Province to provide for him within a moneth and if within the same time he be not provided by the Colloque or Synod of the Province in the which he served he shall have his liberty to provid for himselfe with another Church out of the same Province even there where God shall give him meanes according to the order of the Discipline Article 30. Provinciall Synods have authority to change the Ministers for â—ertaine considerations their Churches being heard and their reasons being well and duly examined but in case of difference nothing shall be innouated unlesse by a Nationall Synod Article 31. When the Minister shall be persecuted or for other cause cannot exercise his charge in the Church unto which hee was assigned hee may bee sent elsewhere by the said Church c. Article 32. Ministers may be lent for Salarie with their owne good liking by the Consistory Article 33. Ministers lent for a time when the time of their being lent shall be expired they shall returne into the power of the Churches whence they departed Article 34. If within a yeare after the time be expired the Church redemand not their Pastour being lent he shall appertaine to that Church which borrowed him c. Article 35. Hee which being destitute of a Church cannot be imployed by the Province he may be hired out of the Province Article 36. To the end that the Flocks may acquit themselves of their duties toward their Pastours as the word of God obligeth them and that occasion be not given unto the Pastours to complaine and to depart from their Flocks they are admonished to administer unto them necessary things Article 37. Yea to meet with the ingratitude of many which have beene found to deale unworthily with their Pastours the order following shall be observed one quarter of their Pension is to bee advanced which hath been promised them by every man Upon the Article 36. and the other following it is remitted to the wisdome of the Consistory to proceed against the particular persons which are unthankfull to their Churches either by compelling them permitted by his Majesty or by particular Obligations or by Eccleas it is siasticaâ—l Censures yea by Suspensions from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper after great and solemne remonstrances and warnings and other meanes as the Consistory shall advise And in the Synod of St. Foy Article 4. The Colloques and Synods shall proceed by all Censures against them which are unthankfull to their Pastours seeing the unthankfulnesse of particular men hath shâ—wne it selfe greater then ever towards their Pastours touching their entertainment which menaceth the Churches with an entire dissipation It hath been advised that the unthankfull men which shew themselves refractory to the many advertisements made unto them by the Consistory the foresaid Consistory shall proceed against them to the depriving them of the Sacraments The Synod of Alez Considering that many Churches seeing themselves every day in danger to faile through default of meanes to entertaine amongst them the holy Ministerie All the Churches are exhorted so farre forth as they desire the advancement of the Kingdome of Christ to gather a stocke be it by devotion amongst the living be it by Testamentary Legacies of particular men or by any other convenient meanes so that the holy Ministery of the word of God may be ever preserved and that posterity may be instructed and confirmed from age to age in the true Religion The Synod of Charenton Observ 9. upon the Synod of Alez the Article which concernes the meanes to entertaine the holy Ministery shall be read in the Consistories which shall be exhorted to procure the execution thereof so farre forth as possibly they may In pursuit whereof the Article following hath been agreed on in the Provinciall Synod of Handen Seeing the Churches which have formerly resented notable effects of the Kings liberality have within these few yeares been so destitute of that succour that the Flocks which are founded on the hopes to partake of the moneys granted by his Majesty are for the want of these moneys threatned with an evident and approaching ruine and that through default of zeale and affection rather then for want of meanes to particular men the necessities as well of the Churches as of the Pastours encrease every day insomuch as if it be not speedily prevented it is impossible to hinder their dissipation The Synod of this Province touched with a just apprehension of so great a Calamitie to prevent it have ordained that all Churches be advertised that they ought to search out among themselves the meanes for their proper subsistance to raise the Contribution of particular men to represse the Ingratitude of them which testifie and shew a notable defect of zeale and charity and to take order for time to come that though the money granted by his Majesty entirely faile yet the Ministers of the Gospell may bee conserved in those places where it hath pleased God to establish them and the Kingdome of Christ advanced In pursuit of this Article and to come unto the execution thereof It hath been decreed that the chiefe of every Family shall assemble and meet together in every Church presently before the dissolving of this Assembly to the end that upon the place they advise to make new stocks and to provide for the subsistance of the Flocke of which they are members and that they dispose themselves unto the observation of the Article of the Generall Acts of the Nationall Synod of Alez and of the Nationall Synod of Charenton which shall bee read unto them Article 38. To preuent for time to come the dissipation of the Churches They which shall be elected to conduct the Action of the Colloques shall make enquirie in every Church of the enter tainment which they owe unto their Ministers c. Article 39. When necessary assistance shall be denyed unto the Pastour and that he shall remonstrate and make his complaint thereof when three moneths are passed it shall be lawfull unto the said Pastour to goe unto another Church with the advise of a Provinciall Synod Vpon the complaint of a Minister of the ingratitude of his flock all circumstances shall be prudently considered and upon the information which shall be made they shall principally have regard unto the poverty of the Churches and to the substance and meanes of him which makes the complaint putting a difference betwixt ingratitude and inability to the end they may follow that which may most concerne the glory of God the edification of his Church the honour of the Pastour and of the Ministery Article 40. The Church which shall be found to be ingratefull shall not bee provided of a Pastour till it hath fully satisfied that which was due unto him of whom it hath been deprived Article 41. The Ministers which have any state or fortunes may notwithstanding take Salary of their Flocks yea it is expedient that they take it in regard of the consequence and for the
of the Province thither the Ministers shall come with one Ancient of every Church Article 2. Such Assemblies and Colloques shall be made to advise concerning differences and difficulties which may be propounded and which may happen in the said Churches Article 3. Thence also the Ministers shall propound the word of God every one in his turne to the end that men may know how every one hath done his duty by exercising himselfe in the study of the Scriptures as likewise of the method and forme he useth in the handling of them Article 4. The Authority of the Colloques is subject to that of the Provinciall Synod as the Consistory is to the Colloques Article 5. The Colloques and Synods shall advise to limit the bounds of the places within which every Minister may exercise his Ministery Article 6. The Censures of the Pastours and Ancients shall be upon the issue of every Colloque CHAP. VIII Of Provinciall Synods IN every Province the Ministers of every Church shall assemble themselves once or twice in the yeare as they may according to the wisdome and discretion of the Synod CHAPTER IX Of Nationall Synods Article 1. NAtionall Synods shall be Assembled from yeare to yeare so far forth as possibly they may The Synod of Montpellier and another of Gorgeau have ordered the Convocation of Nationall Synods to bee from three yeare to three yeare Article 2 3. And because it is at this day difficult and dangerous to assemble a Nationall Synod in great number of Ministers and Ancients It is decreed for this time onely and during such difficulties that the Brethren assembled in every Provinciâ—ll Synod so far-forth as possibly they may choose two Ministers and two Ancients the most expert in the affaires of the Church for to send them thither in the name of all the Province and that the Deputies come thither with sufficient Testimonies and charged with good Instructions signed by the Moderator and Scribe of the Nationall Synod And to the end there be no failing the Provinciall Synod shall name three or foure Pastours and as many Ancients because if they which were first named be hindered by sicknesse or other lawfull impediments to undertake the journey there bee others which may serve in their place In the Nationall Synod at Charenton 1644. and 1645. expounding the third Articâ—e of the fourth chapter of the Discipline The Assembly declares that the Instructions wherewith every Province chargeth the Deputies which she sendeth unto the Nationall Synod ought to be resolved in the Provinciall Synods by plurality of voyces and signed in the said Assemblies by the Moderators and for default thereof they shall no more regard what they propound then they doe the Propositions which particular men shall advance of their owne heads and without Commission In the same Synod it is inserted that because of divers defects met withall in sending Letters from the Provinces it is enjoyned unto all to insert in them the proper names and sur-names of the Deputies To wit of good Letters in the bottome of which the submission shall be set downe in these words for substance Wee promise before God to submit our selves to all which shall bee concluded and resolved on in your holy Assembly to give obedience and to execute them with all our power and that wee are perswaded that God will governe there and will conduct you by his holy Spirit in all truth and equity by the rule of his Word for the good and edification of his Church and to his great glory and this is that wee demaund of God in our prayers This is that which was framed in the generall Synod at Vitrey held in the yeare 1617. conformable whereunto shall bee the submission required in the Letters of them which are deputed in Provinciall Synods Article 4. In the beginning of Nationall Synods shall be read the Confession of Faith of the Church of France with the Articles of the Discipline Article 5. 6. 7. All Ecclesiasticall things may be definitively decided and resolved in a Nationall Synod CHAP. X. Of holy Exercise Article 1. THey shall correct the irreverence which they shall perceive in many when they are present at publick prayers or domestick in not uncovering their heads nor bowing the knees a thing which is repugnant to common piety causeth suspition of pride and may scandalize the good and therefore the Pastours and Ancients yea and the chiefe of every family are warâ—ed to watch carefully for this that during the said prayers every man without exception or acception give by exteriour signes testimonie of the humility of his heart and of the homage which he owes and is to make unto God except any one be hindered for so doing by sicknesse or otherwise wheâ—eof the determination shall be lefâ— unto the testimony of his owne conscience Article 2. The Congregations of the faithfull being likewise ordained to sing to the praise of God and to comfort and fortifie themselves by the use of Psalmes all shall be admonished to be present in the Congregations and they which shall thence absent themselves through contempt shall be censured as also they which uncover not their heads so long as they sing as well as in the time of the Celebration of the Sacraments so farforth as they may as at other times Article 3. In the time of sharpe persecution be it of Pestilence of Warre of Famine or other great affliction when they will choose the Ministers of the word of God and when there shall be question of Assembling Synods they may if necessity require it denounce on a certaine day one or more publick and extraordinary prayers with fasting howbeit without scruple or superstition and all upon great causes and considerations and the Churches are admonished to conforme themselves one unto the other in celebration of the Fast so far-forth as possibly they may according to the conveniency of time and place Article 4. The Churches which have beene accustomed to make publick prayers upon certaine dayes may keepe the order which they have a long time happily observed and other Churches are to conforme themselves therein according to the meanes it shall please God to give unto them hereafter The Pastours ought to reprove them which contemne the frequenting of Sermons and neglect the use of prayers which ought to be performed in private houses by the chiefe of the Families and their domesticks Article 5. They shall not make Prayers nor Sermons at the enterrment of the dead to prevent all superstitions and they shall not give publicke Almes at the said enterrments to prevent the inconveniences which may happen and they shall be exhorted which accompany the body to the grave to behave themselves modestly during the Convoy meditating according to the object which presents it selfe as well of the miseries and shortnes of this life as of the hope of the happy life to come Article 6. Because mourning consists not in the habits but in the heart the faithfull
THE GENERALL And Particular ACTS and ARTICLES Of the Late NATIONAL SYNOD Of the Reformed Churches of France Assembled by the Permission of the King at Charenton neare Paris beginning the 26th of December 1644. Whereby the present estate of those Churches as also their Doctrine and Discipline may be knowne With divers other Remarkable Passages and Letters from the King and Q. Regent of France to the said Synod and of the Synod to their Majesties and other great Personages Never before printed either in French or English and now faithfully translated out of a written French Copy Whereunto is Added a formulary of Baptisme for those who from Paganisme Judaisme and Mahumetisme are converted to the Christian Faith As also of those Anabaptists who have not bin Baptised before composed in the Nationall Synod set forth at Charenton in the yeare 1645. and now faithfully Englished LONDON Printed by T. W. for G. Emerson and are to be sold at the Swan in little Britaine and at the blacke Beare in Pater-noster Row 1646. The Stationer to the Reader THe Church hath been under a threefold oppression first violent under persecuting Emperours 2. Fraudulent under insinuating Hereticks 3. Violent and fraudulent both under the Romish Antichrist every one worse then other This last the most pernicious and perillous as in whom the force and fraude of both the former were combined in one The first was grievous to the body but could not touch the soule the second destroyed the soule though it spared the body the third spared neither but by Impostures lies and a thousand falshoods entangled the soule in damnable errours and upon the bodies of Christians what savage cruelties they have exercised is as incredible to be beleeved as impossible to be exprest They have persecuted poore Christians with fire and water with fire to consume their bodies and bones to ashes With water to consume their very ashes if it were possible to nothing Of this the Church of France hath had most sad and long experience For the persecutions of the Protestants in France How many Edicts Proscriptions Proclamations for their utter destruction are still witnesses thereof What combination of Princes what Armies raised Townes burnt who le Countries depopulated Witnesse that of Merindol and Chabriers private murders publick Massacres as that of Paris wherein were most bloudily cut off very many thousands what cruelties have been exercised for number incredible for fury unsufferable had they not been inspired and supported by the divine power What lingring torments were invented to make them dye piecemeale ut sentiant se mori among many other one is most memorable of a Frier that tooke a poore Protestant filled his bootes full of grease set him upon a forme with his legs hanging over a soft fire and so broyled him to death with many more too tedious to mention here And yet for all these cruell sufferings they have kept the faith and obtained a good report they have been bettered by it like gold that comes the purer out of the fire they have been the cleaner for winnowing the clearer for scowring Tortores nisi habeat Ecclesia non haberet fidos Doctores And certainly this Church though it hath been under many cloudes yet such lights have still broke out in it that the world hath not seene the like And as God hath still moved the hearts of their Princes to give them some intermission of suffering so now a permission of doing even to assemble at Charenton for setling of that Religion whereof their chiefe Princes are enemies If God will restore his Temple Cyrus a heathen King shall grant a Commission for building of it In this Synod there are many things remarkable first the goodnesse of God in moving the hearts of the King and Queen Regent towards them 2. Their loyalty againe in their humble submission to their Soveraigne Princes their obedience to them and praiers for them though of a contrary Religion In the Acts of this Synod observe first their wisdome and moderation in Discipline 2. Their piety and purity in Doctrine but our approbation can adde nothing to their worth If any shall question what need of such frequent Assemblies as many there be that move such questions let him heare what Saint Paul sayes It is necessary that heresies be amongst us Therefore as necessary are often Assemblies of Pastours of the Church Necessitatem hanc furor haereticus imponit and this made the Apostles themselves call a Synod Acts 15. It seemes two dangerous Sects were now like to trouble that Church against whom care is taken in this Synod viz. the Anabaptist and the Independent The first the most pestilent sect that sprang up of late times and could never catch many Disciples in a cleare water did not the latter trouble these streams But the reverend Pastours have put in sufficient caution against them both and God grant their neighbours may follow their worthy president Concerning differencies about matters of indifferency the most antient and true bond of unity is not one discipline one ceremony one policy but one God one Faith one Baptisme and so one Church Una erit consortio aeternitatis and ad colendum unum Deum tota est instituta God grant one thing more sit una vinculo charitatis And that we may all keepe the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace In the name of God Acts of the Nationall Synod of the Reformed Churches of France assembled by the Permission of the King at Charenton neare Paris the 26th of December and dayes following 1644. AFter the opening of the Assembly performed by a Prayer pronounced by Sieur Drelincourt Pastour of the Church of Paris Monsieur the Marquess of Cleremont deputed Generall exhibited the Breuets dispatched by the Commandement of the King for the calling togetheâ— of them the tenour whereof followeth This day being the twelfth of the Moneth of February 1644. the King being at Paris upon the most humble Petition made unto him by his Subjects of the Pretended reformed Religion to permit them the Convocation and Assembly of a Nationall Synod for that there hath bin none since that of Alenzou in the year 1637 His Majesty with the advise of the Queen Regent his most honoured Lady Mother desiring to gratifie and favourably to treate his said Subjects hath permitted them and doth permit them the calling together of a Nationall Synod in the moneth of December next at Charenton with charge that therein they treate onely of such affaires as are permitted them by their Edicts and that the Commissary appointed by his Majestie shall assist in the said Synod as hath been accustomed In witnesse whereof his Majestie hath commanded mee to expedite this present Declaration which he hath signed with his own hand LOUIS There appeared in the said Assembly with their Letters of trust which were read by Sieur le Cog Ancient of the Church of Paris assisting at the Table with Sieur Calliart Ancient chosen to
