“Presbyterianism received as a scheme of policy, though admirably adapted to the exigencies of the times in which it originated, partakes of the essential defectiveness of the incipient reformation of the sixteenth century, embodying these erroneous principles which were adopted by the founders of most of the Protestant churches, and which soon proved not less fatal to the cause of scriptural truth than to the internal peace of the Christian communities.” The first Presbyterian church was founded in Geneva by John Calvin, about A.D. 1541, and the system afterwards introduced into Scotland, with modifications by John Knox, about the year 1560, but not _legally_ established there till 1592. It has never flourished greatly in England, and the Unitarian doctrine has now been almost universally received among the quondam Presbyterian congregations. The _theory_ of discipline in the SCOTTISH CHURCH does not differ very widely from that of the English episcopacy, but the _practice_ of the two churches, as modified by the habits of the two nations, is totally different. In order to reconcile the Anglican and Scottish confessions of faith, it would be requisite that the Church of England should consent to suppress Articles III. VII. XXXV. and XXXVI. also that part of Art. VI. which sanctions the public reading of the Apocrypha, and the first clause of Art. XX, attributing to the church a power to decree rites and ceremonies, as well as authority in controversies of faith. Agreeing, as the English and Scottish Churches do _substantially_ in the doctrines of the Protestant faith, they nevertheless differ widely, 1. As to the nature of holy orders and the power of ordination. 2. As to the hierarchical constitution of the Anglican Church. 3. As to matters of ritual, especially the use of liturgies which the Church of Scotland rejects. 4. As to the doctrines of sacramental grace and sacerdotal absolution, implied in the offices of the Anglican Church. 5. As to the whole system of discipline, Ecclesiastical Courts, &c. 6. As to certain points of Calvinistic theology. * * * * * The INDEPENDENTS differ from the Presbyterians chiefly in three points, namely: 1. As to ordination, and the liberty of preaching. 2. As to the political form and constitution of church government, and the conditions of church communion. 3. As to the grounds and limits of religious liberty.