The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 7 (1st Rochelle) – Table of contents 8

The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France · 7 (1st Rochelle) – Table of contents 8

p. 91THE Firſt Synod of Rochel.1571. Synod VII.

SYNOD VII.

In the Name of GOD, Amen.

CHAP. I.

Canons ordained in the National Synod held at Rochel, the ſecond Day of April, One thouſand five hundred ſeventy and one, in the Eleventh Year of the Reign of Charles the Ninth, Theodore de Beza, Miniſter of Geneva, was choſen Moderator, N. des Gallars, and de la Rougeraye Scribes.

CHAP. II. General MATTERS. Obſervations upon the Confeſſion of Faith.

I. FOraſmuch as the kind Acceptance and Entertainment of Chriſtian Doctrine is the true Foundation of Church Diſcipline, we have decreed to open this Synod by Reading the Confeſſion of Faith Received in the Churches of France.

II. Foraſmuch as our Confeſſion of Faith is Printed divers ways, The Synod declareth this to be the true Confeſſion of Faith of the Reformed Churches in France, which beginneth with theſe words, We believe that there is but one God; which Confeſſion was drawn up in the firſt National Synod, held at Paris, May the 25th. 1559.

These Hereticks were Davidis, Gentilis, Blandrata, Socinus, &c.III. The Confeſſion being read, Monſieur de Beza acquainted the Aſſembly of thoſe Hereſies diſperſt abroad in Poland and Tranſylvania, by divers Perſons, againſt the Unity, Divinity and humane Nature of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, receiving the Errors of ancient Hereticks, particularly of Samoſatenus, Arrius, Photinus, Neſtorius, Eutyches, and many others, yea, and of Mahomet himſelf alſo: Whereupon the Synod unanimouſly voted their Deteſtation of all thoſe abominable Errors and Hereſies, and adviſeth all Paſtors, Elders and Deacons, and generally all the Faithful vigouroſly to oppoſe their Admiſſion into the Churches of France.

IV. Information was alſo given concerning the Errors of Cozain, by the Miniſter of Normandy, and Monſieur de Chandieu, and Monſieur de L'eſtang were ordered to examine the Table of the ſaid Cozain, and to bring in a Report of it, and finally it was condemned, rejected and deteſted; And the Engliſh Biſhops ſhall be deſired to ſuppreſs the Books of the ſaid Hereticks, which began to be in vogue among them.

p. 92V. The Nine and twenty Articles of the Confeſſion of our Faith, and the others concerning Church-diſcipline, being read and propounded by the Miniſter of Bourdeaux, notice was given concerning a certain Phyſitian, who maintained the Supremacy of the Magiſtrate as Head of the Church, and had publiſhed certain Writings under his own Hand and Name containing the Reaſons of his Opinion. Whereupon the whole Aſſembly ratified the ſaid Articles of it's Confeſſion, and rejected the Error of the ſaid Phyſitian, and of all others who would aboliſh Church-diſcipline, confounding it with the Civil Government of the Magiſtrate. It condemns alſo thoſe Errors proceeding from the afore-mentioned Tenent.

VI. Moreover, the Synod ordered Monſieur de Beza to anſwer them, who impugned the aforeſaid Articles of our Faith, and the Diſcipline of our Church, and in ſpecial the above-mentioned Phyſitian; and our Brother the Miniſter of Bourdeaux ſhall deliver unto Monſieur de Beza, the Points Collected by him, that muſt be anſwer'd; and the whole ſhall be communicated to the Brethren of Geneva.

Union muſt be placed inſtead of Unity in the Art. concerning theſe two words, in the 26. Art. ſee Synod of Niſmes, g. m. Art. 20. And the 3d. Synod of Rochel, Art. 8. concerning divers Obſenric in the Confession of Faith.VII. Inſtead of Ʋnity there ſhall be replaced the Word Ʋnion in the ſix and thirtieth Article of our Confeſſion of Faith. And whereas the Deputies of the Iſle of France and Brie do conceive it needful, that the ſaid Article be explain'd in that Clauſe of it, which treats of the Participation of Chriſt's Subſtance in the Sacrament of his Supper; After a long Conference, it was at laſt reſolved, That the Synod approving the ſaid Article, rejecteth their Opinion, who will not receive the Word Subſtance: By which word the Synod doth not underſtand any Confuſion, Commixture or Conjunction after a carnal Manner, nor in any wiſe Natural, but a moſt true and intimate Conjunction after a ſpiritual Manner, by which Jeſus Chriſt is ſo far made ours, and we his, that there is no Conjunction of Bodies, either Natural or Artificial, which can be ſo cloſe and intimate: nor is this our fence and meaning, as if by the Conjunction of Chriſt's Perſon and Subſtance with ours there did reſult a kind of third Perſon and Subſtance: No, but this only, That by his Vertue, all that is in him needful for our Salvation is hereby moſt freely and intimately given and communicated to us: Nor do we conſent with them, who ſay, that we communicate in his Merits, Gifts and Spirit, without his being at all made ours; But with the Apoſtle in his Epiſtle to the Epheſians, admiring this Supernatural, and to our reaſon incomprehenſible Myſtery, we do believe, that we are made Partakers of his Body delivered to the death for us, and of his Blood ſhed for us, ſo that we are Bone of his bones, and Fleſh of his fleſh, and that we receive him together with all his Gifts by faith wrought in us, through the incomprehenſible Vertue and Efficacy of his Holy Spirit; and thus do we in this Sence underſtand theſe Words of our Lord, ſpeaking, Who ſo eateth the Fleſh and drinketh the Blood of the Son of Man hath everlaſting Life, Item, I am the Vine, you art the Branches; and we muſt abide in him, that we may bring forth much Fruit; and that we are Members of his Body, and of his Fleſh, and of his Bones. And as we derive our death from the firſt Adam, becauſe we participate of his Subſtance; ſo muſt we as truly partake of the ſecond Adam Chriſt Jeſus, that we may derive life from him. And therefore all Paſtors, and the Faithful in general are required not to yield unto the contrary Opinions, becauſe what is now aſſeretd by us hath firm footing in the expreſs Word of God.