assembled by permission of your Majesty in the Nationall Synod at Charenton and for all A Copie of the Letter written to the Queene Regent MAdam wee account this day on the which we prostrate ourselves at the feet of your Majesty in the person of our Deputies for one of the most happy dayes of our life So soone as God had committed to your trust the Reynes of this Estate your Majesty may be pleased to remember that our Churches were very diligent to be admitted to this honour which we now partake of to give place in the presence of your Majesty to the using of that Joy wherewith we are marvellously transported to see that God watcheth particularly for the good of France so that in the same time hee gave it occasion to shed teares even as then did he stay the course thereof in repayring the mournfull losse that wee had of the deceased King of most glorious memory by the happy substitution of the Regency of your Majesty which hath occasioned that wee scarsly perceive our losse the Sunne shining as clearly unto us as ever onely certaine thwartings God so providing it have deprived us of this honour This is that Madam which God will that before wee appeare in the presence of your Majesty our Associating together be prejudged of other men and our hopes faile of being as they have formerly been however the experience which we have of the Benedictions of your government which are such as wee cannot more fully expresse them nor in better termes then in joyning together in rendring the Action of Graces to our most humble submissions It is for this end Madam that we have deputed towards your Majesty Sieurs Chebrole and Vincent Pastors and Clesses and de Panieur Ancients that they may assure you in the behalfe of all the Churches the deep Resentments wee have of all your favours which your Majesty hath been pleased to impart unto us You have continued unto us the favours of the King and his Predecessors you have confirmed our Edictâ— by his Declaration and which is more Madam out of your gracious bounty wee now have the liberty of this Assembly which we beseech you in all humility to consider as an Vniforme meeting and concurrence of the hearts of all your Subjects of the Religion in the service of your Majesty whom we doe affect Madam eternally and without partage and doe transmit this disposition unto our posterity as an essentiall marke of that Religion which wee professe and doe beseech the great God by whom you Raigne and who till now hath made the Buds of your Crownes to sparkle with so much splendour that he would be pleased Madam to preserve you for the King our common Master and the King for your Majesty and both for France and for our Churches to the end that in the uniting and perpetuall conjunction of these two great Lights the Estate may receive the favourable influences thereof and that your government Madam may beget the envy and Emulation of other the most accomplished Kingdoms and be one day a Domestick Patron unto our King by which hee may confirme all his glorious Actions These are the most ardent vowes and wishings Madam of Your most humble most obedient and most faithfull Subjects and servants the Pastours and Ancients Assembled by the permission of your Majesty in the Nationall Synod of Charenton and For all A Copy of the Letter of the King unto the Synod BY THE KING DEare and welbeloved wee have received your Letters the twenty eighth of the last moneth and understand by them with great contentment and by your Deputies the good and sincere intentions of your Assembly held by our permission at Charenton to continue in the inviolable fidelity and obedience unto which you are obliged unto us and whereof you have given unto us and the Queene Regent our most honoured Lady and Mother full satisfaction This wee would have you to take notice of by this our Letter which exhorts you to persevere in in this Resolution rendring unto us upon all occasions the proofe which we expect of your good proceedings be it by observing the good orders which are prescribed unto you upon the holding of your Nationall Synod or be it in regard of other occurrences which may offer themselves to maintaine the publike Tranquillity in our Kingdome In performance of which duty if you acquit your selves as wee perswade our selves you will you may be assured to receive of our bounty and of that of our Lady and Mother the Queene Regent all protection and favourable entertainment and to be maintained and kept under the benefit of our Edicts of which we shall take great delight to make you partakers with all safety and liberty in such manner as they were justly and duly granted unto you during the Raigne of the deceased King our most honoured Lord and Father these your Deputies which returne unto you will assure you more particularly on our behalfe Given at Paris the 4th of January 1645. Signed in the originall LOUIS and below PHILIPPEAVX And in the superscription To our deare and welbeloved the Pastours and Deputies of the Reformed pretended Religion Assembled in a Nationall Synod held by our permission at Charenton CHAPTER I. The Ecclesiasticall Discipline of the Reformed Churches of France Article 1. TO proceed unto the Election of them whom they will employ in the holy ministry of the word of God they are to governe themselves according to the Rule of the Apostle that is that an Examination and Inquisition be made of their Doctrine and that they be apt to teach as likewise of their manners with as much diligence as they may Article the 2. When any new Ministers are to be brought into the Church but more especially Monks and Priests they may not be chosen into the Ministry without diligent and long Inquisition and tryall as well of their life as of their Doctrine and they may not impose hands on them no more then on persons unknowne onely by the advise of Synod Nationall or Provinciall to wit for the space of two yeares at the least since their profession and Conformity by good witnesses of the places where they lived and coversed Article 3. If it happen that any Bishop or Curate aspire to the Ministry of the Gospell he may not be chosen till he be first a true member of the Church and renounce all his Benefices and other Rights depending on the Roman Church with acknowledgement of his forepassed offences formerly committed as hee shall be advised by the Consistory after long experience and tryall of his Repentance and good Conversation A Question or Demand Whether the Beneficed Curates which have ranged themselves in the Church may receive the Revenue of their Benefices when they serve in the Ministry Answ No. A Curate having sold his Cures and not touched any of the money may not be received to partake of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper unlesse he protest not
to take or receive the said moneys and for the offence he hath committed in selling his Cure shall doe Pennance in the Consistory It being asked if a Minister having been once a Curate and hath no other meanes or revenue to live by then that appertaines to his Cure which is about 65 pounds or thereabouts per annum the which Revenue he cannot obtaine but by constrayning them which owe it by the power of the Magistrate and the Magistrate will not condemne the debtors if he implead them not in the name of the Curate whether it be lawfull for him to doe so or no. Answ No. Article 4. A Minister of the Gospell unlesse it be in time of persecution as when they may be chosen by their Pastours and the Consistory of the place in case of greatest necessity may not be admitted to that holy charge but by the Provinciall Synod or the Colloque provided it be composed of the number of seven Pastours at the least which number if it be not found in the Colloque they may call unto their neighbours for their concurrence and he who ought to bee chosen shall be presented with good Witnesses not onely of the Universities and particular Churches but also of the Colloques and of the Church in which he had most conversed The Examination of him who shall be presented shall be in this manner FIrst by propositions out of the word of God upon texts which shall be given unto him the one necessarily in French and the other in Latine if the Colloque or Synod judge it expedient for every one of which there shall be granted unto him twenty foure houres of time for to prepare himselfe If by them he content the company they shall informe themselves by a Chapter out of the New Testament which shall be presented unto him to know if hee have profited in the Greek tongue so that he be able to interpet it And for the Hebrew tongue they shall see at the least that he know to read it that they be able to use good bookes for the understanding of the Scripture unto which shall be added an Essay of their industry upon the most necessary points of Philosophie and all in Charity and without affectation of Questions intricate and unprofitable finally he shall make a briefe confession of his faith in Latine upon which he shall be examined by way of dispute and after this examination he be judged capable The company shall acquaint him with the duty of his charge unto which he is called and shall declare unto him the power which is given unto him in the name of Jesus Christ as well to preach the Word as administer the Sacraments after his entire ordination in the Church unto which he is sent the which shall be advertised of his election by Acts and Letters of the Synod and Colloque delivered and made by a Pastour and Ancient Vpon the Proposition made by the Province of Anion that it were necessary not to limit so short a time unto the Proposons to prepare themselves the company without changing any thing in the Article hath left it to the wisdome and discretion of the Colloques and Synod to prolong the time according to the knowledge they have of the quicknesse or slownesse of the said Proposons Article 5. Hee of whom the Election shall be notified unto the Church shall expound publikely the word of God fourteene dayes without power to administer the Sacraments oâ— solemnize marriages all the people hearing him to the end they may know his manner of teaching the people being expresly advertised that if there bee any one which knowes any impediment for the which his election who shall bee so named may not proceed and brought to effect or that the people agree not they shall come to the Consistory to make their Complaints which shall heare patiently every ones reasons the better to judge of them the silence of the people shall be held for an expresse consent but if there be difference and that he which is named bee liked of the Consistory and not the people or the greater part of them his Reception shall be defer'd and he shall be transmitted to the Colloque or Provinciall Synod to know his justification as well as his Reception and although he be there justified yet shall he not be given as a Pastour unto the people against their good liking nor to the discontentment of the greater party of them as the Pastour likewise shall not be given without his liking unto the Church and the difference shall be ended according to order before mentioned at the charges and expences of the Church which demanded him Article 6. As for them that are not found upon the place but shall bee demanded from another Church to be imployed in the Ministry of the Gospell they shall be sent with good and sufficient Testimonies of their life and doctrine unto the Colloque or Synod of the place where they shall be demanded and the said Colloque or Synod shall heare them in propounding the word of God yea they shall examine them if they have ever before exercised the ministry of the Word There shall be deputed one or more Ministers to present them to the Church which shall demand them and the Church shall proceed to heare them and finally to receive them if there bee any refusing or contradicting of the greater part all shall be voyded by the order before mentioned at the charges and expences of the Church which shall have demanded them Article 7. Hee whom they have accorded to be elected into the Ministery shall receive the charge which shall be given unto him and upon his refusing shall be solicited by fitting exhortations but by no meanes shall be constrained Article 8. All which hath been before mentioned being observed two Pastours which shall be deputed by the Synods or Colloques to impose the hands on him which shall be chosen comming on the place hee of them which shall make the Exhortation shall handle briefly the Institution and excellency of the Ministry alleadging the Testimonies of fitting Scriptures to that purpose as Ex. 4.11 Luke 10.16 John 20.22 St. Paul 1 Cor. 4. and 2 Cor. 5.18 and other the like places exhorting every one to take care in his calling to the end that both Minister and people doe their duty the Minister so much the more faithfully acquitting himselfe of his charge for that hee knowes it pretious and excellent before God and the people receiving with all reverence the word of God which shall bee preached by him who shall be sent unto them then shall be read before all that which is written 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. where the Apostle teacheth what a Minister ought to be and to the end that God may give grace unto him which shall be chosen to acquit himselfe well of the charge committed to him a briefe prayer shall be made to that purpose at the end whereof the Ministers shall impose their hands upon
the head of him which is chosen praying God that as he is Consecrated to his service so he may be filled with the Graces of his holy Spirit and blesse his holy Ministery and his labours to his Glory the edification of his Church the salvation of him who is chosen and shall kneele when they impose their hands on him Article 9. They which shall be chosen shall signe the Confession of Faith established among us and the Ecclesiasticall Discipline aswell in the Churches where they shall be chosen as unto which they shall bee sent Article 10. The Ministers shall not be chosen without Assigning a certaine flock unto them and they shall have a particular care of that flocke which shall he assigned them And a Church cannot pretend right unto a Minister in regard of particular promises made by him without the knowledge of the Colloque or Provinciall Synod Article 11. They which are chosen in to the Ministry ought to understand and know that they are placed in that charge for all their life if they be not lawfully discharged for certaine good considerations and that by the Provinciall Synod Article 12. The charge of the Ministers is principally to Evangelize and preach the word of God unto them unto whom they are sent they are exhorted to abstaine from all manner of teaching strange and unfitting doctrine not tending to edification they are to conforme themselves to the simplicity and ordinary stile of the Spirit of God They are to take care that they have nothing in their Sermons which may bring prejudice to the honour and authoritie of the holy Scripture they shall not preach without having for the subject of all their discourse some text of holy Scripture which they shall ordinarily follow and from thence draw their observations so far-forth as they may they shall abstaine from all unnecessrry amplifications from long digressions without occasion from heaping up a number of passages of Scripture nothing to the purpose from a vaine reciting of divers expositions they shall not alleadge but very soberly the writings of the Ancient Doctors much lesse prophane histories and authours they shall not handle their doctrine in a Scholasticall forme nor with the mixture of tongues Briefly they shall shun whatsoever may serve unto ostentation or shall give suspition thereof in any manner of this the Consistories Colloques and Provinciall Synods shall take an especiall care Vpon the twelfth Article the Provinces are exhorted to make enquiry after them in their Synods which transgresse this Article that they may be censured according to the Ordinance of Nationall Synods It is expresly recommended unto the Provinces under the paine of being censured to watch diligently over those Pastours which preach not sound Doctrine and use the fashion of Expressing themselves in speech far from the simplicity of the Scripture or mingle Latine Greeke or Hebrew sentences or intermixe too much of prophane Histories The Deputies of the Provinces in the next Nationall Synod held shall bring their Instructions given in writing of that which the Provinces have done in this particular Vpon this charge of the Pastors it was demanded by the Province of Poictou whether it be expedient or no that the Ministers goe to visit the sick of the Plague The Assembly hath referred this to the wisdome of the Consistory conceiving notwithstanding that this ought not to be done without exceeding urgent cause they may not expose to danger one whole Church for a particular person unlesse some comfortable exhortation may bee made without danger speaking afar off to the sicke howbeit they advise the Minister seeing the danger to approach to prepare his Church in his ordinary Sermons to patience by comfortable exhortations taking some