The Writings of the Late John M. Mason (Volume 3); Consisting of Sermons, Essays and Miscellanies (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1832. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... metamorphoses every presbyter of the apostolic church into a diocesan bishop The meaning of language shall be inverted: the testimony of the scripture shall be dislocated: the presbyters of the city of Ephesus shall be an assemblage of diocesan bishops collected from all Asia Truth, probability, and common sense, shall be set at naught--but the object is worth the price; the sacrifice is amply compensated, provided presbyters be banished from the New Testament, and no ruler be seen there unless in the shape of a diocesan bishop Had only the Layman and Cyprian, and their friends, been troubled, there had been less cause of surprise. But that an argument " good for nothing;" a bit of " miserable sophistry," should put Dr. Hammond, the the very Goliath of " the church," into such a fright as nearly to turn his brain, is strange indeed But should the episcopalian be worsted in the contest about the scriptural titles, what will be to another order for which three is no scriptural warrant. And thus at one stroke he has levelled with the ground the whole fabric which the other episcopal workmen have been rearing. For if Timothy and Titus were not Diocesan bishops, as the latter affirm and the Dr. denies; and if they were not metropolitans, as the Dr. affirms, the others deny, and no man living can prove; then one of their famous three orders has vanished away. Of the Dr's supposition that the presbyters were instituted before the writings of Ignatius' epistles, the reason is, that they must be found prior to that date, or else poor Ignatius must be hung up for forgery.--A notable manoeuvre this to save the credit of the principal witness for the Hierarchy. us the advantage of victory, or to him the injury of defeat, if he shall, nevertheless, esta...