Synodicon in Gallia reformata, or, The acts, decisions, decrees, and canons of those famous national councils of the reformed churches in France being I. a most faithful and impartial history of the rise, growth, perfection and decay of the reformation in that kingdom, with its fatal catastrophe upon the revocation of the Edict of Nants in the year 1685 : II. the confession of faith and discipline of those churches : III. a collection of speeches, letters, sacred politicks, cases of conscience, and controversies in divinity, determined and resolved by those grave assemblies : IV. many excellent expedients for preventing and healing schisms in the churches and for re-uniting the dismembred body of divided Protestants : V. the laws, government, and maintenance of their colleges, universities and ministers, together with their exercise of discipline upon delinquent ministers and church-members : VI. a record of very many illustrious events of divine providence relating to those churches : the whole collected and composed out of original manuscript acts of those renowned synods : a work never be extant in any language.

CHAP. II. Rules and Orders about By-standers, and Spectators in the Synod.

1. WHereas the Letters of Commission, brought by the greater part of the Provincial Deputies, do exceedingly differ in that Clause of Submission due and owing by the Churches unto the Decrees of our Na∣tional Synods: And for that very much of our time, is spent and wasted in examining and debating of them. It is now decreed, that for the fu∣ture All the Provinces should confine themselves unto the words and sub∣stance

of this ensuing form. We promise before God to submit our selves unto all that shall be concluded and determined in your Holy Assembly, to obey and exe∣cute it to the utmost of our power; being perswaded that God will preside among you, and lead you by his holy Spirit into all truth and equity by the Rule of his Word,* 1.1 for the good and edification of his Church, to the glory of his great name: which we most humbly beg of his Divine Majesty in our daily Prayers.

2. Whereas divers Pastors and Elders, chosen by the Provinces, have not appeared in their own Persons, but by their Surrogates in this Synod, the Provinces shall be advertised to take Cognizance of their Excuses, and to pass Judgment on them by the Authority of this Assembly.

3. The Provincial Deputies of Brittain,* 1.2 did give an Account of their Calling the National Synod unto this place, because the Province of Bearn had resigned their priviledge unto them, which the last National Synod held at Tonneins had conferred upon them. This Assembly approved of what was done by them, but yet told them, it had been requisite, on their part, to have been more diligent and careful in acquainting the Pro∣vinces more early of the time and place of meeting, by their Letters of Ad∣vice and Summons. And this Advertisement shall serve for all the Provinces, that when as any one of them shall have the charge and priviledge of Indi∣cting our National Synods, they may so order matters, as to free and ac∣quit themselves of all blame and complaint in this particular.

4. Monsieur Petré Pastor of the Church of Vitré, Petitioned for his Church and Consistory, that he, together with the Elders of the said Church, might be permitted to sit in this Assembly, whilst the Confession of Faith, and the Ecclesiastical Discipline were reading: The Synod granted it for himself, and for two Elders chosen and named by the Consistory, and unto those other Pastors, who having leave from their Churches to attend the Synod about the concerns of their Churches,* 1.3 or their own private busi∣ness, as also unto Proposans: But as for others who would intrude them∣selves, that Canon of the National Synod of Rochell in the year sixteen hun∣dred and seven, shall be strictly observed.

5. As soon as the Assembly was form'd and setled, the first thing they Voted was an Address unto his Majesty, to testify the Joy of all our Churches,* 1.4 for those many and wonderful Blessings which God hath graci∣ously vouchsafed Him; and to protest unto his Majesty from all the Depu∣ties of the Provinces here Assembled, and from all the Churches of this Kingdom; that we are, and ever will be, his most humble, most loyal, most affectionate, and most obedient Subjects and Servants. And to this purpose there were deputed from among the Pastors, Messieurs Hesperien, and Bouteroue, and from the Eldership, Messieurs de Balene, and de Moussac, who had Letters given them to present unto his Majesty, together with a particular Message, which they were to deliver him in the name of this Assembly. Of which the Lords Deputies, who are now sitting in the Town of Rochel shall have notice given them, and Letters shall be sent to the Lord du Candall, to furnish these our Deputies with a supply of Monies to defray the Charges of their Journey.

6. The Oath of Union of all the Churches of this Kingdom,* 1.5 under our most humble obedience, due unto the King was renewed, sworn and sub∣scribed by all the Deputies in this Assembly, both for themselves and the respective Provinces from whom they were Commissionated.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tonneins Art. 1. after the Roll of the Depu∣ties.
• * 1.2

  Tonneins at the ••nd, and un∣derneath g. m. 36.
• * 1.3

  3. of R••chel Art. 3. after the Elect. of the Moder. St. Maixant the same, Alez. ibid.
• * 1.4

  Below g.m. 29.
• * 1.5

  Pri••as. Art. 4. after the Elect. of the Mode∣rat.