this Assembly that in the Account of the University of Nismes there was a resumption of sixteen hundred and four Livers eighteen Sous and eight Deniers owing from the Sieur Palot whilst he was Receiver General and seven hundred and twenty Livers in the Account of the University of Montpellier they petitioned this Assembly that they would be pleased to allow thereof in payment and that the said sums might be deducted upon the Debet of the said Account as also that there might be allowed unto the Sieurs Ferrier and Gigord for the years 1601 1602 1603 and 1604 the sum of sixteen hundred Livers wanting to make up the sum of six hundred granted them by an Ordinance of the Provincial Synod of Montpellier and this both for the time past and to come and farther to allow upon the Debet of the same Account unto the Sieur Gigord his Wages for the years One thousand six hundred and nine ten and eleven which were not allowed him upon pretence of his being absent and farther that they would be pleased to allow towards the Impression of certain Books the sums which were razed out This Assembly did hereupon ordain that upon the Debt of the aforesaid Accounts there shall be allowed and deducted the sum of sixteen hundred Livers unto the said Sieurs Gigord and Ferrier for the years above-mentioned besides what was allowed them for their Wages by the Commissioners and for the years 1609 1610 and 1611. And unto the Sieur Gigord notwithstanding what was álledged against him for his absence the sum of one thousand and fifty Livers according to the Account stated in the National Synod of St. Maixant and farthermore the said sums owing by Pallot provided that they make it appear by his Account that they are due unto them and not received from him and that the over-plus amounting to eleven thousand one hundred and nine Livers shall be paid out of the Moneys due unto the Churches of the said Province as it shall be appointed in the Dividend and for the seven hundred and one and fifty Livers due unto the Heirs of Monsieur Mousnier deceased who in his life-time was Professor of Divinity in the University of Nismes as appears from the close and upshot of that Universities Account they shall be paid out of those Moneys which may be owing the said Province of Lower Languedoc by the Lord du Candall or his Deputy he being now at Privas from the remainders of Moneys to come in for the years One thousand six hundred and four five and six And where they cannot be intirely paid they shall be reprised out of the Moneys which shall hereafter become due 16. Out of the Arrearages due unto the Churches from the remaining Moneys of the years six hundred and four five and six amounting to the sum of two and twenty thousand five hundred threescore and fifteen Livers the Assembly ordaineth that the tenth portion of the said Moneys be given unto the Sieur Vignier as a Gratuity and acknowledgment of his Charges and great Pains taken in the Writing and Printing of his Book intituled Le Theatre de l'Antechrist And the fortieth part of the said Moneys is freely given unto the Sieur Cuper Deputy of the Lord du Candal and the said portions shall be paid only with an abatement of a Sous in the Liver unless the said Sieur Vignier be pleased to accept of five hundred Livers clear of all incumbrances or defalcations 17. Out of the best Moneys of Arrearages due unto the Churches by the Lord du Candal for the years six hundred four five and six there shall be given the summ of three hundred Livers unto Monsieur Tompson Pastor of the Church of Chaflaignerey to help to bear his Charges in Printing his book intitled la Chasse de la Besle Romaine as also unto the Sieur Sonis Professor of Theology in the University of Montauban there shall be given the sum of three hundred Livers out of the same Moneys as a gratuity for his worthy Labors 18. The Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc having given their reasons why the Churches of Sevennes and Gevaudan tho separated from them should bear one half of the half of eleven thousand one hundred and some odd Livers for which the whole Province were joyntly together become debtors unto the General stock of the Churches This Assembly ordaineth that both the one and other Synod shall make restitution of the said sums by equal portions both alike and this within the term of three years and they shall bring in their Accounts for it unto the next National Synod 19. Whereas upon auditing the Accounts of the Province of Higher Languedoc for the University of Montauban in this Assembly it appeared that they owed five thousand four hundred and sixteen Livers thirteen Sous and four Deniers it is now decreed that the said Province shall repay this Money within the term of three years by equal portions yearly and the first payment to begin this very year until the whole debt be fully satisfied not but that the said Province may take its course in Law against those who have had the management of those Moneys 20. The Assembly having debated about the number of Universities to be maintained by us have resolved that till the next National Synod the Universities of Montauban of Saumur of Nismes and Montpellier shall be maintained but according to those Laws and Orders which shall be hereafter prescribed to them and in case they do not bring in unto the next National Synod a good and satisfactory Account of their Moneys they shall from this very day be razed and dissolved 21. In Regulating the Professors for our Universities of Saumur and Montauban this Assembly Ordained that there should be two Professors of Divinity in full imployment and to each of them there shall be given the yearly sum of seven hundred Livers and they shall also in case of Ability be permitted to serve in the Ministry the Church compounding with them about their Salary and the portion of Royal Moneys shall be reckoned as a part thereof And as touching the other Professors those Orders made by the National Synod of St. Maixant shall be observed excepting always that the first Regents if capable of teaching Rhetorick and Professing Eloquence shall only receive four hundred Livers Salary and thus there shall be given one hundred Livers over and above the three hundred formerly assigned unto the first Regent at Saumur and an hundred Livers more unto Montauban for their first Regent also over and above the wages he now receiveth from the said City 22. And to every Professor of Divinity in the University of Nismes and Montpellier that is in full imployment there is ordained the sum of seven hundred Livers fourteen hundred for the two and to the Professor of Hebrew four hundred Livers to both eight hundred and to the Colledge of Beziers the four hundred Livers before-mentioned the whole sum thus granted amounting to