Three Original Copies of the Confeſſ … of Faith, the … at Rochel, … 2d. … and the …VIII. Finally, when as the Confeſſion of Faith was read and ended, the whole Synod decreed, that without any Additions there ſhould be three Copies fairly written in Parchmin, whereof one ſhould be kept in this City of Rochel, another in Bearn, and the third at Geneva, and all three ſhould be ſubſcribed by the Miniſters and Elders Deputies of the Provinces of this Kingdom, in the Name of all the Churches; Moreover her Majeſty the p. 93Queen of Navarre, and my Lords the Princes of Navarre and Conde, and the other Lords here preſent in this Synod are alſo requeſted to ſubſcribe it with their own hands.

CHAP. III. Obſervations upon the Church-diſcipline; Tueſday the Third of the ſame Month.

I. THE Diſcipline being read, it was judged needful, that under the Head of Miniſters, there ſhould be made this following Addition, viz. The moſt diligently that may be.

II. Under the fourth Head, to theſe words, It ſhall be granted becauſe of our preſent Circumſtances, ſhall be added the Ninth Article of the Synod of Vertueil.

III. Under the Eight ſhall be added, Although the Ʋſage of Impoſition of Hands be good and holy, yet it ſhall not be reputed neceſſary as if it were of the Subſtance of Ordination.

The Form of Ordination.IV. The Form of Ordination was drawn up by Monſieur de Chandieu, in theſe following Words. The Miniſter who preſenteth to the People the Perſon to be Ordained, ſhall briefly treat of the Inſtitution and Excellency of the Miniſtery, alledging for this purpoſe, theſe or the like Texts of Holy Scripture, viz. 4. Eph. 11. Luke 10.16. John 20.22. 2 Cor. 5.19, 120. 1 Cor. 4.1. Exhorting every one to take ſpecial heed that both Miniſter and People diſcharge their proper Duties. The Miniſter ſhall acquit himſelf with the greater care and diligence in his Calling, becauſe he knows of what high price and excellent account it is with God: And the People ſhall with all Reverence receive the Meſſage of God brought unto them by this his Embaſſador.The Form of Prayer at Ordination was firſt framed in the Synod of Mai…ant 1609. 4th. Article of Obſervations upon the Diſcipline. Then ſhall be read in the hearing of the whole Aſſembly, 1. Tim. 3. and 1. Titus. Where the Apoſtle delivers the Characters and Qualifications of a true Miniſter, and that the Elect Perſon may be enabled by divine Grace faithfully and conſcientiouſly to perform the Duties of this holy and honourable Office, a pithy and fervent Prayer ſuitable to the occaſion ſhall be powred out before the Lord for him, in the cloſe of which he ſhall Impoſe his hands on the Head of the Elect Perſon, beſeeching God that as he is conſecrated unto his Service,So that from the year 1559. to the year 1609. there was no ſtated Form of Prayer to whoſe words the Miniſter in Ordination was tied up neceſſarily and invariably. ſo he may be repleniſhed with the Graces of his Holy Spirit, and that he would vouchſafe to bleſs his Ministery and pious Labours unto the Glory of his great Name, the Edification of his Church, and the Salvation of this elected Miniſter.

V. Under the Ninth ſhall be added, And the Church-diſcipline and Confeſſion of Faith ſhall be ſigned and ſubſcribed by the Miniſter Elect.

