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Syniodales Testes

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Synge, Edward

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were persons anciently summoned out of every parish in order to appear at the episcopal synods, and there attest or make preferment. of the disorders of the clergy and people. In aftertimes they were a kind of empanelled jury, consisting of two, three, or more persons in every parish, who were, upon oath, to present all heretics and other irregular persons. These, in process of time, became standing officers in several places, especially in great cities, and hence were called SYDESMEN (See SYDESMEN) (q.v.). They were also called Questmen, from the nature of their office in making inquiry concerning offenses. But this latter duty devolved mostly upon the church-wardens.