent or correct the decline of the ministry, and other component parts of the National Church. A good eldership in a congregation is not only a check upon indolence and false doctrine in the minister, but where heresy appears in the pulpit, elders form a large and influential body to which the church may look with confidence for support in the exercise of discipline on the pastor, — a body, in the absence of whom there might be no small danger of the congregation being deceived by sophistry, or misled by sympathy for the erroneous teacher. The revival, then, of the elder- ship must be contemplated by every friend of true reli- gion with the liveliest interest, not only for its own sake, but for its bearing upon other parts of the Pres- byterian church. 124 CHAPTER VII. PROCEEDINGS IN ST. DAVID'R CONGREGATION IJf THE POPULAR APPOINTMENT OF ELDERS. It may now be proper to give some account of a recent popular election of Elders in the congregation of which I have the honour to be minister. The Rev. Mr. Lewis re- cords one or two interesting cases in his pamphlet; and the multiplication of such instances, it is believed, is more fitted than any thing else to disarm prejudices and fears, and to recommend the practice to universal adop- tion. The earnest struggle, too, in which the Church is at present engaged to secure for her people a legitimate influence in the appointment of ministers will naturally and in consistency lead ministers and kirk -sessions to grant to the members of the congregation a more de- cided influence than hitherto in the appointment of elders. The existing Session of St. David's having agreed that it was desirable to add to their numbers, reduced by death and growing infirmities, and having also re- solved that the most consistent and best plan to follow was to call upon the male communicants to elect, sub- ject, of course, in the event of any decidedly ignorant or improper choice, to the veto of the Session, autho- rised the minister to inform the congregation of this resolution. In pursuance of it the following circular was placed in all the pews of the church. " Intimation to St. David's Congregation. " The Kirk Session of St. David's parish, having re- solved that it is proper to add to their present number, have unanimously agreed to request, and hereby do request the male communicants of the congregation to nominate eight persons to the ofiice of the eldership. The Kirk Session are persuaded that in so important a step the electors will feel their responsibility — will ex- ELDERSHIP. 125 ercise all due caution — will confer among themselves, and ask guidance of God in prayer, that they may be directed to such men as may have time to devote, and qualifications to fit them for promoting the moral and religious good of the parish and congregation — such as aiding the minister in visiting the sick, and superin- tending the education of the young, &c. " It is proposed that the electors put down the names of the whole number desired, or of as many as they judge best qualified for the office, agreeably to the an- nexed form, and having done so, they are requested to sign their own name at the bottom, and fold, seal, and return the note to Mr. Lorimer, or any of the elders, on or before Monday the 11th January, 1841, that the Session may scrutinise the lists, and take steps for the ordination of those who are elected by the congrega- tion," (Here follow the names of those who are judged suit- able persons to be added to the eldership, to which is appended the name of the communicant nominating them to the office.) Contemporaneously with this notice, which gave the congregation a month for deliberation and conference and prayer, I preached several successive discourses on the divine authority, qualifications, &c., of the office of Ruling Elder, the substance of which is published in this little work. Several meetings of the male commu- nicants were held for prayer and conference. At these meetings there was first an easy conversation on the qualifications and duties of the Eldership, and then the suggestion of a number of names by communicants pre- sent, of persons whom they deemed suitable for the office. There was no discussion on character — not a few indeed who were named being actually present. One chief design of these week-day meetings was to give an opportunity to communicants to meet with and become acquainted with each other ; and names having been suggested, those who from their own personal knowledge were unable to make up their list had an opportunity of ascertaining the qualification of those who were named by others, from private enquiry and conference, and so of completing their lists. The L2 126 ELDERSHIP. meetings were pretty well attended, and the spirit was excellent Tlie great object of all was evidently to get the best qualified men. There was an anxiety also to meet the wishes of the Session, and that the result of the election should be so satisfactory as to encourage other conj^regations to adopt a popular mode of appoint- ment. The grand difficulty which those present and the congregation generally felt, was the want of acquain- tance with each other. Indeed this is the only practical difficulty. It is a serious one, however, in large towns, and I believe restrained the Session from earlier mak- ing trial of the same mode of election. The means re- sorted to had the effect in some measure of overcoming it; and at all events it was seen that if ever a more constitutional mode of election was to be introduced, the difficulty would have to be encountered sometime, and that it would never lessen by letting it alone. The election took place at the appointed time — the lists were given in — and though, from the cause above described, many communicants gave in no list — afraid to do harm in so solemn a trust — yet there was a res- pectable number of lists, sufficient plainly to intimate the wishes of the congregation. Eight gentlemen were named it appeared on scrutinising the lists ; and the far larger part of them almost unanimously. Two declined to accept, for satisfactory reasons. The others were shortly after ordained in the face of the congregation, and received the right hand of fellowship from their brother elders. I am sure that 1 express the general feeling of the previous Session and of the congregation, when I state that the result has been most satisfactory — that those appointed are excellent men. Several of them have been actively engaged in Sabbath school teaching, and the regular visitation of the sick, long previously to their election as elders. Various excellent names were also suggested, though not by a sufficient number of votes to secure their election. Indeed, I may say that not a person was nominated in the lists, who would not have been a credit to any session. The small number of declinatures is also an interesting cir- cumstance, contrasting as it does with the number which were received, when on a former occasion asked ELDERSHIP. 127 in the old way by the minister and session to become elders. It may be added, that had it not been for the call of the congregation, several, it is believed, of those now elected, would have declined. The voice of Pro- vidence given forth after conference and united prayer was one of the circumstances which weighed powerfully with them in determining their acceptance. In short, with all their diffidence they did not feel themselves warranted to refuse what the great Head of the Church by his providence had so plainly imposed upon them. For the sake of communicants in general, and those brethren who may not have a copy of the questions appointed to be put to elders at their ordination, I sub- join them : — " Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the word of God, and the only rule of faith and manners? Do you sincerely own and be- lieve the whole doctrine of the Confession of Faith, approven by the General Assembly of this National Church, and ratified by law in the year 1690, to be the truths of (jod ; and do you own the whole doctrine therein contained as the confession of your faith ? Do you sincerely own the purity of worship authorised and practised in this Church, and are you persuaded that the Presbyterian government and discipline now so happily established therein, are founded upon the word of God and agreeable thereto? Do you promise that, in your practice, you will conform yourselves to the said worship — that you will submit yourselves to the said discipline and government — that you will never endeavour, directly or indirectly, the prejudice or sub- version of the same — and that you will follow no divi- sive courses from the present establishment in the church ? Do you accept of the office of an Elder of this parish, and promise, through grace, faithfully, diligently, and cheerfully to discharge the duties thereof." 128 CHAPTER VIII. CHARGE TO NEWLY ORDAINED ELDERS. Christian Friends, — You have been hoooarably called to the office of Ruling Elders in the church of Christ, by the electing voice of the congregation, and with the full concurrence of the kirk session. Your ap- pointment has not been made without deliberation and prayer; and now what shall I say? The office is un- connected with any worldly gain, but it is most honour- able and responsible — inferior in these respects only to the office of the Holy Ministry. Your ecclesiastical sta- tion is truly important, your sphere of usefulness greatly enlarged, and your means and opportunities of doing good vEistly multiplied. A particular district of the parish will be assigned to each, and I trust you will make it your care, so far as lies in your power, to know the state of morality and re- ligion within its bounds, and to use all scriptural means to promote the best interests of the people^ A part of the congregation will also be allotted to each, and it will be expected that you take notice of the attendance of the different families on divine worship, and of the manner in which they support their religious profession in com- mon life; that you will prudently warn, admonish, and reprove, counsel, encourage, and strengthen as you see needful; that you will attend to the situation of the poor, though the employment be often a thankless one, and exposed to many disappointments; that you will call upon the sick and bereaved in their afflictions, commending them by prayer to the sympathy and care of the Shepherd of Israel ; that you will take an interest in Sabbath schools, and the cause of week-day education generally, and also in prayer and missionary meetings ; that you will likewise anxiously guard the sanctity of the Lord's day from profanation, whether public or ELDERSHIP. 