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.

2. Of the Ministry.

1. We agree, that the Ministerial Office is instituted by Jesus Christ, for the gathering, guiding, edifying, and governing of his Church; and to continue to the end of the World.

2. They who are called to this Office, ought to be endued with com∣petent Learning, and ministerial Gifts, as also with the Grace of God found in Judgment, not Novices in the Faith and Knowledg of the Gospel; without Scandal of Holy Conversation, and such as devote themselves to the Work and Service thereof.

3. That ordinarily none shall be ordained to the work of this Mini∣stery, but such as are called and chosen thereunto by a particular Church.

4. That in so great and weighty a matter as the calling and chu∣sing a Pastor, we judge it ordinarily requisite, that every such Church consult and advise with the Pastors of Neighbouring Congre∣gations.

5. That after such advice, the Person consulted about, being chosen by the Brotherhood of that particular Church over which he is to be set, and he accepting, be duly ordained, and set apart to his Office; wherein 'tis ordinarily requisite that the Pastors of Neighbouring Con∣gregations

concur with the Preaching Elder or Elders, if such there be.

6. That whereas such Ordination is only intended for such as never before had been ordained to the Ministerial Office; if any judge, that in the Case also of the removal of one formerly ordained, to a new Station or Pastoral Charge, there ought to be a like solemn recommend∣ing him and his Labours to the Grace and Blessing of God; no diffe∣rent Sentiments or Practice herein, shall be any occasion of Contention or breach of Communion with us.

7. It is expedient, that they who enter on the work of Preaching the Gospel, be not only qualified for Communion of Saints, but also that except in Cases extraordinary, they give proof of their Gifts and fitness for the said Work, unto the Pastors of Churches of known abilities, to discern and judge of their Qualifications; that they may be sent forth with solemn Approbation and Prayer, which we judge needful, that no doubt may remain concerning their being called to the Work; and for preventing (as much as in us lieth) Ignorant and Rash Intru∣ders.