Church law
THE BARRIER ACT, 1697
Introduction
The Barrier Act is a fundamental act which was introduced to require the General Assembly to consult the Church widely when innovating core areas.
The Barrier Act 1697
The General Assembly,
taking into their consideration the Overture and
Act made in the last Assembly concerning innovations, and having heard the
report of the several commissioners from Presbyteries to whom the consideration of the same was recommended in order to its being more ripely
advised and determined in this Assembly; and considering the frequent practice
of former Assemblies of this Church, and that it will mightily conduce to the
exact obedience of the Acts of Assemblies, that General Assemblies be very deliberate in making of the same, and that the whole Church have a previous
knowledge thereof, and their opinion be had therein, and for preventing any
sudden alteration or innovation, or other prejudice to the Church, in either
doctrine or worship, or discipline, or government thereof, now happily established; do, therefore, appoint, enact, and declare, that before any General
Assembly of this Church shall pass any Acts, which are to be binding Rules and Constitutions to the Church, the same Acts be first proposed as overtures to the Assembly, and, being by them passed as such, be remitted to the consideration of the several Presbyteries of this Church, and their opinions and consent reported by their commissioners to the next General Assembly following, who may then pass the same in Acts, if the more general opinion of the Church thus had agreed thereunto.
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