The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 29 (Loudun) · Chapter 20
CHAP. XX. Commiſſions Executed.
WHen as the National Synod held at Loudun, November 10, 1659, was broken up; the Sieurs Guitton and du Bourdieu, went unto Sanmur according as they were ordered; add Monſieur Guitton made this Speech in the Univerſity.
Meſſieurs,
THE National Synod which is now ended at Loudun, being Informed by the Complaints of divers Provinces, that for a long time together, very many and great Diſorders have crowded in among our Students of Divinity, and that to the great ſcandal of all Godly Perſons, there is a viſible defect of Modeſty and Chriſtian Integrity in their Deportments; that Venerable Aſſembly judged, that in prudence it was bound to exert its Authority for the retrenching and removal of them. And having made a Canon, which we ſhall read unto you immediately, it did ſtraitly charge us to aſſemble your whole Body before the Senate of this Univerſity, that we might re-inforce it upon your Conſciences by our oral Exhortations and Remonſtrances. Give Sirs, your Attention unto the Synodical Decree.
The Deputies of all our Provinces complaining with one common Voice of the great Corruptions crept in among Scholars in our Univerſities, eſpecially among Students in Divinity, of their wearing Long Hair, of their Cloaths after the new fangled Faſhions of the World, of their wide Floating Sleeves, Gloves ſtuft with Silk and Ribbans, that they frequented Taverns, haunted the Company of Women, walk'd Abroad with their Swords, that their Style ſavour'd more of the Romance than of God's Holy Word, and many other Vanities and Exceſſes of this Nature. The Aſſembly touched with a moſt ſenſible grief for theſe great Diſorders, and being zealouſly concerned for the Houſe of God, doth moſt earneſtly exhort the Profeſſors, and all other Governors in our Univerſities, as alſo the Conſiſtories of thoſe Churches in which they are, to exert all their Care, Power and Authority for the ſuppreſſion of theſe Abuſes, which redound to the diſgrace of our Religion, and give great Scandal unto Perſons truly fearing God, and open the Flood-Gates to a deluge of Prophaneneſs, to break in upon the Sanctuary. And farther, it enjoyneth them to ſuſpend the Refractory from the Lords Table, and to blot their Names out of the Matricular Book of Students, and to deprive Propoſans of all hopes of ever being admitted into the Miniſterial Office. And all Scholars are moſt ſtraitly enjoyned, and moſt eſpecially Students in Divinity, to refrain all thoſe Abuſes before-mentioned, and to keep themſelves at the greateſt diſtance from ſuch things as are contrary to Chriſtian Modeſty and true Sanctity, which Vertues ſhould ſhine forth moſt conſpicuouſly in their Lives, whom God is calling to be Paſtors in the Church of Chriſt. And that there may be no ſiniſter Opinions conceived of them, they be commanded to perfume the Houſe of God betimes, with the ſweet Odours of an Early, Religious Converſation, every way becoming that Sacred Employment whereunto they be deſigned, on pain of Exemplary Puniſhment in caſe of Rebellion. Moreover this Aſſembly Ordaineth, that thoſe Provincial Synods to whoſe care and charge our Univerſities are intruſted, and in which they be erected, ſhall depute every Year ſome Paſtors to inſpect and viſit them, and take notice of the Progreſs made by our Scholars in their Studies of Philoſophy and Divinity, and by the authority of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and of this Aſſembly, to redreſs whatever Diſorders ſhall be particularly notified to, or obſerved by them. And to this end, thoſe Viſitors commiſſionated by this Aſſembly, ſhall as ſoon as poſſible, go and viſit them, to wit, the Sieurs Guitton and de Bourdieu, Paſtors, and Monſieur Des Champs, an Elder, ſhall viſit the Univerſity of Saumur. The Sieurs Chamier and Vignier, Paſtors, de Pontperdu, and Maiſonnet Elders, ſhall viſit that of Montauban; the Sieurs de Boudan, and de Mesjannes, Paſtors, and the Sieurs de St. John de Gardonnengues, and de Pontperdu, Elders, ſhall viſit that of Niſmes; and the Sieurs Homel and January, Paſtors, with the Sieurs de Mirabel and Baruel Elders, ſhall viſit that of Die: And theſe Viſitors ſhall give notice unto all Students in Divinity, that they read the Scriptures publickly in the Desk before Sermons in all our Church-meetings.
