The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 8 (Nîmes) – Table of contents 9
THE Synod of NISMES.1572. Synod VIII.
SYNOD VIII.
CHAP. I. Canons Ordained in the National Synod held at Niſmes the Sixth of May, One thouſand five hundred ſeventy two, in the Twelfth Year of the Reign of Charles IX.
John de la Place Preſident and Scribe.AFter Invocation of the Name of GOD, John de la Place was elected Preſident and Scribe.
CHAP. II. Obſervations upon the Diſcipline, the Confeſſion of Faith, and the laſt National Synod of Rochel.
I. IT's unanimouſly reſolved, That the Seventh Article of the Diſcipline ſhall abide in its full Power.
II. Inſtead of thoſe words extracted from the Acts of the National Synod of Rochel in the Year 1571. We reject their Opinion, who will not receive the word Subſtance, See Synod of Rochel, Gen. Mat. art. 6.ſhall be put, Without prejudicing thoſe Forreign Churches, who for reaſons best known to themſelves, do not uſe the word Subſtance, we retain the word Subſtance in that ſence expreſſed in the Article. And then towards the cloſe, in lieu of thoſe words, That we may derive Life from him, ſhall be inſerted, That by Myſtical and Spiritual Communication with him, we may derive that true eternal life: And the Lord's Supper is principally ordained for the Communication of it; althô the ſame Lord Jeſus be offered to us both in his Subſtance and Gifts in the Miniſtry of his Word and Baptiſm, and received by Believers.
'Tis the Fourteenth Article in the Chapter of Baptiſm, and Book of Diſcipline.III. It was reſolved, that the Ninth Article concerning Baptiſm ſhall abide in its full power. And the Miniſters of Province ſhall be admoniſhed to carry themſelves with more condeſcenſion, and not to raiſe ſo many Difficulties about Names.
IV. It's alſo reſolved, That the Fourth Article concerning the Lord's Supper, ſhall remain unchanged.
CHAP. III.
See the Firſt Synod of Rochel, Particular Matters, Art. 1.V. THE Churches of Poictou upon reading the Canon concerning Delinquents, demanded, What courſe ſhould be taken with thoſe who in times of Perſecution having revolted, had been cenſured by the Church, but could never be regained; yea, and were become Enemies and Perſecutors; ſo that if they ſhould be mentioned by Name in the Publick Congregation in order to Excommunication,How we are to uſe Excommunication. See the Second Synod of Paris, Art. 2. of Particular Matters. they would certainly grow worſe, and would rage more bitterly againſt the Church, and do her more and greater miſchief, as was manifeſt by woful experience. The Synod upon Advice anſwered, That Excommunication was ordained for them who are Members of the Church, and not for thoſe who are not, and that its natural deſign and tendency is for her edification, and not for her deſtruction, that ſo the Flock of Chriſt may not be infeſted by ſcabbed Sheep, and that the Perſon thus cut off, being humbled and confounded for his ſin, may be finally recovered and received, and that others terrified by his example may be preſerved. And that when Apoſtates are mentioned by Name in the Church, 'tis not properly an Excommunication of them, for they have already abandoned her Communion, but 'tis to declare their Rebellion and Apoſtaſie, that ſo the whole Church may beware of them as of incorrigible Offenders; yet nevertheleſs the beſt endeavours ſhall be uſed for their reduction and reformation, and God ſhall be intreated, whilſt there is any hope, to give them Repentance unto Life. And if any ſuch are found, who inſtead of humbling and repenting, do harden themſelves in their ſins, and growing worſe and more furious, do plot and conſpire the deſtruction of the Church, or of its Paſtors, eſpecially underſtanding that they are to be mentioned by their Names in the Publick Congregation, it were far better to forbear all Naming of them, it being but a meer formality, and our End may as well be obtained by ſome other means, which is by Notifying unto the People thoſe deſperate Apoſtates, that every one may ſhun and avoid their Converſation. And this may be done with eaſe and ſafety by the Elders and Deacons, who ſhall inform their ſeveral Quarters of it, that ſo none may pretend ignorance. And whoſo converſe familiarly with theſe contumacious Rebels ſhall be cenſured, according to the Canons of our Diſcipline. Moreover, this may be confirmed by the General Doctrine of the Miniſters, who without naming any Perſon may give ſufficient Notice of them; and thoſe prudent Intimations may be advantagiouſly improved. And Miniſters and Conſiſtories are warned in Proceedurs of this nature to uſe all moderation and prudence; becauſe that Church-Cenſures and Canons of Diſcipline are only uſed for edification, and not for deſtruction, remembring often that ſaying of St. Auguſtin, That Medicines which are more hurtful than profitable ſhould be wholly forborn. And ſith in particular Facts many Circumſtances occur, concerning which a Special Law cannot be enacted, we ought therefore to be the more diſcreet, wary, and conſiderate. And the whole is left to the Wiſdom of the Conſiſtory.
