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.

VI.

The Elders and Deacons may be present at the Lectures and Propositions of the Word of God made by Ministers, besides the ordinary Preaching: Or by those made by young Students, and even at the censures made there, and give their advice thereon; but the decision of the Doctrine is principally re∣served to Ministers and Doctors in Divinity, duly called to their Offices.

CONFORMITY.

Besides the usual Sermons Ministers Preach in the Churches, they were wont to Preach by turns in the Colloques they held several times a year, and those Ex∣ercises were called Propositions, much like to those our young Studens in Divinity are wont to make to fit them for Preaching; therefore these kinds of Exercises are subject to the Censures of those before whom they are made; for they were instituted to judge of the Progress which Ministers, as well as Students, did make in their Studies; and because there are Deacons as well as Elders

that sometimes are present, either in the Colloques, in the quality of Deputies, or in the Consistory, whereof they are Members, they are permitted to speak their opinion, which ought not to be thought strange after all which has hitherto been said by the Ancients, seeing also the decision of Doctrines is reserved to the Ministers.