The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France

CHAP. XVII. Memorials drawn up in the present Synod, for the Service of the CHURCH.

• ARTICLE. I.
  THe Churches shall be admonished to make a faithful Collection of all notable and remarkable Passages of Divine Providence, which have happened in their Precincts, and to send those Narratives unto our Reverend Brethren the Pastors of Geneva, with all possible speed and diligence.
• ARTICLE. II.
  Monsieur Beza shall be entreated to draw up in Writing the Causes and Protestations of Nullity against the Council of Trent, both in the Latin and French Tongues; and he shall send them unto the Ministers at Court, that they may present them unto his Majesty.
• ARTICLE. III.
  A most Humble Petition shall be presented unto his Majesty, that we be not hindered nor debarred of our Synodical Assemblies; which yet shall not be delivered without the express Consent of the chiefest Lord's, who are at Court, and professing the Reformed Religion.
• ARTICLE. IV.
  The Articles of the three former National Synods shall be compiled into a Body, unto which these of this present Synod shall be added; and the Church of Lions shall give forth Copies of them.
• ARTICLE. V.
  Our Brethren the Pastors of Geneva, shall be entreated to write us their Judgment about some principal Points of Church-Discipline, as about Elections of Church-Officers, and the Sentence of Excommunication, and to send Copies of this their Judgment unto the Church of Lions, which is ordered to distribute them among the Provinces of this Kingdom, that so the Deputies may come prepared with well-digested Thoughts about those Articles unto the next National Synod; and in the mean while all the Churches are required to conform themselves unanimously unto those Canons of Church-Discipline, which have been already composed for them by the Decrees of our three former National Synods.
• ARTICLE. VI.
  The Provinces shall be advised to send their respective Proctors unto Court, who may be charged to solicit the Affairs of their Provinces; and they shall not act anything but according to the Instructions put into their hands by their Principals, nor shall they undertake any matter of great importance, without having first communicated it unto their Province, and they shall conclude on such courses as shall be jointly concerted between them and the Ministers, who may be then about the Court.

CHAP. XVIII. The Provinces, if they themselves approve of it shall be thus divided.

Distinction of the Provinces of France.
• 1. THE Isle of France, Picardy, Brie, and Champagne.
• 2. Burgundy, Lyonnois, Forest, and Auvergne.
• 3. Dauphiné, Languedoc, and Provence.
• 4. Poitou and Xaintongs.
• 5. Gascony, Limousin, and Agenois.
• 6. Britain, Turenne, Anjou, and Le Maine.
• 7. Normandy.
• 8. Berry, Orleans, and the County of Chartres.

VIII. The Canons decreed in this Assembly shall be communicated unto our Brethren the Pastors of Geneva, who having perused them, shall return them back again unto the Church of Lions, and by them sent unto our three first Provincial Synods, and from them to be distributed among the other Provinces of this Kingdom.

CHAP. XIX. BOOKS Censured.

IX. THe Churches shall be advised of a Book lately published with this Title, Conseil a la Pauvre France; whereof Castalio is the reputed Author: 'It is a wicked Piece, and therefore they must be aware of it.

X. And they shall also reject a little Pamphlet added unto a Catechize, styled, Les Demandes, que font les Ministres de Geneve a ceux quil veulent recevoir la Cene.

CHAP. XX. The Vagrants and Deposed Ministers.

• 1. MArmande, who was in the Ministry near Chartres.
• 2. James de Vernueil, or Berneil, employed in Normandy.
• 3. Beaujean, Beraud, or Bergard, for he goeth by all these Names, he was an Augustinian Friar, and Prior of their Convent at Poitiers.
• 4. Christopher de la Place.
• 5. Louis Tudett.
• 6. A great lubberly Franciscan Friar, who quitted his Frock in the House of the Lord de la Martiniere; he is called La Motte.
• 7. William Tortereau de Foussay.
• 8. William Coistereau, or Bretereau du Bois.
• 9. Peter Vrede, or Boulay of Niort, an Apostate.
• 10. Ma • turin Pennin, or Pelling, or Pilin, for he goes by all these Names.
• 11. Simeon, Regent of the College at Surgeres.
• 12. John de la Tourniere.
• 13. John Guerin.
• 14. James Pinus.
• 15. Louis Matthew, or Maton.
• 16. Peter le Brun.
• 17. Calix Baptist, formerly a Carrier of Rogations, he was a Monk at Thoulouse, and Secretary to the Cardinal of Armagnac.
• 18. Roberty, heretofore a Cordelier Friar, living in the same House with the Bishop of St. Prynne's.
• 19. Hermes de la Faye, he was a Jacobin Friar.
• 20. James Courtain de Calaux, a Fellow boasting himself to be a Prophet, and to be endowed with a Prophetical Spirit.
• 21. Francis Porcelin, an Italian.
• 22. Jerome Bolsec, a most Infamous Lyar and Apostate.
• 23. Matthew D' Ancbe.
• 24. Jerome Rolse.

All these Decrees were done and made in the National Synod of Lions, held in August, 1563; And thus Signed in the Original,

CHAP. XXI. Three ANSWERS of the Pastors and Professors of Geneva, and of some of the Ministers who were deputed unto the National Synod of Lions, 1563, and impowered by it▪ to make these following Returns unto the Questions propounded to them.

CHAP. I.

NIcholas de Galars, Minister of the Church of Orleans, being chosen President; and Lewis Capel, Minister of Meaux, and Peter Le Clere, Elder of the Church of Paris, Scribes; after the Invocation of the Name of GOD.

CHAP. II. An Explication of the Canons of the CHURCH-Discipline, and an Addition of several others. General MATTERS.

I. FOrasmuch as the Church of God ought to be governed by a good and holy Discipline, and that no other may be introduced but what is grounded upon the Word of God; the Ministers and Elders deputed from the Provinces of this Kingdom, to confer about Ecclesiastical Affairs, and met together in the Name of the Lord, after diligent Perusal of the Book, and other Writings of M. J. Morelly, concerning the Polity and Discipline of the Church, and sufficient Conferences had with him from the Holy Scriptures about it, do by this present Act condemn his said Books and Writings, as containing evil and dangerous Opinions, subverting that Discipline which is conformable unto the Word of God, and at this day received in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom: and whereas delivering up the Government of the Church unto the People, he would bring in a new tumultuary Conduct, and full of Confusions, upon it, from whence would follow many great and dangerous Inconveniencies, which have been remonstrated unto him, and he once and again admonished to abandon these Matters, which yet he will not do, but persists in his Assertions, saying, That he is persuaded those his Opinions are built upon God's Holy Word. We having divers times exhorted him to approve and consent unto that Order which is received and conserved in these our Churches, as appointed by our Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles, and proved to him from their Sacred Writings; because we hope that the Lord will be gracious to him, and also because he does not differ from the Church in any of the fundamental principal Articles of our Faith, the Brethren of this Assembly supporting him with Christian Charity, are of Opinion, that he be received to the Peace and Communion of the Church, provided that as he hath formerly promised by Writing, and now again protested to ratify and sign with his own Hand this his Promise, so that for time to come he do carry himself peaceably, and subject himself to the Order and Discipline established in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom, without ever any manner of ways publishing those his said Opinions neither by Word of Mouth nor Writing, contrary to the said Discipline, or to a Treatise in confirmation of it, which may shortly be printed; provided also that according to his former Promises, and at the request of the Lord's of the City and Church of Geneva, to whom he hath not yet given sufficient Satisfaction, though he is bound in Duty to reconcile himself unto them, which is evident from his own Letters, that he do once more by new Letters of his own Writing, confess and acknowledge to have offended them, and do beg their Pardon, because that being an Inhabitant of their said City, he did contrary to the Orders of the Seignory print and publish his said Book, without having first demanded and obtained their License, and being called both by them and the Consistory of that Church to give an account of that his Contempt, he did not appear at the day assigned him. These conditions being performed by him, and the Consistory of that Church whereunto he shall join himself, must take knowledge whether he hath fulfilled them or no, and they accordingly may receive him as a Member of the Church, and admit him into Communion with them, or else proceed against him by Ecclesiastical Censures.

CHAP. III.

