Theory of the Eldership [pp. 702-759]

Theory of the Eldership.
inferred, but "were as distinctive, and were annexed to certain
officers with as much regularity and exactness as any official
terms can be at this day;" and that "the allegation of the
hierarchy [and our theorists] that the term presbyter is an
indefinite term, signifying merely a ruler without reference
to his station [as a minister], is altogether false, and the
objection, [and the distinction into two classes, officially
distinct,] founded upon this allegation, is altogether frivolous."
Pp. 48, 40.) In pursuing his opponent, who prosecutes his
argument from "the promiscuous use of the terms presbyter
and bishop in the sacred writings," Dr. Mason shows that
"his conclusion is vain, because the premises are false," in
overlooking "the distinction between the absolute and relative
use of terms." "The sum is that the terms apostle, bishop,
presbyter, and deacon, designate with precision officers known
and established in the apostolic church." (Pp. 60, 48.) To
admit, therefore, that the term presbyter designates two
classes of officers, the one clerical and the other lay, (as Dr.
Mason calls elders, vol. i. p. 191,) is therefore to destroy the
whole argument on which Presbyterianism rests.* "Presbyterianism," says Dr. Baird, "is so called (and is what it is
called) because it is governed by presbyters, and not by
prelates." (Religion in America, Art. Presbyterianism.)
2. But, secondly, this theory is, by the same argument, shown
to be destructive to the ministry, as a distinct order and office
in the church. That it is both, the Provincial Assembly of
London prove, in their unanswerable work on the Divine right
of the gospel ministry,t by many arguments, one of which is,
"From the peculiar names or titles whereby they are distinguished from other saints. "If God hath given peculiar names
and titles... then this office is by Divine institution. For
as the judgment of God is, so are the denominations which God
giveth to things, according to truth. Surely the only wise
* We cannot, as we would have wished, enforce this argument from Dr. Killen's Ancient Church. Compare pp. 550, 551, 552, 553, 562, 563, 568-585,
Hill's View of the Constitution of the Church of Scotland, pp. 19-28, &c.
Conybeare and Howson's Life and Epistles of St. Paul, vol. i. p. 434. Schaff's
Apost. Church, p. 525, and every writer from Blondel to Dr. Miller, Shimeall,
Coleman, &c.
t See Jus Divinum Ministerii Evangelici, pp. 1-202.
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