VI. The Tenth and Eleventh Articles ſhall be explained and conjoyn'd in one, and after theſe Words, They ſhall be Miniſters during life, there ſhall he this Addition, If they be not lawfully diſcharged upon good and ſufficient Grounds, and thoſe approved by the Provincial Synod. Moreover, there ſhall be added, And deſerters of the Miniſtery ſhall be excommunicate by the Provincial Synod in caſe they repent not. And after theſe Words, And as for thoſe who be ſent unto any Church, ſhall be added, for a time.

VII. The Twelfth which was the Thirteenth ſhall be thus corrected, Altho' a Minister do tell it publickly, that he was forſaken of his Church, or perſecuted, yet ſhall he not be received by another Church, without evidencing unto the Colloquy or Synod his conduct in this Matter, and the ſaid Colloquy or Synod ſhall act therein according to their beſt judgment and diſcretion.

p. 94VIII. Under the Fourteenth after theſe words, Such who intrude themſelves into the Miniſtery, in lieu of Places ſhall be inſerted Provinces.

IX. Under the Seventeenth after theſe words, or expecting the Determination inſtead of the Council, there ſhall be put in of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod, and before inſtead of Sent there ſhall be Lent.

X. To the Eighteenth ſhall be added, with the good Will and Conſent of the ſaid Miniſter.

XI. The Two and twentieth Article ſhall abide unchanged; only with this Addition, And all Adviſes and Letters ſhall be ſent unto one particular Church, and not unto any one particular Perſon.

This Article i… the 37th. of the Chapter of Miniſters in the Book of Diſcipline.XII. Under the Twenty Seventh, in lieu of thoſe words, After he was summoned, there ſhall be put, Three Months being paſt the firſt Summons. Alſo after thoſe words, It may be lawful for him to joyn himſelf unto ſome other Church, ſhall be added, by the Advice of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod, which ſhall conſider both the Poverty of the Church, and the Estate of the Miniſter; And in caſe of urgent neceſſity, the ſaid Colloquy, or Synod may ſhorten the ſaid Term of Three Months, and it ſhall be lawful for them to cenſure thoſe ungrateful People even with Excommunication.

CHAP. IV. Acts paſſed on Wedneſday, the Fourth day of the ſaid Month.

This Article is the 19th. in the Chapter of Ministers, in the Book of Discipline.I. UNder the 11th. Article of Miniſters, which had been lain by whilſt the Princes ſate among us there ſhall be theſe Alterations, for General ſhall be put Provincial and National, and at the end there ſhall be added, As ſhall be Adviſed on in an amicable Conference of Miniſters of both ſides, that ſo what is most expedient may be followed. And this Article was approved by the Queen of Navar, and by the Princes of Navar and Conde, and by my Lords Count Lodwick and the Admiral.

II. Under the 31ſt. there ſhall be this Addition, The Provinces ſhall be informed by each other of the depoſed Minister, that ſo the Depoſed may not be received into other Churches.

III. Under the 32th. after thoſe words, During the time of his Ignorance, ſhall be added, And this in caſe the ſaid Miniſter abiding in his Miniſtry do bring greater ſcandal than Edification unto the Church, whereof the Synods ſhall take Cognizance.

IV. On Article the 38th. Monſieur Beza having propounded according to the Commiſſion given him by our Brethren of Geneva, that there might be ſome certain Perſon choſen to anſwer thoſe many Books publiſhed againſt our Doctrine, and that thoſe Anſwers might be brought into the Provincial Synods, and there peruſed by them, and ſo to be Printed either with, or without the Author's Name, as the Synod ſhould judge moſt convenient. This Motion was well approved by the whole Aſſembly. And it was alſo ordered, That in whatſoever Churches there were ſound Books Printed againſt our Doctrine, they ſhould be ſent unto the ſaid Deputies.

CHAP. V.

V. THE Catalogue of Vagrants being read, the Names of theſe following Perſons were raſed out of it, Torteveau, P. Bouleu, La Tornevie, Roberty, and there were inſerted into it Le Breuil of Lazan, together with Merillo, Paul de Haye, Rouſeau, John Bougayott, Bavillardy an Albigenſis. And the Churches were warned by Monſieur Beza to beware of them, p. 95and of John Tevignon, a Burgundian, &c. Claudius Alexius, who bore about him a Certificate under the Hand of Mr. Melancthon deceaſed, and yet both depoſed by the Claſſis of Monbelliard.

VI.Miniſters muſt uſe no other Calling but their Miniſtery.This Article was added unto the former, concerning Miniſters. Miniſters ſhall be forbidden to practice Phyſick, or any other Calling Trade or Vocation whatſoever.

VII. Another Article was alſo ſubjoined, That Miniſters who had Eſtates of their own might nevertheleſs receive Wages from their Churches, but in ſo doing, they ought to conſider the Neceſſities of the Church, and the Rules of Charity.

CHAP. VI. A particular Matter about Elders and Deacons.

