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. VI. Observations made on Reading the Acts of the next National Sy∣nod of St. Maixant.

1. IN pursuance of the Decree made by the National Synod of St. Maixant in their Observations on the 11th Canon of the first Chapter of our Church-Discipline, all the Provinces are strictly enjoyned, on pain of Censure, to have a very careful Eye over their Ministers, that they preach not up any new Doctrines, and that they affect not in the Pulpit, nor in Writing, nor in any other Discourses, any phrases or modes of speech which be strange and forreign to the Sacred Scriptures, and that they intersperse not Latine, Greek, nor Hebrew sentences in their Sermons, nor surcharge them with many pro∣phane Histories. And those Deputies who shall be sent by the Provinces unto the next National Synod, are charged to bring their Memoirs with them, whether this Decree had been observed or not.

2. Monsieur Chamier having presented his Controversial Writings unto this Synod, according as he was enjoyned by the last National Synod, he re∣ceived the thanks of the whole Assembly for the great progress he had made in them, and he was earnestly intreated and encouraged to finish his de∣signed Labours, and that he would be pleased to print the three first Tomes at once, and to assist him in the great and necessary Charges he must needs be at, the sum of two thousand Livers is ordered to be paid him now in hand.

3. Monsieur Perrin also presenting his History of the Albingenses and Wal∣denses, it was put into the hands of Messieurs Roussett, Cuville, de Preaux, Petit and Joly, Ministers of the Gospel, who were ordered to bring in their Opinion of it, and in consideration of his Charges, this Synod orders him the sum of three hundred Livers.

4. The Provinces which have not observed that Decree of the above∣mentioned Synod, which forbad all additions to be made at the close of Pro∣positions and Colloquies are exhorted conscientiously to obey it.

5. In the observations made by the same Synod upon the Acts of the for∣mer National Synod held at Rochell, in which there was great discourse and debate about Monks, who quitting their Cloysters, did joyn themselves to the Communion of the Reformed Churches; but Information being now given of divers Scandals arriving from the publick declaration made by these Monks in our Churches: This Assembly judged that it was in no wise expedient for the said Monks to make any declarations publickly until such time as we have good experience of their abilities sincerity, and discretion. However their simple and unfeigned Abjurations shall be admitted either publickly or in the Consistories.

6. That Article of the same National Synod about those Remonstrances which should have been made in the Chamber of Nerac, shall be razed.

7. Nothing shall be altered in that Article of the aforesaid Synod, which had approved the administration of Baptism before Sermons, and at the or∣dinary publick Prayers, excepting in that clause, which specifies the law∣fulness of this Action, in case there be apparent danger of death, and that the Consistory do attest it, or at least some of the Elders, because this clause seems to favour that Opinion of the necessity of Baptism: And the remain∣ing part of the said Article shall be in force until the next National Synod, and in this Interval the Provinces are charged to Study the point diligently, and to come prepared with the judgments of their respective Consistories, Colloquies and Provincial Synods, and to send them in writing confirm∣ed by solid Arguments; that so after mature consideration had of the whole,

the Case may be finally decided by plurality of Votes gathered from the se∣veral Deputies of that Synod. And that this may be the more easily effected, Monsieur Sonis, du Moulin, le Faucheur, and la Faye, are nominated to put in writing the reasons both of the one side and other, which have been here urged, and a Copy of them shall be carried hence together with the Acts of this present Assembly unto their Provinces by the Deputies.

8. The Deputies of Berry requesting that some course might be took to avoid the violating of that Canon made at St. Maixant, which forbad all Professors in Divinity to intermeddle with Political Assemblies: This Synod ordaineth, that it be punctually observed, and in case any of them do ac∣cept of such a Deputation, whoever he be, shall be punished with Suspen∣sion from his Professorship for the space of six months.

9. Information being made of the great disorders in the Provincial Synods of Higher and Lower Languedoc, of the tricks and subtle under-hand dealings (fitter for Attorneys and Petty-Foggers, than for such grave Assemblies) commonly practised by them, and of the contempt of Church-Discipline, from whence have sprung up very many and grievous scandals: This Synod doth most strictly enjoyn all Provincial Synods, and most especially those now mentioned, that for the future they do reform and conduct themselves better, on pain of being dealt withal as violators of the Discipline, and that in the severest manner; and particularly it threatens the Moderators in those Meetings with Suspension from their Charges, in case they connive at them, and do not their utmost to redress these irregular and scandalous actions.

Notes

• Bearne.