by John Brown of Haddington
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
John Brown of Haddington’s Letters on Church Government and Discipline—originally titled Letters on the Constitution, Government, and Discipline of the Christian Church—is a robust and compelling defense of Presbyterian church polity, written with theological depth and pastoral concern. Brown presents church government not as a matter of human preference but as a divinely ordained structure, essential for the health and holiness of Christ’s Church. He begins by establishing the headship of Christ over the Church, rejecting the claims of magistrates and bishops to rule over God’s people. Brown carefully delineates the role of ministers, elders, and deacons, showing their biblical qualifications and functions. He also expounds upon the necessity of church discipline, arguing that the spiritual authority given to church courts—sessions, presbyteries, and synods—is vital for maintaining purity and order. Each letter in this work provides Scriptural support and reasoned argumentation, demonstrating that Presbyterianism is not merely one ecclesiastical option among many, but the biblical model for church governance.
This work remains a vital resource for ministers, elders, and all who seek to understand the biblical foundations of church government. Brown’s writing is characterized by clarity, conviction, and a zeal for the purity of Christ’s Bride. In a time when ecclesiastical authority is often neglected or misunderstood, his Letters on Church Government and Discipline call the reader back to a high view of Christ’s kingship and the necessity of faithful adherence to the polity He has established. Readers will be strengthened in their commitment to biblical church government and encouraged to see that faithfulness to Christ includes faithfulness to the order He has ordained for His people.
About the Author
John Brown of Haddington (1722–1787) was a Scottish pastor and theologian known for his deep biblical knowledge and commitment to Presbyterianism. A self-taught scholar, he became a professor of divinity and a minister in the Secession Church. His works, including The Self-Interpreting Bible and A Compendious View of Natural and Revealed Religion, continue to be read for their doctrinal clarity and devotion to the Scriptures.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE
LETTER I – On the Nature and Foundation of Divine Right
LETTER II – Of the Divine Warrant for Church Government
LETTER III – Of Christ's Headship Over the Visible Church
LETTER IV – Of the Qualification of Church Members
LETTER V – Of Private Christians' Privileges and Power
LETTER VI – Of Magistrates' Power in the Church
LETTER VII – Of Diocesan Bishops' Office and Power
LETTER VIII – Of the Subject of Church Power
LETTER IX – Of the Qualifications of Church Officers
LETTER X – Of the Election of Ministers
LETTER XI – Of the Ordination and Duty of Ministers
LETTER XII – Of Ruling Elders and Deacons
LETTER XIII – Of the Nature of Church Power
LETTER XIV – Of the Warrant for Congregational Sessions
LETTER XV – Of the Warrant for Classical Presbyteries
LETTER XVI – Of the Warrant for Synods
LETTER XVII – Of the Calling of Church Courts
LETTER XVIII – Of Scandals and Discipline
LETTER XIX – Of Church Fellowship and Separation