History of Presbyterianism

have been taught, abounding therein unto thanks- giving.”

The doctrine, then, plainly taught in the text taken in connection with the context, is that there is a certain order or government established in the Church of Jesus Christ Himself, her Great Founder, King and Head, by which all Christian Societies ought to be ever carefully regulated, to which they should steadfastly adhere, and which, though contemptible in the eyes of worldly men who can see no beauty in it, is yet glorious in the eyes of faith, and may well excite true joy, delight and admiration in the mere beholding of it, if that were all, without at the same time positively glorying in it as the apostle himself unquestionably did. “I am with you in the Spirit,” says he, ”joying and beholding your order.”

What the apostle beheld in the Saints and faith- ful brethren in Christ who were at Colossae, in their associated capacity, or church state, and which caused so much joy to him, was their order, good government, and the regularity which they displayed in the administration of all their church affairs, according to the pattern divinely laid down; and this particular order which he so commended in them, and which is so plainly prescribed in the word of God, ought to be observed in a similar way by all other churches of Christ, in all other ages, for they are all bound sacredly to abide, observe, keep pure and entire, and readily obey all things whatsoever Christ has commanded them. I cannot,

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