VIII. MOnſieur**He is called in two other Copies Vires, and in a fourth Virel. Vercelle Deputy of Brie declareth unto this Synod, that the Elders and People of Meaux are diſſatisfied with the firſt Article of particular Matters; and complain, that they be deprived of their Freedom and Priviledge in Elections. Whereupon it was adviſed, that inaſmuch as they had been divers times heard, and particularly that by the Synod of La Ferte under Joarre they had been largely inſtructed in the Will of God from his Holy Word in this Article, Letters ſhould be diſpatcht unto them from this Aſſembly, exhorting them to acquieſce in the Order of Diſcipline received in our Churches of France, and in caſe they will yet have the Buſineſs heard over once again, they ſhall apply themſelves unto their own Provincial Synod about it.

IX. Under the Second, towards the End, this ſhall be added, And the ſaid Elders ſhall be admoniſhed not to declare unto the Conſiſtory their faults without juſt Cauſe, and in much Charity, according to the Rule of God's Word. No Perſon at the first Report of his Miſcarriage ſhall be mention'd by name in the Conſiſtory.On this Article the Lord-Admiral propounded, That Perſons upon the firſt Report ſhould not be mention'd by Name unto the Conſiſtory, until they had firſt reſolved whether they ſhould be called into it or no. And there was added, That no Perſon for the firſt Report ought to be named, unleſs the Conſiſtory for good and vallid cauſes ſhould think fitting ſo to do.

X. Under the Third, towards the End ſhall be this Addition, If they be fit and in caſe of want, and hindered by Miniſters.

CHAP. VII. General Matters, Thurſday the Fifth of the ſame Month.

I. THere ſhall be added to the Third Article of Elders and Deacons, That none others beſides the ſaid Deacons ſhall intermeddle with the Adminiſtration of the Poors Money.

II. This Article ſhall be added, The Elders and Deacons may be preſent at Propoſitions of the Word of God, made by Miniſters, beſides their ordinary Sermons, as alſo at Cenſures, and ſhall have their Priviledge of Voting in all Matters, Doctrine only excepted.

p. 96Of the CONSISTORY.

III. THE Fourth Article ſhall be thus formed, Miniſters and Elders compoſe the Conſiſtory, in which Miniſters ſhall always preſide, and the Deacons may be preſent, if ſo be the Conſiſtory do judge it fitting.

IV. On the Seventh Article after theſe Words, For tryal of their Ability ſhall be added, which yet ſhall not be done without great Prudence and Diſcretion, with promiſe of Secrecy.

V. There ſhall be this Addition made to the Cloſe of the Eighth Article, And if there be any other Counſels they ſhall be ſuppreſt.

VI. After theſe words in the Ninth, But principally at the Auditing of Accounts, there ſhall be this Addition, of which the People ſhall have notice given them.

VII. The Tenth Article was thus Explained, If there ſhould ariſe any Contention concerning Doctrine, it ſhall be out of hand notified unto the Colloquy ſubordinate unto the Synods, where alſo the Elders and Profeſſors in Divinity may be preſent, to give their Judgment on the Points, but the Deciſion of theſe Controverſies ſhall eſpecially belong unto the Miniſters and Profeſſors of Divinity.

VIII. In the Twelfth, inſtead of Adjured to ſpeak the Truth, there ſhall be, Exhorted and Summoned in the Name of God to ſpeak the Truth.

IX. On the Sixteenth, after theſe words, Propoſitions of the Word of God, ſhall be added, Among Scholars.

Of Delinquents, and Cenſur'd Perſons, and what are theſe Offences which render them obnoxious unto Cenſures.

No copy of Excommunication or Church-cenſures to be given.X. THE Queſtion being mov'd, whether a Copy may be given of the Excommunication, or of any other Cenſure; It was anſwered, That becauſe the whole Proceſs was a Matter of Conſcience, it ought not to be given; And as for the publick Act, it's ſubject properly to the Magiſtrates Juriſdiction.

XI. The firſt Article was approv'd of, but after thoſe words, And if notwithſtanding all this they do not convert, but perſiſt in their Stubbornneſs and Obſtinacy, there ſhall be added, On the fourth Lord's-day, the ſcandalous Perſons ſhall be Excommunicated, either in this or ſuch like form as ſhall be adviſed on by the Conſiſtory, we do declare unto the whole Congregation, that we do not own him for one of the Members of our Church, and in the Name, and by the Authority of our Lord Jeſus we cut him off from it.

XII. On the third, unto thoſe words, After they ſhall have continued firm, ſhall be added, without expecting the Advice of a National Synod.

Of Provincial SYNODS.

XIII. ON the firſt: Article, inſtead of once a Year, ſhall be inſerted, at leaſt twice.

XIV. In the ſecond after the firſt; Period, ſhall be added, And the ſaid Miniſters and Elders ſhall produce their Orders of Deputation.

