The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 22 (2nd Vitré) · Chapter 2 – Chapter 3
CHAP. II. Rules and Orders about By-ſtanders, and Spectators in the Synod.
1. WHereas the Letters of Commiſſion, brought by the greater part of the Provincial Deputies, do exceedingly differ in that Clauſe of Submiſſion due and owing by the Churches unto the Decrees of our National Synods: And for that very much of our time, is ſpent and waſted in examining and debating of them. It is now decreed, that for the future All the Provinces ſhould confine themſelves unto the words and ſubſtance of this enſuing form. We promiſe before God to ſubmit our ſelves unto all that ſhall be concluded and determined in your Holy Aſſembly, to obey and execute it to the utmoſt of our power; being perſwaded that God will preſide among you, and lead you by his holy Spirit into all truth and equity by the Rule of his Word, Tonneins Art. 1. after the Roll of the Deputies.for the good and edification of his Church, to the glory of his great name: which we moſt humbly beg of his Divine Majeſty in our daily Prayers.
2. Whereas divers Paſtors and Elders, choſen by the Provinces, have not appeared in their own Perſons, but by their Surrogates in this Synod, the Provinces ſhall be advertiſed to take Cognizance of their Excuſes, and to paſs Judgment on them by the Authority of this Aſſembly.
3. The Provincial Deputies of Brittain, Tonneins at the …nd, and underneath g. m. 36.did give an Account of their Calling the National Synod unto this place, becauſe the Province of Bearn had reſigned their priviledge unto them, which the laſt National Synod held at Tonneins had conferred upon them. This Aſſembly approved of what was done by them, but yet told them, it had been requiſite, on their part, to have been more diligent and careful in acquainting the Provinces more early of the time and place of meeting, by their Letters of Advice and Summons. And this Advertiſement ſhall ſerve for all the Provinces, that when as any one of them ſhall have the charge and priviledge of Indicting our National Synods, they may ſo order matters, as to free and acquit themſelves of all blame and complaint in this particular.
4. Monſieur Petré Paſtor of the Church of Vitré, Petitioned for his Church and Conſiſtory, that he, together with the Elders of the ſaid Church, might be permitted to ſit in this Aſſembly, whilſt the Confeſſion of Faith, and the Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline were reading: The Synod granted it for himſelf, and for two Elders choſen and named by the Conſiſtory, and unto thoſe other Paſtors, who having leave from their Churches to attend the Synod about the concerns of their Churches,3. of R…chel Art. 3. after the Elect. of the Moder. St. Maixant the ſame, Alez. ibid. or their own private buſineſs, as alſo unto Propoſans: But as for others who would intrude themſelves, that Canon of the National Synod of Rochell in the year ſixteen hundred and ſeven, ſhall be ſtrictly obſerved.
5. As ſoon as the Aſſembly was form'd and ſetled, the firſt thing they Voted was an Addreſs unto his Majeſty, to teſtify the Joy of all our Churches,Below g.m. 29. for thoſe many and wonderful Bleſſings which God hath graciouſly vouchſafed Him; and to proteſt unto his Majeſty from all the Deputies of the Provinces here Aſſembled, and from all the Churches of this Kingdom; that we are, and ever will be, his moſt humble, moſt loyal, moſt affectionate, and moſt obedient Subjects and Servants. And to this purpoſe there were deputed from among the Paſtors, Meſſieurs Heſperien, and Bouteroue, and from the Elderſhip, Meſſieurs de Balene, and de Mouſſac, who had Letters given them to preſent unto his Majeſty, together with a particular Meſſage, which they were to deliver him in the name of this Aſſembly. Of which the Lords Deputies, who are now ſitting in the Town of Rochel ſhall have notice given them, and Letters ſhall be ſent to the Lord du Candall, to furniſh theſe our Deputies with a ſupply of Monies to defray the Charges of their Journey.
6. The Oath of Union of all the Churches of this Kingdom,Pri…aſ. Art. 4. after the Elect. of the Moderat. under our moſt humble obedience, due unto the King was renewed, ſworn and ſubſcribed by all the Deputies in this Aſſembly, both for themſelves and the reſpective Provinces from whom they were Commiſſionated.
CHAP. III. The Confeſſion of Faith.
THE Confeſſion of Faith of theſe reformed Churches, in the Kingdom of France, was read word by word, from the beginning to the end, and approved in all its Articles by all the Deputies, as well for themſelves as for their Provinces that ſent them, and all of them ſware for themſelves and Provinces, that they would teach and preach it; becauſe they believ'd that it did perfectly agree with the Word of God, and they would uſe their beſt endeavour, that as it had been hitherto, ſo it ſhould be ever more received and taught in their Churches and Provinces.