Province of Burgundy for the sixty Livers assigned to their Colledge by vertue of an Ordinance of that Provincial Synod And in case of Non-obedience unto this our Act they shall be proceeded against by all Ecclesiastical Censures 13. The Statutes framed for the conduct and government of our Universities Gap p. m. 18. Privas of Universs 2◠having been read in this Assembly were approved and Provincial Synods Colloquies Consistories and Academical Councils are all exhorted to have a special Eye that they be carefully and punctually observed CHAP. XI The Accompts of our Vniversities and Colledges as also a Dividend of Moneys given by their Majesties unto our Churches Vniversities and Colledges since the National Synod of Privas 1612. 1. THE Accompts of the University of Montauban for Moneys given them by the National Synod of Privas for the years 1612 and 1613 having been presented by Mr. Daniel Chamier and John Bardon were perused and examined and a Decree past that they should be allowed of as to the sums contained in their receipt of those two years a 1612 and 1613 without making it a Precedent for the future nor approving the Expences of the said University over and above their Income assigned them in the Synod of Privas and the books of those Accompts remain in the custody of the said Bardon together with the Copy of the Accompts duly signed whose Original was given unto the Deputies of Xaintonge to be put into the Archives of the Town of Rochel 2. The Accompts of the Universities of Montpellier and Nismes for Moneys given them by the Synod of Privas for the years 1612 and 1613 were brought in by Mr. John Bansillon read and examined and whereas it appeared by them that one of their Professors in Theology at Montpellier had his Wages paid him for half of this present year and the Professor in Hebrew until May last it was decreed that those Accompts or the signed Copy of them should be left in the hands of the said Bansillon and presented unto the next National Synod by the Deputies of Lower Languedoc The Accompts also of the Colledge of Beziers shall be brought unto the Synod of Lower Languedoc there to be audited and afterward tendered unto the National Synod And all this shall be done without making it a Precedent for the future nor as approving the Expences of the said University over and above their Income setled upon them by the Synod of Privas And those Books of Accompts shall be in the keeping of the said Monsieur Bansillon And both the said Universities shall give in their Accompts about the four hundred sixty and six Livers two Sous and eight Deniers remaining in the hands of the Receiver of Lower Languedoc 3. The Accompt of the University of Saumur for Moneys of the years 1612 and 1613. seen examined and shut up by the Synod of Anjou assembled at Saumur the fifth of April 1614. was presented together with the Books thereof unto this Assembly and now revised and cast up by Commissioners ordained to that purpose who made report that the said University had payed all the wages of the Professors Regents and Officers belonging to it unto the first of April last And more those of the two Professors in Divinity one in Philosophy of the four Regents and of their Bedel unto the first of July now coming And that they have yet in Arrears by them for the perfecting the said Accompt the summ of 1062 Livers and eight Sous for which they will be responsible and their Books of Accompts together with the Original of the said Accompt approved in all its Branches were by this Assembly left with Monsieur Bouchereau who brought in the Accompt for this University to be put into the hands of the Deputies of Xaintonge and by them to be laid up in the Archives of Rochel 4. For the future the Universities of the Higher and Lower Languedoc shall bring in their Accompts unto their Provincial Synods to be examined by them and afterward by the Deputies of the said Provinces they shall be presented unto our National Synod 5. The Accompt of the Colledge of Brittany for Moneys from the year 1608 unto the year 1612 having been read examined and shut up in the Synod of Anjou the fourteenth of May 1613. and the summ of 1200 Livers put down to their Receipt for those four years before-mentioned payed into the Colledges of Blain Vitré and Viellevigne it was past also in this Assembly And whereas the said Province was to have accounted for the years 1612 and 1613. by its Deputies they were ordered to bring in the said Accompts unto the Synod of Anjou and thence unto the next National Synod on pain of being deprived of all their Colledge Money for time to come 6. The Accompt of the Province of the Isle of France for the Colledge of Clermont form the year 1607 unto this now current 1614. according to the Decree of Privas having been read examined perfected and approved by the Synod of Berry the seventh of March last and there being omitted in the Heel of the Accompt sixty one Livers and five Sous which have been since made good by the Synod of the said Province of the Isle of France in obedience unto that Order of transmitting it unto Berry the 13th of March last Therefore the whole was approved 7. The Accompt of the Colledge of Berry setled at Chastillon on the Loire for the yeas 1612 and 1613. was past and approved for the eight hundred Livers given to it 8. The Accompt of the Colledge of Poictou was perfected and accepted by the Synod of Xaintonge the ninth of April 1614 and approved by this Assembly but with this proviso that it should not be made a Precedent for time to come 9. The Account of the Colledge of Burgundy for the years 1612 and 1613. was cast up examined and approved 10. The Province of Normandy reporting that through the death of several Regents they had lost their Acquittances and could bring in none other Accompt than the Attestation of their Provincial Synod which inserted a particular Article to this purpose into their Memoirs This Assembly admitting their excuse for what is past injoineth the said Province and all other Provinces to see the Accompts for their Colledges allowed and approved by their respective Synods and from them to be transmitted unto the National Privas of Universities 10. 11. The Accompt of the Colledge of Vivaretz was cast up and accepted 12. The Accompt of the Colledge of Sevennes was examined by the Synod of their Province and approved in this also 13. The Province of Provence having given in none Accompt of the Moneys granted them for their Colledge according to the form appointed them nor set up any Schools according to what was decreed in the former Synods is pardoned for what is past but enjoyned for the future to erect one or two Colledges and to bring in sufficient discharges unto the next National
