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The Synod of Arras, held in the Year, 1025.

SOME time after there appear'd in Flanders another Sect of Hereticks, which was like∣wise Condemn'd in a Synod held at Arras, A. D. 1025. on the Festival of Christmas, by * 1.1 Gerard Bishop of Cambray and Arras; for both these Cities had then but one Bishop. Gerard residing some Days in the latter, News was brought him, that certain Persons were arriv'd from Italy, who introduc'd a new sort of Heresy, which ruin'd the Gospel Ordinances, and the Discipline of the Church; and that these Miscreants making profession of perfect Righteousness, gave it out, That that alone was sufficient for the Justification of a Person, and that there was no other Sacrament in the Church for the attaining of Salvation.

Upon this Report, Gerard caus'd a strict search to be made after those, who were suspected to be maintainers of this Heresy; insomuch, that they were apprehended by the Gover∣nor's Order, and even brought before the Bishop, who being taken up at that instant with other Affairs, after he had examin'd them for some time concerning their Doctrin, and per∣ceiv'd them to be in an Error, caus'd them to be confin'd during three Days, and order'd a Fast to be kept the next Day, by the Clerks and Monks who were there present, that Al∣mighty God might be implor'd to give Grace to those Miscreants to acknowledge their Er∣rors. On the third Day, being Sunday, he held a Synod compos'd of the Abbots, Arch-deacons, Monks and other Clergy, and caus'd the Prisoners to be brought forth in the pre∣sence of the People: Then, after having made a Speech to the Assembly, he demanded of the Prisoners, what their Doctrin was, and who were their Teachers: They reply'd, That they were the Disciples of an Italian nam'd Gandulphus, who had instructed them in the Commandments of the Gospel, and of the Apostles; that they receiv'd no other Scripture, but that they observ'd that very strictly. The Bishop having heard it reported, That they abhorr'd Baptism; that they rejected the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of JESUS CHRIST; that they gave it out, that Pennance was altogether unprofitable; that they despis'd the Churches; that they condemn'd lawful Marriages; that they did not acknow∣ledge any Eminency in the Confessors; and that they affirm'd, That none ought to be ho∣nour'd except the Apostles and Martyrs; he thought fit to interrogate them, and to give them Instructions about those Points. As to the first, they own'd,

That their Master had Taught them, That provided that they practis'd the Precepts of the Gospel; that they renounced the Vanities of the World; that they did not follow their Passions; that they got their Livelihood by the Labour of their Hands; that they did no injury to any; and that they exercis'd Charity toward those, who were animated with the same Zeal; it was not necessary to receive Baptism; that if the performance of these Duties were neglected Baptism would be unprofitable, and that altho' 'twere granted that it had some efficacy; yet it was now become altogether useless and of none effect for these three Reasons, viz. 1. Upon account of the irregular Practices and Conversation of the Mini∣sters. 2. Because the Sins which might have been remitted by Baptism, are committed again by Professours during the whole Course of their Lives. 3. In regard that Infants are Baptis'd, who have neither Faith nor free Will; who cannot desire Baptism, nor

know what is meant by Faith or Free Will; neither can the Profession of others avail them any thing.

The Bishop reply'd upon that Article,

That altho' JESUS CHRIST was perfectly Righteous, yet he condescended to receive Baptism from St. John; That he instituted it for the regeneration and the remission of Sins; That in this Sacrament the Holy Ghost ope∣rates invisibly in the Soul, what is done outwardly by the Water, on the Body: That altho' it be administer'd by worthy or unworthy Ministers, nevertheless it is always effectual; because it is the Holy Ghost who Sanctifies, and the Iniquity of a Man cannot hinder the effect of the operation of God: That whilst the Minister outwardly sprinkles the Body, the Soul is inwardly purify'd by the operation of the Holy Ghost: That afterward Holy Unction is administr'd to the Infant, for its farther Sanctification after Baptism; by reason that as Sin is remitted by Baptism, so Unction sanctifies the Person after Baptism: That the Imposition of Hands was also added, to procure the Descent of the Holy Ghost: That the necessity of Baptism is prov'd by the Doctrin of the Gospel and of the Apostles: That how Holy or Innocent soever, the Life of a Man may be, yet he cannot be Sav'd without receiving this Sacrament: That Baptism takes away both original and actual Sins, and re-establishes Man in the same State of Uprightness, in which he was created, altho' it does not render him immortal: That the Example of the Man Sick of the Palsey, whom our Saviour cur'd, having regard to the Faith of those Persons, who brought him into his Pre∣sence; and that of the Canaanitish Woman, who by Faith obtain'd a Cure for her Daughter, give us to understand, that the Faith of those who present an Infant to be Baptis'd, may stand it in some stead.

Lastly, he demanded of them, for what reason, they express'd so great contempt of the Sacraments of the Church, who were so punctual in observing the Ceremony of washing their Feet? Neither does he insist less on the second Article, con∣cerning the Mystery of the Eucharist, of which he explains the Effects, proving the real Pre∣sence of the Body and Blood of JESUS CHRIST, and answering the Objections that was made about the impossibility, that the same Body should be present in divers Places, to which purpose he relates a great number of Miracles.

These Hereticks being convinc'd by his Discourse, acknowledg'd their Error, and sued for a Pardon: The Bishop gave them some hopes of obtaining their Request, and proceeded to the other Points of Discipline, to which they had no regard, viz. those that related to the Churches, Altars, Sacred Orders, Unction, Exorcisms, Bells and Funeral Rites. After having vindicated the Customs of the Church as to these Matters, he endeavour'd to prove against them, the usefulness of Pennance for the Living, and that of Prayer, good Works and Sacrifices for the Dead. He shews,

That lawful Marriages is not forbidden by the Or∣dinances of the Gospel: That the Confessours ought to be honour'd as well as the Mar∣tyrs: That the singing of Psalms is not only allow'd of, but also commendable: That a due Veneration ought to be had for the Cross, by referring that Worship to JESUS CHRIST: That the use and adoration of the Images of our Saviour, and of the Saints is profitable; because the sight of them represents their Actions, and puts us in mind of their Vertues.

He concludes with discoursing of the usefulness and distinctions of Sa∣cred Orders, and about the necessity of the Grace of JESUS CHRIST.

Upon the conclusion of this Discourse, the Hereticks, who were present, declar'd, That they acknowledg'd the Truths, which the Bishop of Arras had explain'd to them; insomuch that a Form of a Confession of Faith contrary to the Errors which were refuted by that Pre∣late, was immediately drawn up and recited by him and the rest of the Clergy: Afterward they caus'd it to be explain'd in the Vulgar Tongue, by an Interpreter in favour of these Hereticks, who did not well understand the Latin: Then they approv'd and sign'd it, and were dismiss'd in Peace after having receiv'd Benediction from the Bishop. The said Gerard himself compil'd the Acts of this Synod, and Dedicated them to one of his neighbouring Bishops whose name is mark'd by the Letter R prefix'd at the beginning of the Epistle which he wrote to him, and who is apparently Reginald of Liege. These Acts were publish'd by Father Luke Datchery, in the thirteenth Tome of his Spicilegium, and may well be esteem'd as one of the finest Monuments of those times.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Synod of Arras, in 1025.