Form of Presbyterial Church Government
James Dodson
Jesus Christ, our Mediator, has the government (both of the Church and all things for the Church) laid upon his shoulder. Thus do they err who deny a jus divinum or jure divino—a divine right—in this matter of...
Thus do the Latitudinarians and many of the Sectaries err who maintain that the Scriptures hold forth no Church which by divine right is that which ought to exist to the exclusion of all others. They are confuted...
Thus do the Quakers and other Fanatics err denying that Christ has appointed officers for the edification of the church and the perfection of the saints. They are confuted for the following reasons...
Thus do the Quakers and certain sects of Anabaptists err denying the perpetuity of the pastoral office in the time of the Gospel. They are confuted for the following reasons: 1.) Jeremiah speaks of a time when the Lord would give...
There is a distinction both of gift and office between the pastor and teacher. The distinction between gifts is held out in these considerations: 1.) Pastors (ποιμένας-poimenas) are those gifted to feed (ποιμάνατε-poimanate) the flock...
Thus do the Prelates err that charge upon the Reformed churches the invention of what they term “lay elders.” We confess that they are officers somewhat strange and new to the Church of England...
They are found in Christ’s catalog of church officers distinct from all other officers extraordinary and ordinary—helps, 1 Cor. 12:28. The Greek word ἀντιλήμψεις[antilempseis] properly signifies “to lay hold of as in taking up some burden or weight.” Metaphorically, it is here used...
The various duties required in public worship—joint prayer and praise and their hearing of the preached Word and administration of sacraments all point to both the lawfulness and expediency of fixed...
Thus do the Quakers and certain Anabaptists err denying that church officers are requisite for the well being of the church. They are confuted because: 1.) The apostle commends such officers as both labor in word and doctrine and rule to the remembrance and honor of...
Prayer being an expression of dependence and reliance upon God is an ordinance in a single congregation. God’s people are commanded thus to offer their desires unto him, Ps. 62:8. Christian prayer, being offered through the mediation of Christ, is to be offered in his name, John 16:23; and that by the grace of his Spirit...
Thus do the Erastians and others err maintaining a governing of the church in the hands of civil officers. Christ is the builder of his church, Zech. 6:12, 13; and, as such, in the exercise of church discipline, they must come together in the name of Christ, 1 Cor. 5:4. That name gives to what they do...
Thus do the Erastians err maintaining that it belongs only to civil officers to convene ecclesiastical assemblies. They are confuted for the following reasons: 1.) Such power was retained in the Jewish church, Matt. 12:14; 26:57, 59; Acts 5:21. 2.) The keys of the...
This was a power common to all ecclesiastical assemblies. Such was practiced by Moses, Ex. 12:21; 34:31; such was the practice of the Jewish church...
Thus do the Papists and Prelatists err who deny there to be a presbytery in the church. They are confuted for the following reasons: 1.) Scripture mentions a plurality of presbyters or elders associated together in presbyterial churches, both in...
Thus do they err who deny there to be higher ecclesiastical assemblies than congregational and classical. The ground and warrant for juridical synods is demonstrated by the following reasons: 1.) The words of the Law hold forth an...
Thus do they err who hold a universal allowance to preach apart from Christ’s ordinance. They are confuted for the following reasons: 1.) In the Old Testament, not only the high priest, but all other priests and Levites were by divine appointment inaugurated to their ministerial...
Thus do the Fanatics and others err who maintain that a man might take upon himself the office of minister of the word without a lawful calling. In the sacred assembly all things ought to be done decently and in...
Thus do the Papists and Prelatists err maintaining that ordination is the act of a bishop. Now we know that in Scripture the bishop and the presbyter is all one, Acts 20:17, 28, wherein we see the same persons called elders (πρεσβυτέρους-presbuterous) in verse 17, that are called overseers or bishops (ἐπισκόπους-episkopous) in verse 28. Next...
Thus do the Fanatics and others err who maintain that a man might take upon himself the office of minister of the word without a lawful calling. The Scriptures hold out the following things concerning a lawful calling: 1.) Mission is essential to the constitution of a minister, Rom. 10:14, 15. The apostle’s...
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...
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...
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...