The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 29 (Loudun) · Chapter 10

The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France · 29 (Loudun) · Chapter 10

p. 550CHAP. X. General Matters.

1. THE Aſſembly being informed by the Province of Lower Languedoc, that ſome Paſtors do read the Texts of their Sermons in other Tranſlations differing from that which is commonly uſed in our Churches; this Aſſembly decreeth that no Perſon ſhall dare uſe any other Verſion than that which is ordinarily uſed, whether in Reading the Scriptures, or taking their Texts out of it.

2. As to that Propoſal made by the Deputy of the Province of Burgundy, concerning the adminiſtration of the Poor's Mony, and the rendring of Accompts by thoſe who have had the Management thereof: This Aſſembly judgeth, that the cognizance and direction of this matter belongeth unto the Conſiſtory according to the Order eſtabliſhed by our Diſcipline; and that whoſoever doth violate thoſe Canons, by rem…ing this Affair from our Eccleſiaſtick Aſſemblies, ought to be proſecuted with all kind of Cenſures, as Contemners of our Canons, and Rebels to the Conſiſtories.

3. The Provincial Deputies of Burgundy, demanding upon the Sixteenth Article of the Thirteenth Chapter of our Diſcipline, how they ſhould judge of their place of Abode, who contract Marriage, that ſo they may warrantably publiſh their Banes: This Aſſembly was of Opinion, that there could not be a General Canon made which ſhould oblige all the Churches, becauſe that the Cuſtoms of particular places, though different one from another, are to be followed. Therefore the cognizance of this matter is remitted to the prudence of Provincial Synods, Colloquies and Conſiſtories, which ſhall obſerve and follow the Cuſtoms in every particular Diſtrict.

p. 5514. The Deputies of the ſame Province made report of the little care that was obſerved in ſeveral parts of their Province, to ſanctifie the Lord's Day, and that by very many Perſons, it was imployed in Worldly Buſineſſes, Sports and Paſtimes, depriving themſelves of Religious Exerciſes and Ordinances, and ſuffering themſelves to be led aſide by Sinful Examples unto Plays and Diſſolutions. This Aſſembly touched to the quick with a moſt ſenſible grief for ſo great a Profanation, provoking God to pour down his moſt dreadful Vengeance upon the Sons of Men, doth exhort all the Faithful to ſpend this Sacred Day of Reſt in the performances of Holy Duties, and to thoſe divine ends whereunto it is appointed, by exerciſing themſelves in all publick and private Duties of Religion, particularly in the Reading, Hearing and Meditation of God's Holy Word and Prayer; and that they do not only Religiouſly abſtain from their ordinary Week-days labour, but alſo from all Companies, Meetings, Sports and Recreations, which will eſtrange their Hearts and Affections from the Worſhip of God, and from that Devotion which we are moſt eſpecially obliged to upon theſe Holy Sabbaths of Chriſts own Inſtitution. And our Provincial Synods are injoyned upon this occaſion, to make ſuch Canons as they ſhall judge needful; and every individual Member of our Churches are moſt ſtrictly commanded conſcientiouſly to obſerve and obey them.

5. The Province of Bearn deſired, that they might be impowered with authority to practiſe thoſe Canons, which they had already eſtabliſhed, and which they might hereafter alſo, as to the times and places of Celebrating Marriages. This Aſſembly granted them their Requeſt, and gave alſo the ſame Authority unto all other Provincial Synods, and forbiddeth all Miniſters to Marry any Perſons in their Churches, excepting at the Hours accuſtomed for ſuch Solemnities.

6. The Two and Thirtieth Article in the laſt Chapter of our Diſcipline, which forbiddeth Duels, under the ſevereſt Cenſures even of Excommunication it ſelf, ſhall be read in all the Churches, and reinforced with moſt cloſe and vehement Exhortations, that ſo this Helliſh Sin may be baniſhed from out the Hearts and Societies of the Faithful, as being expreſly forbidden by the word of God, and declared by his Majeſty's Edicts to have merited the deepeſt brand of Infamy; and all Conſiſtories are injoyned to put forth their Power in proſecuting the Refractory with all kind of Cenſures.

7. Whereas diverts Provinces have complained of that great difference which is obſerved in the Printed Copies of our Diſcipline; this Aſſembly Ordaineth that there ſhall be drawn up another moſt exact and correct, according to the Deciſions of our National Synods, in whoſe Margin ſhall be inſerted the Canons and Obſervations extracted out of thoſe Synods, which ſhall be judged moſt needful. And Monſieur Amyraud Paſtor and Profeſſor in the Church and Univerſity of Saumur is charged with this Task; and he ſhall uſe the labours of Monſieur Blondel, Gaultier, and Catelau, and ſhall communicate his Work unto the Conſiſtories of Saumur, Paris and Rochel, and with then Approbation it ſhall be Printed.

8. In executing that Article of the National Synod of Charenton, in the Year 1631, when as any Members of the Auguſtane Confeſsion, commonly called Lutherans, ſhall offer Children into Baptiſm, not having before-time communicated with us; this Aſſembly decreeth, that the Conſiſtories ſhall take a particular notice of their Inclinations, whether they joyn themſelves unto our Church-Aſſemblies, with a true p. 552peaceable Spirit of Charity, as is required by the ſaid Article; in which caſe they ſhall be admitted to ſtand Sureties. And the like regard ſhall be had and obſerved as to Marriages.

9. The Province of Bearne demanded whether they might ſuffer the Lord's Supper to be adminiſtred on any other day beſides the Chriſtian Sabbath. This Aſſembly judgeth, that although Religious Worſhip be not tied up to the circumſtances of time and place, yet nevertheleſs it was needful, becauſe of the Importance of ſo ſacred a Ceremony, that it be celebrated if poſſible only upon the Lord's Day, and not on any other, unleſs upon very great and weighty conſiderations, whereof the Provincial Synods, Colloquies and Conſiſtories ſhall take cognizance.

