Paragraph 31.3
Of the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646)
It belongs 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 Male-administration, 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 the Power, whereby they are made, as being an Ordinance of God appointed thereunto in his Word.1