Courts, Church

Courts, Church among the Presbyterians, are those ecclesiastical associations of ministers and elders, consisting of sessions, presbyteries, synods, and the general assembly, which in Scotland are considered as forming the perfection of Church government and discipline. Each subordinate court takes cognizance of ecclesiastical matters within its own bounds; and from each there is an appeal to that which is above it in order, till the matter is carried before the general assembly, which is the supreme court, and the decision of which is final.