129 private, and, in short, encourage all means fitted to fur- ther the moral and religious welfare of the congregation and parish with which you are connected. It is ex- pected, too, that you will follow the things which make for peace, endeavour to compose differences, and to provoke to love and to good works. Attention to these duties is necessary, not only for the sake of the pastor, that he may know the state of the people, and so be better able to accommodate his ministrations, public and private, to their particular circumstances, but also that the elders may act with judgment, caution, and tenderness, in those cases where they are called to grant or to withhold church privileges. While I remind you in a general way of these various and comprehensive duties, I desire specially to press upon you the remembrance that your office directly concerns the souls of men, and that the eternal bliss or woe of many may depend upon its faithful or unfaithful exercise. The true nature of the office may often have been lost sight of amid mere secularities, but it involves the oversight of immortal souls. Keep this ever in view — watch, and labour, and pray for the conversion of the unconverted in all their aspects and relations. It is they who have the strongest claims upon your sym- pathy and compassion ; it is when thus employed that you most resemble Christ, and best fulfil one of the great ends of the eldership. Remember the young; remind them of their baptismal dedication, and avail yourselves of all means and opportunities, direct and indirect, of bringing them to the Saviour, of interesting them in the great salvation, and guarding them against the temptations and snares of the world. With this view, encourage to the uttermost scriptural schools, and admonish parents of their duties to their children, of the obligations of family worship, and a consistent ex- ample. Have a tender regard for the sick and dying, and those who are bereaved of such as are near and dear to them. Pray not only with them when called for, but remember them in your private devotions, espe- cially when the}' ask for your intercessions. Embrace the opportunities which afflictive providences supply for teaching spiritual lessons, and let it be practically 130 ELDERSHIP. known, that in you all the poor and distressed of the district have ever a ready, sympathising, and Christian friend. It is not to be disguised that, as public men, you may expect occasionally to share in misrepresentation and reproach — perhaps abuse. Detraction is a cowardly sin, but a common one, and is always directed most against those who are in any way prominent in station or influence, or who are more active in doing good than their neighbours. It is easily practised, and such is the corruption of human nature, that the unfavourable views which it presents are too generally acceptable, and hence are often encouraged. But so far from being disheartened by this, it is no small evidence of our Christian faithfulness, that we do not please men of irreligious principles and irreligious practices — the worldly and profane. Let us be comforted in remem- bering that it is an honour to be reproached for right- eousness' sake — that in this respect the servant is but as his Master, and that it is a small matter to be condemned by man's judgment, while we stand approved to that of conscience and of God. Let me now shortly address a few exhortations to you as to the manner in which your duties as elders should be discharged ; but first of all, let me counsel you often to think of the honour and responsibility which belong to the office. Many may and do think lightly of these, but they are most important ; the office is not a device of man's ; it is spiritual, founded on divine authority, directly concerned about the welfare of the Redeemer's church. To be a ruler in God's house is a situation at once of great honour and high trust, which will try the charac- ter of those who hold it. Sacramentally to be the cus- todiers of the body and the blood of Christ, to be keepers of the vineyard, to hold by discipline the keys of the kingdom of heaven, these are no light matters ; they are honourable and onerous, demanding thought and care, and an anxious desire so to conduct oneself that we may be able to give in our account with joy. Mag- nify your office ; be well persuaded of its divine authori- ty and standing, and act in a corresponding spirit. This is the true way to raise it and make it honoured. So ELDERSHIP. 131 long as men have poor views of the office, they will content themselves with humble and inadequate labours; and this will keep it low in public estimation. Enter- taining just and scriptural views of the eldership, let me exhort you — 1st. To discharge the duties of your office with dili- gence. The exhortation of the apostle is, " Let him that ruleth rule with diligence," implying that church rulers would be tempted to be indolent, careless, and negligent. We must remember that much of the life of an office depends upon its execution, and that the unprofitable servant was severely punished, not for abusing, but for not suitably improving his ta- lent. 2nd. Discharge the duties of your new calling with humility. The possession of any power over others, whether civil or ecclesiastical, is apt to nourish pride. In the history of the Christian church there has been, on the part of the office-bearers, much of what the Scripture calls "lording over God's heritage." The Redeemer expressly cautions against this temper of mind, and exhorts office-bearers to be an example to the flock in humility and self-denial. Nothing more recommends their office to general acceptance. 3rd. Seek to discharge your duties in a gentle and peaceable spirit. Part of them consists in healing divi- sions, and this never can be accomplished by aught that savours of contention or impatience. Besides, admoni- tions and censures, to be effective, need to be conveyed with gentleness and long-suffering. There is no incon- gruity between strict discipline and a peaceable dispo- sition, between truth and love. Men and churches may frequently have separated them, but they not only admit of union, where religion is enlightened and true, they are always inseparably joined together. Hence the exhortation of our Lord, " Have salt in yourselves" — that is, true doctrine, '• and peace one with another." 4th. Fulfil the duties of the office in a cheerful, li- beral spirit. Ministers are exhorted to take the over- sight of the flock, not by constraint, but willingly, and of a ready mind ; and the same exhortation applies to Ruling Elders. Cheerfulness is pleasant to ourselves, 132 ELDERSHIP. and to those with whom we are associated ; it makes many duties light which would otherwise be burden- some, and in various duties of the eldership it is pecu- liarly called for. 3th. Let me exhort you to be firm and resolved, va- liant for the truth, and church, and cause of God. There are few things which more generally tempt office- bearers to decline from their principles, and the cha- racter which becomes them, than the fear of man, — it verily brings a snare. How did Abraham, under its influence, repeatedly use dissimulation ; and David flee to the Philistines for help ; and Peter basely deny his Master. Be, then, firm and courageous in what you believe to be the path of duty, and in maintaining the principles of the Church : make the Lord of Hosts your fear and your dread, and remember for your encourage- ment that Christ will be your shield. 6th. Be jealous of the honour of God, and of Christ, and of the Spirit, and of the Church. Be- ware of the character of Gallic, and of the Laodi- ceans ; rather remember and imitate the spirit of Jo- siah, whose praise was that his heart was tender — of David, whose eyes ran down with tears because men kept not God's law — of Jeremiah, who wished that his head were waters, and his eyes a fountain of tears, that he might weep day and night for the slain of the daugh- ter of his people. 7th. And lastly. Labour to fulfil the duties of your office with constancy and perseverance. You may meet with various difficulties and discouragements — yea, if faithful, you shall meet with many. But do not on this account intermit or desert the duty: you have, after deliberation and prayer, put your hand to the plough, do not look back regretting the step you have taken, as anxious for a release. Recollect that perse- verance has its reward both here and hereafter, and however insufficient you may feel yourselves for the work — however untractable the materials with which you are occasionally called upon to deal — however small the degree of reformation often attained — however in- adequate the countenance which you receive from those of whom better things might have been expected, still ELDEKSHIP. 133 do not weary or faint. Persevere — and He who has put it into your hearts to lay the foundation stone will one day enable you to bring forth the corner stone of com- pletion with joy and shouting. And in order to the successful discharge of your duties, whether public or private ; in other words, to enable you better to comply with the exhortations which have been addressed to you, remember that the autho- rity by which you act is divine, as really divine as that of the pastor or apostle — that the kingdom on whose government you have entered is the kingdom of Christ — that the Lord Jesus is Sovereign and Head of this kingdom — that he has promised to be with it and its of- fice-bearers to the end of the world — and that, ere long, it shall destroy all opposing kingdoms, and like a great mountain, fill the whole earth. Remember that the strength by which you are called to discharge the du- ties of this office is not your own, but the strength of Christ — that he has promised ability — and that he is displeased with those who, like Moses, plead insuffi- ciency for a work to which in his providence he has plainly called them. Remember what great things God has brought to pass by humble instruments — how Mo- ses, the deliverer and lawgiver of the Jews, was a shep- herd for a large part of his life — how the world was converted througli immense regions to the faith of Christ by a few fishermen — and how, by the bare ele- ments of water in Baptism, and bread and wine in the Lord's Supper, the grandest truths of revelation are set forth to view, and sealed to the everlasting good of the church of God. Remember, moreover, that the greatest undertakings have generally but small begin- nings— that the reparation of the city and temple of Jerusalem seemed so contemptible as to provoke the mockery of beholders — that the best undertak- ings have always the greatest discouragements and opposition : Witness the protracted hostility which our blessed Lord encountered in his work. Remem- ber too that God has all hearts in his hand — can raise up unexpected friends, and confound formidable enemies — that those who oppose the office of the elder, with its sacred and useful duties, are generally in their own M 134 ELDERSHIP. character and conduct an evidence of its necessity and excellence — that if those of whom better things might have been looked for do not countenance it, there is the greater reason why we should maintain its honour. And, moreover, let us remember that while it engages the approbation of God, it is a small matter that it is discountenanced by man. Remember, also, how much good God has been pleased already to work out in dif- ferent ages of our Church, and of the Christian church generally, through the instrumentality of the office of the Ruling Elder ; and that the past is a pledge and ear- nest of what He will do for the future. And, lastly, re- member the recompence of reward which awaits you in the heavenly world. Here you are entitled to double honour, and to be held in high esteem for your works' sake ; but though men be so unjust as to withhold this, you shall not miss your reward. A crown of glory is promised to the faithful Ruling, as well as Teaching Elder — a crown of glory which shall be given when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, and which shall never fade away. Indeed, there is no service rendered to Christ or to his church, however slender, but is registered in heaven. It may be forgotten by men — it is remembered by God. If so inconsiderable an act of kindness as simply reach- ing a cup of cold water to a thirsty disciple, out of re- gard to the will and gratitude for the love of the Savi- our, shall not pass unrecompensed — surely a diligent, humble, conscientious, disinterested discharge of the duties of an elder in the Redeemer's church shall meet with no common acknowledgment in that great day when he who has turned a single soul from death shall shine as the stars of the firmament for ever and ever. Seeing that the encouragements to the discharge of the office with which you are this day invested are so many and varied and strong, let me counsel you to be faithful ; and as an important step to the success of all your undertakings and labours, let me exhort you to the encreasing cultivation of personal religion — seek a greater acquaintance with divine truth, and to be brought more and more under its power in your life and con- versation. Your office is especially intended to reprove ELDERSHIP. 