proper text to that purpose Vpon the same Article 12 in the second Nationall Synod at Vitre in Britany in the yeare 1617. it was enacted thus It is forbidden all Pastâ—urs to preach their owne sense in politick affaires contrary to the generall resolutions of the Assemblies and it is enjoyned unto the Consistories Colloques and Provinciall Synods to watch over such persons and to prosecute them by all Ecclesiasticall censures even to the suspension of their Ministery The like is to be done unto the Pastours which clash one against another in their Sermons upon such matters The Synod of Alez in the yeare 1620. upon the second Synod of Vitre The Article which forbids Pastours to preach their owne particular sence in politick affaires having been read and it being represented that divers Pastours have swerved from it in the late Assembly at London Assembly desirous to stifle all â—eed of division would not enter into an examination of what had passed but for the time to come it is forbidden Pastours who ought to handle that onely which is the word of God to mixe in their Sermons any discourse of Politick affaireâ— upon pain on them which doe otherwise to incurre all sorts of censures even to the suspension of their Ministery as exposing to contumely and reproach the Gospell of Christ For this the Provinces shall take an especiall care to demand an Account of their Deputies in the generall Assemblies as well as of them which take on them to handle them in their writings The observation of the Synod at Charenton in the yeare 1623. upon the Synod at Alez The Article which forbids Pastours to speake in their Sermons of Politick affaires directed to the second Synod at Vitre and reiterated in the Synod of Alez shall be read in the Consistory and the Provinciall Synods are charged to give their helping hand to the execution thereof and to make knowne their care and diligence at their next Nationall Synod Article 13. The Churches are Admonished to use more frequently the catechisme and the Ministers are to handle and expound it by succinct plaine and familiar Interrogations and Answers applying themselves to the rudenesse of the people withâ—ut entering into large discourses of common places It is the duty likewise of the Ministers to Catechise every one of their flocke once or twice and to exhort every one to range themselves diligently into the number of them which are to be Catechized Article 14. The Ministers shall keepe Actuall Residence in their Churches upon paine of being deposed their charges with all their family Synod of Castrees It is added to the body of the Discipline by the Nationall Synod of Charenton in December and Ianuary 1644. and 1645. The practise of the Article of the first Chapter concerning Residencie of Pastours is recommended to all the Provinces which shall have mutuall Inspection the one over the other and shall answer respectively for the duty by them performed at the next Nationall Synod Article 15. They unto whom God hath given Graces and Gifts to write are advertised to write in modest fashion and becomming the Majesty of the word of God consequently not to write in a Ridiculous and injurious fashion which modesty and majesty they shall observe
prejudices they may doe to other Pastours and Churches but they shall be exhorted to use it as the necessity of the Churches and charity requires them Article 42 43. It is not permitted to any Pastour to possesse any heritage under the title of Pastour but if a Pension or any part thereof be assigned upon any possession Rent or revenue it shall be all administred by the Deacons or other personages to whose trust it shall be committed and deputed by the Church of whom the Minister shall receive his Pension to take away all suspitioâ— of avarice or covetousnesse and to the end by such distractions they may not bee withdrawne from their charge The Church shall take care of the Widow and Children of that Minister which shall dye in their service and if the Church have not meanes the Province shall take â—are of them Article 44. The Minister shall be subject to Censures Article 45. The Office of Ministers is to regulate themselves and their flocke great and small of what quality and condition soever they be by the word of God and Ecclesiasticall discipline But it appertains also unto the Magisâ—rates to watch over all Estates yea the Ministers themselves and to take care they walke in their vocations and in case they faile in the performance of their duty the Magistrate may cause them to be admonished thereof by the Ecclesiasticall Discipline in the Consistories Colloques or Synods unlesse the faults be punishable by the Lawes the cognisance of which appertaineht to the Magistrate Article 46. Ministers shall be deposed which â—each corrupt doctrine if after they be sufficiently admonished they desist not They likewise which obey not the holy admonitions made them by the Consistory taken out of the word of God They also which shall be of scandalous life they which shall be convinced of Heresies Schismes and Rebellion against the Ecclesiasticall order manifest blasphemy worthy of civill punishment simony and all corruptions of litigious wranglings to occupy the place of another desertion of their flocks without lawfull leave and just occasion falsity perjury adultery theft drunkennesse buggery worthy to be punished by the Lawes Usury sports forbidden by the lawes and scandalous dancings and such dissolutions a crime importing civill infamy a crime which deserves in another separation from the Church and all them which shall bee totally insufficient to discharge their duty Article 47. They shall not be deposed which by reason of old age sicknesse or other inconvenience shall be rendered unable to Minister in their charges in which their honour shall continue and they shall be recommended to their Churches to be entertained by them and they shall provide others to discharge their Cure Article 48. Scandalous vices punishable by the Magistrate as murder treason and others which shall redound to the great dishonour and scandall of the Churches deserve that the Minister bee deposed though the offences were committed before his Election yea in the time of his Ignorance for that in this case he continuing in the Ministery brings more scandall then edification unto the Church of this the Synod shall take especiall notice Article 49. If a Minister be convinced of notorious and enormous crimes he shall be presently deposed by the Consistory having called the Colloque or for want thereof two or three Pastours not suspected c. Article 50. The causes of the Ministers deposition shall not be declared unto the people if necessity require it not of the which they which shall be judges thereof shall take notice Article 51. The Nationall Synod shall bee advertised by the Provinciall of them which shall be deposed to the end that they receive them not Article 52. Ministers deposed for crimes deserving capitall punishment or bearing note of infamie may not be remitted in their charges whatsoever acknowledgement they make As for the lightest faults after acknowledgement they may be remitted by a Nationall Synod Article 53. Gadders and wanderers that is to say they which have no vocation and intrude themselves into the Ministery they are to be suppressed by the Consistory c. Article 54. They which shall be declared Wanderers Apostates Heretique Schismatiques shall be denounced by all the Churches to the end that they take heed of them and a list of them shall bee carried to the Provinciall and Nationall Synods to the end that they may take care of them Article 55. They which shall be put into the ranke of Wanderers by the advise of a Nationall Synod may not be received unlesse by the advise of a Nationall Synod Article 56. They which intrude themselves into the Ministery in the Provinces and places where the pure Ministery is already established shall be sufficiently advertised to desist and in case they persevere they shall bee declared Schismaticks and all which follow them if after the like advertisement made unto them they forsake them not CHAPTER II. Of Schooles Article 1. THe Churches shall erect Schooles for the instruction of youth Article 2. The Governours and Masters of the Schooles shall signe the confession of Faith and Ecclesiasticall Discipline Article 3. The Doctors and Professors in Theology shall be chosen by a Synod or Colloque after good and sufficient proofe of their life and doctrine Article 4. To the end there may be a sufficient number of Pastours and that the Churches may be alwayes provided of capable persons to governe them and to preach unto them the word of God the Churches shall be advertised to choose Schollers already advanced in learning and of good hope to entertaine them in the Vniversities to the end that they be prepared and fâ—shioned to be employed in the Ministery preferring before others the children of poore Ministers which they are part for learning Kings Princes and Lords are to be intreated and exhorted to take care and to employ some part of their Revenues as also Churches well peopled that they give the â—eâ—â— part of their Aâ—â—â—es to be employed for entertainment of Schollers in the Vniversities Article 5. The question having been propounded by the Province of Aniou what time they are to give to them which forsaking the Papacy doe range themselves within the Church to be called unto the charge of Ancients and Deacons The Assembly Decrees the terme of two yeares to be given unto them which is the same that is for reception into the Ministery The custome which hath been found in some Churches in the which the Ancients which left their places named others to succeed them hath been reproved and it is decreed that the nomination shall be by the coÌ„mon voice of all the Consistory following the discipline Againe whether to set up a Church men may ayd themselves with Ancients which have been Idolaters then when they cannot have others Resp They may take them provided they promise not to commit Idolatry for the time to come Whether it be lawfull for the Reformed Church to choose him for an Ancient who by infirmity hath fallen
liberty of the Consistory to admit the father and sonne or two brothers in one and the same Consistory unlesse they be otherwise hindered of this the Colloque or Provinciall Synod shall take notice Article 6. A Magistrate may be called to the charge of an Ancient in the Consistory provided that the exercise of the one of the charges hinder not the other and that it be not prejudiciall to the Church Article 7. It is likewise left to the wisdome of the Consistory to call unto them Proposants although they have no charge in the Church but not without great causes and considerations It is decreed that the Proposants may not preach publikely The Synod of Charenton 1644. and 1645. confirme the Rule taken by the Synod of Gergeau and Rochel upon the undertaking of Proposants which intrude themselves into the Pulâ—its to make Propositions which are in stead of Sermons before the people in the ordinary dayes and houres of their assembling The Assembly of the Requisition of the Province of Xantaigne interdicts all Pastours and Consistories to suffer that course to bee practised in their particular Churches or to be brought in among them Article 8. The government of the Church shall be squared according to the Discipline as it hath been agreed on by the Nationall Synods and no Church nor Province may make an Ordinance which conformes not in substance unto the generall Articles of the Discipline to this end the Articâ—es of the Discipâ—ine shall be read in the Consistories at the least in the time they Celebrate the Lords Supper and the Ancients and Deacons are exhorted to have every man a Copy of them to read and study them in their particular and at their leisure Article 9. The knowledge of Scandalls and the judgement of them appertaine to the Assembly of Pastours and Ancients The custome which is in divers places to make enquiry and to have a generall Censure of facts in the assembling of the people in the presence as well of men as women being condemned by the word of God the Churches are advertised to abstaine from it and to content themselves in effect with the ordinary censure agreed on by the Discipline Article 10. The Ancients shall be advertised not to report the faults of offenders unto the Consistory without great reason Vpon the 10 Article It shall be declared that although by disposition of right a Crime may be called publike which meriteth exemplary punishment howbeit wee call that publike which begetteth scandall or an evill example which comes to the notice of all or of many Nâ—twithstanding that shall not hinder but that in pubâ—ike faults the circumstances be considered to proceed unto censures and corrections It shall likewise be declared that for light faults as private domestick and small injuries it shall suffice to admonish particularly the offender by any of the Consistory but as for publike faults which shall be scandalous by reason of the circumstances they may call the Delinquents into the Consistory to proceed there according to the circumstance of the fact Article 11 and 12. As also no man shall bee called into the Consistory without sufficient cause In the exercise of Ecclesiasticall Discipline they shall abstaine hereafter so far as they may aswell from the formalities as the termes which are ordinarily used in civill Jurisdictions Article 13. The faithfull may be exhorted by the Consistories yea summoned in the name of God to speake the truth so long as it derogates in nothing from the Authority of the Magistrate as also they may use accustomed Formalities in the protestation of an Oath charged by the Magistrate Article 14. When differences happen the parties shall be exhorted to make an accord by all amiable and friendly wayes but the body of the consistories shall not delegate Arbitrators neither shall they carry themselves as arbitrators onely they shall advise as particular men and in their private name Vpon the 14. Article They of the Religion which have processe and differences as well civill as criminall shall be seriously exhorted by the Pastours to indeavour an accord between themselves by the arbitrement of them which are of the Religion without going to law When Gentlemen shall be ingaged in any quarrell they shall be exhorted to subject themselves to the advise and friendly composition of their friends A certaine complaint being made that the Consistories too much trench upon the Magistrate taking Cognisance of Processes to determine them The Assembly Decrees that the Consistories shall bee advertised not to call Pleaders into their Consistory unlesse it bee them which by reason of their Processe commit scandalous offences yet notwithstanding they may exhort the Pleaders by all meanes to compromit their differences or otherwise to accord between themselves Article 15. Besides the admonitions which are made by the Consistories unto them which have offended if it happen that they use greater punishment and censure be it of suspension or privation for a time from the Supper of the Lord or of their Excommunication and cutting off from the Church The Consistory shall be warned to use wisdome in distinguishing the one from the other as also to weigh and examine diligently the faults and scandalls which shall be brought before them with all their circumstances that they may judge of the Censure which is most requisite Because the faults ought to bee corrected in the Church by the word of God and according to the rule of charity and that all are not grievous and scandalous some being enormous others lesse offensive some secret others publike They ought to accommodate the Censure and Reprehension according to the quality and greatnesse of the offences That in secret faults of which the offender shall repent they shall not bee reported unto the Consistory but onely those which they cannot correct by the first meanes or which being publike the Consistory may take Cognizance of and proceed to the correction of them by fitting censures weighing well the Acts with their circumstances to the end they may apply thereunto according to the exigent of the case fitting censures in such manner as it shall bee expedient to draw the sinner to repentance who to this end may by the authority of the Consistory be for a time deprived or kept back from the Supper of the Lord. And if there be need the more to humble him he may be finally Excommunicated and cut off from the body of the Church according to the order before expressed and declared especially if hee shew himselfe rebellious unto the holy admonitions and censures which shall be made unto him and continue obstinate and altogether impenitent But for that this remedy is the last and of all the most rigorous it ought not to be practised unlesse in an extremity after all other more gentle meanes have been tryed and because hitherunto it hath not been used as it ought neither yet hath been made that distinction which is requisite between this last Excommunication and suspension
