belonging to the same presbytery, to preside in that case. The same expedient may be adopted in case of the sickness or absence of the pastor.

IV. It is expedient, at every meeting of the session, more especially when constituted for judicial business, that there be a presiding minister. When, therefore, a church is without a pastor, the moderator of the session shall be, either the minister appointed for that purpose by the presbytery, or one invited by the session to preside on a particular occasion. But where it is impracticable, without great inconvenience, to procure the attendance of such a moderator, the session may proceed without it

V. In congregations where there are two or more pastors, they shall, when present, alternately preside in the session.

VI. The Church session is charged with maintaining the spiritual government of the congregation; (1) for which purpose, they have power to inquire into the knowledge and Christian conduct of the members of the church; (2) to call before them offenders and witnesses, being members of their own congregation, and to introduce other witnesses, where it may be necessary to bring the process to issue, and when they can be procured to attend; to receive members into the church; to

(1) VI. Heb. xiii. 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. 1 Thess. v. 12, 13, and 1 Tim. v. 17.

(2) Ezek. xxxiv. 4.

admonish, to rebuke, to suspend, or exclude from the sacraments, those who are found to deserve censure; (1) to concert the best measures for promoting the spiritual interests of the congregation; and to appoint delegates to the higher judicatories of the church. (2)

VII. The pastor has power to convene the session when he may judge it requisite; (3) and he shall always convene them when requested to do so by any two of the elders. The session shall also convene when directed so to do by the presbytery.

VIII. Every session shall keep a fair record of its proceedings; which record shall be, at least once in every year, submitted to the inspection of the presbytery.

IX. It is important that every church session keep a fair register of marriages; of baptisms, with the times of the birth of the individuals baptized; of persons admitted to the Lord's table, and of the deaths, and other removals of church members.

(1) 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. See also 2 Thess. iii. 6, 14, 1 Cor. xi. 27 to the end.

15.

(2) Acts xv. 2, 6. 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.-And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

(3) VII. Acts xx. 17.

CHAPTER X.

OF THE PRESBYTERY.

I. THE Church being divided into many separate congregations, these need mutual counsel and assistance, in order to preserve soundness of doctrine, and regularity of discipline, and to enter into common measures for promoting knowledge and religion, and for preventing infidelity, error, and immorality. (1) Hence arise the importance and usefulness of presbyterial and synodical assemblies. (2)

II. A presbytery consists of all the ministers, and one ruling elder from each congregation, within a certain district.

III. Every congregation, which has a stated

(1) I. The church of Jerusalem consisted of more than one, as is manifest both before and after the dispersion, from Acts vi. 1, 6. Acts ix. 31. Acts xxi. 20.

Acts

ii. 41, 46, 47, and iv. 4. These congregations were under one presbyterial government, proved from Acts xv. 4. Acts xi. 22, 30. Acts xxi. 17, 18. Acts vi. That the church of Ephesus had more congregations than one, under a presbyterial government, appears from Acts xix. 18, 19, 20. 1 Cor. xvi. 8, 9, 19, compared with Acts xviii. 19, 24, 26. Acts xx. 17, 18, 25, 28, 30, 31, 36, 37. Rev. ii. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

(2) 1 Tim. iv. 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Acts xv. 2, 3, 4, 6, 22. -And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. -And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

pastor, has a right to be represented by one elder; and every collegiate church by two or more elders, in proportion to the number of its pastors.

IV. Where two or more congregations are united under one pastor, all such congregations shall have but one elder to represent them.

V. Every vacant congregation, which is regularly organized, shall be entitled to be represented by a ruling elder in presbytery.

VI. Every elder not known to the presbytery, shall produce a certificate of his regular appointment from the church which he represents. (1)

VII. Any three ministers, and as many elders as may be present belonging to the presbytery, being met at the time and place appointed, shall be a quorum competent to proceed to business. (2)

VIII. The presbytery has power to receive

(1) VI. Acts xv. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 1 Cor. xiv. 26, 33, 40.—Let all things be done unto edifying;—for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.-Let all things be done decently and in order.

(2) VII. Acts xiv. 26, 27. And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened, the door of faith unto the Gentiles. Compared with Acts xi. 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

and issue appeals from church sessions (1) and references brought before them in an orderly manner; (2) to examine and license candidates for the holy ministry; (3) to ordain, install, remove, and judge ministers; (4) to examine and approve or censure the records of church sessions; to resolve questions of doctrine or discipline seriously and reasonably proposed; (5) to

(1) VIII. Acts xv. 5, 6, 19, 20. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees, which believed, saying, that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them: which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from forrication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

(2) Acts xviii. 24, 27. And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, care to E hesus.-And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him. Compared with Acts xix. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

(3) 1 Tim. iv. 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by J rophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Acts xii. 2, 3. As they ministered to the Lord, an 1 fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas an Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, 'hey sent them away.

(4) Acts xv. 28. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay apon you no greater burden than these necessary things. 1 Cor. v. 3.

(5) Acts xv. 10. Now, therefore, why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Compared with Gal. ii. 4, 5.