135 sin. Be yourselves free from sin. He who censures others needs himself to be clean. You are appointed by Christ to be examples to the flock. What would be little thought of in others will be considered a serious offence in you. Your lives will be regarded as rules. See then that you be exemplarily holy, particularly in all the relations of life, whether as husbands, or parents, or brothers, or masters, or neighbours. How shall he be accounted a good Ruling Elder who does not rule well his own family and dependants? How shall he per- suade others to the worship of God in their families who is cold, and irregular, and negligent of that worship in his own ? Be consistent, then, in character, and for this end be given to watchfulness and prayer. As the great body of men, among contending opinions and parties, will ever be guided in their judgment of the church by the character of its office- bearers — by their zeal and circumspection and fidelity and public spirit — these being things of which all can judge — or at least ima- gine so — so let me respectfully entreat you to give all the weight of your Christian influence to the cause of true religion ; and to show that, in seasons of extraordi- nary trial, there is, on the part of the faithful men of Scotland, a courage and a liberality and devotedness, which can rise to their circumstances, and overmaster the^most serious evils. ^ ' I have been indebted for various suggestions in this chapter to an excellent Exliortation, in the ' Vindication of Presbyterial Church Government, by London Ministers,' in 1650, p. 73, ^c. The enlightened and earnest addresses of the ministers of tliese days show what just views they had of church government and divine truth, and go to explain the remarkdble courage and self- denial they manifested at the Restoration, when Fresbyterian ministers, to the extent of two thousand in number, were ejected from their charges and homes on a single day, cheerfully suffer- ing all for Christ — an example of magnanimity unsurpassed in the history of the Christian church, ancient or modern. 136 CHAPTER IX. charge to the congregation. Christian Friends, Having said this much to the Elders, I must close with a few words to the congregation ; and though this sacred place be most unsuitable for any thing which even savours of human praise, yet I cannot refrain ffom declaring, that in all the steps which have been taken to enlarge the Eldership on this occasion, I have met with the most pleasing proofs of self-diffidence and self-distrust. This augurs well, and I hope will be properly appreciated by the congregation, and will deepen that esteem which in Christian duty it becomes them to render to those whom they have elected, and who are now clothed with a spiritual office of the Saviour's express appointment. I hope, too, that you will remember how disinterested are the services which the Eldership render to the church and to society — in how thankless a manner their best exertions are some- times received — how much self-denial there is in men in business, frequently in pressing business, surrender- ing time, and submitting to trouble in investigating the cases of the poor and the friendless — how important are the advantages (now more important than ever,) of connecting the different ranks of society together, and creating good will, where there might otherwise be separation. 1 hope that, in addition to higher considera- tions, such as your spiritual oversight and the salvation of souls, you will not be insensible to these things, and that you will feel grateful to those who have for the first time undertaken the important and onerous duties of Elders, and to others who have persevered in them for years. One of the most frequent errors into which, as re- gards the officers of religion, church members are apt to fall, is that of undervaluing and taking offence at ELDERSHIP. 137 those judgments which they may feel constrained to form, and express on certain occasions as to con- duct. But, is not this spirit most unreasonable? It not only injures them individually, but by depreciat- ing the esteem in which they are held, you do what you can to frustrate the great objects of their ministry; and surely this must be displeasing in the sight of that God and that Redeemer, to whom the welfare of the church is dear as the apple of their eye? It should be remembered that our spiritual functions, as office-bearers in the church, are all for your edification and advantage. We have, and can have no object to serve, but your good. Errors we may commit, but they are not wil- ful. Hence, instead of being offended at the fidelity of our admonitions, you should receive them with meek- ness, as the suggestions of friendship. Did men only consider how grievous it must be to censure those whose highest interests it is the earnest prayer and un- wearied study of one's life to promote, they could not for a moment indulge one feeling of displeasure, much less exaggerate the errors, and misrepresent the motives of the very men whom they ought to regard and to love. I know that some are so prejudiced as to think, that the mere holding of office, whether civil or ecclesias- tical, must necessarily leadj to corruption and abuse. They are sensitively jealous of all that wears the aspect of authority. It is vain to reason with such persons. Their principles, or rather their prejudices, would sub- vert all government whatever. So far from weakening the hands of the Kirk Ses- sion in the exercise of church discipline, whether it affects yourselves or others, let me counsel you to up- hold that authority. There are not a few who are loud in their complaintsof the alleged relaxation of discipline, who are among the first persons to cry out *' persecu- tion" when that discipline is actually applied- How few are there who follow the apostolic rule, of not so much as eating with a man who is under the serious discipline of the church. Alas ! how many treat such persons in much the same way as if there were no ecclesiastical discipline at all. Some professed mem- bers of the church actually by their spirit and speech M2 138 ELDERSHIP. and conduct, encourage others against its discipline. But, is not this daringly to sin against Christ ? Does it not pour contempt upon his ordinances, prostrate the lawful power of his church officers, and harden offen- ders in their transgression?^ Let me, then, exhort you to receive the Elders who have been ordained, as those who have rule over you in the Lord. Reverence their office, and submit to their spiritual authority. Do not be so unreasonable as to expect them to be perfect. Kindly interpret what at anv time may seem amiss in their conduct. Culti- vate acquaintance with them, and, instead of throwing obstacles in the way, give them every facility and en- couragement in the performance of duty. Where they are unjustly assailed, boldly vindicate their character and reputation. Above all, strengthen and uphold and help them by your prayers. They feel that they need, and they will be happy to receive such assistance. Apostolic authority enjoins it, and your own good, as well as theirs, demands the exercise. Be instant, im- portunate, and persevering in prayer, in behalf of all the members of Session ; and thus animated, we shall better pray and labour and live for you in return. ' In connection with this iniportant point, I beg to refer the reader to an instructive and inapressive discourse of President Edwards, 'on the Nature and End of Excommunication,' Works, vol. ii, p. 117. 139 CHAPTER X. TESTIMONIES, FROM EXPERIENCE, TO THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF THE POPULAR ELECTION OF RULING ELDERS. Knowing that friends in the ministry had made trial, as well as myself, of a more popular mode of appoint- ment to the Eldership than had prevailed for a long time, I asked a few of them to favour me with a statement of their experience. Unwilling to swell this little work, I select only one or two; but the testi- mony of all is uniform and strong. If any thing be fitted to persuade others to make the trial in the same prayerful spirit, it is just such cases as the following. The reader will notice that the writers bring out different important views of the office, and incidentally answer current objections founded upon misapprehen- sion. Beginning with country parishes, and the case of oldest date, I subjoin the reply of the minister of Car- nock, in Fifeshire, to my application. With the ex- ception of a village, in which there are a number of weavers, the population is entirely agricultural. At last census it amounted to 1202. No. I. " Carnock Manse, 16tli Marcli, 1841. "My dear Sir, — Experiencing the difficulty of getting suitable persons to undertake the office of Elders in the congregation, and feeling the propriety of pursuing a more popular mode of appointment than generally obtains, 1 some years ago, when an en- crease in the number of Elders was greatly required for the congregation, proposed to the Session that the com- municants, male and female, should be asked to give in a list of the names of such persons as they thought qualified for the office of Elder. To this proposal the J4D ELDERSHIP. Session readily assented. And it was ordered to be in- timated, "that the members of the congregation who are communicants be requested to name each four persons whom they consider proper for the office, in order that the Session may deal with them with re- ference to this office; and that a congregational meet- ing for prayer be held on Wednesday evening next with reference to this particular object." The meeting for prayer was held, and lists of names were given in to the Session, as resolved on. At another meeting of Session these lists were opened, and six individuals, who had the greater number of votes, were selected; and the minister was requested to converse with them, and to ascertain whether they would be willing to ac- cept. The Session had every reason to be satisfied with the choice made by the communicants: all the in- dividuals being just those whom they would themselves have selected. And our only regret was, that all could not be prevailed on to accept of the office. The mode pursued, indeed, was so satisfactory, that we do not contemplate any deviation from it, so long as we are not bound down to any other method by some explicit enactment of the church. It tends greatly, 1 think, to encourage and strengthen elders in the discharge of their official duty, inasmuch as they have thus an ex- plicit call from the people themselves to take the over- sight of them ; and it lays a strong obligation upon the people to yield subjection to their spiritual office- bearers in the Lord, inasmuch as they, by their own act, have placed themselves under them, and professed their willingness to give them all honour. And in this way not only is the office of the Eldership elevated to somewhat of its proper status, but the bond which unites a Christian people with those that bear rule among them is strengthened, and the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom are greatly promoted. Wishing you all success in your laudable design to improve the condition of the Eldership, and thus to extend the usefulness of the parochial arrangements of our church, I remain. My dear Sir, Yours faithfully, Wm. Gilston." ELDERSHIP. 