10. That for the future, Deputations unto National Synods may be compleat, over and above thoſe Canons already made, This Aſſembly Ordaineth, that ſuch Perſons who being deputed, ſhall be abſent from them, ſhall inform this Synod of the cauſes of their abſence, and of that care they had taken to give notice unto thoſe who were ſubſtituted in their Places to appear for them; and the Synod of that Province ſhall judge herein. But and if they ſhall not give this Notice and Information, the Provinces are injoyned ſtrictly to inſpect the matter, and to proceed againſt ſuch Defaulters, without ſufficient Reaſon, by ſuſpending them from their Offices. And an Account hereof ſhall be given unto the next National Synod.

11. The Provinces having rendred an Account of the care taken by them, to oblige their Paſtors to reſide on their reſpective Churches, This Aſſembly confirmeth the former Canons on this occaſion, and enjoyneth all Synods and Colloquies to concern themſelves in it, and upon an exact knowledg of the ſtate of their Churches and Paſtors, they be charged to proceed againſt the Refractory with all kind of Cenſures.

12. It being reported to this National Synod, that the word Damnation in the Tenth Section of the Catechiſm, hath been changed in the ſundry Editions of our Pſalms into that of Condemnation. The Synod judging thoſe Two Words for Subſtance to ſignifie one and the ſame thing, doth leave the Printers at liberty to uſe which of them they beſt like.

13. To prevent that diverſity found in the Editions of the Bible, and Pſalms, of our Liturgy, and Catechiſm, This Aſſembly Ordaineth, that every Province ſhall remark and obſerve thoſe Changes which have been made, and what others may be needful to be done, that they may be ſent unto the Conſiſtory of Paris, which ſhall chuſe out of them according to their Prudence, and notifie them unto the Provincial Synod of the Iſle of France, which ſhall iſſue out thoſe Orders neceſſary for a more correct Edition of the Holy Bible, Pſalms, Liturgy and Catechiſm, unto which the Printers ſhall conform themſelves in their future Impreſſions. Moreover the Conſiſtories of thoſe Places where there is a Printing-Preſs are charged to be very careful in this matter; and the Sieurs Bochard of Caen, Jaſſaud of Caſtres, De Chandieu, Euſtache, Taby, Boudan, Bernard, De Veloux, Le Blois, Guitton, Amyraud, Daille, Gommare, Dize, Riccotier, Cazamajor, and Homel, Paſtors, are appointed a Committee, to ſee this preſent Act put in Execution.

14. Foraſmuch as the Sins of Men, eſpecially of thoſe whom God hath ſeparated from the World by a moſt Holy Profeſſion, and whom he hath honoured above all others with the Glorious Title of his Children, do very often and lowdly ſummon the Church of God unto extraordinary p. 553Humiliation, Publick Prayers, Faſtings and Repentance: This Aſſembly recommendeth unto the Provinces the Obſervation of that Article of our Diſcipline, which enables the Provincial Synods to proclaim publick Faſts every one of them within their Diviſions, according as they ſhall judge needful. And ordaineth that the Province, which hath the Priviledge of calling the National Synod, ſhall take care to publiſh a National Faſt to be univerſally obſerved in all the Churches of this Kingdom, according to the Intelligence it ſhall receive from the other Provinces, and eſpecially from thoſe that border neareſt to it, according to the ſame Article of the Diſcipline, that ſo the fierce Anger and Judgment of God may be prevented and avoided.

15. Such as defer the Baptizing of their Children ſhall be ſharply cenſured, according to the Rigour of our Diſcipline; and if any Children are come unto Years of Diſcretion, and were never Baptized, they ſhall be firſt Catechiſed and well inſtructed in the Principles of Chriſtian Religion before they be admitted unto Baptiſm.

16. The Deputies of the Iſle of France having remonſtrated the wicked Practices of ſome Profeſſors of our Religion; ſuch be forbidden upon pain of the laſt and greateſt Cenſures, to lend their Names unto Perſons of the Romiſh Communion, that they may draw their Affairs, tho but indirectly, and in which they have, in effect, no concern at all, before the Courts of the Edict.

17. The Deputies of the Province of Brittaine requeſting it, this Aſſembly ordaineth, that in caſe Errors be not divulged among the Common People, they who undertake to refute them ſhall write in the Latin Tongue.

18. The Provincial Deputies of Normandy petitioning for it, this Aſſembly ordained, That all Conſiſtories ſhall take care that thoſe Portions of the Holy Scripture be read, and Pſalms ſung, during the Celebration of the Lords Supper, which are moſt ſuitable to the Nature of that Ordinance, that ſo the Devotion of our Communicants may be raiſed add inflamed, and not flatted nor diverted.

19. A motion was made, that whereas many particular Churches of ours had an undoubted Right to exerciſe our Religion by vertue of the Edicts in ſundry Cities, Towns, and other places in the Country, and yet do meet together for Religious Worſhip in very ill and unconvenient places; this Aſſembly exhorteth all the Churches, either to accommodate them better, or to build new Temples, which may be more fit and commodious, and only to employ them in Religious Uſes, and the Sacred Exerciſes of our Religion. And all Lords and Gentlemen, Members of the ſaid Churches, are more particularly exhorted to promote this excellent Work as much as in them lieth.

20. At the Requeſt of the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny all Colloquies are exhorted to cauſe the Acts of all our National Synods to be transcribed, that ſo they may be uſeful to them in their Exerciſe of Church-Diſcipline.

21. The Provincial Deputies of Xaintonge and Poiſtou moving it, that that Canon of our Diſcipline, and Decrees of our National Synods, (which forbad the publiſhing of any Treatiſe of Religion till it had been firſt examined and approved by thoſe Perſons, who were appointed to it by the Provincial Synod) might be extended unto Sermons alſo, and to any other kind of Writings in matters of Religion: Their Deſire was granted them accordingly.