XV To the ſixth,This Article is the 11th. in the Chapter of Provincial Synods in the Book of Diſcipline. this Article of the Synod of Vertueil ſhall be added, If there ariſe any difference between two Synods, they ſhall chooſe a third to reconcile them.

p. 97Of BAPTISM.1571. Synod VIII.

XVI. AFter theſe words, in the ſecond Article,This is the 4th. Article in the Chapter and Book of Diſcipline. Quit and reſign their Right unto the Sureties, ſhall be added, As to Inſtruction. And a little before ſhall be added, If the Parents do conſent. The ſecond and third Article ſhall make but one, Papiſts and excommunicate Perſons being joyned together.

XVII. And the fourth after theſe words, And is wholly null, ſhall be abridg'd and cut ſhort, and ſhall be thus expreſſed, Baptiſm administred by a Perſon who hath neither Call nor Commiſſion, is wholly null and void.

CHAP. VIII. Acts paſſed upon Friday the Sixth of the ſaid Month.

I. IN the ſixth Article, the word Alliance ſhall be removed, and it ſhall ſuffice to ſay thus much, That fellowſhip among the Faithful may be maintained by Conjunction of Friendſhip, and inſtead of Conceited ſhall be put Contentious.

II. Inſtead of theſe words, in the Eighth, Although the Husband have an unbelieving Wife, yet he is not excuſable, ſhall be put theſe words, Altho' the believing Husband have a Wife of contrary Religion, yet is he not excuſable.

III. After theſe words, in the Ninth, The Miniſters ſhall reject, ſhall be added, as much as is fitting.

IV. This Article ſhall be added, The Conſistories ſhall have an eye over them, who detain their Children from Baptiſm too long a time.

Of the LORD's SƲPPER.

Beneficed perſons not to be admitted to the Lord's Supper.V. THis Article ſhall be added, Beneficed Perſons retaining the Name and Title of their Benefices, and thoſe alſo who dabble with Idolatry in their ſaid Benefices, ſhall not be admitted to the Lord's Table, but ſuch as hold thoſe Benefices by the King's Gift, and make a true and publick Profeſſion of the Reformed Religion, owning and avowing it with ſufficient Conſidence, may be received unto the Lord's Supper, only they ſhall be exhorted to apply the yearly Profits of thoſe their Benefices to pious Ʋſes.This is the 7th. Article in the Chapter of the Lord's Supper and Book of Diſcipline.

VI. After theſe words, in the ſixth Article, And ſtriving as much as in them lieth, ſhall be added, yea alſo they ſhall put the Cup unto their Mouths, that ſo they may prevent all Offence, which might otherwiſe be taken.

VII. At the End of the tenth Article, there ſhall be this Addition, And therefore the National Synods ſhall take care about it as the Good of the Church ſhall require.This Article is the 14th. in the Chapter of the Lord's Supper and Book of Diſline.

Of MARRIAGES.

VIII. THere ſhall be this Addition made unto the firſt Article, This is the 2d. Article in the Chapter of Marriages, and Book of Diſcipline.That all Perſons young or old, tho' they have been formerly married, if they refuſe to pay that Honour and Duty unto their Parents of Acquainting them with their intended purpoſe of Marriage, ſhall be ſharply reprov'd by the Conſiſtory.This is the 6th Article in the Chapter of Marriage and Book of Diſpline.

IX. After theſe words, in the third, Touching Conſanguinities and Affinities, the Faithful may not contract Marriage with Perſons. And in lieu of p. 98what follows, 1571. Synod VIII.Foraſmuch as great ſcandal may proceed from it, whereof the Church ſhall take Cognizance, there ſhall be put, unleſs it be permitted them by the King's Edict.

X. This Addition ſhall be made unto the ſeventh, This is the 16th. Chapter of Marriage and Book of Diſcipline.And if the Parties reſolve to ſolemnize their Marriages in any other place than that where their Banes were publiſhed, they ſhall take with them a ſufficient Certificate of their Banes having been thrice publiſhed.

XI. And farther Additions ſhall be made unto this Article, 'Tis a part of the 21ſt. Article in the Chapter of Marriages and Book of Diſcipline.in theſe words, As for Perſons ſuſpended the Lord's Table, they ſhall notwithſtanding this their Suſpenſion be permitted Marriage, but with this Proviſo, That they confeſs their Faults with true Repentance.

XII This alſo ſhall be added, That notice be given unto the Faithful, That divers Difficulties ariſing about Marriage-promiſes may be prevented,Promiſes of Marriage ſhall be made in words, de praeſenti. they ſhall …or time to come make the ſaid Promiſes, in pure and plain words de praeſenti, nor ſhall the Conſiſtories admit the Banes of any others to be publiſhed in the Church; From which promiſes according to God's Word the ſaid Parties can never be diſcharged.

