The Divine Right of Church Government | Page 2

worship and
ordinances, or to one another by a holy profession. The design,
therefore, of republishing this Treatise is to assist Presbyterians of all
denominations in the understanding of those passages of Scripture upon
which their wall is built, that they be not led aside by the cunning
speeches of false teachers, whereby they deceive and draw aside the
hearts of the simple.
This work was first published at London, at the time when the
controversy between the Presbyterians and ancient Independents ran
very high, and every intelligent and unprejudiced reader will see, that
the Holy Scriptures have been carefully perused, accurately compared,
wisely collected, and judiciously explained, in order to evince that the
Presbyterian government has the only lawful claim to a divine right,
and is the only form appointed by Christ in his Church. It is, therefore,
to be wished, that all his people would endeavor, in the strength of
Divine grace, to observe the laws of his house, and to walk in all his

ordinances and commandments blameless.
Considerable pains have been taken to make this edition more easily
understood by common readers than the former, and yet several
difficult and hard words have passed unnoticed. The Latin quotations
from the Fathers have been omitted, because they contain nothing
materially different from what is in the body of the work, and modern
Independents pay little regard to any human authorities but their own. It
was proposed to have added a few extracts from Messrs. Rutherford
and Gillespie, but upon looking into their works nothing of
consequence was observed, that tended to cast any new light upon the
subject. It is hoped, however, that the Appendix is filled up with
extracts from other authors upon subjects of considerable importance,
and very necessary for these times, concerning the scriptural
qualifications and duties of church members; the divine right of the
gospel ministry; the people's divine right to choose their own pastors;
with an abstract of Dr. Owen's arguments in favor of the divine right of
the ruling elder: and as there are many serious Christians who have not
a capacity to take up and retain a long chain of reasoning, a summary of
the whole Treatise is given by way of question and answer as a
conclusion.
The Editor is not to be understood as approving of, or vindicating every
single sentiment, or mode of expression, used in this Treatise: at the
same time, next to the Holy Scriptures, he recommends it as one of the
best defences of presbytery which he has seen.
That it may be blessed of God for informing the ignorant, settling the
wavering, and establishing the believers of the present Truth, is the
earnest desire of,
Christian reader,
Your humble servant in the Gospel,
T.H.
Paisley, 28th February, 1799.

PREFACE
TO THE PIOUS AND JUDICIOUS READER.
CHRISTIAN READER:
Thou hast in the ensuing treatise, 1st, a brief delineation of the nature
of a divine right, wherein it consists, and how many ways a thing may
be accounted of divine right, according to the Scriptures; as also, 2d, a
plain and familiar description of that church government which seems
to have the clearest divine right for it, and (of all other contended for)
to be the most consonant and agreeable to the word of Christ; which
description (comprehending in itself the whole frame and system of the
government) is in the several branches thereof explained and confirmed
by testimonies or arguments from Scripture; more briefly, in particulars
which are easily granted; more largely, in particulars which are
commonly controverted; yet as perspicuously and concisely in both as
the nature of this unusual and comprehensive subject insisted upon
would permit. Things are handled rather by way of positive assertion,
than of polemical dissertation, (which too commonly degenerates into
verbal strifes, 1 Tim. vi. 3, 4; 2 Tim. ii. 23; and vain-jangling, 1 Tim. i.
6,) and where any dissenting opinions or objections are refuted, we
hope it is with that sobriety, meekness, and moderation of spirit, that
any unprejudiced judgment may perceive, that we had rather gain than
grieve those who dissent from us; that we endeavor rather to heal up
than to tear open the rent; and that we contend more for truth than for
victory.
To the publication hereof we have been inclinable (after much
importunity) principally upon deliberate and serious consideration of,
1st, the necessity of a treatise of this kind; 2d, the advantage likely to
accrue thereupon; and, 3d, the seasonable opportunity of sending it
abroad at such a time as this is.
I. The necessity of a treatise of this nature, is evident and urgent. For,

1. We hold ourselves obliged, not only by the common duty of our
ministerial calling, but also by the special bond of our solemn covenant
with God, especially