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.

III.

And because it is difficult at this time, and even dange∣rous to assemble a National Synod in so great a Number of Ministers and Elders, it has been thought fit for the pre∣sent, and during such difficulties, that the Brethren assem∣bled in each Provincial Synod, choose two Ministers and two Elders, the most Experienc'd in Church Affairs, to send thither in the Name of the whole Province; and these Deputies shall come with sufficient testimonies, and bring good Memorials signed by the Moderator and Scribe of the Provincial Synod, and that no default might happen, three or four Pastors, and so many Elders shall be nomina∣ted, that if the first nam'd are hindred from making the Journey, there might be others to supply their place.

CONFORMITY.

The Third Council of Carthage assembled Anno Dom. 397, reduces the Deputies to the number of Three in the Second Cannon. The Eighteenth of the Code of Africa, which is in substance all one with that of Car∣thage but now cited, speaks of Two Deputies, referring it nevertheless to the Liberty of the Provinces to send a greater Number; The 76th of the same Code makes mention in general of those which shall be chosen by the Provincial Synods to assist at the National Synods, * 1.1 but they agree all in one thing, that in each Province should be chosen those which were to meet at the National

Synod. As for the Memorials and Instructions the De∣puties were to bring along with them, there's frequent mention made of them in the Antient Discipline under the name of Communitorium, of which mention is made four several times in the Letter of the Council of Africa to Pope Boniface, and often elsewhere. The Council of Merida which I cited on the X Article, prescribes so, in the V. Cannon, and calls it Instructions.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Afri∣can. p. 402, 403, 404