The Genius of Presbyterianism

Alexander Henderson, "the prime architect of the National Covenant (1638) and the Solemn League and Covenant (1643)" (Dictionary of Scottish Church History & Theology, p. 397), had a gift for words. In The Government and Order of the Church of Scotland (1641), he described the genius of Presbyterianism thus: "Here there is a superiority without tyranny...Here there is a parity without confusion and disorder...And...here there is a subjection without slavery....”

Here there is a superiority without tyranny for no Minister hath a Papal or Monarchical Jurisdiction over his own flock, far less over other Pastors and over all the Congregations or a large Diocese. Here there is a parity without confusion and disorder, for the Pastors are in order before the Elders, and the Elders before the Deacons; the Church is subordinate to the Presbytery, the Presbytery to the Synod, and the Synod to the National Assembly. One Pastor also hath priority before another for age, for zeal, for gifts, for his good deservings of the Church, each one honouring him whom God hath honoured, and as he beareth the image of God which was to be seen amongst the Apostles themselves. But none hath power or jurisdiction above others: even as in nature one eye hath not power over another, only the head hath power over all, even as Christ over his Church. The same may be seen in the Commonwealth, and in some of the offices of the Roman Church itself. And lastly, here there is a subjection without slavery, for the people are subject to the Pastors and Assemblies, yet there is no Assembly wherein every particular Church hath not interest and power; nor is there anything done but they are, if not actually, yet virtually called to consent unto it.