VI. There ſhall be added to the Twenty Eighth Article, concerning Miniſters, theſe words, Nevertheleſs it were expedient that Miniſters took Wages, becauſe of its conſequence, and that others may not be prejudiced.
VII. The Sixteenth Article concerning Miniſters ſhall begin thus: The Miniſter who ſhall have intruded himſelf, &c.
VIII. After theſe words in the Thirty fourth Article, concerning Miniſters. That have preached Heretical Doctrine: there ſhall be added, And does obſtinately maintain it.
IX. In the firſt Article of Provincial Synods, inſtead of thoſe words, At least: there ſhell be put in, As much as poſſible.
X. In the firſt Article of National Synods, after thoſe words, Within a Year; ſhall be added, If it be poſſible.
XI. Before the Title of Provincial Synods ſhall be put, Titles with Articles of *Claſſes.Colloquies. And the firſt Article ſhall be this: The Neighbour-Churches ſhall aſſemble themſelves in Colloquies four times a Year, if poſſibly they can, and each Miniſter ſhall come accompanied with one Elder, not only for this end, that Miniſters in their reſpective turns may handle a common place in Divinity from the Scriptures; but that by mutual common Counſel they may compoſe thoſe emergent Difficulties which trouble their Churches: For it is thus ordained by the Diſcipline, and generally to provide whatever they conceive expedient and neceſſary for the Conſervation of the Churches.
XII. The ſecond Article concerning Elders ſhall be thus enlarged; to wit, after theſe words, The Elders Office is to convene the People unto Publick Aſſemblies; there ſhall be this addition, And in general to watch, but most eſpecially over the Church. And after theſe words, To make Reports of Scandals; there ſhall be added, And in conjunction with the Miniſters to judge and decide. And after thoſe words, And other ſuch-like Matters; ſhall be added, Which concern the Order, Preſervation, and Government of the Church.
XIII. At the end of the Title of National Synods this following Article ſhall be added: That the Acts and Articles of Synods may be preſerved, and that they may be of uſe in time to come for the deciding Controverſies, reſolving Caſes that may be propounded in the Synods; the ſaid Articles of things past or to come, and others concerning Synods, as alſo the Articles of our Diſcipline, together with the Confeſſion of Faith of our Reformed Churches, ſhall be all depoſited with the Deputies of that Province, which is impowered to call the next National Synod, and is charged to bring them forth at their first meeting.
XIV. At the end of the Twenty ſecond Article of Marriages there ſhall be this added: And the betrothed Woman ſhall have the ſame liberty with the betrothed Man, in caſe the ſaid Man ſhall have fornicated after the aforeſaid Promiſes
XV. The Article concerning Profeſſors of Divinity ſhall be thus enlarged, Doctor and Profeſſors of Divinity ſhall be choſen by a Synod or †Coll…ay.Claſſis, after good proof, and ſufficient tryal had of their Life and Doctrine. And they ſhall be acquainted, that they be wholly dedicated for their Lives unto the Service of God and his Church, and to be imployed according to the appointment of the Claſſis or Synods, to whoſe Authority they ſhall yield Obedience. Moreover, they ſhall ſubſcribe the Confeſſion of our Faith, and Church-Diſcipline. And whenever any difficulty in Doctrinal Points does occur they ſhall be called forth, if they be upon the place, to aſſist at its deciſion. The Regents alſo ſhall make the ſame Subſcription.
XVI. Towards the cloſe of the Fifth Article concerning Elders, there ſhall be this addition: And Profeſſors of Divinity lawfully and duly called unto their Offices.
