An Essay On The Warrant Nature And Duties Of The Office Of The Ruling Elder In The Presbyterian Church PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1831 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER iltt. OF THE ORDINATION OF RULING ELDERS. By Ordination is meant that solemn rite, or act, by which a candidate for any office in the Church of Christ, is authoritatively designated to that office, by those who are clothed with power for the purpose. It cannot require formal argument to prove, thatthis rite, or something analagous and equivalent to jt, is indispensable in conducting all regular ecclesiastical government. If certain officers have been appointed in the Church by Jesus Christ, her King and Head;--if certain qualifications have been declared by Him indispensable to fit men for serving the Church in these offices, without which they ought not to be permitted to occupy them;--and if an extraordinary and immediate designation to office by Jesus Christ himself, be not now to be expected in any case;--if these things be so, it inevitably follows, that some person or persons must have power committed to them by the Head of the Church, to examine or try candidates for these offices; to judge of their qualifications; and, if approved, to invest them with office. The idea that, with such directions as the New Testament contains on this subject, men should be left at liberty to take these offices upon themselves, by their own act, and at their own pleasure--is full of absurdity; and, if realized, would undoubtedly lead to endless disorder and mischief. Only suppose the secular offices of a nation to be thus assumed by men at will; and by none more readily than the vain, the ignorant, the self-sufficient, and the ambi. tious;--as would inevitably be the case, if such were the path of access to office;--and there would be an end of all order. But if it be neither safe nor permitted for men to intrude into official stations...