which may bring great scandall to all the Church Item they which against the Remonstrances made unto them marry themselves to them of the Romish Religion the Fathers and Mothers which so marry their children the Tutors and Curators and others which hold the place of Parents which in such manner likewise marry their Pupills They also which carry their children to be Baptized among them or present others to Baptisme among them it is necessary that such persons though they perceive in them some beginning of Repentance be speedily suspended and deprived for a time of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and that the Suspension be declared to the people to the end they may be further humbled and brought to repentance as well to discharge the Church of God of all blame and reproach as also to beget feare in others and to make them learne by such examples not to commit the like offences The annotation upon this Article followeth They which shall be excommunicated for Heresies contemners of God Schisme Treason against the Church rebellion unto the same and other vices greatly scandalous to all the Church shall be declared Excommunicate unto the people with the cause of their Excommunication As for them which have beene excommunicated for any light cause it shall be the wisdome of the Church to determine whether it be fitting or no to manifest it to the people untill that otherwise it be agreed in the next generalâ— Counsell They which have been so excommunicated and cut off shall be deprived of the Communion of the Church and of the benefit thereof yea the faithfull shall be admonished not to converse any longer with them nor to haunt familiarly their company to the end that they may be ashamed and humbled and brought againe to repentance the which shall be approved by good and sufficient witnesses well knowne to the Consistory which shall judge whether or no they shal be remitted to the Church and to that purpose shall call them before them and having seen and heard them if they find their repentance true and unfained it shall be publickly denounced unto the people by the Pastours to the end that they may be moved to praise God which hath tâ—uched their hearts to make acknowledgement of their offences and brought them to repentance and then they shall be presented to the Assembly to acknowledge confesse and attest their forepassed offence and rebellion and beg for pardon of God and of his Church and so shall be reconciled with joy unto it and that with publike prayer The Assembly enacteth that when the Magistrate shall first take notice of any crime and have cognizance thereof the Consistory shall waite untill the fact be verified by the Magistrate before it require such satisfaction of the offender as appertaines unto conscience unlesse the circumstances be such as that they cannot wait or attend Upon the 16. Article the Deputies of Poictou having demanded whether they which marry themselves according to the Romish Religion or in such manner marry their children come afterward to testifie repentance of their faults may bee exempted from publick suspension or no The Synod judging such a punishment to be entirely necessary to retaine them which have but to great an inclination to commit such and the like offences have decreed that the Article shall be exactly observed seeing that without such a suspension the scandall given to the Church cannot be sufficiently repayred They which shall be married by a Romish Priest cannot bee dispensed withall without publick acknowledgement of their offence to the Consistory of what quality or condition soever they be They which have committed enormous crimes and offences as Paricides and Incests ought to be speedily suspended of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and their suspension declared to the people The Consistories are advised to use prudently and very rarely so farre forth as possibly they may Publick acknowledgements and they onely in the publike offences Article 17. If by suspension the offenders â—mend not themselves but continue Impenitent after long expectance and that they have beene divers times admonished and sollicited they shall proceed against them by publicke admonitions made unto the people by the Pastor three severall Lords dayes naming them if there be need to beget in them the more shame and every one shall be desired to pray unto God for them and to essay by all meanes to bring them to repentance and an acknowledgement of their sinnes that they may prevent a Cutting off and excommunication unto which they may not proceed but with a kind of reluctancy And if for all that they repent not but persevere in their obstinacy and hardnes the fourth Lords day the Pastor shall say publickly that they are declared hardned and scandalous and naming them shall denounce that they are not to be acknowledged for members of the Church cutting them off from it in the name and in the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ and of his Church the forme of which excommunication is fully set downe before Vpon the 17. Article An observation of the Synod of Saumur upon the Discipline It hath beene enacted by the Synod that in publicke acknowledgements the crimes shall not be specifyed which may draw after it danger of death or note of Infamy Article 18. For time to come all sentences of excommunication confirmed by the Provinciall Synod shall stand firme as also all sentences of suspension from the Lords Supper without the Consistories giving their names although the suspended persons appeale unto the Colloque or provinciall Synod The Deputies of the Isle of France having demanded in the 18 Article touching the Appeales of publicke suspensions that they may know if the Consistory having decerned a publicke suspension against one and the person condemned appeale whether they may proceed unto the suspension notwithstanding the Appeale The Assembly hath judged that the Consistory may not passe any further but ought to admit of the Appeale unles in publicke offences knowne to all the Church and this Appeale shall be definitively determined by the next Colloque or Provinciall Synod Article 19. They which have abandoned the profession of the Religion to adhere to Idolatry if they persist in this Apostasy after they have endevoured to bring them againe into the flocke they shall be publickely denounced Apostataes to witt they which lately have revolted unles by naming of them the Consistory judge that thereby there may happen some great and notable danger unto the Church in which case nothing shall be done but by the advise of the Synod of the province so that for them which shall have beene a long time revolted the execution of this denuntiation is remitted to the wisdome of the Consistories Vpon the 19. Article Touching them which have forsaken the Church they are no more to be accounted of our body noâ— of us The Assembly adviseth that where the Church is in danger all is to be remitted to the wisdome of the Consistory
faults before them Article 30. As for the crimes which shall have been declared unto Ministers by them which beg for counsell and comfort it is remitted to the conscience of the Ministers to judge if they ought to declare them unto the Magistrates and in this the Ministers shall with great wisdome have regard unto all circumstances It is demanded if a Minister ought to reveale to the Magistrate the Crimes which shall have been revealed unto him in secrecy by him which shall beg for counsell and comfort It is agreed that this be remitted to the conscience of the Minister who shall have a prudent regard of all circumstances It is demanded if it be lawfull to the faithfull to appeach them which being in the Church have committed any crime punishable by the Lawes As for scandalous vices and dammageable to the Common-wealth the faithfull ought to further and assist the Magistrate against them which are impenitent and persevere in their evill But in the behalfe of them which shall have fayled for once and prosecute not their failings one Ecclesiasticall censure shall suffice Article 31. If one or more stirre up debate to breake the union of the Church upon any point of Doctrine or of the Discipline or concerning the forming of the Catechisme of the administration of Marriage and of the Sacraments and publick prayers And because for this particular admonitions cannot give sufficient remedy the Consistory of the place shall readily endeavour to dissolve and appease all without noyse in all meeknesse by the word of God And if the gainsayers will not acquiesce the Consistory shall intreat the Colloque to assemble themselves on a time and place most convenient having first caused the said gainsayers to make an expresse promise which is to be enregistred not to scatter their opinions in any sort or manner but to attend the said Convocation of the Colloque upon paine to be censured as Schismaticks with exception notwithstanding that they confer with the Pastours and Ancients if they have not been taught and otherwise in case that the said gainsayers refuse to make the said promises they shall be censured as Rebells according to the Discipline The Colloque likewise shall joyntly proceed as above And if the gainsayers having been patiently heard and faiâ—ly refuted continue satisfied all shall be enregistred if not a Provinciall Synod shall be held to assemble themselves extraordinarily if need require in a time and place that the Colloque shall judge most proper after the promise such as is before reiterated made by the gainsayers The Synod Assembled shall advise as before with good and mature consideration of circumstances of the matter place time and persons if it shall be expedient that the conferences with the said gainsayers be made in the presence of the people in open Court and that they give audience unto him of the Assistance which shall speak yet so notwithstanding as that the decision of all appertaine to others rather then unto them which are Assembled in the Province and all following the order set downe by the Discipline And then if the gainsayers will not range themselves they shall make the same promises as before whereupon they shall be transmitted to an ordinary Nationall Synod or if necessity require to a Nationall Synod extraordinarily Assembled the which shall heare them with all holy liberty and freedome and there shall be made an entire and finall resolution by the word of God unto which Resolution if they refuse to acquiesce from point to point and with expresse renouncing of their errours enregistred they shall be cut off from the Church Article 32. A Pastour or Ancient breaking the union of the Church or stirring up contention upon any point of Doctrine or Discipline which be shall have signed or of the forme of Cathechisme the Administration of Marriage Sacraments or publick Prayers not willing to range themselves unto that which the Colloque shall have determined shall be suspended of his charge and be further proceeded against in a Provinciall or National Synod Article 33. In every Church they shall prepare Instructions of all notable things which concerne Religion and in every Colloque one Minister shall be deputed to receive them and to bring them to a Provinciall Synod CHAP. VI. Of the union of Churches Article 1. NO Church may pretend Primacy or domination over an other nor one Province over another Article 2. No Church may doe any thing of great consequence which may comprehend the Interest or damage of other Churches without the aduise of a Provinciall Synod if it be possible to assemble themselves and if the businesse be pressing and urgent shee shall communicate and have the advise and consent of other Churches and of the Province by Letters at the least Article 3. The Churches and particular persons shall bee warned not to depart for any persecution which may arise nor to procure for themselves any peace or liberty apart which breakes the holy Union of the body of the Church They which doe otherwise shall be censured according as the Colloques or Synods shall judge expedient Article 4. The disputes of Religion with the Adversaries shall bee regulated in such sort as that the Ministers shall not begin the onset and if they be engaged in verball Disputations they shall not doe it but according to the rule of the holy Scripture not giving place to the Ancient Doctors for the judgement and decision of Doctrine they shall not enter into dispute unlesse it be regulated by writing respectively given and signed And as for publike dispute they shall not enter into it but by advise of the Consistory and of a certaine number of Pastours which for that effect shall be chosen by the Colloques or Provinciall Synods They shall not enter into any dispute or generall conference without advise of all the Churches Assembled in a Nationall Synod upon paine to the Ministers which shall doe to the contrary to be declared Apostates and forsakers of the Vnion of the Churches Article 5. The Churches ought to take notice that the Ecclesiasticall Assemblies of Colloques and of Provinciall Synods as well as Nationall are the chaines and butteresses of their Vnion and concord against Schismes Heresies and all other inconveniences to the end that they doe their duty and employ themselves by all meanes unto what the said Assemblies shall order and Decree The Pastours shall come every one of them accompanied with one Ancient in the Ecclesiasticall Assemblies and if they be sent alone they shall not have more regard unto their Instructions then unto them of the Ancients when they shall come alone That which cannot be finally concluded or determined in the Consistory shall be brought unto the Colloque and thence to the Synod CHAP. VII Of Ecclesiasticall Assemblies Article 1. IN a Colloque the neighbouring Churches shall assemble themselves twice every yeare if it may be or foure times according to the Ancient custome This is reserved unto the wisdome
censured Articles 23. 24. Men may not be deprived of the Supper of the Lord for any ordinary and accustomed fashion of habits in this Kingdome but in this ranke they may not be comprehended which are branded with the notorious marke of impudicity dissolution and over curious novelty as painting naked breasts and the like things of which there is great abuse as well in Men as Women For these things the Consistory shall proceed with a simple suspension of the Sacraments to the end that they may range themselves to that which is most agreeable to Christian modesty Articles 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. Dancings shall be repressed and they which make a practise of dancing after they have been oftentimes admonished shall be excommunicated when they shall continue pertinacious and rebellious therein The Consistories are to be exhorted thoroughly to practise the Article and to cause it to be read in the name of God and authority of the Synods and the Colloques and Synods are to be exhorted to take care in their Consistories that they doe their duty in conserving of them Mummery Jugling Gaming Puppet playing shall not be tollerated neither yet a French game called Faire le Roybait nor Shrove Tuesday be observed of the faithfull they are all forbidden c. Article 30. They which call others to duells or being called thereunto do accept thereof which shall have â—ulled their parties Notwithstanding they shall have obtained their Princes favour or shall be otherwise justified they shal be censured even to the suspension of the Lords Supper which suspension shall be speedily pubâ—ished and in case that they desire to be received unto the peace of the Church they shall make publicke acknowledgement of their offence Article 31. The Articles here contained touching the Discipline are not so resolved on among us but that if the benefit of the Church require it they may be changed howbeit it shall not be in the power of the Ministers Consistories Colloques or Provinciall Synods to add thereunto nor to diminish from them nor to change them without the advise and consent of a Nationall Synod According to that which hath been agreed upon in the last Nationall Synod held at Gorgean the first day of May 1601. An Extract from the Acts of the Nationall Synod held at Rochell the 2. of Aprill 1571. THis present direction being read and dilligently examined according to the word of God by all the Ministers and Antients deputed by the Churches of France They have in the name of the said Churches promised and protested to keepe and observe them for the edification of the Church the conservation of the order and union of them to the honour and glory of God Another Extract touching the Confession BEcause there is found among men divers sorts of Confessions The Synod hath declared that to be the confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches in France which beginneth thus Wee beleeve that there is one only God c. The which was presented in the first Nationall Synod held at Paris the second of May 1559. As when were present Jaâ—e by the grace of God Queen of Navarre the high and puissant Princesse Henry Prince of Navarre and Henry Burbon Prince of Conde and the most Illustrious Prince Lewis Count of Nassaw and Messieur Gaspard Count of Caligne Admirall of France and many other Lords and Nobles of great quality Generall Acts of the Nationall Synod Assembled at Charenton c. THe Assemhly prohibits all Provinces to take an Oath of Schollers to the prejudice of the right of alâ— Nationall Synods and the common edification of the Churches that they shall never depart from the service of the Churches of those Provinces in the Which they were first received in the Ministery of the Gospell At the requisition of the Province of Ceuenes tâ—e Assembly for to explaine the first Article of the generall Acts of the Nationall Synod held at Saint Maixant have declared that no particular Church may make enquirie after any Pastour without the permission of a Colloque or Provinciall Synod nor establish him by Act in pursuite of such an enquiry without advise be it of the Synod in body or be it of the neighbouring Pastours attending the liking and agreement of the Synod The Province of lower Guyenne having desired that an injunction were made unto all the Churches to keep conformity with them which have received the custome that particular persons entering into the Church humble themselves before God and every man apart make his prayers for the imploration of his assistance in the hearing of the Word The Assembly hath not judged it fitting to make a Rule of such a thing which of it selfe is free but hath left the Churches in their Antient usages exhorting them all respectively to seeke that which tends to edification and to avoyd all ostentation affectation and superstition The Assembly enjoynes a Collection to bee made throughout all the Provinces for the reliefe of the Captives detained in Argier Tunis and other places Upon the Remonstrance of the Provinces of Anjon and the Isle of France all the Churches which have places for Printing houses are particularly charged not to suffer any alteration or change to be made in the Translation of the Scripture or in the Rithmes of the Psalmes or in the text of the Confession of faith Liturgy and Catechisme without expresse order of the Consistory authorised by the Provinciall Synod Upon that which hath been reported by certaine Deputies of Maritime Provinces that many comming from forraigne Countreys which call themselves Independants because they teach that every particular Church ought to govern it selfe by its own proper lawes without dependancy of any person in Ecclesiasticall matters and without obligation to acknowledge the Authority of Colloques and Synods for their government and conduct and establish their habitations in this Kingdome which may hereafter cause great inconvenience if it be not in good time carefully prevented The Assembly fearing that the contagion of this poyson gaining insensibly may bring confusion and disorder among us and judgeing the said sect of Independants not onely prejuditiall to the Church of God insomuch as that it endeavours to introduce confusion unto the place where it hath its being opening wide a gate unto all sorts of singularities and extravagances and taking away all meanes of bringing a Remedy thereunto but also it is very dangerous to the State so that if it have place it will forme as many Religions as there be particular Parishes or Assemblies It is therefore enjoyned all the Provinces and especially the Maritime to take care that this evill take not footing in the Churches of this Kingdome to the end that Peace and uniformity as well in Religion as in Discipline be invâ—olably maintained among us and that nothing be here brought in which may alter in any manner the service which is due to God and the King A Report being made of certaine Writings printed and Manuscripts by
