The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 24 (1st Charenton) · Chapter 5 – Chapter 12
CHAP. V. Obſervation on reading of the Diſcipline.
1 WHEN as the Fourth Canon of the Fourth Chapter was read ſeveral of the Provinces requeſted that ſome certain and proper means might be found out, vvhereby to prevent thoſe Frauds vvhichwhich are uſually committed in Atteſtations. The Synod judging it needleſs to make any Additions unto the ſaid Canon, doth enjoyn all Conſiſtories and Paſtors carefully to examine both thoſe Atteſtations, and the Perſons that bring them, that they may receive from their ovvn Mouths a Teſtimony and Confeſſion of their Religion, and an Evidence of their Knovvledge and Underſtanding in it.
2. On the Sixteenth Canon of the Fifth Chapter, the Deputies of Poictou demanded, Whether ſuch as having been Married after the Popiſh manner, or having ſo Married their Children, and being aftervvards convinced of their Sin, and teſtifying their Repentance for it might be diſcharged from their Publick Suſpenſion. This Synod judging that this Cenſure is become almoſt indiſpenſably neceſſary to retain them vvithin the bounds of Duty, vvho are othervviſe but too prone to laviſh out into ſuch like or vvorſe Offences, doth ordain that the Canon be moſt ſtrictly and exactly obſerved. And the rather, becauſe that vvithout ſuch a ſuſpenſion the Scandal given unto the Church of God cannot be ſufficiently repaired.
3. On the Twelfth Canon of the Ninth Chapter, inſtead of thoſe words, After which ſhall be celebrated the Lords Supper, theſe only ſhall be inſerted, and the Lords Supper ſhall be celebrated. That ſo the time of its adminiſtration may be left wholly to the power of Synods.
4. In reading the Eleventh Canon of the Thirteenth Chapter of the Diſcipline, the Province of Xaintonge moved whether a Man who had married his Wifes Neece might be admitted to Publick Penance, and to the Peace and Fellowſhip of the Church. The Synod judging ſuch a Conjunction, inceſtuous, declares, That as long as they continue to cohabit together as Man and Wife, the Man ſhall not be received neither to the one nor other.
5. On the Sixteenth Canon of the Thirteenth Chapter the Province of the Iſle of France requeſted that hereafter in all Certificates to be given by our Conſiſtories that the Banes of Marriage had been publiſhed in their Churches, it might be expreſly inſerted, that the ſaid Banes were publiſhed in thoſe Churches where the Parties contracted are either well-known, or elſe held their perſonal reſidence for the greateſt part of their time. The Synod enjoyneth all Paſtors to expreſs in ſuch Certificates that the Parties contracted do uſually reſide in thoſe Churches where their Banes aforeſaid were publiſhed.
6. On the Fourteenth Canon of the Fourteenth Chapter, the Province of Dolphiny requeſting, that after theſe words, In the Colledges of Prieſts, Monks, Jeſuits and Nuns, there might be added, and other Popiſh School-Maſters. The Synod ordains that nothing ſhall be added unto the ſaid Canon, yet notwithſtanding doth it forbid all Parents to take any Perſon into their Houſes of a contrary Religion to inſtruct their Children. Moreover it leaveth it to the prudence of Conſiſtories, Colloquies, and Provincial Synods to make ſuch Canons as they judge will beſt ſuit with the Condition of the Churches under their Conduct and Direction.
7. The Canons of our Diſcipline having been read and ſeriouſly conſidered. All the Paſtors and Elders Deputed unto this Aſſembly did for themſelves, and for their reſpective Provinces with their hands lifted up to Heaven, ſwear that they would keep and obſerve it, and ſee to the beſt of their power that it ſhould be kept and obſerved by all their Principals who had ſent them.