22. This Aſſembly being informed, that in certain Provinces Paſtors are given unto Churches for an Year by way of Tryal, and that they be removed from their Cures with too great Facility: This Aſſembly p. 554condemning theſe Diſorders, enjoyneth all the Provinces to conform themſelves to that Canon of the National Synod of Gorgeau on the Tenth Article of the firſt Chapter of our Diſcipline, which declared, that it was reſolved for the future, that when Miniſters were ordained, they ſhould not be ſent any more for one Year unto a Church, but that the Method preſcribed in our Diſcipline ſhould be moſt ſtrictly and cloſely followed. All which ſhall be notified unto all the Churches by reading of this preſent Act.

23. In all our National Synods this Order ſhall be obſerved, that after the Moderator, Aſſeſſor and Scribe, who is a Paſtor, ſhall have given their Opinions on the Queſtion propounded, then the Scribe, who is choſen from among the Elders, ſhall give his in the next place, and after him my Lord the General Deputy, and then the whole Body of Paſtors, and next to them the Elders who are Deputed by the Provinces; and then laſtly, the Moderator ſhall collect the Votes, and conclude with his own Suffrage; and all Provincial Synods are likewiſe to obſerve and practiſe this ſelf-ſame Method in Debates and Suffrages, without ſwerving from it in the leaſt.

24. Sundry Provinces complaining that the Sieurs Daille and Amyrald had violated the Canons made in the National Synods of Alanſon, 1637. and of Charenton, 1644. about the Doctrin of Grace. This Aſſembly having heard thoſe two Eminent Miniſters of the Goſpel Daille and Amyrald ſpeak in their own Defence, and found that they were clear and ſound in their Judgments, and that they might be well enough diſcharged from all Blame, for having thwarted and tranſgreſſed the ſaid Canons, and that they had not incurr'd thoſe Cenſures which were decreed againſt the Infringers and Violators of them: And it being evident, that the ſaid Book of Monſieur Daille was not only printed without his knowledg, but alſo againſt his Will, which he proved by his expreſs oppoſing of it's Publication; and that the ſaid Mr. Amyrald hath not written any thing ſince thoſe Synods aforeſaid, but according to that Licenſe which was granted him by the Synod of Charenton, 1644. in caſe any one ſhould write againſt him; nor have any Writings of his been ſince publiſhed, till others had firſt provoked him by clamouring againſt his Doctrin. For theſe Cauſes this Aſſembly doth unanimouſly decree, nemine contradicente, that all that is paſt on this occaſion unto this very Day, ſhall be buried in the Grave of a deep and holy Oblivion; and the ſaid Sieurs Daille and Amyrald are exhorted, to continue in their Faithful Imployment of thoſe rich Talents, which God hath beſtowed upon them, to the advancement of his Glory, and the edifying of his Church.

25. And whereas the Happineſs of our Churches conſiſteth very much in their Peace, and that all kind of Contentions and Diviſions may be obviated and prevented, this Aſſembly, treading in the Footſteps of their Predeceſſors, and that Satisfaction may be given to the Requeſts of all the Provinces, who have unanimouſly demanded a punctual Obſervation of the Canons made in thoſe Synods of Alanſon and Charenton, doth confirm thoſe ſaid Canons, and abſolutely forbids, on pain of the laſt and greateſt Cenſures of our Diſcipline, all Paſtors and Profeſſors to tranſgreſs them, either by publick Lectures, Sermons, Diſputes or Writings, againſt the Natives of our Kingdom, or the Subjects of Foreign States; nor ſhall they ſuffer any of their Scholars to hold any Diſputations about them. And finally, that a ſtrict Conformity may be upheld among us. All Colloquies and Provincial Synods, when they receive Propoſans into the Sacred Miniſterial Office, ſhall not uſe, with reſpect unto theſe points, any particular Forms, but ſhall acquieſce in the Signing and Swearing our Confeſſion of Faith and Church Diſcipline p. 555by theſe Propoſans, and in cauſing them to proteſt with Hands uplifted unto Heaven, calling God to witneſs upon their Souls, that they do reject all Errors rejected by the Decrees of thoſe National Synods of Alanſon and Charenton about the Doctrin of Predeſtination and of Grace, the Tenor whereof is as followeth.

Articles extracted out of the Acts of the National Synods of Alanſon and Charenton.

