ministerial function whatever, but would be Apostolically ordained, any previous supposed Presbyterial Ordination notwithstanding. The Church of England therefore is not a sister Church of the Kirk of Scotland the sister church of Scotland is that pure Catholic Church in Scotland, which still has her Apostolical succession, her Bishops, Priests and Deacons of Christ's Church. Secondly, Mr. Cumming, at p. 33, has this remarkable sentence; "I do feel that if our venerable Church [the Presbyterian Kirk of Scotland] were to have . . . her altars dissevered from the throne, &c." Now, if report speaks truly, in the Churches in Scotland at present used for Presbyterial purposes, there are no Altars, and a pulpit is commonly erected in that sacred spot where the Altar once stood. The expression therefore is purely rhetorical. But it must gladden the hearts of all who look for the LORD's coming, to find that a gentleman of Mr. Cumming's high attainments does venture to step so much above the society in which he ranks himself, as to use, even rhetorically, a sacred word which has long been banished from the presence of Presbytery. This expression is selected as most remarkable; but the whole tone of his pamphlet exhibits a yearning after other and better things, a courtesy and consideration towards the Church of England, and even an anxiety to serve her in her hour of need, which is quite contrary to the spirit and the direct teaching of Presbytery. And if Mr. Cumming may be taken as representing the general feeling of that respectable body of men, whom he calls his "co-presbyters," it is not too much to say that there are signs in a quarter where they were least to be expected, of the blessing of GOD upon that suffering protest which the Church has made in Scotland, ever since the revolution of 1688; and that there is a hope that, at no distant time, Mr. Cumming and his brethren may be brought to see the whole of that truth, of a part of which he has pleaded so warmly and ably. We now proceed to the parallel. CHURCH GOVERNMENT. Church of England. It is evident unto all men diligently reading the Holy Scriptures and ancient authors, that from the Apostles' time there have been these orders of Ministers in CHRIST's Church, Bishops, Priests and Deacons.-Preface to Ordination Services. Receive the HOLY GHOST for the office and work of a Bishop in the Church of GOD, now committed unto thee by the imposition of our hands; Presbyterian Kirk. That we shall in like manner, without respect of persons, endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacy (that is, Church Government by Archbishops, Bishops, their Chancellors and Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, and all other Ecclesiastical Officers, depending on that Hierarchy).-Solemn League and Covenant, Article II.1 Ordination is the act 1 "We warn the Clergy of the Church of England against those sacrilegious attempts that are now made on her Cathedral property. The withdrawal of these ancient endowments will be deplored by Christendom. I do confess that I should mourn over the political act that would confiscate the means of supporting the prebendal stalls and the cathedral institutions of England."-Mr. Cumming, p. 28. 66 Though in details our Ecclesiastical Establishment differs from theirs, yet in its great principles it is one."-Ibid. p. 4. Church of England. in the name of the FATHER, and of the Son, and of the HOLY GHOST. Amen. And remember that thou stir up the grace of God which is given thee by this imposition of our hands.-Office of Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops. Almighty God. Mercifully look upon the same [the Church] and at this time so guide and govern the minds of Thy servants the Bishops and Pastors of Thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly upon no man. Ember Weeks' Prayer. Presbyterian Kirk. of a Presbytery. The power of ordering the whole work of Ordination is in the whole Presbytery.-The form of Presbyterial Church Go vernment. BAPTISM. Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin; and that our Saviour CHRIST saith, none can enter into the kingdom of GOD except he be Regenerate and born anew of water and of the HOLY GHOST.-Prayer before Baptism. Seeing now, dearly be Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it, or that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.-Confession of Faith, Chap. XXVIII. |