Cities in which there is a Bishoprick or Archbishoprick but yet this shall not in the least prejudice those of the said pretended Reformed Religion so as to disable them from demanding or nominating for the said place of Worship the Burroughs and Villages near unto the said Cities excepting also the places and Lordships belonging unto the Ecclesiasticks in which 't is not our Intention that the said second place of Bailywick should he established We having out of our special Grace and Favour excepted and reserved them And we will and understand that by and under the name of ancient Bailywicks be meant those which were in being during the Reign of our Honoured Lord and Father-in-Law the late King Henry the Second and were reputed for Bailywicks Seneschallies and Governments depending immediately on the Jurisdiction of our Courts aforesaid XII Nor do we intend by this present Edict to derogate from those Edicts and Grants which we have formerly made for the reducing of divers Princes Lords Gentlemen and Catholick Towns unto our obedience by any thing which concerneth the exercise of the said Religion which Edicts and Grants shall be maintained and observed in this particular according to the import of those Instructions which shall be given by us unto those Commissioners who shall be appointed for the executing of this present Edict XIII We do most strictly forbid all those of the said Religion to exercise any part thereof whether as to the Ministry or Order or Discipline or publick Instruction of Children and any others in this our Kingdom or any Lands under our Dominion in what concerneth the said Religion unless in those places permitted and granted by this present Edict XIV As also there shall be no exercise of the said Religion in our Court or Retinue nor in our Territories or Countries on the other side of the Alps nor also in our City of Paris nor within five Leagues of the said City Yet notwithstanding the Professors of the said Religion who live in the Territories and Countries on the other side of the Alps and in our said City and within five Leagues thereof shall not be sought after in their Houses nor be obliged to do any thing upon the account of the Religion aforesaid against their Consciences provided that they do in all other things demean themselves according to the import of this present Edict XV. Nor may the publick exercise of the said Religion be performed in our Armies unless in the Quarters of the Chieftains professing the said Religion excepting always the place where our Royal Person shall be Lodged XVI In pursuance of the second Article of the Conference at Nerac we do not permit those of the said Religion to build places for its exercise in those Towns and places where we have granted it unto them and those which they have already built shall be restored to them or the Landlord of them in that condition in which it is at present and that in those places where the said exercise is not permitted them unless they have been since converted into some other kind of Buildings In which case they who now possess the said Edifices and Buildings Lands and places of equal price and value according as they were rated before they had built them or their just price as they shall be estimated by persons of skill and judgment in such matters Saving always to the said Proprietors and Possessors their recourse against all to whom they may belong XVII We forbid all Preachers Readers and other Persons who speak in publick to use any words discourses or talk which tendeth to stir up the People unto Sedition Yea we have enjoined and do enjoin and Command them to contain and deport themselves soberly and to speak nothing but what may be for the instruction and edification of their Hearers and that they maintain the repose and tranquillity established by us in our said Kingdom under those penalties expressed in our former Edicts Enjoining most strictly our Attorneys General and their Substitutes that according to the duties of their Office they do make information against those who shall break and transgress this our Law upon pain of answering for it in their own private and particular Capacities and of forfeiting their Offices XVIII We do also forbid all our Subjects of whatever quality or condition they may be to take away by force or by inticements against the will of their Parents the Children of those of the said Religion and to cause them to be baptized or confirmed in the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Church as also the same Prohibitions are made by us against those of the said pretended Reformed Religion and all this on pain of exemplary punishment XIX The Professors of the said pretended Reformed Religion shall not be in any manner constrained nor stand obliged by reason of Abjurations Promises and Oaths which they have made heretofore or for any securities given by them upon the account of the said Religion nor shall they be molested nor troubled in any manner whatsoever XX. They shall be bound also to keep and observe the Holy-Days Commanded by the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Church nor may they work sell nor keep open Shops on those Days nor may Artificers work out of their Shops unless it be in their Chambers and Houses close shut upon those Holy-Days and other days prohibited in any Trade so that the noise thereof should be heard without by the Passengers or Neighbours However none but the Officers of Justice shall make inquiry after it XXI Nor may any Books of the said pretended Reformed Religion be Printed or sold publickly unless in those Towns and Places where the publick Exercise of the said Religion is allowed And as for other Books which shall be imprinted in other Towns they shall be seen and perused as well by our Officers as by Divines according to the import of our Decrees And we do most strictly forbid the Imprinting Publishing and Sale of all Books Libels and defamatory Writings under the Penalties contained in our Decrees and we enjoin all our Judges and other Officers to look carefully unto it XXII We do Ordain That there shall be no difference nor distinction made upon the account of Religion in the receiving of Scholars for their Education in Universities Colledges and Schools and of sick and poor Persons into Hospitals and Spittles or to the participation of publick Alms. XXIII Those of the said pretended Reformed Religion shall be obliged to keep the Laws of the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Church received in this our Kingdom about Marriages Contracted or to be Contracted within the degrees of Consanguinity and Affinity XXIV In like manner those of the said Religion shall pay according to the usual Custom the Fees for entrance into those Offices and Charges which are bestowed upon them without ever being compelled to assist at any Ceremonies contrary to their said Religion and when ever they be called to take an Oath they