XVII. The Fourth Article concerning Conſiſtories ſhall be couched in theſe words:Deacons may and ought to be Mem…s of Conſiſtories The Miniſters of God's Word, together with the Elderſhip, do conſtitute the Churches Conſiſtory, in which the Miniſters ought to preſide; and Deacons may and ſhould be preſent in the Conſiſtory, that ſo by their Advice the Church may be ſerved, as hitherto in theſe difficult times we have happily employed them in the Government of the Churches, and called them forth into the Elderſhip. And for time to come all Deacons thus choſen or continued, ſhall joyntly together with the Paſtors and Elders have the Rule and Conduct of the Churches.
CHAP. IV.
This Article is the …aſt in the Chapter of ConſiſtoriesXVIII. THis following Article ſhall be plac'd next in order to the 10th of Conſiſtories: If one or more of the People ſtir up ſtrife, and thereby break the Churches Ʋnion in any Point of Doctrine, Diſcipline, or the Form of Catechiſing, Adminiſtration of Sacraments,How ſuch are to be dealt with who raiſe Contentions in the Church about our Doctrine, Diſcipline or Worſhip, Catechiſing and Marriage. or of Publick Prayers and Celebration of Marriage, and that private Admonitions prove ineffectual to ſuppreſs them, then the Conſiſtory of that Church ſhall preſently endeavour to compoſe and appeaſe the whole without any noiſe, and with all ſweetneſs by the Word of God. And in caſe the Diſſenters ſhould not acquieſce in their determination, that Conſiſtory ſhall intreat the Colloquy to meet at ſuch time and place as may be most convenient, having first of all oblig'd the Diſſenters in expreſs terms, and thoſe on Record not in any manner of way to ſpread abroad their Opinions until the meeting of the ſaid Colloquy, on pain of being dealt with as Schiſmaticks; excepting always freedom of Conference with Paſtors and Elders, in caſe they have not been ſufficiently inſtructed. But and if the ſaid Diſſenters refuſe to give thoſe fore-mentioned Promiſes, then ſhall they be cenſured as Rebellious Perſons, according to the Diſcipline. And the Colloquy being met ſhall proceed as was above directed. And in caſe the ſaid Diſſenters after a patient Hearing and Refutation rest fully ſatisfied, the whole buſineſs ſhall be Regiſtred: But if not, and extraordinary neceſſity ſo require, the Provincial Synod ſhall be intreated to meet at ſuch a time and place as the ſaid Colloquy ſhall judge most convenient, the former Promiſes having been once again repeated by the Diſſenters. And the Synod being aſſembled, they ſhall with very great and mature deliberation adviſe and conſider of the Matter, Places, Times, and Perſons, whether it be expedient that another Conference be held with theſe Diſſenters, and publickly with open doors before the People, and whether liberty of ſpeaking may be granted unto any of the Aſſiſtants; which if it be, yet the determination of the Point in Controverſie ſhall not be left unto them, but to the Provincial Deputies, according to the known Rules of our Diſcipline. And then if the ſaid Diſſenters refuſe conformity, they ſhall, promiſing as before, be diſmiſſed over to the ordinary National Synod; or if there be one at that time extraordinarily aſſembled, they ſhall be heard in it with all holy freedom. And here ſhall be the final and abſolute Deciſion made of this Controverſie from the Word of God; whereunto if they refuſe a full and entire Obedience, and in plain and expreſs terms do not renounce their recorded Errors, they ſhall be cut off by the Sword of Excommunication from the Body of their Churches. A Paſtor or Elder breaking the Churches Ʋnion, or ſtirring up contention about any Point of Doctrine or Diſcipline which he had ſubſcribed, or about the Form of Catechiſing, Adminiſtration of Sacraments, Publick Prayers, or Celebration of Marriage, and not conforming to the determination of the Colloquy, ſhall be then ſuſpended from his Office, and either the Provincial or National Synod ſhall finally proceed against him.
CHAP. V.
