Of Synods and Councils.- FOR
the better government, and further edification of the church, there
ought to be such assemblies as are commonly called Synods or Councils. [1]
- The
ministers of Christ, of themselves, and by virtue of their office; or
they with other fit persons, upon delegation from their churches, have
the exclusive right to appoint, adjourn, or dissolve such Synods or
Councils; though, in extraordinary cases, it may be proper for
magistrates to desire the calling of a Synod of ministers and other fit
persons, to consult and advise with about matters of religion; and in
such cases, it is the duty of churches to comply with their desire. [2], [3].
- It
belongeth to synods and councils ministerially to determine
controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and
directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and
government of his church; to receive complaints in cases of
mal-administration, and authoritatively to determine the same; which
decrees and determinations, if consonant to the word of God, are to be
received with reverence and submission, not only for their agreement
with the word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being
an ordinance of God, appointed thereunto in his word. [4]
- All
synods or councils since the apostles' times, whether general or
particular, may err, and many have erred; therefore they are not to be
made the rule of faith or practice, but to be used as an help in both. [5]
- Synods
and councils are to handle or conclude nothing but that which is
ecclesiastical; and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs, which
concern the common wealth, unless by way of humble petition, in cases
extraordinary; or by way of advice for satisfaction of conscience, if
they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate. [6]
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