XIII. Inſtead of they ſhall be admoniſhed,This is the 23th. Article in the Chapter of Marriage and Book of Diſcipline in the 19th. Article ſhall be put, they may be admoniſhed, and at the end ſhall be added, But if it ſhould be the Caſe of any Church-Officers, tho' they Received again their Wives, yet ſhall they be diſplac'd from that Office they held and exerciſed in the Church.

XIV. After thoſe words in the twentieth, who ſhall acquaint him with his Liberty according to the Word of God,This is the 29th Article in the Chapter of Marriage and Book of Diſcipline. there ſhall be inſerted, yet nevertheleſs, becauſe of the many Difficulties, we adviſe the Ministers of this Kingdom not to marry thoſe Parties tho' they be at Liberty to provide themſelves elſewhere. And after theſe words, And as for what concerns the offending Party, the Remainder ſhall be thus abridged. This Liberty after great and mature deliberation ſhall be declared to him. And a definitive Sentence having been obtained from the Civil Magiſtrate, the Conſiſtories may proceed unto the Celebration of that Marriage.

XV. Touching the fourth Article of particular Matters treated in the Synod of Vertueil, and diſmiſſed over to this Synod, We have adviſed, That the Wives of Prieſts and Monks which had been married unto thoſe of them who have ſince revolted, ſhould not cohabit with them as Women with their Husbands, least God's Holy Ordinance of Marriage ſhould be loaden with Reproach and Infamy, altho the Marriage be not diſſolved. But, illae vocatae ſunt ad caelibatum, they be called out by God's Providence unto a ſingle Life.

CHAP. IX. Acts paſſed on Saturday the ſeventh Day of the ſame Month.

I. To the Head of Marriages the Canon decreed at Vertueil ſhall be added, This is the 21ſt. Article in the Chapter of Marriage and Book of Diſcipline.The Banes of Widows ſhall not be publiſhed till four Months and an half after the deceaſe of their firſt Husband, that the Evil and Scandal which otherwiſe would fall out may be avoided.

II. And this alſo, It's convenient for the keeping up of Diſcipline in the Church,Theſe two Articles make up the 24th. in the Chapter of Marriages and Book of Diſcipline. that no Marriage be ſolemnized on Communion-days. And this Canon ſhall not be diſpenſed with but for very weighty Cauſes, and thoſe alſo approved by the Conſiſtory.

III. Item, Marriages ſhall not be ſolemnized on days of Faſting.

p. 99Concerning Particular ORDERS.

IV. THere ſhall be added after the Word, This Article is the 2d. in the Chapter of particular Orders.Lands belonging unto Caſtles, this word, And the Titles in the firſt Article.

V. To the third Article, there ſhall be this Addition, Judges ſhall not be reproved for giving Sentences in Cauſes concerning Eccleſiaſtical Goods, and the Execution of the King's Edict.This Article is divided into the 5.6. and 7. Articles of particular Orders, in the Book of Diſcipline. And Arbitrators ſhall in no wiſe intermeddle with any of thoſe Matters, which either directly or indirectly do concern Idolatry. Advocates ſhall be admoniſhed neither to demand nor give Councel in Cauſes belonging to the Execution of the ſaid Edict.

VI. On the 4th. Article, the Queen of Navar demanded our Advice, whether through want of others ſhe might with a good Conſcience Receive and Eſtabliſh Roman Catholick Officers in her Dominions, This is the 13. Article in this Chapter and Book of Diſcipline.as alſo in her Conrt and Family. To which the Synod humbly replied, That her Majeſty ſhould take ſpecial heed about her Domeſtick Officers, and as much as poſſible only to imploy Perſons fearing God, and of the Reformed Religion; And that ſhe ſhould cauſe the Papists that are peaceable, and of unblameable Lives to be inſtructed, and that ſhe ſhould utterly diſcard thoſe Traytors, who forſook her in her Neceſſities, and cruelly perſecuted God's Saints in theſe laſt Troubles.

VII. After thoſe words in the 6th. They may addreſs themſelves,This is the 8th. Article in this Chapter and Book of Diſcipline. ſhall be added, in caſe they be ſent by the Magiſtrate.

VIII. After Brethren and Siſters, in the Eighth Article ſhall be put, and other Parents. And the laſt Clauſe ſhall be thus couched, This is the 16th. Article in the Chapter and Book of Diſcipline.And they ſhall be exhorted to aſſiſt and provide for them according to the Laws of Humanity and Book.

This preſent Body of Church-Diſcipline having been diligently examin'd according to God's Word, by all the Miniſters and Elders of the Reformed Churches of France, was in all its Heads and Articles approved by the ſaid Deputies, who in their own Names and for their Churches did Promiſe and proteſt to keep and obſerve it, for the Edification of the Church, the Conſervation of Order, and their mutual Union, that God might be the better glorified by them.

