Chapter XXXI: Of Synods and Councils. De Synodis et Conciliis.
Of Synods and Councils. De Synodis et Conciliis.
I. For the better government and further edification of the Church, there ought to be such assemblies as are commonly called synods or councils. [1991] I. Quo melius gubernari, ac ulterius ædificari possit Ecclesia, conventus ejusmodi fieri debent, quales vulgo Synodi et Concilia nuncupantur. [1992]
The American edition here adds the following:
[And it belongeth to the overseers and other rulers of the particular churches, by virtue of their office, and the power which Christ hath given them for edification, and not for destruction, to appoint such assemblies (Acts xv.); and to convene together in them, as often as they shall judge it expedient for the good of the Church (Acts xv. 22, 23, 25).]
II. As magistrates may lawfully call a synod of ministers and other fit persons to consult and advise with about matters of religion; [1993] 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. [1994] ^& [1995] II. Quemadmodum licitum est Magistratibus Synodum Ministrorum aliorumque qui sunt idonei convocare, quibuscum de religionis rebus deliberent ac consultent: [1996] Ita si Magistratus fuerint Ecclesiæ hostes aperti, licebit Christi ministris a seipsis virtute officii, eisve cum aliis idoneis, accepta prius ab Ecclesiis suis delegatione, in istiusmodi conventibus congregari.
[1997] III. [II.] 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 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 III. Synodorum et Conciliorum est controversias fidei et conscientiæ casus, ministerialiter quidem, determinare; regulas ac præscripta quo melius publicus Dei cultus ejusque Ecclesiæ regimen ordinentur constituere; Querelas de mala administratione delatas admittere, deque iis authoritative decernere. Quæ quidem decreta et decisiones, modo verbo Dei consenserint, cum reverentia sunt ac summissione excipienda; Non quidem solum quod verbo Dei sint consentanea, verum etiam gratia potestatis ea constituentis, ut quæ
the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God, appointed thereunto in his Word. [1998] sit ordinatio Dei id ad in verbo suo designata. [1999] IV. [III.] 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. [2000] IV. Synodi omnes sive concilia post Apostolorum tempora, seu generales sive particulares, errori sunt obnoxiæ, quin neque paucæ erraverunt. Proindeque fidei aut praxeos norma constituendæ non sunt, verum in utrisque auxilii loco adhibendæ. [2001]
V. [IV.] 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.
[2002] V. Synodi et Concilia id solum quod Ecclesiam spectat tractare debent et concludere; neque civilibus negotiis, quæ rem publicam spectant ingerere se debent, nisi humiliter supplicando in casibus, si qui acciderint, extraordinariis; aut consulendo, quoties id ab eis postulat Magistratus civilis, nempe quo conscientiæ illius satisfiat.
[2003]