The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, Introduction 2 · Section 12 · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII. Of the Lord's Supper.
CANON I. WHere there is no Form of a Church, the Lord's Supper ſhall not be adminiſtred.
CAN. II. Children under twelve years of Age ſhall not be admitted unto the Lord's Table; but as for others who are above that Age, it is left unto the Miniſter's diſcretion to judge whether they have ſufficient knowledge to qualify them for their admiſſion to it.
CAN. III. Prieſts, Monks, and other Eccleſiaſticks belonging to the Church of Rome, ſhall not be admitted to the Lord's Supper, till they have firſt made a publick acknowledgment of their former Life and profeſſion.
CAN. IV. Incumbents, who retain the name and title of their Benefices, and all other perſons, who do either directly or indirectly participate in Idolatry, whether they receive the Income of their Benefices with their own hands, or the hands of others, ſhall not be admitted to Communion with us at the Lord's Table.
CAN. V. Miniſters ſhall have notice given them not to receive unto the Lord's Supper the Members of other Churches, without having a ſufficient Teſtimonial from their Paſtor, or in default thereof from an Elder, if it may be had.
CAN. VI. A Man dumb and deaf demonſtrating his ſence of Piety and Religion by evident ſigns, tokens and geſtures, may be received unto the Lord's Table, in caſe the Church hath experience of his holy Life, and can perceive that he hath Faith, and the true Knowledge of God.
CAN. VII. The Bread in the Lord's Supper ſhall be adminiſtred unto them, who cannot drink Wine; they proteſting ſeriouſly, that it is not out of contempt that they do forbear it; beſides they doing their utmoſt endeavour for it, yea bringing the Cup as near unto their Mouth as they can, and taking and touching it with their Lips, all occaſions of offence will be by this means in this caſe avoided.
CAN. VIII. Paſtors are left at liberty in giving the Bread and Wine, to uſe the accuſtomed words, it being a thing purely indifferent, provided that they uſe ſuch words as tend to edifying.
CAN. IX. The Churches ſhall be informed that it belongeth only unto Miniſters to give the Cup.
CAN. X. Foraſmuch as when the Lord's Supper is adminiſtred, ſundry diſeaſed Perſons come unto it, which cauſeth many that are in health to be ſhy of taking the Cup after them, Paſtors and Elders ſhall be admoniſhed to uſe their greateſt prudence, that godly order may be kept up and obſerved in this Caſe.
CAN. XI. Such as having been a long while Members of the Church, and refuſe Communion with it at the Lord's Table, if it be done out of contempt, and through fear of being obliged to renounce all Idolatry, after divers admonitions given them, and they not reforming, they ſhall be cut off from the Body of the Church; but if it be through infirmity, they ſhall be born withal for ſome ſpace of time till they be more eſtabliſhed in the Faith.
CAN. XII. Such as care not to come unto our publick Chriſtian Congregations, but only upon thoſe days when the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is Celebrated, ſhall be reproved and admoniſhed of their duty, and to this purpoſe they ſhall join themſelves unto one certain particular Church. N. B. This laſt Clauſe is only in my Edition of Paris and Rouen, 1663.
CAN. XIII. The Faithful, who make a trade of hearing the Word of God in one Church, and of receiving the Sacraments in another, ſhall be cenſured, and by the advice of the Colloquy, or Provincial Synod, they ſhall be appointed to join themſelves unto that Church, which is neareſt, and moſt convenient for them. N. B. Provincial Synod is only in my Pariſian, and Quevilly Edition.
CAN. XIV. Chap. XIII. Of Marriages.Although it hath not been the Cuſtom to adminiſter the Lord's Supper in the greateſt part of our Churches more than four times a year, yet it were to be deſired that it might be oftner, ſo that the Reverence which is needful for this holy Sacrament could be kept up and obſerved. Becauſe it is moſt profitable for the Children of God to be exerciſed and grow in Faith by the frequent uſe of the Sacraments; and the Example of the Primitive Church doth invite us to it. And therefore our National Synods ſhall take that care and order in this matter as is requiſite for the weal and happineſs of our Churches.