The manner of Electing Miniſters.XIX. THE Fourth Article concerning Miniſters ſhall be couched in theſe terms: A Miniſter ſhall not be choſen by one only Miniſter with his Conſiſtory, but by two or three Miniſters called into the ſaid Conſiſtory, and if there be one in being by the Colloquy, or if it may be by the Provincial Synod. Afterward he ſhall be recommended to the People, who ſhall hear him two or three weeks following, or for ſome longer time, if it be conceived fitting, that he may be known to them, and his Method in Teaching; the Congregation alſo ſhall be expreſly informed, that if any one of them know a just cauſe or reaſon why the called Miniſter ſhould not be choſen, or if they be diſſatisfied with them, that they would declare it unto the Conſiſtory, who will readily receive, and patiently and freely hear their Exceptions against him: And in caſe there ariſe contention on one ſide or other, the Election ſhall be ſuſpended, and the whole Affair ſhall be brought before the Provincial Synod, who ſhall take knowledge both of the Juſtification and Reception of the ſaid Miniſters, who though juſtified, ſhall not however be impoſed upon that People against their will, or to the diſcontentment of the major part of them. And on the contrary, the Peoples Silence ſhall be taken for their full conſent. Finally, the ſaid Paſtor ſhall be preſented unto the People, and be ordained by laying on of hands. And if any Miniſters be deſired by particular Churches to be employed in their Service, they ſhall be ſent with good Teſtimonials of their Life and Doctrine, unto the Colloquy or Synod of the Province whereunto the Churches that demanded them do belong; and that Colloquyor Synod ſhall first hear them; and in caſe the Miniſters thus ſent have never before exerciſed the Paſtoral Office, they may examine them, and afterwards depute three or four Miniſters to nominate and preſent them unto the Churches which deſired them, who having heard them preach, ſhall finally receive them; or if the People do oppoſe it, the whole Affair ſhall be determined according to the Order before appointed, and all at the Coſts and Charges of the Churches which demanded them.
XX. At the cloſe of that Article concerning Excommunication, under the Head of Delinquents, theſe words ſhall be added: And during the Publication, as well of the ſaid Excommunication, as of the Reconciliation, it ſhall be lawful for thoſe of the People who never conſented, to give Notice of it unto the Conſiſtory, and they have all holy liberty for ſo doing; and the Conſiſtory ſhall conſider of it; whereas the ſilence of others ſhall be taken for conſent. And in caſe of oppoſition or diſcontent, they ſhall not proceed unto Excommunication without adviſing with the Colloquy, yet nevertheleſs the ſaid Suſpenſion ſhall ſtand and remain in its full vigour and effect.
XXI. To the firſt Article of Particular Orders there ſhall be made this ſhort addition, And to nouriſh Monks.
XXII. In the 27th Article concerning Miniſters after theſe words, To ſhorten the Term of Three Months; there ſhall be added, And the ſaid Colloquy ſhall conſider how thoſe ungrateful Perſons ſhall be dealt with, weighing maturely and conſidering ſeriouſly all Circumſtances, and above all, having in their eyes the Glory of God, the Edification of his Church, and the Honour of the Miniſtry. And what remains of that Article ſhall be razed out.
XXIII. After the 18th Article, concerning Conſiſtories, this preſent ſhall be ſubjoyned: In thoſe places where the Exerciſe of the Reformed Religion is not eſtabliſhed, the Faithful ſhall be exhorted by the Neighbour Colloquies to chooſe unto themſelves Elders and Deacons, and to obſerve the Diſcipline of the Church, and the Colloquy ſhall adviſe unto what Church most commodiouſly both for Miniſter and People, they may be annexed; and this ſhall be done by conſent of all, or the major part of them; and they ſhall not depart from that Church, without having first conſulted the ſaid Colloquy.
Provincial Synods have Power of changing Miniſters.XXIV. The 16th Article, concerning Miniſters, ſhall be couched in theſe following words: Authority is granted unto Provincial Synods for certain Cauſes to remove Miniſters, their Churches being first heard, and their Reaſons duly pondered; but in caſe of difference the Cauſe ſhall be finally decided by the National Synod, and till that Sentence be obtained, Miniſters ſhall abide where they were.
XXV. There ſhall be this addition made unto the Article of Provincial Synods: And the ſaid Deputies ſhall come at the common Charges and Expences of their Churches.
XXVI. To the ſixth Article of Baptiſm, this Clauſe ſhall be added, And after they have made Profeſſion of Religion.
XXVII. To the third Article of Elders, after theſe words, As alſo the Sentences of Suſpenſion ſhall be done; there ſhall be this addition, Without any mentioning of Name.
XXVIII. Unto the end of the 7th Article of Elders ſhall be this added, And they ſhall be diligently exhorted to continue in their Offices as long as may be, becauſe frequent changes brings damage unto the Church.