N. B. The Diſcipline was kept moſt ſtrictly forty Years after this Synod; and then they began to lax the Reigns, yeilding too much to the Iniquity of the Time.

CHAP. X. Particular Orders about publiſhing of Books.

The Catalogue of their Names who muſt refute the Books of our Adverſaries.IX. ACcording to the 12th. Article, The Colloquy of Beauvoſin is order'd to receive Books from all parts of the Kingdom, and all other Miniſters ſhall ſend Controverſial Books, written by our Adverſaries, unto them, that they may be anſwered. To this purpoſe are named Meſſieurs de Saulete, de Chandieu, de L'eſtre, des Bordes, Houlbeac, Deſpina, Daneau, Daniel Touſlain, de Villfort, de St. Paul and Merlin: And theſe Books ſhall be ſent from all the Provinces unto the ſaid Monſieur d'Eſtre: And the ſaid Colloquy of Beauvoſin ſhall determine which of the Eleven Deputies is to undertake an Anſwer, and what may be needful or convenient for them.

X. At the cloſe of the 4th. there ſhall be this Addition, And they ſhall be exhorted to be moderate and reaſonable in ſelling their Books, and to rest contented with indifferent gain.

p. 100XI. The 13th. was thus contracted, No other Confeſſion ſhall be printed but what begins thus, We believe, for this is properly our own, having been read in this Synod, after that it had been formed by that of Paris, the 19th. day of May, 1559.

XII. Under the if 15th. Advice was given, the Queen of Navar not to ſell her vacant Offices, eſpecially thoſe of Judicature, nor to beſtow them upon another's Recommendation, without her Perſonal knowledge of their Qualifications and Abilities who are to diſcharge them.

XIII. In lieu of thoſe words, in the 17th. Article, the King's Ordinances ſhall be obſerved, let there be inſerted theſe, They ſhall be exhorted to obſerve.

Scandalons Plays are prohibited.XIV. There ſhall be this Article added, All Plays forbiddaen by the King's Edicts, and thoſe which notoriouſly waste time, or evidence Avarice, or give Offence, ſhall be reproved, and the Actors cenſured in the Conſiſtory, according to the Circumſtances.

CHAP. XI. Particular MATTERS.

I. TO the Deputies of Lionois, demanding what courſe we ſhould take in cenſuring of Revolters in times of Perſecution.What courſe is to be taken with Revolters by reaſon of perſcution. It was anſwered in he Words of St. Auguſtine, concerning a numerous Church of Drunkards, That it were much better to have a vitious Church than none at all. And it ſeems neceſſary, that we ſhould heed the Quality and Condition of the Perſons than the Aggravations of their Faults. For there be ſomes who have greatly and grievouſly offended, and do repent moſt bitterly; others have failed more highly, or but in appearance, who yet are indifferent whether they ſhould return unto the Church, and ſettle in it or no. Wherefore all Circumſtances ſhould be well poized, and above all we ought to be moſt eſpecially ſollicitous how to reunite and cement together ſuch as are ſtray'd and wander from the Church, that ſo the Houſe of God may be repleniſhed and re-eſtabliſhed.

II. As for thoſe who call themſelves Papiſts, and have cut themſelves off from our Churches, partly becauſe of the King's Edicts, and partly becauſe they could not meet with any Edification; whereunto all things done in the Church ſhould have their Tendency, and becauſe we are not to judge of them who are without: Some are of opinion, that we ſhould quite abandon ſuch Perſons; and acquieſce in that Judgment the Lord himſelf will execute upon them. And therefore it were good in this Caſe, if after ſome time of patience and forbearance, and having done our Duty in reminding them of theirs, to inform the People, that ſuch Perſons are no longer Members of the Church, and that they would intreat God for them, that if they belong to him, he would be pleaſed to convert them. Otherwiſe we have good cauſe to bleſs God he hath purged them out from among us, and further we ſhould declare, that inaſmuch as theſe do not any longer relate unto us, we leave them unto the Judgment of God.

Lord's-day, the Eighth of the ſame Month. * Divers Deputies demanding what Courſe is to be uſed in cenſuring Apoſtates from the Goſpel-Doctrine and Worſhip: We anſwered, That ſuch as are troubled in their Conſciences, for this their heinous Crime ſhall be comforted, and admoniſhed in the Conſiſtory, who ſhall judge of the Nature of their Offences, and after what manner theſe Delinquents are to be readmitted into the Church. But in caſe of Obſtinacy and Impenitency, we declare in general, That ſuch as have thus left us, are no longer Members of our Body, and the Crimes committed by them ought not in juſtice be imputed to, nor charged on us, and there ſhall be no farther Proceedings againſt p. 101them, in thoſe places where there is evident appearance of danger to the Church. In ſhort, this was adviſed by the whoſe Aſſembly, to remit the whole Buſineſs unto the Conſiſtories, who ſhall act herein, in ſuch a manner as will beſt contribute to the Weal and Edifying of the Church.