THat the Purity of Doctrin may be entirely preſerved,See the Synod of Alanſon, G. M. Art. 8. &c. and all miſunderſtandings between Paſtors, Profeſſors, and Churches, may be avoided, and to prevent thoſe Inconveniences which would happen thereupon, and to tie and maintain more ſtrictly and ſtrongly the Spiritual Bonds of Brotherly Charity and Union among the Faithful, this Synod doth moſt rigorouſly forbid, on pain of all Church-Cenſures, yea, and of Depoſal from their Miniſtry, all Paſtors of Churches, and Profeſſors in our Univerſities, to treat in their Sermons, Lectures or Writings of thoſe curious Queſtions, which may occaſion the Fall or ſtumbling either of Students in Divinity, or of private Chriſtians. It being moſt neceſſary that both their Flocks and Scholars ſhould keep themſelves to the ſimplicity and plainneſs of Holy Scripture, and to the common Expoſitions of the Orthodox Creed grounded thereupon, and approved by our National Synods, particularly by that of Charenton, held in the Year 1623. They be alſo forbidden the uſing of any new Expreſſions ſubject to ill Conſtructions and Miſ-interpretations, or contentiouſly to diſpute one with the other upon ſuch Queſtions or Interpretations, or to draw reciprocally the Saw of Controverſie betwixt them in Polemical Writings, nor ſhall they violate directly or indirectly the Canons made either in this or former Synods, about Printing of Books, for whoſe Contents the Licenſers of the Preſs, ſhall be reſponſible, as much as their Authors, unto the Provinces. And thoſe Provinces within whoſe Diſtrict and Juriſdiction our Univerſities lie, ſhall take a moſt eſpecial care of them, and ſee them viſited from time to time by Perſons choſen to that purpoſe, and to oblige all Profeſſors both in Philoſophy and Divinity, to ſend every ſix Months unto the Examiners of Books in the Neighbour Provinces one or two Copies of the Theſes diſputed and defended in the publick Schools. And the neighbour Provinces are empowred with full Authority, together with thoſe in which our Univerſities are erected, to take a particular knowledge of their Eſtate. And in caſe any Paſtor or Profeſſor, or any Member of our Churches reading or peruſing the Books printed with the Licenſe of our Examiners, ſhall find any matter of importance, which they may count worthy of Reprehenſion, we give order, That they apply themſelves to the Authors of thoſe printed Diſcourſes, or to the Examiners and Licenſers of them, and to demand Satisfaction from them; and in caſe they refuſe to give it, then ſhall they addreſs themſelves unto their Colloquies and Synods: And that Church and Province, out of which the ſaid Complaint cometh forth, is forbidden, as are alſo all other perſons whatſoever, from intermedling with this Affair, or to take upon them to judge and decide it, or to inflame and ſpread this Controverſie any farther; but according to the Canons of our Diſcipline, they ſhall leave and reſign it entirely unto thoſe Aſſemblies, to whoſe Juriſdiction the Authors of theſe Diſturbances do belong, and againſt whom the Oppoſition is formed.

p. 556The Sieurs Teſtard Paſtor of the Church of Blois, and Amyrald Paſtor and Profeſſor of Theology in the Church and Univerſity of Saumur, came in Perſon unto this Synod, and declared, that they underſtood from common Fame, how that both at home and abroad, and by the Conſultations and Proceedings of ſundry Provinces, as alſo from divers Books written againſt them, and their printed Labours, they were blamed for that Doctrin which they had publiſhed unto the World; that therefore at the firſt opening of the Synod they preſented themſelves before it, not knowing but that our Cauſe might be debated whenas the Confeſſion of Faith came to be read, and that they came to give an Account of it, and ſuch Explanations of their Doctrin as the moſt Reverend Synod ſhall judge needful, and to ſubmit themſelves unto its Judgment, and conſequentially to demand its Protection for the ſupport of their Innocency, hoping that this Favour would not be denied them; becauſe they were fully perſwaded in their Conſciences that they had never taught neither by Word nor Writing, any Doctrin repugnant to the Word of God, to our Confeſſion of Faith, Catechiſm, Liturgy or Canons of the National Synod of Alez and Charenton, which had ratified thoſe of Dort, and which they had Signed with their Hands, and were even ready to ſeal with their Hearts Blood.

And the Sieur de la Place, Paſtor and Profeſſor in the Church and Univerſity of Saumur, reported alſo from the ſaid Univerſity, that he was charged by it to render an account of the Grounds and Reaſons which induced him to approve and licenſe the Works of Monſieur Amyraud, which he did according to the Priviledge granted by the Diſcipline unto our Univerſities. Moreover the Lord Ouzan, Elder in the ſaid Church of Saumur, being admitted into the Synod, declared, That the ſaid Church underſtanding that Monſieur Amyraud, one of their Paſtors, was brought in trouble for his Doctrin (tho both by it, and his moſt exemplary Godly Converſation, they had been always exceedingly edified) they had expreſly charged him to teſtifie unto it before this Grave Aſſembly, and moſt humbly to recommend unto their Reverences the Innocency and Honour of his Miniſtry.

There were alſo tender'd unto the Lord Commiſſioner the Letters, which were ſent unto the Synod from the Churches and Univerſities of Geneva and Sedan, and from the Sieurs du Moulin Paſtor and Profeſſor of Theology at Sedan, and Rivett Paſtor and Profeſſor at Leyden, together with the Treatiſes compoſed by them, and the collationed Copies of the Approbations given by the Doctors in the Faculty of Theology at Leyden, Franequer and Groningen unto that Treatiſe of the ſaid Profeſſor Rivett, which Letters being opened by the Lord Commiſſioner, and their Contents peruſed by his Lordſhip, he allowed the reading of them unto the Aſſembly. The Aſſembly read the Letters writ by Monſieur Vignier Paſtor in the Church of Blois, and by Monſieur Le Faucheur Paſtor in the Church of Paris, in which they offer their Sentiments for reconciling the Controverſies ariſen about the Writings of the ſaid Teſtard and Amyraud, and their Opponents.

Moreover the Apologetical Letters of the Sieurs Vignier and Garnier Paſtors of the Churches of Blois and Marchenoir were read, who informed the Synod, that in vertue of a Commiſſion given them by the Province of Berry to examin the Theological Writings, which might be compoſed either by the Paſtors, or other perſons of their Province, they had given their Atteſtation and Approbation to the Book of the ſaid Monſieur Teſtard, and had given an account of their Judgment unto the Provincial Synod aſſembled in the year 1634. and the Extracts of thoſe Writings were produced.

p. 557Thoſe Papers having been all read, and the aforeſaid Sieurs Teſtard and Amyrald, having been divers times heard, and the Aſſembly having in a very long debate conſidered the difficulties of thoſe Queſtions raiſed by them, did conſtitute the Sieurs Commarc Paſtor in the Church of Vertueil, Charles, Paſtor in the Church of Montauban, De L'Angle, Paſtor in the Church of Rouan, Petit, Paſtor and Profeſſor in the Univerſity of Niſmes, Le Blanc, Paſtor and Profeſſor in the Univerſity of Die, de Bons Paſtor in the Church of Chaalons upon Saone, and Daille, Paſtor in the Church of Paris, a Committee, to digeſt and reduce into order the Explications which had been given by the before-mentioned Teſtard and Amyraud, and that as ſoon as it was finiſhed, they ſhould bring in their Report.

