Presbyterianism

Presbyterianism is a Reformed (Calvinist) Protestant tradition named for its form of church government by representative assemblies of elders. Though there are other Reformed churches that are structurally similar, the word Presbyterian is applied to churches that trace their roots to the Church of Scotland or to English Dissenter groups that formed during the English Civil War.

Quotes

• Ardens sed virens.
  • Burning but flourishing.
  • The burning bush of Exodus 3:1–4; motto of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster

• The mayor will be here any minute his bloody self, and we’ll pass round the hat for the reverend so as to fix his Pressie kirk up.
  • Colin MacInnes, June in Her Spring (1952)

Presbyter

• The presbyter, puffed up with spiritual pride,
  Shall on the necks of the lewd nobles ride;
  His brethren damn, the civil power defy,
  And parcel out republic prelacy.
  But short shall be his reign; his rigid yoke,
  And tyrant power, will puny sects provoke;
  And frogs and toads, and all the tadpole train,
  Will croak to heaven for help from this devouring crane.
  • John Dryden, The Medal (1682)