Preface to the Book of Church Order

Section 2 : The Preliminary Principles
Paragraph 7 : Of Church Power

7. That all church power, whether exercised by the body in general, or in the way of representation by delegated authority, is only ministerial and declarative, that is to say, that the Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith and manners; that no church judicatory ought to pretend to make laws to bind the conscience in virtue of its own authority; and that all its decisions should be founded upon the revealed will of God. Now though it will easily be admitted that all synods and councils may err, through the frailty inseparable from humanity, yet there is much greater danger from the usurped claim of making laws, than from the right of judging upon laws already made and common to all who profess the gospel; although this right, as necessity requires in the present state, be lodged with fallible men.

Footnote: 1 Corinthians 2:5; Ephesians 2:20; Acts 17:11; Confession of Faith, Chapter 31. [as per M4GA, Appendix J, p. 203]

BACKGROUND & COMPARISON:
PCA 1973, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, page 128
That all church power, whether exercised by the body in general, or in the way of representation by delegated authority, is only ministerial and declarative, that is to say, that the Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith and manners; that no church judicatory ought to pretend to make laws to bind the conscience in virtue of its own authority; and that all its decisions should be founded upon the revealed will of God. Now though it will easily be admitted that all synods and councils may err, through the frailty inseparable from humanity, yet there is much greater danger from the usurped claim of making laws, than from the right of judging upon laws already made and common to all who profess the gospel; although this right, as necessity requires in the present state, be lodged with fallible men.

Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text, Preface, Preliminary Principles, paragraph 2
That all church power, whether exercised by the body in general, or in the way of representation by delegated authority, is only ministerial and declarative, that is to say, that the Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith and manners; that no church judicatory ought to pretend to make laws to bind the conscience in virtue of its own authority; and that all its decisions should be founded upon the revealed will of God. Now though it will easily be admitted that all synods and councils may err, through the frailty inseparable from humanity, yet there is much greater danger from the usurped claim of making laws, than from the right of judging upon laws already made and common to all who profess the gospel; although this right, as necessity requires in the present state, be lodged with fallible men.

PCUS 1866 draft, paragraph 7:
That all church power, whether exercised by the particular congregation or by officers, is only ministerial and declarative; That is to say, that the Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith and manners; that no church court ought to pretend to make laws to bind the conscience in virtue of its own authority; but may only as a minister or servant declare and execute the law of Christ as revealed in his word. Now, though it will easily be admitted that all synods and councils may err, through the frailty inseparable from humanity, yet there is much greater danger from the usurped claim of making laws, than from the right of judging upon laws already made and common to all who profess the gospel; although this right, as necessity requires in the present state, be lodged with fallible men.

[Note: The Preliminary Principles appeared solely in the 1866 draft of the PCUS Form of Government, as reported and published in The Christian Observer, vol. 45, nos. 40 & 41 (4 Oct. & 11 Oct. 1866). Inclusion of the Principles was rejected when the PCUS Assembly met in 1867.]

COMMENTARY:
Hodge, J. Aspinwall, What Is Presbyterian Law? (Philadelphia, 1882, pp. 27) :
VII. What is the seventh principle?
"All church power, whether exercised by the body in general, or in the way of representation by delegated authority, is only ministerial and declarative."
What is meant by this?
"That the Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith and manners ; that no church judicatory ought to pretend to make laws, to bind the conscience, in virtue of their own authority ; and that all their decisions should be founded upon the revealed will of God."
Whence comes the danger in the exercise of church power?
"All synods and councils may err, through the frailty inseparable from humanity ; yet there is much greater danger from the usurped claim of making laws, than from the right of judging upon laws already made and common to all who profess the gospel ; although this right, as necessity requires in the present state, be lodged with fallible men."