Theory of the Eldership [pp. 702-759]

Our Historical Name.
ence and seminal principle. And the long series of fearful
persecutions endured at the hands of both Popery and Prelacy has imbued the minds of all Scotch and Scotch-Irish
Presbyterians with a cherished ancestral love of the simple
presbyter and their own appointed representatives and elders.
The Reformers, says Principal Hill, "laid the foundation of
Presbyterian church government on this principle, that all
ministers are equal in rank and power."*
But to all this it is objected, that this attaches to our
name as a church nothing that is peculiar to it. But were
it so, a denominational name very rarely, if ever, expresses
what is peculiar, but rather what is prominent. In its original and undivided condition, the doctrine of the presbyter
was peculiar to Presbytery, and was carried as a fundamental basis, by every separating body, into their distinctive
organizations. Congregationalists, Baptists, and Methodists,
are therefore to this extent Presbyterians, and have received
names indicative of their points of difference. And, in truth,
it could easily be shown that the doctrines of the unity of
the church as catholic, and the principle of representation, are
embodied more or less fully in the creeds of other churches
besides the Presbyterian.t As a generic church, in contrast
to Popery and Prelacy, the presbyter is the essential characteristic of Presbytery. The Presbyterian church is, therefore,
a historic rather than a denominational title. It is generic,
and not specific. It is founded upon the doctrine of the presbyter, and not of the ruling elder.
Before leaving this point, let us press the considerations, that
this theory would actually sectarianize our holy catholic church,
diminish her sun into a satellite, and thus obscure her glory.
Our founders and fathers-Paul being witness-abjured any
name that would narrow the one foundation, or substitute man
and his measures for Christ and his glorious gospel. Enter not,
O my soul, into their counsels, who would restrict that name
* See his whole exposition in his View, as above, and p. 43, &c., 8vo edit.;
and his Lecture on Presbytery and Episcopacy, in his Lectures on Divinity.
Paul Henry suggests this reason, (Life of Calvin, vol. i. p. 398,) on the whole
argument, to which we could only allude.
t See the Platform of the Congregationalists, issued by their Board, 1855.
1860.]
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