erpetually raised up to show forth the same
Offering in the Church below.

Thus, though up to the time of St. Paul's martyrdom (A.D. 67) Episcopal
rule, as distinct from Apostolic, would seem to have been exceptional,
before the death of St. John (A.D. 100), government by the Bishops had
undoubtedly become the recognized rule and system of the Church.

Section 2. _Development of the Church._

Before entering into any details respecting the final settlement by St.
John of the Order, Discipline, and Worship of the Church, it may be
well to remind ourselves that the Mystical Body of Christ only
gradually attained her full shape and constitution, following, like
God's other works, His law of growth and {48} development, and adapting
herself, according to her Lord's designs for her, to the needs of her
members. [Sidenote: Development in the minds of the Apostles as to the
work of the Church.] There is no reason to suppose that the Apostles,
even after the Day of Pentecost, had clear ideas of the destiny which
was in store on earth for the Church which they were engaged in
founding. The gathering in of the Gentiles, the existence of the
Church entirely apart from the Temple and its services, the place she
was to occupy in the long reach of years before the Day of Judgment[3],
all these were only made known to them by the course of events and the
teaching of experience, conjointly with, as well as subordinate to, the
general guidance of the Holy Spirit. So, too, as regards doctrine.
[Sidenote: As to doctrine.] We cannot for a moment doubt that the
Apostles, who had been taught by the Incarnate Truth Himself, and
inspired by the Holy Ghost, held firmly "all the Articles of the
Christian Faith;" but we may also believe that their insight into these
verities would be deepened, and their expression of them become
clearer, as adoring meditation and the Teaching of the Comforter
brought more and more to their remembrance the Words and Works of their
Lord, and unbelieving cavils forced them more and more fully "to give a
reason of the Hope that" was in them[4]. The same thing may be noticed
{49} respecting the Faith of the Church. [Sidenote: Development of the
teaching of the Church.] Held firmly in its fulness from the beginning,
it was yet only gradually set forth in Creeds, Liturgies, and
Definitions of Faith, according as the love and belief of Christians
required expression, or the errors of heretics drew forth clearer