The Faithful may not be preſent at any Stage-plays.XXIX. There ſhall be this addition at the end of the 18th Article concerning particular Orders: It ſhall not be lawful for the Faithful to be preſent at Stage-Plays, Comedies, Tragedies, or Farces, whether they be acted publickly or privately; becauſe they have been ever condemned by God's ancient Churches for corrupting of good Manners, eſpecially when as the Holy Scripture ſhall be profaned by them. But if a Colledge judge it meet for their Youth to repreſent any Hiſtory, not compriſed in the Sacred Scriptures (which was never given us for our ſport and paſtime, but to be preached for our converſion and comfort) and provided this be done but very ſeldom, and by the Advice of the Colloquy, which ſhall first peruſe the Compoſition, it may be tolerated.
XXX. The fifteenth Province ſhall be divided into two, Forest, Auvergna and La Marche ſhall make one, Burgundy, Lyonnois, and Benujolois another, and Orange ſhall be joyned to the Province of Dolphiny.
XXXI. This Clauſe ſhall be added to the end of the 8th Article of Marriages: After which time the Marriage ſhall be publickly bleſſed in the Church according to the Word of God.
CHAP. VI. General MATTERS.
I. THis Caſe was moved about the Elders, viz. Whether they ought to be preſented to the whole Church, and in the face of the Aſſembly to receive their Charge, and the Church itſelf to be reminded of its Duty to them, or that they ſhould be preſented to the Conſiſtory only. The Synod judging it a matter meerly indifferent, leaveth the Churches to their liberty herein.
II. Hath not a Colloquy the ſame Right to redemand a Miniſter as his Church? It was anſwered in the Negative: for the Colloquy hath not the Churches Right in its Power, as was determined by the laſt National Synod.
III. A Query was made about Marriages, Whether Doctors and Profeſſors of Divinity, were not bound by the 18th Canon of our Diſcipline, to put away their Wives, if guilty of Adultery, or elſe to be deprived of their Profeſſorſhip in our Schools and Churches? Unto which there was this Anſwer returned: That that Canon did purely relate unto Paſtors, not unto Profeſſors; nor is there a parity of reaſon for the one as for the other. Miniſters being Publick Officers in the whole Church, are to be exemplary in their Perſons and Families for holineſs, and therefore muſt not receive again an Adulterous Wife into their Boſoms, which would be a Scandal to the Church. Moreover, Profeſſors of Divinity are not to correct and reprove as Paſtors are; ſo that they may, if they pleaſe, paſs by the wickedneſs of their Wives, and notwithſtanding their Adultery, enjoy their Profeſſor's place among us, and not be depoſed from it.
IV. This Advice was given to the Deputy of Poictou, That ſuch as revolted in the times of War from the Profeſſion of the Goſpel, in caſe they bore no Office in the Church, ſhall not make any publick reparation, nor ſhall the Civil Magiſtrates, but only in the Conſiſtory, and that too without mentioning them by Name, nor ſhall they ſtand up. But as for others who were publick Church-Officers, they ſhall give publick ſatisfaction, and repair the Scandal given by their Fall in a publick manner before the whole Church, and then without any farther ſeverity, and with all poſſible ſweetneſs ſhall be re-admitted to the Peace and Fellowſhip of the Church.
V. Is it neceſſary, that the Confeſſion of Faith ſhould be read before Sermon, and upon Sacrament-days before we go up unto the Lord's Table? We anſwer, The thing is meerly indifferent, and therefore no Canon ſhall be made about it, but the Church ſhall be left unto its liberty.
VI. The word Senate of the Church, ſhall be changed into that of Conſiſtory.
VII. In caſe the Children of Believers will contract Marriage with Unbelievers againſt their Parents will, their Parents ſhall not at all conſent unto ſuch Marriages, nor by publick Inſtrument aſſign them any Dowry, nor any other way or manner approve of ſuch a Marriage.
VIII. This Caſe was propounded: After Promiſes of Marriage had paſſed reciprocally by words de proeſenti, one of the betrothed Perſons falleth ſick of the Leproſie, and contracts a moſt loathſome ſtinking ſavour, and a Diſeaſe utterly incurable, may theſe Eſpouſals be broken and diſſolved? Unto which there was this Anſwer returned: That in caſe one of theſe betrothed Perſons had not been informed of the ſaid Sickneſs when the Promiſes were made, ſhe may not be compelled to accompliſh them; for there being Errour and Deceit in the Caſe, there can be no Conſent, ſo that ſhe may be ſet at liberty. And in this buſineſs we muſt have a double reſpect, 1. To the Publick; and then, 2. To the Intereſt of that private Perſon. As to the Publick, Special Care muſt be taken, that incurable Vices and Diſeaſes be not multiplied, and that their Contagiouſneſs be not propagated, nor run in the Blood. And if there were no particular, private Intereſt in the Caſe, yet before that this Marriage be conſummated, its againſt all Prudence and Godlineſs, to ſuffer Perſons, who have begun ill, to be conjoyned together, and that they ſhould all their Life after live in a perpetual hatred and abhorrency of each other, becauſe of the ſaid loathſome Stench and Diſtemper.
