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.

II.

Hence forward, as much as possible may be avoided, there shall not be elected for Elders and Deacons of the Church, those which have Wives contrary to the true Religion, accor∣ding to the saying of the Apostle: Nevertheless, that the Church may not be deprived of the labour of several good persons, who by reason of the ignorance of past-time, have Wives of a contrary Religion, they shall be dispensed withal for the present necessity, provided they shew their readiness in instructing their said Wives, and in desiring them to joyn themselves to the Church.

CONFORMITY.

Having established, as we have done, the first Arti∣cle, this has no difficulty in it; for St. Paul requires, * 1.1 That Deacons should hold the mystery of the Faith in a

pure Conscience. He also requires, That their Wives be faithful in all things; and by consequence, in those of Religion and Piety, which should be the only Religion of Jesus Christ both in Husband and Wife, to avoid the great inconveniences which happen by diversity of Re∣ligions, which Tertullian represents very well to his Wife in the Second Book he wrote to her.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Tim. 3.