1833 20 SEC. 18. For the regular obtaining of dismissions, when a Minister has received and accepted a call from another place, it is required that a neighbouring Minister of the same Classis to which the congregation belongs, be invited to be present, and superintend the dismission of the Minister from his congregation, countersign the instrument of dismission, and consider it as his duty to deliver the same, with a report upon the subject to the Classis; which report and document shall serve as a basis upon which the final dismission and certificate of the Classis shall be founded. [See 74 below.] [The above section was adopted a Rule of General Synod, 1800, 310, and in 1833 adopted in the Constitution.] 21 SEC. 19. All Ministers of the Gospel are equal in rank and authority; all are Bishops, or Overseers in the church; and all are equal Stewards of the mysteries of God. No superiority shall therefore be ever claimed or acknowledged by one Minister over another, nor shall there be any lords over God's heritage in the Reformed Dutch Churches. 22 SEC. 20. Consistories of vacant congregations shall not invite or permit Ministers of other denominations in this country, whose characters and standing are not known, to preach within their bounds, unless they exhibit satisfactory evidence in writing, of a recent date, of their regular authority for that purpose, and their good standing; and in all doubtful cases, such Consistories shall consult a Standing Committee of Classis to be appointed for that purpose. 23 SEC. 21. The judicatories of the church shall receive no Licentiates or Ministers under their care from any body of professing Christians, who maintain doctrines different from those of the Reformed Dutch Church, without an open and explicit declaration, on their part, that they have renounced such doctrines as contrary to the Holy Scriptures, and the standards of our church. 1874 17 SEC. 15. For the regular application for dismission of a Minister from his charge, it is required that a neighboring Minister of the same Classis to which the congregation belongs, be invited to be present, and superintend the application for said dismission of the Minister from his congregation, countersign it, and deliver it, with a report upon the subject, to the Classis, which report and document shall serve as a basis upon which the final dismission and certificate of the Classis shall be founded. But it is provided, that whenever either Minister or Consistory shall not join in the application, that fact shall be plainly stated in the report above described, in which case no dismission shall be made by the Classis except after a hearing of both Minister and Consistory in open Classis, of which hearing ten days' notice shall have first been given to both parties by the President of the Classis, whose warrant for such notice, and call of Classis, shall be the report above described. Nor shall any dismission be effected under circumstances now specified, except by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the Classis present. [1619, 5, 10, 11.] Minutes, 1780, 82; 1800, 310. 18 SEC. 16. All Ministers of the Gospel are equal in rank and authority; all are Bishops or overseers in the Church; and all are equal stewards of the mysteries of God. No superiority shall, therefore, be ever claimed or acknowledged by one Minister over another; nor shall there be any lords over God's heritage in the Reformed (Dutch) Churches. [1619, 84.] 19 SEC. 17. Consistories of vacant congregations shall not invite or permit Ministers of other denominations, whose characters and standing are not known, to preach within their bounds, unless they exhibit satisfactory evidence in writing, of a recent date, of their regular authority for that purpose, and their good standing; and, in all doubtful cases, such Consistories shall consult a Standing Committee of Classis, to be appointed for that purpose. [1619, 9.] 20 SEC. 18. The Classis shall receive no Licentiates or Ministers under their care from any body of professing Christians who maintain doctrines different from those of the Reformed (Dutch) Church, without an open and explicit declaration, on their part, that they have renounced such doctrines, as contrary to the Holy Scriptures, and the standards of our Church. ARTICLES OF DORT, 1619. EXPLANATORY ARTICLES, 1792. ARTICLE XVIII. The office of the Teachers or Professors of Theology is to explain the holy scriptures, and vindicate the pure doctrines of the gospel against heresy and error. II. PROFESSORS OF THEOLOGY. ARTICLE XIX. The distinction between the first and second office in the church, that is, between the Ministers of the word and Teachers of Theology, is founded in the nature of the respective offices. The former are those, who by preaching and ruling, instruct, and govern the church; and are, as such, denominated pastors or shepherds of the flock: the latter are those who are set apart only to teach and defend the truths of the gospel, and for that reason, are excused from fulfilling the pastoral duties. This distinction was noted in the early ages of the christian church.