II. FOrasmuch as Sins committed in the Church ought to be corrected by the Word of God, and according to the Rule of Charity, and all Sins are not alike grievous and scandalous, some being more enormous, others of a lesser nature, some secret and others public, we must therefore according to their quality and aggravations accommodate the Censure and Reprehension: so then secret Sins, whereof the Sinner by means of Brotherly Admonitions shall be brought unto Repentance, and hath reformed them, shall not be brought into the Consistory; but those only which these first means cannot reform nor amend, or Sins publicly known, the cognizance of which belongs unto the said Consistory, who must proceed to the Reformation of them by proper and convenient Censures, considering these sins with all their circumstances, that so according as the case requireth, they may apply either a severe and rigorous Reprehension, or a more moderate one in the Spirit of Meekness, as may be most expedient to bring the Sinner to Repentance; who to this end shall by the Authority of the Consistory be for some time deprived of the Lord's Supper, if it be needful, that so he may be humbled, or finally excommunicated, and totally cut off from the Body of the Church, according to that Order hereafter declared, if so be he show himself rebellious to the Holy Admonitions and Censures inflicted on him, and continue obstinate and impenitent. But inasmuch as this is the last and most rigorous of all Remedies, it shall never be used but in case of extremity, when all fair and gentle Means have proved ineffectual. And whereas even unto this day in divers places this distinction between this last Excommunication, and temporary Suspension, or simple Privation of the Lord's Supper, hath not been observed as it ought; that both the one and the other may be duly used, the Ministers and Elders interpreting these words of Excommunication and Suspension from the Lord's Table, do give it as their Opinion, That no Person should be deprived or suspended the Lord's Table by the single Authority of the Pastors, or of any other, but only by the Consistory, which shall prudently consider and judge, whether the Crime related to them, and whereof the Sinner hath been first of all admonished, deserve for its heinousness Suspension or no: and if it do, then he who shall have committed such a sin shall for some time be deprived of the Lord's Supper, in order to his Humiliation, and the Trial of his Repentance: But if the sin be known only to a few Persons, this Suspension, nor its cause may not be signified unto the People, least the Sinner be the more defamed, and his sin made more scandalous and notorious than it was; and it shall be sufficient if in this case, he do only acknowledge his sin unto the Consistory, that so he may be received unto the Table of our Lord Jesus. But as for those, who having been oftentimes admonished of their sins, shall ever show themselves Disobedient to the Consistory, and those also who being guilty of great and enormous Crimes, punishable by the Civil Magistrate, and which bring public Scandal upon the Church, altho' there may be observed some beginnings of Repentance in them, shall nevertheless be out of hand suspended the Lord's Table, and the said Suspension shall be published unto the People, that so the Church of God may be discharged of all Blame and Reproach, and that such Sinners may be the more deeply humbled in the exercise and proof of their Repentance, and an Holy Terror struck into the hearts of others: and if after some good space of time, there appearing solid proofs and evidences of their Conversion and Repentance, attested to by sufficient Witnesses, the Judgment whereof belongs unto the Consistory; they shall be publicly reconciled unto the Church by Confession of their Offences, and Expressions of true Repentance, that so they may purge away and repair the Scandal they had given unto the whole Church, and then they shall be admitted unto the Lord's Table. But and if it should happen, that after along and patient waiting, and divers Admonitions made by the Consistory, and the aforesaid Proceedings observed and practiced, and all charitable Endeavors used for the regaining of the Sinner, he nevertheless abide obstinate and impenitent, then the Pastor in the Name of the whole Church shall proceed against him by public Admonitions, declaring unto the whole Church his Offences, protesting also of their due and religious Care for him, and Carriage towards him, though' without any fruit or benefit, exhorting the whole Church to seek God earnestly on his behalf, and to use all means that may bring him to a sight and sense of his sin, that so that dreadful Sentence of Excommunication and Cutting off from the Church of God (whereunto she cannot proceed but with the greatest Regret and Grief,) may be prevented. And the said Pastor shall in his Sermon from the Word of God declare the true, right and lawful Use of this Censure, that everyone may be instructed in his Duty both towards God and his Neighbor; and that all may understand that this last Remedy is used with this Sinner for the Glory of God, the Honor and Reputation of the Church, and the Salvation of his Soul in particular: And these public Admonitions and Denunciations shall be prosecuted and continued three several times, on three several Lord's Days; on the first of which the Sinner shall not be mentioned by Name, that so in some sort he may be spared, though he be already too well known unto the People; but on the two succeeding Sundays he shall be particularly named. And if after all this he does not repent, nor become a Convert, but persisteth obstinately in his sinful Courses, then on the fourth Lord's Day, in the face and presence of the whole Congregation, such a one, mentioning him by Name, shall be declared and pronounced Excommunicate and cut off as a rotten Member, from the Body of the Church; the Pastor declaring it authoritatively from the Word of God, in the Name, and with the Consent of the whole Church.

Those who are thus excommunicate and cut off, shall be deprived of all Communion with the Church, and of all it's Privileges; and the Faithful shall be admonished neither to converse familiarly with them, nor to frequent their Company, that so they may be ashamed, humbled, and brought unto Repentance; the truth whereof shall be demonstrated by good Fruits, and unexceptionable Evidences, known unto the Consistory, who shall judge whether they ought to be received again into the Church; and having called, seen, and heard them, and found them truly penitent, it shall be published by the Pastor unto the whole Congregation, that so they may be stirred up to praise God for touching their hearts with Remorse, and recovering them unto Repentance. And then these Penitents shall come before the whole Church to give satisfaction for their past Scandal, confessing and detesting their former Sins and Rebellions, begging humbly Pardon of God and the Church for them; and thus shall they be received unto the Church's Peace and Fellowship with Joy and Public Thanksgiving.

CHAP. IV.

III. FOrasmuch as the Holy Apostle hath ordained, That such as approach unto the Lord's Table, should examine themselves; and this being a principal Point of that Examination, that we search into ourselves diligently to see and discover whether we have truly renounced all sins, and those sins especially which are most contrary to God's pure and holy Worship, as Idolatry, and its Appurtenances are; and because such as are beneficed by Papal Provisions, though' of different degrees, notwithstanding their Knowledge and Profession of the Gospel-Truth, and retaining the quality of Incumbents, or enjoying the Fruits of their Benefices, no matter how it be, they do seem to us not to have discharged this their Duty: The Question having been put in general, Whether they should be received unto the Lord's Supper? The Brethren are of Opinion, That we must here distinguish, there being some who having devested themselves of all Title to their Benefices, do yet reserve unto themselves Pensions out of them, which they enjoy either by Provision from Rome, or by private Compact between themselves and those to whom they have resigned, or some other way, be it what it will; these shall be told, That they cannot use this Traffick without greatly offending GOD. Because one of these Parties grounding this Reservation upon the Pope's Grants, and maintaing himself in it by his Authority, doth as much as in him lieth, own and avow his Supremacy: And the other Party, because he receiveth Wages from the Evil he hath done his Neighbor, and receiveth an yearly Tribute from him; who by this means is subjected unto Conditions full of Impiety and Idolatry; by which Fact they approve of that Evil they have already done, and continue in it; and therefore they shall from the Word of God be admonished not to approach the Table of the Lord Jesus, nor shall they be admitted to it, because they would wound their own consciences not only by their adherance to, but participation in Sin.

Much less can they do it, who using a false Name, or borrowing one from their Servants or familiar Friend, do in the mean while keep entirely to themselves the Revenue of those Benefices either in whole or part, and vacate, change, sell and dispose of them at their pleasure: For 'tis such a Dissembling as is utterly inconsistent with Christian Truth and Simplicity; thus a Man under the Mask of another in his own Name and Person he durst not, without exposing himself to a just Reproof and Scorn. But as for them, who retaining the Name and Title of their Benefices together with their Fruits and Profits, if they can in their Enjoyment of them, use them piously, abstaining from all Superstitions, nor participate in Idolatries adhearing to them, these be the more excusable: However, it were better that they did totally devest themselves of them, especially Bishops and Curates, because of their Insufficiency for their Office, and by reason that in these evil Times they cannot be suffered to perform the true Duties of their Charge and Calling. But where this may not be obtained, they shall be at least exhorted that by a well-ordered Life, utterly estranged from all Idolatry and Scandal, and by a sincere and apparent Profession of the Gospel, they give everyone fully to understand, That they do totally renounce the Pope and all his Superstitions, and that they have nothing to do with him, nor hold anything by or from him; and in case of being troubled in the Possession of their said Benefices, they will rather quit them all, than relieve themselves by his Bulls and Provisions, which also it were fitting they committed unto the Flames; thereby demonstrating that they would never make any advantage of them. In the mean while as much as in them lieth, and as the Times and Places will bear they shall do their utmost endeavor by all lawful means to purge their Benefices, and; their Houses, and their Dependancies from all Idolatry and Superstition, and to establish the pure Worship of God by the Ministry of his Holy Gospel: And where they cannot wholly hinder those Exercises which are customarily done and practiced contrary to the true Service of God; they shall neither, by their personal Presence, nor by their Consent, nor by their Name, nor in the least manner of ways intervene to approve or authorize them, nor shall another be by them substituted in their stead to do it for them. And we do advise them to employ the Revenues of their Benefices to holy Uses, whereunto at first they were designed, to wit, the relieving of the Poor, the Maintenance of God's Holy Worship, the Erecting of Colleges, the Education of Scholars in Learning for the Service of the Church and Ministry, and other such-like Uses, and that at least they expend the third part of the said Revenue to these Purposes according to the ancient Constitutions, and as they are bound in conscience so to do. And on these Conditions, and not otherwise may they be admitted to the Lord's Table.

CHAP. V.

