History of Presbyterianism quite plain from the fact that the New Testament church, which at our Lord's ascension was com¬ prised in one single congregation at Jerusalem , and which was gradually enlarged from time to time by the constant accession of new convents until it be¬ came steadily diffused over many countries, was never broken or dispersed into so many entirely separate or independent societies, but simply into so many integral parts or members of one and the same composite association, all still united as one uniform body, having one uniform spirit, "even as they were called in one hope of their calling, hav¬ ing one head, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in all." Indeed, the church of God has thus been one in all ages of time, and through the whole world, even from its very initial foundation in the family of Adam. Through all dispensations it has been one and the same church, having one common head, common promises, common objects, and common privileges. The church under the New Testament dispensation is not by any means, therefore, a new church, but one and the same church that existed under the Old Testament dispensation, and, indeed, for that matter, from the very beginning of time itself. The Christian church—the chosen spouse of the Lord Jesus Christ—is thus originally, perpetu¬ ally and assuredly one. "And we being many," says the Apostle, "are one body in Christ, and every one, members one of another." It ought conse¬ quently ever to be borne in mind that the church 184