entire agreement with it, lay aside the testimony we maintain for the truth of the gospel; because, in so doing, we should neglect our own duty, and harden others in the neglect of theirs.

CHAPTER IX.

Of the Union Which Produced the Associate Reformed Synod.

IN THE year 1776, the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania was by agreement, divided in two, viz: that of Pennsylvania and that of New York. Some years after, a scheme of union was set on foot between these presbyteries, and a party who called themselves the Reformed Presbytery, and who were of the same principles with those who take that designation in Scotland, of whom we have already given some account. The plan, on which

the advocates for this union proposed to effect it, was gradually discovered; and was found to be a laying aside, or expressing in ambiguous terms, everything about which the parties mentioned could not agree. And the Associate Synod having always testified very plainly and earnestly against such latitudinarian schemes, as injurious to the truth and cause of Jesus Christ, those of them who were then members of it could not but know, that such a union as they proposed would put an end to their connection with it. But this seems to have been the very thing they were desiring: displeased with their former professions and connection, (for reasons best known to themselves,) they were resolved to cast off the one and the other.

The union was agreed to by the Associate Presbytery of New York, 1780. And at a meeting of the Presbytery of Pennsylvania, June 12, 1782, its friends had, by the casting vote of the moderator, a majority in this latter. The members who voted against the union protested and appealed to the Associate Synod; but the other party, avowing that they, as a presbytery, did not any longer acknowledge their connection with that synod, as belonging to it, therefore refused to admit any protest in which there was an appeal to it. Upon this, the protestors, seeing the principles and constitution of the presbytery plainly deserted by their brethren, judged it their duty to do what they could for preserving both, by withdrawing which they accordingly did; having declared in a protest, that the power of the Associate Presbytery belong to those who adhered to its principles and constitution. Having retired to another place, and transacted what business came before them, they appointed the time and place of the next meeting, and conIcluded in the usual manner. An account of their conduct having been laid before the Associate Synod, no one member of that court found fault with it; but on the contrary it was unanimously agreed to, that they ought to be encouraged and supported. The circumstance of the majority of any church-court deserting their profession, does not destroy the power of the rest, or hinder them to continue their meetings as formerly.

The brethren who opposed this union, readily acknowledge, that harmony among Christians is much to be desired: and if any part of their received principles can be proved to be merely

their opinions, and to have no foundation in the word of God, they will not only give up these opinions, for the sake of peace, but they will even openly acknowledge that they were wrong in ever making them a subject of controversy in the church. But they have not yet learned, that they ought to lay aside a public testimony for any truth or any duty, taught in Scripture, because certain denominations of Christians will not agree with them in it. The Lord hath said, Love the truth and. the peace. To obtain the last, we must hold fast and improve the first. So far as we walk contrary to this rule, the peace we obtain will be only a confederation against the cause of Christ. It should be the steadfast resolution of every one to do nothing against the truth, but for it.

Farther, this presbytery cannot judge it their duty to lay aside the testimony they maintain, while the necessity of it is still greater than when it was first stated, in so direct a manner against the errors and backslidings of this age, by their brethren in Scotland. Apostasy has been, in most instances, increasing in this land, and among the reformed churches of Europe, since that time The enemy, having come in as a flood, is still attempting to destroy the church by a deluge of dangerous and wicked opinions; and we cannot be too careful, steadfast, and zealous in opposing him. The Lord Jesus is, from Heaven, saying to us, That which ye have already, hold fast till I come: and, with respect to those backsliding churches whose communion we have left, His direction is plain-Let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.

We do also consider the engagements we came under, at our ordination, as binding us to continue in the profession we then made, unless we find something in it sinful, which we have not yet done; and to continue in the society of our brethren, the other members of the Associate Synod of Edinburgh, while they abide by it, as, through the good hand of God, upon them, they still do. Though their principles and conduct are industriously misrepresented by some here who were once of their number, yet we are satisfied to remain in connection with them, as our brethren and companions in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ; and we hope the Lord will bless this connection to us, and to them, for encouraging each other to steadfastness in His cause, and for promoting the knowledge of the gospel.

As to the union, which made such a breach in this presbytery, it may be farther observed:

First, That there never was any prospect that it could be concluded in a desirable manner. The principles of the Reformed Presbytery, about civil government, unknown in the Christian church, till the rise of their society, used to be a chief topic of their public discourses; and filled almost every page of the testimony they published to the world. And because we stated that to be the duty of Christians, which they denied, viz., to acknowledge those as lawful magistrates who ruled by the choice or consent of the people of any state or nation, and to submit to them in everything not inconsistent with our duty to God; we are represented by them, not in some private writings only, but in the public testimony, the joint deed of the body, "as teachers

of false doctrine, as treacherous in covenant, as enemies to the Lord's work, as barefacedly belieing the Scriptures, as guilty of a most dreadful and deceitful imposition on the generation." Men who have so grievously accused us, and have never retracted a word of what they said, could not be supposed willing to join with us in a testimony they had so severely reprobated. Either we or they (themselves being judges) must be extremely far from the Lord's way: we, if their charges against us are just; they, if they have so accused us without cause. If they judge that, in these accusations, and in many others of the same kind, they did no injury to the cause and work of God in which we are engaged, we have just reason to refuse entering into church communion with them, though they should be so inconsistent with themselves as to be willing to enter into communion with us. If they have changed their mind, their acknowledgment of the truth should be as plainly declared as their opposition to it was. Such a solemn public charge, against any denomination of Christians, as is to be found standing against us in their testimony, is no trifling matter, and will not be accounted so by the Head of the church. Nothing less than a plain declaration, by the Reformed Presbytery, that they had fallen from the opposition they had formerly made to the truth maintained by us, was sufficient to convince us that they were friends, and so agreed with us, that we might walk together in a holy and profitable fellowship.

Secondly, the measures taken to accomplish this union were irregular, and subversive of pres