1. For the better government and further edification of the Church, there ought to be such assemblies as are commonly called synods or councils, and it belongs to the overseers and other rulers of the particular churches, by virtue of their office and the power which Christ has given them for the edification of the church and not for destruction, to appoint such assemblies and to convene together in them as often as they deem it expedient for the good of the church.

3. It belongs to synods and councils, pastorally

• 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 bad practice, and to judge on them authoritatively. These decrees and determinations, if consistent with the Word of God, are to be received with reverence and submission, not only for their agreement with the Word, but also for the power by which they are made, given as an ordinance of God established in his Word.

4. 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 instead are to be used as a help in both.

5. Synods and councils are to handle or conclude nothing except that which is ecclesiastical, and they are not to meddle in civil affairs that concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in extraordinary cases, or by way of advice, for the satisfaction of conscience, if they are asked to do so by the civil magistrate.