God forbid that I should say one word that should appear for one moment
to make light of Christian order, for I believe it to be a subject far
too much forgotten by devoted men in the present day. Evangelical zeal
is considered by some to have full license to override all authority, and
break through every regulation. There are many excellent, zealous,
faithful, and fervent spirits, who are contending manfully for the
inspiration of the whole of Scripture, but who appear completely to
ignore such words as those by St. Paul, in 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. I believe
therefore, that it is one of the special duties of the day to urge
devoted Christians to investigate what Scripture says of order. But,
however important it be, we must still remember that the glad tidings of
the Gospel are not limited to any order or any system whatever. Our
episcopacy is gathered from facts recorded in Scripture, but is never
established by the authority of a command. We adopt it because we
believe it to be in harmony with Apostolic practice as revealed in
Scripture; but we dare not pronounce it an essential: for it is not so
pronounced in Scripture. There is not one word there to lead us to
suppose that episcopacy is like one great conduit pipe, through which
alone grace can flow. The blessed message is not limited to any one
channel. The Holy Spirit is free as the winds of heaven; and it is
perfectly clear that God, in saving souls, has not tied Himself down to
the employment of any particular Church organization. As the message is
sent to all men, in all countries, and under all circumstances, so also
is it conveyed through all kinds of instrumentalities;—Episcopalian and
Nonconformist,—ordained and unordained,—Churchmen, Dissenters,
Presbyterians,—Churches at home and Churches abroad,—teachers, preachers,
pastors and evangelists; for there is a breadth in the agency as well as
in the sphere of action, and the same Lord over all, who is rich unto all
that call upon Him, is rich also unto all who labour for His Name.