History of Presbyteriant'sm

that the special forms or modes of Church Govern- ment that ought to be adopted in all Christian com- munities should ever correspond as nearly as possible to that which has been prescribed by Christ himself, her only divine King and Head, and that all the laws which thus relate to church government here on earth, as well as to all the matters of faith and practice, worship and discipline should unquestion— ably be as clearly deducible as possible from the un- mistakable directions of those same sacred and in— spired oracles themselves, for Jesus Christ is the only real king and head of his own church. The sacred oracles are the only sure rule of faith and practice, and these of themselves are entirely suf- ficient to direct in all things pertaining to faith and practice or to the teachings, order and guidance or government of this church itself, not only as a whole, but even as any particular branch, fragment or congregation into which, for many obvious rea- sons, it may be found expedient to have it sub- divided. “The law of the Lord is perfect, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold; yea, much fine gold, and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Hence it is that God’s faithful professing people, in every age and under all possible circumstances, can apply directly to his own blessed word—-—his own inspired oracles as their all sufficient directory, or, as the Psalmist has beautifully described it, as constituting in itself their constant, never failing resort, even as a “lamp

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