* It was attended to at the Reformation, and was productive of important benefits, especially with respect to the education of candidates for the holy ministry. The Reformed Dutch Church perseveres in preserving the same distinction and determines that the instructing, and preparing youth for the service of the sanctuary, shall not be left indiscriminately to every Minister, or any individual who may choose to assume that office. *Pastores ac doctores. Assentior Ambrosio, qui hæc quoque munera distinguit; nam ratio parum firma est quæ Hieronymum, et Augustinum movit ut confunderent nempe, quia copula duntaxat est interjecta. Fateor tamen Doctorum nomen late patere, ut I. Cor. xii Sed tamen apparet aliquod fuisse discrimen, quod in isto Compendio videtur vix locus esse synonymis. Doctoris igitur munus fuit verbum Domini fideliter explicare, et veluti Scholam ecclesiasticam regere, ut sincera doctrina dogmatum, et veræ interpretationes in ecclesia retinerentur, sicut docuit Alexandriæ Origines, ut explicatur Niceph. lib. Eccles. hist. v. Cap. 14. At Pastorum (qui et Episcopi dicebantur, ut I Pet. iii.) munus longe latius patebat, nimirum verbo et oratione vacare, et Ecclesiam sibi commissam modis omnibus tueri: Ex quibus etiam satis perspicitur hæc duo munera perpetua esse oportere in Ecclesia Dei. Beza in Eps. ad Ephes. vi. 11. 1833 If an application be made for admission of a Minister from a church with which we are in correspondence, it shall be competent for the Classis, in case there be grounds of presumption against his doctrine and morals, to propose such inquiries as shall enable them to proceed with freedom in his case. 24 SEC. 22. With respect to foreigners, who claim the privilege of preaching the Gospel, no Consistory shall be permitted to invite any one of them, of whatever denomination, to preach, before he shall lay his credentials before the Classis to which such Consistory is subordinate, and be regularly accepted and authorized by them to exercise his ministry within their bounds; and no Classis shall be permitted to receive and accredit such foreign Minister, unless he produce to them, besides ample and regular certificates of his license or ordination, and of his dismission and recommendations, of recent date, from the competent church judicatory, letters of recommendation also from some known respectable character, in the country from which he has emigrated, to his correspondent in this country, stating the authenticity of his credentials, and the good character and standing of the bearer, as a Minister of the Gospel, and that he is an advocate of the doctrines of grace professed by the Reformed Church. 1874 21 SEC. 19. If any application be made for the admission of a Licentiate or Minister from other churches, it shall be the duty of the Classis to subject him to such examination as shall enable them to proceed with freedom in his case. ARTICLE II. OF TEACHERS OF THEOLOGY. 25 SECTION 1. As it is of the last importance that Professors of Theology should be sound in the faith, possess abilities to teach, and have the confidence of the churches, they shall always, for the greater security, be chosen and appointed by a majority of votes in the General Synod only. To prevent, as far as possible, the unhappy consequences of partiality, haste, or undue influence in obtaining an office of such consequence to the church, a nomination of one ог more candidates shall be previously made, upon which the Synod shall fix a day when they will proceed to an election; provided that no appointment of a Professor in Theology shall ever be made on the same day on which he is nominated. An instrument certifying the appointment, and specifying the general duties of the office, shall be signed in the presence of the General Synod, by the President thereof, and by him be given, in the name of the church, to the person elected. ARTICLE III. OF TEACHERS OF THEOLOGY. SECTION 1. As it is of the greatest importance that Professors of Theology should be sound in the faith, possess abilities to teach, and have the confidence of the churches, they shall always, for the greater security, be chosen and appointed by a vote of three-fourths of the members present in the General Synod. To prevent, as far as possible, the unhappy consequences of partiality, haste or undue influence in obtaining an office of such consequence to the Church, a nomination of one candidate not necessarily of its own members, may be made by each Classis, provided that such nomination be made twenty days before the meeting of the General Synod, and the name of the nominee be sent at once by the Stated Clerk of each Classis so nominating to the Stated Clerk of the General Synod.* Nominations additional to those made by the Classes not to exceed three may also be made by the General Synod, provided that no election of a Professor of Theology shall ever be made *Amendment, 1894, 77; 1895, 131-2. Amendment, 1900, 836; 1901, 1124. ARTICLES OF DORT, 1619. no EXPLANATORY ARTICLES, 1792. ARTICLE XX. Professors of Theology, have, as such, power, jurisdiction, or government whatever in the church; but as they are Ministers who preach occasionally, they are entitled, when they stand in connection with any congregation, equally with other Ministers, to administer the sacraments, and to a seat and voice in ecclesiastical Assemblies. [1833, 28; 1874, 25.] [Resolved,] That the Professor now to be appointed, or any Professor who may hereafter be appointed by this Synod, shall hold no pastoral change. 