IV. THat Abuses committed by divers Vagrants may be prevented, who wander up and down with Attestations from Ministers whereof they serve themselves at all times and places, shamelessly begging from the Churches, and thereby robbing God's true Poor of their necessary Relief: This Assembly adviseth Ministers for time to come, rarely to give such Attestations, and when they do, to none but those who upon their particular knowledge they are assured to be Persons of true Godliness, and of an upright Conscience, and groaning under pressing Necessities, specifying in their Attestations the Name, Quality and Abode of those to whom they give them, and what Relief has been administered to them, mentioning also the Day and Place from whence they parted, and whether they go, and upon what occasion: And such as bear them shall bring them forth, and get them renewed in every Church through which they pass by the Ministers, who shall always specify what hath been given them, and the Day when, until such time as they be come unto their Journey's end. And before May next all the Churches shall be advertised of this present Canon, that so all former Certificates given in any other Form than this abovementioned, may be accounted null and void, and torn in pieces.

V. Forasmuch as divers debauched Persons of very wicked Lives, do mingle themselves with us in our public Meetings, to the great Dishonor of God, and great Scandal of the Church; and because Discipline cannot be exercised against these, who will not subject themselves unto it, yet nevertheless they shall be frequently and personally admonished of their sins, and solicited to submit unto the Churches Order: which if they refuse, and continue in their Wickedness, that so the Crimes and Scandals committed by them may not be imputed to the Church, nor redound to its Dishonor, and that the Enemies of the Gospel may not take occasion thence to Calumniate it, the Minister shall from the Pulpit signify unto the Faithful that such vicious Persons (without naming any) are not to be accounted true Members of the Church; which also shall be done by the Elders in their particular Charges, and respective Quarters, informing everyone particularly, that such and such, naming them by their Names, belong not unto the Church. And this Assembly doth farther judge it meet and expedient, that the Order observed in some Churches be observed in all; that the Novices who desire to be received into the Church, and listed among her Members, do intimate this their desire unto the Elder of their Division, who shall inform himself of their Life, and make report of it unto the Consistory; which being unexceptionable, he shall at the close of his Sermon or Catechising, present them unto the Pastor, who shall cause them make the Promises and Protestations that are usual, viz. To embrace the Doctrine of the Gospel, which shall be taught them, and to submit themselves to the Order and Discipline of the Church, and by this means they shall be counted Members of the Church: Further, they must be admonished to give their Attendance ordinarily at Sermons and Catechisings, that being instructed in the Faith, they may be judged capable and fit to participate of the Lord's Supper. And if after having been instructed, they shall too long time defer their Communicating, and it be known that their refraining is from Contempt of that Holy Sacrament, they shall be proceeded against according to the Discipline: but if their forbearance spring from infirmity, they shall be born withal for some time, till they have gotten more Soul-strength. As for those who conform not to the Rules of our Church, and yet frequent Sermons, and be not of an ill Life, nor scandalous, they shall be admonished and enticed by all means to conform to them.

VI. Whereas some certain Churches, and in particular that of Sens, earnestly demand, that it may be permitted them to establish a Council in their City, composed of wise and experienced Persons, not being Officers of the Church; urging for it, the multitude of their Enemies necessitating them to stand upon their Guard, and that hourly divers Affairs of great importance do occur, calling for prompt and speedy Succours to the Conservation of the Church; that their Pastors and Elders dwell not in Town, who might prevent those Discontents brought upon them by Monsieur de la Croix, their Pastor, who would neither countenance nor authorize any such Council. This Assembly in pursuance of the Article of the Discipline relating to this matter, and expounding it, is of Opinion, That for time to come no such Council be established, excepting that composed of Ministers, Elders and Deacons, being confident, that God will ever bless their Labors and Councils, whom he hath called to Office in the Church, and better serve himself by their Simplicity, than by the Prudence of Worldly Politicians: Besides, it shall be always lawful for the Pastors and Elders on any great and difficult Affair, to call unto them, such Persons as by whose Counsel they may be any ways aided: Not hereby debarring particular Persons the benefit of mutual Counsel which they may one afford another upon emergent occasions, for their better Preservation. But we do not hereby intend to authorize any company of Men, besides the Consistory, to be styled the Council of the Church.

CHAP. VI.

VII. BEcause that in the ninth Article of the Discipline, it's said, That when Ministers are to be confirmed, there shall be Imposition of Hands upon them, yet not as of pure necessity: It is demanded, whether the Churches that have no such Custom should for time to come submit unto the Usage of it? The reply was, That there being neither Precept nor Promise touching this matter, therefore no necessary Obligation shall be established about it: However, this Ceremony being of ancient Usage in the Church, practiced by the Apostles, and tending to Edification, the Churches shall do their endeavor to promote Conformity unto it, as far as possible they may.

VIII. The Churches Council consisting of Ministers, Elders and Deacons, it is demanded, Whether unordained Preachers, not having any particular Charge, may be called in to assist the Consistory, without ever granting them power of Suffrage, that so they may be molded and prepared for the better managing of Church-affairs, when God shall call them thereunto? We answer, There being no Inconveniency in it, 'tis left to the prudence and discretion of the Pastors, who may to try their Abilities, demand also their Opinions.

IX. There being no Commandment from the Lord, that we should take Godfathers and Godmothers to present our Infants unto Baptism, we cannot therefore impose an express Necessity on any one to use them: nevertheless, this Custom being very ancient, and brought into the Church on a good Intent, viz. To testify the Parents Faith, and Baptism of their Child, and to take upon them its Education in case of their death, and for that it maintains Christian Society with a Bond of Love and Alliance. Such as will not follow this practice, but will in their own Persons present their Children unto Baptism, are earnestly desired not to be conceited, but to conform to this ancient and accustomed Order, which we find both good and very beneficial. However, Women shall not be suffered to present Children. And this is the true sense of the second Article of the Synod of Lions.

X. Judges, Notaries, Scriveners, and others who by the Duty of their Callings are bound to Judge, Sign, and Seal all matters indifferently brought to them, shall not be censured for giving Judgment, or receiving a last Will, or passing a Contract, or dispatching Writings about Idolatrous Concerns. But Advocates, Arbitrators, and all others, whose Offices are free, shall be admonished, that they ought wholly to forbear Pleading for, or any other ways to treat of beneficiary Causes, or such-like Matters.

CHAP. VII.

XI. CHurches which besides their ordinary Sermons are accustomed to Morning and Evening Common-Prayers, on such Days whenas there is no Preaching, or once a day towards night, when there has been a Sermon, are entreated to conform themselves unto those Churches which have no such Custom, that so Superstition which is like to follow hereupon may be prevented, and that visible Neglect and Contempt of Sermons may be avoid, and Family-Prayers, which every Housholder is bound to perform, may be no more neglected: Moreover, Public Extraordinary Common-Prayers ought to be reserved for Times of Necessity and Afflictions, because it is an extraordinary Remedy, as Public Fasting whose usage ought not to be common. And Ministers shall inform their Churches, which have daily Common-Prayer, why they are laid down; that so all Scandal and Muttering at their Suppression may be removed, and they shall admonish the Heads of Families ordinarily to call upon God in their Hoses by Morning and Evening-Prayers.

XII. Such as come from one Church unto another to be married, shall not be suffered without a sufficient Attestation from that Church whence they departed; and the Banes shall be called in those very places where both the Parties have their residence, and are known.

XIII. Forasmuch as divers Churches having borrowed a Minister from another, do trust unto it, and use no diligence elsewhere to gain one for themselves, yea, and will not permit him when re-called by his own Church, to return again unto it, whereby they would seem to claim him for their own by Prescription, who was only a Loan unto them; so that hereby many and great Troubles may every day grow upon us: and though Consistories ought to be advised not to prefer their own particular Profit to the common Benefit and Edification of the Churches of Christ, nor to leave a Church unprovided, when they can conveniently spare a Minister, or send another: Yet if this may not be done, that the aforementioned Inconveniencies may be obviated, and that Churches living upon borrowed Ministers may be spurred up to a diligent discharge of their Duty in getting one for themselves; This Assembly adviseth, That in case a Church which had borrowed a Minister hath been for six Months, warned and required to provide itself, the lent Minister shall be obliged to return unto his own Church, in Obedience to the Summons of his Consistory, whatever Interposals there may be to the contrary by Provincial Synods.

XIV. It's ordained for time to come, That Provincial Synods and Colloquies shall be established according to the Provincial Gorvernments of the Kingdom, without any one's usurping Authority upon the other; excepting that if one Government be too great, and the number of Ministers in it too many, they may divide themselves into two Provinces, and as many Synods.

CHAP. VIII.

XV. THis Synod having heard Monsieur John du Bard retracting and abjuring those Errors he had formerly vented and defended at Poitiers, concerning the Divinity and Humanity of Jesus Christ, and the Divinity of the Holy Ghost, which Retractation of his specified with all Plainness, and its Particulars he had given in Writing, and the Deputies of this Assembly to whom it was committed for their Perusal, making Report that it was solid, pertinent and satisfactory, as proceeding from a composed and well-resolved Mind; It is ordained, That this Retractation shall be sent unto Monsieur de L'estrang, and other Ministers of the Churches in Poistou, with Letters from this Assembly, that they may consider whether it will be a sufficient Reparation of the Scandal and Trouble caused by him in those Parts, and to know whether they have any other Matters to object against him, or whether they would have him in Person there upon the place to recognize his Offence: And in case they desire it, the said Monsieur John du Bard shall be exhorted to appear personally before them; in the mean while the Ministers of Picardy are advised not to proceed to a sudden Election of him, till such time as he hath given full Satisfaction unto the Churches of Poitou.

