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.

IV.

Ministers and Elders Deputed to Colloques, and Provin∣cial Synods, shall come thither at the common charges of their Churches.

CONFORMITY.

I do not find that in the First Centuries, conductors of Christian Churches did observe much formality when they assembled for the deciding of any difference, all things were done with so much simplicity, Humane Passions being excluded, that every one spake as he was inspired of God: Read what Eusebius relates of the Two Synods which were held in the Third Century against Paul of Samosatia; * 1.1 and I am certain the marks of the simplicity I have now mentioned, will be found in them; but in process of time Humane Passions being

mingled with Charity, 'twas necessary to Establish some Methods in these Assemblies, and choose some one amongst the Bishops, to propose the matter which was to be deliberated, to gather the Voices, and moderate the whole Action, an Honour which was commonly conferr'd either to promotion, that is to say, to him that was the Eldest Minister, or to Personal Merit, by reason of ones great Learning, and sometimes also for the greatness and eminency of the City whereof one was Bishop. Palmas as the Eldest of the Bishops of Pontus, * 1.2 presided in a Synod which was there held, upon occasion of celebrating Easter, as Eusebius relates in the 23 chap. of the Fifth Book of his History. To this Example may be added what was done by Leo I. in the V. Century, in favour of Leoncius Bishop of Frejus in the upper Narbonnes, had not the Passion which he ex∣pressed against Hillary, Bishop of Arles, made him vio∣late the Laws of Justice and Equity, in depriving him the right whereof he was justly in possession, of assem∣bling Synods, and which according to the Discipline arrow_forward of those times belonged to his See, to invest Leoncius with it, because he was the Eldest Bishop of the Province; and about the year 397, the First Council of Turin be∣stowed on Proclus Bishop of Marsellis, the precedence over the Bishops of the Second Narbonnes, * 1.3 not so much in consideration of the City whereof he was Bishop, as in consideration of his Age and Merit. In fine, the Ecclesiastical Government being wholly fram'd after the Model of the Civil, and Politick, this right of prece∣dence was joyn'd in the out Provinces, to Metropolitan Bishops, except the Churches of Africa, where this priviledge was conferr'd on Primates, and in that Coun∣trey was called Primat, which had been first promoted to be Bishop; for 'twas not to Age alone this I reroga∣tive

was attributed, but to the time of promotion. Our arrow_back Discipline which refers this to Election, does nothing differ from what was practis'd in the Antient Church before the Establishing of Hierarchy, especially when precedency was conferred on Persons for their Merit, which could not be done but by plurality of Voices, be∣cause for the most part, one Judges differently of the Merit of Men; and so 'tis St. Athanasius expresses it in his First Apology, that Hosius was commonly the chief and President of Synods, an Honour conferred on him for his great Merit, and perhaps to for his Age, as it was in the latter regard bestow'd on.

For the understanding of this Article it is necessary to read what I have said on the Fifth of the Sixth chap. to which may be added, that Synods having been insti∣tuted for the good and Edification of the Churches, it is more than reasonable they should be charged with the Expences needful to assist at those Assemblies, especially seeing the maintenance they allow to their Ministers is so small, that 'tis not sufficient for their subsistance, as it often happens amongst us.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hist. l. 7. cap. 27, 28, 29.
• * 1.2

  Ep ad E∣p••••. Pri∣vine. Vi∣ennees Tom. 1. Conc. Gall. p. 85.
• * 1.3

  P••••d. p. 27, 28.