The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 22 (2nd Vitré) · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV. Obſervations on reading of the Church-Diſcipline; Containing matter of advice given unto certain Provinces.
1. THE Deputies of Anjou propoſed that it would be neceſſary not to limit our Propoſans to ſo ſhort a time as they be confined to by the fourth Cannon, in the firſt Chapter of our Diſcipline,St. Maixant Obſervat. 1. for preparing their Propoſitions. This Aſſembly not changing the ſaid Canon in the leaſt, doth leave it wholly to the prudence of Colloquies and Synods to prolong the time, according to their knowledge of the quickneſs or dullneſs of their Propoſans parts and capacities.
2. The Deputies of the Iſle of France demanding that thoſe words of the fourth Canon in the firſt Chapter of our Diſcipline,St. Maixant Obſervat. 5. (And it ſhall be declared un…o the Elected Paſtor, that Authority is given him in the name of Jeſus Christ to preach the word, and to adminiſter the Sacraments;) ſhould be repeated before the people, by the Paſtors appointed to ordain him. This Aſſembly did not think meet to make any alteration.
3. The aforeſaid Deputies of the Iſle of France craving Explication of the 19th Canon in the firſt Chapter of our Diſcipline about the Conjunction of Churches and Conſiſtories in the Houſes of great Lords and Princes,Orleans 3. to the Churches and Conſiſtories in the places of their abode. This Aſſembly diſmiſſeth them to the practice of the third Canon framed in the National Synod of Montauban; the obſervations then and there made upon the Diſcipline, clearing up this very matter now in queſtion.
4. The Province of Orleans and Berry reported,2 Paris Art. 8. 1 Rochel Obſ. 26. that ſeveral Propoſans concluding from the ſeventh Canon, in the fifth Chapter of our Diſcipline, which had left it to the prudence of Conſiſtories to admit Propoſans into their Meetings, that they had therefore an undoubted right of entrance into Colloquies and Synods; and accordingly did demand it. This Aſſembly (leaving that Canon intire as it is) for divers weighty reaſons, doth not judge expedient, that Propoſans ſhould have admiſſion or ſeſſion in our Colloquies, or Synods.
5. The Deputies of Normandy craving advice how to execute the ſixteenth Canon in the fifth Chapter of our Diſcipline,Synod of Montpel. Obſ. 10. on the Diſcipline. and what cenſure ſhould be inflicted on our Members, who Married after the Popiſh manner? The Aſſembly returned this Anſwer, That the Conſciences of ſuch perſons ſhould be followed with the moſt ſerious, lively, and effectual Counſels and Summons unto Repentance, both in publick and private.
6. The Deputies of the Iſle of France requeſting, that a form of Excommunication might be fram'd by this Synod, in which thoſe words, Delivered unto Satan, might be omitted. The matter was left wholly to the prudence of Conſiſtories,Alez. g.m. 21. to uſe ſuch a Form as they ſhould judge moll expedient.
7. At the requeſt of the Province of Higher Languedoc, 2. Paris 2.It was ordained, that theſe enſuing words ſhould conclude the 26th Canon of the fifth Chapter of our Diſcipline, viz. And the ſame judgment ſhall be made of all other faults deſerving publick penance.
8. The Province of Sevennes demanding what manner of Cenſure ſhould be inflicted on Elders,Synod of Figeac. 10. either in Office or diſcharged, who violate the 28th Canon in the fifth Chapter of our Diſcipline. This Aſſembly exhorts all Conſiſtories to proceed againſt ſuch perſons, by all the Cenſures of the Church, even ſo far as to depoſe them from their Office, and for thoſe that are out of Office, they ſhall moſt ſharply reprove them, with threats of never being any more admitted into the Elderſhip, and all Magiſtrates profeſſing the Reformed Religion, ſhall be intreated not to require any ſuch Confeſſions from our Paſtors or Elders; and in caſe they ſhould perſiſt in thoſe demands, they alſo ſhall be ſharply cenſured by the Conſiſtories.