CHAP. IX.

XVI. FOrasmuch as Controversies arise daily about Marriage-Promises, we do Decree, That for time to come, all clandestine Promises made even by Persons of full Age, and at their own disposal shall be null; and those be clandestine Promises which are not made in the presence of three or two Witnesses at the least; and it's fitting they be made after solemn seeking of God by Prayer, and in presence of Parents, provided they live in those places where the Promises are made.

XVII. Churches which are accustomed upon Sacrament-days, or other Sabbaths, after the Confession of Sins, to pronounce a general Absolution, may if they please continue in it; but where this Custom is not introduced, this Synod adviseth the Churches not in the least to admit it, because of the dangerous Consequences which may ensue.

XVIII. A Minister complaining of his Church's Ingratitude, the Provincial Synod shall take cognizance thereof, weighing diligently the Poverty of that Church, and the Temporal Estate of the Minister: and in case that Church be guilty of very great and notorious Ingratitude, the Synod shall have full power to remove him for his better Accommodation elsewhere. And all the Churches shall be desired to shun Ingratitude to their Ministers, (a Sin too rife among us) and to take special care that they be more respected, and their Labors better rewarded; not to enrich or fatten them, but to give them a becoming and sufficient Maintenance.

XIX. 'It is the Judgment of this Synod, that Children under twelve Years of Age ought not to be received to the Lord's Supper; and as for those which are above it, Ministers shall judge of their fitness for it. And having been once Communicants, they may be admitted also Sureties for Children at Baptism.

XXI. It being demanded, whether a Man might marry the Sister of her to whom he was betrothed, because some conceived, he might as well marry his Wife's Sister, and that the Rights of the Spouse are as great as those of the married Woman. This Assembly answers, That there is between these two Facts a very wide difference; because Affinity is only contracted by mixture of Blood and Seed: Yet nevertheless care must be taken that neither the Magistrate nor the weak Christian be offended.

XXI. Ministers shall be present, is possible, at the distributing of Monies unto the Elders for the Poor; but at the Inbringing of their Accounts they shall in no wise be absent: And their Custom is approved, who advise the People beforehand to be present at the Audit, that so the Elders who have managed those matters may be discharged with more Honor, and also that they themselves knowing the necessities of the Church and Poor, may be the more enlarged in their Contributions to them.

XXII. Whereas great Difficulties are raised about Divorces for Adultery verified before the Magistrates, we judge, that Consistories may lawfully declare unto the innocent Party, its liberty according to God's Word; but they shall not in the least intermeddle with the Execution of that Divorce and Dissolution of the Marriage, to enable the wronged Party to proceed unto a new Marriage; because it of right belongs unto the Civil Magistrate.

CHAP. X

XXIII. THis following Order shall be observed in the calling of our National Synods for the future:

In the first place, as was usual, there shall be one certain Church chosen which shall have power of signifying unto the Provinces the Day and Place of Meeting. Whatever Matters are to be debated in this Assembly, shall be sent by the several Provinces unto that Church. The said Church shall call the National Synod within the Year, in convenient Time and Place, and give notice thereof three Months before to all the Provinces; and shall send a Duplicate of the difficult Matters which are to be debated, unto the said Provinces, to be considered by them. And that such as are charged with the Power of calling the said Assembly, may know how to direct their Letters, it's fitting that one particular Church be nominated in every Province to receive those Letters, and according to their Tenor to Assemble the Provincial Synod within three Months, where the transmitted Difficulties shall be maturely examined, and the Arguments on both sides urged being fair and carefully written down, shall be sent unto the National Synod. And forasmuch as our present Circumstances will not admit any great Number of Ministers and Elders in this National Synod, we are of Opinion, that for this time only, and during these Difficulties, that the Brethren assembled in each Provincial Synod should choose from among them one or two Ministers, and as many Elders, of the ablest and most expert in Church-Affairs, to be sent in the Name of the whole Province, who shall come furnished with good Memorials and premeditated Thoughts upon those Difficulties which had been communicated to them. The Provinces shall not prescribe any set time or term unto these their Deputies for returning, but shall let them tarry in the said Synod as long as there may be need of them; and the Charges of the said Deputies shall be defrayed by their respective Provinces. And that the National Synod may be no more employed in Matters already decided by former Synods, the Provinces shall be advised to read over carefully the Acts of the past Synods before they prepare their Memorials, and to send nothing but what is general • n • of common concern to all the Churches, or else that which merits the Resolution of the said National Synod. And the Churches of Poitiers which is charged with the calling of the next National Synod, shall be informed of all this, that they may intend their Duty.

CHAP. XI. General Advertisements unto the Churches.

XXIV. THE Printers in every Province shall be advised, That whereas at the end of Psalm-Books and Catechisms, they do add the Confession of Faith of our French Churches, that they do especially this which begins with these words, We believe and confess, that there is but One GOD, &c. and which hath an Epistle pr • fixed to it, dedicated to the King; and not that other Confession which begins thus, Forasmuch as the Foundation of Faith, &c. not but that both are conformable in Doctrine. And hereof also Notice shall be given to the Printers of Geneva.

XXV. Although the Elders Office as now used by us be not perpetual, as is expressed in the 35th Article of the Discipline, nevertheless the Churches shall be admonished, not to discharge their Elders but for great Causes, whereof the Consistories shall take Cognizance, that so the Church may be be conducted after the bed manner, by Persons well verst in her Government.

XXVI. Ministers in places appointed by the King, and in all others, are advised not to receive the Members of any other Churches unto the Lord's Supper, without a sufficient Attestation produced by them under the hand of their Pastors or Elders, if it may be had.

XXVII. Ministers and others whom God hath endowed with Gifts and Abilities to write in Defense of the Truth, are requested not to publish their Thoughts in a ridiculous or injurious manner; but to keep to that Modesty and Gravity which becomes the Majesty of God's Word; and to observe that self-same Modesty and Majesty in their Sermons, and in their ordinary Style to use the Language of God's Spirit in the Holy Scripture.

XXVIII. Because there is every-where a visible decay, and a great want of Ministers, and that some provision may be made for a Succession, the Churches shall be admonished by our Brethren the Provincial Deputies, that such as are rich would maintain some hopeful Scholars at the Universities, who being educated in the Liberal Arts and Sciences, and other good Learning, may be fitted for, and employed in the Sacred Ministry.

XXIX. Altho' in our Churches, for the most part, the Lord's Supper is administered only sour times a Year; yet the more frequent Celebration of it is very desirable (due Reverence in approaching to it being always observed) because it's most beneficial for God's Children to be exercised, and grow in Faith, which is done by the frequent usage of the Sacraments; as also because this was the Practice of the Primitive Church.

XXX. Ministers being given to the Service of the Church, and not to the Persons and Palaces of Great Lord's, altho' their Families may equalize in Numbers some Churches; yet their Lordships shall be desired not to carry away with them in their Removals, or Travels abroad, with their Families, the Churches Ministers, least thereby they be left unprovided.

XXXI. Lord's and Gentlemen shall be censured according to the Discipline of our Churches, if after frequent Admonitions, they entertain in their Houses scandalous and incorrigible Persons, especially if they suffer Priests to sing Mass, or by Dogmatizing to debauch their Domesticks, or if having cashiered them, they shall again receive them into their Service.

XXXII. The Churches shall be admonished to beware of a Book written by Mr. Charles Du Moulin, Entituled, Unio quatuor Evangelistarum: because in it there be divers Errors, as about Limbus, Free-will, and the Sin against the Holy Ghost, and the Lord's Supper, and in particular about the Calling of Ministers, and Church-Discipline, which he treats with scorn, and would totally subvert. The Faithful also are warned not to assist at any of his Sermons or Sacraments, it being against the Discipline of our Church.

XXXIII. Ministers shall exhort their People to be modest in their Habits, and that they themselves do in this and all other Matters, give them the best Example, forbearing all Gaudery in their own Persons, and in their Wives and Children.

XXXIV. They whose Brethren and Sisters have quitted their Monastery, that they might serve God in freedom of Conscience, shall be exhorted to admit them unto a part of their Estate, at least they shall be compelled by all Censures to afford them Maintenance, and a competent Pension according to their ability: For they would otherwise show themselves void of Natural Affection.

Chap. I. Alterations, Additions, and Annotations upon the Church-Discipline. General MATTERS.

IT is Enacted by the Authority of this present National Synod, that none shall be put into the List of Vagrants, until such time as the Neighbor Churches have first proceeded against them according to the Canons of our Discipline and that they have clone their best endeavor to reclaim and reform them, and there shall be kept a particular Roll of those Vagrants distinct from the Articles of the National Synod.

