Histoire de l'Eglise Vaudoise [pp. 656-674]

Vaudois Church.
the Vaudois church on the subject of Predestination became
somewhat lax just before the Reformation began; but this evil
tendency was speedily checked by the influence of that great
event, and by the intimate relations into which she was brought
with the Reformers, Farel, Bucer, Capito and (Ecolampadius.
The order and discipline of the Vaudois church was, as it still
is, essentially Presbyterian. We have a document bearing upon
this subject, of uncertain date, but certainly anterior to the
Reformation, as is proved by the testimony of Bucer and
Melanchthon, to whom it was submitted. "Discipline —says
this document-is the body of all the moral doctrine taught by
Christ and his apostles, showing to each one how he should live
and walk in righteousness by faith, and what should be the communion of believers in the same love of goodness, and the same
separation from evil. To attain this end, the church has pastors
who direct her." Then we have an account of the way in
which the Barbes, as the Vaudois pastors were anciently called,
trained aspirants for the ministry. "We make them learn by
heart all the chapters of Matthew and John, all the canonical
Epistles, and a large part of the writings of David, Solomon and
the prophets; if they have a good character, they are admitted
to the ministry by imposition of hands. Among other powers
which God has given to his servants, is that of choosing the pastors who govern the people, and fix the elders in their charges,
according to the diversity of work in the unity of Christ, as the
apostle shows in his Epistle to Titus, "for this cause left I thee
in Crete." "When any pastor is dishonoured by falling into sin,
he is ejected from our company and from the office of preaching."
Some English writers have attempted to prove that the Vaudois church was partially hierarchical in her constitution; but
as M. Monastier shows, there is not the least ground for this
assertion. Her Episcopacy like that of our own church was
purely congregational. "The Barbes," says the document
already quoted, "shall meet once a year in general synod, to
examine and admit to the holy ministry, students who are
found qualified, and to nominate those who shall visit the
churches in foreign lands." These synods were attended by
ruling elders, as well as by pastors (regidors) who were chosen
1851.]
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