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Confession 31.1. For the
better government, and further edification of the Church, there ought to be
such assemblies as are commonly called synods or councils.(a)
(a) Acts 15:2, 4, 6.
Confession 31.2. As magistrates may lawfully call a
synod of ministers, and other fit persons, to consult and advise with, about
matters of religion;(b) so, if magistrates be open enemies to the Church, the
ministers of Christ of themselves, by virtue of their office, or they, with
other fit persons upon delegation from their Churches, may meet together in
such assemblies.(c)
(b) Isa. 49:23; I Tim. 2:1, 2; II Chron. 19:8, 9, 10, 11; II Chron. 29, 30
chaps.; Matt. 2:4, 5; Prov. 11:14.
(c) Acts 15:2, 4, 22, 23, 25.
Confession 31.3. It belongs 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
maladministration, 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.(d)
(d) Acts 15:15, 19, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31; Acts 16:4; Matt. 18:17, 18, 19,
20.
Confession 31.3. 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 a help in both.(e)
(e) Eph. 2:20; Acts 17:11; I Cor. 2:5; II Cor. 1:24.
Confession 31.4. 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 commonwealth; 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.(f)
(f) Luke 12:13, 14; John 18:36.