s a government purely spiritual, dealing with the consciences of men,
and exercising the keys of the kingdom of heaven, doing all things
according to the word of God.

_Quest_. What are the parts of presbyterial church government?

_Ans_. It consists of a people, having the qualifications which the
Scriptures require; of certain rulers, who are to perform the duties of
their respective offices; and of certain courts, in which these rulers
sit and act in matters of judgment.

_Quest_. What are the qualifications of persons who constitute the
private members of the visible church?

_Ans_. They ought to be true believers in Christ, to have a competent
knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel, to make a sound profession of
their faith, and to maintain a holy conversation.

_Quest_. What rulers are there in the presbyterian church?

_Ans_. Preaching elders, ruling elders, and deacons.

_Quest_. Where is the divine warrant for the preaching elder?

_Ans_. In the Holy Scriptures we find that God hath set some in the
Church, TEACHERS: that our ascended Redeemer hath given her PASTORS and
TEACHERS: that the Holy Ghost had made some BISHOPS, OVERSEERS, to feed
her; and qualifies some for _prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation_,
1 Cor. xii. 28; Eph. iv. 11; Acts xx. 28; Rom. xii. 6-8.

_Quest_. What are the duties of preaching elders?

_Ans_. To preach the word; to dispense the ordinances of baptism and the
Lord's Supper; to administer church discipline; and to rule and govern
the church, 2 Tim. iv. 2; Matt. xxviii. 19; 1 Cor. xi. 23-29; 1 Tim. v.
20; Tit. ii. 15, and iii. 10; Heb. xiii. 17; 1 Pet. v. 2, 3. _Quest_.
Is the office of the gospel minister instituted by God to continue to
the end of time?

_Ans_. Yes; the ends of it are of a permanent nature, the converting and
confirming of the elect, and the silencing of gain-savers, Acts xxvi.
18; Tit. i. 9, 11.

_Quest_. Where is the divine warrant for the office of the ruling elder?

_Ans_. From the three following passages of sacred Scripture: 1. From
Rom. xii. 5 to 8: "We being many are one body in Christ, and members one
of another. Having then gifts, differing according to the grace that is
given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the
proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he
that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he
that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with
d