Concerning the government of, and offices in the Church

We believe, that this true church must be governed by the spiritual policy, which our Lord hath taught us in his word; namely, that there must be ministers or pastors, to preach the word of God, and to administer the sacraments; also elders and deacons, who, together with the pastors, form the council of the church: that by these means the true religion may be preserved, and the true doctrine everywhere propagated, likewise transgressors punished and restrained by spiritual means; also that the poor and distressed may be relieved and comforted, according to their necessities. By these means everything will be carried on in the church with ​good order and decency, when faithful men are chosen, according to the rule prescribed by St. Paul in his epistle to Timothy.