This 17th century work refutes prelacy.

David Calderwood, bound by solemn oath to defend the doctrine and discipline of biblical Presbyterian government and worship, and to oppose the hierarchy, along with all rites and ceremonies added to the worship of God, does a masterful job here.

He uses the Word of God and the proceedings of the ancient and Reformation churches to make his points. He deals with controversies over things "indifferent," people's souls, state and society, etc. - as they are affected by these two systems of government.

He points out the far reaching consequences of the implementation of various systems of church government and worship, showing how these specific ideas are eventually mirrored in the culture in general.

Summarizing, he notes the classic saying concerning these matters and their consequences in the civil realm, "no ceremony no bishop, no bishop no king," and in the ecclesiastical arena, "no ceremony no prelate, no prelate no pope."