8. Letters from the Paſtors and Profeſſors in the Church and Univerſity of Geneva were read in Anſwer unto thoſe of the laſt National Synod, by which they aſſure us of their Unanimous conſent and agreement with us not only in the Eſſentials of Religion, but alſo in outward Circumſtantials and Ceremonies, and as an Evidence hereof, they have imbraced that advice given them by the aforeſaid Synod, ever at the Lords Supper after the words of Inſtitution, and Diſtribution of the Sacred Elements to add a word of Exhortation, and that whereas heretofore they had only uſed unleavened Bread in conformity to their Neighbour-Churches in the Canton of Bearne, now out of Love and Conformity to us and ours, they did and would for the future uſe Common Bread at this Holy Sacrament. And whereas their Elders had formerly aſſiſted their Paſtors in the Delivery and Diſtribution of the Calice, they had reſolved that it ſhould be done by the Paſtors only. Adding over and above very many other kind expreſſions of their endearing Love, and fraternal Union with the Churches of this Kingdom. Upon which this Aſſembly reſolved that an Anſwer ſhould be returned them fully teſtifying our mutual Affection, and high and reciprocal Eſteem and Honour for them.
CHAP. VI. Obſervations on reading the Acts of the National Synod of ALEZ.
1 WHereas in their Reflections on our Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline the ſaid Synod of Alez had enjoyned all the Provinces to ſee that the Twelfth Canon in the Firſt Chapter of the Diſcipline concerning Catechiſing ſhould be ſtrictly obſerved. This Aſſembly repeats the ſame injunction, and chargeth the Provincial Synods to make report unto the next National Synod whether this Canon hath been carefully obſerved or not.
2. And as the ſaid National Synod of Alez, ſo doth this alſo Decree and Enioyn all Conſiſtories to read that Canon made at Privas about Moderation in the habits of Paſtors and their Families, and it doth enjoyn all Colloquies and Synods to put forth their helping hand for its better obſervance, and to ſee that all Conſiſtories do read it once a year in their Aſſemblies, and to make report hereof unto the next National Synod.
3. On that Canon of the ſame Synod injoyning Paſtors to deliver the Cup as well as the Bread at the Lords Table, Divers Provinces requeſting that thoſe words, As much as may be, which had been razed out by the Synod of Alez from the Ninth Canon of the Twelfth Chapter of our Diſcipline, might be again reſtored. This Aſſembly conſidering that the far greateſt part of the Churches in this Kingdom do conforme themſelves unto that Canon of the ſaid Synod, and that very many Churches both abroad and at home have ſince acquieſced in it, that alſo ſuch an obſervation as this contributes more to the Dignity and Reverence of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and tends very much unto the Edification of the Communicants, therefore doth it injoyne all the Churches to obſerve moſt uniformely that Canon of the ſaid Synod of Alez.
CHAP. VII. Reflections on their Obſervations paſſed upon the Acts of the Notional Synod of VITRE.
4 THat Canon prohibiting Miniſters intermedling with State-Matters in their Pulpits and Sermons, framed by the Synod of Vitre, and reinforced by that of Alez ſhall be read in their Conſiſtories; and all Provincial Synods are expreſly charged to ſee that it be put in Execution, and to bring good proof of their Obedience, Care and Diligence as to its obſervation unto the next National Synod.
5. On that Canon commanding Paſtors to reſide in their Churches, This Aſſembly decreed, that after the Twelfth Canon in the Firſt Chapter of our Church-Diſcipline, there ſhall be this immediately inſerted, All Miniſters ſhall actually reſide in their Churches on pain of being Depoſed from their Miniſterial Office.
CHAP. VIII. On the Chapter of APPEALS.
This Codur Apoſtatized afterward in his Old Age; and was therefore Depoſed by the Synod of Loudun, 16596 WHEN as that Canon was read concerning the Church of Ganges, and Monſieur Codur formerly Paſtor of it: The Aſſembly underſtanding by the Provincial Deputies of Sevennes that the ſaid Province could not in all this time provide a Church for the ſaid Codur, It doth now decree that the ſaid Province ſhall preſent him unto one between this and their next Synod, and in caſe of their neglect, the ſaid Codur is injoyned to wait upon the Synod of Dolphiny, which is ordered by this Aſſembly to aſſign him a particular Church, where he may profitably imploy himſelf in the Miniſtry, and not ruſt in Idleneſs.
