uncharitableness. Every one perceives that this reasoning applies precisely to the case before us. And although the gentleman saw, or thought he saw, in the countenances of the gentlemen around him, " a manly detestation,” still I am prepared to submit the decision of this high accusation, not only to you Sir, and to this honorable Jury, but to the voice of this whole assembly; and should it finally prove, that Episcopacy cannot support its claims against, Presbytery, and Episcopalians should still continue to assert them, then will any gentleman be entirely at liberty to renew the accusation.

Presbyter Primus. I am convinced Sir, that this subject has been sufficiently investigated and for myself, wish the Chairman and Jury may decide it.

P. Secundus. The question is submitted.

The Chairman having ascertained the sentiments of the Jury, proclaimed to the assembly, that he and the jurors were unanimons in their judgment, that Episcopacy was not chargeable with the offence alledged, and that it ought to be exonerated therefrom.

Chairman. Gentlemen, the second charge brought against Episcopalians is," that they as

sumed the Episcopal power in the third century." We are now ready for its examination.

P. Tertius. However ill-timed and improper in itself the first charge, I trust this is founded upon such evidence, that it will not be difficult to substantiate it. It is well known that Popery was not an Apostolic institution, but a corruption of power, assumed some centuries after the Apostolic age. I conceive Episcopacy to be a grade of the same power, and that it crept gradually into the Church in the third century. The causes which then operated to do away the true regimen of Church government-the divinely instituted Presbytery-were the indolence and the inconsideration of some, the ambition of others; the custom of standing moderators; and the veneration paid to senior ministers, and such as were of superior talents and influence; the respect attached to such as resided in large cities, and other considerations of a similar kind. It is not to be denied that in the third century, that zeal which characterized the Apostles and first ministers; that wakeful diligence which we in every case find in the first stewards of the sanctuary, began to abate in some who were called to the spiritual work. In other words, the Church began to be corrupt:

and the love of the world and the pride of life, in many instances took the place of the love of God. Ambition with her unbridled desires, rode forth into the vineyard of our God and Saviour. When these corruptions had crept into the Church, we are to remember that the synods and assemblies were conducted with presidents at their heads ; and that there were standing moderators in the larger synods; that these presidents and moderators were of the senior Presbyters, venerated for their age and standing; these too would be naturally chosen from among those of the greatest talents and influence, and the most ambitious in the larger cities, by whom the greatest respect is demanded, and to whom it is invariably pail.These men, inflated with their promotion and success; their ambition warmed by power and station; standing at the head of the Christian community, they would have a commanding influence over the Church; they would pretty naturally desire to make their station immoveable; and by the joint exertions of several of these ambitious heads, each controuling the Presbyters under him, might gradually with little effort, as they actually did, establish a Prelacy, and hand it down to their successors. In this way, through

ambition and corruption, did Episcopacy creep into the Church, and finally in this way did the Pope ascend his throne, in his plentitude of power, and spread darkness, dismay and death through all the kingdoms of Christendom. This Sir, is the language of ancient history. Take the authority of Jerome. He says, that Bishops and Presbyters were the same under the Apostles-that before there were by the devil's influence, parties in religion, the churches were governed by the common council of Presbyters, but afterwards the practice was introduced, of placing one of the Presbyters above the rest, as a remedy against scism. He further says, that this practice was brought in by little and little. He asserts that Presbyters were above Presbyters, more by the custom of the church, than by the appointment of Christ; and that this change owed its origin to the decay of religion, when every one began to think that those whom he baptized were rather his own than Christ's."

I appeal to your candor, my brethren, whether there can be any plainer and more satisfactory proof than this, that Episcopacy was an innovation of man. Again, Gregory says, "would to God there was no Prelacy,no pre-eminence of place-no

tyrannical privileges." Would Gregory, an eminently pious and learned Bishop wish this, my brethren, if he believed Prelacy to be of divine appointment?

Origen says, "I think that which is written concerning the sellers of doves, to agree to those who commit the Churches to greedy, tyrannical, unlearned, and irreligious Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons."

These, gentlemen, are quotations from authors who cannot be disputed. Many others of the like nature might be adduced from almost every age, subsequent to the third century. This being the fact, it renders the statement which I have given of the rise of Episcopacy, incontrovertable. The power then having been thus usurped, the act is an outrage upon that ministry which Christ established in the time of his Apostles and their successors, and should therefore be discountenanced.

Presbyter Secundus. Gentlemen, I have been gratified with the explanation which has been giv. en of the charge under consideration, and the reasons which have been urged in support of it. Our Brother has very dispassionately and calmly examined the subject, and placedit in such a light as that zone can be in doubt respecting the true state of