scandalous and injurious unto that Religion and Church of which his Majesty held it an honour to be stiled the eldest sonne and against him whom hee acknowledgeth to be the chiefe calling him holy Father and with whom he hath Alliance and amity for these reasons their Majesties desire that in a thing they take so much to heart you will manifest and make known the respect and obedience which you will render unto that which by them is propounded unto you Moreover I will adde this that their Majesties have commanded mee to tell you that they have just cause to complain against you for that since his Raigne they of your Religion have undertaken to re-establish Preaching in Languedoc and elsewhere by an open violent way contrary to the publike Assurance and the generall Lawes of the Kingdome which forbid equally unto the Subjects both of the one and the other Religion to doe right unto themselves as in other things so more especially as likewise in the enterprise of Vsez where they placed Bels in their Temple without permission and leave and against the termes of their Capitulation of the City of Monpellier Their Majesties are displeased that they of your Religion in Languedoc have enterprised to renue the deputation in the Court of Monpellier Nismes and Vsez suppressed long since in the year 1632. out of the Capitulation of the foresaid City and that Seiurs Reyzobs and Faraier deputed themselves without the consent of a Provinciall Synod and that they parted against the leave of his Majestie and that they have established Preaching by private Authoritie in sundry places besides the places designed by the Commissioners of his Majestie in execution of the Edicts of Names and contrary to the same Edicts have continued preaching in those places where the Lords are Ecclesiasticks as their Majesties have beene informed And besides all this certaine Ministers have taken unto themselves that height of liberty as to preach in their Pulpits seditious words and have cut off from their Communion such Parents as have sent their children to the Colledges of the Catholike Apostolike Roman Religion Lastly they have given me in charge to ell you that all these are manifest Infractions unto the Edicts contrary to their duty to the prejudice of the King and the publike tranquillity the which his Majestie hath been so carefull to observe on his part as that hee neither can nor ought as a common Father of his people to suffer the like attempts hoping that for the time to come you will use greater circumspection in removing all just discontentments which may upon any occasion be offered These things heard the Deputies made answer by the mouth of Seigneur Garrisoles Moderator who acknowledging that by the mercifull bounty of Almighty God the prayers of the Churches were so blessed as that after the publike losse of France in the death of the late King of glorious and immortall memory and this sad Ecclipse of our Sunne which seemed to bee for ever buried in the blacke darknesse of uncomfortable griefe and irremediable confusion every man hath seen with incredible joy and admiration the happinesse and peace of the estate of France to appeare as a new bright starre out of the East which hath raised the hope of all his faithfull Subjects and of all Christendome possessed with wonder when they consider that the good hand of God hath not only elevated his Majestie as it were from the Cradle to his Fathers Throne whose birth was so long desired and at length by Gods wonderfull providence obtained by the joynt prayers and supplications of his people and particularly of the Churches but also put the Reines of this Empire into the hands of the Queene Regent a Princesse whose glorious birth seemes to serve for no other end but to place her vertues on the highest Theater oâ— Glory Secondly under the Auspitious happinesse of the continuall prosperity and succesfull victories thereof have so added to the reputation of this Crowne as that in despight of envy they have joyned hand in hand to second the just Armes of his Majesty imployed in the defence of the Estate the protection of his Alâ—ies the designes of his Royall Highnesse and other Chieftaines having every where encountred a successe as well happy as glorious insomuch as the first workes of employments from Royall Authority since his Majesties comming to the Crowne hath been the Declaration of the Edicts of Pacification the assurance of their sacred Majesties protection unto all the Churches in favour of which the Edicts have been first published the glorious approving of the services of two great men nourished in the bosome of their Communion and so raised above the pitch of envy as that the Staffe of Marshall of France with the conduct of Royall Armies have been put into their hands without discontentment of any person in the State and that their Majesties have been graciously pleased to receive their Supplications presented by Monsieur the Generall Deputy as that hee hath thought good to grant them the holding of this Assembly and to commit the care and inspection thereof to a person no lesse Illustrious by his vertues worthy of the highest esteeme then by his place of dignity in the first of Parliaments Being thus carryed with the sweet and pleasing violences of resentments of so many good deeds to open their hearts and mouthes in giving thankes unto their Majesties for their singular favours with their most Ardent prayers to God for the preservation of their Sacred persons benediction of the Kingdome the glory of the Crown under the comfortable shadow whereof the Churches enjoying a sweet rest shall never desire or thinke any thing but to practise faithfully and conscientiously the expresse commandement of our Saviour by St. Peter Feare God and honour the King with an intire and sincere obedience without any designe nor to admit in the body of their Nationall Synod contrary to ancient custome persons not deputed by the Provinces nor to foment any communication with strangers nor to take and receive any Letters comming from them nor to give an answer unto them unlesse such as the Commissary representing his Majesties person shall find expedient nor to make any politick deliberations and Rules nor to introduce into particular Churches for their Pastour any Ministers being strangers nor to establish any Counsells of the Province against the will of the King nor to suffer the violation of the rules taken in Nationall Synods according to the intention of his Majestie for the approbation of bookes which shall be published in print touching matters of Religion Nor to Excommunicate any of them which forsake their Churches and acknowledge not their Jurisdiction over them at the time they shall quit their Communion nor to vent any Sermons fraught with rayling and reproachfull termes injurious to the members of the Roman Church as well in generall as particular which may in any sort stirre up or animate the people to a tumultuous rising and
taking of Armes against the Soveraigne Authority of their Majesties Nor to put absolutely in the power of a particular Province the Indiction of generall Fasts Nor to practise any thing in Collection of money for their poore and the like which may be a contravention of the Article 44. or of the particuâ—ar of the Edict of Nants their onely and constant Resolution being to remaine and continue under the precise observation of the Edicts and to lead under the benefit of them a quiet and peaceable life with all godlinesse and honesty They doe in most humble manner likewise beseech their Majesties 1. First to stoppe by the Interposition of their Soveraigne Authority the violences attempted by them which under the pretence of false zeale or of their employment undertake to trouble the publike tranquillity by Infraction of the Edicts in a violent way and enterprises against them of the Religion in generall and in particular to the end that none of them as being contrary to the principall end and formall intention and expresse of the said Edicts be brâ—ught to suffer for his Religion or in consequence be forced to make complaints of their sufferings which cannot be qualified according to their understanding with any other title then such as would be displeasing to their Majesties 2. Secondly to take into their consideration that the Confession of Faith framed about an hundred yeares since before the grant of any Edicts unto them of the Religion hath been presented by them to King Francis the second to render reason unto his Majestie of their opinion concerning things which they esteemed as being corrupted in the Confession of Faith received in the Church of Rome for to need Reformation insomuch as divers French Protestants could not from the beginning neither can at this day without prevarication change the forme of the expression which hath beene inserted to declare in truth and verity their common Faith authorized in the yeare 1561 by the Edict of January and since by that of Nants accorded unto by King Henry the great and confirmed so often by the last King as â—ikewise by his Majesty himselfe 3. Thirdly that all the Catholique Roman beliefe neither hath bin ever nor is not neither can be truly quaâ—ifâ—ed absolutely abuse and deceipt of Satan seeing that the Church of Rome and the Protestants differ not in the Doctrine of the Trinitie and Incarnation of our Lord Jesus which are the first principles of Christianity though with these fundamentall verities confessed by all the Christians of France c. There are some otherâ— in which they vary so that divers humane opinions touching the Intercession of Saints Purgatory the Pope c. have been Introduced into the Church in the compasse of â—ate Ages and constantly contradicted and gain-sayd by all the Protestants in France and else-where so that they cannot at this day continue their former Protestation confirmed by Edicts and depart from the Declaration which they had made by their Confession in sincerity and truth as before God which knoweth the hearts of aâ—l men and cannot suffer the hypocrisie and eviâ—l consciences of those which by an inexcusable imposture traverse their conceptions and ruine the hâ—pe of their salvation by a sacrilegious profession of Doctrines which they believe not And this is that the Churches hope that his Majesty which vouchsafeth to accord liberty of conscience unto his faithfull Subjects according to the example of his Predecessors will find them more worthy of supportation which declare openly that which they believe then them that dissemble or impugne the faith they professe by mentall reservations or in any equivocall way introduce a kind of fraud of Religion and betray by a deceiptfull complyance in a full Imposture the sound and good faith of their fellow Citizens and their owne consciences 4. Fourthly that the Printer of Geneva depends not on the Synods of this Kingdome nor hath taken order nor received any expresse charge of his Superiours to use those termes hee mentioneth from which it were to be wished he had abstained though for sence they expresse the general meaning of all Protestants in Europe which from the beginning with a common consent have impugned the forme of the Convocation the proceedings the Decrees the Anathemaes the Counsell of Trent it selfe Besides the Roman Catho ike Princes have judged it necessary to make provision by their protestationâ— against it by their Embassadours as the Emperour Charles the f fth his Majesties great Grandfather by his mothers side by Seigneur de Mendoza King Henry the second by Abbot Belozane since Bishop of Auxerres and King Charles the ninth by Monsieur de Ferrier who observing that famous Assembly saith of it that it was a Scorpion pricking the Gallican Church using an expression which containes little lesse then that of the Printer of Geneva whose liberty hatâ— been so displeasâ—ng to his Majesty 5. Fiftly that the Churches were never so forgetfull of their duty of subjection as to take the liberty to doe right unto themselves but having been favoured by the Declaration of their Majesties confirming the Edict at Nants as likewise the secret Articâ—es and Concessions which formerly have been accorded unto by f rmer Kings many particular Churches resetled entirely in their estate and re-established in their ancient rights have beâ—eeved that they committed no fault to use it according to the intention of his Majestie 6. Sixtly that upon this innocent Proposition which tends not unto any disobedience against publike order the exercise of the Religion which hath been continued for the space of seventy yeares without interruption at Ribaute having been violently hindered by the Lady of the place and Sieur Arnand the Pastour of Anduze beiâ—g called thither by the Inhabitants and accordingly having presented himselfe to serve in that place unto their edification as it hath been practised before was driven away by the force and violence of men of Armes by the Commandement of the said Lady and afterwards was put in prison by the commandement of Monsieur his Majesties Lievtenant Generall in Languedoc notwithstanding his being sent back by the Chamber for which wrong hee presented himseâ—fe now at the feet of his Majesty imploring his clemencie and Justice according to the Edict 7 Seventhly that the Deputies of the Province of lower Languedoc in the name and behalfe of those Churches that sent them doe professe that the three Cities of Nismes Vsez and Monpellier having by deputation with all possible speed tendered their first act of submission and acknowledgement of duty unto his Majesty rendered most humble thankes unto him for the grant of his Declaration and for the protection of his Justice and demanded in all submission and respect the repaâ—ation of the Infractions of the Edict as it hath beene alwayes practised They cannot perswade themselves that the said Cities have committed any fault in presenting their duty as good subjects according to the obligation of their consciences neither that they
in their ordinary Sermons They shall be chosen by the Provinces which shall have received the Graces and Gifts of writing and if it happen that any bookes be published against the true Religion they shall be sent unto them to the end that they may answer them a Colloque being deputed in every Province which may have the care to take heed of spreading Copies of that which shall be written and published Article 16. Ministers may not pretend primacy or domination one over the other Article 17. The Ministers and their Consistories are to preside and govern by order to the end that none may pretend superiority over his companion and none of them may give testimony in any matters of importance without having first communicated it to the Ministers their brethren and companions Article 18. They shall take heed of the custome which is found among them in many places which is the Deputing certaine Ministers by their Provincial Synods to visit the Church the order which they have formerly used untill now being sufficient to have knowledge of Scandalls And this new manner of Charges and Estate is condemned to be of dangerous consequence all names likewise of superiority are to be rejected as Ancient of the Synod or superintendent and the like If it be requisite to Assemble the Colloques or Synods of any matters that may depend thereon then Advertisements shall be Addressed unto the Church and not unto one Minister or any particular person of the same If by chance or accident Letters be addressed to one of the Ministers or Ancients upon any consideration they which shall have received them shall bring them to the Consistories to take advise and deliberation of them Article 19. A Minister may not practise Physick or Law with his holy Ministery howbeit he may in charity give counsell and assistance unto the sick of his flock and the pâ—aces neere unto him provided he be not diverted from his charge and that hee make no gaine or profit by so doing except onely the time of persecution and of trouble when he cannot exercise his charge in his Church and that he shall not be entertained by it They which apply themselves to Physick or are otherwise withdrawne shall be exhorted so to behave themselves as that above all they intend their charge and study of holy Letters The Colloques are advertised to proceed by the order of the discipline against them that will not obey Having regard to the small meanes M. received of his Church and the long time he served there The Assembly permits him to instruct youth As also condemneth them which so imploy themselves in the Instruction of youth as that it hinder them in intending their principall charge which the Colloques shall take notice of even to the suspension of such Ministers Article 20. The Ministers shall exhort their Flock to keepe modesty in their Apparell and they themselves in this kind shall shew themselves as good examples in abstaining from all kind of bravery in their habits and in the habits of their wives and children The Synod and Colloques shaâ—l observe this Article and rule as before and practise suspension on them which conforme not themselves unto it Vpon the reading of the 20 Articâ—e which enjoynes Pastours to exhort their flocks to observe modesty in their Apparell and to shew therein themselves the first examples both in their persons and families Many complaints have been brought of the breach of this Article by Pastours themselves their wives and children in secular habits too farre from the modesty required in them The Assembly desiring to remedy so notable a scandall have given expresse charge to all moderatours of Colloques and Provinciall Synods to correct such excesse by censures and reprehensions and the Refraâ—â—ory shall be by the Authority of this Assembly suspended of their charges untill they have taken away the said Scandall And to the end that this may be the nearer looked unto it is permitted unto every particular man following the forme of the Discipline to advertise the Consistory of the foresaid excesse and to bring them to punishment for it the which being denyed they may addresse themselves unto the Colloques to draw a Censure from them against the Pastours and against them which shall bee found faulty in that kind Article 21. The Princes and great Lords which follow the Court which have or will set up a Churcâ— in their houses shall bee entreated to take their ministers of the Churches duly reformed and where they have more then one with sufficient assurance of their lawfull calling and with the leave of the Colloques and Synods they shall first signe the Confession of Faith of the Churches of this Kingdome and the Ecclesiasticall Discipline and to the end that the preaching of the Gospell may have the more fruit it is desired they would be pleased every one in his owne family to set up a Consistory composed of Ministers and the people of their family most approved for their Integrity which shall be chosen Ancients and Deacons till they have a sufficient number by which Consistory the Scandalls and Vices of the same family shall bee repressed according to the order of the Discipline And the same Ministers shall make their appearance at the Provinciall Synods as often as they can possibly Article 22. That it shall not be lawfull unto the Pastour to leave his flocke without the leave of the Colloque or Provinciall Synod of the Church unto which he shall be given Article 23. They which forsake the Calling of the Ministry shall be finally excommunicated by the Provinciall Synod if they repent not and reassume the charge which God had committed to their trust Article 24. The Ministers shall not be wanderers and they shall not have liberty to intrude themselves into any Charge of their owne authority as they shall thinke fit Article 25. 26. The Minister of one Church may not Preach in another without the consent of the Minister of the same unlesse hee be absent in which case the Consistory shall have Authority to grant it And if the Flock be scattered by persecution or other trouble the forraigne Minister shall endeavour to assembles the Deacons and Ancients and this if they cannot doe he shall bee permitted notwithstanding to preach for the reuniting of the Flock Article 27. Ministers shall not be sent unto other Churches without authenticall Letters or their sufficient testimonies c. Article 28. The Minister which shall say he is forsaken of his Church or persecuted may not upon that be received by another Church unlesse by good testimony he make it appeare unto the Colloque or Synod how he hath behaved and governed himselfe and shall be remitted to the wisdome and discretion of a Colloque or Provinciall Synod Article 29. When a Minister shall be destitute of a Church having faâ—â—â—y â—â—tained leave and discharge of that which he served It shall belong to the Colloque or Synod of the
