ed of God for informing the ignorant, settling the
wavering, and establishing the believers of _the present Truth_, is the
earnest desire of,

Christian reader,

Your humble servant in the Gospel,

T.H.

_Paisley, 28th February, 1799._

PREFACE

TO THE PIOUS AND JUDICIOUS READER.

CHRISTIAN READER:

Thou hast in the ensuing treatise, 1st, a brief delineation of the
nature of a divine right, wherein it consists, and how many ways a thing
may be accounted of divine right, according to the Scriptures; as also,
2d, a plain and familiar description of that church government which
seems to have the clearest divine right for it, and (of all other
contended for) to be the most consonant and agreeable to the word of
Christ; which description (comprehending in itself the whole frame and
system of the government) is in the several branches thereof explained
and confirmed by testimonies or arguments from Scripture; more briefly,
in particulars which are easily granted; more largely, in particulars
which are commonly controverted; yet as perspicuously and concisely in
both as the nature of this unusual and comprehensive subject insisted
upon would permit. Things are handled rather by way of positive
assertion, than of polemical dissertation, (which too commonly
degenerates into verbal strifes, 1 Tim. vi. 3, 4; 2 Tim. ii. 23; and
vain-jangling, 1 Tim. i. 6,) and where any dissenting opinions or
objections are refuted, we hope it is with that sobriety, meekness, and
moderation of spirit, that any unprejudiced judgment may perceive, that
we had rather gain than grieve those who dissent from us; that we
endeavor rather to heal up than to tear open the rent; and that we
contend more for truth than for victory.

To the publication hereof we have been inclinable (after much
importunity) principally upon deliberate and serious consideration of,
1st, the necessity of a treatise of this kind; 2d, the advantage likely
to accrue thereupon; and, 3d, the seasonable opportunity of sending it
abroad at such a time as this is.

I. The necessity of a treatise of this nature, is evident and urgent.
For,

1. We hold ourselves obliged, not only by the common duty of our
ministerial calling, but also by the special bond of our solemn
covenant with God, especially in Art. 1, to bend all our best endeavors
to help forward a reformation of religion according to the word of God,
which can never be effected without a due establishment