In the preservation of this precious letter we are bound to recognize the hand of Providence. [502:5] Its instructions were so highly appreciated by the ancient Christians that it continued to be publicly read in many of their churches for centuries afterwards. [502:6] It is universally acknowledged to be genuine; it breathes the benevolent spirit of a primitive presbyter; and it is distinguished by its sobriety and earnestness.  It was written upon the verge of the apostolic age, and it is the production of a pious, sensible, and aged minister who preached for years in the capital of the Empire.  The Church of Rome has since advanced the most extravagant pretensions, and has appealed in support of them to ecclesiastical tradition; but here, an elder of her own—­one who had conversed with, the apostles—­and one whom she delights to honour [503:1]—­deliberately comes forward and ignores her assumptions!  She fondly believes that Clement was an early Pope, but the good man himself admits that he was only one of the presbyters.  Had there then been a bishop of Corinth, this letter would unquestionably have exhorted the malcontents to submit to his jurisdiction; or had there been a bishop of Rome, it would not have failed to dilate upon the benefits of episcopal government.  But, as to the existence of any such functionary in either Church, it preserves throughout a most intelligible silence.  It says that the apostles ordained the first-fruits of their conversions, not as bishops and presbyters and deacons, but as “bishops and deacons over such as should afterwards believe;” [503:2] and it is apparent that, when it was written, the terms bishop and presbyter were still used interchangeably. [503:3]

The Epistle of Polycarp bears equally decisive testimony.  It was drawn up perhaps about the middle of the second century, [503:4] and though the last survivor of the apostles was now dead for many years, no general change had meanwhile taken place in the form of church government.  This document purports to be the letter of “Polycarp and the elders who are with him [504:1] to the Church of God which is at Philippi;” but it does not recognize a bishop as presiding over the Christian community to which it is addressed.  The Church was still apparently in much the same state as when Paul wrote to “the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons;” [504:2] for Polycarp was certainly not aware of the existence of any new office-bearers; and he accordingly exhorts his correspondents to be “subject to the presbyters and deacons.” [504:3] “Let the presbyters,” says he, “be compassionate, merciful to all, bringing back such as are in error, seeking out all those that are weak, not neglecting the widow or the fatherless, or the poor; but providing always what is good in the sight of God and men; abstaining from all wrath, respect of persons, and unrighteous judgment; being far from all covetousness; not ready to believe anything against any; not severe in judgment, knowing that we are all debtors in point of sin.” [504:4]