And the ſaid Committee having diſcharged their truſt, and made their report unto the Synod, the before-mentioned Mr. Testard and Amyraud were again introduced, and proteſted with the deepeſt Seriouſneſs before God, that it was never in their Thoughts to propound or teach any Doctrin whatſoever but what was agreeable to the known and common Expoſitions of our Creed, and contained in our Confeſſion of Faith, and in the Deciſions of the National Synod held at Charenton, in the Year 1623; all which they were ready to ſign with their beſt and pureſt Blood.

And purſuiant hereunto, explaining their Opinions about the Univerſality of Chriſt's Death, they declared, that Jeſus Chriſt died for all Men ſufficiently, but for the Elect only effectually; and that conſequentially his Intention was to Die for all Men in reſpect of the ſufficiency of his Satisfaction, but for the Elect only, in reſpect of its quickening and ſaving vertue and efficacy: Which is to ſay, that the Will of Chriſt was, that the Sacrifice of his Croſs ſhould be of an infinite price and value, and moſt abundantly Sufficient to expiate the Sins of the whole World; yet nevertheleſs the efficacy of his Death appertains only unto the Elect; ſo that thoſe who are called by the Preaching of the Goſpel to participate by Faith in the effects and fruits of this Death, being invited ſeriouſly, and God vouchſafing them all external means needful for their coming to him, and ſhewing them in good earneſt, and with the greateſt ſincerity by his Word, what would be well-pleaſing to him; if they ſhould not believe in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but periſh in their Obſtinacy and Unbelief, this cometh not from any defect of Vertue or Sufficiency in the Sacrifice of Jeſus Chriſt, nor yet for want of Summons or ſerious Invitations unto Faith or Repentance, but only from their own Fault. And as for thoſe who receive the Doctrin of the Goſpel with Obedience of Faith, they are according to the irrevocable promiſe of God made partakers of the effectual Vertue and Fruit of Chriſt Jeſus his Death. For this was the moſt free Council, and gracious purpoſe both of God the Father, in giving his Son for the Salvation of Mankind, and of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in ſuffering the pains of Death, that the efficacy thereof ſhould peculiarly belong unto all the Elect, and to them only, to give them juſtifying Faith, and by it to bring them infallibly unto Salvation, and thus effectually to redeem all thoſe, and none other, who were from all Eternity, from among all People, Nations and Tongues choſen unto Salvation. Whereupon, although the Aſſembly were well ſatisfied, yet nevertheleſs they decreed, that for the future, that Phraſe of Jeſus Chriſt's dying Equally for all, ſhould be for born, that term Equally was heretofore, and might be ſo again an occaſion of ſtumbling unto many.

p. 558And as for the conditional Decree mentioned in the aforeſaid Treatiſe of Predeſtination, the ſaid Mr. Teſtard and Amyraud declared, that they do not, not ever did underſtand any other thing than God's Revealed Will in his Word, to give Grace and Life unto Believers, and that they called this in none other ſenſe a Conditional Will, than that of an Anthropopia, becauſe God promiſeth not the effects thereof but upon condition of Faith and Repentance. And they added farther, that although the Propoſitions reſulting from the manifeſtation of this Will be conditional, and conceived under an If, or It may be; as if thou believeſt thou ſhalt be Saved, if a Man repent of his Sins they ſhall be forgiven him; yet nevertheleſs this doth not ſuppoſe in God an Ignorance of the Event, nor an Impotency as to the Execution of, nor any inconſtancy as to his Will, which is always firmly accompliſhed, and ever unchangable in it ſelf, according to the nature of God, in which there is no variableneſs nor ſhadow of turning.

And the ſaid Monſieur Amyraud did particularly proteſt, as he had before publiſhed unto the World, that he never gave the Name of Univerſal or Conditional Predeſtination unto this Will of God, than by way of conceſſion and accommodation unto the Language of the Adverſary; yet foraſmuch as many are offended at this Expreſſion of his, he offered freely to raze it out of thoſe Places, wherever it did occur; promiſing alſo to abſtain from it for the future. And both He, and the Sieur Teſtard acknowledged, that to ſpeak truly and accurately according to the uſage of Sacred Scripture, there is no other Decree of Predeſtination of Men unto Eternal Life and Salvation, than the unchangable purpoſe of God, by which according to the moſt free and good pleaſure of his Will, he hath out of meer Grace choſen in Jeſus Chriſt unto Salvation before the Foundation of the World, a certain number of Men in themſelves, neither better nor more worthy than others; and that he hath decreed to give them unto Jeſus Chriſt to be Saved; and that he would call and draw them effectually to Communion with him, by his Word and Spirit. And they did in conſequence of this their Doctrin reject their Error, who held that Faith and th'Obedience of Faith, Holineſs, Godlineſs and Perſeverance are not the fruits and effects of this unchangable Decree unto Glory, but conditions or cauſes without which Election could not be paſſed; which conditions or cauſes are antecedently requiſite and foreſeen, as if they were already accompliſhed in thoſe who were fit to be elected; contrary to what is taught us by the Sacred Scriptures, Acts 13.48. and elſewhere.

And whereas they have made diſtinct Decrees in this Counſel of God, the firſt of which is to ſave all Men through Jeſus Chriſt, if they ſhall believe in him; the Second to give Faith unto ſome particular Perſons; they declared, that they did this upon none other account than of accommodating it unto the manner and order which the Spirit of Man obſerveth in his Reaſonings for the ſuccour of his own Infirmities; they otherwiſe believing, that though they conſidered this Decree as Diverſe, yet was it found in God in one and the ſelf ſame Moment, without any Succeſſion of Thought, or order of Priority and Poſteriority: The Will of this moſt Supream and Incomprehenſible Lord being one only Eternal Act in him; ſo that could we but conceive of things as they be in him from all Eternity, we ſhould comprehend theſe Decrees of God by one only Act of our Underſtanding, as in truth they be but one only Act of his Eternal and Unchangable Will.

p. 559The Synod having heard theſe Declarations of the Sieurs Testart and Amyraud, injoyned them and all others to refrain from thoſe terms of Conditional, Fruſtratory, or Revocable Decree, and that they ſhould rather chuſe the Word Will, whereby to expreſs that Sentiment of theirs, by which they would ſignifie the Revealed Will of God, commonly called by Divines Voluntas Signi.

