"The Church can only be taught and governed by the Word of its Sovereign Pastor. Whoever has recourse to any other word shall be deposed and excommunicated.[74] [74] Non admittimus verbum aliud quam ipsius pastoris nostri.--(Schminke, Monumenta Hassiaca, cap. 2.) "Every pious man, learned in the Word of God, whatever be his condition, may be elected bishop if he desire it, for he is called inwardly of God.[75] [75] Si quis pius, in verbo sancto et exercitatus, docere petit verbum sanctum, non repellatur, a Deo enim interne mittitur.--(Ibid. cap. 23.) "Let no one believe that by a bishop we understand anything else than a simple minister of the Word of God.[76] [76] Ne quis putet, nos hic per episcopos, alios intelligere, quam ministros Dei verbi.--(Ibid.) "The ministers are servants, and consequently they ought not to be lords, princes, or governors. [Sidenote: CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH--BISHOPS.] "Let the faithful assemble and choose their bishops and deacons. Each church should elect its own pastor.[77] [77] Eligat quævis ecclesia episcopum suum.--(Ibid. cap. 23.) "Let those who are elected bishops be consecrated to their office by the imposition of the hands of three bishops; and as for the deacons, if there are no ministers present, let them receive the laying on of hands from the elders of the Church.[78] [78] Manus imponant duo ex senioribus, nisi alii episcopi intersint.--(Ibid. cap. 21.) "If a bishop causes any scandal to the Church by his effeminacy, or by the splendour of his garments, or by the levity of his conduct, and if, on being warned, he persists, let him be deposed by the Church.[79] [79] Deponat ecclesia episcopum suum, quod ad eam spectet judicare de voce pastorum.--(Ibid. cap. 23.) "Let each church place its bishop in a condition to live with his family, and to be hospitable, as St. Paul enjoins; but let the bishops exact nothing for their casual duties.[80] [80] Alat quævis ecclesia episcopum suum sicque illi administret ut cum sua familia vivere possit.--(Schminke, Monumenta Hassiaca, cap. 23.) "On every Sunday let there be in some suitable place an assembly of all the men who are in the number of the saints, to regulate with the bishop, according to God's Word, all the affairs of the Church, and to excommunicate whoever gives occasion of scandal to the Church; for the Church of Christ has never existed without exercising the power of excommunication.[81] [81] Fiat conventus fidelium in congruo loco, ad quem quotquot ex viris in sanctorum numero habentur......Christi ecclesiam nunquam fuisse sine excommunicatione.--(Ibid. cap. 15.) "As a weekly assembly is necessary for the direction of the particular churches, so a general synod should be held annually for the direction of all the churches in the country.[82] [82] Ut semel pro toto Hessia celebretur synodus apud Marpurgum tertia dominica post pascha.--(Ibid. cap. 18.) [Sidenote: TWO ELEMENTS IN THE CHURCH.]