THE ecclesiastical DISCIPLINE Of The REFORMED CHURCHES In FRANCE OR, The ORDER whereby they are governed.  
Faithfully transscribed into English out of A French Copy.  
LONDON: Printed by E. P. for Nicholas Bourne, at his shop at the South Enitance to the royal Exchange. 1645.   

An INDEX of the Chapters of the French Discipline, and of the Contents thereof.  

OF Ministors and Pastors. Chap. 1.  
Of schools. Chap. 2.  
Of Elders and Deacons Chap. 3.  
Of Deaconrie, or the Administration of the moneys for the poor by the Deacons. Chap. 4.  
Of the Consistory Chap. 5.  
Of the Churches Union. Chap. 6.  
Of Colloques or Conferences. Chap. 7.  
Of provincial Synods. Chap. 8.  
Of national synods. Chap. 9.  
Of the holy exercises in the Congregation of the faithful. Chap. 10.  
Of baptism. Chap. 11.  
Of the Lords Supper. Chap. 12.  
Of Marriage. Chap. 13.  
Particular rules and advertisements. Chap. 14.    

Some principal faults escaped in Printing.  
page. 6. In the 19 Article line 2. for brought, red besought. pag. 7. Artic. 23. ●… n. 3. for a ward, red award. pag. 13. Artic. 4. lin. 11. red rents: As also. &c.   

THE ecclesiastical DISCIPLINE Of the REFORMED CHVRCHES In FRANCE. That is to say, The Order whereby they are Ruled and Governed.  

