Complete Works of Rev. Thomas Smyth, D. D.

THESE LECTURES

ARE DEDICATED, BY Their author,

FIRST.

TO ALL EVANGELICAL, OR LOW-CHURCH EPISCOPALIANS, AND TO ALL NONEPISCOPAL, AND EVANGELICAL COMMUNIONS, WHOSE COMMON

INTEREST AND DUTY IT IS TO OPPOSE THE EXCLUSIVE

ASSUMPTIONS OF

POPERY AND HIGH-CHURCHISM.

SECONDLY.

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CHARLESTON, S. C.

FOR WHOSE IMMEDIATE BENEFIT THEY WERE ORIGINALLY PREPARED;

BY WHOSE COUNSEL THEY WERE PUBLICLY DELIVERED; AND

BY WHOSE SUBSTANTIAL ASSISTANCE, THEY ARE

NOW PUBLISHED TO THE WORLD:

AND, THIRDLY.

TO THE REV. SAMUEL MILLER, D. D. AND REV. ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER, D. D.

THE LONG-TRIED AND FAITHFUL ADVOCATES AND FRIENDS

OF THE

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH;

TO WHOSE LABORS ITS BISHOPS, ELDERS, AND CHURCH MEMBERS,

ARE UNDER DEEP AND LASTING OBLIGATION.

261643

FROM the unprecedented haste with which the Volume has been carried

through the press, many mistakes in names and references, both in the body of the work and the Index, may have escaped the notice of the Author, who has done all he possibly could to avoid them.

THE present Volume, while complete in itself, and therefore published under its distinctive title, formed only the First Part of a Course of LECTURES ON PRELACY AND PRESBYTERY. The Second Part, which will constitute a second Volume, and which is in a state of prepaation, will embrace discussions, more or less full, of the following topics:

I. The True Apostolical or Ministerial Succession claimed by Presbyterians-in which it will be shown that this claim has been always urged, and the ignorance of some Prelatists on this point exposed.

II. This claim of Presbyters justified by Scripture-in which the condition of the church during our Lord's Ministry will be considered, and some general topics debated.

III. This claim of Presbyters sustained by Scripture, continued-in which the arguments from the Apostolic Church will be entered upon.

IV. This claim of Presbyters sustained by Scripture, in which the arguments from the Apostolic Church will be continued.

V. This claim of Presbyters sustained by Scripture, and objections answered, in which the argument will be concluded. VI. This claim of Presbyters sustained by the testimony of the Apostolic Fathers.

VII. This claim of Presbyters sustained by the testimony of the Primitive Fathers.

VIII. This claim of Presbyters sustained by the testimony of later Fathers.

IX. This claim of Presbyters sustained by the testimony of later Fathers and Divines-of the most eminent Reformersand of many of the most eminent of the English divines.

X. The antiquity of Presbyterianism, including an account of the Culdees.

XI. The true Liberality, Catholicity and Security of Presbyterianism.

XII. The Republicanism of Presbyterianism.

BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

AN ECCLESIASTICAL CATECHISM OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, for the use of families, Bible Classes, and private families. Second edition-much improved. TRACTS ON PRESBYTERIANISM; 1 vol. 12mo. SOLACE FOR BEREAVED PARENTS: Or, INFANTS DIE TO LIVE. With an historical account of the Doctrine of Infant Salvation, and Select Thoughts in Poetry and Prose. A FORM FOR THE SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY, according to the order of the Presbyterian Church.

LECTURE I.

THE NECESSITY FOR THIS DISCUSSION-IN WHICH THE QUESTION IS STATED-
THE NECESSITY FOR ITS DISCUSSION ILLUSTRATED AND THE PLAN OF THE
ARGUMENT DEVELOPED.

It is the object of this Lecture to explain the nature of those claims

assumed by Prelatists; and by which the right of other communions to a

fellowship in the privileges of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolical

church is denied, 2.-The bigotry of Prelatists towards all other denomi-

nations, and their demand for the investigation of their claims, 3.-Some

of the reasons which have led to this discussion, 5.-: First, This discus-

sion of these high and exclusive claims, we owe to their authors and

abettors; secondly, we are under obligation to institute this investigation,

by a due regard to our character and just claims, which are both-this

doctrine being true-entirely overthrown, 9;-thirdly, such an examina-

tion is demanded by the cause of truth and liberty, 13;—as a fourth

reason, we are summoned to this enterprise by the claims of charity and