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. XIV. 10. Article of General Matters.

THere was a Report made in the Synod of a certain Writing, both Printed and Manuscript, holding forth this Doctrin,* 1.1 that the whole Nature of Original Sin consisted only in that Corruption, which is Heredi∣tary to all Adam's Posterity, and residing originally in all Men, and de∣nieth the Imputation of his first Sin. This Synod condemneth the said Doctrin as far as it restraineth the Nature of Original Sin to the sole He∣reditary Corruption of Adam's Posterity, to the excluding of the Impu∣tation of that first Sin by which he fell, and interdicteth on pain of all Church-Censures all Pastors, Professors, and others, who shall treat of this Question, to depart from the common received Opinion of the Pro∣testant Churches, who (over and besides that Corruption) have all ac∣knowledged the Imputation of Adam's first Sin unto his Posterity. And all Synods and Colloquies, who shall hereafter proceed to the reception

of Scholars into the Holy Ministry, are obliged to see them sign and sub∣scribe this present Act.

11. Forasmuch as that Religious Adoration given by the Church of Rome to their pretended Consecrated Host, hath in its Publick Service, and when-ever it is carried in Procession unto the Sick for its sole Foun∣dation, this false Supposition, That it is by the Priests Consecration pro∣perly made the self same Body, which was taken out of the Womb of the Blessed Virgin by the Eternal Son of God, and united unto his Di∣vine Person, unto which belongeth both before and since his Incarnation the Empire of Glory, and Religious Worship most strictly and proper∣ly so called, and not unto his Humanity separated from it: That the Church of Rome neither rendreth to, nor requireth for its Consecrated Host any other Adoration than that of Latria; and the Professors of our Religion are in this Point of another Faith, believing this Host after Con∣secration to be that very self-same insensible and inanimate matter which it was before, and cannot, if they will follow the Dictates of their own Consciences, and the prime Fundamental Verities of Christianity ascribe Divine Adoration unto a thing which by Nature is not God, nor trans∣fer the Glory of the Eternal God from him unto the basest of Crea∣tures.

This Synod therefore doth adjure all of them, by that Profession they make of serving the Lord in Purity and Sincerity, and by that irrepa∣rable Prejudice they do the truth, by their rash and inconsiderate op∣pugning of it; and to their own Consciences, which are shamefully be∣trayed by them; and to their Countrymen of the Romish Communion, whom they confirm in their Superstitions; and to the weaker Christians among our selves, whom by such a vile Example, utterly unbecoming that worthy Name that is called upbri them, they learn to prevari∣cate in Religion, that they would once again return unto themselves, and mourn bitterly in the Presence of the Great God, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, for that by this Sin of theirs they have profaned his Glory. And the Synod ordaineth, that when as the Host shall be carried in Pro∣cession, or to the Sick by those of the Romish Church, every one do withdraw himself from the sight of it, that so no Scandal may be given unto their Neighbours. And whereas some, who do not step out of the way, do feed themselves with this frivolous Imagination, that they may tarry and see it, tho they do not, as those of the Romish Church, let out their Thoughts to a Religious Adoration of the Host; yet if their bodily Presence be voluntary at it, it is a kind of Approbation of it. And whereas some, out of a sordid, servile Spirit, do comply with the received Custom in taking off their Hats when as the Host passeth by, which, say they, is not for its sake, or any Reverence to it, but only out of Respect and Honour to the Curate or Vicar who carrieth it, or of the Persons which accompany it; this is sinful, because they do not con∣form themselves to their Intention whom they pretend to gratifie; and they yield only a Civil Salutation, where the Romish Church ordaineth Religious Worship to be payed and performed, bestowing it on another Object besides that proposed by her; which Acts of theirs are directly contrary to the received Maxims of Civility among all Men, in that they honour, tho not as the Church of Rome professeth to do, the Lord of Glory, but in his Presence, and to his Contempt, a Priest, who saith he is called to serve him, and this in that very proper Act of Worship, yielded by him as he pretendeth unto his God. Besides, this is contrary to all Christian Sincerity, which requireth our Actious to be true Copies and Transcripts of our Hearts, and not fallacions Feignings of that which is not only not in our Intentions, but is formally contrary to

them, which is a most mischievous trick and abuse put upon those who see and converse with them. Yea lastly, this is contrary to those glo∣rious Patterns and Examples of the Primitive and Ancient Christians, who being in no wise able to brook such Disguises, did repute and e∣steem them most Sacrilegious Impieties, and would rather expose them∣selves to many Deaths, than to swerve from the least Tittle of that Fi∣delity and Allegiance they had sworn unto God in their Baptism.

Wherefore this Synod ordaineth, that such Offenders be strictly and carefully admonished not to persist in this their Hypocrisie; for with whatsoever glosses and fine pretexts they may colour it over, it is an o∣pen Mockage and Scorn both of God and Man, a grievous Scandal un∣to their Brethren, and a Mortal Wound unto their own Consciences. And in case they shall obstinately abide in their Impious Resolution, then all Consistories are injoyned to pursue and prosecute them with all Church-Censures, as being Persons utterly unworthy of Communion with the Saints of God. And that none may pretend Ignorance of this Act, let it be Read and Notified publickly in all Places and Congrega∣tions where it may be judged needful.

* 1.212. Forasmuch as the Patience and Long-suffering of God which leadeth Men unto Repentance, hath been horribly despised by them, so that his just Wrath and Indignation hath burnt like Fire against them for their great Ungodliness in every Nation and Country of Christendom, and yet this fierce Anger of God is not turned away, but his Al∣mighty Arm is stretched out still; and that Devouring Wars by reason of the Obdurateness and Impenitency of Sinful Men, do menace them with utter Ruins and Desolations: The National Synod assembled by his Majesties Permission at Charenton, considering that the only means for removing so great and sore Judgments, is the Conversion of Sinners, and the humbling and abasing of their Haughty Hearts before the glo∣rious Tribunal of that great God whom they have so much provoked unto Jealousie: And whereas it is the indispensable duty, and should be the perpetual practice of all Christians to become new Creatures, to purge themselves from Dead Works, and to serve the most holy God in all Holiness, Righteousness and true Godliness: The National Synod exhorts all the Faithful in general and particular, to offer unto the Lord of Glory, whom they have exceedingly dishonoured, the reasonable Sacrifice of a contrite and a broken Heart, and to lie prostrate in all Humility and Sincere Repentance, at the Feet of his Divine Majesty. And Provincial Synods are all of them required to proclaim publick and solemn Fasts in their respective Divisions, according as their pub∣lick or private Necessities may demand. And now that the Grace and Mercy of our Infinite and Almighty God may be implored, and his Bles∣sing and favour obtained for the establishing of an Universal Peace, for the setting of the Kingdom, for the conservation of his Majesties Sacred Person, for his Divine Benedictions upon his Youth, for the glory of his Crown, and the happy Success of his Armies under the lawful Govern∣ment of the Queen Regent, and for the prosperity of the whole Royal Family; it is decreed, that a solemn Day of Fasting and Prayers shall be Observ'd and Celebrated in all the Churches of this Kingdom upon the Fourth Day of May now next ensuing; and that the Faithful may be prepared for the Religious Observation of it, publick Notice shall be given to them by all Pastors from their Pulpits, by reading of this present Act.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mr. De la Place
• * 1.2

  An Act for the National Past.