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the size of their congregations. When the number of TIBERIUS. Churches and ministers increased, new regulations became necessary: one, therefore, from among the Presbyters was chosen to preside in their councils, and was generally styled Bishop, and sometimes the Angel (Rev. ii. 1), of the Church to which he belonged. This is the opinion generally entertained as to the origin of the office of Bishop; and yet it is evident that different ranks and degrees existed from the very first among the ministers of the Church, for we find the Seven Deacons appointed to their diaconate by the Apostles, with definite and inferior powers; and, again, we find Timothy and Titus ordained by St. Paul to govern with authority the Churches in Ephesus and Crete, with an injunction "to ordain other faithful men"—" to charge”—“ command”—“ rebuke”— "receive accusations"-and to "set in order." And it appears incontestably from the epistles of the primitive Fathers, and particularly from those of Ignatius,* that

* Ignatius was a disciple of St. John, and must consequently have been acquainted with the Apostolic government of the primitive Church. Hooker in concluding his argument in favour of Apostolic succession, (Ecc. Pol. vii. 5, 10,) says, "Let us not fear to be herein bold and peremptory, that if anything in the Church's government, surely the first institution of Bishops was from Heaven, was even of God, the Holy Ghost was the author of it." Bishop Pearson, on Ignatius, says, "No writer of the

second century ever gave to a
Presbyter the title of Bishop, or
that of a Presbyter to a Bishop."
The Church of England, in the
Preface to her Ordinal, declares,
"it is evident unto all men, dili-
gently reading the Holy Scrip-
tures and ancient authors, that
from the Apostles' time there
have been these orders of Minis-
ters in Christ's Church; Bishops,
Priests, and Deacons." The Stu-
dent is referred to Potter "On
Church Government," for an able
examination of this subject.

is to be inferred upon the subject of Church government from the writings of Ignatius? Mention any practices of the early Christians which you think to have been illustrated by them. Give a short account of Church government in the early days of Christianity.

TIBERIUS. Church government by the three distinct orders of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons was fully established in the course of the first century: each of these orders is particularly addressed, and Ignatius does not mention the institution as a novelty; there is reason to believe, therefore, that the arrangement was made by the Apostles themselves. There was but one Bishop in each Church, or rather in each district: but the number of Presbyters depended upon the circumstances of the Society. Of the inferior order of ministers, called Deacons, we have already spoken. The number of these was generally in proportion to the wants of the Church. Some Churches, however, after the example of their first institution at Jerusalem, confined the number to seven. The order of Deaconesses, generally widows who had only once been married, was likewise appointed in the Apostolic age. Their duties consisted in performing all those inferior offices towards the female part of the congregation, which the Deacons were designed to execute for the men.

27. Such was the arrangement which ap

Suffragans. pears to have been adopted in the primitive

constitution of the Church. The first century had not, however, elapsed, when an additional order became necessary. The Bishops who lived in cities gathered new churches in the neighbouring towns and country. As these new churches continued under the care and inspection of the Bishops through whom they received Christianity, ecclesiastical provinces were gradually formed, which obtained the name of dioceses. Over the new churches the city Bishops appointed Suffragans to instruct and govern them, who were

27. Give an account of the origin of Suffragans. What were they called, and why?

Ministerial
Revenues.

}

called Chorepiscopi,* or Country-Bishops, and held a mid- TIBERIUS. dle rank between Bishops and Presbyters, being inferior to the former in jurisdiction, and superior to the latter in order. 28. The scanty revenues of the ministers arose at first entirely from their share of the oblations, or voluntary.gifts, which were presented according to the generosity or ability of the congregation. After providing for the expenses of public worship, these were divided between the Bishops and the Presbyters, the Deacons and the poor.

Forms of Worship

in the

Primitive Church.