You have heard, Sirs, the true and juſt cauſe of all thoſe Complaints which are form'd againſt you in the ſeveral Provinces of this Kingdom: You have heard what the Synod hath declared on this occaſion, and the Puniſhments it hath decreed againſt the Tranſgreſſors; I beſeech you to make good uſe of this important Admonition, ſent you by an Aſſembly, whoſe Canons and Orders ſhould be had in ſingular Veneration by you. Reflect ſeriouſly upon your Selves, and conſider a while unto how great a work you be deſtinated, and weigh well thoſe means by which you may accompliſh, as well as deſire it, and I am confident you will then have no need of any Teachers, and you your ſelves will judge what is beſt befitting your Profeſſion, and overlooking the puniſhments threatned, (which belongs unto Servile Spirits, and wholly inſlav'd to their own Vanity) you will devote your Selves to the Love and Practice of Vertue, for thoſe very Reaſons upon which it is recommended to you.
You have conſecrated your Labours, your Time, your whole Man unto the Service of the Sovereign Monarch of the whole World, of that Lord, who is adored by all the Angels. Your own Conſciences, Sirs, as well as mine, muſt needs tell you, you cannot bring with you too much Humility, nor too much Self-abaſement, nor too much Self-annihilation, nor too much Symplicity and Syncerity when you come into his Preſence (whoſe Eyes are as a Flaming Fire, and who ſearcheth your Hearts, and trieth your Reins,) and offer your ſelves to be inrol'd in the number of his Menial Servants and Goſpel-Miniſters.
Our great Lord Redeemer neither loveth the World, nor the things of the World. The deſign and end of his Coeleſtial Empire, is to make all Men new Creatures, and he ſerves himſelf of the Doctrin of the Croſs, that thereby be may Crucifie the World in you, and you unto the World. Sirs, your own Conſciences must needs reproach you, that it is an affront unto the pure Eyes of his Glory, that it ſaddens the Spirit of his Holineſs, that it muſt needs irritate his indignation, when the Sons of the Prophets ſhall preſent themſelves before him in the garb and habit of the World, ſtuffed up, and bigſwoln with Vanities, Pride and Indecencies, and attended with its wonted Excuſes, Artifices and Deportments.
The Myſteries which our moſt bleſſed Saviour delivers unto his Servants, that they may diſpenſe them unto his People, retain nothing of Earth, ſavour nothing of this lower World; they are all Divine and Heavenly. And you cannot but acknowledge that it would be a darkning of their Luſtre, a Profanation of their Glory, to manage them with impure Hands, to vend and expoſe them in a ſtrange Language, and to ſearch rather from the Wiſdom of the World, a Buttreſs to ſupport their Authority, than from the Eternal Verities of God's Wiſdom, and from the Lights of the Sacred Scriptures. If none but the Spirit of God can reveal and manifeſt unto us the things which are given us of God, is it poſſible we ſhould make any conſiderable Progreſs and Proficiency in this Holy Study, when we ſhall intend and proſecute it with the Spirit of the World, and with Hearts filled and prepoſſeſſed with its Vanities?
To be ſhort, Sirs, you be deſtinated unto an Employment, in which there be no Advancements made but by Prayer; and Prayers are never heard nor anſwered by God farther than they be ſincere; and they be not in the least ſincere, where the Hearts are not guided and purified by the Truth of God's Holy Word and Spirit, who dictateth our Prayers, and quickens and ſanctifieth our Affections. Do you imagin Sirs, that God will give you his Holy Spirit (without whom you are nothing, and can do nothing) unleſs you ask him of God? And are you then qualified and fitted for Prayer, a moſt holy Duty, whenas your Spirit is ſtuffed up, occupied and diſtracted with your Youthful Luſts, and repleniſhed with the provoking Objects of your Vanity? Or, can you bring unto this Sacred Ordinance, to this moſt Religious Exerciſe, that Attention, Aſſiduity and Perſeverance, which is needful to the getting of gracious Anſwers and Returns from Heaven, when as the better and far greater part and portion of our Time is waſted and conſumed in worldly Companies and Converſations? Certainly, Sirs, you will find it exceeding difficult to diſintangle your ſelves from thoſe Impreſſions you have firſt received, and to empty your ſelves of the Vanities you have imbibed, that you may be at Liberty to reflect and meditate upon God's Holy Word.