See of this Tuffan Syn. of Alez. Appeal 63. and the Roll of Apoſt. in the ſecond Synod of Charenton.7. The Canon concerning the Church of St. Laurence, and Monſieur Tuffan their late Paſtor, ſuſpended by the Synod of Alez, and whoſe Suſpenſion was prolonged till the ſitting of this Synod, but under this condition, that he might be reſtored unto his Miniſterial Office if ſo be the calling of this National Synod had been deferred for any longer time. This Aſſembly being informed by the Deputies of Lower Languedoc, that the ſaid Tuffan hath ever ſince his ſuſpenſion demeaned himſelf with very much Humility and Modeſty, and ſuffered very great hardſhips in the late troubles for which reaſons he had been reſtored unto his Office in the laſt Synod held at Ʋſez according as it had pleaſed the aforeſaid Synod of Alez to concede it, had the ſaid Province then and there received the News of the Calling of this Aſſembly. Wherefore this Aſſembly approving fully the Decree of the Synod at Ʋſez, and confirming the ſaid Tuffan again in his Miniſtry, doth overlook that Formality omitted by the ſaid Synod, which ſhould have tarried till the time preſcribed by the Synod of Alez were totally expired, and farther it doth mitigate the rigour of the Canon of that Synod, and permits the Synod of Lower Languedoc to aſſign unto the ſaid Tuffan a particular Church in the Colloquy of Niſmes, or any one near unto it, but ſtill with the conſent of the ſaid Colloquy.
CHAP. IX. On the Chapter of GENERAL MATTERS.
8 THAT Canon concerning Atteſtations given unto Propoſans ſhall be read in Conſiſtories, Colloquies, and in all Univerſity Councils, and the Provincial Synods ſhall ſo exert their Power that it be moſt ſtrictly obſerved.
9. That Canon about Means and Maintenance for our Miniſters, and the keeping up of the Holy Miniſtry ſhall be read in all Conſiſtories, which are exhorted to procure its Execution and Obſervation as much as in them lyeth.
10. On thoſe words in the form of Excommunication, In the Name and by the Authority of our …ord Jeſus, and by the Authority of the Paſtors and Elders aſſembled in Colloquy, and of the Conſiſtory of this Church. The Provinces of Anjou and Poictou demanded whether a particular Conſiſtory might not proceed to Excommunication without the advice and conſent of the Colloquy. This Synod judged according to our Church Diſcipline that Conſiſtories might warrantably do it, provided there were no Appeal. Yet nevertheleſs becauſe of the great importance of this Action the Conſiſtories are exhorted to get it ſtrengthened by and with the Approbation of the Colloquy, at leaſt with the advice of the Neighbour-Paſtors if it may be had.
11. The Province of Berry requeſting that the ſaid Forme might be inſerted into the Body of our Diſcipline, and that another Forme might be drawn up to be joyned with it for the Reſtauration of a Penitent Excommunicate. The Synod leaving it to the prudence of Miniſters and Conſiſtories to uſe ſuch a Form in the Reception of Penitent Excommunicates as they ſhall judge moſt convenient for Places and Perſons; ordaineth that the aforeſaid Form of Excommunication ſhall be incorporated with our Diſcipline, and placed immediately after the Seventeenth Canon of the Fifth Chapter, and thoſe words which before concluded it ſhall be razed out, viz. Ʋſing this or any other Form as ſhall be adviſed by the Conſiſtory. Inſtead whereof ſhall be inſerted theſe, My Brethren this is the Fourth time, &c.
CHAP. X. On the Chapter of PARTICULAR MATTERS.