IX. A Man hath abuſed his deceaſed Wife's Siſter, and got her with Child, may he now marry her? No: for this commixture is inceſtuous, nor may ſhe become his Wife, and both of them are to be cenſured moſt ſeverely. Yet he may marry another.
X. If a Man hath married a Wife out of his own Church, and there be no Evidence of the Marriage, he ſhall be called into the Conſiſtory, and prove his Marriage; and in caſe he cannot do it, becauſe it was done during the Civil Wars, the Conſiſtory ſhall adviſe prudently how to cenſure him, whether publickly, or only privately within the Conſiſtory for the Churches edification.
XI. May Doctors of Divinity be created and admitted unto their Dignity and Office by Doctors of Law, aſſiſted with a Miniſter of God's Word in the Univerſity of Orange, or elſewhere? It's anſwered, That Lawyers and Phyſitians may be thus admitted, but not Divines; for our Diſcipline hath expreſly provided againſt ſuch an abuſe as this is.
XII. How may Conſiſtories demean themſelves about Banes of Marriage, whenas thoſe of the Romiſh Religion do make oppoſition, and will not appear before the Conſiſtory, but before the Civil Magiſtrate? We anſwer, That if the Civil Magiſtrate will take Cogniſance of the Fact, the Conſiſtory ſhall not proceed any farther, leaſt the Magiſtrate ſhould thence take occaſion of Offence, and complain of the Conſiſtory for intermedling with his buſineſs, and intrenching upon his Authority. And this will be direction enough as to that particular Caſe of Monſieur Cyprian.
XIII. If any of our Brethren in the Miniſtry have lying by them any Relations of memorable Events, relating to the Hiſtory and State of God's Church in theſe times, they be deſired to ſend them to the Paſtors of the Church of Lions, who will model them into good order, and publiſh them to the World.
XIV. A Father having his Son murdered, compounds with the Murderer for a Sum of Money, what courſe is to be taken with this Father? We anſwer, That the Father is bound to proſecute the Murderer in a Court of Juſtice, and to file a Bill of Indictment againſt him. But in caſe he cannot do it, and it ſo fall out, that he and the Murderer do agree the Matter between themſelves to his own private advantage, he ſhall only be admoniſhed by the Conſiſtory, and that prudently too, according as they find Circumſtances.
XV. May thoſe Commanders Places, and Dignities of Knighthood in the Orders of St. John of Jeruſalem, be counted among Benefices; and whether theſe Knights may be kept off from the Lord's Supper? We anſwer, That if they hold their Benefices and Commanderſhips from the King, and without any mixture of Superſtition or Idolatry, they may do it lawfully enough. But and if they hold them with Idolatry or Superſtition, be it either from the King's Gift or the Pope, they cannot do it, there is ſin and guilt in the caſe; nor ſhall they be admitted to Communion with us at the Lord's Table: For this would be a profeſſed owning of the Pope's Tyranny, who hath no rightful Dominion nor Authority in theſe matters, but Kings and Princes only, who are robbed by the Pope's Uſurpation of their juſt Rights, Power, Priviledges, and Authority.
CHAP. VII. Particular MATTERS.
Art. I. IT is now concluded, that the Province of Normandy may be divided into two Provinces, in caſe they cannot conveniently meet in one, and all the Miniſters ſhall come unto them accompanied with their Elders, according to the Canon of our Diſcipline, and not by deputies from the Colloquies.
Art. II. As for Cozain, upon reading thoſe Letters ſent us from our Brethren the Engliſh Miniſters, it was ordered, That the two Books written by the ſaid Cozain, and dedicated to ſome particular Members in the Church of Bourdeaux, and brought unto this preſent Synod by Monſieur de la Sauls, ſhould be put into Monſieur Beza's hands for his peruſal, and who ſhould make report of their Contents unto us, and an Anſwer ſhall be returned to our Brethren of England.