And whereas in ſundry places marked in the Writings of the before-mentioned Mr. Teſtard and Amyraud, they have aſcribed unto God as it were a notion of Velleity and ſtrong Affections, and vehement deſires of things which he hath not, nor ever will effectuate; they having declared, that by thoſe figurative ways of Speaking, and an anthropopathical, they deſigned to ſpeak properly none other thing than this, that if Men were obedient to the Commandments and Invitations of God, their Faith and Obedience would be moſt acceptable to him, according as was before expreſſed by them. The Aſſembly hearing this their Explication, did injoyn them to uſe ſuch Expreſſions as theſe, with that Sobriety and Prudence, that they might not give any occaſion of offence unto any Perſon, nor cauſe them to conceive of God in any way unſuitable to his Glorious Nature.

And the ſame Monſieur Amyraud and Testard declared farther, that although the Doctrins obvious to us in the works of Creation and Providence do Teach and Preach Repentance, and invite us to ſeek the Lord, who would be found of us. Yet nevertheleſs by reaſon of the horrible blindneſs of our Nature, and its Univerſal Corruption, no Man was ever this way converted; yea and it is utterly impoſſible that any one ſhould be converted but by the Hearing of the Word of God, which is the ſeed of our Regeneration, and the Inſtrument of the Holy Ghoſt, whoſe efficacy and vertue only is able to illuminate our Underſtandings, and to change the Hearts and Affections of the Children of Men.

And foraſmuch as the Word of God hath always revealed the knowledge of the Lord our Redeemer, the ſaid Sieurs did farther proteſt, that no one Man was ever, nor can be ſaved without ſome certain meaſure of this Knowledge, leſs indeed under the Old Teſtament, but greater under the New, the Death and Reſurrection of the Son of God being moſt plainly and diſtinctly manifeſted in the Goſpel: And they hold it as an undoubted Truth, that now under the New Covenant, the diſtinct knowledge of Chriſt is abſolutely neceſſary for all Perſons who are come unto Years of Diſcretion, in order to their obtaining of Eternal Salvation. And they do from their very Heart anathematize all thoſe who believe or Teach, that Man may be ſaved any other way than by the Merit of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, or in any other Religion beſides the Chriſtian.

And whereas divers Perſons were much offended at the Profeſſor, Amyrald, for calling that knowledge of God which Men might gain from the conſideration of his Works and Providence, (unleſs their corruption were extream) by the Name of Faith; the ſaid Doctor declared, that he did it, becauſe he reckoned that that perſwaſion which ſome have that there is a God, and that he is a Rewarder, may very well bear that Name, he owning however that St. Paul did ſimply and plainly ſtile it the Knowledg of God, 1 Cor. 1.21. The Aſſembly injoyned him not to give the Name of Faith to any other knowledg of God but unto that which is ingendred in us by the Holy Ghoſt, and by the Preaching of his Word, according as the p. 560Scripture uſeth it, whether thereby to point out unto us the Faith of God's ancient Saints, or this which is now under the New Teſtament, and neceſſarily accompanied with a diſtinct knowledg of Chriſt.

And as for Man's Natural Impotency, either to believe or to deſire, and do the things that belong unto Salvation, both the ſaid Sieurs Amyraud and Teſtard proteſted, that Man had none other Power than: that of the Holy Spirit of God, which is only able to heal him by an Interior Illumination of his Underſtanding, and bending of his Will by that Gracious, Invincible, and Uneffable Operation, which he only exerts upon the Hearts of thoſe Veſſels of Grace, which are Elect of God.

They declared farther, That this Impotency was in us from our Birth, for which cauſe it may be called Natural; and they have alſo called it Phyſical or Natural, nor ever did refuſe ſo doing, unleſs when they would ſignifie that it is voluntary, and conjoyned with Malice and Obſtinacy; when as Man deſpiſeth and rejecteth the Invitations of God, which he would receive and imbrace, provided his Heart were well and fittingly diſpoſed within it ſelf.

And Monſieur Teſtard added particularly, that this doth not in the leaſt derogate from what he had aſſerted concerning Two Callings, the one Real, and the other Verbal, given by God to Men, whereby they may be ſaved if they will; ſith that he intended thereby to ſignifie nothing elſe, but that their Impotency to convert themſelves was not of the ſame kind with that of a Man, who having loſt his Eyes or Legs, was willing with all his Heart to ſee and walk; but that this Impotency ſprung from the wickedneſs of the Heart it ſelf. The Aſſembly having heard him thus expreſs himſelf, injoyned him to abſtain from theſe terms, and not to uſe them, unleſs with very much Prudence and Diſcretion, and to joyn with them ſuch needful Gloſſes and Explications, as thereby it may appear, that Man is ſo depraved by Nature, that he cannot of himſelf will any good, without the ſpecial Grace of God, which may produce in us by his Holy Spirit both to will and to do according to his good pleaſure.

And thoſe fore-mentioned Monſieur Teſtard and Amyraud having acquieſced in all as above-declared, and having Sworn and Subſcribed to it, the Aſſembly gave them the Right-Hand of Fellowſhip, by the Hand of their Moderator, and they were honourably diſmiſſed, to the exerciſe of their reſpective Charges.

