Presbytery and not prelacy the scriptural and primitive polity, proved from the testimonies of scripture; the fathers; the

xiii, [15]-568 p.; 23.5 cm. Critical notices and advts. at end: 8 + 3, [1] p. Outer leaves lightly foxed [title continues] schoolmen; the reformers; and the English and Oriental churches. Also, the antiquity of presbytery; including an account of the ancient Culdees, and of St. Patrick. -- Contents (abbreviated): Book I. Presbytery the scriptural and apostolical order of the church of Christ: 1. True apostolical or ministrial succession claimed by Presbyterians; 2-4. Claims of presbytery to ministerial succession sustained by 2. condition of the church during our Lord's ministry, 3. when our Lord ascended up into heaven, 4. apostolic age of the church; 5-9. Presbyters are clothed 5. by apostolic authority with all the functions of the ministry, 6-9. by divine right, 6. with power of ecclesiastical jurisdiction, 7-9. with power of ordination; 10. That presbyters have the power of ordination, proved by an appeal to antiquity; 11. On deacons, as a third order of the Christian ministry; 12. Alleged prelatical character of Epaphroditus,Timothy & Titus, James, and the seven angels, examined and disproved; 13. Alleged prelatical character of the Jewish church examined and disproved; 14. Argument from prelacy from early prevalence and alleged universality, examined and disproved; and its gradual introduction clearly accounted for -- II. The claims pf presbytery.sustained by: 1-7. testimony of 1. the fathers, 2. apostolic fathers, 3. primitive fathers, 4. later fathers, 5. schoolmen, 6. Romish, Greek, and Syrian churches, 7. Reformed churches -- III. The antiquity of presbytery: with an exhibition of the Presbyterianism of the ancient Culdees of Ireland and Scotland, and also of St. Patrick, 1-3. Fair ex-lib: spine detached but preserved, one cover loose. …