and proper sense of the word, did not consist in a separation from Episcopacy as such; for that was not the point at issue; but in a separation from the corruptions which the Papal Usurpation had grafted upon it. It was a separation, grounded upon gross and notorious facts, imcompatible with the doctrine and spirit of Christianity, not on mere speculative opinions. In the enjoyment of this separation, with an Episcopacy independant of the Pope, the Church of England, continued for some years, when there was no such being as a Presbyterian in the nation. The arguments which have been since employed in support of Presbyterianism, derive their origin chiefly from that spurious spirit of Puritanism, which, having first manifested itself in a factious, and for the most part senseless opposition to the order and discipline of the Church of England, at length terminated in that fatal separation from it, which Separatists feel themselves pledged at all events to justify.

Such discrimination is necessary to distinguish the glorious cause of our Reformation,

mation, from that degenerate one, which Presbyterianism is at all times vainly attempting to associate with it.

The turbulent Cartwright in Queen Elizabeth's days, was the first who wrote a book to prove the very position, that has occupied so many pages of Dr. Campbell's History, namely, that primitive Churches with their Bishops, were Parishes only; and that each city contained but one parochial congregation.-A full and learned answer to this book, which soon followed its publication, laid this controversy to rest for about a century. It was then revived, and considered as a new discovery by one Clarkson, under the bold title of "No Scripture Evidence for Diocesan Bishops;"-which speedily drew after it a compleat answer from Dr. Maurice, in his admirable defence of Diocesan Episcoрасу, which again laid the subject to rest for some time. This same subject thus (if we may so say) repeatedly nonsuited, was again brought to trial about the beginning of the last century under the title of "An Enquiry into the Constitution, Discipline, Unity, and Worship, of the

Primitive

Primitive Church, within the first three hundred years after Christ."-Having attended to the progress of this controversy, and particularly marked the ground on which from time to time it has been placed; I have no difficulty in tracing the road in which the Professor has travelled; and there is little doubt on my mind that the publication last mentioned was the one which the Professor had before him, when he put together that part of his Lectures, which is now more immediately under consideration: because the same arrangement of argument and proof; the same mutilation of extract; the same want of appeal to that evidence which the Scriptures are competent to furnish, together with the same turn of expression, are to be met with in the publications of both writers; a circumstance not to be accounted for but on the supposition of one having copied from the other. Indeed the chief marks by which the publication of the Professor appears to be distinguished from that of most other advocates in the same cause, are that unqualified boldness of assertion and peremptoriness of decision, which cer

tainly prove, not so much the truth of a cause, as the confidence of its supporter.

Now if Dr. Campbell did not know that the publication above-mentioned, entitled "An Enquiry into the Constitution of the Primitive Church," &c. from which it is here presumed, that he closely copied; had been so completely answered by the author of "An Original Draught of the Primitive Church;" as to bring over the Enquirer to that author's opinion; he was certainly not fully qualified to read Lectures on Ecclesiastical History; because, having taken but a partial view of the point on which the government of the Christian Church is supposed to turn, his History of Church matters must be considered rather as the History of his own. prejudices, than a detail of authenticated facts. On the other hand, if the Doctor had made himself acquainted with the answers which have been repeatedly given to the positions he has so confidently produced; which, in such case he must have known, completely overturned the foundation on which he builds, on this occasion; by withholding information so neces

sary

sary to qualify his pupils to form an impartial judgement on the subject before them, he was acting that disingenuous part, which is not to be reconciled with the character of an honest man. Indeed it should seem, (and we are very sorry that such an imputation should even appear to lie against Dr. Campbell) that the Professor, having long since made up his own mind to the Presbyterian Standard, determined either not to meet this subject fairly; or having privately met it, thought it most adviseable in his public Lectures to pass over such a circumstance unnoticed. According to which plan of proceeding, controversy must be endless: we have but to adopt the motto of pride and self-sufficiency," Non persuadebis, etiamsi persuaseris," and we may dispute the ground without an inch being gained on either side from generation to generation.

The Professor's advice to his Pupils, (Page 166,) is confessedly, that of a wise and candid man;-" Revere truth (says he) above all things, wherever ye find it. Attend coolly and candidly to the voice of reason, from what quarter soever it

comes.