Conformity of the ecclesiastical discipline of the Reformed churches of France with that of the primitive Christians written by M. La Rocque ... ; render'd into English by Jos. Walker.

XXVI.

The Minister which shall intrude himself, although he were approv'd by the People, is not to be approved by the Neighbour-Ministers, or others; but notice must be given of it to the Colloque, or Provincial Synod.

CONFORMITY.

The Council of Antioch, which I have several times cited, absolutely authorises this Rule in the 16th Ca∣non, which is contain'd in these words; If a Bishop out of employment, intrudes himself into a vacant Church, and usurps the place without the Authority of a full Synod, let him be turn'd out, although he may be approv'd of all the People which he shall have gain'd to him. The 35th Ca∣non of the African Code, contains a solemn Decree a∣gainst these Pastors, which having by their slights insi∣nuated into the minds of the People, intrude themselves into Churches without any lawful Vocation; so far, that the 3d Council of Carthage, which made this De∣cree, in the year 307. appoints, that they shall be dri∣ven

away by publick Authority. Pope Gelasius the Ist enjoins almost the same, in his 9th Epistle to the Bishops of Lucania, Tom. 3. Concil. pag. 936.