These pages contain Thomas Witherow’s classic work on church government (slightly edited, and with the final chapter removed which had application specifically to the Presbyterian Church in Ulster of his own day), in which he shows that Scripture decidedly teaches the Presbyterian form of church government rather than the Episcopalian or Independent forms.
The First Principle – The office-bearers were chosen by the people.
The Second Principle – The office of bishop and elder was identical.
The Third Principle – In each church there was a plurality of elders.
The Fourth Principle – Ordination was the act of the presbytery – that is, of a plurality of elders.
The Fifth Principle – There was the privilege of appeal to the assembly of elders; and the power of government was exercised by them in their associate capacity.
The Sixth Principle – The only Head of the Church was the Lord Jesus Christ.