Relapst shall be Executed according to their form and tenour XII And furthermore Those of the said Pretended Reformed Religion till such time as it shall please God to illuminate them as others have been may abide in the Towns and Places of our Kingdom Countries and Lands of our Dominion and continue their Traffick and injoy their Goods without being troubled or hindred because of the said Pretended Reformed Religion Provided as before That they do not exercise it nor assemble themselves on pretence of Prayers or of any manner of worship according to that said Religion on the Penalties beforementioned of Confiscation of Bodies and Goods We Command all our Trusty and Well-beloved Counsellors in our Court of Parliament of Accounts and Court of Aids at Paris Bayliffs Seneschalls Provosts and other our Justices and Officers to whom it shall belong and to their Deputies that they cause this present Edict to be read published and registred in their Courts and Jurisdictions yea and in Vacations and to entertain it and cause it to be entertained kept and observed in every particular without swerving and that in no manner of wise they permit the least swerving from it For such is our Will and Pleasure And that this may be for ever firm and stable we have caused these Presents to be Sealed with our Seal Given at Fountainbleau in the Month of October in the Year of Grace one thousand six hundred eighty and five and in our Reign the Forty Third Signed LOVIS Visa Le Tellier And a little lower By the KING Colbert And Sealed with the Great Seal of Green Wax upon threads of red and green silk Registred heard and at the Request of the Kings Attorney General that they might be Executed according to their form and tenor and Copies collationed sent unto the Courts Bailiwicks and respective Jurisdictions that they might be in like manner Registred And the Deputies of the King 's said Attorney-General are Commanded to see its Execution and to Certifie the Court thereof At Paris in the Chamber of Vacations the two and twentieth day of October in the Year one thousand six hundred fourscore and five Signed De la Baune SECT LII The same day that this Edict was Registred which was the 23d of October they began to throw down the Temple of Charenton and at the same time little notes were disperst abroad to the heads of Families for their Appearance before Mr. Attorney-General to give in their Answer whether in three days they would embrace the Roman Catholick Religion or not The Eldest Minister of this Church was Commanded to leave Paris in four and twenty hours and immediately to depart the Kingdom this was that excellent Man of God Monsieur Claude who afterward died at the Hague Of whom I shall say more in my Icones One of the Kings Footmen was ordered to see him safe out of the Kings Dominions His Collegues met with a little better treatment for they had forty eight hours given them to quit Paris and upon their parole for so doing they were left to shift for themselves Accordingly Monsieur Maynard Allix and Bertau come for England and are here exercising their Ministry The rest of the Ministers were allowed fifteen days for their departure but it can hardly be believed to what Cruelties and Vexations they were exposed They were not permitted to dispose of their Estates nor to carry away any of their moveables or effects yea they disputed them their very Books and private Papers upon this pretence that they must prove and justify their Books and Papers did not belong to their Consistories A task impossible for there were no Consistories then in being Moreover they would not give them leave to take along with them either Father or Mother Brother or Sister or any of their Relations or Kindred though they were many of them infirm diseased and impoverished and could not in any wise subsist without their help Yea and they went so far as to deny them their own Children if they were above seven years old yea and some that were under that age and were as yet hanging upon their Mothers Breasts They refused them Nurses for their new-born Infants although their own Mothers could not suckle them In some Frontier places they stopped and imprisoned them upon trifling and ridiculous pretences They must immediately prove that they were really the same Persons which their Certificates mentioned And they would know whether there were no Criminal Process or Informations out against them They must presently justify that they carried away nothing with them that belonged unto any one of their respective Churches Sometimes having thus amused and detained them they would tell them the space of fifteen days allotted them by the Edict for their Departure was now expired and that therefore they should have no liberty to leave the Kingdom but must be sent unto the Gallies There was hardly any kind of deceit and injustice and troubles in which these worthy Ministers of Christ were not involved And yet through rich mercy very few revolted the far greatest number of them escaped either into England Holland Germany or Switzerland yea and some are now setled in New-England SECT LIII As for the residue of the Protestants whom the Violence of Persecution and the Cruel Usages they endured had necessitated to abandon their Estates Families Relations and native Country it is hardly to be imagined to what dangers they were exposed Never were Orders more rigorous and severe nor more strictly Executed than those which were given out against them They doubled the Guards at every Post in all Cities Towns High-ways Fords and Ferries They covered the Country with Souldiers they armed the very Peasants that they might stop the Reformed in their Travel or kill them upon the spot They forbad all Officers of the Customs to suffer any Goods Moveables Merchandises or other Effects of theirs to pass out of the Kingdom They forgot nothing that might hinder the flight of these poor Persecuted Creatures insomuch that they interrupted all Commerce with the Neighbouring Nations By this means they quickly filled all the Prisons in the Kingdom For the terrour of the Dragoons the horrour of seeing their Consciences forced and their Children to be taken away from them and to be Educated in Anti-Christian Superstition and damnable Idolatry and of living for the future in a Land where there was neither Justice nor Humanity for them obliged every one to think with himself and consult with others in whom they could confide how to get out of France and so they could but escape without polluting their Consciences many thousands of them were ready to and did actually leave their Worldly All behind them As for the poor Prisoners they have been since treated with unheard of Barbarities shut up in Dungeons loaden with Iron Chains almost starved with Hunger and deprived of all Converse but that of their inhumane Persecutors Many were thrust into their Monasteries where they