141 The next testimony is from the West of Scotland. The experiment is more recent, but it is most satisfac- tory. The population of the parish of West Kilbride, Presbytery of Irvine, is 1685. No. II. "Manse, West Kilbride, 28tli April, 18il. '* Reverend and dear Sir, — I do not know if I can furnish you with a more simple and more distinct ac- count of the circumstances which took place at the late election of Elders here than the one which I wrote at the time this election was made, and which was pub- lished in the ' Scottish Guardian;' it is as follows: — " At the close of the service on the Sabbath which pre- ceded our late thanksgiving day, I intimated to my people before I dismissed them that I wished an addi- tion of three or four Elders to the Session, and that I would call upon all the male communicants of the congregation to select them by a deliberate and pub- lic vote. The thanksgiving day I fixed for this pur- pose; and when the services, which were the same as those of the Sabbath, were terminated, I requested all the male communicants — most of whom, I am happy to say, were present — to arrange themselves in pews in the area of the church, and the rest of the congregation to retire, or to occupy the galleries, as they thought pro- per. When this was done, I pointed out to those who were to vote the nature of the duty which they were now to discharge, mentioned the districts in which I wished the new Elders to be located, and prayed for Divine direction and guidance. After this, the elec- tion proceeded, by each communicant rising in his place,;^and in the order in which he sat, and naming, in an audible voice, four individuals whom he judged qualified to discharge the duties of the Eldership. And seldom, perhaps never, I am prepared to say, have I presided at a meeting where there seemed to prevail so great a solemnity of feeling, and so strong a desire to act conscientiousl)'. And the selection made was most judicious; in short, just what I could have 142 ELDERSHIP. wished; the very best men were fixed on by the peo- ple; and three of them, with their own consent, and with the approval of the previous members of Session, who did not vote, have been ordained by me, and are now as spiritual rulers, watching over those who have cordially invited them to take the oversight of them and their families." Such is the mode in which I proceeded lately in adding to the number of the members of my Session; and looking back at the whole transaction, from this distance of time, I must here say, that it has powerfuliy served to convince me, that the heart of our people is yet ,in its right place, and that, were they properly treated by their spiritual rulers, and directed by them in a kindly and Christian manner, they would act a most conscientious and praiseworthy part in the elec- tion, both of their Elders and of their Ministers. The Elders that have been added to my Session through the suffrage of their fellow-communicants are proving themselves to be men of principle and piety, and are actively and cheerfully devoting themselves to the dis- charge of the duties of their office ; and I now feel that I have no cause to regret, but every cause to rejoice at the step I took in calling upon my people to aid mc in selecting fit individuals for the office of the Eldership. I may mention here, that, for several years, prayer meetings have been held in various parts of the parish throughout the week: many of the more pious of the people have been in the habit of officiating; and sabbath evening classes have also been regularly taught under my own eye by several of my people; and all of the individuals elected to the FIdership had been engaged either in conducting some of the prayer meet- ings, or in teaching in the sabbath evening school; and this circumstance, no doubt, in conjunction with others, served to point them out to their fellow-com- municants; but this, so far from being an argument against allowing the people to select their own Elders, is just a strong argument in favour of giving them this privilege, for it shows that they are ready to mark that conduct which indicates the existence of zeal and piety. True, it may be said, that in every instance, the people ELDERSHIP. 143 may not have an opportunity to choose men who have been actively engaged in holding fellowship meetings and in instructing the young ; but why should they not? If active measures are taken to call individuals forth to such Christian labours, in most instances they will succeed to the extent of furnishing out a sufficient number from which Elders may be selected ; and, in general, it will be found, that those who have, previous- ly to their becoming Elders, been engaged in benevo- lent Christian labours, will prove the most active and efficient rulers ; at the same time, I by no means say, that this should be regarded as a rule from M'hich no deviation should be made in choosing men for the El- dership ; there are many other qualities besides that of having publicly laboured in instructing in Sabbath schools, sufficiently obvious to all, which may lead to the choice of individuals to hold the office of Elders. Let me notice further, that there is another objection to the election of Elders by the people, met, I think, and refuted by the late election in this parish. It is often said, that if the people have the choice they will select men of vulgar minds, in short, men mean in birth and of no education. Now, the result of the election here was just this : the people selected an heritor of the parish, a respectable farmer, and a weaver; and could any other result have been more calculated to show, that they neither looked to the high, as if worshipping wealth; nor turned to the low, as if courting vulgarity, but turned their attention to all classes, in order to select the best men from each ? indeed, though they had been previously instructed to make a choice that would refute the objection alluded to, they could not have acted in a way better fitted to do so than as I find they have done. Upon the whole, 1 am satisfied, from what I have witnessed, that the people — the communicants I mean — might be safely entrusted with the privilege of selecting those whom they would have set over them as Elders, and I should rejoice to see them in the possession of this privilege : the Session always having the power to judge in regard to the selection they make, and to re- ject improper persons should they be chosen. May 144 ELDERSHIP. you prosper in your efforts to introduce among us some such order as this. Yours, with esteem, Thos. Findlay." Passing from rural to town parishes, I subjoin the testimonies of the Rev. Mr. Bonar of the North Parish, Kelso — one of the Church Extension churches — and that of the Rev. Mr. Lewis of St. John's, Leith. The following is Mr. Bonar's statement of the mode which was sdopted. The result was all that could be wished: — No. III. " The male communicants of the congregation were called on beforehand to give in lists of persons consi- dered by them most suitable for the office of Eldership among them. Out of these lists the selection was made by the Kirk Session. Both before and after the choice was made, the congregation met together for special and solemn prayer in reference to the whole matter. On the evening set apart for the ordination of those who had thus been chosen, by the united voice of the congregation and Kirk Session, the congregation assembled for worship in the usual way. The sermon being finished, the minister, after reminding the people of the purpose on which they were come together, stated that all the steps had now been taken in this matter which the church required. The edict had been regu- larly served and returned, and no objection having been offered against any of the individuals named, it only remained to put to them the questions appointed to be ' put to Elders by Act of the Assembly 1700. The questions having been solemnly put to the individuals chosen, standing up before the people, and satisfying answers having been obtained, they were then ordained and set apart to the holy office of the Eldership by prayer. Thereafter they received from the brethren the right hand of fellowship as brother-rulers in the church and fellow-labourers in the Lord.*' Mr. Lewis's excellent testimony is conveyed in the following terms : — ELDERSHIP. 145 No. IV. Leith, 18th March, 184-1. " My dear Sir, — I am perfectly satisfied that the in- troduction of the popular element into the choice of Elders would infuse new life into the body, not that 1 have unbounded confidence in the wisdom or piety of the people; but because I am persuaded that, even under a dead ministry, the people have fewer tempta- tions to make a wrong choice, and are influenced by a hfgher sense of the solemnities and duties of the office than an indolent, careless, and worldly minister. Where a minister is faithful, he will instruct his people in the nature of the office, inform and guide their judgments, and qualify them for electing rightly; where he is un- faithful, he is certain to make a wrong choice himself, and his people cannot do worse. The probability is- they will do better, and though under the guidance of no higher principle than natural conscience will elect men more worthy of the sacred office. I have twice adopted the plan of consulting the con- gregation, and of receiving their recommendation of qualified persons. On both occasions 1 discoursed fully beforehand, on the nature and duties of the oflftce, as described in Scripture, and laid down in the Acts of the Assembly; and held special prayer meet- ings for imploring Divine guidance to the congrega- tion. In neither instance was 1 disappointed in the issue — more especially in the latter case, the six indi- viduals recommended by the congregation were the very parties previously marked out by myself, and by the judgment of the Session, as qualified for the oftice. The plan I adopted was, first of all, to inform the congregation of the desire of the Kirk Session to add to their number, and the necessity of this for the better oversight of the congregation and parish. I then re- quested the male communicants to give in, in writing, the names of six persons judged by them qualified for the oflSce, appointing, at the same time, a special meet- ing of prayer for their direction, for reading the Acts N 146 ELDERSHIP. of the Assembly relating to the office, and, in general, for discoursing on its functions and spiritual nature. Two Sabbaths were allowed for the giving in of the lists, which were afterwards opened and read at a meet- ing of Session, and the names of the parties nominated arranged, according to the number of the votes. The result I have already mentioned. It has usually been supposed, that so great is the eagerness of the members of a church to exercise their privilege of election, that rather than not use it, when in their power, they will vote rashly, indiscriminately, and without sufficient knowledge or acquaintance with the persons whom I hey nominate. My experience in my own congregation is the reverse of this. I would say, there is a reluctance rather than an over-eager- ness to use the privilege, proceeding not from indif- ference, but from a conscientious fear of recommend- ing beyond their knowledge, and from the difficulty of finding persons in the circle of their Christian ac- quaintances reaching to their standard of qualification. Many of our lists when opened, instead of six names, which were desired, contained only four, or three, or two, and some only one, with the statement annexed, that they could conscientiously recommend the indi- vidual named, but had not sufficient acquaintance with any other member of the church. Indeed, 1 am satisfied that where, previous to an elec- tion, the office is made the subject of special discourse, and the conscience of a congregation charged as to the responsibility and solemnity of appointing rulers oyer them in the Lord, and divine direction sought by sup- plication and prayer, there will be greater danger of the members of the church abstaining from the use of their privilege, than of exercising it with inconsiderate eagerness and in ignorance of the parties to whom they give their voice. Every thing, however, depends upon the spirit with which an election is conducted. A greater curse cannot alight upon a congregation than when the election either of its ministers or elders is conducted in a factious, caballing, prayerlew, and worldly spirit. ELDERSHIP. 