CHAPTER I. Of Ministers and Pastors.  
The first Article. THE best Rule whereby to proceed in the Election of such as are to bee employed in the ministry or Service of the Word of God, is prescribed by the Apostle; and such are with all possible diligence to be examined and enquired into, both concerning their Doctrine, life, and conversation, that thereby it may appear, whether or no they bee fit to teach others.  
The Second Article. Such persons as are newly converted, and lately come into the Church, ●● specially those that have been Priests or friars, may not bee elected or called to the Ministry, without a preceding most careful and long inquisition and proof, both of their life and doctrine, tried and approved for the space of at least two yeares after their Conversion, and averred by good testimonies from those places where they lived. And neither they, nor any other, that is not well known, may receive the imposition of hands, without the precedent advice, both of the provincial and national Synod.  
Artic. 3. If it befall, that some Cutat or Bishop do aspire to the ministry of the gospel, he is not to be admitted, unless he bee first a true Member of the Church, renounce all livings, benefits, and other profits and dependences of the Roman Church, and make an acknowledgement of all his faults formerly committed, according as by the Consistory shall be advised, and after a long and sufficient experience and trial of his repentance, and good and godly conversation.  
4. The Minister of the Word of God, out of the time of Persecution, during which, and upon urgent necessity he may be elected by three Pa●●ors with the consent of the Consistory of that place, is not bee received or admitted into this holy Calling and charge, but by a provincial Synod, or by an Assembly, called in France Colloque, which is to be composed at least of seven Pastors. And in case this number be not found for an Assembly or conference, then there are some of the neighbouring Ministers to bee called to make the said number full: and then he that is to bee elected, is to bee presented with good and valuable testimonies, both from universities and particular Churches, as likewise from the Assembly of that Church where he most hath lived in.  
The examination of him that is thus presented, shall bee made first by propositions and questions out of the Word of God, upon such Texts as shall be given him, one( most necessary) in French, and the other in latin, if the synod or Assembly shall think it fit: for each of which Texts, a term of four and twenty houres for his study and preparation shall bee allowed him, And if thereupon he gives satisfaction, then shall he be tried also by a Chapter of the new Testament, which shall be laid before him in greek, to see what skill and profit he hath gotten in greek, for his ability to interpret it, And as much is likewise to be done in Hebrew, to see whether he is at least able to make good use of good books for the sufficient understanding of the Scripture: unto all this is to be added a trial of his Knowledge and Industry in the most necessary parts of Philosophy 〈◇〉 this is to be done kindly and 〈◇〉 without affectation, 〈◇〉 〈◇〉 and fruitless questions.  
Lastly he shall make a short confession of his Faith in 〈◇〉 〈◇〉 〈◇〉 〈◇〉 is to be afterwards examined by way of Disputation, and if up ●n this examination he shal be found capable: then the company repre●eming to him the duty of his charge whereunto he is called, shall declare unto him the power given him in the Name of Iesus Christ, both to administer the Word, and also the Sacraments, after he shall have received his full institution and ordination to the Church to which he is sent, and to which Church shall bee withall given advertisement of his Election, by an act, or some letters, of the synod or Assembly, sent, delivered and red by a Pastor or Ancient.  
5. He, whose election shall be notified to the Church, is to propound, expound, and teach publicly the Word of God three several sundays, without being as yet capable to administer the holy Sacraments, in the hearing of all the People, that he may be observed in what manner he teacheth, to which end the people are expressly to be advertised, that if any man know some hindrance or just cause, for which the election of who shall bee thus name, may not be brought to a good end, or the man not be liked, it may be signified to the Consistory, who is to hear and understand with all patience every mans reasons to judge thereof. The silence of the People, none contradicting, shall be taken for an express consentment, but in case there arise any contention, and he that is name should be liked by the Consistory, and disliked by the people, or by most of them, his reception is then to be delayed, and report of all to be made unto the Conference, or provincial Synod, to consider as well the justification of him that is name, as of his rejection. And although he that is name should there be justified; yet is he not to be made or given as Pastor to the People against their will, nor to the dislike, displeasure, and discontent of most of them: Neither is the Pastor also against his own will to be put into that place, the difference being necessary to bee decided by the Order above specified, at the charges and costs of the Church that did desire him.  
6. He that shall desire to be chosen to the ministry, ought to receive the charge or place that shall be given him, and if he refuse it, he shall bee solici●ed and induced thereunto by convenient and fit exhortations, yet may he not bee constrained.  
7. The election of Ministers is to be confirmed by prayers and imposition of hands, yet nevertheless without any superstition, but according to the following form.  
The manner of the imposition of hands, Ordinarily observed and kept in the Reformed Churches of France, in the reception of their Ministers.  
ALl things heretofore mentioned, having been well observed, two Pastors expressly deputed and appoynted by the Synod or Conference to impose the hands on him that hath been chosen, shall come to the place, where he that is to make the Exhortation, shall handle shortly of the Institution and excellency of the ministry, alleging the testimonies of the Scripture that are fit and proper to that purpose. At to the Ephes. 4. 11. Luk. 10. 16. joh. 20. 2●. 1. Cor. 4. 1. 2. Cor. 5. 18. and other like places, exhorting and admonishing every one to have great care, so that both the Minister and people perform each their several duties: the Minister in discharging so much the more carefully his Office, as he doth know it precious & excellent in the sight of God: & the people in receiving with all honour and reverence the Word of God, announced by him that thus is sent unto them. After this shall be red all what is written in 1. Timoth. 3 and Tit. 1. where the Apostle teacheth what man a Minister ought to be. And that God gran● his grace unto him that is elected, well and faithfully to discharge his duty, some prayer( though but short) is to be made to that purpose, where the mentioned Pastor, shal inject and use these or the like words: O Lord God we beseech thee to endow with the guif●s and gr●●es of thine holy Spirit this thy Servant, lawfully elected according to the order established in thy Church, blessing and filling him with all necessary guif●s, well and faithfully to do and discharge his Office and duty to the glory of thy holy name, the edification of thy Church and his own salvation in the calling to which he is here consecrated and ded●cated unto thee by our Pastor &c. At that time he that saith this Prayer standing at the chair or Pulpit, shall lay his hands upon the head of him for whom he prayeth meekly kneeling on his knees. The prayer being ended, and the new Pastor standing up, the two Deputies sent by the Synod or Colloque, are before all the people to join hands with him in sign of Fellowship. And this manner, with the above mentioned directions are generally and with one accord to be observed through all the several Countries.  
8. Those that shall be elected or chosen, shall subscribe the Confession of Faith, decreed and established amongst us, and likewise the ecclesiastical Discipline, both in the Church where they are elected, and that where they are sent unto.  
9. Ministers are not to be chosen without appointing and allotting them a certain flock: and then they are to belong and remain own to those flocks, which shall have been appoynted for them. Neither may any Church pretend right over a Minister by virtue of a particular promise made by him, without authority of a Colloque or a provincial Synod.  
10. Those that shall be elected to the ministry, ought to know and understand that they are in that Office and charge for all their life-time; except they be lawfully discharged or removed for certain good considerations, and the same are done by the provincial Synod.  
11. The charge and duty of Ministers is chiefly to preach the Gospel, and to amnounce and teach the Word of God to their people. They are therefore to be exhorted to forbear, and abstain from all manner of teaching that is either strange, or unfit, and not convenient or meet for edification, and to apply and conform themselves to the simplicity and ordinary style of the Spirit of God, being most careful to bring and insert nothing into their preachings or Sermons that may cause the least prejudice to the honour & authority of the holy Scripture; never preaching without taking for the Subject of their whole discourse a Text out of the holy Scripture, which they are to follow usually and punctually, exposing thereof as much as they shall be able, abstaining from all unnecessary amplifications, from all long, extravagant and not occasioned digressions, from a heap and number of common places and passages of the Scripture that are not needful, and from a vain recital or narration of divers, several fruit less expositions: not often, but very temperately and advisedly alleging the writings of the ancient Doctors; and less yet of profane Authors and Histories: not handling their doctrine in a scholastical manner, nor with mingling and mincing in of languages: In a word, they are to shun all that may serve for, or give the least suspicion or show of ostentation. All which things that they may the better be observed, all Consistories, Colloques, or Assemblies, and Synods, are to be very careful.  
12. The Churches are to be warned to use most frequently catechizing: and the Ministers are to handle and expound the same most diligently, by compendious, succinct, simplo, and familiar questions and answers, framing and fitting themselves unto the plainness and rudeness of their people, and not entering into long tedious discourses of common-places. Yea, it is the duty of every Minister to catechize every one of his flock yearly once or twice; and to exhort every body to yield and apply himself seriously and diligently thereunto.  
13. Those Ministers, whom God hath endowed with his grace well to writ, are advised to perform it in a manner becoming the modesty of Gods Servants, and the Majesty of the Word of God: And consequently to forbear all manner of writing either ridiculous or injurious: And indeed they ought to keep the same modesty and Majesty in their ordinary preaching and teaching. Those that have received such grace well to writ, are to be chosen by their several Countries, that when it cometh to pass that some books come forth against the true Religion, the same be sent unto them to answer them; a Colloque or Assembly being appoynted in every Country, carefully to take heed, and have an eye unto what shall be written and published, and afterwards to distribute and sand the Copies thereof abroad.  
14 Ministers and Pastors may not pretend primacy, dominion, or sway over one another.  
15. The Ministers of one Consistory are to preside over the same by turns, that none may pretend superiority over his fellow: neither may any one of them bear witness in matters of importance, unless he have first communicated it, and acquainted therewith the other Ministers, his brothers and fellows.  
16. The custom that formerly hath been used in some places to sand certain Ministers from the Provincial Synods to visit the Churches, is hence forth quiter to be for born and abolished, the appoynted and now used order being sufficient to take knowledge of scandals: and that manner of new Offices and charges, being of a dangerous consequence, is wholly condemned: as in like manner all names of Superiorities, as ancients of Synods, superintendents and the like, are disallowed and rejected. Concerning the advertisements to assemble and bring together the Colloques or conferences and Synods, and of matters thereon depending, they are to be directed unto one Church, and not to a certain Minister, or other particular member thereof. And if perhaps( for some consideration or other) they should be directed to some one of the Ministers or ancients, those that receive them, shall bring and deliver them to the Consistory, that thereupon advice and counsel may be taken.  
17. A Minister may besides the holy ministry practise neither physic, nor Law: yet nevertheless he may in charity both give counsel and help to those that are sick amongst his flock and of the neighbouring places; yet so that thereby he be not hindered in, or withdrawn from the studies of his holy voc●tion. Neither is he to draw any profit or gain by it, unless it be onely in time of trouble and persecution, when he is not suffered to use & execute the function of his calling in his Church, and cannot receive from the same his entertainment. And those that thus shall apply themselves to the art of physic, Law, or other distraction, are to be admonished to forbear it, and to addict and give themselves totally to their employment and study of the holy Scripture. And the Colloques and Synods are advised to proceed according to the order of our Discipline, against such as shall be found disobedient therein: as also those that busy themselves in the instruction and teaching of children, so that thereby they are hindered duly to attend their chief calling. And hereof both the provincial Synods, Assemblies, conferences and consistories are to be most careful, and even so far, as to suspend such Ministers as be found refractory.  
18 The Ministers are to admonish and exhort their people to keep modesty and decency in their apparels; they themselves giving them a good example both in this and all other things; forbearing and shunning all bravery and costliness both in their own clothes, and those of their wives and children.  
19. Such Princes and Lords that follow the Court, and have or desire to have a Church in their own Family, are to be brought to receive the Ministers from those Churches that are duly and truly reformed, and where there are more then one Minister, with a sufficient assurance of their lawful calling, and with the leave of the Assemblies or Synods: and those Ministers are principally to sign the Confession of Faith of the Churches of this kingdom, and also the ecclesiastical Discipline. And that the Preaching of the Word of God may be the more fruitful, they shall be prayed also, that it would please them to cause a Consistory to be dressed and established in every one Family, composed of the Minister and of the most honest and approved men thereof, which shall be chosen and made Ancients and Deacons, in a sufficient number. By which Consistory all scandals and vices may be repressed in the said Family, and the common Discipline of the Churches kept and entertained. Moreover those Ministers are also to assist( as much as they can) at the provincial Synods: to which end, that church that is to call the said Synod together, shall be charged to summon and call also the said Ministers thereunto. Especially shall the said Ministers, or some of them( according as they shall be deputed by the rest) come to and assist at the national Synods: and with them are also to come along some Ancients by whom the said Synods may be informed of their life and conversation; and when many of them should come together, then none of them may pretend pre-eminency or domination over the others, according to the Article of the Discipline. And when the said Princes and Lords keep their residence or abode in their houses or other places, where Churches are already established; They are to be besought( to prevent all divisions) to be pleased, that the Church of their family be united and joined with the Church of that place, to make together but one Church; according as shall be advised by a kind and amiable conference of the Ministers on the one and the other side, to do therein what shall be found most expedient.  
20 It shall not be lawful for a Pastor to forsake his flock without leave of the Colloque or Conference, or the provincial Synod of the Church, unto which he hath been ordained.  
21. He that forsaketh and abandoneth the ministery, if he do not repe●t and return to the charge God hath committed unto him, shall at last be excommunicated by the provincial Synod.  
22. Ministers ought not to be vagabonds, nor to have liberty by their own Authority to intrude or thrust themselves where they list.  
23. The Minister that shall have intruded into a place, though he should be liked & approved of by the people, shall not be approved by the neighbouring or other Ministers: but notice of his cause shall be given unto, and a ward given by the Colloque or provincial synod.  
24. The Minister of one Church shall not preach in an other without the consent of the Minister thereof, unless it be in his absence, In which case it belongeth to the consistory to give him authority for it. And if the flock is either by persecution or other troubles dispersed, Then the Minister that is a stranger amongst them, is to endeavour to gather, and bring together some Deacons and ancients to get their consent: but if he cannot do it, He shall then have permission to preach, and so to bring the Flock again together.  
25. Ministers shall not be sent from other Churches without authentical Letters, or other sufficient testimonies of those places, they are sent from, which they shall deliver to the hands of the consistory of the place they are sent unto, there to be carefully kept and to remain.  
26. No Minister pretending either to be by his Church forsaken or otherwise persecuted, shall( upon that pretence) be received by another Church, unless he bring and show with all good testimonies, whereby it doth appear before the Conference or Syuod, in what manner he hath lived and behaved himself, that thereupon his cause may be considered and decided by the wisdom of the said Colloque or provincial Synod, whom it is to be remitted unto.  
27. When a Minister finds himself destitute of a Church, having either duly obtained leave, or being otherwise dismissed and discharged from that he did serve, it shall belong to the Conference or Synod of the country to provide another Church for him, within the space of a month: And if in that time he cannot be provided by the said Colloque or provincial Synod where he did serve under, he then shall have his freedom to provide himself of a Church out of that Country, wheresoever God shall give him means, according to the order of the Discipline.  
28. Authority is granted to the provincial synods, to make exchange of Ministers for certain considerations, their Churches being first heard, and their reasons well and duly examined and weighed. But in case of variance or dissension, the matter shall be decided at the national Synod, mean time nothing innovated.  
29. When a Minister should be presented, or for some other reason not be able to execute his charge in the Church, which he is appointed for, then may he be sent by the said Church to some other place: or a change may be made of him for some other for a certain time, with the consent and liking of the Churches. But in case the Minister will not obey the judgement, and the desire of the two Churches, then is he to represent the reasons of his refusal unto the consistory, that the validity thereof may there be pondered, judged and decided. And if they be not found valuable or admittable, and yet nevertheless the Minister did persever in rejecting the said place, then the difference shall be put off and reported unto the next provincial synod, or to the Colloque, if the said two Churches are or belong under the same Colloque or Conference.  
30. The Ministers with their good will, may be lent by the Consistory, according as the edification of the Church may require: but the said loan is not to be made without the advice of two or three Ministers, or of the Colloque, in case it be for a longer time then six moneths.  
31. The Ministers thus lent shall return into the power of the Churches, from whence they came, as soon as the time of the loan shall be expired.  
32. And if the Church should not redemand or call back their Minister within a year after the term of the loan expired; then shall the Minister( in case he do give his consent) belong and remain to that Church he was lent unto. But if he do not consent, he then is to yield and remit himself unto the advice of th Conference or Synod of the Church to which 〈◇〉 〈◇〉 And this rule and direction is likewise to serve for those Ministers, who because of persecution, have betaken themselves to other Churches; If after the persecution is past, they be not redemanded back again by the Churches they served before, within the space of a year, to commence after the advertisement given by the said Minister to their said former Churches.  
33. He, that being destitute of a Church( by reason he could not be employed within the Country) shall be lent to some Church out of that Country by the Assembly or conference until the time of the Synod of that Province, if he be not employed and placed by the said Synod within the Province, shall remain minister to the Church, which he hath been lent unto, if both he and the Church also give their consent.  
34. To the end, that the Flocks may perform their duty towards their Pastors, which they are obliged unto by the Word of God, and that no occasion of displeasure and discontent be given unto the Pastors to for●ak them, the Flocks are to be admonished to bestow and furnish them with all necessaries.  
35. The better to prevent the ingratitude of such as have been found to use their Pastors unworthily it is ordered, and to be observed, that a quarter of the yearly pension promised and appoynted unto them, shall be advanced and paid aforehand.  
36. And whereas it may be feared that in time to come( by reason of some ill offices) there might be occasioned some dissipation and wasting, or other unthriftinesse in the Churches: Therefore those that shall be chosen to govern the action of the conferences, are to inquire of the ancients or Elders of every Church, what wages and entertainment they give to their Ministers, and what care and diligence is used to pay their appointment, to the end, that by the said conferences authority order be taken accordingly.  
37. When necessary supply shall be denied to the Pastor, and he shall have made thereof his complaint and remonstrance, and three months shall be expired after it, without reparation, it shall then be lawful for the said Pastor to apply and engage himself to an other Church, with the knowledge and advice of the conference, or provincial Synod; and, in case of most urgent necessity, the conference or Synod may shorten the said term of three moneths: Yea necessity pressing, and three moneths being past without supplying and and giving the said Pastor satisfaction, though he have made his complaint, and desired to have his liberty; It shall then suffice for him to call into his consistory two Ministers that dwell nearest, and not be bound to expect the advice of any other Assembly or Synod, unless some of the said conferences be already called together in the same month, to which he might retire.  
38. In the knowledge and judgement that shall be taken and given of the unthankfulness upon the Ministers complaint, all circumstances ought prudently to be considered and pondered, where especial regard shall be had as well of the poverty of the Churches as of the means and riches of him that makes the complaint, to the end that the course, therein to be taken, may be directed, as the glory of God, the edification of the Church, and the honour of the Pastor and Minister doth require.  
39. The Church that shall be found unthankful, shall not be provided with another Minister before full satisfaction be first given of what is due to him that hath served therein.  
40. The Ministers that are rich and have good means of their own to live, may nevertheless take wages of their Flocks: Yea it is fit that they receive some for consequence s●ke, and to prevent and shun all prejudices, they otherwise might cause to other Ministers and Churches. But they are withall to be exhorted, to make such use thereof, both as the necessity of the Churches, and charity shall require.  
41. It shall not be free nor lawful to any Pastor to have possession of any inheritance under the title of Pastor: but if the pension or part thereof should be assigned upon some possession, rents or revenue, the same shall be managed by the Deacons, or other persons by the Church thereunto committed and deputed; By whose hands the Minister shall receive his pension, so that all suspicion of avarice be taken away, and that by such worldly cares he may not be distracted and lead away from his charge and Office.  
42. The Church, in whose service a Minister doth finish his dayes, shall take care of his widow and children: And if the said Church be not able, then the care thereof belongeth to the Province or County.  
43. Ministers shall be subject to be censured, reprehended and punished.  
44. The Office and duty of Ministers is to rule and govern both themselves and their Flocks, great and small, of what condition and quality sorver they be, by the Word of God and the ecclesiastical Discipline. But it belongeth also to the Magistrate to be watchful over all states, and even also over the Ministers, and to take heed, whether or no they walk rightly in their vocation. And therefore if they do amiss, the Magistrate shall cause them to be admonished of their duty, according to the ecclesiastical Discipline, either in the consistories, conferences or Synods; unless their faults deserve other punishm●nt by the laws, the knowledge whereof belongeth properly to the Magistrate.  
45. Such Ministers as teach ill Doctrine, and, having been sufficiently warned, not desist and forbear shall be deposed: Item those that are not ob●dient unto the holy admonitions taken out of the Word of God, represented to them by the consistory: Those likewise that led a scandalous life: Those that are convicted of heresy, schism, Rebellion against the ecclesiastical Order, public Blasphemy, deserving civill and criminal punishment, Simony, and other corruption by presents, and gifts, and underhand dealing for getting another mans Office, leaving and forsaking of their Plocke without leave or other just a●d lawful occasion, falsehood, Treachery, Perjury, uncleanness and whoredom, Theft, drunkenness, Beating, or Fighting, worthy to be punished by the Law●s, Usury, all plays forbidden by the laws and that otherwise are scandalous, dancing and the like disorders, and looseness of Conversation, Crimes of civill infamy, Crimes that in any other person deserve separation from the Church, and also such as shall be found totally insufficient to perform their charge.  
46. On the contrary, those that are become and found unfit or uncapable to execute their Office, merely by reason of old age, sickness or some such other inconvenience or mishap, are by no means to be deposed, but rather being kept in the honour of their calling, they shall be recommended to their Churches for their maintenance; and another shall be provided and appoynted to exercise their duty.  
47. All vices that are scandalous and punishable by the Magistrate, as murder, high Treason, and other Crimes, that do redound to the great dishonour, disgrace and scandal of the Church, deserve that the Minister( being guilty of any one) be deposed, though he not onely committed the same before he was elected, but also in the time of his ignorance. And this is to be observed in case that remaining in the ministry, he bring more scandal then edification to the Church; whereof the Synods are to take knowledge and judge.  
48. If a Minister be convicted of notorious and enormous Crimes, he is speedily to be deposed by the consistory, who for that end is to call the assistance of the Colloque or conference: or in want thereof, two or three other Ministers, that are no ways suspected. And if the Delinquent should take exception, or complain against the testimonies of the calumny, then is the cause to be brought before the provincial Synod. And if a Minister hath preached heretical Doctrine, he is to be speedily suspended by the consistory, the conference, or two or three Ministers, to that end called together, as above said, until the provincial Synod determine the business; mean while any sentence of suspension shall remain fast and in force( notwithstanding his appeal to the contrary) until the final decision.  
49. The causes of such a deposing need not to be declared unto the people, unless necessity do require it, whereof those that have decreed and ordered the said deposition, are to judge.  
50. The national Synods ought to be advertised by the provincial Assemblies, and Synods, of such as are deposed, least they might otherwise be there received and admitted.  
51. Ministers deposed for death-meriting or infamous Crimes, shall never be readmitted again into their charges, what acknowledgement soever they make; as for those that have committed slighter faults, they upon their acknowledgement and submission may be received again by the national Synod, but so that they serve in some other Province or County; and otherwise not at all.  
52. The Roamers, that is to say, those that have not any calling, but do fur and thrust themselves into the ministry, shall be put and kept down: and whatsoever by a provincial Synod shall be ordained about them, and concerning the interdiction and inhibition in the ministry, shall have the same force, as if it had been ordained by a national Synod.  
53. Those that be declared Roamers, Apostates, heretics, schismatics, shall so be denounced throughout all the Churches: that every Church may be ware of them, and the Catalogue of their names shall be brought from the provincial, to the national Synods.  
54. Those that by the advice of the provincial Synods, are put into the number of Roamers, shall not be blotted out again, unless it be done by the advice of a national Synod.  
55. Those that thrust themselves into the ministry in Countries and places, where the preaching of the gospel is already pure and lawfully established, shall sufficiently be warned & exhorted to desist and leave off; and in case they continue and persever, as likewise those that shall follow and adhere to them, if after the like warning and exhortation given them, they do not forbear and forsake them, are to be quiter cut off, and proceeded against, as the Synods shall judge fit.   