into Idolatry Resp If the fault be fresh in memory and very late hee may not be chosen otherwise there is no doubt CHAP. III. Of Ancients and Deacons Article 1. IN places where the Order is not yet established the Elections as well of the Ancients as of the Deacons shall bee made by the common suffrages of the people and of the Pastours but where rhe order of the Discipline hath been already established it shall be in the power of the Consistory with the Pastours to choose the fittest and ablest men with earnest prayers and the nomination of them shall be made unto the Consistory with loud voyce and the charge of them which shall be chosen shall be made to the Consistory to the end they may know in what they are to be employed and if they consent they shall presently after be named to the people two severall Lords dayes to the end that the consent of the people may also be taken and if there be no opposition on the third Lords day they shall be received publikely they standing up before the Chaire with solemne prayers and so they shall be setled in their charges signing the Confession of Faith and the Ecclesiasticall Discipline but if there be opposition the cause shall be knowne and determined in the Consistory and if they cannot accord there all shall bee remitted to a Colloque or Provinciall Synod Article 2. They shall not choose hereafter so far forth as they may them for Ancients and Deacons in the Church which have Wives contrary to the true Religion following the saying of the Apostle Howbeit to the end the Church be not deprived of the labour of many good personages the which by reason of their forepassed ignorance have Wives of a contrary Religion they shall be tolerated onely for the necessity of time provided that they make their duty to appeare by indevouring to instruct their foresaid Wives and to solicite them to a conformity in the Church Article 3. The Office of Ancients is to waâ—ch over the flocke with the Pastours to cause the people for to assemble themselves and that every man be found in the holy Congregation to make a report of scandalls and of faults to know and judge of matters with the Pastours and in generall to have care with them of all things which concerne the order entertainement and government of the Church so that in every Church they shall have a forme of their charge in writing according to the circumstance of place and time Article 4. The Office of the Deacons is to gather and distribute by the advise of the Consistory the moneys of the poore of the prisoners and the sicke to visite them and to take an especiall care of them Article 5. The Office of Deacons is not to preach the word of God and to administer the Sacraments notwithstanding in case of necessity the Consistory may choose certaine Ancients and Deacons to Catechise throughout Families also it is permitted unto the Ancient in the absence of the Pastour to say publike prayers on ordinary dayes when they shall be chosen thereunto by the Consistory so that they follow the forme which is prescribed in the Psalmes As for Deacons which have been accustomed to Catechise publikely in certaine Provinces The inconvenience heard and weighed which hath happened and may happen hereafter the Churches are exhorted where that custome hath not been received to abstaine from it and others which have used it to leave it and to cause the said Deacons if they be found capable to range themselves into the Ministery of the Gospell so soon as possible they may Article 6. The Ancients and Deacons may very well assist the Propositions of the word of God but the decision of the Doctrine is principally referred unto the Ministers Pastours and Doctours in Divinity which are duly called to their charge Article 7. The Deacons nor the Ancients likewise may not pretend primacy or domination the one over the other bee it in nomination to the people or in place or in order to give their advise and other things depending on their charges Article 8. The office of Ancients and Deacons as it is used among us at this day is not perpetuall howbeit for that the change of them may bring detriment to the Church they are exhorted to continue their charge so long as they may and if they depart from it they shall not do it without leave of their Church Article 9. The Ancients and Deacons shall be deposed of their charges for the same causes that the Ministers of the word of God may be according to their quality Article 10. The restitution of Ancients and Deacons deposed shall bee after the same manner as the Restitution of Pastours CHAP. IIII. Of Deacons Article 1. THe Moneys of the poore shalâ— not bee disposed of but by the Deacons with the advise and consent of the Consistory Article 2. In ordinary distributions it is required that one or two Ministers be present above all in the rendring of Accounts Article 3. The people shall have notice given and be advertised of the making up the Accounts to the end that they may if they please be present aswell for the discharge of them which mannage the Accounts as to let every man know the necesâ—ity of the Churches and of the poore Article 4. To hinder disorder the Assembly adviseth that every Church nourish their owne poore c. CHAP. V. Of Consistories Article 1. EVery Church shall have a Consistory composed of persons which shall have the government thereof to wit of Pastours and Ancients and the Pastours ought to praesede in this company as likewise in all Ecclesiasticall Assemblies Article 2. As for Deacons seeing the Church by the necessity of the time have employed them hitherunto prosperously in the Government of the Church as also exercising the Charge of Ancients the which hereafter shall be so chosen and continued they shall have the government of the Church with the Pastours and Ancients and for that cause they shall accompany them ordinarily in the Consistory yea in the Colloques and Synods if they bee sent thither by the Consistories Article 3. In places where the exercise of the Religion is not already established the faithfull shall be exhorted by the Colloques to have Ancients and Deacons and to follow the Discipline of the Church and shall be advised in the said Colloques into what Church they ought to range themselves for their conveniency from whence they may not depart without communicating it unto the said Colloques Article 4. Every Church shall have one onely consistory and it shall not be permitted to establish any other Counsell for any affaires of the Church and if there be found any other Counsell separated from that of the Consistory it shall be speedily removed Howbeit the Consistory may call unto them sometimes such of the Church as they shall thinke good when any affaire shall require it Article 5. It resteth in the
which shall have a regard to the edification and good of the Church It being demanded by the Church of Poictou how they ought to proceed against them which have wholly forsaken the Church denying the truth which cannot by any censures be brought againe into the Church some of which in such sort render themselves enemies persecutors as that if they name them publickely in proceeding against them by excommunications they render themselves worse and are the more exasperated against the flocke to endamage it more then before as the effect sheweth It is agreed that excommunication is properly instituted for them which are of the body of the Church and not against them which are without and that the effect of it ought to tend to edification and not to destruction to the end that the flocke be not vitiated by the scabbed sheepe and that he which is separated being humbled through shame be in the end reclaimed that others may feare by his example so that when they are named which have forsaken the Church it is not properly to excommunicate them because they are already out of the Communion but to declare there Rebellion and revolting to the end that every one take heed of them as being incorrigiâ—le and that they endeavour notwithstanding to correct and reduce them if it be possible by any meanes and that they pray unto God for them so long as they have any hope of their amendment When they are found to be such as insteed of mollifying their hearts and repenting they harden them and grew worse becomming as madd men even to the machinating and conspiring against the flocke and Governours thereof above all when they understand that they are named or shall be named publickely It is far better to abstaine from that course of naming them because it is no other then a formality and that by other meanes they may attaine to the same end which is to give notice unto the people of the said revolters and backesliders to the end that they may take heed of them and their conversation This may be done easily and sweetly by the meanes of the Antients and Deacons which shall let the people understand thereof that no man may pretend cause of ignorance and that they which converse with the said backesliders may be censured according to the order of the Discipline all which may be confirmed by the generall Doctrine of the Ministers which shall cause them sufficiently to understand it without naming them to the end that the advertisement made in particular be not contemned For which cause the Ministers and Consistories shall be advertised to proceed there in with all moderation and prudence as it is fitting that all censures and orders of the Discipline be to edify and not to destroy remembring the saying of St. Augustine That there where remedies hurt more then they profit it is better to abstaine from them and because that in many particular facts there are sundry circumstances in regard of which a law cannot be made it is fitting to use therein great discretion and mature deliberation the which is remitted to the prudence and wisdome of the Consistory Articlâ— 20. After the committing of publicke offences knowne to a great party of the people the restitution of the offender shall be made by the publicke acknowledgement of hiâ— offence when the same hath beene condemned by the Magistrate Vpon the 20. Article Vpon the Proposition c. How they are to governe themselves in the behalfe of them which are fallen into unpardonable crimes according to the civill Lawes and notwithstanding desire with a testimony of their repentance to be comforted by the participation of the Sacraments The Assembly judgeth that the offendor satifsying the Church ought to be received at the Table of the Lord though he cannot hope in regard of his Prince for râ—mission of his Crime one jurisdiction not Clashing against the other Article 21. Seeing that whoredome brings note of Infamy and chiefly to women the acknowledgement of such scandalls is remitted to the wisdome of the Consistory Article 22. All acknowledgements shall be personall and the offender shall render himselfe openly assistant in person to testifie his repentance Article 23. The offender which shall have been suspended from the Supper of the Lord by the Consistory unlesse the Suspension be signified unto the people he shall come into the Consistory for to desire that hee may be restored and upon the making his repentance to appeare shall be restored without publick acknowledgement Article 24. Hee whose suspension shall have been declared unto the people after that his repentance shall have been knowne unto the Consistory by good fruits and sufficient witnesses he shall be publickly reconciled unto the Church confessing his offence Article 25. They which through obstinacy and hardnesse of heart shall have been cut off from the Church for their offences They shall not be lightly restored and reconciled to the Church but after a good and long proofe of their repentance they shall be heard in the Consistory and if they intreat to be received in the peace of the Church acknowledging their offence the denunciation shall bee made unto the people for to move them to praise God and to pray unto him and soone after they shall be presented unto all the Church to confesse with detestation theit forepassed offenses and rebellions craving pardon of God and of his church and so they shall be reconciled with joy and publick prayers Article 26. They which being in the church are fallen into Idolatry and for that cause shall goe to continue in another Church when their offence is not knowne they shall make an acknowledgement of their lapsing onely in the Consistory upon condition that returning unto the said Church where they were and which they had offended they acknowledge therein likewise their fault publikely remmitting notwithstanding to the discretion of the Consistory to use them otherwise if they judge it expedient for the edification of Churches The same shall be done in all other faults which deserve publike acknowledgement Article 27. All offences acknowledged and amended shall be taken out of the bookes of the Consistories excepting them which being joyned with rebellion shall have been censured with suspension from the Lords Supper or with the Excommunication Article 28. The Consistory shall not give testimony unto the Magistrate by Act or otherwise neither shall any particular person of the Consistory reveale unto any the confessions of Repentants which voluntarily and of their owne accord and by admonition made unto them shall have confessed and acknowledged their faults before them so it be not by the advise of the Consistories Article 29. They shall proceed by Ecclesiasticall censures unto Excommunication against them which saying they are of the Religion and yet shall call the Pastours or Ancients or the whole Consistory in body before the Magistrate for to make them to give witnesse against Delinquents which shall have confessed their
are admonished to behave themselues there with all modesty rejecting all ambition hypocrisy vanity and superstition CHAP. XI Of Baptisme Article 1. BAptisme administred by him which hath no vocation nor any Commission is altogeather null and invalid Article 2. A Doctor may not Preach nor administer the Sacraments in the Church unles he be chosen Doctor and Minister Article 3. A Pagan or Jew of what age soever he be ought not to be Baptised before he be instructed in Christian Religion and that it appeare so by his Confession Article 4. The Children of Fathers and Mothers of the Romish Church and of excommunicat persons may not be received into the Baptisme of the Reformed Churches although they be presented unto them by faithfull suretyes if they have Father and Mother when they have no Father or if they consent not when consent is required nor transmit their authority yet yeild their rights unto the surety in regard of instruction with promise that they will suffer their Children to be instructed in the true Religion they may be Baptised Article 5. The Children also of them which are called Bohemians Saracens or Egyptians may be received into the Baptisme of the reformed Churches upon condition that the suretyes oblige themselves for the education and instruction of them which are so Baptised Article 6. They shall not administer Baptisme unles it be in Ecclesiasticall Assemblies where there hath been a Church publickly erected where it is not publicke and the Fathers through infirmity feare to bring them to be Baptised in the Assembly the Ministers shall advise prudently how far they ought to yeild though there be allwaies the forme of a Church together with exhortations and publicke prayers But if there be any Church whereunto the people cannot Assemble the Minister shall not make difficult to Baptise the Child of a faithfull man presented unto him with prayers and exhortations Article 7. For that we have no Commandement from the Lord to take God Fathers and God Mothers to present our Children at Baptisme there may be no expresse law imposed on persons to use it howbeit for that the custome is antient and brought into the Church for a good end to wit to witnesse the faith of his Parents and at the Baptisme of the Child to charge themselves with the instruction of him in case that death take away his Parents also to entertaine the society of the faithfull by amiable conjunction They which will not follow this but themselves alone will present their Children they shall instantly be exhorted not to be contentious but to range themselves to the ancient order and accustomed which is good and profitable Articles 8. 9. 10. It is fitting that they which will present children at baptisme be of age sufficient as of 14. years of age at the least and that they have received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Article 11. They which are suspended of the Supper of the Lord may not in the quality of God-fathers and God-mothers present children at baptisme so long as the suspension shall last It is decreed that for whatsoever fault it be the faithfull may not be refused to present children at baptisme unlesse that they have been suspended of the Sacraments by the judgment of the Consistory Articles 12. 