The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, Synod 23 (Alès) · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI. The Canons of the Synod of Dort incorporated with thoſe of the Reformed Churches of France.
23 A Motion was made in this National Synod that ſome courſe ſhould be taken in time to prevent the ſpreading of the Arminian Errors that have of late ſo much troubled the Churches of the Netherlands, that they create no trouble to the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom. This Aſſembly embraced the motion very readily, and approved of it as very laudable, juſt, and needful for the peace of the Church of God, and for the Conſervation of the purity of our Doctrine, and for the farther ſtrengthning of our Union with the Foreign Reformed Churches; and therefore counting the Maladies of the Low-Country Churches a very fair Advertiſement and warning unto us, and that we may imitate ſo excellent an Example, and prevent the danger threatned us by making uſe of theſe ſelf-ſame means they did for the Expulſion of thoſe Errors out of their Bowels, wherefore, foraſmuch as the National Synod of Dort called by the Authority, wiſe Counſel, and vigilant forecaſt of their High and Mighty Lordſhips the States General of the Confederate Netherlands and of all the United Provinces under their Juriſdiction and Government, and in which aſſiſted perſonally divers great and very Learned Divines from many other Reformed Churches of our Lord Jeſus, hath been in the Netherlands and ſtill is a moſt effectual remedy for the Reformation of the Church, and the grubbing of Hereſies in the Article of Predeſtination and its depencies. This Aſſembly after invocation of the Name of God, decreed, that the Articles of the ſaid National Council held at Dort, ſhould be read in full Synod, which being read accordingly, and every Article ponder'd moſt attentively, they were all received and approved by a common unanimous conſent, as agreeing with the Word of God, and the Confeſſion of Faith in theſe our Churches, that they were framed with ſingular prudence and purity, that they were very meet and proper to detect the Arminian Errors, and to confound them, for which reaſon all the Paſtors and Elders Deputed unto this Aſſembly have ſworne and proteſted joyntly and ſeverally that they conſent unto this Doctrine, and that they will defend it with the utmoſt of their power even to their laſt breath. The Form and Tenour of which Oath, together with the Deputies Names ſubſcribed ſhall be added to the cloſe of this Article, that the conſent may be rendred the more Authentick, and Obliging to all the Provinces. And this Aſſembly ordaineth that this very Canon be printed, and added to the Canons of the ſaid Council, and that it ſhall be read in our Provincial Synods, and in our Univerſities, that it may be approved, ſworne, and ſubſcribed to by the Paſtors and Elders of our Churches, and by the Doctors and Profeſſors in our Univerſities, and alſo by all thoſe that are to be ordained and admitted into the Miniſtry, or into the Profeſſors Chair in any of our Univerſities. And if any one of theſe Perſons ſhould reject either in whole or in part the Doctrine contained in, and decided by the Canons of the ſaid Council, or refuſe to take the Oath of Conſent and Approbation, This Aſſembly decreeth that he ſhall not be admitted into any Office or Imployment either in our Churches or Univerſities. Moreover this Aſſembly conjureth by the bowels of Divine Mercy, and by the Blood of the Everlaſting Covenant all Miniſters, Paſtors of Churches, to whom the Cure of pretious Souls is committed, that they would walk together evenly and harmoniouſly in one and the ſame way, that they abſtain from all idle, unprofitable, and curious Queſtions, that they do not pry into the Sacred Ark of Gods hidden and unrevealed Counſels and Decrees, above or beyond what is recorded in his written Word, the Holy Scriptures of Truth, but rather that they would humbly own and acknowledge their ignorance of thoſe profound and unfathomable Myſteries, than intrude themſelves into things unlawful, and that they would ſo order their Diſcourſes and Sermons concerning Predeſtination, that it may promote Repentance and Amendment of Life, conſolate wounded Conſciences, and excite the practice of Godlineſs; that by this means all occaſions of Diſputes and Controverſies may be avoided, and we may abide united in one and the ſame Faith with our Brethren of the Netherlands, and other Churches of our Lord Jeſus without the Kingdom, as maintaining together with them and contending for one, and the ſame Faith, aſſaulted by the ſame common Enemies, and called to one and the ſame hope through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghoſt be Honour and Glory for ever and ever. Amen.