CHAPTER II. Of schools.  
The first Article. THe Churches are to do their utmost endeavour to establish some schools, and take order for the instruction of the children.  
2. The moderators, schoolmasters and Teachers, shall sign the Confession of Faith, and the ecclesiastical Discipline.  
3. The Doctors and Professors in divinity are to be chosen by the synod of that Country where the Universities are, and to be examined, both by readings and Lectures they shall make upon the Old and New Testament, according to the authentical edition of the Hebrew and greek Texts, which shall be given them; As likewise by disputations during one or two dayes, as it shall be thought requisite. And if thereupon they be found capable and fit, and are not Pastors, they shall then shake hands of Association; They promising aforehand faithfully and carefully to discharge their Office, and to teach and handle the Scripture in all purity and sincerity, according to the analogy and conformity of the Faith, and Confession of our Churches in France, which they are to subscribe unto.  
4. That there may be many Pastors, and that the Churches may always be well provided with fit and sufficient persons to rule and conduct them, and to teach and amnounce the word of God truly. The Churches shall be admonished to choose some Schollers already well grounded & advanced in good learning, and of great hope and expectation, and to maintain them in the Universities, that there they may be fashioned and more prepared for the employment in the ministery; preferring the children of poor Ministers, that are apt and fit to study; whereof the Conferences are to take knowledge and to judge. Kings, Princes and Lords, are to be besought and exhorted to take the like care, and to grant thereunto some part of their wealth & rents as: also such Churches as are wealthy. And hereof the Conferences and provincial synods are to take care and advertise and solicit where they shall see it expedient; and herein they are to follow all such ways as shall serve to bring so necessary things to pass and to a good effect. And if some Churches alone are not able to do it, then some neighbouring Churches are to join with them, that thus together they maintain at least one Student for each Conference or Colloque, and rather then toomit or neglect so good a work the fifth penny of the alms may belayd aside( if conveniently it can be done) for the said employment.  
5. In every Church shall some proposition be made out of the Word of God amongst the Schollers, according as the commodity both of the places and persons may bear it: at which exercises the Pastours are to be present, as well to preside, as to set down and order the said propositions.   

CHAPTER III. Of Elders and Deacons.  
The first Article. IN places where the order is as yet not established, the Elections as well of the Elders as of the Deacons are to be made by the common voice or votes of the people with the Pastors. But where the Order and Discipline are already established, there it shall belong to the Consistory with the Pastours to make choice of the fittest men, with public and most express prayers. And the Election and Denomination of them shall be made aloud in the said Consistory: and afterwards the employment and duty of that Office shall be read in the Consistory unto those that are chosen, that they may understand in what they are to be employed. If they give their consent, then shall they be name unto the people two or three sundays consequently, that the peoples consentment may also be joined: and if there appear no opposition or contradiction, then shall they be publicly received on the third Sunday with public solemn prayers, they standing before the Pulpit. And thus they shall be ordained in their charge, subscribing the Confession of Faith and the ecclesiastical Discipline. But if there be made any contradiction and exception, then the cause, shall be debated, pondered and decided in the consistory; and if no agreement can be made there, then the whole business shall be remitted over to the Conference or provincial synod.  
2. Henceforth shall be elected( as much as is possible) no more for Elders and Deacons of the Church, any such as have wives that are contrary to true Religion, according as is said by the Apostle. Yet nevertheless that the Church may not be bereaved of the labour of many good and godly men, who by reason of former ignorance have wives of a contrary Religion, they may be tolerated for this necessity of time onely, so that they make appear the good endeavours they take rightly to instruct and reform their wives, soliciting them to come to the Church.  
3. The Office and duty of the Elders is to be watchful over the flock together with the ●astors, and to see the people gathered, that every one come to and be present at the holy Congregations, make report of the scandals and faults, take knowledge and Judge thereof with the Pastoars, and generally with them have care of all things concerning and appertaining to good Order, maintenance and government of the Church, according to a form containing their charge in writing, which shall be in every Church, as the circumstances both of places and times shall require.  
4. The Office and duty of the Deacons is to receive, gather and distribute, by the advice of the consistory, the moneys of the poor, of the prisoners and of the sick, and to visit them and take care of them.  
5. The Office of Deacons is not to preach the Word of God, nor to administer the Sacrament: Yet nevertheless, for the necessity of the time, may the consistory elect and choose both some Elders and Deacons to catechize in the housholds: As it is also permitted to the Elders, in the absence of the Pastors, to red the public prayers on ordinaries dayes, if they have been chosen by the consistories, and shall therein follow and observe the ordinary style and fashion. And in the reading they perform, no other books are to be red then the canonical, both of the old and new Testament.  
As concerning the Deacons that were wont to catechize in some Countries publicly, the inconveniences that did thereby happen, and may yet hereafter ensue, being heard and weighed, the Churches, wherein such a custom hath not been established nor received, are exhorted, still to forbear the same: And those where it hath been or is yet used, are required and admonished to forsake it, and to cause rather those said Deacons, if they are found fit and capable, to betake themselves to the ministry of the Gospel, as soon as they can.  
6 The Elders and Deacons may assist at the propositions of the Word of God, made by the Ministers besides the ordinary Sermons, or by the proposing Schollers: As also at the censures which then are made, and utter their opinions. But the decision of the Doctrine is principally reserved unto the Ministers and Pastors, as also to the Doctors in Divinity, that duly are called to their places.  
7. Neither the Deacons nor also the Elders may pretend any primacy or domination, the one over the other, whether by reason of their nomination by the people, or of their fitting, or of the order to say their opinion, or any other thing depending on their Offices.  
8. The Office of the Elders and Deacons, as we use it at this time, is not for ever: yet because changements are harm●full, they are exhorted to continue in their Offices as long as they can: and if they will part and rid themselves thereof, they are not to do● it without th● l●ave of their Churches.  
9. The Elders and Deacons shall be deposed from their places, for the very same reasons as the Ministers of the Word of God in their quality are deposed for. And if being condemned by the Consistory they do appeal, then shall they remain suspended from their charges, until either the Conference or the provincial synod have taken order with them.  
10. The restitution both of the Elders and Deacons, that have been deposed, is not permitted, except according to and in the same manner of the Restitution of deposed Pastours.   

CHAP. IV. Of the Deaconry, that is to say, Of the Administration and disposing of the moneys of the poor by the Deacons.  
The first Article. THe money of the poor shall not be administered nor disposed of by any other then by the Deacons, according to the advice and reiglement the Consistory doth give;  
2. It is requisite, that one or two Ministers be present( as far as it shall be possible) at the ordinary distributions of the said moneys, but most necessary at the making up of the accounts.  
3. The people shall be advertised of the said giving in of accounts, to the end, that it be free for any body to be present, as well for the discharge of those that have the handling of the said moneys, as also to show to every one the necessity both of the Church, and of the poor, and that thereby the endeavours and readiness of every one, may be increased to contribute the more willingly thereunto.  
4. To hinder and prevent the disorders, which daily do happen by reason of the attestations or testimonies commonly granted to the poor; every Church shall endeavour to keep and maintain their own poor: and in case that any one thereof shall be driven or constrained to t●avell for his own affairs, the Ministers shall then diligently examine in their Consistories, whether or no the causes are just and in that case grant them letters of recommendation, directed to the next Church, that lieth on the way of the place they will go unto, in which letters they are to specify the name, age, stature, hair, and the place where they travel unto the cause of their Journey, and the assistance and subvention given them, not forg●tting the date, both of the day and year, and these letters shall bee received and kept safely by the Churches, unto which they are directed and sent, giving them others to the next Church, and all attestations granted them formerly, may be torn.   

