PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

416 Of ReligiouJ ~·Jt'lbi'sJJJlltlil.;,
well as the means of transmitting it. Not so WHi;
the new institution. It canDot be proved that any
form of church government was laid down· in the
Chrjstian, as it had been in the Jewish scriptures,
with a view of fixing a constitution for sucl2eeding
ages; and which constitution, consequently, the dis.
cipies of Chri~tianity would, ~very 'Wher~, and at all
times, by the very law of their religioi, be obhged
to adopt. ~ertainly' no command fe r tbi:- purpose
was deliver~d by CIlri~t hilnself ; and if it be ~hown
that the apo~t1es ordained bi~hops and presbyters
amongst their first convert