Art. III. The Deputies of the Iſle of France craved our Advice, about thoſe Points of Church-Diſcipline now controverted by Monſieur Ramus, du Roſier, Bergeron, and ſome others. Whereupon an Order was made, That Monſieur de Chambrun ſhould read in this Aſſembly, that Abridgement made by our Brethren of the Iſle of France, and extracted out of Morellius's Anſwer to that Book, De la Confirmation de la Diſcipline; and ſent by them unto this Synod, together with the Book of the ſaid Morellius in anſwer to it, and for deciſion of thoſe Points and Arguments therein contained, as alſo Ramus, and De Roſier's Books, which ſhall be delivered unto Monſieur Cappel to be examined by him. And in caſe there be any other Arguments found in them, beſides thoſe formerly urged by Morellius, theſe ſhall be alſo anſwered. And Meſſieurs de Beza, De Roche Chandieu, and De Beaulieu, are choſen to reply unto them. And as for the Deciſions and Decrees they ſhall be made only by the Provinces. Yet liberty is given unto the By ſtanders, in caſe they think good to make oppoſition, and to this purpoſe the Doors of the Synod ſhall be le…t wide open, and ſilence ſhall not be impoſed upon any Man in this matter for this time. Only it ſhall not be made a Precedent.
Art. IV. But this Affair having been ſince conſidered, examined, diſputed, debated, and put to the Vote, as it was ordered in the laſt mentioned Canon, a Decree paſſed, That our Church-Diſcipline, as it hath been all along to this very day obſerved end practiſed among us, ſo alſo ſhall it be for the future, without any change or innovation in it, as being grounded upon God's Word. And as for thoſe Poſitions aſſerted by Monſieur Ramus, Morellius, Bergeron, and others, 1. About the Deciſion of Points of Doctrine. 2. About the Election and Depoſal of Miniſters. 3. About Excommunication out of the Church, and Reconciliation with, and Re-admiſſion into it. 4. And laſtly about Propheſying, None of theſe ſhall be received among us, becauſe they have no Foundation in the Word of God, and are of very dangerous conſequence unto the Church, as the whole hath been verified and made appear in the preſence of this Synod, in which all the Arguments of thoſe Books of Ramus, Morellius, and Du Rozier were moſt narrowly ſifted and diſcuſſed, and this was unanimouſly aſſented to by the Declaration of all the Provincial Deputies, who affirmed, That they had maturely and duly conſidered of thoſe Points of Diſcipline controverted by thoſe Gentlemen before-mentioned. And Monſieur De la Roche Chandieu was ordered to reduce and ſet down in writing all the Anſwers and Reſolutions made by this Aſſembly unto the ſaid Treatiſes and Arguments, and to communicate them with the Colloquy of Lionnois, that they may be printed and publiſhed. Only the Relation of theſe Synod…cal Anſwers and Reſolutions ſhall be writ with the greateſt moderation, and without mentioning the Names of any Perſon.
Art. V. The Colloquy of Limmigny ſhall be adviſed to get the Memoirs of their Synod to be razed, nor may they make any particular Canons of their own, but ſhall be governed by thoſe of our Diſcipline.
Art. VI. Monſieur Berauld, and his Colleagues in the Church of Montauban, are charged to recover from Monſieur Comerard of Tholouſe, the Hiſtory of the Albigenſes, written in their Langùage, and Monſieur D' Acier ſhall tranſlate it into French, and having done it, ſhall communicate it unto their Colloquy, according to the Canons of our Church-Diſcipline, and then cauſe it to be printed. And Letters ſhall be written to this purpoſe unto the ſaid Sieurs de Comerard and D' Acier, from this Aſſembly.
Art. VII. The County of Meſſin, and City of Metz ſhall be joyned to the Province of Champagne, according to the particular Canon of our Diſcipline, and Letters concerning it ſhall be ſent unto them from this Synod.
Art. VIII. The Lord Admiral de Chaſtillon having writ a Letter unto this Synod, the Churches were all admoniſhed of their Duty to his Majeſty; and an Anſwer ſhould be returned to this effect unto his Lordſhip.
Art. IX. A Vote paſſed, but without any prejudice to the liberty of Monſieur de Saules, and without debating the Merits of his Cauſe, that a Letter ſhould be written unto the Magiſtrates of Geneva, thanking them for their Love and Good-will, and they ſhall be deſired to continue it unto all the Churches of France in general, and particularly to thoſe of Bearn; and we do grant Monſieur de Saules tor one Year more unto the Queen of Navarre, and Letters alſo ſhall be written unto her Majeſty, and to his Highneſs the Prince her Son.
