The present volume treats of a subject which has been a bone of controversy for ages. It is very far from the design of the author to revive, much less to aggravate, the bitterness which the discussion has awakened; but, as the scriptural constitution of the Church has occupied much of his attention for at least half a century, he is desirous to communicate to others his matured convictions on the questions in dispute. He cannot expect that all his readers will adopt his conclusions; and yet he trusts that a calm review of the whole debate will tend to remove prejudices and misunderstandings, to diffuse light, and eventually to open the way for the cultivation of kindlier feelings and closer fellowship among the children of God. Amidst the din of theological warfare there may be found in good men, all over the Church, a yearning desire for unanimity and peace; and should this publication do nothing more than help to remove some of the causes by which real Christians are now separated, it will not have been written in vain.