My Dear Brethren, Honour and adorn that Profeſſion whereunto you be devoted, and it will reflect Beams of Honour again upon you. Conſider, Sirs, what is decent and becoming you, and God will communicate what is needful for you, to every one of you: Let his Name and Glory be the principal Mark and Butt of your Condition and Studies, and it will bring down toe choiceſt and chiefeſt Bleſſings of God upon you. Let your Lives and Converſations be accompanied and crowned with all the Vertues and Graces of Reformed Chriſtians, with that Humility which becometh the Servants of God, with that univerſal Modesty and Simplicity which God requireth from the Miniſters of his Sanctuary in their Lives, Actions, Habits, Language, Behaviour, and in your whole Courſe: And then, Sirs, this your Sanctification will be moſt acceptable unto God, and ſaving unto your ſelves; it will bring your Profeſſion into Credit and Reputation; it will attract upon you the best Bleſſings of Heaven, it will render your Studies and Employments proſperous, ſucceſsful, edifying. The Churches will be the better for you, and the Kingdom of our Lord Jeſus will be promoted and advanced by you.
In purſuance of an Order of the ſame Synod Meſſieurs Guitton and Bourdeau being at Saumur, to pacifie the differences which were between ſome Members of that Church and Meſſieurs Amyraut and D'Huiſſeau, Monſieur Guitton made this Speech.
Meſſieurs and moſt dear Brethren,
MY most honoured Colleagues, together with my ſelf, were ordered by the Nationol Synod, which was lately held and diſſolved at Loudun, to viſit this Church, and to aſſemble the Heads of its Families into this Conſiſtory, and to read unto you the Judgment of that venerable Aſſembly about the Differences fallen out among you, and to endeavaur by the Grace of God and your Obedience, your re-union, which if already moſt happily begun between your two Paſtors, upon whoſe account you were divided, and to ratifie that reconciliation of the Deputies of both Parties which you had ſent unto it. You ſhall hear their Judgment, and the Act of our Commiſſions.
The Sieurs D'Huiſſeau Paſtor, accompanied with the Sieurs de Haumont, Benoiſt and Favre did petition for themſelves, and on behalf of others, the Heads of Families in the Church of Saumur, that Monſieur d'Huiſſeau might be confirmed in his Miniſtry unto the ſaid Church. They appealed alſo from the Decrees of the firſt Synod held at Beauge in the Year 1656. and at Saumur in the Year 1657. and at Preuilly in the Year 1658. and in the ſecond held at Beauge in this year 1659. and from the Orders of the Conſiſtory of Saumur, bearing Date the 16th and 27th Day of March, 1659. And they complained of all that had been done in purſuance of thoſe Synodical and Conſiſtorial Decrees.
On the contrary part, the Sieur Amyrald Paſtor and Profeſſor of Divanity in the ſaid Church and Univerſity of Saumur, together with the Sieurs Druett and Royer, as well for themſelves, as for the other Deputies of that Conſiſtory, and of divers Heads of Families in the ſaid Church, together with the Deputies of the Province of Anjou, did abet and maintain all the Acts, Ordinances and Decrees of thoſe Synods and Conſiſtories before-named. They were alſo heard declaring the Grounds of their Differences. The Committee alſo, who were appointed to examin and verifie the Acts of both Parties, brought in their Report, and at the ſame time Monſieur de Bois jardin Paſtor of the ſaid Church, had Audience given him by the Aſſembly: Upon the whole Debate, this National Synod cenſured the Conſiſtory of Saumur, for that in ſtead of blaming the Deputies of the Aſſembly of the greater part of the Heads of Families held without their Order the 17th of September 1655. they did contrarywiſe receive them, and at their inſtant earneſt Suit had enjoyned the Sieur D'Huiſſeau to withdraw himſelf from the Service of the ſaid Church againſt his Will, and in contempt of the Decre of that Synod held at Loudun, 1655. And it doth diſannul the Decree of the Synod of Beauge in the Year 1656. which upon this very account had confirmed the Decrees of the ſaid Conſiſtory: Yet nevertheleſs it approveth that Order of ſuſpending the Sieurs Niott, Perillau and Piger from their Office of being Elders in the ſaid Church, which was denounc'd againſt them by that Conſiſtory, and ratified by the ſaid Synod of Beauge. Moreover this Aſſembly doth diſannul that Decree of the Synod of Saumur in the Year 1657. which confirmed another made in the foregoing Synod