History of Presbyteriam’sm

like appointments are being made. “That which thou hast learned of me amongst many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also.” Before then any one can teach, preach, rule or perform any other official duty in the church in accordance with this plainly pre- scribed order of Christ’s house he must have proper Scriptural authority conferred upon him for that purpose.

But as this valid election and installation of legiti- mate church officials is thus concisely laid down in Scripture, so also we have their character and quali- fications described with equal distinctness. “This is a true saying if a man desire the office of a Bishop he desireth a good work. A Bishop must be blame- less, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre, patient, not a brawler, not covetuous, one ruling well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity. For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God P” Moreover, all the qualifications demanded here of Bishops are like‘ wise required in Deacons, with the exception of being “apt to teach,” and of not being “a novice,” as may be seen from the following verses in the same chapter, “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre, holding the mystery of faith with a pure conscience, And let these also be first

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