147 With best wishes and prayers for the success of your present labours — Believe me, Ever yours faithfully, James Lewis." No. V. Already several cases in Glasgow, where ministers acted on the same plan adopted in St. David's, and with similar success, could be appealed to, as in Well- park and St. Peters : but it is unnecessary. I may merely transcribe a note from the Rev. Mr. Somer- ville, of Anderston. Glasgow, April 30th, 1841. " My dear Sir, — In answer to your enquiry I may state, that on a late occasion a body of 10 individuals was added to Anderston Kirk Session — that these per- sons were nominated by communicants, and not merely were such as the existing Kirk Session unanimously approve of, but were just those whom they would have desired to see clothed with the office of Ruling Elder. I may mention also, that the congregation met, on two occasions, previous to the nomination, for the pur- pose of seeking guidance from the Great Head of the church, and that, moreover, a season for special private fasting and prayer with reference to the object was appointed. The congregation were called upon twice to elect, first 12 and then 6, to the office of Elder. The second was necessary, owing to several in the first list having declined to join tiie Session. In both cases the result was most satisfactory. The communicants who voted on both occasions were the very perso?is in whose judgment and piety I would antecedently have had the greatest confidence. With the favour of the Glorious Master of our as- semblies, the additional superintendence under which the congregation is now placed promises to be a great blessing to it. Believe me, my dear Sir, Most truly yours, Alex. N. Somerville." 148 ELDERSHIP. In the Presbyterian Church of Ireland, the appoint- ment is becoming more popular than it once was. The Rev. Mr. Denham of Londonderry, who has, in the 'Plea of Presbytery,' proved himself an able and enlightened Presbyterian writer, two years ago is- sued a circular to his congregation, descriptive of the authority and qualification and duties of the Ruling Elder, and accompanied it with the following note. "My dear friend, I earnestly request you will now make the election of Elders amongst us the subject of your serious consideration and earnest prayer, and without being guided by the opinion of others, state to me, in a sealed letter, on or before the 6th of October, the names of those members of the ciiurch, not exceed- ing six in number, whom you esteem best qualified for this important office. To those for whom there shall be a majority of votes, I shall state their duties more fully, and the names of such as shall consent to be or- dained I shall make publicly known to the congrega- tion. Earnestly praying the Head of th.e church to direct you in this solemn work, I remain, Your affectionate Pastor, James Denham.*' The plan wrought remarkably well. After being on probation for some time the Elders will be ordained, and as there is no notice of any ordination in the New Testament except by imposition of hands, Mr. Denham writes me that it is contemplated to set them apart to the office in this way. 'J he average number of Elders in the Presbyterian Church of Ireland is between eight and nine to a congregation. APPENDIX. SUCCESSFUL MORAL OPERATION OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GOVERNMENT ON SOCIETY. (Referred to page 3 of Preface.) The presence or absence of crime is not an infallible test of the efficiency or otherwise of the religious system under which a country is placed. At least various cir- cumstances have to be taken into account in forming the estimate apart from the influence of religion. There may be great simplicity of manners, and few temptations to crime, and considerable external correctness in coun- tries where Christianity is unknown, or where false views of it prevail — at the same time the state of crime furnishes an approximation to the truth of no small im- portance. So tried, the result is highly honourable to Presbyterianism, as compared with other forms of church government. Presbyterianism is predominant in Scotland — and what is the result? According to the new Anglican non-Protestant school, the moral charac- ter of the people should be very low — their ministers have no episcopal ordination — religious ordinances are invalid — they can only, like so many Pagans, be com- mitted to the " uncovenanted mercies of God." On the principle that a tree is best known by its fruits, deplora- ble should be the moral condition of Scotland as com- pared with England where prelacy is predominant, and in the Popish countries where prelacy is, if possible, still more powerful, as in Ireland. Let the following facts, drawn from a paper of Mr. Miller, Captaia of Police iii N2 150 ELDERSHIP. Glasgow, and recently read before rtie * British Associa- tion' for promoting science, testify : — Out of a popula- tion of 175.000 under his superintendence, 2952 were brought before the magistrates of Glasgow — in eleven months of the last year — charged with various offences ; of these, 711, or nearly one-third^ belonged to Ireland, and 2154 to Scotland. The Irish proportion of vagrants in Glasgow bearsa still higherratio; but supposing all her offenders to be Scottish, how does the amount of crime in Glasgow stand on a comparison with that of two large towns similar to itself — Liverpool and Dublin? It ap- pears from the same document, that while there is in Glasgow 1 offender to 22| of the population — (this was for the year 1839; the number of offenders was much smaller in 1840) — there is in Liverpool 1 in 16 ; and in Dublin 1 in 7 ; and the result is the more striking, when it is remembered that, from the structure of the houses, &c., the facilities to depredation are far greater in Glasgow than in the other towns ; and, moreover, that there is a police force in Liverpool of 1 officer to every 442 persons; and Dublin of 1 to every 256; while in Glasgow there is only 1 to 784. In London the pro- portion of offenders to the whole population is much the same as in Glasgow ; but the two places do not admit well of comparison in crime, London has proportion- ally double the number of police-officers. Turning from the great western metropolis of Scot- land, where, from various causes, crime may be ex- pected lo be most prevalent — to the rural districts where the influence of Christianity, flowing through Presby- terian channels, is less disturbed, what is the moral condition of the people, tried by the same standard ? It appears from an important document, by Messrs. Fullarton & Baird, " Remarks on the evils at present affecting the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, 1838," read before the Statistical Society of Glasgow, that, in fifty-four parishes, to which their attention was recently and carefully directed in connection with destitution of the means of life, and proposals for emigration — pa- rishes embracing a population of nearly 155,000 souls — there were in 1835 only 142 cases of offence, and these, for the most part, very trifling. In many of the ELDERSHIP. 151 parishes tliere had not been a single crime for years, and that though the people, from various causes, are no strangers to indolence and the use of ardent spirits — the usual inlets of much evil, and are besides, unhappily, very defectively supplied with the means of education. The result is the more remarkable when it is remem- bered, to use the language of the writers, that in the whole of the Islands and Mainland parishes to which they refer, " the face of a soldier or policeman, as such, is not known ; and that in spite of all the poverty and wretchedness to which, especially for the last few years, the people have been exposed, there have not been the slightest indications of riot or disturbance." The state- ment may be extended to the rural parts and many of the towns of Scotland generally. The writers give 2838 persons as the whole number committed for trial in Scotland during the same year. How large a propor- tion of these were neither Scotchmen nor Presbyter- ians we have no means of ascertaining ; but there can be little doubt that it was very considerable. Are such facts discreditable to a Presbyterian country ? or can the friends of the new Anglican school point to results equally satisfactory under their system? ^ ^ It may be noticed in passing that Scotland gets credit, or ra- ther reproach, for a much larger share of crime than realty be- longs to her. The able Sheriff of Glasgow, Mr. Alison, in his work on ' The Principles of Population,' states that the progress of crime in Scotland during the last thirty years has been almost unexampled ; and no doubt ttiere has been a very appalling en- crease though the greatly improved efficiency of the police in bringing up every case makes what exists much more visible than it was before. But it is overlooked how large a proportion of crime, and that, too, of the worst character, is not of Scottish ori- gin, but springs from the Irish population, who have now the easiest communication, particularly with the west of Scotland. In cases of capital crimes, the number of instances where the par- ties are Roman Catholics may satisfy any one that they are seldom natives of Scotland. A sad illustration of the truth of these re- marks has occurred as these pages are passing through the press. Three Irishmen — Roman Catholics — have been condemned at the Spring Assizes to be executed for the atrocious murder of an Eng- lishman on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, and yet, though no Scotchman had any hand in the deed, the case will go to swell the returns of crime from Scotland, and to leave those at a dis- tance, who are ignorant of the circumstances, under the impression 152 ELDEB.onj«, supplied with extra food and clothinj? during the winter months, not less than .310 were natives of Ireland. The niiinbers arc — Persons belonging fo England, 4 Do. do. to Ireland, 310 Do. do. to Scotland, a. ..721 Unknown, 3 10.38 "While this is lioriourable to tlie philanthropy of Scotland, it also shows, in harmony with r-ther facts, that a large share of the population most exposed to the temptations of crime do not be- long to this country. How unjust is it, indiscriminately, to reckon all these to the account of Scottish crime! There ought to be a deduction of at least a tliird from the crime of Scotland, as not properly belonging to it. That there is nothing in the character of Irishmen which of itself tends to the breach of law is manifest from the interesting results brought out in Presbyte- rian Ulster. It is the religious system, though claiming a prela- tic ** unbroken succession," which is at the root of the evil. What can be more monstrous than the idea that the Irish mur- derers, having all been validly baptised by an ordained priest of the Church of Rome according to " apostolic succession," are regenerated, and belong to the true church, while the holiest men of Presbyterian Scotland or Ireland have only an invalid baptism, and are beyond the pale of the visible church; and if saved at ail, are saved only as the heathens are supposed to be saved — by " the uncovenanted mercies of GoJ !" ELDERSHIP. 