CHAP. V. Of the Consistory.  
The first Article. THere shall bee in every Church, for the conduct and ordering thereof, a consistory, compounded of certain persons, to wit, of the Pastors and Elders: And of this company, as also in all other ecclesiastical Assemblies the Pastors are to be the Presidents.  
2. As for the Deacons, whereas, for the necessity of the time, they have hitherto successfully been employed by the Churches in the ordering and government of the Churches; as likewise those that have the Office of Elders; Therefore those, that hereafter shal thus be chosen or continued, shall together with the Pastors and Elders have the ruling and government of the Church; and for the same cause they shall always and ordinarily assist in the consistories, as likewise at the conferences and Synods, if by their consistories they be sent thither.  
3. In places where the exercise of the Religion is not established, the faithful are to be exhorted by the conferences, to have amongst them also some Elders and Deacons and to follow the Discipline of the Church: And the said Colloques or conferences shall advice, unto which Church they may be appoynted for their commodity and the entertainment of the ministry: And this being done, it shall not be in their free will to forsake or depart from the said Churches, without communicating their desire and intent with the conference.  
4 In every Church shall be but one consistory: Neither shall it be lawful to set up o● establish any other counsel for what Church business soever. And if in any Church some other counsel should be found established, severed from the consistory, the same shall speedily be taken away. Yet nevertheless the consistory may some times call to assistance such persons of the Church, as shall be thought good, when occasion requires it: But yet there shall be no where else entreated or handled of any ecclesiastical business, except in the place, where ordinarily the consistory doth assemble and meet.  
5. The consistory shall always have the freedom to admit the father and son, or two brothers into the selfsame consistory; unless there be some impediment from elsewhere, whereof the conference or provincial Synod shall take knowledge and have the decision.  
6 A Magistrate may be called and employed in the charge of an Elder in the consistory, so that the execution of one of the functions do not hinder the other and bring no prejudice to the Church.  
7. It is likewise left to the prudence of the consistory to call & admit into it the Proposers or disputants, though they have no other charge in the Church, but yet not without weighty reasons and considerations, and especially upon good considerations and assured knowledge of their des●rts and wisdom. And then th● said Proposers shall be there, not to have their votes in the delibe●a●ions of any affairs, but only that by their presence they may grow the fitter and better enabled and experienced for the conduct and government of the Church, when God shall call them thereunto. Yet nevertheless is it left to the discretion of the Pastors to ask their advice( for a trial of their sufficiency) which notwithstanding ought not to be done without great advisednesse, circumspection, and promise also to keep it secret.  
8. The government of the Church shall be ruled according to the Discipline as hath been determined and settled by the national Synods. Neither may any Church, Province or particular Country make any order or Law, that be not conformable and agreeable in substance to the general Articles of the said Discipline. Therefore and to that end the Articles of the ecclesiastical Discipline shall be red in the consistory at least at every time when the Lords Supper is celebrated, and the Elders and Deacons shall be exhorted, that every one have a true Copy to peruse and study the same at home privately and at leisure.  
9 The knowledge of scandals and the censure or judgement therof belongeth to the Company of Pastors and Elders: and yet the same may not be refused either to the whole consistories or to the greater part thereof. nevertheless the refusal shall be valuable against particular persons of the said consistories, whether they be Pastors or Elders, if the consistory admit the said recusation: and this being judged, they shall proceed further in the cause, notwithstanding what appeal soever be interposed upon the admission or rejection of such refusals or recusations.  
10. The custom which hath been used in some Churches to make both general inquisition and censure of faults in the Assembly of the people, and in the presence both of men and women, being condemned by the Word of God, the Churches shall be warned henceforth absolutely to forbear it, and to be content to follow, in matters of this punishment of reprehension and censure, the order set down in the Word of God.  
11. The Elders shall also be advertised to make no report of faults to the consistory without good cause and proof: And no body also may be called before the consistory without sufficient reason and occasion.  
12. In the execution of the ecclesiastical Discipline both the formalities as well as the terms which commonly are used in Courts of civill jurisdiction, are to be forborn as much as can be.  
13. The consistories may exhort, nay summon in the name of God, the faithful to speak and discover the truth: because thereby the authority of the Magistrate suffereth no derogation nor disparagement. And there is likewise not to be used any formality or solemnity usually kept in the taking of an oath, required by and yielded unto the Magistrate.  
14. In differences that happen, the parties shall be seriously admonished, by faire and friendly means to agree and be again friends. But the bodies of the consistories are neither to assign or appoint, nor be themselves, Arbitrators. And if some of the said bodies of the consistory are called to be Arbitrators, they shall then appear and be onely as particular men and in their private name.  
15. If it befalleth, that besides the admonitions usually made by the consistories to such as have done amiss, there be some other punishment, or more rigorous censure to be used: It shall then be done either by suspension, or privation of the holy Communion for a time, or by excommunication and cutting off from the Church. In which cases the consistories are to be advised to use all prudence and to make distinction betwixt the one and the other: as likewise to ponder & carefully to examine the faults and scandals that are brought before them, with all their circumstances, to judge warily of the censure, which may be required.  
16. The suspension from the holy Communion may be used for the greater humiliation of the sinners, and to make them more sensible of their faults. And neither this suspension, nor the reasons thereof are to be published before the people. No more is the restitution of a sinner to be notified, except the sinners were heretics, contemptors and scorners of God, Rebels to the consistory, Traytors to the Church: Item those that are attainted and convicted o● Crimes deserving corporal punishment, and which bring great scandal to the whole Church: Item those also that contrary to the remonstrances made unto them, shall mary in Popery: Fathers and Mothers that mary their children with Papists; and also those that carrry them thither, or present other mens children there, to be christened. It being necessary, that such persons, although there may appear in them some beginning of repentance, be speedily suspended and deprived, for some time, of the Lords Table, and that the said suspension be declared unto the people, to the end both that they may the more be humbled and induced to true repentance, and likewise that the Church of God be disburdened and cleared of all blame and reproach; and withall that others may be made afraid and taught by such examples, to keep themselves free from the like faults.  
17. If the sinners by those suspensions do not mend, but remain obstinate and impenitent, then after a long expectation and frequent admonitions made unto them, they shall be proceeded against by public exhortations, made by the Minister unto the people three several sundays, the said sinners being name, if it be need, that they may receive the more shane, and every one may be advertised to pray God for them, & so to try by all means to bring them back to penitence and acknowledgement of their sins, thereby to prevent the cutting off and excommunication, which cannot be proceeded unto, without great grief and sorrow. Now if for all that a sinner do not convert himself, but do persever in his hardening, obstination and stubborness, then on the fourth Sunday, the Minister shall publicly say, that it is declared unto the said scandalous and obdurate person( who is then to be name) that he is no more known as a member of the Church, cutting him off from the Church, in the name and authority of our Lord Iesus Christ and of his Church, using this or the like other form, as shall be advised of by the Consistory.  
18. Henceforth all sentences of Excommunication, confirmed by the provincial synod, shall remain firm and stable: as also all sentences of suspension from the Lords Table without nomination, pronounced by the consistory; although he that thus is suspended should appeal to the Conference or provincial Synod.  
19 Such as, to give themselves and adhere unto Idolatry, have forsaken the profession of the true Religion, if they do persever and persist in their apostasy after due endeavours used for bringing them back unto the flock, shall publicly be denounced and declared apostates: to wit, those that of late are thus revolted and fallen off: unless the Consistory do judge, that by naming of them, some great and notable danger might ensue for the Church. In which case there is nothing to be done without the advice of the synod of the Country. But as for those that long since are revolted, the publication of their denomination is remitted to the wisdom of the Consistories.  
20 In public faults, to wit, in such as are effectually committed and known by the most part of the people, the restitution of the sinner shall be made upon the public acknowledgement of his fault, though he have been already punished by the Magistrat.  
21. Seeing that whoredom doth bring a spot & blemish of infamy, especially on women, the knowledge of such scandals is remitted to the prudence of the consistory.  
22. public acknowledgements are to be made no otherwise then personally by the offender, where the sinner shall openly show himself, and give testimony of his repentance.  
23. If the sinner, that hath been suspended by the consistory from the Lords Table and whose suspension hath not been notified unto the people, shall present himself before the consistory, and ask to be reconciled & restored, and make his repentance truly to appear, he then shall be restored and again received, without any further public acknowledgement.  
24. He, whose suspension hath been signified unto the people, and whose repentance is known by the consistory, and averred by true and good fruits and sufficient testimonies, shall thereupon publicly be reconciled with the Church, making acknowledgement of his fault.  
25. Those that by reason of the hardening of their hearts, and their stubborness in their faults, have been cut off from the Church, shall not easily or slightly be restored and reconciled again. But after a long and sufficient proof of their repentance, they shall be heard in the consistory: and if they crave and request to be again received into the peace of the Church, acknowledging their faults, the denunciation thereof shall be made unto the people, to move and induce them to pray and praise God: And some time after they shall be presented before the whole Congregation, to confess and detest their former faults and rebellions, craving pardon of God and his Church: and thus they shall be reconciled with public joy and prayers.  
26. Those that being of one Church fall into idolatry, and come afterwards to dwell in another Church where their fault is not known, shall onely make acknowledgement of their fall in consistory, with condition, that if ever they return to the said Church which they have offended, they also shall there publicly aclowledge their fault: it remaining nevertheless in the discretion of the consistory, otherwise to proceed with them, if it shall be thought expedient for the edification of the Churches.  
27. All faults acknowledged and repaired, shall be blotted out of the books of the Consistories, except those, which being joined with rebellion, have been censured by suspension from the Lords Table or by Excommunication.  
28. The Consistories are not to give testimonies to the Magistrat by Acts or otherwise: neither are particular persons of the consistory to reveal to any body the confessions of penitent and repentant sinners, who voluntarily and of their own free will, or upon admonitions and exhortations made unto them, do confess and aclowledge before them their faults, except in matters of high treason.  
29. Against those, who making profession of the Religion, shall call or city Pastors and Elders, or a whole consistory in body before the Magistrate, to make them witnesses against any delinquents, that have confessed their faults unto them, shall be proceeded by ecclesiastical Censures.  
30. Concerning the crimes that may be declared and laid open unto the Ministers, by such as desire or ask counsel and comfort, it is forbidden to the Ministers to reveal the same, except in cases of treason, least some blame might thereby be drawn upon the ministry, and hindrance to the sinners, to make a free confession of their sins.  
31. If one or more of the people should cause or stir up strife, controversies or contentions, to disjoin and break the union of the Church, concerning some point of our Doctrine or Discipline, or about the method, manner or style of the catechism, of the administration of the Sacraments, or public Prayers, and the blessing of Matrimony; and that particular admonitions could not sufficiently remedy the same: then shall the consistory of that place endeavour speedily to determine and appease all debate without noise, and with all meekness and sweetness by the holy Word of God. And if thereupon the opposers and contentious persons will not rest quiet: then shall the consistory put the business over unto the Colloque or synods, having first and foremost caused the said opposers to make a promise, express and enrolled, not to spread ought of their opinions in any manner or way whatsoever, until the said Convocation and Assemblies have heard them, upon pain to bee censured and proceeded against as schismatics; reserving nevertheless the liberty for them, to confer with the Pastours and Elders, if they have not been sufficiently taught and instructed. And in case the said Contendors and contradictors should refuse to make the said promises, they then shall be censured as rebellious persons, according to the Discipline: And the Colloque or Conference, being assembled about them, shall proceed against them as above. And if such contentious opposers, after they have been heard and refuted with all patience, do rest satisfied and content, the whole business shall be enrolled: otherwise, the provincial synod shall be required to come together, though extraordinarily, if it be need, at such time and place as the consistory shall think fittest, upon the said promise reiterated by the contradictors. And the synod being assembled, shall foremost with ripe & mature consideration, advice and resolve about the matter, place, time, and persons, whether it be expedient, needful & behoveful, that the Conference or dispute with the said opposers and contendors be made in the presence of the people publicly and openly, and that whosoever of the assistants and standards by will speak, shall be heard, Yet so that the decision and determination of the controversy belong to none else then to those of the Convocation of the Province: all according to the order set down in the Discipline. And if then the said contradictors will not submit, they, after the like promise, as above said, shall be put off and sent to the national Synod, ordinarily, or, if necessity do urge and require, extraordinarily called and assembled together; where they shall be heard with all holy liberty, and an absolute and final resolution shall be taken by the Word of God: Which resolution and decision if they shall refuse to give their consent and agree unto in every point, and with an express disclaim and renouncing of their enrolled errors, they shall then be cut off from the Church.  
32. A Pastor or Elder, who breaking the union of the Church, or causing any strife or contention about some point of Doctrine or Discipline, which they have before subscribed unto, of the administration of the holy Sacraments, or of the form of the catechism, or public prayers and benediction of marriage, would not yield to what the conference shall determine, shall presently bee suspended from his charge and employment, to be proceeded against at the next provincial or national Synod.  
33. Memorials are to be made and kept in every Church of all notable and worthy matters concerning Religion; and at every conference one Minister shall be deputed to receive and bring the same to the provincial Synod, and from this to the national Assembly.   