2d Article in the Chapter of Marriages and Book of Discipline That all Persons young or old tho' they have been formerly married if they refuse to pay that Honour and Duty unto their Parents of Acquainting them with their intended purpose of Marriage shall be sharply reprov'd by the Consistory This is the 6th Article in the Chapter of Marriage and Book of Displine IX After these words in the third Touching Consanguinities and Affinities the Faithful may not contract Marriage with Persons And in lieu of what follows 1571. Synod VIII Forasmuch as great scandal may proceed from it whereof the Church shall take Cognizance there shall be put unless it be permitted them by the King's Edict X. This Addition shall be made unto the seventh This is the 16th Chapter of Marriage and Book of Discipline And if the Parties resolve to solemnize their Marriages in any other place than that where their Banes were published they shall take with them a sufficient Certificate of their Banes having been thrice published XI And farther Additions shall be made unto this Article 'T is a part of the 21st Article in the Chapter of Marriages and Book of Discipline in these words As for Persons suspended the Lord's Table they shall notwithstanding this their Suspension be permitted Marriage but with this Proviso That they confess their Faults with true Repentance XII This also shall be added That notice be given unto the Faithful That divers Difficulties arising about Marriage-promises may be prevented Promises of Marriage shall be made in words de praesenti they shall â—or time to come make the said Promises in pure and plain words de praesenti nor shall the Consistories admit the Banes of any others to be published in the Church From which promises according to God's Word the said Parties can never be discharged XIII Instead of they shall be admonished This is the 23th Article in the Chapter of Marriage and Book of Discipline in the 19th Article shall be put they may be admonished and at the end shall be added But if it should be the Case of any Church-Officers tho' they Received again their Wives yet shall they be displac'd from that Office they held and exercised in the Church XIV After those words in the twentieth who shall acquaint him with his Liberty according to the Word of God This is the 29th Article in the Chapter of Marriage and Book of Discipline there shall be inserted yet nevertheless because of the many Difficulties we advise the Ministers of this Kingdom not to marry those Parties tho' they be at Liberty to provide themselves elsewhere And after these words And as for what concerns the offending Party the Remainder shall be thus abridged This Liberty after great and mature deliberation shall be declared to him And a definitive Sentence having been obtained from the Civil Magistrate the Consistories may proceed unto the Celebration of that Marriage XV. Touching the fourth Article of particular Matters treated in the Synod of Vertueil and dismissed over to this Synod We have advised That the Wives of Priests and Monks which had been married unto those of them who have since revolted should not cohabit with them as Women with their Husbands least God's Holy Ordinance of Marriage should be loaden with Reproach and Infamy altho the Marriage be not dissolved But illae vocatae sunt ad caelibatum they be called out by God's Providence unto a single Life CHAP. IX Acts passed on Saturday the seventh Day of the same Month. I. To the Head of Marriages the Canon decreed at Vertueil shall be added This is the 21st Article in the Chapter of Marriage and Book of Discipline The Banes of Widows shall not be published till four Months and an half after the decease of their first Husband that the Evil and Scandal which otherwise would fall out may be avoided II. And this also It 's convenient for the keeping up of Discipline in the Church These two Articles make up the 24th in the Chapter of Marriages and Book of Discipline that no Marriage be solemnized on Communion-days And this Canon shall not be dispensed with but for very weighty Causes and those also approved by the Consistory III. Item Marriages shall not be solemnized on days of Fasting Concerning Particular ORDERS IV. THere shall be added after the Word This Article is the 2d in the Chapter of particular Orders Lands belonging unto Castles this word And the Titles in the first Article V. To the third Article there shall be this Addition Judges shall not be reproved for giving Sentences in Causes concerning Ecclesiastical Goods and the Execution of the King's Edict This Article is divided into the 5.6 and 7. Articles of particular Orders in the Book of Discipline And Arbitrators shall in no wise intermeddle with any of those Matters which either directly or indirectly do concern Idolatry Advocates shall be admonished neither to demand nor give Councel in Causes belonging to the Execution of the said Edict VI. On the 4th Article the Queen of Navar demanded our Advice whether through want of others she might with a good Conscience Receive and Establish Roman Catholick Officers in her Dominions This is the 13. Article in this Chapter and Book of Discipline as also in her Conrt and Family To which the Synod humbly replied That her Majesty should take special heed about her Domestick Officers and as much as possible only to imploy Persons fearing God and of the Reformed Religion And that she should cause the Papists that are peaceable and of unblameable Lives to be instructed and that she should utterly discard those Traytors who forsook her in her Necessities and cruelly persecuted God's Saints in these last Troubles VII After those words in the 6th They may address themselves This is the 8th Article in this Chapter and Book of Discipline shall be added in case they be sent by the Magistrate VIII After Brethren and Sisters in the Eighth Article shall be put and other Parents And the last Clause shall be thus couched This is the 16th Article in the Chapter and Book of Discipline And they shall be exhorted to assist and provide for them according to the Laws of Humanity and Book This present Body of Church-Discipline having been diligently examin'd according to God's Word by all the Ministers and Elders of the Reformed Churches of France was in all its Heads and Articles approved by the said Deputies who in their own Names and for their Churches did Promise and protest to keep and observe it for the Edification of the Church the Conservation of Order and their mutual Union that God might be the better glorified by them N. B. The Discipline was kept most strictly forty Years after this Synod and then they began to lax the Reigns yeilding too much to the Iniquity of the Time CHAP. X. Particular Orders about publishing of Books