Art. X. The Churches ſhall be excited to aſſiſt with their Charity the poor Members of the County and Church of Orange, who are in extream poverty, there being no leſs than Twelve hundred Families of theſe Refugees in the ſingle Province of Dolphiny.
Art. XI. Before that Mr. John le Gagneur ſhall be admitted Paſtor into any one of our Churches, he ſhall give good Evidence of his Repentance, and of his Reconciliation with the Church of Geneva, and we will have ſome conſiderable ſpace of time for proving the truth of his Repentance.
Art. XII. Upon the Cenſure of Ramus, Morellius and their Companions, it was voted, That Letters ſhould be writ in the Name and Authority of this Aſſembly unto the ſaid Ramus, Morelly, Du Rozier, and Bergeron, and to give them all ſeverally to underſtand what was concluded by this Aſſembly againſt their Books, and to re-mind them of their Duty according to God's Holy Word; and a Letter ſhall be written unto die Provincial Synod of the Iſle of France, that they ſummon theſe aforeſaid Gentlemen before the Colloquy of Beauvoiſin, and remonſtrate to them their Offences, but to deal gently and ſweetly with them: And in caſe upon their appearance they ſhould reject their Admonitions, they ſhall be proceeded againſt as Rebels and Schiſmaticks, according to the Canons of our Diſcipline.
Art. XIII. As to the buſineſs of Cozin's before-mentioned, Monſieur de Saule ſhall be intreated by the Aſſembly to anſwer our Engliſh Brethren, and to ſend them Cozin's Book, and the Remarks which have been made upon it.
Art. XIV. Monſieu de Beze is ordered to anſwer in the Name of this Synod the Letters of our Brethren of Zurich, and to acquaint them with our Synodical Decrees.
Art. XV. The Province of Berry is charged to call the next National Synod two Years hence, or before in caſe of neceſſity.
CHAP. VIII. The Vagrants, ſtyling themſelves Miniſters, but depoſed.
1. BEauguyot. 2. Arbaud. 3. John Garambois, alias Baremboin. 4. Denis Lambert. 5. Simon Savin, or Savineau, calling himſelf, Monſieur. De la March…. 6. Monſieur Peter Granade, going alſo by other Names, as Sacalay, Mercure, Salcadry, or Secudry.
All theſe before-mentioned Articles were Decreed and Verified in the National Synod of the Deputies from all the Provinces of this Kingdom at Niſmes, May 8. 1572. Signed in the Original, John de la Place, Moderator.
THE ACTS, DECISIONS, and DECREES OF THE IX. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Chriſt, IN The KINGDOM of, FRANCE, HELD At St. Foy the Great, in the Province of Perigord, the 2d. Day of February, and ended the 14th. day of the ſame Month, in the Year of our Lord, 1578. being the 4th. Year of the Reign of Henry the Third King of France and of Poland.
THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD.
CHap. I. Synodical Officers choſen. The Duke of Bouillon ſits in it repreſenting the King of Navarre.
Chap. II. General Matters. Care of the Religions Education of the Youth. Of Catechiſing. Publicly Pennance. No Church-Officers who have Popiſh Wives. Of Atteſtations.
Chap. III. An Act for a National Faſt. About Common-Prayers. Miniſters Expences to Synods and Colloquies. Of God-mothers.
Chap. IV. Several Caſes of Conſcience, as about Marrying the Aunt of a dead Wife, and a very ſtrange Caſe about Marriage. Holding the Temporalities of Benefices. Faſhions and Habits. Miniſters way not together with their Miniſtery Practice Phyſick, &c.
Chap. V. An Act for calling the next National Synod. Canon about Beneficed Perſons.
Chap. VI. A Commiſſion given to ſeveral Divines, to aſſiſt at a Treaty of Ʋnion between all the Reformed Churches in Europe.
Chap. VII. The Prince of Conde brings the firſt Appeal unto the National Synods.
Chap. VIII. Diſcipline exerciſed upon a ſcandalous Miniſter Ap. 5.8.9. Cenſure upon an ungrateful Church-Ap. 10. Fregeville cenſured.
Chap. IX. A Roll of Miniſters provided for and diſpoſed unto Vacant Churches. Remarks upon Monſieur Merlin the Moderator.