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

.nd of Tolerllt;on. 427
tic!es to be ~ubseribed., th~t no pre~ent neceSf.lty T~·l
qUires the stnctneM which IS complained of, or that It/
should be extended to S,) many points of doctrine.
The division of the country into district" and the
stationing in each district a teacher of religion, fonns
~he substantial part of every church. estab&hment.
The varieties that have been introduced into the government
and discipline of different cburches _e of
inferior importance, when compared with- this, in
wh:ch they all agree. Of these economical qu~ -
tions, none seems more material dian that which has 1
been long agitated m. the reformed churches of Chris..!
tendom, whether a . parity anlongst the clergy, or ~
distinction of orders in the ministry t be more candu. J
cive to the general ends of the institution. It1 favourf
of that system which the laws of this countl)~ have
preferred, we may allege the following reasons : th~t
it secures tranquility 2nd subordination a mongst the
clergy themselves; that it corresponds with the gradations
of r~nk in civil life, and provides for the edification
of each rank, by stationing in each an order
of det;gy of their ·own class and quality;. and lastly..
that the same fund produces more effect, i>