him who hath the Grant and in case the said Assembly shall meet it shall give Notice thereof unto the Colloquy wherein the Vacancy is and also inform the said Colloquy of the vacant place and place of abode of him that hath the said Grant And when they give their Attestation they shall cause the Union of Mantes to be signed by him who brings the King's Grant for the vacant Government according as it hath been ordained in all such Cases The Form of Attestation agreed upon in the General Assembly to be given by Colloquies or Synods unto them whom His Majesty shall recommend unto vacant Governments in our Cautionary Towns WE Ministers and Elders met together in Colloquy in the Province of N. do certifie unto His Majesty That Monsieur N. de N. applied himself unto us desiring our Attestation of his sincere Profession of the Reformed Religion he being chosen by His Majesty unto the Command of such a Place N. lately vacant by the Death of N. We therefore do attest and certifie That the said Monsieur N. doth actually profess the Reformed Religion communicates with us in the Sacraments living Religiously as a Man fearing God and discharging the Duties of his said Profession with a good Conscience For which reasons we give him this our Certificate by these Presents which we hope will be of use and advantage to him according to his desire Dated c. The Province of Normandy is graced with the Priviledge of calling the next National Synod which shall be held within Three Years in the beginning of June And the succeeding National Synod shall be held in the Province of Dolphiny These Acts and Articles were thus subscribed De Montigny Assessor Moyses Cartaut Scribe The End of the Synod of Montpellier THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XVI National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At Gergeau the 9th Day of May in the Year of our Lord 1601. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. The Deputies of the Provinces We Officers of the Synod Chap. II. 3. Observations on the Confession of Faith Chap. III. Observations on the Discipline The fifth Penny of the Poors Money to be laid by for our Proposans 18. Rules for Disputes with our Adversaries 23. The Churches of Sedan incorporated with the Synod of the Isle of France 31. The Discipline approved and sworn Chap. IV. Appeals Affairs of Monsieur D'amours a very eminent Minister 1 2 3. Severity of Discipline upon Monsieur Gerard a Minister 22. A censured Minister restored 24. The Case of Farmers of Tythes 29. Chap. V. General Matters No recompence to them who write without the Authority of the National Synod 1. Attestation from their Churches when they remove their Law-suit s into the Courts of the Edict 2. Vnordained Preachers not allowed 4. The Sacramental Elements to be given by the Pastor only 7. The Court of Madarn to be supplied with able Ministers 10. Letters to the Professors of Leyden 14. Four Books to be perused Elenchus Novae Doctrinae Apparatus ad Fidem Catholicum Avis pour la paix de L'Eglise and Veu par le Roy. Chap. VI. Particular Matters A Case of Conscience Whether Lords of Benefices may repair the Fabricks of the Popish Temples in which Mass is said 11. The Names of Romish Ecclesiasticks who were inverted to be conserved 12. Advice given unto the Consuls of Montpellier 20. An answer to Monsieur Casaubon 21. A Letter to the Lord du Plessis 23. Care taken of a worthy Minister 25. An Answer to the Dukes of Bouillon and Tremouille 27. A Case about an Incestuous Marriage 28. Passages between the King and the Synod 31 32. The Synod ordereth Letters to the King about Geneva 36. Schools and Colledges to be erected 37. A Dividend of Moneys 40. Palot Receiver-General of the Churches Money dodgeth with them 42. Chap. VII The Roll of Vagrants and Deposed Ministers An Act for calling the next National Synod Palot sends 3000 Crowns to the Synod 1601. Synod XVI THE Synod of Gergeau SYNOD XVI Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Gergeau the Ninth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand six hundred and one CHAP. I. Of the DEPVTIES Monsieur Pacard was chosen Moderator Monsieur Lieuin Lord of Beaulieu Assessor Monsieur Chamier and Scribes Monsieur Mercier Scribes There assembled in it the Pastors and Elders hereafter named FOR the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne Monsieur Antony de la Fay Minister and Pastor of the Church of Paris Monsieur John Lieuin Lord of Beaulieu Minister of the Church of Auverne in Vexin le Francois and Monsieur Josia Mercier Lord of Bordes Elder of the Church of Paris and Peter de * * * Alias De Naudet Neuelet Lord of Doscher Elder in the Church of Vitry For the Province of Orleans Berry Blefoiis and Nivernois Monsieur Adam D'Orival Minister of the Church of Sancerre and Joachim Du Moulin Minister of Orleans together with Monsieur Samuel de Chambaran Elder of the Church of Romorantin and Claudius Mesland Elder of the Church at Orleans For the Province of Normandy Monsieur Rene Bouchard Pastor of the Church of Rouau and John Eude Pastor of Bayeux together with Monsieur James du Hamel Lord of Parke Elder of Alencon and William de Maintu Elder of Boislebecque For the Province of Brittany at present united with that of Normandy there came the Tenth of May Monsieur John Parent Pastor of the Church of Vitre For the Province of Dolphiny and Principality of Orange Monsieur Daniel Chamier Pastor of Mountlimart and John Perryn Pastor of St. Bonnet with Monsieur Mark D'Vre Elder of Courtaison and Francis de la Combe Elder of St. Marcelin For the Province of Lower Languedoc Monsieur John Gigard Pastor of Montpellier and Simeon Codur Pastor of Vsez together with Monsieur Isaac Chairon Elder of Nismes For Lower Guyenne Monsieur John Nodon Lord of Montbaron Pastor of Issejac and Jeremiah Bauconis Pastor of Tonius with Monsieur Christopher Forton Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux For Poictou Monsieur James Clemeneau Pastor of Poictiers and Andrew Rivet Pastor of Touars with Monsieur Isaac Vettors Elder of the Church of Poictiers For the Higher and Lower Vivaretz Monsieur John Valeton Pastor of Privas and Daniel Mison Elder of Salenac For Xaintonge Augoumois and Aunix Master George Pacard Pastor of Rochefoucald and Monsieur Laurence Polette Pastor of Ironsac with Monsieur Peter Bernard Lord of Janserac Elder of the Church of Cognac For Anjou Touraine and Mayne c. Master Francis Greliere Lord of Macifer Pastor of Saumur and M. Abel Bede Pastor of Loudun together with Monsieur John Doucher Elder of the Church of Anger 's For Provence Master Peter Chalier Pastor of Seines and Monsieur Honore Brignoles Elder of Brignoles For Burgundy Forest Beaujolois c. Master Peter Colinet Pastor of Paray le Moyneau and Anthony