of Beauge concerning the Miniſtry of the ſaid Sieur D'Huiſſeau, and diſapproveth their Act in cenſuring the ſaid D'Huiſſeau for having put in his Appeal to the Synod of Poictou from the Synod of Beauge, (for which he had very good and ſufficient Grounds, no leſs than a Canon of the National Synod of Charenton, 1644.) and for other Cauſes mentioned in the Acts of the ſaid Synod. And this Aſſembly could wiſh, that the ſaid Synod of Saumur had not approved the Meetings of the ſaid Conſiſtory in other places than thoſe in which they were accuſtomed. Moreover, this Aſſembly blameth that Conſiſtory, for that in ſtead of doing right upon the Complaint of thoſe aforeſaid Gentlemen (the Sieurs D'Huiſſeau, de Haumont, and their Companions) which was occaſioned by thoſe Writings of Monſieur Amirald, that publiſhed their Diviſions in prejudice of thoſe Apologies made by the ſaid Synod of Saumur, it cenſured them, and would oblige 'em to demand Pardon; and upon this account it reverſeth the Decree of the Synod of Previlly in the Year 1658. which had confirmed the Judicial Sentence f the ſaid Conſiſtory. This Aſſembly alſo could have wiſhed, that the ſaid Conſiſtory, before they had pronounced Sentence of Suſpenſion from the Lord's Supper againſt the Sieus Benoiſt, Niotte, de Haumont, and Bouchereau, for being the reputed Authors of thoſe injurious Libels written both againſt them, and the Synod of Anjou, and the Sieurs Amyrald, Beaujardin, and others, that they had took a more exact knowledge, whether the forenamed Perſons had been fully convicted. And yet foraſmuch as it hath ſince appeared evidently and plainly unto this Aſſembly, that they were the real Authors of them, they be by this Aſſembly declared worthy of that Cenſure of Suſpenſion, which was inflicted on them. However this Aſſembly being very much grieved at this Diviſion, which hath ſo long a time troubled the ſaid Church of Saumur, and deſigning to settle a good, firm and lading Peace among them for the future, it doth take off that Suſpenſion denounc'd againſt the Sieurs Niott and Perilleau, and Mr. Piger deceaſed, and taketh off that Cenſure of Suſpenſion from the Lord's Supper denounc'd againſt the Sieurs Niotte, Benoiſt, de Haumont and Bouchereau: and notwithſtanding that Oppoſition made againſt the Calls of the Sieurs Druett, Pillet, and D'Ortonne unto the Office of Elders, this Aſſembly doth confirm them in it. And as to what concerns Monſieur d'Huiſſeau, this Aſſembly wiſheth, that he had neither written nor printed any Letters on the account of theſe Differences: However, it diſannulleth that Decree paſt againſt him by the Conſiſtory of Saumur, aſſiſted by the Sieurs Guiraud and La Fay Miniſters of the Goſpel, the 27th of March laſt, and diſmiſſeth him with Honour back unto his Church of Saumur; and for ſix Months time he is to preach unto it as often as his Strength will ſuffer him, which time the Aſſembly hath regulated to be the Work of one half Week, when it comes unto his turn; that ſo it may be known within that time, whether he may be able for the future to perform the ordinary Duties of his Miniſtry, as to the full and whole of it, or of a Moiety only. And whenas that time ſhall be expired, or if it be before the ſitting of the Provincial Synod of Anjou, he ſhall then acquaint that Synod fully and plainly of his Intentions. And in caſe he ſhall be then able to exerciſe his Miniſtry either as to the whole, or to a Moiety of it, he ſhall be at that time confirmed, and payed his Wages proportionably to the Service which he hath performed during thoſe ſix Months of Tryal: And if that by reaſon of his bodily Infirmities, he cannot perform the whole, or one half of his Work in preaching, he ſhall be from that time diſcharged; but nevertheleſs he ſhall ſtill be reputed and taken for Paſtor of the ſaid Church, without Wages, according to his own Propoſals, in which he ſhall have liberty to preach whenever he ſhall be requeſted to it, and may when, and as often as he pleaſeth, aſſiſt at Conſiſtories, and other Eccleſiaſtical Aſſemblies, and ſhall enjoy both his Votes deliberative and deciſive, yet without pretending to any right of Preſidency in thoſe aforeſaid Conſiſtories, or of being deputed by the ſaid Church unto their Provincial Synods. This Aſſembly cenſureth alſo the Sieur Niotte and others, who ſhrowded themſelves under the Secular Juriſdiction of the Civil Magiſtrate, in Contempt of the Canons of our Diſcipline, and for taking the whole Conſiſtory for their adverſe