II. In Churches where there be several Ministers, none of them shall give a Certificate concerning any matter of Importance, without having first Communicated it with his other Brethren.

III. Elders may be present at Propositions of the Word of God, made by young Ministers, and at their Censures, and may freely, if it please them, pass their Judgment on them.

IV. Such who according to the custom of the Country do falsify, disguise or corrupt their Merchandises, as Stretchers, Drawers of Cloth in Poitou, shall be admonished by the Consistory to forbear those Cheats, and in case they should not desist, they shall be laid under Censures.

V. Pastors, who have obtained leave to follow their Studies for some time, shall apply themselves to their Colloquy or Synod for its confirmation, without which they may not depart their Churches, lest by their departure the Churches be left unprovided.

VI. The determination of time and age capacitating persons to contract Marriage, doth properly belong to the Civil Magistrate.

CHAP. II.

VII. WHere one Party is an Infidel or Excommunicate, the Marriage shall not be celebrated in our Churches, unless the Unbeliever do first make a Protestation to renounce all Idolatry, and to live in the Church of God as becomes a Christian, and the Excommunicate Person in like manner shall have given by public Penance, full satisfaction for his offense to the Church.

VIII. If there be a sufficient number of Ministers to make a Synod the Provincial Synods shall be model'd according to the Governments. But and if a Church shall complain of its being thereby incommoded, and that there arise any strife about it between the Provinces, a third shall be chosen to reconcile them.

IX. None other Writings besides the Holy Scriptures, shall be read in the Public Assemblies.

X. The Synod judgeth it not advisable, that they should receive the Bread at the Lord's Table, who cannot the Cup.

XI. This Assembly understanding that some private persons had either spoken or written against the Discipline exercised in the Churches of this Kingdom, demanded of the Deputies severally and distinctly, whether their respective Churches had any scruple about the Discipline which hath been hitherto observed by us. Whereunto the Deputies did all unanimously answer, that their Churches did fully consent unto the Discipline, and required its inviolable observation, and that such who opposed this our Established Order might be censured. And the absent Provinces which were but few in number, have by Letters under their own hands, testified their consent unto it.

XII. If hereafter any difference should arise between two Provinces about their Redemanding of Ministers, they shall choose a third to accord and arbitrate the matter between them.

XIII. Ministers accused for leaving their Churches without their consent first had, shall be bound to make their personal Appearance before the next Provincial Synod, unto which they did belong upon the first Summons, that so they may clear themselves publicly: And their innocence being vindicated, the Church which had impeached them of unjust desertion, shall be obliged to reimburse them all charges of their journey.

XIV. Until the whole body of the Consistory have first maturely considered the causes why they should be rejected, no Minister, Deacon, nor Elder, shall reckon themselves to be rejected.

CHAP. III.

XV. AS to the case propounded, whether a Dumb and Deaf man giving Evidence by signs and gestures of his Faith and Godliness may be admitted to Communion at the Lord's Table, this Assembly judgeth that he may be received, especially if they have had long experience of his holy Life, and the Church do testify of his Faith and Knowledge in the things of God.

XVI. A Woman may if she please, and do consent unto it live sequestered with her Leprous Husband. But in case of her refusal, 'tis the judgment of this Assembly, that she ought not to be enforced, because the Commonwealth is concerned in this matter. Only she must not be wanting in her duty otherways.

XVII. Whenever Elders and Deacons are received into Office, they shall subscribe our Confession of Faith and Church Discipline, or else make a public protestation to observe it.

XVIII. It is ordained that those words (of the twenty ninth Article of our Discipline) Where the Ministry is established, and those also, As much as possible, shall be razed out of the said Article.

XIX. Difficulties that cannot be determined by the Consistory, shall be remitted to the Colloquy or Classis, and from thence to the Provincial Synod.

XX. When any differences arise between Gentlemen professing the true Religion, they shall be admonished to refer them unto their Friends and Kinred, that so they may be amicably composed.

CHAP. IV.

XXI. SUch as being once enrolled by order of a National Synod among the Vagrants, they shall never be taken off the file but by another.

XXII. If a Minister die in the service of his Church, it shall take care about the Maintenance of his Widow and Children, and in case of the Churches inability, the Province shall be obliged.

CHAP. V. Of Particular MATTERS.

I. IT is resolved, That Ministers Appealing unto this Synod shall withdraw, when their Matters are to be debated, unless their Matters be such as may bring them damage; and they also who Appeal or be Appealed, upon the account of their sinful miscarriages, shall not at all be admitted into it, but when they are to be heard in their own defense.

II. This Assembly doth judge, that Monsieur de la Rogevay was justly enrolled in the Catalogue of Vagrants, and yet no person shall be obliged to tell him who delated him. But because the Church of Bergerack hath since that time given an honorable Testimonial of his Godly conversation, it is ordained, that his name be now razed out of that Catalogue. Only let him carefully mind the Protestation now made by him, of containing himself within due bounds, and living holily according to God's blessed word and the Discipline of our Church.

III. It's decreed, That John Clopet, alias Child, shall not be tolerated nor reputed for a Minister, until such time as he shall have purged himself from those Crimes and Heresies charged on him. And four Months time having been assigned him to justify himself, both in Béarn and Montauban, if within that space appointed him he neglect to do it, he shall be totally deposed from the Ministry.

IV. The Brethren of Dauphiné make report, how that certain Priests and Monks professing the Christian Reformed Religion, after they had been Married in the Church, revolted from it, and entering again into their Monast •• ies did sing Mass, and polluted themselves with Idolatry, and desired our thoughts about these Marriages, whether they were lawful and valid, or no. This Assembly defers the Decision of this Case, until the next General Conference, that after mature deliberation and debate about it, they may definitively determine thereof: Yet in the mean while, they advise these Women to refrain their Company; because considering the present Juncture of Affairs in this Kingdom, they cannot converse with them honourably, as married Wives with their Husbands.

V. When Fasts are to be celebrated, let all the Churches be uniform, if possible, in the manner of its Observation, and keep themselves free and pure from all Superstition.

VI. If Women, whose Husbands upon the account of Trade are a long time absent from them, do desire to be married, they shall apply themselves unto the Magistrate.

VII. Let Ministers of the Gospel take heed, that they do not marry Widows within the times forbidden by the Civil Laws.

VIII. Information being given us, That in certain Towns there be other Councils besides those of the Consistory, which assume unto themselves the management of Church-Affairs; we expressly order, That the Sixth Article about Consistories, unanimously approved in the Synod of Poitiers, Orleans, Lions, and Paris, be signified unto them, and that it be most exactly and punctually observed; and in case of Disobedience they shall be accordingly censured.

IX. Notice shall be given unto the Churches, that in Certificates given unto Travelers, that Article be strictly observed, and they shall be dated not in Cyphers, but in Words at length.

X. The Canon made to the National Synod of Orleans, concerning our Deputies at Court, shall be punctually observed by the Provincial Synods.

CHAP. VI.

XI. OUR Brother de la Chaise having complained to us, That he was branded by the Deacons of Geneva, because in his Impression of Mr. Calvin 's Sermons upon Deuteronomy, he had left out the Preface to them: This Assembly being well satisfied of his Innocence, and that he did not of his own head leave out the Preface, neither in that Book, nor in Calvin 's Sermons upon Daniel, but by the Advice of our Brethren the Ministers of Rochelle; nor that from the hopes of Gain he did thereby rob the Poor; we order that the Provincial Synods shall be informed of his Innocence, and that Letters be sent unto the Brethren of Geneva, not only to purge him, but that in their next Impression of Mr. Calvin 's Sermons, they would be pleased to give him an honorable Testimony of his Innocence.

XII. The Churches shall be acquainted with the extreme Affliction of our poor Brethren at Pamiers, that so their Christian Bowels of Charity may be enlarged to them.

XIII. As also, that one called Roberty, who was formerly on the List of Vagrants, is now took off the File.

XIV. And also that they would beware of a certain Fellow going by the Name of Fontaines du Baut of Vellay in Languedoc, a lean Man, who hath been often taxed for having no Call unto the Ministry, and being unordained yet preacheth.

CHAP. VIII. The Roll of Vagrants.

I. ONE Chartir, or Charles, who says of himself, that he was a Counselor of Grenoble, and that he solicited at Court for the Profits of his Office, a Man of mean Stature, his Beard waxing grey, deposed from the Ministry at Usanchez by the Brethren of Limoges, for Lying, Cheating, Forgeries, Roguish Tricks, Drunkenness, unchaste Kissings, and at Pamier for Dancing and Contumacy against the Church. This Fellow intrudes himself into all places where he can get admittance to Preach.

II. Simon du Plessis, going by the Names of Mr. Peter Grueill, La Mulle, Nevill, Grand-champ, La Jauniere, formerly a Franciscan Friar, deposed at Orbec by the Classis of Eureux, because that without any Call or Ordination he had usurped the Ministry of the Gospel, quitting and retaking at pleasure his Friar's Weeds; convicted of, and condemned for Adultery by the Provincial Synod of Normandy; accused also of being Confederate with Robbers, he came into Saintonge, but is now at Auranches, a Fellow of great stature, yellow Beard, and hath lost two of his Fore-teeth.