hundred Livers including in them the four hundred which had been before granted them See St. Maix p. m. 2. which sum shall be paid them after the usual manner out of our Church-Moneys and gives them free and full power to recover the portions of their Pastors which were stopt in the hands of the Receiver of the Province of Lower Guyenne and recommends unto their Christian Charity the Sieur Constantin one of the Regents of their Colledge 3. Monsieur Joly one of the Pastors of the Church of Millan deputed by the Colloquy of Rouargue demanding a sufficient Fund for erecting a School at Millan aforesaid and at the Church of Essene received this answer that at present we could not erect any new Colledges and that the Church of Essene should receive their portion as soon as they had a Pastor in actual service with them 4. Privas Art 17. of Universities The University of Montauban desiring that the Moneys for which by their Account brought in and audited at the Synod of Privas they stood indebted might be forgiven them this Assembly judgeth that it 's utterly unfit to make any alteration in that Decree of Privas 5. Monsieur Gigord Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Montpellier reported unto this Assembly that the sums received by him and not allowed by the Synod of Privas were razed out of the Books because being at that time absent he was never heard and making it appear by acts and attestations that he served three quarters of the years 1598 1599 and 1600 contrary to what had been alledged and taken up in prejudice against him This Assembly allowed him the wages he had received for that whole time amounting to nineteen hundred and five and twenty Livers and as for the other sums of the ensuing years amounting unto eighteen hundred and sixty Livers this Assembly thankfully acknowledging his past labours and the excellent gifts which God hath bestowed upon him as also his readiness and willingness to continue in the service of his Church it doth frankly liberate and discharge him from all manner of restitution of the said sum which was generously given him by the joynt and unanimous consent of all the Deputies yea and after that those of the Lower Languedoc and Sevennes were gone out of the Synod in obedience to its Order 6. Privas of Colledges Art 13. A difficulty was raised by the Committee for inspecting the Accompts of Universities and Colledges because the Provinces divided those very Moneys among themselves in divers places though it had been given them for their Colledges the Decree of Privas not being express to the contrary this Assembly ordained that such Provinces as could conveniently do it should joyn Stocks together and compleat one Colledge only leaving unto the rest which could not do otherwise their liberty of parting them into two only but not into more and that they would add of their own as much as they could possibly spare that so they might claim of right the name and reputation of a Colledge 7. 2. Vitré of Universities Art 10. As to those demands and proposals of the University of Montauban made by Monsieur Chamier this Assembly ordained that they should draw out the sum of three thousand Livers freed from the payment of four Deniers in the Liver due unto the Sieur de Vissouze But their demands of augmenting the Regents Salary could not be granted them For that the Corporation of Montauban stands obliged to them by an Act of the National Synod of St. Maixant on pain of forfeiting their Priviledge of being an University to add unto their Stipends And as to the times of payment which is at three Terms yearly that depending upon an Order agreed upon by all the Churches with the Receiver General it could not be altered because it is the fixed term for all Ecclesiastical Moneys As to the Accompt it 's needless for any Receiver to travel on that score to our National Synods because the Provincial Deputies may and ought to bring their Acquittances with them and to be responsible for them 8. Privas Art 19. of Universities 2. Vâ—tre of Univers 31. The Deputies of Dolphiny desiring a certain sum of Moneys to be paid yearly unto their University of Die This Assembly over and above the 3000 Livers which were paid them at once by an Order of the National Synod of Privas doth give them 400 Livers more to be paid them annually as an augmentation to the maintenance of one Professor St. Maixant of Univers 3. 2. Vitré of Univers 16. 9. Whereas the National Synod of St. Maixant did grant and that of Privas did continue it unto the University of Saumur this Assembly doth also add unto it the sum of six hundred Livers yearly to render their Colledge more accomplisht and that it may be stockt sufficiently with Regents and all needful Officers For which sum the Province of Anjou shall be accountable as for all other University-Moneys unto the next National Synod and they are desired to appoint such a Receiver as can discharge the trust freely or at the least that he be such an one us will accept of an half-penny only in the Liver 10. Monsieur Anglade Pastor of the Church at Pomport 2. Vitré p. m. 18. complained unto this Assembly that the Province of Lower Languedoc was indebted to him for several years Arrearages of Salary as Professor of the Hebrew Language in the University of Nismes It was agreed upon between him and the Deputies of that Province that the said Province should come unto an Accompt with him at the next Synod of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne and should give him satisfaction in case they find themselves indebted to him as he saith they are from the very beginning of his Professorship in the year 1603. 11. The demand of the Church of Viellevigne to have a School granted it is dismissed over to the Province of Brittany 12. The Pastors of the Colloquy of Gex reported by the Deputies of the Province of Burgundy Privas g. m. 14. that contrary to what was ordained in the Provincial Synod held at Gex in May last that the said Town of Gex should receive out of the Moneys assigned unto their Ministers in the said Colloquy sixty Livers towards the maintenance of their Colledge and the said Ministers had freely acquiesced in it yet nevertheless the Inhabitants of the said Town making their Application unto the Council had got an Order for two hundred and fifty Livers out of the said Moneys a matter of great prejudice unto the Ministers of that Colloquy This Assembly judgeth the said Town worthy of a very grievous Censure to have provided for themselves in such a manner as is contrary to the Discipline and Union of our Churches and they be enjoyned to take none other courses for the establishment of their Colledge than such as depend upon our Discipline and that they have recourse unto the
