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Dissenters, and rank under the three denominations of Presbyterians, Independents, and Baptists.
The principles on which the Dissenters separated from the Church of England, may be summarily comprehended in these three:—1. The right of private judgment. 2. Liberty of conscience. And, 3. The perfection of Scripture the only rule of faith and practice.
KIRK OF SCOTLAND.
The Presbyterian form of church government adopted in Scotland, was brought thither from Geneva by John Knox, the celebrated Scottish reformer, and who has been styled the apostle of his country, for the same reason that Luther was called the apostle of Germany.
Contrary to the Episcopalians, the Presbyterians maintain that the Church should be governed by Presbyteries, Synods, and General Assemblies. In the Kirk of Scotland there are fifteen synods and sixty-nine presbyteries. Their articles and creed are Calvinistic, and their General Assembly is held annually in the month of May at Edinburgh.
THE REFORMED SYNOD.
This body represents the adherents of Presbytery when that form of church government was in its purest state, as finally settled at the second Reformation in 1649. They were reproached with a variety of titles, as Whigs, Cameronians, Mountain-men, &c. &c. The name by which they are now commonly known is Cameronians, from the Rev. Richard Cameron, who fell at Airsmoss, in Kyle, 1680; or Covenanters, from adhering to that famous bond of union.
At the Revolution, 1688, they were deserted by their pastors, who chose to comply with the principles of the times, and own an authority in the Church which the more strict covenanting people believed to be a sinful compliance. Patronage in any shape they resisted; and although they allowed the right of Christian magistrates to hold a place in Christian Churches, according to the covenant, they would not submit to what they believed to be an undue or Erastian interference. They continued for some time without regular ministers, but in 1743, they constituted a Presbytery in the name of Christ, the alone King and Head of his Church, under the title of the Reformed Presbytery. There are altogether thirty-five congregations in this connection, which is now called Synod, from the increase of their numbers.
SECEDERS.
The numerous body of Dissenters from the Church of