III. It is ordered, that the Neighbor Brethren shall have their eyes upon Monsieur Sylvester 's Conversation, whether it be conform to the Discipline of our Churches; and the Brethren of Normandy shall do their utmost to discover the Crimes whereof he is accused, and send the whole Charge against him to the Brethren of the Province. However, in the mean while he may continue in the Exercise of his Function.

IV. The business of Mathou is refer'd to the Inhabitants of Jarnac, and to our Brethren Du Moulin, and San-Germain.

V. John Clopet, alias Child, a Wretch full of Heresies, a Champion for the Mass, asserting its goodness; in two Points only excepted, viz. Prayers unto the Saints, and for the Dead; maintaining that the good and bad have equal Privilege to communicate in the Body of Christ, as also Celibacy, and Praying towards the East; and that Commentaries upon the Scriptures are needless; and that Calvin did very ill in writing of Predestination; and that Man may keep perfectly all the Commands of God. He is a Fellow of mean stature, a yellowish Beard, and speaks somewhat thick, plain in his looks, and tawny face, aged Five and twenty, a Savoyard, born in the Country of Bresse.

VI. One called Chevalier, now Vicar at Chassaux, near Janet, aged Fifty Years, having a great Red Nose; he is a mercenary and most abusive Fellow.

VII. One called Stephen Jenicot, otherwise du Brevil, saith, he was born at Talmond upon Jard in Poitou, and ordained Minister of the Word of God by the Classis of Neuf Chastel, and shows a Certificate under the hand of Monsieur Christopher 's, which yet since he avows to have been made in Paris; a little dwarfish Fellow.

CHAP. VIII. General Advertisements given unto the Churches of France.

I. THere being different Copies of our Discipline, the Church of Paris, Orleans, and Meaux, are required diligently to revise and Examine whatever hath been ordained by us to this purpose, and to reduce those Canons into an orderly and complete System, and that within four Months they deliver a Copy hereof unto all the Provinces.

II. Explaining the Second Article of the Discipline under that Head of Particular Orders, it is resolved, That all Carpenters, Masons, Glaziers, and other Artisans shall abstain from all manner of Work in their respective Trades, that may in the least favor Idolatry; and if after Admonition they continue in such Practices, they shall be subjected unto Censures.

III. Altho' it be in itself a thing purely indifferent, to assist at the Feasts and Banquets celebrated by Papists at their Marriages, or Birth of their Children, yet the Faithful shall be advertis'd, to do herein what will make best for Edification, and to weigh well with themselves, whether they be strong enough to resist those Dissolutions, and other Sins ordinarily committed at such Meetings, as also to reprove them.

IV. Such as being demanded for the Ministry of the Gospel, and the Service of any particular Church, shall be sent forth with a Testimonial of their Life and Doctrine unto the Colloquy or Provincial Synod of that place which requested them: which Colloquy, or Synod may, if they think it fitting, examine them, and shall Commissionate three or four Ministers to present them unto the Church that sued for them; which Church shall hear them two or three times, if need be, that so they may know, whether they can well profit by them. This being done, the Ministers, together with the Consistory of the Plaee, shall lay their hands upon them, and establish them in their Pastoral Office; and in case of difficulty arising about their Admission, those Commissioners and the Consistory shall take Cognisance of it, and the Churches which demanded these Ministers are ordered to defray the Charges of their whole Proceedings.

V. Divers Persons complaining of that Article, concerning public Prayers, in those places where the Word of God is constantly Preached, and urging the Impossibility of it's being practiced, and that it cannot be observed without a world of Inconvenience; This Assembly doth judge, that the Article is grounded upon very holy and solid Reasons. Yet nevertheless, where it cannot be observed without apparent danger and damage unto the Churches, the Business may be tolerated. Yet all Ministers of the Gospel shall be obliged to do their best, that the Article may be observed.

VI. There shall be no Alteration in that Third Article of the Second Synod of Paris, concerning Farmers of Church-Lands. And for the better Understanding of it, this present Assembly doth take in all kinds of Farming, by which in any manner whatsoever Idolatry may be maintained; and therefore, if any be perceived in taking the said Farms to use and help themselves by Quiddities and Subtilties, that so they may escape the Censures of the Church, the Consistory shall prudently consider what Abuses may have been committed.

VII. Forasmuch as several of the Deputies do scruple the Tenth Article, relating to Judges and Public Notaries, we will leave the Debate hereof unto the next National Synod, that so it may be maturely deliberated, and their Opinions together with the Grounds and Reasons of them maybe then produced. Till which time that Article shall abide in it's full Power.

VIII. This Assembly judgeth, that the Sixteenth Article of the Second Synod of Paris, concerning Marriages, beginning with these Words, That all Promises, &c. shall be changed, and couched in these Words. The Faithful shall be Informed by the Ministers in Public Church-Meetings; not to make any Promises of Marriage, but in the Presence of Parents, Friends, Neighbors, or other Persons of good Repute. And if any do otherwise, they shall be censured for their Levity and Contempt of this Godly Counsel. And it were very convenient, that the said Promises of Marriage were made with solemn Prayers unto God.

IX. A doubt being moved by some of the Brethren, whether any other beside a Minister of the Gospel might deliver the Cup in the Sacrament unto the People. This Synod having duly ponder'd the Arguments on both sides, doth determine, that the Fourteenth Article decreed in the Synod of Lions shall stand firm, which was this, That none but Ministers, if possible, shall give the Cup.

X. To the Case propounded, Whether the wronged party may be permitted to marry again, after that the Adultery hath been verified by sentence of the Magistrate. This Assembly answers, that the Ninth Article of the Synod of Orleans under the Title of Marriages, shall be in force, unless there be apparent danger unto the Church. And whatever is couched in other terms, shall be razed out of that Article of the Discipline.

XI. Rich and Monied persons shall be exhorted by the most cogent Arguments to do their duty in contributing to the maintenance of the Ministry, and in case of neglect, the Consistory shall deal with them more effectually.

XII. The Churches shall be advised strictly to observe the Fourth Canon of our Fifth National Synod, held the second time at Paris, about Certificates given unto poor Travelers, and that their names shall be written in them at length and not in Cyphers.

XIII. This Assembly being informed, that the Member for some Churches being disgusted at their Consistories, declare that they would not subject themselves unto their Censures, and therefore to calm and pacify them, they thought good to leave the Election of the new Consistory unto the body of the people. But this National Synod doth not approve in the least of this their action, as being a very evil matter, and of dangerous consequence: And judgeth that the said Church shall be advised to conform itself with the other Churches of this Kingdom unto that Canon of the Discipline, viz. That Elders and Deacons shall be chosen by the Consistory, and then presented unto the People.

XIV. The Deputies in the last Synod of Paris acquainted this present Assembly, that they had given order to our Brethren in the Church of Lions, to Print the Book of Discipline.

XV. The Churches shall have notice given them, that they do not admit unto any Ministerial Duties. A certain Spaniard going by the Name of Anthony de la Rodit Bellariva, till such time as he have first cleared himself of those Crimes for which he stands Impeached by the Church of Loudun.

XVI. Whereas there is a very great difference in the Body of our Discipline which now passeth from hand to hand: The Churches of Paris, Orleans and Meaux, were appointed diligently, to revise and examine all those Canons that have been made in former Synods, and to send Attested Copies of them unto all the Provinces.

XVII. And the Churches of Paris, Lion, Orleans, and others shall not for the future dispose of any Scholars and Students, without their Consent, who had sent to the Universities.

XVIII. The Churches are advised to take heed of a certain Old, Grave and Bald-headed Fellow, going by the Names of Fontaires and Duzau, of Valleyse in Languedoc, who though he was never Called or Ordained, doth yet notwithstanding take upon him to exercise the Office of a Minister.

CHAP. IX. A Resolution of several Cases of Conscience, and of other Weighty, Points of the Christian Reformed Religion, by the R. Mr. John Calvin, Pastor and Professor at Geneva.

THese Cases and their Solution were all annexed unto the Canons of the National Synod of Vertueil in Augoumois, held there the Seven first days of September, 1567.

1. Quest. Whether Children may lawfully detain and possess those Lands and Foundations, which were given by their Parents for Singing of Masses?

Answ. Altho those poor Founders (as they be called in the Papacy) were grossly cheated and abused; yet inasmuch as these very Persons to whom those Goods and Lands once belonged, did alienate them in a legal Manner; Their Heirs and Successors are deprived of them, and cannot pretend nor claim any Right unto them. So that they must sit down patiently with the Loss; unless that public Authority should find out some Relief for them by a Reformation.

2. Quest. Whether a Man being forced to abandon his Native Country for Religion and Conscience, may also lawfully forsake his Wife?

