The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 28 (3rd Charenton) · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
18. THE Confeſſion of Faith of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom was read, and Signed by all the Deputies, and they did all of them unanimouſly for themſelves, and for their Provinces, make this Solemn Proteſtation, that they would immovably perſiſt to their laſt Gaſp in the Profeſſion of it.
19. Obſervations upon Reading of the Church-Diſcipline.
ARTICLE 1. THE ſtrict Obſervation of the Thirteenth Canon, in the Firſt Chapter of our Diſcipline, concerning the Reſidence of Paſtors in their Churches, is recommended unto all the Provinces, who ſhall mutually inſpect one the other, and ſhall be reſponſible reſpectively for their Obedience unto this Order in the next National Synod.
Article 2. For the better Underſtanding of the Ninth Canon in the Second Chapter of our Diſcipline, and the Second Obſervation of the Synod of Alez, on the immediate foregoing Synod of Vitre, That when a Church is ſerved by ſeveral Paſtors, and an Appeal ſhall be made from One of them, this Buſineſs ſhall be decided by his Colleagues, in conjunction with the Conſiſtory; and in ſuch Churches where there is but one Paſtor only, a Neighbour Miniſter ſhall be intreated to come unto that Conſiſtory, to conſult about the Appeal from him, and to give Judgment in that caſe; and till it be Pronounced, the Appellant ſhall abſtain from Communion at the Lord's Table.
Article 3. The Tenth Canon of the 13th Chapter of our Diſcipline, ſhall be underſtood in this Senſe, That no Man may Marry the Mother of his Deceaſed Spouſe, unleſs the Civil Magiſtrate ſhall Authorize it by his own Ordinance, which ſhall be expected, both by the Paſtor, and the Parties contracting Marriage.
Article 4. The Twelfth Canon ſhall be couched in theſe Words, That however Civility and Decency may oppoſe a Mans Marriage with the Widow of his Wives Brother, yet in caſe the Civil Magiſtrate will authorize the Contract, our Churches ſhall make no difficulty at all to Bleſs it.
Article 5. In ratifying the Canons of the National Synods of Gergeau, Gap, and the Third held at Rochel concerning Propoſans, who preſume to get into the pulpits, and from thence to hold forth their Propoſitions, which can be none other than an Authoritative Preaching unto the People, eſpecially if it be on the uſual Days and Hours of their Publick Meetings; this Aſſemby at the Requeſt of the Province of Xaintonge, doth forbid all Paſtors and Conſiſtories, to ſuffer this Practice to creep into any of their Churches; nor ſhall they of their own Heads introduce it.
Article 6. By reaſon of that defect which occurs in ſome Letters of Commiſsion from the Provinces unto their Deputies, it is now Decreed, That the Proper Names and Surnames of their reſpective Deputies ſhall be inſerted in them.
Article 7. The Province of Provence, is admoniſhed to cauſe the Letters of Commiſsion given unto their Deputies to be ſigned in their Provincial Synod by the Moderator and Scribe, that it may be known who they be that are choſen by them; and they ſhall alſo inſert into them the Clauſe of Submiſsion unto the authority of the National Synods, even as it is expreſſed in that particular Canon of our Diſcipline relating to it.
Article 8. The Province of Britain demanding by their Deputies, whether Paſtors may be permitted to Bleſs the Marriages of Couzen Cermans, before they have obtained his Majeſties Diſpenſation; This Synod doth moſt ſtrictly forbid any one of our Miniſters to attempt ſuch a matter, becauſe the very contrary is expreſly injoyned us in thoſe particular Articles, which explain the Edict of Nantes. See Art 41.
Article 9. Whereas the ſame Province demanded, that this Aſſembly would frame a particular form for Baptizing of Adult Perſons, which are Converted from Paganiſm, Mahometiſm, and Judaiſm unto the Chriſtian Religion; It was thereupon Ordered, that this enſuing Form ſhould be particularly uſed on thoſe Occaſions, when as God ſhall be graciouſly pleaſed to make any Additions unto his Church, of ſuch Converts.