1819, 39.] ARTICLE XXI. As it is of the last importance that Professors of Theology should be sound in the faith, possess abilities to teach, and have the confidence of the churches, they shall always, for the greater security, be chosen and appointed by a majority of votes in the General Synod only. Το prevent as far as possible the unhappy consequences of partiality, haste, or undue influence in obtaining an office of such consequence to the church, a nomination of one, or more candidates shall be previously made, upon which the Synod shall fix a day when they will proceed to an election; provided that no appointment of a professor in Theology shall ever be made on the same day in which he is nominated. An instrument certifying the appointment, and specifying the duties of the office, shall be signed in the presence of the General Synod, by the president thereof, and by him be given, in the name of the church, to the person elected. ARTICLE XXII. No Professor of Theology shall be permitted to officiate, until he shall have subscribed the following formula, viz. [1619, 53.] "WE, the underwritten, Professors of sacred Theology in the Reformed Dutch Church, by this our subscription, uprightly, and in good conscience before God, declare, that we heartily believe, and are persuaded, that all the articles and points of doctrine contained in the Confessions and Catechism of the Reformed Dutch Churches, together with the explanation of some points of the said doctrine, made in the national Synod, held at Dordrecht, in the year 1619, do fully agree with the word of God. promise therefore, that we will diligently teach, and faithfully defend the aforesaid doctrine; and that we will not inculcate or write, either publicly or privately, directly or indirectly, any thing against the same. As also, that we reject We 26 SEC. 2. No person shall be appointed to the office of a Professor, who is not a Minister in good standing, and every Professor of Theology shall continue in his office during life, unless in case of such misbehaviour as shall be deemed a violation of the obligations entered into at his appointment; or unless he voluntarily deserts or resigns his profession; or from age or infirmities becomes incapable of fulfilling the duties thereof; of all which the General Synod alone shall judge; and to that Synod a Professor of Theology shall always be amenable for his doctrine, mode of teaching, and moral conduct. 27 SEC. 3. No Professor of Theology shall be permitted to officiate until he shall have subscribed the following formula, viz.: "WE, the underwritten, Professors of Sacred Theology in the Reformed Dutch Church, by this our subscription, uprightly, and in good conscience before God, declare, that we heartily believe, and are persuaded, that all the articles and points of doctrine contained in the Confession and Catechism of the Reformed Dutch Churches, together with the explanation of some points of the said doctrine, made in the National Synod, held at Dordrecht, in the year 1619, do fully agree with the word of God. We promise, therefore, that we will diligently teach, and faithfully defend the aforesaid doctrine; and that we will not inculcate or write, either publicly or privately, directly or indirectly, any. thing against the same. As also, that we reject not only all the errors which mili on the same day on which he is nominated. From all those thus nominated the General Synod having fixed a day shall proceed to an election, provided that no one nominated shall be set aside, except by the regular process of balloting for an election. An instrument, certifying the appointment, and specifying the general duties of the office, shall be signed in the presence of the General Synod, by the President thereof, and by him be given, in the name of the Church, to the person elected. 23 SEC. 2. No person shall be appointed to the office of a Professor who is not a Minister in good standing; and every Professor of Theology shall continue in his office during life, unless in case of such misbehavior as shall be deemed a violation of the obligations entered into at his appointment; or unless he voluntarily deserts or resigns his profession, or from age or infirmities becomes incapable of fulfilling the duties thereof; of all which the General Synod alone shall judge; and to that Synod a Professor of Theology shall always be amenable for his doctrine, mode of teaching, and moral conduct. [1792, 24.] 24 SEC. 3. No Professor of Theology shall be permitted to officiate until he shall have subscribed the following formula, viz.: "We, the underwritten, in becoming Professors of Sacred Theology in the Reformed (Dutch) Church, by this our subscription, uprightly, and in good conscience before God, declare that we heartily believe, and are persuaded, that all the articles, and points of doctrine, contained in the Confession and Catechism of the Reformed (Dutch) Church, together with the explanation of some points of the said doctrine, made in the National Synod, held at Dordrecht, in the year 1619, do fully agree with the Word of God. We promise, therefore, that we will diligently teach, and faithfully defend, the aforesaid doctrine; and that we will not inculcate or write, either publicly or privately, directly or indirectly, anything against the same. As, also, that we reject not only all the errors which militate against this doctrine, and particularly those which are condemned in the above-mentioned Synod, but that we are disposed to refute the same, openly to oppose them, and to exert ourselves in keeping the Church pure from such errors. Should it nevertheless hereafter happen that any ob |