Theory of the Eldership [pp. 702-759]

Theory of the Eldership.
peculiar name or title, "ordained, defined, and limited by God
himself."* Every name is converted into an appellative, and
made to refer to the ministry only as one of two classes,
or rather, the function or work of a portion of one class; and
to refer primarily to the ruling elder. Every qualification is,
in like manner, appropriated to the ruling elder, with every
function, promise, responsibility, and required obedience, love,
and honour. THE ministry is not among Christ's gifts, for
ruling elders are "pastors and teachers," and are to be "apt
to teach." It takes away all precision from official names,
office, and work. They are neither ordained, limited, nor
defined. The ministry is only "a new function, a gift added
to a ruling elder and making him a teaching elder." But gifts,
we have seen, without a direct authoritative mission to a divinely
instituted OFFICE, "ordained, defined, and limited," cannot
make any man a minister.t
On this theory, any man who believes himself to be gifted
and called, is an authorized minister. Why not? if he can get
people to believe as he does. This theory led to some thirty
sects, with self-ordained lay preachers, at the time of the Westminster Assembly; and to all the melancholy evils during the
great awakening so loudly deplored by Tennent and Edwards.1
This theory has led the Virginia pastor and reviewer logically
and practically to the same conclusion. The large body of
Campbellites act upon this theory. "A Christian," they say,
"is by profession a preacher of truth and righteousness, both
by precept and example. He may of right preach, baptize,
and dispense the supper, as well as pray for all men, when circumstances demand it." ( Chris. Sys. p. 85.) Mr. Fall says:
"We do not'deny a gospel ministry,' as you charge; but we
do deny the exclusive claims of any body of men, distinct from
the body of the people to the sole right of teaching the people,
of preaching the gospel, and of administering ordinances. We
consider this the quintessence of Popery."~ (P. 42.)
* This is Dr. Breckinridge's proof of a divinely instituted office. (Vol. ii. p.
652.) And "every thing has a divine authority or no authority, at all." (Ibid,
p. 542.)
t See Jus. Div. Min. Evang., pp. 67, 115.
t See Neal's Puritans and Hodge's Constitutional History, vol. ii. 99, 100.
Dr. Rice's Expositor, vol. ii. p. 191.
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