Reprint of the original, first published in 1840.

Excerpt from An Essay, on the Warrant, Nature and Duties of the Office of the Ruling Elder, in the Presbyterian Church Testimony of eminent divinos since the Reformation - 010m Baxter - English Pu mans - of New england-gouda. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

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...

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Excerpt from The Warrant, Nature, and Duties of the Office of the Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church: A Sermon Preached in Philadelphia, May 22, 1843 This request was communicated to him by Doctor William Barrach, and J B. Mitchell, and A. Symington, Esquires, a Committee of the Whole body, in terms Which evinced a degree of zeal for the increased activity, and enlarged usefulness of the Eldership of our beloved Church, Which could not fail to make a deep impression on a mind imbued With any sensibility in regard to this impor tant subject. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.