One of the Provinces having complained againſt Monſieur Amyraud, Paſtor and Profeſſor of Theology at Saumur, as if he had violated the Canons of the Synod of Alanſon, by printing his Book of Reprobation, and ſome others, and the Province of Anjou, and the ſame Monſieur Amyraud, in the name of the Church and Univerſity of Saumur, who had deputed and charged him with their Letters, remonſtrating that ſeveral other Provinces had tranſgreſſed thoſe very Canons; and after hearing the Provincial Deputies of Poictou, and the ſaid Mr. Amyraud, about his Proceedings, both in publiſhing thoſe Books of his ſince the laſt National Synod, and the Doctrin contained in them: This Aſſembly was well ſatisfied with thoſe Explications given by the ſaid Mr. Amyrald, agreeing with the Synod of Alanſon, and judging that thoſe mutual Complaints on all ſides, of violating the Canons, ought to be buried in the Grave of an Holy Oblivion, did diſmiſs him with Honour to the exerciſe of his Profeſſorial Office, and exhorted him to beſtir himſelf in it with Joy and Courage. Moreover the Aſſembly coveting p. 561to eſtabliſh a firm and laſting Peace in all and every of our Churches for the future, and to give content to the Petitions of all the Provinces, which unanimonſly demanded the Confirmation and punctual Obſervation of the Decrees made in the National Synod of Alanſon, this Aſſembly forbiddeth on pain of all Cenſures, even of Depoſition from their Offices, all Paſtors and Profeſſors, that they do not exceed thoſe prefixed Bounds in Writing, Preaching or Diſputing one againſt another upon thoſe Points declared and explained in the ſaid Synod of Alanſon, or of publiſhing any Books about them: And all Profeſſors ſhall be reſponſible for their Lectures, Theſes and Diſputations unto their Provincial Synod, who alſo ſhall give an Account thereof unto the National. And all Students in Divinity are more expreſly enjoyned, on pain of being declared for ever uncapable of the Sacred Miniſtry, to forbear for the future all Strifes and Debates about unneceſſary Queſtions, as about the Order of God's Decrees, of Univerſal Grace by Nature's Preaching, which may bring Men unto Salvation, and other Subjects, which may be propounded for Exerciſe of Men's Wits and Curioſity. And all Examiners of Propoſans who are to be ordained, ſhall deal with them according to the Laws of Charity, exacting of them, as our Diſcipline demands, over and beſides thoſe Gifts and Abilities requiſite, a Confeſſion of Faith from them, conformable to that of our Churches, and to our Liturgy, and to the Canons of Alez, Charenton and Alanſon, all which, together with this preſent Act ſhall be ſubſcribed by them. And that this preſent Act may be inviolably obſerved, all the Deputies of our Provinces, who compoſed this Aſſembly, did ſwear, that they themſelves would keep it, and ſee that it ſhould be conſtantly kept and obſerved; and they did farther bind themſelves to endeavour, that it ſhould be Sworn by all Paſtors and Propoſans in all their Provincial Synods, who are expreſly charged to have a ſtrict and watchful Eye over all that may tranſgreſs them, and to proſecute them with all Church-Cenſures, proceeding herein according to the Method and Form preſcribed and appointed by the National Synod of Alanſon.

25. The Province of the Iſle of France informed this Synod, that the Judgments given by Provincial Synods could not for a long time together be executed by reaſon of Appeals brought in againſt them, which occaſioned very many and great Troubles, and it is very needful that ſome care and courſe ſhould be taken to remedy and prevent them. This Aſſembly reſerving unto National Synods the Cogniſance of Point of Doctrin, of the Sacraments, and of the whole Body of our Diſcipline, doth ordain, that hereafter whenas a Provincial Synod ſhall have decreed the Suſpenſion or Depoſition of any Paſtor or Elder, or pronounc'd a Sentence of Excommunication againſt any perſon, or ſhall ordain that a Church of one Colloquy, or of one Synod ſhall be tranſlated unto another, or that the Paſtor of one Church ſhall be removed to another, or that he ſhall be ſeparated, no matter how it be, from his Flock; in caſe an Appeal be made from this Judgment, that Province which hath pronounced it, ſhall nominate two of the Neighbouring Provinces, and whoſe Synods are neareſt to be held, and ſhall give unto the Appellant his Choice pf either of them to bring his Appeal before it, which ſhall judge of the Caſe till further Order. But if the Party appealing do not chuſe it, that very Province from whoſe Judgment the Appeal is made, ſhall chuſe one of the two, before which the Appellant ſhall be bound to appear, and ſubject himſelf unto its Judgment, which ſhall be of force till the meeting of the National Synod: And in caſe of non-appearance, that Province which hath paſſed Judgment may proceed to pronounce its Execution, notwithſtanding the Appeal. Nor ſhall this be in any p. 562wiſe prejudicial unto Provincial Synods, for in all other matters left undetermined by our Diſcipline, the Judgments of thoſe Synods ſhall be of full and abſolute Authority; nor ſhall there be any Appeal admitted from them within their Precincts. And this preſent Canon ſhall be univerſally practiſed in all the Provinces, thoſe only excepted, upon whoſe Account ſome ſpecial Decrees have been formerly enacted.

26. Blaſphemies being ſome of the moſt crying and daring Sins, enflaming the Wrath of God againſt the Children of Men, this Aſſembly being ſeized with an Holy Horror to ſee ſo great a number of profane Wretches involved in this Helliſh Crime, decreeth, That the Four and Twentieth Canon of the Fourteenth Chapter of our Diſcipline ſhall be read publickly in all Churches, and re-inforced with moſt lively pungent Exhortations, that the Judgments of God may be prevented by a ſerious and ſincere Repentance, and this horrible Vice may be baniſhed the Society of Chriſtians; and all Conſiſtories are authorized to take the beſt Courſe they can for putting this preſent Act in Execution.