Party, that ſo they might be exempted from its Juriſdiction, and for preſenting an Act highly injurious to the ſaid Conſiſtory. Moreover, this Aſſembly doth condemn and cenſure with the greateſt Severity all thoſe Writings and Prints, which have been made and publiſhed by both Parties, as moſt ſcandalous and injurious, and particularly a Letter ſtyled Du Provincial, ſtuft with divers Slanders, not only againſt private Perſons, but alſo againſt the Provincial Synods and Conſiſtory of the ſaid City: And the laſt Synod of Beauge is very much blamed for permitting the Impreſſion and Publication of a Book Entituled, Les Pieces Authentiques. And this Aſſembly confirmeth the Judgment of the Synod of Saumur▪ in what concerns the Sieur de Beaujardin, exhorting all Parties to lay by all their Reſentments one againſt the other upon the ſcore of thoſe injurious Words and Writings, and to declare that they have no Intention in the leaſt of harbouring them any more, nor of perſiſting in them; but that, contrarywiſe, they do acknowledge one another for Perſons of Integrity and Honour, and exempted from all Blame or Reproach; and in this Quality they ſhall give each other the Hand of Reconciliation. And to prevent all Differences for the future, the Provincial Synod of Anjou is enjoyned to proceed againſt the Tranſgreſſors according to the rigour of our Church-Diſcipline, even to the laſt Cenſures: And in caſe an Appeal ſhould be entred, the Provincial Synod of Britain ſhall take Cognizance thereof, and paſs Judgment in it, which ſhall hold good till the meeting of the next National Synod.
And as for the Differences in the Univerſity of Saumur, this Aſſembly giveth full Liberty unto the ſaid Univerſity of chuſing its Profeſſors in Divinity, proceeding therein according to its ancient Canons; and Monſieur Royer, Doctor of Phyſick, is confirmed in his Office of Counſellor to the ſaid Univerſity; and the Sieur Doul in that of Profeſſor of Eloquence, without ſuffering the ſaid Nomination to be made a Precedent, and on this condition, that the ſaid Profeſſor Doul do every three Months keep a Publick Act. And this Aſſembly hath likewiſe approved and ratified that Canon of Agreement betwixt the Conſiſtory and the ſaid Univerſity, for taking Cognizance of all Affairs depending upon both thoſe Aſſemblies. And that this preſent Decree may be put in Execution, the Sieurs Guitton and de Bourdieu Paſtors, and the Sieur des Champs an Elder, are deputed to paſs over unto Saumur, and to viſit the ſaid Church, which is ordered to defray their Expences.
Now, Sirs, let me add what was given me in charge from this Holy Synod, to deliver to you. Ton cannot be ignorant of what the Faithful in all Ages have generally owned and confeſſed, and which the Church of God hath always ſung to its Conſolation, that there is nothing better, nothing more pleaſant, nothing more deſirable for your ſelves, nothing more advantagious for the Intereſt of God, than to ſee Peace on Earth in the midſt of its horrible Confuſions, than, whilſt the Children of Rebellion, who are poſſeſſed by the Devil, do by their turbulent and intollerable Paſſions turn things upſide down, to ſee the poor Church of God in Peace, Zion a quiet Habitation, all the Faithful united, the whole Houſhold of Faith of one Heart, having the ſame Love, enjoying the ſame Hope, and wholly buſied and taken up in the Works of their common and holy Calling: 'Tis by this that God their Heavenly Father is moſt eſpecially glorified. This Peace is not of this World, nor ſuſtained by carnal Intereſts, which may either by time be aboliſhed, or by corrupt Affections changed. This is that Peace of God, which his well-beloved Son our Lord Redeemer Chriſt Jeſus hath left as a Legacy unto us, and which is nouriſhed and ſupported by that precious Blood, which he ſhed for us, and it ſhed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghoſt, who is given unto us, of which the World ſhall never deprive us, as long as we cheriſh and value it. When once this Peace dwells and rules abundantly in our Hearts, whenas our Holy Communion is ſtrengthened by it, whenas it leaveth Characters and Marks of its Glory upon us, and our Souls taſt its Sweetneſs, then is Heaven above us reconciled with us, then is the Sanctuary of our Hope opened to us, then are the Bowels of God's Compaſſions yearning on us, then is his Jealouſie excited for us, and then ſhall we obtain the moſt glorious Deliverances, a Troop, an Heap, a Multitude of Divine Benedictions.