29. The first Christian Church established at Jerusalem by Apostolical authority became a model for the greater part of those which were founded in the first century. Assembling at first in small numbers, the places where the primitive Christians met for pious purposes were doubtless sequestered retirements, or the houses of private individuals, which in time would probably become the property of the community, and be gradually extended and improved. Select portions of Scripture were publicly read in these assemblies, and were succeeded by a brief exhortation to the people. The preacher usually delivered his sermon sitting, while the people stood; which was, probably, in conformity with the practice of the synagogue. The Common Prayers, which formed a considerable part of public worship, were repeated after the

* From xúpa, a country place, and éπíσкоTоs, a bishop. Some have contended that the institution of Chorepiscopi was not

known before the third century;
and others, that they were mere
Presbyters.

28. Whence did ministerial revenues arise in the earliest days of the Church? 29. Where did the primitive Christians assemble for religious purposes? Give an account of their forms of Worship.

TIEBRIUS. Bishop or Presbyter, who presided in the service. To this succeeded the oblations, and the distribution of the Holy Eucharist; and the whole service concluded with a social and friendly repast, denominated Agapæ, or the feast of love, to which all who were able contributed, and of which all who were willing partook. During stated intervals of the time allotted to these services, hymns were sung, not by the whole assembly, but by persons expressly appointed for that purpose.*

Discipline in the
Primitive Church.

30. The discipline exercised in the

66

primitive Church was strict, and even bordering on severity. Two kinds of excommunication were practised at this early period. By the former, profligate persons, heretics, and apostates were separated both from the civil and sacred communion of the Church (Rom. xvi. 17: 1 Cor. v. 7, 9: Tit. iii. 10), for a period of thirty days; to be renewed at the discretion of the Bishops, &c. The other was termed anathema, or the delivering a convict to Satan" (1 Cor. v. 5: 1 Tim. i. 20), which was a still more complete exclusion; and it appears that it was thus termed, because the offender was in that case supposed to be delivered up defenceless to his spiritual enemy, unprotected by the prayers of the Church, or the benefit of the Holy Sacrament. This last species of excommunication was reserved for very obstinate sinners.

* Unquestionable as are the evidences of the existence of a set service in the sub-apostolical Church, the earliest we possess of the existence of a written service is in the account of the

persecution of Diocletian about the year 303, when Eusebius tells us he saw "sacred writings;" as well as "divine," consigned to the flames.-Blunt's History of the Christian Church.

30. What discipline was exercised in the primitive Church? Cite passages from the new Testament illustrative of the excommunication practised at this early period.

The Rite of
Baptism.

31. The initiatory rite of Baptism was ad- TIBERIUS. ministered in the primitive Church both by immersion and aspersion. The Sacrament was generally administered by the Bishop or Presbyter, but sometimes by lay persons. Rivers or fountains were at first chosen for their convenience and publicity; but the rise of persecution and other causes soon led to the administration of baptism in houses (Acts x. 47), in prisons (Acts xvi. 33), or even in bed (clinical baptism). We learn from Irenæus and Tertullian that it was the undoubted practice of the Church to baptise infants. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are the only rites appointed by Christ, as binding on all His followers.

Stephen, the first

Christian Martyr. J

A.D. 31.

32. Upon the election of the seven Deacons the Christian religion gained ground more than ever. Stephen, one of the Seven, very much contributed to the happy progress, so that his zeal and diligence soon awakened the malice of the unbelieving Jews. At the feast of Tabernacles he was drawn into dispute with learned men selected from five Synagogues ;* and having baffled them by the Divine wisdom and spirit with which he spake, they suborned men to accuse him of blasphemy against Moses and the Law. Upon this charge he was brought

*One of these belonged to the Cilicians; whence it seems probable that Saul, a native of the

capital of that country, took part
in, or was present at, the dispu-
tation.

31. How, and to whom, was the rite of baptism administered in the primitive Church? What change subsequently took place? Mention the rites instituted by our Saviour.

32. Who was the first Christian martyr? Upon what charge was he condemned by the Sanhedrim? What death did he suffer? Was his death strictly the execution of a judicial sentence? *[Note.] Is there any reason to suppose that St. Paul took part in the disputation which led to Stephen's martyrdom ?

D

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