CHAPTER VI. Of the Union of the Churches.  
The first Article. NO Church may pretend primacy or domination over the other; neither one Province or County over the other.  
2. No Church may do or dispatch any matter of great consequence, where the interest or damage of other Churches might be comprehended, without the advice of the provincial Synod, if it can possibly be assembled. And if the business should be urgent, then shall that Church communicate it with, and take the advice and consentment of the other Churches, of the same Country or Province, at least by message and Letters.  
3. The Churches and the particular persons thereof shall be advertised not to depart, sever or disperse themselves for what persecution soever do happen, from the blessed Union of the Church, to procure or get a particular peace and liberty. And whosoever doth otherwise, shall be censured, according as the confernces, and Synods shall judge expedient and necessary.  
4. The Disputations and debating about the Religion with the Adversaries, ought to be ruled and governed, so that those on our side be never the first aggressors or assaultors. And if they be engaged into a verbal disputation, then shall they only use the rule of the holy Scripture, not admitting the writings of the Ancient Doctors for the judgement and decision of the Doctrine, Neither are they to enter into any orderly disputation, unless i● be done in and by writings, respectively delivered and signed. As for a public disputation, none is to undertake the same without the advice of their consistories and of some number of Pastors, who to that end shall be mad● choice of by the conferences and provincial Synods. And no general disputation or conference is to be held, or entred into, without the advice of all the Churches assembled in a national Synod; Upon pain for the Minister that do the contrary, to be declared Apostates and deserters of the Union of the Churches.  
5. The Churches oughtto understand, that the ecclesiastical Assemblies, as well of conferences, as provincial and national Synods, are the bands, prop●… and supporters of the concord and Union against all schisms, rents, heresies & many other inconveniences, to the end that they use all possible endeavours and duties, and apply all means, that the said Assemblies may be continued and entertained. And in case some particular Churches or person would not contribute to the charges, which are needful and requisite, t● gather and come unto the said ecclesiastical Assemblies, the same shall b● severely censured, as deserters of the holy Union, which ought to be among us for our common preservation. And also the Ministers, that are not careful herein, shall be earnestly censured by the provincial Synods.   

CHAP. VII. Of Colloques or Conferences.  
The first Article. IN every Province or Shire shall be a partition of Churches, according t● the number thereof, and of the places into certain Companies or conferences, called Colloques, of such Churches as are nearest to one another, which distribution shall be made by the authority of the provincial synod. Thus such neighbouring Churches shall meet and assemble themselves in Conferences every year twice, if it can be, or rather four times, according to the ancient order; the appointment whereof is left to the wisdom of the Shires or Counties. And at those Conferences are to appear the Ministers with one Elder of every Church.  
2. These Assemblies and Conferences are to be held to advice together how to compose all differences and difficulties, that may happen in the said Churches, as it is ordained by the Discipline: and generally to consider and take order for what shall be found expedient and necessary for the good and entertainment of the said Churches.  
3. And there likewise are the Ministers to propound the Word of God, each one at his turn, that thereby it may be seen what endeavour and duty every one useth for his exercise and advancement in the study and learning of the holy Scripture, and in the method and fashion to handle the same.  
4. The authority of Conferences is submitted to the authority of the provincial synod; as that of the Consistories is under that of the Colloques.  
5. The Conferences and synods shall advice to limit the extent of the places, where every Minister is to exercise his ministry in.  
6. At the ending of the Conferences kind and brotherly censures are to be used, as well of the Pastours as of the Elders that are present, in all things that shall be thought good and fit to admonish and reprove them of.   

CHAPTER VIII. Of provincial synods.  
The first Article. IN every Province or country, the Pastors of every Church shall come together, every year once or twice, if it can be, as the wisdom and discretion of the synod shall appoint.  
2. The Ministers are to bring alongwith them, one or two Elders at most chosen by the consistory; and the said Ministers and Elders shall show some evidence of their message, and if the Minister comes alone, then shall there be had no account nor respect of the memorials he bringeth; neither shall be made any account of those that are brought by an Elder, if he come without the pastor. And this is to be observed in all ecclesiastical Assemblies. If they cannot come, then they are to sand their excuses by letters, whereof the Brethr●n that are there met, are to judge, and they shall also sand their memorials signed by one pastor and one Elder. Those that fail to come to their Conferences and provincial synods without lawful cause and excuse, shall be censured; And the said Colloques or provincial synods are to judge definitively of their actions, and dispose of their persons.  
3. Churches that have many Pastours, are to sand and deputy them alternatively or by turns to the Conferences and synods.  
4. The Ministers and Elders, deputed to the Conferences and provincial synods, are to go at the common charges of their Chuches.  
5. The Churches that refuse to pay and bear the charges, and pay the means for their Ministers coming to the Conferences and synods, shall be advertised and warned to do their duty, and if they fail therein, so that the Pastors be forced to transport themselves thither at their own costs, after two or three several admonitions they shall be bereaved of the ministry, and the expenses made on that occasion by their Ministers, shall be paid again by the Churches to which they were sent: reserved the redress, which they may require and sue for from the ungrateful Churches, according as the provincial synod shall find fit.  
6. When any difference or controversy shall happen betwixt the Church and the Pastor thereof, and that for the taking up of the same, the Church shall have been twice advertised of the day and place of the Conference or synod, and refuseth to appear: the said Conference or synod, notwithstanding the absence of one of the parties, may proceed to a judgement and determination.  
7. In every synod, as well provincial as national, shall by common agreement be chosen( with low votes) one of the Pastors to preside, with a Scribe or Secretary or two. This Presidents charge shall be to rule and moderat the whole Action, to give advertisement of the daies, places and hours for the assemblies and meetings at the Sessions of the synod, to propound and make overture of matters that are to be deliberated of, to gather the votes of every particular, to declare the mayor part, and to pronounce the conclusion. Item to cause every one to speak and deliver his opinion in good order and without confusion, to impose sile●ce to the contentions, and if they will not obey, to cause them to avoid the room, that advice may be taken about their censure; to make the remonstrances and answers to those that ask counsel, or have sent letters to the synod. Moreover to preside at the censures that are given at the end of the whole Action; all according to the advice of the Assembly, and not otherwise. And this President himself shall be subject to be censured. This Office of his shall end with the end of the synod: and the following Synod shall have the liberty to elect again the same or any other President. In like manner are the moderators of the Conferences to govern and behave themselves.  
8. The Elders deputed by the Churches shall have their votes as the Pastours: and the Elders of the place where the synod is assembled, may also assist and be present at the Sessions, and propound in their rank. nevertheless onely two of them shall have their votes, the better to prevent confusion.  
9. Whatsoever shall be determined, concerning the government of the Churches of their Shires or Counties, shall be brought before the national synod.  
10. Whereas many, to decline or delay the effect of the censure of their faults, are wont to appeal from one ecclesiastical Assembly unto the other, nay also to the national synod, whereby the same is taken up and busied with the decision of their affairs more then of other businesses: therefore all differences, included in a Shire or County, shall henceforth be judged and definitively decided( without any further appeal) by the provincial synod thereof; except onely matters of suspensions and depositions, both of Ministers, and of Elders, and Deacons; and the changement of Ministers from one County into another, and from one Church to the other. Item the exchange and translation of a Church from one Colloque or Conference into another; as also matters concerning the Doctrine, Sacraments and the generality of our Discipline. All which causes may from degree to degree, go at last to the national synod, which hath the definitive and final judgement and decision.  
11. When any variance should befall between two provincial synods, then shall they agree for the gathering of a third, to make an agreement.  
12. The Deputies of the Churches shall not depart from the synod without leave and taking with them the decisions and determinations there made.  
13. The authority of the provincial synods, is submitted to the national synods authority.  
14. The synods in every Province or County, shall dress memorials and lists of the widows and children of the Ministers deceased in the service of their Churches, that they may be relieved and maintained at the common charges of the said Churches of every County, as far as their necessity may require. And where the Country should be ungrateful, the Deputy thereof shall report the same to the national synod, that provision and order may therein be taken accordingly.  
15. As for the Colloques or Conferences and the provincial synods, the ordering thereof shall be according to the government of the Provinces, none pretending any pre-eminency or preferment before the other. And for this time, this shall be the distinction of the provincial synods.  
1. The Isle of France, The Countries called Pays Chartrain, la Br●e, Pi●●rdie, and Champagne or Champanie.  
2. normandy.  
3. brittany.  
4. Orleans, Blaisois, Dunois, Nivernois, berry, Bourb●nnois, and the March.  
5. Touraine, Anjou, Lodunois, le main, Vandomois, and le bas( or lower) perch.  
6. Upper and lower Poi●to●.  
7. X●i●tonge, onyx, the town and Government of Rcchelle, Angoumois.  
8. Perigord, Gascoine, Limosin.  
9. Upper and Lower Vivarets, with the Vellay and forest.  
10. The Country of Bearne.  
11. Low languedoc, to wit, Nismes, Usez, Montpellier, as far as to Be●●●res inclusively.  
12. The Sevenes, and Gu●vaudan.  
13. The rest of languedoc and upper Guyenne, Thoulouze, Carcassonne, Quercy, Roverg●, Armagnack, upper Auvergne.  
14. burgundy, Lyon●●is, foreste, la march, Beaujolois, Viogay, Bav●ay, Veronay.  
15. The Provence.  
16. Delphinat and the Principality of Orange.  
And if it fall out, that for the commodity of the Churches, it would be requisite to divide one into two or more, or to join and reduce many into one, The same shall be resolved on, and done at the provincial synod, whereof the national synod shall afterwards be advertised.  
16. A Minister deputed by a provincial synod to go to a synod or Conference of another Province or County, for some common or public affairs, shall have a deliberative vote, Not onely in the affair, he is sent and come for, but also during the whole Action, unless there be entreated of his own particular business.   