27. The Aſſembly being informed, that in divers parts of this Kingdom, contrary to his Majeſty's Will, the Exerciſe of our Religion is prohibited in thoſe places which are called Annexed, tho by the Edicts in theſe it was always permitted and eſtabliſhed; and it unanimouſly judging, and with one common conſent, that this is an Affair of the higheſt Importance, and ſtrikes at the very Root and Being of our Churches, and in which the Conſciences of all thoſe of our Profeſſion are Sovereignly concerned, it doth enjoyn all Paſtors and Churches expoſed unto this afflicting and moſt vexatious Tryal, to maintain themſelves conſtantly in the poſſeſſion of their Exerciſes, notwithſtanding any Prohibitions to the contrary: And in caſe Paſtors ſhall neglect this their Duty, they ſhall be depoſed from the Miniſtry, as Deſerters of their Flock committed to their Truſt; and if any of thoſe Annexed Churches or Members ſhall neglect their Attendance on them, they alſo ſhall be deprived of Communion with us at the Lords Table. And all Churches within the Precincts of that Province, whereunto theſe Annexes do belong, are enjoyned to aſſiſt them with Counſel and Comfort, and with all other things needful to help defray the Charges of Travel, and Proſecutions in Courts of Juſtice, unto which they may be neceſſitated and obliged: And all Provincial Synods, in caſe the ordinary Paſtors of thoſe places ſhould be hindred by any Violence from performing their Duties, ſhall take care that they be ſupplied by other Paſtors in ſuch a manner as they ſhall judge moſt convenient, till ſome other, and more beneficial courſe can be taken. Moreover this Aſſembly commandeth all the next adjoyning Churches to teſtifie their Zeal unto the Glory of God, and the Communion of Charity, which ought to be among Chriſtians, by ſending and lending their Paſtors to them, that ſo the Poſſeſſion of the Goſpel preached, and the Diſpenſation of the Goſpel Ordinances may be conſerved in thoſe Annexed Congregations.

As ſoon as ever this Propoſition was made, and before the Judgment of the Deputies in this Synod was demanded, my Lord Commiſſioner declared, and offered ſundry Reaſons and Arguments, why an Affair of this nature ought not to be debated in it, but that according to his Majeſty's Permiſſion, this Article was to be inſerted, with others of the like quality, into our Bill of Grievances, which after the breaking up of this Aſſembly, was to be preſented unto his Majeſty.

In anſwer whereunto, this Synod receiving in the moſt reſpectful manner whatever came from his Majeſty, and from the Mouth of my Lord his Commiſſioner, ordained, that this Affair ſhould be ſet in the Head of p. 563thoſe, which ſhall be carried unto the King in the Name of this Aſſembly, and which ſhall be ſollicited with all poſſible reſpect, care, diligence and importunity by my Lord the General Deputy; and we hope in the mean while that his Majeſty will maintain us in thoſe matters, which are granted us by his Edict; nor that he will be diſpleaſed with us for debating about Eccleſiaſtical Affairs, which are brought hither unto this National Aſſembly, and which directly concern our Religion, and the Exerciſe of our Diſcipline; in the nature and number of which are all Miniſterial Offices, and the reſpective Duties of private Chriſtians.

28. It being judged needful, that ſome certain Perſon ſhould be nominated (who did ordinarily attend his Majeſty's Privy Council, and Council of State) to whom the Churches might apply themſelves to take care of their Buſineſs, and to ſalve them from thoſe vaſt Expences, which of neceſſity muſt be defrayed in the frequent Deputations of particular perſons employed in the management of their Law Suits and Differences that our Churches have with their Adverſe Parties, The Aſſembly caſt their Eyes upon the Sieur Loride des Galinieres Advocate in his Majeſty's Privy Council, and Council of State, and Parliament of Paris, dwelling a la Rue des Anglois, in the Engliſh Street, to take upon him this Truſt, which being motion'd to him, the ſaid Sieur Loride aſſured the Aſſembly he accepted of it as of a great Honour, and that he did moſt readily and willingly undertake it; nor would he demand a Denier of Coſts, Salaries, and Vacations, not only for thoſe Affairs wherewith he ſhould be intruſted in his Majeſty's Privy Council, and Council of State, but alſo for thoſe which he ſhould diſpatch as Advocate in the Parliament of Paris and Court of Aids; nor would he claim any thing, but for what he ſhould himſelf disburſe in the management of theſe Affairs for our diſtreſſed Churches: The Aſſembly kindly embraced his generous Offers, and that he may be indemnified, they voted preſently, that the Provincial Deputies ſhould each of them make report unto their Provincial Synod the Contents of this preſent Act, that ſo in caſe the ſaid Provincial Synods ſhall judge meet, there ſhall be given the Sum of Three Thouſand Livres a Year by the Provinces, according to the Dividend hereafter mentioned. And this, that the ſaid Sieur Loride may not be put to the Coſts and Charges of Poſtage of Letters and Packets, which by Reaſon of this his Employment he muſt of neceſſity be at, in receiving from, and ſending to the Churches; and with this condition, that the ſaid Sieur Loride ſhall be bound to give an Account once a Year unto all the Provinces, by Letters directed to one of their chiefeſt Churches of all things concerning them and their Affairs. And in caſe the Provincial Synods ſhould not approve of the payment of the ſaid Sum of Three Thouſand Livres a Year, the ſaid Sieur Loride decalred, that he would be contented with a Moiety of his Salaries and Fees for all Suits and Proceſſes in our buſineſſes before the Council.

p. 564A Tax of Three Thouſand Livres aſſeſſed upon all the Provinces hereunder named, to be paid into the Sieur Loride de les Galinieres for managing the Affairs of our Churches intruſted with him.

All which Sums amount in the Total to Three Thouſand Livres, which ſhall be payed by each of theſe Provinces according to this rate, in caſe the Provincial Synods ſhall agree unto it.