153 the constabulary to each inhabitant is lO^d., while in Down the cost to each is only 5^d. In Fermanagh, where there are few Presbyterians, the cost to each is 9Jd., while in Derry it is not 5^d. Again, comparing the cost on the whole province with that on the other provinces, it would be to each inhabitant of Ulster 7 Jd., and to each in the rest of the kingdom Is. Sjd., mak- ing a saving in Ulster of a sum not less that £88,833 18s. lOd. Again, the jail expence to each inhabitant in Ulster is l|d. The jail expence to each inhabitant of the rest of the kingdom is 2|d. Thus saving, on the whole inhabitants of Ulster, £7138 16s. 8d., making a saving on those two items of constabulary and jails of £93,972 15s. 8d., being nearly three times the amount paid to all the Presbyterian clergy in Ireland. The unfortunate persons sentenced to transportation are sent from all the northern counties to the hulk at Kingstown previous to embarkation. Out of 3013 who were there in the five years from 1830, only 77 were Presbyterians, that is only 1 in every 39. Now each costs the government about £100, or on the whole number £301,300, so that here, by the peculiarly virtu- ous, and industrious, and peaceable habits of our people, there is another very large sum saved to the nation every year. Allow me here to quote a sentence from a letter transmitted by Lord Normanby, secretary to the colonies, to a commission of the Church of Scotland, dated June, 1839 : — " While it was recently found ne- cessary (in New South Wales) to appoint Episcopalian and Roman Catholic chaplains for the jails and penal settlements, it was allowed on all hands that there was no necessity for the appointment of Presbyterian chap- lains for these establishments, the number of criminals of this communion in the colony being quite insignifi- cant." In the seven years from 1828, two hundred and fifty-six persons were hung in Ireland, while, by a strict examination of all the jails in Ulster, I have discovered that in the twelve years which have now nearly elapsed since 1828, only four Presbyterians were executed. It were evidently impossible to make any calculation as to what each of these unfortunate persons cost the king- dom not merely in the retarding of improvement and 154 ELDERSHIP. j)reventing the flow of capital into the country, but even in the mere expence of a})prohension, iinprison- ineni, judges, queen's counsel, attornies, executioners, &c. but the sum between the loss and the actual ex- pence must have been enormous. Yet in tiiis item of expenditure the Presbyterian proportion is so small as scarcely to be named. Thus have 1 shown, by a reference to facts and figures, that if the government give the Presbyterian ciiurch a small endowment, it is not necessary for her, in order to make an* honest and adequate return, to barter away or part with one fraction of the liberty wherewith Christ has made her free. She makes to the state an ample return in the form of an immense saving of the public funds secured, and of many and most va- luable benefits conferred.''^ Nor do Scotland and Ireland, surveyed in the light of witnesses to the moral operation of Presbyterianism upon society, stand alone. Even England, during the short period that Presbytery had the ascendency, in the 17th century, gave evidence of the same moral tendencies. The circumstances were very disadvantageous for trying any religious system. Civil wars, followed by a flood of reli- gious sectaries, (who, for the most part, hated Presby- terianism as much as they hated Episcopacy,) must have operated most injuriously upon the peace and pu- rity of society ; and yet, even in these adverse circum- stances, bishop Burnet could say, " Then was good justice done, and vice was suppressed and punished, so that we always reckon these eight years of usurpation a time of great peace and prosperity ;" and Neal, the Nonconformist historian, states of the same period that one might walk even the streets of London on a Sab- bath evening without seeing an idle person, or hearing an oath, nay, without hearing any sounds save those of prayer and praise. Similar Iruit appeared wherever the same religious system was introduced. The pilgrim fathers of New England, and their immediate descendants, were sub- stantially Presbyterian — and what was the result ? Disdaining Episcopal ordination, and "uninterrupted ^ ' Pica of Presbytery,* pp. 409, 410. ELDERSHIP. 155 succession," as unwarranted by any scriptural or aposto- lic authority, were the people left without the grace of valid ordinances, and, by consequence, the prey of the worst individual and social disorders ? Far from it. Very many of the first founders, who had resided at Leyden, on their departure from Holland for America, received from the magistrates of that town the attesta- tion that, though they had lived twelve years among them, no suit or accusation had ever been preferred against any one of the English. And a modern his- torian (Graham) speaking of the character of New England, after its religious system had been long in operation, expresses himself in the following terms : — " Perhaps no country in the world was ever more dis- tinguished than New England at that time for the ge- neral prevalence of those sentiments and habits that render communities respectable and happy. Sobriety and industry pervaded all classes of the inhabitants. The laws against immorality of every description were remarkably strict, and not less strictly executed ; and being cordially supported by public opinion, they were able to render every vicious and profligate excess equally dangerous and infamous to the perpetrator. There was not a single beggar in the whole province. The general diffusion of education caused national ad- vantages, which were thus vigorously improved, to be justly appreciated, and an ardent and enlightened pa- triotism knit the hearts of the people to each other and to the country." Where has, or when will, Pusey- ism present such a picture ? CONVERSIONS FROM INDEPENDENCY TO PRESBYTERY. DR. OWEN AND PRESIDENT EDWARDS. (Referred to p. bb.) The high character, talent, acquirements, and public usefulness of Dr. Owen are well known. His works have been esteemed and honoured wherever evangelical religion is appreciated, and, probably, are destined to exert a salutary influence on the Christian church in generations to come. His original views and connections seem to have been Presbyterian ; but when about thirty 156 ELDERSHIP. 3ears of age his mind underwent a change on churcii government and order, and though never keen or vio- lent on such points, yet he became decidedly an Inde- pendent. It is well to bear in mind that an Independent in those days was, as the reader will see from what has been already said — in various and important respects a different person from an Independent in more modern times, (congregational views were quite consistent with the maintenance of the principles of Churcli and State, and hence Owen both ably vindicated civil establish- ments of the true religion, and himself derived part of his support from public funds. The same views were consistent with the office of Ruling Elder, and Courts of Appeal and Review in the Christian church, which are now appro])riate to Presbyterianism ; and hence Owen advocated both — in the last extending his advocacy to Provincial Synods, as well as General Assemblies.^ With all this, he was decidedly ranked withthelndependentsof the age in which he lived — a remarkable proof of which is, that he was asked to preach to the remains of the Par- liament which had taken off the head of Charles I, a re- quest which he fulfilled by preaching on ihe very day after the execution of the unhappy monarch. No one who knows any thing of the parties of that period can imagine that had he belonged to the Presbyterians, who were universally the strenuous and undaunted advocates of the king, he would have been asked for such a ser- vice. The Independents evidently wished to shelter themselves under one of the most respectable and esteemed men of their party ; but after the study and experience of thirty years, and, above all, such years as those in which it was his lot to live, his mind recurred to its original principles. Two years before his death, towards the close of the sad reign of Charles II, he expressed himself in one of his latest works — his " En- quiry into the original of Evangelical Churches," &c. — with a manifest leaning towards Presbyterianism, sub- stantially declaring, that had Presbytery been esta- blished at the king's Restoration, twenty years before, he would have been satisfied. But there is still more than this: It appears, from the MSS. Analecta of the 1 See Gospel Church, p. 4-26. ELDERSHIP. 157 accurate and indefatigable historian Wodrow, that Dr. Owen on his deathbed gave forth a testimony in behalf of Presbytery. The statement, which is under date 1716, runs in these terms — "Mr George Redpath told me, two or three years ago, when in Edinburgh, that he visited Dr. Owen on his deathbed, and Presbytery and Episcopacy came to be discoursed of; and the Doctor said how lie had seen his mistake as to the Independent way, and declared to him a day or two before his death, that after his utmost search into the Scriptures and an- tiquity, he was now satisfied that Presbytery was the way Christ had appointed in his New Testament church." Of course the question cannot be settled by human authority ; the word of God is the only standard. But all parties, even those who are loudest in their appeal to the Scriptures, are forward to plead the testimony of distinguished writers, when it makes in favour of tlieir views. And in the present case, no testimony can be more unexceptionable; it is the testimony of one of unimpeachable integrity, profoundly learned in Scripture and ecclesiastical history, and at the close of life, after full experience of an opposite system. Nor does he stand alone: one not less distinguished in the Christian church, a century after, passed through a similar change. Jonathan Edwards, one of the first of divines, in a letter to the Rev. Dr. Erskine of Edin- burgh, under date July, 1750, after a great work of re- vival, in which he had been honoured to bear a part, on being asked whether he would accept a charge in Scotland, which it was thought could be obtained, as a way of extricating him from the difficulties in which he became involved with his Independent flock, writes, — " As to my subscribing to the substance of the West- minster Confession, there would be no difficulty, and as to the Presbyterian government, I have long been per- fectly out of conceit of our unsettled Independent con- fused way of church government in this land, and the Presbyterian way has ever appeared to me as most agreeable to tJie tuord of God, and the ?iaiure and rea- son of things — though I cannot say that I think that the Presbyterian government of the Church of Scotland is so perfect that it cannot, in some respects, be mend- O 158 ELDERSHIP. ed/'' He then refers to domestic- reasons for remaining in New England. After such cases of conversion to Presbytery, it may be hoped that party writers, whether Episcopal or Con- gregational, will allow that the claims of Presbyterianism are not quite absurd, and that its friends must have something to say for themselves. TlfE 8ENTIMf:NT8 OF CALVIN ON THE RULING ELDER. ( Referred to p. CA.) The pre-eminent greatness of Calvin, the ignorant and embittered virulence with which, in later times, his memory has been assailed, and the peculiar circumstances in regard to the Ruling Elder in which, in the provi- dence of God, he was placed, all render some notico of his sentiments on the subject more than usually appro- priate. To those who are acquainted with the history of the Christian church since the period of the Reforma- tion, and of Calvin's character and influence as con- nected with it, it is not necessary to say any thing of the high talents, classical literature, profound profes- sional learning, personal disinterestedness, and exten- sive public usefulness of the great Genevan Reformer. The man who at twenty-seven years of age could pub- lish such a work as the Christian Institutes, and who has stamped his name and influence upon Europe, so that, after the lapse of nearly 300 years, the impress is fresh and strong, and is daily becoming more conspicu- ous; the man who withal was so self-denied as to be contented with no higher provision than a salary of a hundred crowns a-year, who, with all his works, (12 vols, folio,) left only 300 crowns behind him, such a mind and heart must obviously have been one of God's rarest gifts to the church and the world.^ It were easy to fill pages with the mere record of Calvin's praise, proclaimed by the most opposite, and, at the same time, most competent judges. I might re- mind the reader how Infidels, such as d'Alembert and ' Dwight's Memoirs of Edwards, p. 143, vol. i, of Works. 2 His salary as professor of divinity was 150 francs in money, J 5 measures of corn, and 2 tuns of wine." — Hugues. ELDERSHIP. 159 Voltaire, have been constrained to speak in the highest terms of his scholarship, and of his services to Geneva as a republic. I might refer to the testimony of De Thou, and of Scaliger, and of more congenial minds, such as good Bishop Andrews, who thought his nameshould never be mentioned without a preface of the highest honour — of Grindal, and Whitgift, and Jewell, and Pliilpot, and Hall, and Hooker, and Stillingfleet, and Horsley, and many of the most eminent names in the Church of England : nor should the testimony of holy Richard Baxter, whose praise is in all the churches, be forgotten. " I know no man," says he, "since tho Apostles* day.<, whom 1 value and honour more than Calvin, and whose judgment in all things, with anotiier, 1 more esteem and come nearer to."^ But one of the highest proofs of his character and influence, and what should weigh strongly with many of those who hate his very name, is to be found in the fact, that though an enlightened and resolute Pres- byterian, he was consulted by, and largely aided the most eminent Reformers of the English church in their reformation. It is not so generally known as it should be, that Calvin corresponded with Crannier, and the Protector Somerset, and Edward VI, and va- rious others. He revised the English liturgy, and freed it from various popish tenets and observances, and, by his works, co-operated in the construction of the Thirty- nine Articles, part of the seventeenth being evidently taken from his ' Institutes.' Nor is this all : his cele- brated work was used as a text-book at the English universities during the greater part of a century, when there were not more than five Anti-Calvinistic profes- sors, and they were censured. Young divines made it the foundation of their discourses — a convocation at Oxford recommended it to the universal attention of the nation — and if Stapleton, a British Roman Catholic, may be believed, it was in many cases even " fixed in the parish churches for the people to read." In short, there is no single individual, perhaps, who ever com- manded such wide-spread veneration and inHuence in the Church of England, in her best times, and with her best men, as John Calvin of Geneva. How strange, ' Saint's Everlasting Rest, cli. xiv, sec. 10. 160 ELDERSHIP. then, is it that his name and memory should now be treated with so much enmity by many of the minister's and members of the same church, except when they meet with a few detached words in his voluminous works which seem to admit of being twisted into a favourable concession in behalf of Episcopacy : then forthwith he becomes the object of respect and praises. It is difficult to know how to deal with some of the modern opponents of Calvin. One moment we are taught that Presbyterianism and the Ruling Elder have no authority in Scripture or church history, but origi- nated with this Reformer at Geneva, in the early part of the sixteenth century ; next moment we are informed that he is not a Presbyterian, and has a great favour for Episcopacy. All this shows, however unwilling men may be to confess it, the felt importance and power of Calvin's testimony to the government and order of the Christian church. To say that Presbytery and its Ruling Elders originated with him is preposterous : they are to be found in the word of God; and the earliest ecclesiastical history. Nay there was a Presbytery at Geneva — a Presbytery by which he was ordained, ac- cording to Beza, in August, 1536 — long before he ever visited that renowned city. On the other hand, he was not latitudinarian, as has been alleged at the out- set, in his views of church government and order. The strongest and clearest views of Presbyterianism, includ- ing the Ruling Elder, are to be found in his ' Insti- tutes,' his first work, published before it was known whether he was to be a minister of the Reformed church at all, and at a time when all his early prejudices and prepossessions, as a recent member of the church of Rome, must have been in favour of Prelacy. His cir- cumstances then were highly favourable to impartiality of judgment. He expre>sly founded, not upon policy but upon Scripture, and, moreover, he consistently ad- hered through life, and to the day of death, to the sen- timents which he had at an early period published to the world ; he was an ordained minister of the Presbyterian church of Geneva; his advice was asked in reference to the churches of Scotland and of France, and both are strictly Presbyterian ; also, his last will and testament ELDERSHIP. 161 bear witness to his unshaken confidence in the scrip- tural principles of Presbytery. The two or three pas- sages in his immense works which have been supposed to bear a friendly eye to Episcopacy, have been and can be easily and satisfactorily explained. Anxiety to prevent the Presbyterian party in the Church of Eng- land from separating from her communion while there was the prospect of a more extensive reformation in her constitution seem to be the origin of the most plausible of the number. And surely it is a different thing to ap- prove oi a constitution and to recommend men to bear icith it till they can get a better ! There is nothing then to invalidate the weight of Calvin's testimony to Presbyterian Church Govern- ment ; on the contrary, there is every thing to enforce it. It is of early date — impartially formed — protracted — consistent — and when we think how pre-eminent and distinguished and honoured of God the witness is, the force of his testimony must be felt the more powerful. With respect particularly to the Ruling Elder, there is, as already hinted, an historical circumstance, or cir- cumstances, which add to the weight of even so dis- tinguished a testimony as Calvin's. His mind was at an early period, and in a peculiar degree, drawn to the subject of church discipline. Anxious to quell un- seemly feuds, which at the dawn of the Reformation tore asunder the leading families of Geneva, and other- wise maintain the honour of Christ's house, he, in com- mon with his colleagues, resolved, and publicly de- clared his resolution of purging the roll of communi- cants. He solemnly proclaimed from the pulpit, " I will die sooner than this hand shall reach the symbols of the Lord's body to any one who has been found a despiser of God." Though a considerable time before this Presbyterian church government had been established at Geneva, and Calvin in his Institutes had published his views on the office of Ruling Elder, yet this part of the organi- sation of the Christian church does not seem to have been put into actual, or, at least, vigorous operation. Hence Calvin and his colleague, instead of being offi- cially supported by a large and intluential body of el- O 2 IG2 ELOEBSHIF. ders, were left to eodure alone the opposition which the strict exercise of discipline seldom fails 4o awaken. The hostility, both from the magisttates and the popu- lace, was so violent — probably the one occasionfng the other — that the faithful ministers were driven from Geneva. Calvin took refuge in Strasburg, whefe he remained for four years, having been appointed profeft- 8or of theology in the university. It was when here.tbat he was led more fully to study the office of the Kalio^ Elder, especially in connection with the history of the Bohemian and Waldensian churches, which could trace their origin to a very remote antiquity, and which had always enjoyed the advantage of a numerous and powerful body of such officers. Calvin clearly saw that it was only an ecclesiastical staff of this kind which could remedy such disorders as those which had pre- vailed at Geneva ; that, in short, had the ministers been supported by a suitable body of representative? from the congregation, fhe tumult would, in all probability, never have occurred. Hence, when recalled to Geneva, which he speedily was, by all parties, in the dread, in his absence, of a return of Popery, he took care that the office of Ruling Elder should be immediately placed upon an adequate foundation. We do not read after this of any serious difficulties in connection with the exercise of church discipline. There is cue sentence of Bishop Jewell which opens up an opposite and most pleasing view — " If you had ever known,** says he to his Popish antagonist^ *' the order of the church of Geneva, and had seen four thousand people or more receiving the holy mysteries together at one com- munion, you could not, without great shame and want of modesty, have untruly published to the world that by Mr. Calvin's doctrine the sacramenU of Christ are superfluous.'' Considering the circumstancej» which have been detailed, we need not wonder at Calvin's warm at- tachmeiit to the office of Kuling Elder. They in- sured a more thorough study of the whole subject by his powerful mincf — interesting his feelings as well as his judgment — and hence the result is the more satis- factory. Let no one think the icfs highly of the great ' Defence of bis Apology, p. l&S. ELDERSHIP. 