CHAPTER IX. Of national synods.  
The first Article. national synods are to be convocated and assembled from year to year, as far as is possible: and for the Convocation thereof, this order shall be followed, that at the end of every national synod be chosen one Province or county, to have the charge and care to appoint the day and place unto all the rest of the Next synod.  
2. Some difficulty happening in one country, then shall the same ●arfully give notice thereof unto that which hath the charge of the Convocation, to the end that this, taking order for the said Convocation, give also advice thereof to the rest of the Shires, that by this means every one may come the better instructed, and readier for the necessary resolution.  
3. Whereas in these dayes it is a hard matter, yea also dangerous to assemble a national synod in great number of Ministers and Elders: It is found fit( for this time onely and during such difficulties) that the Brethren being met in every provincial synod, do make choice of two Ministers and two Elders, the most experienced and best versed in Church affairs, to be sent in the name of the whole County or Shire: which Deputies are to come with sufficient testimonies, and furnished with good instructions and memorials signed by the moderator and clerk of the provincial synod. And that there befall no want of appearing, there shall also be name three or four other Pastors and as many Elders, so that if the first appointed should be hindered to perform the journey, others may succeed and supply their places.  
4. The provincial Synods are not to set a certain term● unto the said Ministers and Elders that are deputed to the national Synod for their return: But are to permit them to remain and assist at the said Synod, as long as it shall be needful: And the charges of the said Deputies are to be born by the said whole Province o● County.  
5. At the beginning of the national Synods shall be red the Articles of the Confession of Faith and of the Discipline.  
6. Least the national Synod might be interrupted by, and busied about questions, already decided in the Acts of former national Synods: the provincial Synods are advertised carefully to peruse the Acts of the said former national Synods, before they dress or set down their Instructions and Memorials, and to sand nothing that is not common and general to all Churches, or deserve otherwise the resolution of a national Synod.  
7. It is in the power of the national Synod definitively to decide, resolve and determine all ecclesiastical matters: The Provinces or Counties having aforehand been advertised thereof by that which had the care to assemble the Synod, as much as can be.  
8. The resolutions are to be made by the Deputies of the Shires. And if there appear other Ministers and Elders, besides the said Deputies, they then shall also have liberty to propound what they see should be done: But they shall have no deliberative nor decisive votes.  
9. Those that appeal from provincial Synods to a national, shall be bound to appear personally, or to sand ample memorials with lawful and sufficient excuses for their not appearing: And in want hereof the former sentence pronounced against them by the provincial Synod, shall be ratified. The like course is to be held with the appeals from consistories to conferences, or from conferences unto provincial Synods.  
10. The provincial Deputies are not to part without taking along the resolutions of the Synods signed by the hands both of the President and Secretary. And within a month after their return, they are to give notice thereof to the conferences of their County, that they may sand for Copies of the Acts of the said Synods, at the charges of the said conferences.  
11. That the Acts of the Synods be preserved and kept, and that they may serve in time to come for the decision of such questions, as may be propounded in national Synods: Therefore the said Acts both of the time past and future, and all others concerning the Synods, together with the Articles of the Discipline and the Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches, shall be put, and left to be kept, in the hands of the Deputies of the Province or shire, that is name for the appointment and convocation of the next national Synod: And the said County shall be bound to keep and bring them unto the Synod.  
12. At the national Synods, before they part one from the other, shall be used a kind and brotherly censure amongst all the Deputies, as well Ministers as Elders, onely of as much as may have happened during the Action, and in general of their Counties: And after all this they all shall celebrate and receive the holy Communion of Our Lord Iesus Christ. for a testimony o● their Union, but so that it be done with the whole Church, where they are assembled, which to that end shall be forewarned to prepare themselves dutifully to so great a work.   

CHAP. X. Of the holy exercises in the Congregation of the faithful.  
The first Atticle. ORder must be taken with, and correction given unto, the irreverence which often is seen in many persons when they are present at public or private prayers; who do not uncover their heads, or kneel not; which is a thing repugnant and contrary to piety and godliness, giveth suspicion of pride, and may scandalise the godly. Therefore the Pastors, Elders and heads of families are advertised and exhorted, diligently and watchfully to endeavour that during the said Prayers every one( without any exception or acceptation of persons) by these external tokens give testimony of the humility and lowliness of his heart, and of the homage he doth to God, except only such as are hindered by some sickness or other wise; the judgement whereof is left to the witness of his own conscience.  
2. The Congregations of the faithful being commanded to sing the praise of God, and to comfort and fortify themselves by the use of the Psalms, they are al to be warned to carry the same with them to the Congregations: And whosoever( out of scorn or contempt) neglecteth to have them, shall be censured: as those also that do not uncover their heads whilst the psalm is sung, and as well at the beginning as at the end of the Sermon, and likewise during the celebration of the holy Sacraments.  
3. In the time of a bitter persecution or of Plague, Famine or other great Visitation and affliction. Item when an election is in hand of some Ministers of the Word of God, and when it is question to come to a Synod; at such times, if necessity do require it, may be appoynted and denounced one or more dayes for public and extraordinary prayers, together with a Fast, but so that it be done without scruple, troubling of consciences or superstition, all upon pregnant reasons and considerations. And the Churches are admonished to conform themselves the one with the other for the celebration of the said Fast, as much as can be done with and according to the commodity of the times and places.  
4. The Churches that are wont, besides their Sermons, to have extraordinary prayers-both at the morning and evening of certain dayes, upon which is no preaching of the Word of God, or have onely evening prayers every day, are exhorted, in this point to conform themselves with those that have not the same custom, the better to stop and prevent all superstition that might ensue, and the carelessness, negligence and contempt, which oftentimes is seen to fall out, both about domestical Sermons and prayers: seeing the public and extraordinary ones ought to be reserved and used for the times of necessities and afflictions, as is also the public Fast, for an extraordinary remedy, whereof the use ought not to be too common; of which reason; the people where this custom is, shall be advertised by their Pastours, to take the same away without scandal, and the heads of families are carefully exhorted to have in their houses without omission, both morning and evening prayers.  
5. To prevent all superstitions, neither Prayers, nor Sermons nor alms are publicly to be held at funerals or burials: and those that follow the corps, shall be exhorted, to behave themselves with all modesty during their accompanying or attendance; meditating according to the subject then presented before them, both the manifold miseries and the shortness of this transitory life, as likewise the hope of the everlasting blessedness.  
6. Forasmuch as mourning doth not consist in the apparels, but in the hearts, the faithful are admonished to use also therein all modesty and to forbear and reject all ambition, hypocrisy, vanity, and superstition.   

CHAP. XI. Of baptism.  
The first Article. THe baptism that is administered by him that hath no calling nor commission, is quiter null, and of no force.  
2. A Doctor in a Church may neither preach nor administer the Sacraments, unless he be both Minister as well as Doctor.  
3. A paynim or heathen and a Jew, of what age soever he be, is not to bee Baptized before he be instructed in the Christian Religion, and show himself such by his Confession.  
4. Children of Fathers and Mothers of the Roman Church, and of such as stand excommunicated, shall notbe received to baptism in the Reformed Churches, though they be presented by faithful persons, unless the Father or( in his want & absence) the Mother give consentment and require it, and dismiss or yield up their authority, leaving or granting their right, concerning the Childrens instruction, unto the Godfathers, with promise to permit their Children to be instructed in the true Religion.  
5. The Children of those that are called Sarrasins, egyptians, or Gypfies, may be received at the baptism of the Reformed Churches, upon the foresaid conditions, and that moreover the Godfathers and Godmothers take upon them to bring up the said children; and so also that there be no presumption that they have already been Christened: and after serious admonitions and remonstrances made to the Godfathers to take heed and earnestly to consider how they shall acquit themselves of the obligation and promise they make for them unto the Church.  
6. No Christening or baptism shall be celebrated but in the Ecclesiaticall Assemblies, in places where a Church is publicly established: And where no public Church is kept or suffered, as also when Parents for infirmity sake are afraid to bring them to be Christened in the Assembly, the Ministers are prudently to consider and advice how far they ought to condescend and yield to the Parents. Howsoever there ought to be( upon such an occasion) a form of a Church or Assembly, & exhortations and prayers. But if there were no Church at all, and no company could be brought together, yet may the Minister not refuse, nor make difficulty to Christen the Child of faithful Parents, when it is presented to him, with due prayers and exhortations.  
7. Forasmuch as we have no express commandement of the Lord to take Godfathers and Godmothers to present our Children to the baptism: Therefore no express law can be imposed upon men to use the same. Yet neverhelesse seeing this custom is ancient and brought into the Church for some good end, namely, to bear witness of the faith of the Parents and of the baptism of the Child, to assume the instruction of the Child if death bereave him of his Parents; and likewise to maintaine●tsie fellowship of the faithful by a conjunction and band of friendship: Therefore such persons as will not follow this custom, but present their children themselves, shall be instantly exhorted to abstain from all contention and strife, and to apply themselves to this ancient and usual order, which is good and profitable.  
8. Women are not to be received or admitted to present Children to the baptism, unless they be accompanied by a Godfather, and make profession of the Christian Religion.  
9. No Godfather, that comes from any other Church, shall be admitted to present a Child to be Christened, if he bring not an attestation from his Church.  
10. Those, that present children at the baptism, are to be of sufficient age, as of fourteen yeares at least, and have received the holy Communion: or if they are already older, and yet have not been at the Lords Table, profess shortly to go thereunto, and have duly been catechized.  
11. Those that are suspended from the Lords Supper, shall not in the quality of Godfathers, present Children to be Christened, as long as their suspension shall endure.  
12. The Pastors shall diligently exhort the Godfathers and Godmothers, to ponder and consider the promises they make at the celebration of baptism: As also Fathers and Mothers, to make likewise choice of Godfathers and Godmothers well instructed in the Religion, and leading a godly life and conversation, as far as possibly can be; by means whereof it may appear, that in case of necessity the Children may be well taught and instructed.  
13. Those of the Religion, who by Deputies shall present Children to be Christened in the Roman Church, shall be sharply censured, as giving their consent to Idolatry.  
14. As for the names that are imposed on Children, the Ministers are to reject( as much as it shall be possible, fit, and expedient) such names as are remaining from old paganism: Neither shall they impose on Children those names, as in the holy Scripture are attributed to God; nor the names of Offices, as Apostle, Baptist, Angel, and the like. And moreover they shall exhort both Fathers and Godfathers to choose names approved in the holy Scripture, as far as they can. And in case they bear some particular affection to some other names, they may be accepted of, except those above mentioned, and such as signify what is unseemly.  
15. The Ministers shall admonish their flocks to use modest and reverend behaviours, whilst the holy Sacrament of baptism is administered, and to the end that all contempt, which most of the people maketh thereof( by going either away and out from the Assembly, or behaving themselves irreverently and without respect, when the same is administered) may be prevented and removed: It hath been advised, and found fit and good, henceforth to administer the holy baptism before the last benediction, or blessing be pronounced, and the people is therefore most earnestly to be  told and taught, to show the like honour and reverence at the administration of the baptism, as of the Lords Communion, Since Jesus Christ with all his benefits is offered unto us, in the one and in the other Sacrament.  
16. The Consistories are to have an eye upon those, who without great causes and good reasons do keep their Children long from being Chrstened.  
17. Although a faithful husband have a wife of the contrary Religion: Yet nevertheless he is not excusable if his child is presented at the baptism in a Roman Church. He therefore shall not be admitted unto the Lords Table, except he have endeavoured with all his power to hinder it.  
18. The Christenings shal be diligently enrolled and kept in the Church, with the names both of the Fathers and Mothers, Godfathers and Godmothers and the christened Children, signed by the Ministers, that christened them. And the Fathers and Godfathers shall be obliged to bring a bill containing all this, as also the Childs birth-day.  
19. The names of the Fathers and Mothers of Children begotten by unlawful conjunction, shall also be enrolled in the book of baptisms, as far as they can be discovered; except of those that are born by incest, to extinguish the memory of so enormous a wickedness: and in that case it shal suffice to name onely the Mother with him and her that present the Child to be Baptized; and in all such unlawful accidents, mention shall be inserted, that the Children came without a lawful marriage:   

CHAP. XII. Of the Lords Supper.  
The first Article. WHere no form of Church is yet established, there the Lords Supper shall not be celebrated. 2. Children under the age of twelve yeares shall not be admitted to the Lords Table, and it shall be at the Ministers discretion to judge of such, amongst those that are past that age, as may be sufficiently instructed to be thereunto received.  
3. Priests, friars, monks and other Churchmen of the Roman Church, shall not be admitted to the holy Communion, unless they first have made a public acknowledgement of their former life and profession.  
4. Incumbents or beneficed persons, bearing the name and title of their bnfice, and those that either directly or indirectly meddle with idolatry, whether they enjoy their benefice under their own hands, or in other mens hands, shall not be received to the Lords Supper.  
5. The Ministers are to be advertised not to receive to the holy Communion any man of other Churches, that hath not a sufficient testimony of his pastor, or in want thereof from an Elder, as far as can be.  
6. A person that is dumb and deaf, that by signs and evident testimonies and gesture, sheweth as much( as he can) his piety and Religion, may be received to the Lords Supper, when after a long experience and holinesse of life the Church can perceive, that he hath faith and true knowledge of God.  
7. The bread of the Lords Table is to be administered to those that drink no wine, making protestation, that they do not abstain from it out of any contempt, and using such endeavours they can in taking and approaching the cup, to prevent all scandals.  
8. It is free for the Pastours, distributing the bread and wine, to use the wonted words; it being an indifferent thing, so that all be done and used to edification.  
9. The Churches shall be advertised, that it belongeth to the Ministers, to administer also the cup as far as it is possible.  
10. Whereas divers persons that are sick, present themselves at the administration and distribution of the holy Communion, for which cause many make difficulty to take the cup after them; therefore the Ministers and Elders are advised, prudently and discreetly to take such care and good order, as doth conduce to so holy an action.  
11. Such as having been long time in the Church, will not come to the Communion of the Lords Table, if they do it out of despect, or for fear to be obliged to renounce all idolatry, shall after divers admonitions, proving fruitless, be cut off from the body of the Church: but if it is by reason of some infirmity, they shall be for some time tolerated, until they be strengthened.  
12. Likewise those, that come to the Congregation onely at the day of the holy Communion, shall be rebuked and admonished to do their duty.  
13. The faithful that do use to hear the Word of God in one Church, and receive the Sacraments in another, shall be censured, and brought to apply themselves to the next and most commodious Church, by the advice of the Colloque or provincial synod.  
14. Although it hath been a custom in most of the Churches in these parts, to celebrate the holy Communion onely four times every year: yet it is much wished and desired, that it might be used more frequently, and yet with all due and requisite reverence and devotion: it being most behoveful, that the faithful people do diligently practise, and still increase in Faith by a frequent practise and usage of this Sacrament, as the example of the Primitive Church, doth also invite us to do. Therefore the national synods are to take therein such care and order, as the good of the Churches may require.   

