“There is no term used more vaguely, and in a more indefinite sense, than that of Presbyterian. Next to it, was the term Puritan — and these two are often so united, or blended together, that by many they are used and considered as synonymous terms, or as meaning the same thing. When opposition to Popery or Prelacy is to be described by the advocates of these systems, their opponents are generally stigmatised as Presbyterians, who contend for their beloved Presbytery; and generally refers to the Scotch and their adherents, because they were watchwords of party in that embittered controversy, which was carried on in Scotland, by the Scotch Reformers on the one side, and by Papists and Scotch and English Episcopalians on the other. In no country was the controversy of the Reformation conducted with more asperity and bitterness than in Scotland; and seldom are more cruelty and barbarity to be met with, in history, than are to be found during the war which was carried on in Scotland, and which was stigmatised under the name of Bellum Episcopate, because instigated mainly by the Bishops of the day, and in their own defence. Hence, the names Presbyterian and Presbytery were used by their enemies, as meaning every thing that was reproachful and contemptible; and the term Presbyterian was applied to any one who manifested opposition to prelatical Episcopacy, or any of the dogmas or ceremonies peculiar to that system.” — William Hill, A History of the Rise, Progress, Genius, and Character of American Presbyterianism (1839), pp. 2-3