163 Reformer because he was the victim for a season of popular hostility in such a cause. The question which was really at stake is the same which is at present agitating Scotland, namely — Whether, when the church refuses privileges to those whom she deems unworth}^ her judgment is to be subject to the review, and may be overthrown by the sentence of civil judges ? '1 he principles involved in this question are worth suffering for. In all probability were Christian churches now to act with the same fidelity as Calvin and his colleagues, in the administration of church discipline, they would awaken similar commotions in society. Many who can hear sound doctrine, cannot endure sound discipline: so to speak, they can be reconciled to the prophetic and the priestly offices of Christ, but the kingly — the royal office — is the last to which they are willing to submit. The Rev. M. Hugues, pastor of Grand Gal- largues, in a notice of Calvin, says, in reference to the passage in his history which we have been considering : — " Calvin wished to reform the dissolute manners of the inhabitants of Geneva. For this end, he published a catechism and confession of faith, which were ac- cepted by the General Assembly of the people in 1537 ; but when he wished to apply his principles, and pursue his reformation, he met with the most serious resistance. A party of libertines, seeing themselves menaced in their corruptions, accused Calvin of wishing to establish an authority as tyrannical as that of the Pope: then com- menced a violent commotion between Calvin and the people, in which the libertines triumphed and obtained in 1538 the banishment of Farel and of Calvin. When the Reformer received the order to quit the town, he exclaimed — " Si nous avions servi les hommes nous aurions ete bien mal recompenses, mais nous servons un Maitre qui loin de ne pas recompenser ses serviteurs leur paie ce qu'il ne doit pas." ^ And as none, I trust, will think the less of the great Reformer, because he was banished from Geneva for righteousness' sake, so I trust that few will esteem him ' " If we had served men we would have been ill rewarded, but we serve a Master who, far from not recompensing his ser- vants, puys tliem what he does not owe." 164 ELDERSHIP. the less highly for the part which he is alleged to have had in the death of Servetus. The pertinacious zeal with which men have endeavoured to stain the memory and weaken the influence of Calvin for deeds which would have been nothing thought of in others at the same period, is a striking proof of the hatred of the natural mind to the truths and institutions of the Gospel for which he so nobly contended. Any who will take the trouble to examine the cases of severity and cruelty which are charged against Calvin will find them, on investigation, to melt away into nothing, if not to give evidence of a meekness and long-suffering which it would be well for his accusers to copy. With regard to the most serious case — that of Servetus — Sennebier, an able French writer, who does not hold the religious sentiments of Calvin, but who has carefully examined the proof, states that the accusation is a cruel calumny — that none of his enemies in the day in which he lived, though sufficiently numerous and bitter, ever dared to whisper such an imputation against him — that, so far from taking a part in, or wishing the death of the arch-heretic, he warned him not to come to Geneva, because, from the temper of the times, and the laws of the state, there was great danger — that he would fall a sacrifice to the intolerance of the age — and that, after the sentence was passed, the Reformer used all his in- fluence, unavailingly, to obtain a mitigation of its se- verity, and sincerely deplored the result. It is to be remembered that all the Cantons of Switzerland unani- mously approved the sentence — that the meek Melanc- thon, most of the English, as well as the Foreign Re- formers— particularly Cranmer and Hall — all approved the putting Servetus to death ; and let it also be borne in mind, that if Calvin had been an instrument — which he was not — of the death of a single heretic, those are not his most appropriate accusers and condemners, who extol Cranmer and Whitgift, and, above all, Archbishop Laud — men who are justly chargeable with tenfold more severity and bloodshed than Calvin or the entire Presby- terian church ever perpetrated. See Melchior Adamus' Life of Calvin, and Sennebier's Literary History of Geneva, and Toplady's Historic Proof, &c. ELDERSHIP. 165 PRESENT STATE OF ELDERS IN THE REFORMED CHURCHES OF THE CONTINENT. (Referred to in page 07. J With the decline of religion on the continent, the el- dership in the Presbyterian churches declined, till, in some cases, it seems to have been almost obliterated. With the revival of evangelical religion, the office is reviving. In the Canton of Vaud, in Switzerland, where the progress of religion has of late years been most marked, the faithful ministers are busily engaged in reviving this part of the ancient government of the church which had disappeared under the reign of So- cinianism. Along with this they are recalling the disci- pline of the church, and guarding its ordinances against promiscuous admission. In the French Protestant church there are nine hun- dred elders, but the footing on which they stand is now quite Erastian. The appointment turns on the pay- ment of a certain rate of civil taxes, and is under the control of the government. The office is not a perma- nent one. A few years ago, Guizot, the present prime minister of France, was a member of the consistory, as elder of the Protestant church of Paris. But even here there is growing improvement. In the Dutch church the eldership appears still to survive in considerable efficiency. The choice is made solely on moral and religious grou!)ds, anJ substantially the appointment to the pulpit is vested in the (kirkenraden,) or kirk-session; but the ses- sion is not only very limited in number, but by law must be so, and the members are changed every two years, at the same time eligible to re-election. As the church revives in her evangelical tone — (and it is possible that the Popish movements of the new king, which are calling forth so intense a Protestant feeling, may, in the Providence of God, hasten it) — it is pro- bable that she will extend her eldership, and add to the spiritual efficiency of the office. 166 ELDERSHIP. NOTES ON WITCHCRAFT, AS A MATTER OF ECCLESIAS- TICAL DISCIPLINE. (Referred to hi page 117. j It is not generally known to what an extent a belief in witchcraft, and in the propriety of severe repressing punishments, prevailed in the Christian church gene- rally long before, as well as after the Reformation — in Popish as well as Protestant countries. About 1515, Delrio, an historian, tells us that 500 persons were exe- cuted in (leneva in three months for witchcraft. In the diocese of Conio, in Italy, one thousand were executed in a year, and for some time after about one hundred a year. In Lorraine, in fifteen years, Kemigius boasts of nine hundred having been burnt; and in France, about 1520, the numbers were incredible. In (iermany the state of things was fearful. In Wurlzburg, in two years and two months, one hundred and fifty-seven per- sons suffered, and among them were many little chil- dren, and not less than fourteen vicars of the cathedral. In a small district (Lindheim) of six hundred persons, not less than thirty, being a twentieth part of the popu- lation, were burnt in the four years, 1660 — 1664. It is estimated that, putting the Roman Catholic and Protestant provinces of Germany together, there could not be less, from beginning to end of the delusion, than one hundred thousand sufferers I Sad as matters were in Britain, they were inconsider- able compared with such doings as these — but they were bad enough. Bacon was Member of Parliament, and Coke was Attorney-General when one of the witchcraft statutes was enacted, and Sir iNIatthew Hale, as judge, passed sentence of death in such cases without a dis- turbing scruple, and Sir Thomas Brown was an approv- ing witness ! When such men could not shake them- selves free from the delusion, is it wonderful that Pres- byterian kirk sessions laboured under its influence? Grey, the editor of Hudibras, states that he perused a list of 3000 who were executed in England for witch- craft during the reign of the Long Parliament alone. ELDERSHIP. 167 The entire number in that country are estimated by BarrincTton at 30,000. The records in Scotland have, perhaps, been more thoroughly, scrutinised than in any other country, and they are sufficiently appalling, but the execu- tions do not seem to have exceeded, if they propor- tionably equalled those of the sister land. From 1572, when the first trial for witchcraft appears on the re- cord of the Court of Justiciary, down to 1625, a pe- riod of 53 years, there were 35 trials, which almost all terminated in a capital sentence: this is not one in a year. From 1625 to 1640, a period of 15 years, there are only seven executions — no serious number, compared with similar proceedings in other countries. From 1640 down to 1649 — the strongest Presbyterian period — though many steps were taken in connexion with the crime, there does not seem to have been any encrease of executions ; there appears rather to have been a de- cline in numbers — the precise numbers are not given. From 1649 to the Restoration in 1660 there is a de- cided encrease — 29 executions in 12 years — 17 of them at one circuit court : this is nearly 2^ a-year The numbers which appear on the Justiciary Records do not in this or in any period in Scotland, whether Episcopal or Presbyterian, describe the whole number of sufferers. Committees of gentlemen in the country were autho- rised to try and execute ; hence the whole number must have been much larger, — but the Justiciary Re- cords may indicate the general encrease or decrease. Though the Government of Charles II in Scotland had their hands full with another and a more fearful persecu- tion— that of the saints of God — yet witchcraft was not neglected by them. The delusion may now in various lands have been giving way, and there may have been intervals of several years in Scotland when there was no execu- tion for witchcraft, but Sir George M'Kenzie, the Lord Advocate of the day, had no favour either for witches or Presbyterians. The first year after the Restoration, 1661, there were not less than twenty executions; fourteen commissions for trials were issued by the Privy Council in one day ! Other more congenial employment in cruelty, and the growing change of the public mind on the sub- 168 ELDERSHIP. ject, may make some of the twenty-eight years of perse- cution blank years in the history of witchcraft executions; but in 1G78 ten poor women were at once convicted on their own confession. All that can be alleged to the discredit of the kirk-sessions of the Presbyterian church, and which to some who have not considered the power of prejudice — religious in its aspect — may even seem mar- vellous is, that a body of men whom the records of the church ])rove to have been so eminent promoters of popular education, so humane to the poor and the suf- fering, and so self-denied and patriotic, did not break through so fearful a delusion, and spare their country the dishonour of such unwarrantable cruelty. In this respect the result only shows, that the same spell which had bound the strongest minds of England bound them. None but the most unreasonable will blame them for not being before all the men of their age and of Cliris- tendonj ; no candid man will, on this account, think less iiighly of their Christian character and attainments. I have been indebted for the above facts to a long and able article in the Foreign Quarterly Review for June, 1830, on " Demonology and Witchcraft," to which I refer the reader for further information. In some of the remarks of the writer I cannot concur, but his di- gest of facts is very important. l^riiitc'd by Williiiin Collin?, & Co., Glasgow,