12 ON that Canon about compoſing an Hiſtory of the Albingenſes, This Aſſembly having been well informed of the Learning and Abilities of the Sieur du Tilloy Paſtor in the Church of Sedan, decreeth that he be intreated to write the ſaid Hiſtory, and the Provinces are exhorted to ſend him whatever Memoirs they have on this Subject.
13. On that Canon concerning Monſieur Pilotis, the Deputies of Sevennes requeſting that he might be reimburſt the loſſes which he had heretofore ſuffered in the Service of our Churches. This Aſſembly agreeing with the Synod of Alez hath anſwered, that the Moneys attributed unto the Churches can not be diverted unto other uſes.
14. That Canon condemning the Province of Higher Languedoc to make reſtitution of the Summ of Five Hundred Livres unto that of the Iſle of France, the Province of Languedoc requeſting that it might be diſcharged from paying the Two Hundred Livres which yet reſt due: This Aſſembly judged, that it ought not to change a Tittle in the ſaid Canon, and that the ſaid Province ſhould apply it ſelf unto that of the Iſle of France, to whoſe Charity they be recommended.
15. On the next Canon concerning Monſieur Richer, this Aſſembly having ſeen the Judgment of the Conſiſtory of Saumur, Deputed to clear up his Accounts, doth confirm the ſaid Judgment; yet nevertheleſs it intreateth the Province of the Iſle of France to deal charitably with the ſaid Richer, according to the Canon of the Synod of Alez, and the advice of the Conſiſtory of Saumur.
16. The reading of particular Matters being over, it was obſerved that divers Provinces though they were ordered by the foregoing Synod to execute ſeveral Canons, yet had not brought with them any proof of their care and diligence in ſo doing. The Synod therefore ordained, that for the future the Provincial Deputies ſhould produce the Acts of their Provincial Synods, and other needful Evidence of their having performed the Matters which were injoyned them.
CHAP. XI. On the Chapter of Colledges and Univerſities.
17 THE Synod of Anjou petitioned that the Fourth Canon concerning Profeſſors of Divinity and the Hebrew Tongue who are Miniſters to be reputed Paſtors of that Church wherein the Univerſity is ſeated, might be explained. This Synod confirming the decree of Alez, declareth this to be the ſence and meaning of it, That the Churches are not obliged to give them Wages, nor imploy them in ſuch frequent ſervices as their ordinary Paſtors, but leaveth it to die prudence and diſcretion of Conſiſtories to agree with the ſaid Profeſſors about their work and maintenance as they ſhall judge moſt conſonant to reaſon and equity.
18. In that Fifth Canon by which the Province of Higher Languedoc is cenſured, after thoſe words, And for not having obſerved all the Formalities required by the Diſcipline in the reception of the ſaid Monſieur Beraud into the Profeſſors Chair of Divinity, ſhall be added theſe following, When as the ſaid Sieur Beraud had ſubmitted himſelf unto the moſt Rigorons Examen, even as the Deputies themſelves of that very ſelf-ſame Province had atteſted.
19. On the Eleventh Canon which had ſetled the Colledge of the Province of Sevennes in the Town of Anduze by proviſion only, till the meeting of this preſent Synod. This Aſſembly ordaineth that ſince by their ſilence both that Province and the City of Alez do ſeem to conſent unto it, things ſhall continue in that Eſtate in which they are at preſent.
20. Reading that Article about bringing in the Accompts of our Colledges and Univerſities, Monſieur Baſnage and le Clerk Paſtors, and Du Port and du Four Elders, were conſtituted a Committee to examine all ſuch Accompts.
CHAP. XII. Obſervations on the Chapter of General Laws for our Univerſities.
21 THE Synod after Debate had of what Claſſick Authors ſhould be read in Schools, doth order all Tutors and Regents of the Lower Claſſes on every Saturday to read unto their Scholars a Section of the greater Catechiſme either in French, Latin, or Greek according to their Capacities, and to cauſe them to get it by heart, and to give them a plain and familiar Expoſition of it.