SECTION VIII.

Of the general assembly.

194. How, then, do you describe the general assembly? It is the highest judicatory of the church, representing, in one body or court, through their bishops and elders, which are delegated by the presbyteries, all the particular congregations under its jurisdiction; it being, in fact, a larger synod.

195. Is there any warrant for such an assembly of the rulers of the church, in the scriptures?

There is a warrant for it in the council held at Jerusalem, as recorded in the fifteenth chapter of Acts.

1 Cor. 14:40. Let all things be done decently, and in order. Ezek. 43:12. This is the law of the house; upon the top of the mountain, the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house. See also 2 Chron. 19:8.

196.

Will you state the grounds of this opinion?

First, a question which arose at Antioch, affecting the faith and practice of all the churches of Christ, was referred, for settlement, to this assembly.

Acts 15:2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem, unto the apostles and elders, about this question.

Secondly, this assembly consisted of the rulers of the church, while it was open to the people.

Acts 15:6, 12. And the apostles and elders came together, for to consider of this matter. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Thirdly, this assembly decided the question submitted to it, not by inspiration, but after discussion; and, as would appear, under the ordinary guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 15:7, 22, 28. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know

how that a good while ago, God made choice among us, that the Gentiles, by my mouth, should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.

Fourthly, we find, that, in this assembly, one member proposed a resolution, which was unanimously adopted as the opinion of the whole body.

Acts 15:19, 22. Wherefore, my sentence is, that we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles are turned to God. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.

Fifthly, the decision, which was thus made, was authoritative, extended to all the churches, and was sent down to them, and read in them.

Acts 15:28. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. Acts 16:4. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees, for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

And, sixthly, the members of this synod were delegated, not by any single individual or prelate, but by the presbytery of Antioch, in conjunction with the other churches.

Acts 15:2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem, unto the apostles and elders, about this question.

197. But may it not be objected to all this, that the brethren, that is, all the people, were present at this council, as well as the presbyters?

From what we have already seen, it is most certain that but a small part of the believers then in Jerusalem could have met together in any one place, and, therefore, that these brethren must have been delegated by the several churches, into which these false teachers had entered, to sit in this council, for the right ordering

and well managing of the matters submitted to its de cision.*

198.

SECTION IX.

Of the other bodies appointed by the church.

Who has the power of calling these several councils, or church courts, together?

The right of calling and dissolving all ecclesiastical courts is, by the Head of the church, exclusively vested in church officers.

Matt. 16:19. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.

199. While these are the regular and constitutional courts of the church, is it lawful and proper for the church to appoint other bodies, for the purpose of carrying out its plans, and executing its will?

These several courts of the church certainly have power to appoint any body, to carry into execution any plans or operations which it is competent for these courts severally to undertake; provided, they do not themselves transcend the powers given to them by the constitution, or give to these bodies powers greater than they themselves possess.

200. What bodies of this kind are employed by the several courts of the church?

There are committees, to prepare or finish any assigned business; agents, to discharge any specified duty, on behalf of the body appointing them; and boards, or committees, to whom is intrusted the management of the various benevolent operations in which the church is engaged.

*See Bastwick's Utter Routing, London, 1641, pp. 430-434.

CHAPTER V.

POWER OF THE CHURCH.

SECTION I.

Of the nature of church power, and the independence of the church of the civil government.

201. Do the officers of the church possess any authority over its members?

Every office implies some authority; and a church officer, without power to sustain his office, would be an anomaly.

202. Why is such power necessary to the officers of the church?

Because the members of the church, as such, are separated from the rest of mankind, and profess to believe in Christ; and it is made the duty of church officers to preserve this character of the church.

203. Is this power clearly ascribed to the officers of the church, in scripture?

Yes; obedience is required, from all the members of the church, to those who rule over them in the Lord.

Heb. 13:17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.

204. Is the power, which church officers possess, such as to affect the civil interests of men?

No; it is altogether ecclesiastical, and such as to

affect men only in their relation to the church, and to God.

John 18:36. Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence.

205. How else may you describe this power of the church?

It is spiritual, and addressed to the consciences of those who are subject to it, in contrast to the Jewish polity, which was external, carnal, and typical.

Heb. 13:17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. 2 Cor. 10:4, 5.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

206. In what respects is this power, or government of he church, spiritual?

Its objects are spiritual; namely, the souls and consciences of men. Its end is spiritual; namely, the glory of God, in the instruction, guidance, and salvation, of men. Its law is spiritual; namely, the word of Christ, in its institutions, commands, prohibitions, and promises. Its acts and exercises are spiritual; namely, the admission, exclusion, or discipline, of its members. And its sanctions are spiritual; namely, the withdrawment of spiritual privileges, and the threatening of future and everlasting retribution, at the hand of the Judge.

See Luke 17:21. Heb. 9:10, 14; and 8:10. Jer. 31:33. Heb. 7:16, 18.

207. To what does the power of the officers of the church extend?

It belongs to them, 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