LETTER III.-Of Christ’s Headship Over the Visible Church.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter contains an exposition of the mediatorial headship of Christ over his church and what that implies.
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LETTER IV.-Of the Qualification of Church Members.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter discusses the true qualifications of church membership together with reasons for terms of communion and limits of extending church communion.
Read MoreLETTER V.-Of Private Christians Privileges and Power.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter examines the rights and claims of the Christian people in the church together with the limits of ecclesiastical power with regard to them.
Read MoreLETTER VI.-Of Magistrates Power in the Church.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter is concerned with expounding the just extent and limits of magistratical power relative to the church.
Read MoreLETTER VII.-Of Diocesan Bishops Office and Power.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter examines the use of hierarchical, or diocesan, bishops in the church with an explanation why this mad-made office is rejected by Presbyterians.
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Read MoreLETTER VIII.-Of the Subject of Church-Power, &c.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter has a discussion of church power and its exercise through an extraordinary and an ordinary ministry with an overview of the various offices to be used in the church.
Read MoreLETTER IX.-Of The Qualifications of Church Officers.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter examines the qualifications necessary for church officers together with a discussion of what constitutes a regular call and its need for the edification of the church.
Read MoreLETTER X.-Of the Election of Ministers, &c.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter examines the necessity and benefits of allowing people to choose their own ministers and the some of the evils that arise from patronage.
Read MoreLETTER XI.-Of the Ordination and Duty of Ministers.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter takes up the question of ministerial ordination, distinguishing between extraordinary and ordinary cases, and explaining the use of ordination in the church,
Read MoreLETTER XII.-Of Ruling Elders and Deacons.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter examines the warrants for ruling elders and deacons together with a discussion of their duties as church officers.
Read MoreLETTER XIII.-Of the Nature of Church-Power.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter examines the nature, structure and limits of church power, addressing it as both governing and disciplinary.
Read MoreLETTER XIV.-Of the Warrant for Congregational Sessions.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter examines the rational behind church sessions, or local governing bodies, within each congegation of the church.
Read MoreLETTER XV.-Of the Warrant for Classical Presbyteries.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter is concerned with demonstrating the warrant and purpose of classical presbyteries in the governing of the church.
Read MoreLETTER XVI.-Of the Warrant for Synods.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter discusses the warrant for synods and wherein they differ, in power and scope, from the lower church courts.
Read MoreLETTER XVII.-Of the Calling, &c. of Church-Courts.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter discusses the nature and limits of church courts together with the powers competent to convene these courts.
Read MoreLETTER XVIII.-Of Scandals and Discipline.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter discusses the nature of limits of what should be considered scandal in the church together with the appropriate degrees of discipline deserved.
Read MoreLETTER XIX.-Of Church Fellowship and Separation.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown of Haddington.-This chapter discusses the limits and duties of church fellowship together with a careful explanation of when and why separation becomes necessary.
Read MoreThe Appellation,
James Dodson
1558-John Knox.-In this letter, Knox speaks to the lesser magistrates and encourages them to be very forward in the cause of the Reformation. The so-called doctrine of lesser magistrates teaches that they have a right to interpose themselves when high magistrates exceed the bounds of legitimate exercise of authority.
Read MoreThe Distinguishing Practice of our Reforming Ancestors.
James Dodson
1771-John Brown of Haddington.-Excerpted from a larger work on the history of the church, this contains his observations and comments on the covenanting practiced by older Presbyterians.
Read MoreLetters on the Constitution, Government, and Discipline of the Christian Church.
James Dodson
1767-John Brown, of Haddington.-The text is taken from the second edition of 1799. In this work, Mr. Brown gives a succinct view of Presbyterian church government together with what might be considered a commentary upon the Westminster Assembly's Form of Presbyterian Government.
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