CHAP. XIII. Of Marriage.  
The first Article. young persons, that are under age, may not contract Matrimony without the consent of their Fathers and Mothers, or others, under whose power they are. And yet if their Fathers and Mothers should be so unreasonable, and void of understanding, as not to give their consent unto a holy and profitable work; yea oppose themselves out of hatred to the Religion: then shall the consistory give such advice and counsel unto the parties, as shall be found fit and convenient.  
2. As for such as are of age, though once married before, they nevertheless are to do so much honour to their Fathers and Mothers; as not to contract marriage without acquainting them first therewith. And if they omit or fail to do the same, they shall be censured by the consistory.  
3. The faithful that are of age, and enjoy their rights, are to be advertised and warned by the Ministers in the public Assemblies of the Church, not to engage themselves by promise to a marriage, unless it be done in the presence of their Parents and friends, neighbours and other good and godly persons. And whosoever shall do otherwise, are to be censured for their levity and disrespect of the said advertisement And it will be very convenient and meet, to make the said promises of marriage with the invocation of the name of God.  
4. Fathers and Mothers, that make profession of the Religion, whose children being Idola●ers, will mary wives of the same Idosatrie, shall be advertised( with all possible care) to turn their children and withhold them from such matrimonie●, and especially if they be not yet of their own freedom, their Parents shall use their fatherly power and authority to hinder them. And if they cannot so much prevail over them, then( being present at the passing of the contract of marriage) they shall protest, that they do abhorred and detest the Idolatry, wherein their children desire more and more to prostitute themselves. This being done, the said Fathers may give their consent or connivance to the promises and conditions touching the dowry and like matters: making also to appear before the consistory the endeavours they have used to hinder the said marriage.  
5. Henceforth words of the future time are to be used in promises of marriage and at bethrothings, and if they be used, shall not be esteemed so indissoluble, as the words of the present tense; seeing these words of the present do not promise, but rather effectually make and conclude the marriage. Yet notwithstanding the said promises made by words of future time, are by no means to be broken or dissolved, without great and lawful causes.  
6. Concerning degrees of affinities, consanguinities and pensiveness in blood the faithful shall not contract matrimony in a nearer degree then is set down and permitted by the Kings Ordinance and Statutes.  
7. It is no ways lawful, nor to be permitted, that any one go to the Pope to ask a dispensation of the hindrances of marriages, concluded or to be concluded. Because by doing so his tyranny is advowed and approved: but in degrees that are not forbidden by God, and yet prohibited by policy and human Law, one may have recourse to the King.  
8 These alliances and affinities, that are called spiritual, are neither comprehended, nor to be understood by the words of consanguinity or affinity in his Majesties Ordinances: and therefore they cannot hinder the parties to mary.  
9. It is not lawful to take to wise the sister of his late wife. For such matches are not onely forbideen by the laws, but also by the Word of God. And although it was ordained by the Law of Moses, that when the brother dyed without child, his brother should then raise up seed to his deceased brother: yet nevertheless that Law, made for the people of Israell, was temporal onely, for the preservation of the Tribes and families of the people. But it is another thing with the Sister of a betrothed spouse deceased; because the Alliance is not contracted or fulfilled by commixtion of blood: And therefore such a marriage may be admitted and approved. nevertheless there is great care to be had, that neither the Magistrates nor the weak ones be thereby offended.  
10 A man once betrothed cannot mary the mother of his deceased betrothed Spouse.  
11. Likewise none can take to wife the Aunt of his wife, such a marriage being incesluous: and although the Magistrate should permit it, yet shall they not be blessed in the Church; whereof the Pastors are to take heed. And for the same cause is the marriage with the niece or grand niece of the deceased wife unlawful and forbidden.  
12. Neither can honesty and seemelinesse permit nor suffer to mary the widow of ones wives brother.  
13 None shall be suffered, after the death of his wife, to mary her, with whom he hath committed adultery, whilst his wife did live.  
14. Whereas the principal cause of Matrimony is to have issue, and to shun fornication: Therefore the marriage of a person, evidently known to be an Eunuch, shall not be admitted nor celebrated in a Reformed Church  
15. Marriages shall be propounded in the Consistory with sufficient attestation of the promises.  
16. The Banes of matrimony are to be asked in the places, where the parties are dwelling and known: and if they desire to keep their wedding somewhere else, then where their Banes were asked, they are to take sufficient attestations of the publication of their three Banes.  
17. The Banes shall be asked three several sundays, in the places, where Sermons ordinarily are kept, and in other places when public exhortations and prayers are made. Howsoever the Banes are to be continued within two weekes, and after that time, and on the very third Sunday the weddings may be celebrated before the whole Assembly.  
18. Those that desire their Banes to be published in some Roman Church, may do it, if they so list, since it is a mere politic business, wherein nevertheless no necessity is imposed.  
19. No body shall be married by the Churches, unless they have fi●st received of him ample knowledge, and given their approbation.  
20. When as one of the parties is of a contrary Religion, the promises of marriage shall not be received nor published in the Church; unless the party of the contrary Religion be first sufficiently instructed, that the same may with a good conscience publicly protest to renounce all Idolatry and superstition, and particularly the mass, and desire and intend, by the grace of God, to continue the rest of his life in the purity of Gods service: and of this instruction the consistory of the Church, where the Protestation is to be made, shall take knowledge: and it shall not be lawful for any Minister nor consistory to do otherwise, under pain of suspension, yea of deposition from the ministry.  
21. If one of the parties that desires to mary, is excommunicated, the marriage then is not to be admitted to the Church, unless the excommunicated person make first acknowledgement of his faults. As for those that are suspended from the Lords Table, the Consistory may give way and permit them to mary, notwithstanding the suspension, but yet not without taking notice of the cause.  
22. The Banes of widows, that mary again, shall not be asked in the Church, before at least seven moneths and a half be expired after the death of their husbands, to prevent scandals and inconveniences that might ensue.  
23. The marriage shall publicly be blessed in the whole Congregation of the faithful: and this is to be done by the ministery of the Pastors, and no body else.  
24. It is meet and good for the order of the Church, not to solemnize a marriage on the dayes when the holy Communion is administered: and this order may not be broken without great cause; whereof the consistory shall take knowledge. Neither is any marriage to be solemnized on the dayes of a public Fast.  
25. Those that being betrothed before they are lawfully married, have dwelled together, whether their fault come to light before or after their wedding is celebrated, shall make public acknowledgement of this fault, or at least before the consistory, according to the direction thereof: and if such a case befall before the day of marriage, then shall at that day such ceremonies or censures be used, as the consistory shall advice; except those that ● have dwelled together during the time of their ignorance, without contempt and disrespect of the ecclesiastical orders: those likewise that dwelled together whilst there was yet no Church established in the place of their abode or in that Country: all which persons are nevertheless to be called before the consistory, that their marriage may be ratified, blessed and notified to the Church, when the consistory finds it meet and necessary.  
26. To prevent the inconveniences befalling by too long delaying of the nuptial benediction, the parties, and those under whose power they are, are advertised not to delay the day of their wedding and solemn blessing longer( if it can be) then six weekes after the Banes.  
27. All marriages shall be enrolled and carefully kept in the Church.  
28. The faithful, whose party is convicted of adultery, shall be admonished to reconcile themselves; and if they will not, then may be declared unto them the liberty which they have by the Word of God. nevertheless, such a case happening in one that hath charge in the Church, he shall not bee suffered to take again his wife●, and to execute his charge.  
29. To rule the dissolving of a marriage by reason of adultery, the offended party and that hath committed no fault, may prosecute in judgement and before the Magistrate the party that hath offended, until by a definitive sentence and judgement the same be convicted: And this sentence the offended party is to bring to the knowledge of the Consistory, whereupon he there may understand the freedom given him, according to the Word of God. But by reason of the difficulties of this time, the Ministers of this kingdom are advised and counseled not to mary again the parties, that otherwise have liberty to provide themselves elsewhere. And as for the party that hath failed and offended, the same shall be proceeded against with great and mature deliberation before any liberty be granted.  
30. If it befall that after the promises past, and before the full accomplishment of marriage, the betrothed woman shall be found to have committed Fornication before or after the promises were made, and it was not known to him that promised her marriage: Then after a definitive sentence, as above said, the Consistory may proceed to a new Matrimony: And on the other side the betrothed woman, shall have the like liberty, if it be found that the betrothed man have after the said promises committed uncleanness.  
31. Women whose husbands are gone from them, and remain absent a long time either for trades sake or otherwise, may address themselves to the Magistrate, if they desire again to mary.  
32. Concerning wives of Priests, friars, and monks, that revolt and turn back again to Idolatry,( whence they formerly withdrew themselves) either singing Masses, or putting themselves again into their cloisters or Covents, they are advertised no longer to dwell with their said husbands, as long as they remain Apostates, least they blemish and burden marriage with infamy and reproach. Yet may they not mary with other men before the first marriage be dissolved by the Magistrate.   

