There are two considerations for offering these directions which they require to be observed; first, the church has an obligation, by the Word of God, to see that none take upon himself the office of minister without being both called of God, Heb. 5:4; and ordained by the...
Read More
Upon the day appointed for ordination, which is to be performed in that church where he that is to be ordained is to serve, a solemn fast shall be kept by the congregation, that they may the more earnestly join in prayer for a blessing upon the ordinances of Christ, and the labours of his servant for their good. The presbytery...
Read More
And in the case any person already ordained minister in Scotland, or in any other reformed church, be designed to another congregation in England, he is to bring from that church to the presbytery here, within which the congregation is, a sufficient testimonial of his ordination, of his life and conversation while he...
Read More
There are two contending views of the nature of the nationhood: First, That of the Voluntaries, who believe that nations are voluntary associations, humanly contrived associations, composed of men united together for mutual help, or defence. According to their principles, nations are...
Read More
There are two propositions necessary for the clearing of this: First, There is nothing but a church which can be a nation, Mic. 4:5; and that in order to be nations, which shall be blessed and abiding nations, it is necessary for the nations to become churches, Gen. 12:3; Gal. 3:8. The church...
Read More
There are six propositions necessary for the clearing that, though scattered communities of Christians, or even great ecclesiastical corporations, may be expressions of true churches, 1 Pet. 1:1, 2; only a nation can be the proper manifestation of the church, Gal. 6:16: First, There is nothing...
Read More
There are numerous verses from the beginning of the Bible which indicate that God has dealt with the nations with a view of their becoming churches, by which the national character of the Gospel clearly appears: First, In the very creation of man, prior to the fall, God gives man a command to subdue and have dominion over...
Read More
There are numerous verses, many containing promises, by which the national character of the Gospel clearly appears in the Old Testament: First, In the Decalogue, which is itself a summary of the whole Word of God, Ps. 119:17, 18; is the Fourth commandment, which, if we place Christ risen in it, it places the Gospel before our eyes, by making Him the Lord...
Read More
There are numerous passages in the New Testament which indicate that there has been no change in the divine plan for the nations: First, In the various passages at the ends of the Gospels we find confirmation of the national intent of the Gospel message: 1.) The so-called “Great Commission,” given to the apostles, expresses...
Read More
The national, not merely individual, character of Christ’s work is set forth in the consideration of His work as the second Adam: First, It must be observed that His work was unquestionably that of One acting in the capacity of a second Adam, Rom. 5:14; 1 Cor. 15:21, 22. Second, In the creation, as well as redemption...
Read More