CHAP. XII. Acts paſſed on Tueſday the Tenth day of the Month.

I. THE R. Mr. Beza craving our thoughts about M. Mercure, a Brother of ours in the Miniſtery, this Aſſembly is of opinion, that the next Synod of Lower Languedoc do take Cognizance of that Matter, and how he was reſtored unto the Miniſtery, and they ſhall alſo take notice of the Calumnies impoſed by him, as is ſaid, upon the Church of Geneva.

II. As to that Fact related by the Elder of Taillebourg, we adviſe, that the Miniſter of that Church ought to ſolemnize the Marriage, and to cenſure him who got the Pope's Diſpenſation becauſe of Conſanguinity.

Acts paſſed on Wedneſday the Eleventh of the ſame Month.

I. Our Brother**He is called in another Copy Guillemin. The knowledge of ſome Crimes muſt be firſt notified unto the Magiſtrate. Elders ſhall be choſen, Miniſters ſent without any other formalities than what is provided for by the Diſcipline. Guillemet, Deputy for Poictou demanding Counſel of us, what ought to be done in a particular Caſe mention'd by him; we anſwered, That the Knowledge of ſome Crimes muſt be firſt given in unto the Magiſtrate; and the Conſiſtory ſhall wait till ſuch time as the Facts have been verified before him, and then ſhall they proceed to inflict Cenſures upon the Delinquent according to his domerits: unleſs the Circumſtances prove ſuch as can not admit of any delays.

II. The Synod being informed that certain Churches in Languedoc do practiſe divers things contrary to our Diſcipline, as that in the Election of Elders, and in the Miſſion and Loan of Miniſters they gather the Peoples Votes one after another: It doth diſapprove and condemn all thoſe Uſages and Cuſtoms, and admoniſheth the ſaid Churches to conform themſelves unto that Order eſtabliſhed and obſerved by us, according to the Diſcipline, and in caſe of default thoſe Churches ſhall be cenſured.

III. This Article ſhall be inſerted into the Diſcipline, That Miniſters or Elders depoſed from their Office for Crimes deſerving capital Puniſhment, or bearing Marks of Infamy, whatever their Repentance may be, they ſhall never be reſtored unto their Churches. But in caſe of leſſer miſcarriages after publick Satisfaction given by them unto the Congregation, they may be reſtored by the Provincial Synod, but to ſerve in another Province, and not otherwiſe.

There were preſent at this Synod of Rochel, Joane by the Grace of God Queen of Navar, the high and mighty Prince Henry, Prince of Navar, the high and mighty Prince Henry de Bourbon. Prince of Conde, and the moſt illuſtrious Prince Lewis, Count of Naſſau, and Sir Gaſpar, Count de Colligny, Admiral of France, and divers other Lords and Gentlemen, beſides the Deputies, who were Members of the Church of God.

At Rochel in the Month of April, 1571. in the 12th. Year of the Reign of Charles the 9th. King of France, Subſcribed thus,

Theodore de Beza, Moderator of the Synod.

Nicholas de Galars, and Scribes Elected.

John de la Rogeraye. Scribes Elected.

The End of the Synod of Rochel.

Mr. Beza's Life is written by Melchior Adamus, where you have a Catalogue of his Works.

THE ACTS, DECISIONS, and DECREES OF THE VIII. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Chriſt, IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE, HELD IN The City of Niſmes in Languedock, the Sixth Day of May, and in the Year of our Lord 1572.

THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD.

CHap. I. Monſieur de la Place Moderator and Scribe.

Chap. II. Obſervations upon the Diſcipline, Confeſſion of Faith, and laſt Synod of Rochel.

Chap. III. A Caſe about Apoſtates turn'd Perſecutors. More Obſervations upon the Diſciplines and Canons made.

Chap. IV. Method of dealing with Contentious Perſons quarrelling with Doctrine, Diſcipline, Worſhip, Catechiſing, and Marriage.

Chap. V. Manner of Electing Miniſters.

Chap. VI. General Matters. Various Caſes of Conſcience, about Elders, Colloquies Rights to a Miniſter, Marriages, reſtoring of Apoſtates, Magiſtrates, &c. to the Churches Peace. Of Marriage-Promiſes, a great Caſe, Art. 8. Incest. Creating of Doctors of Divinity. Banes oppoſed by thoſe of the Romiſh Religion. A Father's Compoſition with the Murderers of his Son. Whether Dignities and Knight-hoods may be counted among Beneficed Perſons, and ſuch admitted to the Lord's Supper.

Chap. VII. Particular Matters about the Province of Normandy. Cozain's Books, Ramus, du Rozier, Bergeron, and Morellius. Hiſtory of the Albigenſes to be tranſlated by Monſieur D'Alier.

Chap. VIII. Catalogue of Vagrants.