CHAP. XIV. Of particular Rules and advertisements.  
The first Article. NOne shall be received to the Communion of the Church, that hath not first publicly renounced all Idolatries and Superstitions of the Roman Church, and particularly the mass.  
2. It is not lawful for a faithful man to meddle with any thing, where Idolatry is joined withal; as with that which is called Baisemains, Offerings, or spiritual revenues of the Church, to cause Masses, Vigils, or the like Offices to be sung; nourish monks or friars, that are onely ordained to serve superstition. But to hold Priories, Rents, Castle-wicks, or tenors of Castle-ships, and Tithes, to sell the revenues thereof to Church-men, i●●● much as they are their temporal Lords, these are things indifferent and i● the liberty of those that will deal withall. Nevethelesse the faithful are advertised, not to meddle with any such busi●esses, where any abuses may be found in, and have appearance or show of some ill consequence. Whereof the Consistories and Conferences shall judge with all prudence and circumspection.  
3. Those that by unlawful means, as by the Popes bull, or purchase of moneys, hold some benefice, and likewise those that do entertain Idolatry either directly or indirectly, are declared unworthy to be received to the Communion of the Lords Table. As for the benefice, where one may be provided with by right of advowson, whether it be provisionally from the Lord and Lay Patron, or by collation of the Bishop: The faithful are also to be advertised, not to accept of any that shall be offered with what condition soever, whether secret, or expressed and manifest for some service devoted to Idolatry.  
Printers, Booke-sellers, Painters, and other Artificers, and in general all the faithful, and more particularly those that bear any Office in the Church, are admonished, not to frame or make any thing of their Art or Trade, that dependeth directly or indirectly on superstitions in the Roman Church. And as for particular works and businesses, and the corrections that follow and lighten on them, the judgement thereof belongeth to the Consistory.  
5. Notaries, Judges, Secretaries, Clerks, and others, who by the duty of their Offices are obliged to judge, subscribe and seal indifferently affairs, that are presented unto them, are not to be reprehended for having judged, made testaments, contracts or bargains, and dispatched writings and letters of matters that concern Idolatry: neither also the Judges, for having given judgement in causes that touch ecclesiastical goods, and the Kings Edicts or Ordinances.  
6. Arbitrators are by no means to meddle with matters concerning Idolatry directly or indirectly.  
7. Advocates or Counsellors at Law, Proctors and attorneys, shall neither pled, require nor give counsel in causes, that are merely and properly belonging to benefice: Yet nevertheless they may pled and sue causes, that concern the execution of the Edicts or Ordinances, except in a case to establish the mass, where the Protestants have Sermons.  
8. The Bishops and their Commissaries or Chancellors, as also the Archdeacons, as are at this time, have no right or power at all, and neither Civill or temporal nor ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the Churches: But nevertheless because the faithful are forced to come and app●are before them to obtain their right, which otherwise cannot be gotten, they therefore may address themselves unto them, being sent and so ordained by the Magistrate, to whom they are to make their first addresses.  
9. Counsellors at Law, or Advocates, that are of the true Religion, are in no wise to pled before episcopal Commissaries or Officials, except in cases, wherein ones right may be sought for and prosecuted before them; and in conformity to the former Article.  
10. It is not lawful in itself to practise and execute temporal or Civill jurisdictions, Procurations, and Letters of attorney in ecclesiastical Courts, when matters do not concern what there is called Spi●i●ualty.  
11. The faithful shall not be suffered to get, take or sand out Informations, Summons, or Excommunications, out of the Roman Church.  
12. Because it is neither lawful nor meet to go to hear Sermons or Predicators of the Roman Church, or of any other persons that intrude themselves, without any lawful calling, thereinto, the flocks therefore shall be hindered and withholden by their Pastors, from going thither; and such as notwithstanding do go, shall be called before the Consistory and be censured, according to the desert and necessity of the case.  
13. Lords, Gentlemen, and others, shall be admonished( in confosrmity of the ecclesiastical Discipline) to keep and entertain in their hou●es and families no scandalous or unreformable persons; and chiefly if they suffer Priests that sing mass, or such others as ●each strange Doctrines, and are broachers of new opinions and Sects; or if they take any such persons into their service.  
14. Fathers and Mothers shall be exhorted, to be careful in the instruction of their Children, which are( as it were) the Nurcery of the Church: And whosoever of them shal sand their Children to the schools of Priests, monks, jesuits, and Nuns, shall be proceeded against with all ecclesiastical censures. Those also that put their Children out to be Pages, or otherwise servants in houses of Lords and Gentlemen of the contrary Religion, are likewise to be earnestly admonished.  
15. Such as have Brothers, Sisters, or other kinsmen or allies, that forsake their ●loysters or Covents, to serve God with liberty of Conscience, shall be exhorted to favour, assist and provide for them; according to the duty of Charity, proximity and alliance.  
16. Neither Ministers, nor other persons of the Church, may cause books to be Printed, whether they be made by themselves or others, about matters of Religion, nor otherwise to publish them, unless they have first communicated the same with the Conference, or( if need be) with the provincial Synod: and( if the matter be urgent) with the Universities, or at least with the Neighbour Pastors.  
17. Those that employ their wits to writ in Poetry Histories of the holy Scripture, shall be advertised, not to mingle poetical Fables, and not to attribute unto God the names of false Gods, and neither to add: unto, not to take away from the Scripture, but rather to keep, as near as they can the terms thereof.  
18. The books of the Bible, whether canonical or others, are not to be transformed or changed into Comedies or Tragedies.  
19. The Churches, where some Printers are of, shall admonish the said Printers, to forbear the Printing of books touching the Religion, or ecclesiastical Discipline, until they first have communicated with the Consistories, by reason of the incouveniences that are befallen. And the said Printers, Stationers, and Booke-sellers, shall also be exhorted, not to sell books made for, or concerning Idolatry, or otherwise scandalous; and containing wantonness and obscenity, and what may corrupt good manners.  
20. Although the Priests do falsely usurp, and encroach on the Titles, by reason of their administration, yet nevertheless, they ought to be pay in regard of the Kings commandement, and to prevent sedition and scandal.  
21. The faithful are to be exhorted not to commit any scandal, if they should work on such dayes as are kept idle and called holy dayes, according to the Edict.  
22. All violence and injurious words against those of the Roman Church, and particularly against Priests and monks, shall not onely be hindered and forborn, but also with all possibility restrained.  
23. All usury shall be most strictly forbidden and suppressed: and in matter of loan, every one ought to govern himself, according to the Kings Ordinance, and the rule of charity.  
24. Swearers, who out of anger, levity, or vanity, take the name of God in vain, and others that tear the Majesty of the Lord, must be heavily censured. And if after one or two several and severe admonitions they do not desist and leave their wickedness, they shall be suspended, from the Lords Table; and the outrageous blasphemers and other common swearers and such like, shall in no way be tolerated or suffered in the Church, but shall be censured presently after their first faults known, until they be suspended from the holy Communion: and if they do still continue, they shall publicly be excommunicated.  
25. The Churches shall admonish the faithful, both men and women, to use and apply themselves wholly to modesty, and particularly in their apparels, wherein order shall be taken, that all excesse● and supe●●luities thereby committed be cut off, lessened and reformed. Yet the said Churches are not to make any laws or ordinance about the same, as being a matter belonging to the Magistrate, but by all serious remonstrances cause the Kings Ordinances, set forth about apparels, to be diligently observed.  
26. No body may be deprived of the Communion for any fashion sake of apparel, that is ordinary and usual in this kingdom: but in this rank are not to be comprehended such as bear a notorious mark of impudicity, dissolution, or too curious a novelty, as in painting, opening of the breast and the like fashions, whereof both men and wom●n ab●se for their falsely pretended ornaments. How soever the Co●sis●ories shall use all endeavours to supresse and put down such dissolutions by censures; and shall proceed against the stubborn rebels, as far as to suspend them from the Lords Table.  
27. Dancing i● to be suppressed, and those that take the liberty or custom to dance, after they have been several times admonished, shall be excommunicated, when they show themselves obstinate in their rebellion. And the Consistories are exhorted, well to put this Article into execution and to read the same publicly in the name of God, and in the authority of the Synods; and the said Synods and Conferences are exhorted to take heed of, and warn those Consistories, that therein do not their duties, to censure the offenders for it.  
28. Mummings masks, Jugglings, & such foolish plays are not to be tolerated, nor keeping of Shrove-tide, with like dissolutions; nor Tumblers and Players, of Puppy plays, and other such tricks. But Christian Magistrates are exhorted not to suffer them, because thereby is entertained curiosity, wanronnesse, vain expenses, and loss of time. And therefore it shall not be lawful to assist at Comedies, Tragedies, and other interludes, plays of manners, and other plays represented publicly or privately, because at all times they have been prohibited amongst the Christians, as causing and bringing corruptions of good manners; and more particularly, when thereby the scripture is profaned. Yet nevertheless, when in some college it shall be found mere and be●ovefull for the young Schollers, to represent some Histories, the same may there be tolerated, yet so that the same be not taken out of the holy Scripture, which is not given us to be played, but to be preached: and so also that such plays be made rarely and seldom, and with the advice of the Conference, who is to see first the composition.  
29. All plays forbidden by the Statutes and Ordinances of the King as playing at cards, Di●●, and other games of hazard, as also such wherewith concurreth avarice, immodesty, notorious and manifest loss of time and scandal, are to be suppressed, and the persons using them, to be reprehended and admonished in the consistory, and censured according to the circumstances. Lotteries also cannot be approved or allowed of, whether they b● set up by the permission of the Magistrate or otherwise: and the faithful Magistrates are exhorted, to have an eye and be careful here●●  
30. To assist and find himself at feasts and banquets, of Bridals, Marriages and Nativities of children, which are made by those of the Roman Church, is in itself an indifferent thing; but yet the faithful are advertised to use them as far as standeth with edification, and to prove and search their own hearts, whether they may be strong enough to resist and oppose victoriously the dissolutions and other evils, which may there be committed, and so rather to reprehend then to commend them. Amongst these feasts are not comprehended those that are made by Priests that sing their first mass. For it is not lawful for any faithful to come to the same.  
31. Neither is any faithful person to appear and assist at weddings and feastings of those who revolt from the profession of the gospel, to mary with a party of the contrary Religion: As for such as long since are revolted, or have always been popish, it is left to the prudence of the faithful to consider, what is meet and fit.  
32. Those that challenge, or cause others to be called into duel; o● such also that being challenged do accept thereof, yea that kill their parties, though they have since obtained their pardons, or have otherwise been justified, are to be censured as far, as to be suspended from the holy Communion, which suspension shall presently be published; and if they desire to be again received to the peace of the Church, they shall make public acknowledgement of their salt.  
33. The Articles herein contained, concerning the Discipline, are not so determined amongst us, that, if the utility or good of the Church shall require, they may not be altered: but yet it shall not be in the power of Ministers, Consistories, Colloques, or Conferences, or provincial Synods, to add, charge, alter, or diminish them, without the advice and consentment of the Natio-nall Synod    

And this present Order and Discipline of the Church hath thus been resolved and concluded by the national Synods held.  

THe first at Paris, the 25. of May, 1559.  
The second at Poittiers, the 10. of March, 1560.  
The third at Orleans, the 25. of april, 1562.  
The fourth at lions, the 10. of August, 1563.  
The fifth at Paris, the 25. of December, 1565.  
The sixth at Verteuil, the 1. of September, 1567.  
The seventh at R●chell, the 2. of april, 1571.  
The eight at Nismes, the 6. of May, 1572.  
The ninth at saint Foy, the 2. of February, 1575.  
The tenth at Figeac, the 2. of August, 1579.  
The eleventh at rochel, the 28. of June, 1581.  
The twelfth at Vitry, the 16. of May, 1583.  
The thirteenth at Montauban, the 15. of June, 1594.  
The fourteenth at Saumur, the 13. of May, 1596.  
The fifteenth at Montpellier, the 26. of May, 1598.  
The sixteenth at Iargean, the 9. of May, 1601.  
The seventeenth at Gap, the 1. of October, 1603.  
The eighteen at rochel, the 1. of March, 1607  
The nineteenth at saint Maixent, the 25. of May, 1609  
The twentieth at Privas in Vivarets, the 24. of May, 1612.  
The twenty one at Tonnins the 2 of May 1614.  
The twenty two at Vitry the 18 of May 1617  
The twenty three at Ales the 2. of November, 1620.  
The twenty four at Charenton, the 30. of September, 1623  
The twenty five at Castres the 4 of November, 1626  
The twenty six at Charenton the 10 of October, 1631  
The twenty seventh at Alensson, the 10 of july. 1637   
FINIS.