13. They of the Religion which present children by Proxie at baptisme in the Roman Church shall be sharpely censured as consentting to Idolatry It is demanded If it be lawfull to accompany the Papists to the doors of their Temples at the convoy of Baptismes and Marriages It is answered they may not and in such case they are lyable to censure Article 14. Touching the names given unto Children in Baptisme In the imposition of names unto Children Men ought to shunne on the one side over much precisenes and on the other superstition and scandall and for that this act as all other ought to serve unto the edification of the Church in such fashion that there where the Fathers are suretyes require that their or other mens names be given to their Children or being presented by them may be received provided that they be not names prohibited in this 14. Article as names of office of Angell or other notoriously ridiculous The Ministers shall be exhorted for the difficulty they make unto names henceforth to behave themselves with all modesty without being so difficult Besides the Ministers are exhorted not to make any more difficulty in receiving names from Fathers and sureties at Baptisme though they be not contained in holy Scripture provided that they containe nothing which is indecent Article 15. The Ministers shall admonish their flocks to behave themselves with all reverence when that Baptisme is administred and to abate the contempt that the greater part have of Baptisme which they shew by departing out of the Assembly when it is administred â— It is decreed that none depart the Congregation unlesse great cause require it upon paine to be censured by the Consistory Article 16. The Consistory shall have an eye on them which without great consideration keep their children too long without being baptised The Consistory are charged to exhort the faithfull to present their children at Baptisme so soone as they may after their birth and to censure them that are rebellious even to the suspending them from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper The faithfull are to be exhorted as well in Sermons as particularly not to suffer their children to be unbaptized if it be not upon very great consideration Article 17. Though a faithfull Husband have a Wise of a contrary religion yet is he not excusable if the child be presented unto Baptisme in the Roman Church therefore he shall not be received to partake of the Lords Supper unlesse it be in case that he hath endevoured to hinder it with all his power Article 18. Baptisme shall be enregistred and carefully kept in the Church with the names of the Fathers and Mothers Godfathers and Godmothers and Children baptized Article 19. They shall enregister in he Booke of Baptisme the names of Fathers and Mothers of Children borne of unlawfull copulation so far-forth as they may possibly know it unlesse them that are borne of incest to the end that the memory of so enormous a wickednesse may be extinguished in which case it shall suffice to name the mother with him and her which present the child and of all illegitimate there shall be mention made that thy are borne out of Marriage CHAP. 12. Of the Lords Supper Article 1. WHere there is no forme of a Church it is not permitted to administer the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Article 2. Children under the age of twelve yeares shall not bee received to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Article 3. Priests Monkes and other Ecclesiasticks of the Church of Rome shall not be admitted to partake of the Lords Supper untill they have made publick acknowledgement of their forepassed life and profession Article 4. Beneficed men which beare
the name and title of their Benefices and they which mixe themselves with Idolatrie directly or indirectly be it by enjoying their Benefices themselves or by the hands of another shall not be received at the Supper of the Lord. Article 5. Ministers shall not receive them which are of other Churches unto the Supper of the Lord. Article 6. A deafe and dumbe man which by signes and evident tokens and gestures shewes so far-forth as he may his Piety and Religion may be received to the Supper of the Lord when by long experience and holinesse of life the Church may perceive that he hath faith and shall truly have learned the knowledge of God Article 7. The Bread of the Lords Supper ought to bee administred unto them which cannot drinke wine they making protestation they doe it not out of contempt and essaying so farforth as possibly they may to put the Cup unto their mouthes It remaines in the liberty of the Pastours distributing the Bread and Wine to use the accustomed words the thing being indifferent provided they doe that which tends to edification Article 9. The Churches are admonished that it belongs to the Minister for to administer the Cup. Article 10. For as much as in the distribution of the Lords Supper many sick persons present themselves to the receiving of the Cup which causeth many to be unwilling to take the Cup and drinke after them The Pastours and Ancients are admonished hereafter to take order for it Article 11. 12. It shall not be permitted to any for time to come to present themselves to another Church for to receive the Supper of the Lord without the leave of a Colloque or Provinciall Synod Article 13. The faithfull which goe about to heare the word of God in one Church and to receive the Sacraments in another shall be censured Article 14. Though it hath been a custome in divers Churches of many places not to celebrate the holy Supper oftner then foure times in the yeare howbeit it is to be desired that they celebrate it more often the reverence required thereunto being kept as being a thing most profitable to the Church The Ancients of the Churches shall communicate at the Lords Supper with the Pastours in the beginning of the Action and the rest of the people in such order as the Consistory shall judge to bee expedient by the order of the Church Synod of Montaubeau CHAP. XIII Of Marriages Article 1. 2. 3. ACT. 6. of the Nationall Synod at Charenton in December 1644. and January 1645. The Province of Brittany having by their Deputies asked if it ought to be permitted unto Pastours to solemnize the Marriages of Cosin germans before they have obtained the dispensation of his Majesty The Synod forbids all to undertake any thing in that kind for that the contrary is expresly set downe in the particular expositive Acts of the Edicts Articles 4. 5. 6. Touching cosin germans be it by affinity or consanguinity the faithfull may not contract Marriages with them unlesse it bee permitted by the Edict of the King Article 7. 8. It is not lawfull to espouse the Sister of a mans Wife that is dead for such Marriages are forbidden not only by the Lawes but also by the word of God and although that the lawes of Moyses ordaine that when the Brother is dead without children the brother shall raise seed to his brother Howbeit that law given to the people of Israel was temporall regarding only the conservation of the lignage of the people there is another reason in the sister of the betrothed being dead because that the Alliance is not contracted by commixtion of blood Articles 9. 10. 11. No man may marry the Aunt of his Wife such a marriage being incestuous and when the Magistrate shall permit it it shall not bee solemnized in the Church wherefore the Pastours shall take care thereof and for the same reason it is forbidden to marry the Niece of a mans wife Article 12. Honesty and comelinesse permits not any man to marry the Widow of his wives brother Article 13. No man after the decease of his Wife may marry her with whom he had committed Adultery in the life-time of his wife Articles 14. 15. 16. The banes of Matrimony shall be asked in the places where the parties live and shall be well knowne Article 17. The Banes shall be asked three severall Lordâ— dayes Article 18. They which abide in places where the exercise of the Religion is not established may cause their Banes to be published in the Temples of the Roman Church because that it is a thing meerely politick Articles 19. 20. 21. 22. The Banes of Widdowes which shall Marry againe shall be published seven months and a half at the least after the decease of her Husband to prevent inconveniences and scandalls which may arise thereby Article 23. Marriages shall be publickely solemnised in the Assemblies of the faithfull and by the Ministery of Pastours and not of others Article 24. The Church shall not solemâ—â—e Marriage in the dayes on the which the Supper of the Lord is administred nor on the Dayes of a publicke Fast CHAP. XIIII Of particular rules and advertisements Articles 1. 2. IT is not lawfull for the faithfull to intermeddle with any thing which hath had Idolatry joyned therewith But to hold Priories Castles Farmes and Rents to pay the Revenue unto Ecclesiasticks seeing they are temporall Lords it is a thing indifferent Notwithstanding the faithfull shall be admonished not to intermeddle much with such things if they finde any abuse in them Articles 3. 4. 5 Advocats and Proctours shall not give counsell in causes which are properly concerning benefices Article 6. Bishops Archdeacons Officialls such as they are at this present have no right of Jurisdiction Civill or Ecclesiastick how be it for that the faithfull are constrained to goe sometimes before them to obtaine their right which otherwise cannot be obtained they may have recourse unto them being sent unto them by the Magistrate unto whom they shall first addresse themselves Articles 7. 8. It is a thing unlawfull in it selfe to exercise civill jurisdiction and procurations under Ecclesiasticks Articles 9. 10. Because it is not lawfull nor expedient to goe to heare the Preachers of the Roman Church and others which intrude into that office without any lawfull vocation the flocke shall be hindred to goe to heare them by their Pastors and they which shall goe shall be called to the Consistory and censured according to the exigent of the case Articles 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Although the Priests falsly usurpe the tenths because of their administration yet ought they to be payd in regard of the Commandements of the King to avoide sedition and scandall Articles 19.20.21 All usury shall be straightly forbidden and men shall regulate themselves according to the Ordinanance of the King and the rule of charity Article 22. Swearers which rent the name of God by Oathes shall be severely
consent to his departure out of the Realme and exhort him to continue his dwelling at Paris for to enjoy the helps there before mentioned which the providence of God hath presented to him to accomplish his designes But because it is not just that he travell incessantly for the publick and that he employ himselfe in undertaking the taske which the Nationall Synods have given him without reciving some profit thereby This present Synod considering him as an honourable professor haue granted unto him by the uniforme advise of all the Deputies of the Provinces besides that which the said Province of the Isle of France and the Church of Paris furnish unto him an Annuall Pension of 1000 livers which shall be carefully payed by the Provinces according to the direction hereafter mentioned and proportionably to that which they furnish for the Academies and by the same wayes shall they be obliged to send every yeare to the Consistory of the Church at Paris The Assembly being much grieved that they cannot give unto him an acknowledgement more proportionable to his gracefull qualities and his incomparable travells A Division of the summe of a thousand livers accorded by the Nationall Synod unto Sieur Blundell Minister of the Gospell to be gathered of the thirteene Provinces following FIrst of the Province of Normandy the summe of 157 livers 3 sous Of the Province of Dauphine 157 livers 3 sous Of the Province of Bourgogne 13 livers 4 sous Of the Province of lower Languedock 112 livers 3 sous Of the Province of Anjou 89 livers 10 sous Of the Province of Xantaigne 100 livers 12 sous Of the Province of high Languedock 104 livers 4 sous Of the Province of Britany 13 livers 12 sous Of the Province of Berry 35 livers 13 sous Of the Province of Poictou 102 livers 3 sous Of the Province of lower Guienne 94 livers 4 sous Of the Province of Ceuenes 26 livers 2 sous Of the Province of Bearn 6 livers 11 sous Observations upon the Reading of the Discipline THe tenth Article of the thirteenth Chapter shall be made cleare in these termes The Person Betrothed may not marry the Mother of her which was betrothed unto him deceased unlesse it be in case that the Magistâ—ate hath Authorized it by his ordinance which shall be expected as well by the Pastour as by the parties Contracted The twelfth Article shall be set downe in forme following As for Espousing the Widow of the Brother of the Wife deceased though honesty and decency seeme not to permit it the Church shall make no difficulty to solemnize such Marriages of they find that the Contract hath been before authorized by the Magistrate The Province of Britany having by their Deputies demanded if it ought to be permitted to Pastours to Solemnize the Marriages of Cosin germans before they have obtained the Dispensation of his Majesty The Synod forbids all men to undertake any thing in that kind for that the contrary is expresly prescribed by the particular Articles Expositists of the Edict Complaint having been made by one of the Provinces against Sieur Amarant Pastour and professour in Theology at Saumur as having swarved from the rules of the Synod of Alenzon by the Edition of the booke of Reprobation and Remonstrance being Respectively made by the Province of Anjou and by the said Sieur Amarant for the Church and Academy of Saumur The Assembly judging that the reciprocall complaints and threatnings ought to be buried by a Religious Amnestye and desiring to settle for time to come a good and permanent Peace within the Churches as well in generall as in particular And to satisfie the Requisition of all the Province which have universally required the punctuall confirmation and observation of the Arrests of the Nationall Synod of Alenzon The Synod forbids upon pain of all Censures all Pastours and Professors even to the Deposition of their Charges to Write Preach or Dispute one against the other about the matters declared and explained in the Synod of Alenzon or to publish any Books concerning them Decrees likewise that all Professors shall answer for their Lessons Theses and Disputes unto their Provinciall Synod which shall render an account thereof unto the Nationall Synods It enjoynes also most expresly all Students in Divinity upon pain to be declared unworthy for ever to serve in the holy Ministery to abstaine hereafter from all contestations and debates upon unnecessary questions as of the orders of the Decrees of God of universall Grace by the preaching of nature which may lead unto salvation and other heads which may be set forth to exercise the curiosity of men For them which they shall examine to bee received into the Ministery they are to proceed with them in all charity requiring of them according to the Discipline besides requisite sufficiency a Confession conformable to that of our Churches to their Liturgy and the Decrees of Alez Charenton and Alenzon the which they shall signe with this present Act. After the reading of this rule whereunto Sieur Amarant promised to submit himselfe he desired that it would please the Assembly not to suffer that by publick writing comming from without the Kingdome his doctrine should be rendered suspect and his Reputation tainted that they would leave unto him the liberty to employ himselfe in the defence of his innocency and to use his naturall right in repelling the injury and clearing the blames It hath been decreed that if any such thing happen hee shall intreat for permission to write for his defence in the Provinciall Synod of Anjou which shall advise of that which shall bee most expedient as well for the consolation as the common edification of the Church The Synod being upon the point to frame a writing containing the complaint of the Churches and particularly against the Infractions of the Edict made within all the Provinces as well before the Convocation as since Monsieur the Commissary hath Remonstrated that the intention of his Majesty was not that they should take in their Assembly any deliberation concerning politick affaires but withall he will not hinder the compilation of a writing to take paines in particular about the Instructions wherewith the Deputies were charged as well to bring from their Provinces by their Synods as since their arrivall in this place by the Churches and particular Interests with which they have made their Addresses by Letters The Synod submit themselves fully to the order prescribed by Monsieur the Commissary A Copy of a Letter written to the King SIR We have deputed the Sieurs de Langley and Cattiby Pastours and de Maraude and Pelena Ancients to lay downe at the feet of your Majesty the most humble action of Graces which wee owe unto your bounty having happily begun and finished our Synod under your royall Authority and to intreat your Majesty with all the powers of our soules to heare favourably the most humble requests of your most faithfull and most obedient Subjects of our