Answ. The married Man would do much better to take his Wife with him, if it be possible for him so to do, rather than to live separate from her; that so he may give a good Example unto others, and avoid those Temptations unto which he is obnoxious, as also that he may prevent very many Inconveniences, which are likely in such cases to befall him. And unless he be enforced to it by necessity, he ought not to leave her. By necessity, I mean this, when he cannot serve God with a safe Conscience. But if it should so fall out, that a Man cannot live as becometh a Christian, altho his Wife will live at a distance from him, yet is it lawful for him to go before her, waiting for her to follow him, and he is to solicit her to come unto him, even then when he is separated from her.

3. Quest. Whether a Father flying for Idolatry may leave his Children behind him?

Answ. If a Father should leave his Children with this Condition, That a Padagogue might if he would lead them unto Idolatry, he would than be guilty of Sin against God. For our Children are God's peculiar Treasure, an holy and separate Seed for him, and which must be kept with the greatest Care for God. And altho he cannot always have his eye upon them, yet 'tis neither meet nor profitable, that he should leave them in such a place, from which he cannot recover them without a World of difficulty. Yea, did he conscientiously endeavor to get his Children with him, it would be an effectual Means to draw his Unbelieving Wife after him.

4. Quest. Whether a Man may forsake his Country, when he is not persecuted?

Answ. If a Man should live among Idolaters unpolluted with their Abominations, we would not condemn but praise him for his Constancy. And, in truth, we cannot warrantably impose a Law upon him, who would depart his Country, as if it were unlawful for him so to do, whether it proceed from his fear of what is likely to come to pass, or upon any other account; as suppose, he distrusting his own weakness to stand out in a fiery Trial, or ardently seeking after the means of Grace, and heavenly Knowledge, should thereupon leave his Native Country, such a Zeal as this cannot but be approved, and applauded.

5. Quest. Whether it be our Duty to reprove those Sins, and sinful Discourses we hear in wicked Company?

Answ. There cannot be any stated Rule, or Canon in this Case, of reproving Errors, or ungodly Talk, but this, that we should not dissemble, nor conceal our dissent from them, when as opportunity is offered us of reproving them. For suppose, we should be in some Company, where they discourse wickedly, we are not bound necessarily to reply upon them. There is a time when the prudent Man may keep silence. But in case we meet them privately, and have no Witness, we may do as Righteous Lot, testify and express our Displeasure at their Sin, and that we are unwillingly, through Grief at Heart, put upon the Reprehending of them. But yet, the best Course we could take, would be this, to observe and take by the' Forelock, that Opportunity which God presents us of Opposing Sin, of edifying our Company, and hindering the Name of God from being blasphemed, or that the weak and well-meaning Christian should be seduced through default of timely warning.

6. Quest. Whether we may correct, or expel out of our Service an Infidel, or Popish Servant?

Answ. Forasmuch as the Holy Apostles of our Lord did not constrain the Brethren of their Times, to drive away their Servants, though no better than Slaves, when they would not embrace the Christian Faith: Therefore, Masters should nowadays observe these two Things. First, That Since he is at liberty to give Covenant-Servants, that he taken one but such as fear God, and are of the Household of Faith, if possibly they may be Good; or that he take a most especial Care, if that they be ignorant, to instruct them, and rid his hands of them. Secondly, That he do not suffer nor permit the Name of God to be blasphemed within his House and Family, wherein God will be honored. But above all, that he never prefer his own private Profit and Advantage above the Glory of God.

7. Quest. Whether a Reformed Christian Gentleman is bound in Conscience, to hinder the Committing of Idolatry, in the Chapel of his Castle?

Answ. Forasmuch as we are permitted to suffer that which we cannot alter nor reform; provided, that he give not any Sign or Token of his Approbation, a Gentleman may not hinder People from entering into the Chapel of his Castle, when as Idolatry is Established by Public Authority.

8. Quest. Whether we may feign to perform the abusive (Sinful) Will of a Testator, that so we may remove the Abuse?

Answ. Altho there would be no Sin in it to frustrate the abusive (Sinful) Intention of the Testator, by detaining the Revenues ordained by him, for chanting Masses; yet notwithstanding this feigning and dissembling will be always evil, and must be condemned, when a Man doth make Semblance of paying Service unto Devils.

9. Quest. Whether we may limit or keep back those Gifts and Alms bequeathed by a Testator?

Answ. We are not forbidden to bequeath any part of our Estate unto pious Uses after our decease, no more than to give it away during our Lives; provided we do it not out of Ambition to get a Name, and renown by so doing. For it cannot be said, that a Man is in quest of Glory, when as he shall oblige his Heir to do well according to that Estate he shall leave him, as he himself would have done, if he had lived longer. To allege, that he never used to do thus in his life time; it is a Bar put upon a Man's Liberty, that he should have no Power freely to dispose of his own Goods. If the Heir be dissatisfied, woe unto him.

10. Quest. Whether we are bound to approve of that Minister, who hath been examined by Persons of Judgment and Experience?

Answ. As a Church is free to prove and try the Life and Doctrine of a Minister, before they accept and receive him: So neither is there any Tie, nor Obligation upon them to the contrary, but that they may confide and acquiesce in those who are qualified to examine him, and have had a long time knowledge of him, and so can best judge who and what he is. Otherwise the Faithful in Foreign parts would be destitute of all means, whereby to be supplied with able Pastors, if this Door were shut up.

11. Quest. Whether a Pastor may forsake his Church, and a Church their Pastor?

Answ. A Pastor may not of his own head forsake his Flock; but in case they will not make use of him, he is free, and may warrantably leave them, because ho cannot be a Pastor without a People, nor hold and exercise his Office among them against their Wills and Consent by mere force. Or in case the Church should not count his Labors among them profitable, or if he should have a Call unto another Church, which hath greater need of him, he may with the general Consent of his Flock freely go thither, and serve it. And look as every Pastor is bound to serve the Church of God, especially his own; so likewise is One Church bound to help another. And would to God this mutual Assistance were better practiced; for then we should be more enlargedly useful and beneficial one unto another.

12. Quest. Whether a private Christian may exercise the Office of a Minister unto his own Family?

Answ. A Godly Man being the Head and Master of his Family, ought to serve, guide and instruct it, according to the Measure of his Gifts and Graces, and may so far supply the Pastor's Office, and perform his Duty in it, as to teach sound Doctrine, and inculcate wholesome Counsels to it. But forasmuch as also Persons indifferently are not allowed to Preach the Word, and Administer the Sacrament, it is but just and reasonable, that a Man should first try and examine himself, and be well assured, that he is called of God before he attempt or take upon him so great and weighty an Office. Yet nevertheless, every particular Family ought to be a Little Church of Christ.

13. Quest. Whether it be lawful to hold a Commander's Place (in any of the Popish Guilds and Fraternities?)

Answ. The immoderate Desire of Gain from all Quarters, hath caused a multitude of Cases to be started by Conscience; As this in particular, which now lieth before me. Whether it be lawful to hold a Commander's Place or Office (in any of the Popish Guilds and Fraternities?) To which I answer, That because there is a Foundation of Masses annexed unto such Offices and Commanderships, and for that such Places are not in the King's gift, but settled upon the Members of such and such a Guild and Fraternity, who are recommended to it, and for that they do all take an Oath repugnant to the true Reformed Religion, they cannot with a safe Conscience hold it. For were there no other Evil in it, yet there is this, that Since they do not apply the Profits and Emoluments of the Commandership unto those very uses to which they were designed, they be but Thieves and Robbers.

14. Quest. Whether it be lawful to antedate a Contract?

Answ. Provided there be no falsehood in it contrary to the Agreement in the Policy or Instrument, private Persons are no more forbidden to antidate a Deed of Sale, in which there is no Fraud, than to change their Names, or to date a Letter from Paris, which was written at Lions. In case it should be alleged, that this would be a cheating the King of his Gabel and Impost, I answer, this is nothing to the Purpose: because the Question is not moved about the Detention of Tribute, but only how to avoid without Fraud, a most violent Extortion, and tyrannical Pillage. But in case an Oath should be tendered unto the Parties, then I must tell them, that the Name and Honor of God should be more precious to them than all the Riches of the World.

15. Quest. Whether it be lawful, and when I may put out my Money unto Interest?

Answ. I would never advise any Man, to put out his Money to Interest, if he can employ it any ways else. Yet when as a Man's whole Estate doth lie in ready Money, he may very well contract with such and such Persons, that upon such and such terms it may be lawful for him to receive benefit and profit thereby. But he must be very careful, that he do not let loose the Reins to demand, and take excessive Gains, as is the Custom and Practice of too too many, nor should he grieve or grind the Face of that poor Man with whom he hath contracted, nor endammage the public Interest by his own private Benefit. Wherefore upon the whole, I dare not approve of any Interest, till I do first know how, and upon what Terms, Articles and Conditions, and with what Persons you do transact herein.

CHAP. X. Orders and Decrees concerning Marriages.

Made by the Authority of the National Synod of Vertueil, held in the Year, l567. But drawn up at the Desire of the Fathers in this Synod, by the R. Mr. Calvin, Minister of God's Holy Word, Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Geneva.

