LIVRE DES COLLOQUES

Ans : The Assemblie taking into serious consideration the dangerous consequence of such a toleration, as being not only repugnant to the practice of the Reformed Churches, but also to a late Ordinance of Parliament made against Pluralities, Have resolved that the aforesaid Article for tolerating Pluralities shall be anulled and utterly abolished. And in case, any Congregation be disabled through povertie to allow a competent maintenance to their Minister, that then such a Minister may fly to the 1st Article of the same Synode in that case provided, viz1 That the richer Churches shall be helpfull to the poorer.

2. Qu: Whether it be requisite that the 9th Article of the former Synod be put in practise ? viz1 That both the Disciplines of our Churches be revised and one. generall Discipline be made out of them both for a bond of neerer union between the two nations, &c. ?

A.ns : Although for the reason above mentionned it may hereafter be of excellent use, Yet for as much as the present execution thereof may seem, unseasonable, in regard of the sad distractions of this Kingdome, And that the Parliament it self is now about a Reformation, The Synod thinks it expedient that it should not be alltogether abolished, but deferred until ye next Synod : And in the meane time, that the persons to whose care & trust the business was comitted, viz1 Dr De Laune, Mr Delmé, Mr Libaert, Mr Calendrin Ministers, and Mr Bulteel & Mr Hoste Elders, shall be discharged.

3. Qu : Whether it be now a fit season to petition the Parliam1 for the setting of our liberty in the exercise of our Religion & Discipline, as they are respectively used beyond the seas in the Reformed Churches of both nations &c acording to the 10th Article of the former

Synod ? . .. ,

Ans : The Assembly considering the great af aires of state that are now m agitation,, ancl the wofull disasters of this bleeding Kingdome, doth judge it as yet unseasonable to petition, the Parliament in that behalf, and thinks it fit that it be deferred until the next Synod, or till it shall please the Lord to grant us a fitter oportunity : And in the mean time, that the Quere thereof shall be recomended unto the Coetus of the forreign Churches in London.

Sessio 2da, liora M pomeridiand , 14* Mai}.

4. A Report was made by the Brethren of the French Churches, of a certain Act made in their present Colloque for the utter abolition of all Festivals and Holy-dayes in generall, the Lords day onely excepted. And the Assembly considering that such, an Act might be prejudicial! to other Churches, whose practise is diferent, hath thought fitting that a narrative should be made of the aforesaid Report, with this qualification following,

That the Brethren of the French Churches assembled in a Colloque at London, m the yeare 1644, having made an Act for the utter abolition of all Festivals and Holy-dayes, Have declared that they do not intend thereby to judge or condemn other reformed Churches, whose practise is diferent in this particular.

5 Qu- Whereas divers Synods of the Netherland Churches have not specified the Visitation of the Sick among the duties of a Minister ; It was demanded by the Brethren ot the Dutch Churches, whether or no it be the peculiar office of a Minister to visit the Sic .

Arts • It is the duty of a Minister at all convenient times to visit the sick that are under his charge, when he is called thereunto, Acording to the use and Discipline of every Church.

6. Qu: What course may fitly be taken with such members of our Congregations, who continually absent themselves from the hearing of God’s word, and the receiving ot the ho y Sacrament, ioyning themselves to the private meetings of the Separatists not allowed by the Magistrate, And being admonished by us, will not desist, upon pretence that by these meetings they are better edified ; Also pretending tenderness of conscience, and that our Congregations are full of scandalous members, whom they desire not to make known unto us ; And it such require a Church Testimonial! to depart, whether it shall be granted unto them ?

Ans : The Assembly after mature deliberation, findes it a matter of greatest consequence, wherein the well-being of all the Churches is deeply concerned : And for answer thereunto hath determined as followeth,

1st. That the chiefest remedy against this grievance is to be expected from the Parliament.

2ly. That in the meantime our best endeavours be used to prevent the further growth of this evil, viz*

1. That the Discipline be more strictly put in execution against scandalous persons, whose admission to the holy Comunion is the maine pretence of their separating from us.

2. That Ministers endeavour both in private and in publick to reduce such as begin to stray to the Unitie of the Church whereof they are members.

3. That fervent prayers be directed to that purpose in our monethly fasts.

4. That publick warning be given to our severall Congregations, in the name of this Assembly, that all should take heed of disturbing the peace of the Church by such disorderly separation.

5. That no Testimonial or Certificate shall he granted unto them, lest we should seem thereby to countenance their Separation.

7. Report was made by the Brethren of the Dutch Churches that all their Ministers have subscribed the Articles of the Synod of Dort, wch the French Brethren have aprouved and taken into their consideration.

8. Finally it is resolved by this Reverend Assembly, that both the Colloques of the French and Dutch nations, shall meet together in London, upon the first thursday in May in the year

These Acts have been read and agreed upon by the said Assembly, and the Moderator Assessor & Scriba, in the name of all, this 16th of May, 1644.

subscribed

by

Cæsar Calandrin, Præses.

Joh : De La Marche, Assessor.

Jonas Proost, Scriba.