two things are in us accomplished by the Grace of JESUS Christ It will follow that the vertue and substance of Baptisme is comprised in him and in very deed we have no other washing but by his blood nor no other renewing then in his Death and Resurrection but as he doth communicate unto us his riches and his blessings by his Word so he doth distribute the same by his Sacraments Now in this doth appeare the marvellous love of God towards us in that these Graces which are conferred upon us in Baptisme having before the comming of the Redeemer been confined to the nation of the Jewes the middle wall of partition which did separate the Jewes from the Gentiles being by the death of the Lord JESUS taken away hee hath poured upon mankind these saving waters of his grace in such abundance that in him now there is neither Jew nor Greeke neither Male nor Female neither Circumcision nor uncircumcision nor any other difference of outward estate or condition which can exclude us from this great Salvation which JESUS Christ will have preached to all Nations and from the Covenant of peace ratified by Baptisme according to the charge given by him to his Apostles saying Goe ye and teach all Nations baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost And of this grace it is that you my brother desire to bee made partaker by Baptisme Is it not Answer It is 14 Quest But because entring into the house of GOD every one is bound to looke unto his wayes lest hee prophane the Sanctuary in presuming to offer there according to the saying of the wise the sacrifice of fooles and impious men and that hee ought to bee purged from all leven of errour and malice Doe you not detest all errours contrary to the holy doctrine taught in our Churches Answ I doe If the Catecumen or party to bee Baptised bee a Jew or Mahumetane after those words in the sift Question Doe you not renounce c. the Minister shall adde 4 Quest Doe you not beleeve that this great God Creator of Heaven and earth is one Essence c. as before in the fift Question Answ I doe Then hee shall as he unto the Jew 5 Quest Doe you not detest the Rebellion and hardnesse of heart of the Jewes and doe you not aske God forgivenesse that you have continued in it so long Answ I doe 6 Quest Doe not you beleeve that whatsoever God hath beene pleased to reveale unto us of his will is contained not onely in the Books of the Old Testament but also in those of the New Answ J doe 7 Quest Doe you not beleeve that JESUS the Sonne of the blessed Virgin Mary conceived in her by the ineffable power of the holy Ghost and since by the unjust sentence of Ponce Pilat upon the flanderous accusation of the Jewes condemned to the death of the Crosse risen from the dead on the third day and now raised to glory is God manifested in the flesh the eternall Word of the Father by which hee hath Created and upholdeth this Universe the blessed Seed which was promised unto Adam presently after his fall by vertue of which the head of the Serpent hath been bruised the comming of whom all the Patriarks in Faith and Hope have expected that great Prophet and true Messias both by Moses and other Prophets which have been since him foretold Answ I doe 8 Quest Doe not you beleeve that the Lord Jesus is the fulfilling of the Law in righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth the truth of the Types and figures of it the true Lamb of God which takes away the sinnes of the world and that in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily Answ I doe 9 Quest Doe not you beleeve that now the observation of the Ceremonies of the Law is not onely superfluous but also altogether prejudiciall to the conscience Answ I doe After this the Minister shall propose the Questions that are set downe before Rehearse the summary of your faith c. and those which follow ¶ If the Catecumen or party to be Baptized be a Mahumitane after those words before mentioned Doe not you beleeve that this great God Creator of heaven and earth is one Essence c. the Minister shall adde 5 Quest. Doe not you beleeve that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were inspired by him and câ—ntaine all his Counsell for the salvation of men and are the onely and perfect Rule of faith and manners Answ I doe 6 Quest Doe not you beleeve that JESUS the Sonne of the blessed Virgin Mary conceived in her by the power of the holy Ghost and according to the flesh formed of her proper substance is God and Man blessed for ever perfect God and perfect man Man made of a Woman in the fulnesse of times and God begotten of God the Father from all Eternity Answ I doe 7 Quest Doe not you beleeve that the Lord JESUS from his first Conception according to the flesh hath beene Holy Innocent without spot and separated from sinners and that hee hath not suffered death for any businesse of his owne but for ours only Answ I doe 8 Quest Doe not you beleeve that his death is the propitiation of our sâ—nnes yea of the sinnes of the whole world and that this propitiation iâ— of infinite merit by which salvation and eternall glory is acquired unto us Answ I doe 9 Quest Doe not you beleeve that Mahomet was a notorious Impostor and that his Alcaron is a sacrilegious rapsody of dreames full of absurdities and of purpose devised to establish a false and an abominable Religion Answ I doe 10 Quest Doe not you beleeve that the Gospell of the Lord JESUS is the power of God to salvation to every one that beleeveth that the Christian Religion is the onely Religion by which God the Father hath manifested his good pleasure for the salvation of men unto the end of the world that since the manifestation of it there is no other to bee expected That the Lord JESUS CHRIST onely is that great Prophet promised to the faithfull of the old Testament and that God having formerly spoken in divers manners unto men before the Law and under the Law hath spoken to the Church of the New Testament by the mouth of his onely begotten Sonne JESUS Answ I doe After that the Minister shall adde Rehearse the Summary of your faith c. and the other questions which follow If the Catecumen or party to be Baptized be an Anabaptist after that the 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. and ninth Questions set downe before shall have beene proposed the Minister shall goe on thus 10 Quest Doe not you beleeve that the Lord JESUS is and shall be true God and true man in both his natures eternally that according to his humanity he was like in all things unto other men sin only excepted so that he was the true
Ministers of Estate which makes us hope to see in our dayes the generall Peace which shaâ—l be the perfection of our hapinesse Besides the considerations which are common to all Frenchmen there are other particulars which concerne men of your profession Remember you that upon the entrance of this Kings raigne their Majesties have beene pleased to make a Declaration which confirmes all former Edicts permits you the exercise of your Religion the libertie of your consciences the safetie of your Persons Goods and of your Churches which subsist happily under the shadow of their Royall powers and bounty Observe that by their singular favour you have in the midst of you Dukes Pairs Marshalls of France Generalls of Armies Magistrates Governours of soveraigne Courts and that as yet to this day their Majesties for a witnesse of the confidence they have of your fidelity have granted you this Assembly at the very gates of the Capitoll or principall City of this Kingdome in the sight of all France and of the great people of Paris so different in manners and humours which will be Witnesses and Judges of your actions After all this Sirs I perswade my selfe you will all with a generall consent ayme at this principall end the glory of God the service of the King the good and welfare of your Churches and that in all your words and actions you will bring that prudent moderation and humility which can be desired of good and faithfull subjects which will be a powerfull meanes to draw upon you and upon the Provinces which have deputed you the gracious favour of their Majesties especially when all the world shall observe that ye breath nothing more then that respect and obedience ye owe unto them And to the end all things may be done according to the order prescribed me Their Majesties have commanded me to tell you that all Ministers which are strangers are to be excluded your Synod and that none may assist there which is not deputed by a Provinciall Synod and that during the time it is holden you may not have communication with strangers or other suspected persons but to abide in that place attending the affaires for which ye are called and because your Assemblies doe not constitute a body Politique their Majesties have forbidden you to treat in your Synod of any secular affaires of State or Justice nor to speake any thing in the Re-establishing of Ministers which are strangers and have been Dispossessed by vertue of the Arrests of Parliaments and Letters signed by his Majestie nor to propose there any complaints of pretended infractions of the Edicts seeing you have Chembre iniparties so called in the French and other Courts of Justice established by Edicts to doe you Justice and to repaire the Contraventions unto the Edicts if any shall happen for the which you may procure Remedy before the Counsell of the King and there present your requests according to the accustomed manner your Synod having no power to judge in such matters so that you are to treat onely of your doctrine and Ecclesiasticall Discipline They have forbidden you likewise to nominate any Pastours or other extraordinarie Deputies to receive Letters or to make Answer to them which shall be addressed unto them from their severall Provinces to provide for their affaires during the time that there is a Synod for that by the Edict of the moneth of December 1622. and other subsequent Declarations such Counsells and Counsellors of the Provinces are expresly forbidden Their Majesties also forbid you to print any bookes in any place whatsoever making mention of your Religion without Attestation of two Ministers of this Kingdome under paine of Confiscation of them and not to send forth any Excommunication against Ministers and others which shall change their Religion nor to use any reproachfull words against them by writing or otherwise nor to receive for the time to come any Minister which is a stranger appointing you for this end to put in the attestations of the Proposants and Ministers to understand or to be enformed of the place of their birth They forbid also the Provinciall Synods to summon generall Fasts And for the better assurance of publike tranquility his Majestie enjoynes the Ministers to preach unto his Subjects following the commandement of God the obedience which they owe unto him and that upon no occasion whatsoever it is lawfull for them to take Armes against their Soveraigne And hee forbids them in their Sermons and Writings to give the termes of scourgings Martyrdome and persecution of their Religion under the name of the Church of God or otherwise as likewise to use the word of Antichrist and of Idolatrie and other offensive words in speaking of the Pope of them which are of the Catholike Apostolike Roman Church of the Sacraments and Ceremonies therein upon paine of Interdiction It is forbidden them likewise to make Collections from house to house to gather money of the poore in regard of mens last Wills and Testaments or to sue any in any Court of Justice for Salary or payment of wages in regard of the charges of their Colloques Synods Reparations and garnishing of their Temples In this his Majestie is pleased that the Article 44 in the Edict of Nants be particularly observed and executed and for that their Majestie are advertiâ—ed you send your children to study and to bee brought up in learning at Genevas in Switzerland Holland c. which are Nations Common-wealthes a verse to Monarchy which may stretch their Precepts to politique and secular affaires a matter of great consequence and may produce dangerous effects for the prevention hereof their Majesties desire that amongst the Articles of Proposants you make one expresse to bee practised for time to come within all your Provinces that no Proposant or Theologue shall be received into the Ministrie if they have studied in these Countreys and Estates And they have commanded me to assure you that upon your conforming to their Intentions in an affaire so important you shall doe a thing very acceptable unto them and advantagious for them of your Religion I have charge also to let you understand that their Majesties are dâ—spleased that against the Amnestye so much recommended by the Edicts In the Calenders of the Psalmes imprinted at Geneva 1635 these termes are inserted that on the fâ—fteenth of March 1545 was Assembled the detestable Counsell of Trent and many other like things that in the twenty fourth Article of the Confession of your Faith the Catholike Apostolike Roman Religion is represented with the name of Abuse and deceipt of Satan Purgatory with the title of Illusion and the Shop from whence monasticall vowes Pilgrimages and other things doe arise and in the 28 Article you use these woâ—ds Wee condemne the Assemblies of Poperie where all Superstitious and Idolatry have their Vogue Their Majesties not being able to suffer that such words should be affirmed upon Oath in a Nationall Synod of their Kingdome holding them
for a time and simple privation of the Lords Supper That there may be a right use of the one and of the other the Ministers and Elders in interpreting the words of excommunication and Suspension from the Lords Supper doe advise that no man ought to be deprived nor suspended from the Lords Supper by the private authority of the Pastour or of any other but onely of the Consistory to whose wisdome it shall bee left to take cognisance after that the offender hath first bin admonished for any fact which meriteth Suspension In this case he which shall have committed any offence shall for a time be deprived of the Supper of the Lord for to humble him and try his Repentance Howbeit the offence not being knowne but to a few men such a Suspension or the cause of it shall not bee declared to the people for feare of further defaming the oftendor by rendering his offence more notorious and scandalous then it is and it shall suffice in this ease to acknowledge his offence unto the Consistory that hee may be admitted to the supper of the Lord. But as for them which have been admonished divers times of their offences and yet shew themselves disobedient unto the Consistory as also they which shall have committed any great and enormous crimes which are punishable by the Magistrate and which may bring publike scandall unto the Church they shall be punished withall sort of Censures And if it happen that after long expectance and patience and many admonitions made by the Consistory and the forementioned proceedings kept and practised and all other endeavours of charity observed in the behalfe of the offendor if after all this he yet continue obstinate and impenitent then shall they proceed against him by publick admonitions and by the mouth of the Pastour in the name of the Church declaring his offence and protesting their endeavour of reclaiming him without any profiting therein exhorting the whole Church to pray unto God for him and essay by all meanes to lead him to the knowledge of his offence for to prevent his cutting off and Excommunication whereunto they may not proceed but with dolour and griefe of heart and of which the Pastour shall set forth the true and lawfull use from the word of God to the end that every man may bee admonished to keepe himselfe within the compasse of his duty towards God and his Neighbour and to make knowne also that this last remedy is practised in the behalfe of such an offender for the glory of God the honour and repose of his Church and his owne salvation the which publick admonitions and denuntiations they shall prosecute and continue three times on three severall Lords dayes In the first to spare in some sort the offendor he shall not be named because he is already knowne to the people but in the other he shall be named And if for all that he returne not but persevere in his hardnesse in the fourth Lords day he shall be signified and the Excommunication of such a personage shall be pronounced as a Rotten member cut off from the body of the Church by the Pastour in the authority of the word of God in the name and consent of the whole Church of the which Excommunication the tenour followeth Following the requisition made by the Province of Poictou the which was framed by the necessity of its practise in this corrupt age as also hath been more fully declared then it hath been in the book of Discipline MY Brethren behold here the fourth time that A. B. having committed of C. and having scandalized the Church of God and shewed himselfe impenitent and a contemner of all admonitions which have been divers times made unto him from the word of God hath been suspended from the Supper of the Lord the which suspension and the causes therof have bin fully made known unto you to the end that you joyn your prayers with ours that it would please God to soften the hardness of his heart and to touch him with repentance withdrawing him from the way of perdition But seeing after he hath been so long borne withall intreated and in a sort menaced and adjured to turne himselfe unto God hee persevers in his impenitency and with a hardened obstinacy rebels against God and tramples under his feet the Word and the order which hath been established in his Church glorifying himselfe in his sins and in a course that the Church hath a long time been troubled and the name of the Lord blasphemed Wee the ministers of the Gospell of the word of Jesus Christ whom God hath armed with spirituall weapons mighty through God to the pulling downe of strong holds casting downe every thing that exalts it selfe against him unto whom the eternall Sonne of God hath given power to bind and to loose on earth declaring that what they bind on earth shall be bound in heaven willing to purge the house of God and deliver the Church from Scandalls and in pronouncing Anathemaes against the wicked to glorifie the name of God In the name and in the Authority of Jesus Christ with the advise of the Pastours and Elders in the Colloque or Synod Assembled and of the Consistory of this Church of N. we have cut off and cutting off the said A.B. from the Communion of the Church we excommunicate him and expell him the society of the faithfull to the end that he be unto you as an Heathen and Publican and that he be unto all the true faithfull beleevers an Anathema and execration that his conversation bee esteemed contageous and that his example strike our spirits with horrour and cause us to tremble under the mighty hand of the living God Which sentence of Excommunication the Sonne of God will ratifie and will make efficacious untill the offendour confused and dejected before God give glory unto him by his conversion and being delivered from the chaines of Sathan which inthralls him he bewaile his sinne touched with repentance pray God well beloved that he have pitty on this poore sinner and that this horrible judgement the which with griefe great sorrow of heart we pronounce against him in the authority of the Sonne of God serve to humble him and to reduce his soule in the way of salvation from which he strayed and erred Amen Amen Cursed be every man that doth the worke of the Lord negligently Amen If there be any one that loveâ—â— not the Lord Jesus Christ let him bee Anathema Maranatha Amen yea Amen Moreover they shall use the suspension from the Sacraments of the Lords Supper to humble offenders and to touch them with a more lively sense of their offences This suspension nor the cause thereof nor the restitution of the offender shall be published unto the people unlesse in case they be hereticks despised of God rebells to the Consistories and traytours against the Church Besides they which shall be attainted and convinced of crimes worthy of corporall punishment and