These Orders were tacked together with Mr. Calvin 's Answer to the forementioned fifteen Cases of Conscience, and joined to the Acts of the aforesaid Synod.

CHAP. I.

Canons ordained in the National Synod held at Rochelle, 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.

III. The Confession being read, Monsieur de Beza acquainted the Assembly of those Heresies dispersed abroad in Poland and Transylvania, by divers Persons, against the Unity, Divinity and human Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ, receiving the Errors of ancient Heretics, particularly of Samosatenus, Arius, 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 Heretics, which began to be in vogue among them.

V. 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 Physician, 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 Physician, 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 Physician; and our Brother the Minister of Bourdeaux shall deliver unto Monsieur de Beza, the Points Collected by him, that must be answered; and the whole shall be communicated to the Brethren of Geneva.

VII. Instead of Unity there shall be replaced the Word Union 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 explained 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 Virtue, 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 Virtue 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.

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 Rochelle, another in Béarn, 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 Queen of Navarre, and my Lord's the Princes of Navarre and Condé, and the other Lord's 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 Usage of Imposition of Hands be good and holy, yet it shall not be reputed necessary as if it were of the Substance 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 Ministry, alleging 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 everyone 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. 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 honorable Office, a pithy and fervent Prayer suitable to the occasion shall be poured 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 he may be replenished with the Graces of his Holy Spirit, and that he would vouchsafe to bless his Ministry and pious Labors 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 conjoin'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 Ministry 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 publicly, 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.

VIII. Under the Fourteenth after these words, Such who intrude themselves into the Ministry, 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.

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 join 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.

I. UNder the 11th. Article of Ministers, which had been lain by whilst the Princes sat 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 Condé, and by my Lord's 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, and 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. This Article was added unto the former, concerning Ministers. Ministers shall be forbidden to practice Physic, 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 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 Privilege 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 dispatched 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. On this Article the Lord-Admiral propounded, That Persons upon the first Report should not be mentioned 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 Privilege of Voting in all Matters, Doctrine only excepted.

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.

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, 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, 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.

CHAP. X. Particular Orders about publishing of Books.

IX. ACcording to the 12th. Article, The Colloquy of Beauvosin is ordered 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.

XI. 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.

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. It was answered in he Words of St. Augustine, concerning a numerous Church of Drunkards, That it were much better to have a vicious 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 solicitous 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 entreat 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 them, 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 Ministry, 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 Ministry, 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 Guillemet, Deputy for Poitou demanding Counsel of us, what ought to be done in a particular Case mentioned 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 cannot admit of any delays.

II. The Synod being informed that certain Churches in Languedoc do practice 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 public 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 Rochelle, 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 Condé, and the most illustrious Prince Lewis, Count of Nassau, and Sir Gaspar, Count de Colligny, Admiral of France, and divers other Lord's and Gentlemen, besides the Deputies, who were Members of the Church of God.

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.

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 Rochelle.

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 Rochelle in the Year 1571. We reject their Opinion, who will not receive the word Substance, 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 sense 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.

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.

V. THE Churches of Poitou 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 Public Congregation in order to Excommunication, they would certainly grow worse, and would rage more bitterly against the Church, and do her more and greater mischief, as was manifest by woeful 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 Apostasy, that so the whole Church may beware of them as of incorrigible Offenders; yet nevertheless the best endeavors shall be used for their reduction and reformation, and God shall be entreated, 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 Public Congregation, it were far better to forbear all Naming of them, it being but a mere formality, and our End may as well be obtained by some other means, which is by Notifying unto the People those desperate Apostates, that everyone 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 advantageously 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, remembering often that saying of St. Augustine, That Medicines which are more hurtful than profitable should be wholly forborne. And since 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 Colloquies. And the first Article shall be this: The Neighbor-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 Public 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 Classis, after good proof, and sufficient trial 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 employed 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: 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 jointly together with the Pastors and Elders have the Rule and Conduct of the Churches.

CHAP. IV.

XVIII. THis following Article shall be placed next in order to the 10th of Consistories: If one or more of the People stir up strife, and thereby break the Churches Union in any Point of Doctrine, Discipline, or the Form of Catechising, Administration of Sacraments, or of Public Prayers and Celebration of Marriage, and that private Admonitions prove ineffectual to suppress them, then the Consistory of that Church shall presently endeavor 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 entreat the Colloquy to meet at such time and place as may be most convenient, having first of all obliged 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 Schismatics; 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 entreated 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 publicly 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 Controversy 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 Controversy 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 Union, or stirring up contention about any Point of Doctrine or Discipline which he had subscribed, or about the Form of Catechising, Administration of Sacraments, Public 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.

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 expressly 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 vigor 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 Honor of the Ministry. And what remains of that Article shall be razed out.

XXIII. After the 18th Article, concerning Consistories, this present shall be subjoined: In those places where the Exercise of the Reformed Religion is not established, the Faithful shall be exhorted by the Neighbor 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.

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.

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 publicly 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 College 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 joined to the Province of Dauphiné.

XXXI. This Clause shall be added to the end of the 8th Article of Marriages: After which time the Marriage shall be publicly 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 merely 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 Public 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 Poitou, 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 public 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 public Church-Officers, they shall give public satisfaction, and repair the Scandal given by their Fall in a public 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 merely 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 public 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 Leprosy, and contracts a most loathsome stinking savor, 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 Error 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 Public; and then, 2. To the Interest of that private Person. As to the Public, 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 conjoined 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 publicly, 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 Physicians may be thus admitted, but not Divines; for our Discipline hath expressly 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 intermeddling with his business, and entrenching 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, Privileges, 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 Saul's, 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 practiced 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 Toulouse, 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 joined 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 Saul's, 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 Béarn; and we do grant Monsieur de Saul's 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 extreme poverty, there being no less than Twelve hundred Families of these Refugees in the single Province of Dauphiné.
• 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 Schismatics, according to the Canons of our Discipline.
• Art. XIII.
  As to the business of Cozin 's before-mentioned, Monsieur de Saul shall be entreated 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.

CHAP. I.

• Art. I.
  AFter Prayers made by the Pastor of that Church, Master Peter Merlin, Minister of the Word of God, and Pastor of the Church gathered in the House of the Right Honorable Guy Earl of Laval, was by general Suffrages chosen Moderator, and Mr. Francois Oyseau, Minister of the Church of Nantes, and Mr. William de la Jaille, Minister of the Church of Saujon were chosen Scribes of the Synod.
• Art. II.
  There was present and voted in it the most Noble and Illustrious Lord Henry de la Tour (afterward Duke of Bouillon and Mareschal of France ) Viscount of Turenne, Earl of Montfort, Baron, of Montague, &c. representing as Lieutenant-General, His Majesty the King of Navarre, in the Province of Guyenne.
• Art. III.
  There fate also in this Synod the Judges, Magistrates and Consuls of the said City of St. Foy.

CHAP. II. General MATTERS.

I. NO Province shall claim any Primacy or Preeminence over another.

II. The Deputies of every Province are charged to ad • ise and press their respective Provinces, to look carefully to the Education of their Youth, and to see to it, that Schools of Learning be erected, and Scholastic Exercises, as Propositions and Declamations be performed, that so their Youth may be trained up and prepared for the Service of God and of his Church in the holy Ministry.

III. Synods and Colloquies shall proceed against ungrateful Persons, to their Ministers by all consures, according to the 27th. Article of our Discipline, under the Title of Ministers.

IV. Colloquies and Synods shall use their best and utmost diligence that the Tenth Article in the Chapter of Ministers be most punctually observed, concerning Forsakers of their Ministry, who upon slight and trivial Grounds do abandon it, and their Churches.

V. The Provincial Synods shall keep a Memorial of the Widows and Children of deceased Ministers, especially of those who died in their Churches Service, that so they may be relieved, and maintenance may be given them out of the common Stock of the Churches in their respective Provinces, according as their necessities shall require.

VI. The Synod of Upper Languedoc shall ordain two or three of their Assembly, and such as they esteem best fitting for that Service, to answer the public Writings of our Adversaries, and in their Replies and Refutations they shall deport themselves according to the Canons of our Discipline in that case, provided with all Gravity, Piety, Civility and Moderation.

VII. Churches shall be admonished more frequently to practice Catechisings, and Ministers shall Catechize by short, plain and familiar Questions and Answers, accommodating themselves to the Weakness and Capacity of their People, without Enlargements, or handling of common Places. And such Churches as have not used this Ordinance of Catechising, are hereby exhorted to take it up. Yea, and all Ministers shall be obliged to Catechize their several Flocks at least once or twice a Year, and shall exhort their Youth to submit themselves unto it conscientiously. And as for their Method in preaching and handling the Scriptures, the said Ministers shall be exhorted not to dwell long upon a Text, but to expound and treat of as many in their Ministry as they can, fleeing all Ostentation and long Digressions, and heaping up of parallel Places and Quotations; nor ought they to propound divers Sences and Expositions, nor to allege, unless very rarely and prudently, any passages of the Fathers, nor shall they cite profane Authors and Stories; that so the Scriptures may be left in their full and sovereign Authority.