Sirs, I never think of this Heavenly Bleſſing, but that my Head is Waters, and mine Eyes Fountains of Tears, and mourn bitterly for thoſe Sad Diviſions which have ſo long time reigned among you. Theſe are horrible Scandals, and noiſed abroad in the whole Kingdom. By theſe Breaches hath Satan the Prince of this World got admiſſion into your Hearts; by theſe breaches is your Faith expoſed to extream danger, and I tremble at the Indignation of the God of Peace againſt you. For when he ſeeth his Peace deſpiſed, his Church diſtracted and diſmembred, and that Service owed him by your Conſciences altered and abated, and the profeſſion of the Truth expoſed to the Laughter and Scorn of his Adverſaries, he hath too juſt cauſe of being exaſperated againſt you, and to correct you with his Severeſt Judgments.
This Gracious God hath forborn you a long time, he hath ſupported with wonderful Patience and Indulgence your grievous Diſorders, he hath compaſſionated your Infirmities, he would rather remove them by the ſweetneſs of his Grace, than cut you off by the Sword of his juſt Vengeance. He aſſembled when you leaſt hoped it, even at your Doors, the Deputies of all the Provinces of this Kingdom, who having as to your Concerns none other Intereſts than that of your Salvation, did, according to that Authority which God hath given them over your Conſciences, put a period unto your differences, and compoſe them with ſingular Equity, in order to your Peace.
When I conſider, Sirs, what I was formerly in this City and Academy, the leaſt among you in all reſpects, inſtructed by them who are your Inſtructors, that profound reſpect which I have ever conſerv'd in my Heart for you, cauſeth me to fear and tremble whilſt I am ſpeaking to you. For my own part, I had much rather that this important Commiſſion had fallen into any other Hands than mine, that it might have been diſcharged by a Perſon much more worthy of your eſteem and commendation; but the moſt wiſe God hath diſpoſed otherwiſe by the Suffrages of his Servants; and 'tis his Call by them that incourageth me to execute it. That great deference which I know you have for our Church-Diſcipline, this holy Order ſet up by God, himſelf in the midſt of us, in his own Houſe, raiſeth my Hopes, that you will not ſo much reflect upon the Meſſenger that ſpeaks unto you in Earth, as upon his Meſſage now brought unto you from God, who is in Heaven, and who doth great things and marvellous among his Saints by the weakest Inſtruments.
I beſeech you, moſt Honoured and Dear Brethren, for the ſake of our common Saviour, that you would with Heart and Soul accept of that Peace which is now by God himſelf exhibited and offered to you. Forget all paſt matters, conſider what is to come, look not behind you, but before you; you are entred into a new World, open the Doors of your Hearts to our Lord Jeſus, who demands it by my Mouth; ſuffer this King of Glory to ſet up the Standard of his Croſs in your Souls, to pour into them the Conſolations of his Love: Let him crucifie your Old Man, and all his Actions; let him make your many Hearts to be but one, all your Souls but one Soul, that ſo he may live in you all; and as you live by him, ſo you may live for him. Yon ſtand obliged unto this by his Grace; the Commands of God demand it of you: The example of your Rverend Paſtors, is a powerful motive to ingage you to it. Be you Followers of them in Love; imitate that Charity which they have firſt Sworn in the preſence of Chriſt Jeſus. Conſider them as Perſons in the ſame Office, imploy'd in the ſame work, and pay an equal Reſpect unto them. Encourage their Hearts, and ſtrengthen their Hands in the Service of God, and of your Souls, by your Affectionate and orderly Carriage and Obedience. Pray for them as they do for you: Love them as they love you: Repay their Love unto them with Intereſt: Evidence yours unto them by all kind of good Offices; they are ſtudious to approve themſelves unto you by their Zeal and Labours for you. And if you practiſe theſe Counſels, all the Churches will be filled with joy, you will be bleſſed by all the Children of God; the Adverſary will be confounded, and the God of Peace will dwell among you, will protect you under the ſhadow of his Wings; he will follow you in your goings out and comings in, all and every one of you in general and particular, with his chiefeſt and choiceſt Benedictions.
My Reverend Colleagues here preſent, do concur with me in theſe Prayers; and what my weakneſs could not, their more excellent Gifts will contribute moſt effectually on this occaſion to promote your Peace.