195. What, then, do you mean by liberty of conscience?

True liberty of conscience, is freedom from the enforcement of any doctrine, or commandment of men, that is in any thing contrary to the general rules of God's word, or beside it, either in matters of faith or worship.

Acts iv, 19. But Peter and John answered, and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. Acts v, 29. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 1 Cor. vii, 23. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Matt. xxiii, 8, 10. But be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Neither be ye called masters, for one is your Master, even Christ, 2 Cor. i, 24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand. Matt. xv, 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

196. Can any article of faith be believed, on any other authority, than that of the written word of God?

It cannot for it is not given to any man, even were he an apostle, to exercise dominion over our faith; while a curse is pronounced upon any man, who will either add to, or take from, this Book.

2 Cor. i, 24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand. Rev. xxii, 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things

which are written in this book.

SECTION III.

Of the extent of this power of the church, &c.

197. How are the decrees and determinations of church courts to be received, if thus consonant to the word of God?

They are to be received with reverence and submission.

Acts xvi, 4, 15. 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 when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. See also Matt. xviii, 17-20.

198. To what does their power extend?

It belongs to them, ministerially, to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to frame 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 authoritatively to determine the same; and generally to devise such plans, as will best advance the interests of the kingdom of Christ.

199. What are the means which are employed by church officers, for the maintenance of this spiritual power?

The means employed by church officers to secure this obedience, are commands, entreaties, promises, threatenings, and censures ; which are all intended to affect the heart only, and not outwardly, the property, liberty, or personal security of the members of the church.

200. What is the name given to that opinion which maintains, that the church possesses no power; and that the office of its rulers, consists solely in instructing and persuading the people?

It is called Erastianism, from Erastus, its author; a physician who lived in the 16th century.

201. Do presbyterians, in our country, ascribe any power to the church, which interferes with the authority of the state?

No-presbyterians maintain, that the church is independent of the state, and distinct from it, in its laws, its administrations, and its objects; and that it is governed by its own laws, which are purely spiritual.

202. Do presbyterians, in our country, desire, then, any alliance between their church and the state?

On the contrary, they believe, that any such alliance ever has been, and ever will be, equally injurious to the state, and to the church; and that it is to be deprecated by every christian, as the baneful source of corruption and intole

Of the divisions of church power-and first of its dogmatic

power.

203. What are the different parts of the power of the church?

The power of the church is commonly divided, according to the nature of the objects about which it is employed, into three parts.

204. What is the first part of the power of the church?

That which is called dogmatic, or which respects articles of faith.

205. Has the church power to make such articles?

All protestants agree, in

believing that the scriptures contain all the truths which it is necessary for man to know; and that they constitute the only infallible rule of faith.

206. What other rule does the church of Rome adopt?

The church of Rome adopts another rule of faith, called tradition; by which they mean a summary of doctrine which is in the possession of the church, besides that contained in scripture, and which is of equal authority with the scriptures themselves.

207. Is there any foundation for this doctrine of tradition, in the word of God?

The scriptures, on the contrary, denounce the severest anathema upon any who will add to, or take from, the word of God.

Rev. xxii, 18, 19. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his

part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Gal. i, 9. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Deut. iv, 2, 12, 32. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you. And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it. Prov. xxx, 6. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Isa. viii, 20. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Matt. xv, 3-6. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me: and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Col. ii, 8. ware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Be

208. What has been the result of the adoption of tradition as a standard of doctrine, in the church of Rome?

It has introduced into the creed of that church, human dogmas, and grossly erroneous tenets; for which she demands implicit reception, under pain of being accursed.

209. What then is the power of the church, as it regards the scriptures?

The church is the depository of the scriptures; and bound to preserve them, pure and unadulterated.