of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

145. In the distribution of the funds to the poor, are the deacons responsible, and in subordination, to the teaching and ruling elders?

They are; for we find that, even after their appointment, the apostles and elders had in trust the collections made for the poor.

Acts 11:30. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

146. How are deacons elected to their office?

They are elected by the suffrages of the members of the churches to which they belong; and are set apart by prayer and the imposition of the hands of the pastor and elders.

See Acts 6.

SECTION VIII.

Of the election of officers.

147. Have the members of churches an undoubted right to choose their own pastors, elders, and deacons ?

Yes; churches, in common with all other free societies, have this privilege.

Acts 1:15, 26. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of the names together were about a hundred and twenty;) and they gave forth their lots: and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts 6:5. And the saying pleased the whole multitude; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. 2 Cor. 8:19. And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind.

148. How should church members discharge this duty? In a spirit of meekness, humility, peace, and prayer; with a supreme regard to the glory of Christ, and the

spiritual interests of the church; and without partiality or respect of persons.

Phil. 2:3. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Acts 1:24. And they prayed, and said, thou Lord, which knoweth the hearts of men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen. 1 Cor. 10:31. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. James 3:17. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy,

CHAPTER IV.

COURTS OF THE CHURCH.

SECTION I.

Of ecclesiastical courts in general.

149. What is meant by an ecclesiastical court?

An ecclesiastical court is an assembly of those, who have the original and inherent power or authority of executing laws and distributing justice, according to the constitution; and, in general, to order whatever pertains to the spiritual welfare of the churches under their care.'*

150. Is it lawful, for the exercise of ecclesiastical authority, that the rulers of the christian church should meet in regularly organized courts?

It is both lawful and necessary.

Acts 15:6. And the apostles and elders came together, for to consider of this matter. Matt. 18:15-20. Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault, between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of one or two witnesses, every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. 1 Cor. 14:33. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

* See Confession of Faith, ch. xxxi, sec. 2; and Form of Government, ch. ix, x, xi, and xii.

151. How many kinds of church courts are there? Four; the session, presbytery, synod, and general assembly.

152. Of whom are these several courts composed? Of bishops and ruling elders, as representatives of the ministers and the people.

SECTION II.

Of the church session.

153. What is the church session?

The church session is composed of the pastor, when there is one, and the ruling elders, of any particular congregation, met together as a church court.

154. What scriptural authority is there for the church sessions, or, as they may be termed, congregational presbyteries?

Scripture teaches us, that there was a plurality of elders in the churches formed by the apostles; to whom was committed the government of the church, and who, in order to act together, must of necessity have met in council.

Acts 14:23. And when they had ordained them elders (that is, presbyters) in every church, and had prayed, with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Titus 1-5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. See also Matt. 18:15-20.

155. What further evidence does scripture afford, for

such church courts?

The titles, given by the Holy Ghost to ecclesiastical offices and officers, are such as import a power of judg ing causes; and express the same authority which the elders in Israel were accustomed to exercise in ecclesiastical matters.

156. What are some of these titles?

The officers of the church are called guides, or

leaders,1 bishops, or overseers,2 elders,3 rulers,4 heads,5 and governors.6

1 Heb. 13:7, 17, 24, comp. with Josh. 13:21, Deut 1:13, Micah 3:9. Acts 7:10; 23:24, 26, 33. 1 Pet. 2:14. 2 Acts 20:28, &c., comp. with Numb. 31:14, Judg. 9:28, 2 Kings 11:15, in the Greek. Acts 14:23, &c, comp. with Judg. 8:14, Ruth 4:2, 3, 2 Sam. 5:3, 1 Chron. 11:3. 4 Acts 23:5, with Exod. 22:28, Matt. 9:18, Luke 8:41, John 3:1, Rom. 12:8, 1 Thess. 5:12, 1 Tim. 5:17.

157. How should the business of the session be conducted?

The meeting of the session should be constituted by prayer, each member being called upon by the moderator, (who is, by right of office, the pastor or minister present,) to give his opinion, and every question being decided by a majority of votes

158. Who are subject to the authority of the session? All the members of that particular church, in which the session exists.

159. Over what matters has the church session authority?

The church session is arged with maintaining the spiritual government of the congregation; for which purpose they have power to inquire into the knowledge and christian conduct of the members of the church; to admonish, to rebuke, to suspend or exclude from the sacraments, those who are found to deserve censure; to concert the best measures for promoting the spiritual interests of the congregation; and to appoint delegates to the higher judicatories of the church.

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. See also 1 Thess. 5:12, 13. 1 Tim. 5:17. Ezek. 34:4. 2 Thess. 6:6, 14, 15. 1 Cor. 12:27. Acts 15:2, 6.

160. How may any matters be brought before the session, for its judgment upon them?

Either by an elder, or by any member of the church presenting a memorial, or preferring a complaint, or tabling charges.