9. Foraſmuch as the laſt Canon in the fifth Chapter of our Diſcipline hath been never executed,Poictiers p. m. 34. Alez. 1. obſ. upon this syned. notwithſtanding the many Exhortations of our former National Synods. This Aſſembly doth moſt ſtrictly injoin all the Deputies to notify unto their reſpective Provinces, that they do forthwith nominate and appoint one Paſtor out of every Colloquy, to make a Collection of the moſt remarkable Providences that have fallen out theſe laſt years in their diviſion, and to report them to the next Provincial Synod, that they may be ſent unto Monſieur Rivet, Paſtor of the Church of Thouars, who is ordered to receive them, and to compoſe a Hiſtory of them, which ſhall be by him brought in unto the next National Synod.
10. The Deputies of Dolphiny made report of divers incouveniencies that have fallen out in choſing the Moderators of Synods and Colloquies with a low Voice,1. Syn. of Paris 2. 3. Syn. of Rochel Obſ. 17. which manner of Election was conformable to the ſeventh Canon in the eighth Chapter of our Diſcipline, and they Petitioned that it might be lawful for them to act otherwiſe, viz. by a clear and audible Voice. This Aſſembly doth judge it inexpedient to make any change in that Canon, and all the Provinces be injoined exactly to conform thereunto.
11. The Province of Dolphiny demanding that the ſixteenth Canon in the eleventh Chapter of our Diſcipline,1 R…chel Obſ. 43. might be concluded with this Addition, That Conſistories ſhall be injoined to proceed againſt the tranſgreſſors of that Canon by all Church-Cenſures. The Aſſembly did not judge meet to make any additions to it: yet nevertheleſs all Conſiſtories are charged to exhort the faithful to bring their Children unto Baptiſm as ſoon as conveniently they can. And ſuch as diſobey this Order, ſhall be ſuſpended the Lords-Supper.
12. The Province of Berry demanding that the ſeventh Canon in the 13th Chapter of our Diſcipline,1 Paris Art. 35. St. Maixant. g. m. 18. might be explained, and that they might be directed how to govern themſelves, when in the publick Celebration of Marriage in our Churches, there is open oppoſition made againſt it. The Aſſembly leaveth it wholly to the prudence of the Conſiſtories, to do therein as they ſhall think meet.
13. The Deputies of Normandy requeſting that for the better executing the twentieth Canon,Vercueil, Art. 7. in the 13th Chapter of our Diſcipline, a certain time might be prefixed for the Celebrating of their Marriages, who, ſo they might marry, would therefore make profeſſion of the Reformed Religion, eſpecially when as we are very well ſatisfied of their knowledge. The Aſſembly did not think good to add any thing unto the ſaid Article, but leaveth it to the Conſiſtories diſcretion, either to prolong or ſhorten the times, according as they ſhall be ſatisfied with the knowledge and piety of thoſe perſons.
14. Foraſmuch as we ſee daily,2 Syn. of Paris 31. St. Foy, 23. to our grief and ſorrow, Impiety, Lukewarmneſs, and indifference in Religion, not only to creep in, but to grow upon us more and more, to the great diſhonour of the glorious Name of God, and the indelible reproach of the true Religion. All the Churches are moſt expreſly injoined to obſerve punctually, and with the exacteſt care, the 13th and 14th Canons in the laſt Chapter of the Diſcipline, without any acceptation of perſons, and to give in an account thereof unto Colloquies and Synods, who are ordered to take notice of it, and to inflict the heavieſt Cenſures upon thoſe Conſiſtories, which neglect this their bounden duty.
15. The Deputies of the Iſle of France craving advice about the difficulties met by them in executing the 32d Article of the 14th and laſt Chapter of our Diſcipline,Montpel. p. m. 16. which enjoineth a ſpeedy publication of their ſuſpenſion from the Lords Table, who either give or take a Challenge to fight a Duel: This Aſſembly diſtinguiſhing between them whoſe offence is known only to a few particular perſons, and thoſe who have publickly committed it before the Sun, and which is known to the whole World, exhorteth Conſiſtories to judge prudently in the Caſe; ſo that the Diſcipline of our Churches may not be violated.
16. Our Church-Diſcipline having been read diſtinctly, word by word, was approved in all its Articles, and ſworn to by all the Deputies of the Provinces, both for themſelves, and for thoſe who were repreſented by them; and they were all exhorted to ſee it moſt exactly kept and obſerved; whereof they all gave good aſſurance, and promiſed to be with their whole power aſſiſting to it.