of the year 1619. And the Accompts of both these Colledges were allowed and approved But whereas the said Province of Vivaretz desired leave that in lieu of imploying the Four Hundred Livres of the Kings Money which hath been granted them for their Colledges they may dispose of it to the setting up of some little Schools This Assembly would not allow of this change nor to the Province of Burgundy which made also the very same request 23. The Province of Lower Languedoc brought in their Accompts for the Colledge of Bezieres for the year 1617 1618 and 1619 which were allowed and approved 24. The Accompts of the Colledge of Anduze were brought in by the Province of Seventies and were exceedingly commended for the years 1617 1618 and 1619. 25. The Province or Burgundy tendered the Accompt of their Colledge for the years 1617 1618 and 1619. But because the said Accompt was not in due and valid forme and that the said Province accompted but for Three Hundred and Fourscore Livres yearly whereas they should have for Pour Hundred they were injoyned for the future to bring in their Accounts for the whole and intire Summ and to justifie them by producing their Evidences and Acquittances from their Provincial Synods and to present them in a better forme unto the next National Synod And for this once they be indulged 26. The Colloquy of Gex shall account for the dispensing of their Colledge-Money unto the Provincial Synod of Burgundy that so their Account may be brought in to the next National Synod us is done in all the other Provinces of this Kingdom or else they shall lose their priviledge of a Colledge 27. The Province of Provence was grievously censured for not bringing in an Account of the Moneys received by them for a Colledge notwithstanding the many and frequent warnings given them by the former National Synods and they be commanded to keep better Order for the future or else they shall be deprived of those Moneys which had been granted them for their Colledge 27. The Account of the Colledge of Dolphiny was received and their Expence very much exceeded their Receipt of the Kings Money But the said Province is exhorted to produce in their future Accounts all the Evidences and Acquittances which will prove and justifie them 28. The Accompt rendred by the University of Nismes for the Moneys distributed by them and with which they were intrusted by the National Synod of Tonneins was received and approved except in some few particulars As on the year 1618 Four Hundred Livres are charged by them for bringing the Houshold Goods and Library of Monsieur Codur Professor of the Hebrew Language from Montpellier unto Nismes whereas Two Hundred were allowed and the other Two Hundred razed out Again Eight Hundred and Fifty Livres given unto Monsieur Fancheur Professor of Divinity partly as a gratuity partly for the removing of his Goods unto their City Two Hundred and Fifty shall be blotted out This Assembly however to testifie their great respects for the said Monsieur Fancheur did present him with the Summ of Four Hundred and Fifty Livres as a gratuity that he might increase his Library and be more chearful and serviceable in his Academical Profession as also they gave him One Hundred and Fifty Livres to help pay his Charges in the transport of his Houshold Goods from Vsez to Nismes In like manner an Hundred Livres were razed out of their Accompts which had been ordered by them unto Monsieur Vagumar their Printer to buy his Stamps and Characters Out of their Accompt for the year 1619 was razed the Summ of Sixty Livres given unto Monsieur Codur and Monsieur Petit Professors of the Hebrew and Greek Tongues to help defray their Charges unto the Provincial Synod held at Malgutol as also out of the year 1620 was razed the Summ of Ninety Livres adjudged unto the Sieurs Codur Petit and Faucheur to carry them to Vsez and Forty Livres laid out in Printing the Book of a young Scholar All which particular Summs put together amounted in the whole to Six Hundred and Twenty Livres and were razed out of their Accompt and the Province of Lower Languedoc shall detain it in their hands out of the Moneys belonging to the said University of Nismes that they may deduct it and give allowance for it Moreover this Assembly cannot allow unto Monsieur Bowdon who was formerly the Receiver of the said University-Moneys more than One Sous in the Livre for his pains and trouble in getting it in and paying it out unto them And for the future the Receiver shall rest contented with Six Deniers in the Livre for that his Imployment as all other Receivers for our Universities have And whereas the Professors of the aforesaid University of Nismes do crave an allowance for the Charges of their Journey and Abode here in seeking to get Monsieur Chamier for Divinity Professor nothing was granted them on that Score but the Province of Lower Languedoc was ordered to see them satisfied 29. The Accompt of the Colledge of Britain was received and approved for the Years 1617 1618 1619 and 1620. CHAP. XVII General Laws for the Universities of the Reformed Churches of FRANCE 1 IN every University there shall be a double Council The one Ordinary composed only of Pastors of the Churches and Publick Professors and of the Principal of the Colledge and the President of this Council shall be the Rector The other extraordinary made up of the principal and most Eminent Church-Members to be chosen by the Guild-Hall of the Town provided that these Electors be Persons professing the Protestant Reformed Religion or else they shall be chosen out of the Consistories in case they have not the Power and Priviledge of the Civil Government in their hands And the Pastors and Publick Professors shall be all Members of this Extraordinary Council Rut their President shall be freely chosen by them according to the Circumstances of Places and Persons 2. The ordinary Council shall meet once a Week The Extraordinary shall be assembled only when as Occurrences and Matters of great Importance are offered or at the request of the Ordinary 3. The Duty of the Extraordinary shall be to choose Professors and Regents of Classes to Suspend and Depose them from their Office or otherwise to censure them according to their Demerits and especially those who having been frequently admonished to look diligently unto their Charge are found refractory and rebel against the ordinary Council And it shall be one part of the Office of the Extraordinary Council to dispose of the University-Moneys 4. The Ordinary Council shall have a watchful Eye overall Publick Professors Regents and Auditors that every one performe duely his bounden Duty 5. The Rector shall be chosen from among the Pastors and Professors excepting only the Principal who can never attain that Honour and the Rector shall continue in Office one year at least yet the Ordinary Council of the
offer to them and to judge of them according to their Prudence and Equity and also to reprove him for that ill Language where-with he hath soiled his Papers sent unto this Assembly 17. The Inhabitants of the Islands of La Voutte professing the Reformed Religion sent Letters Signed by De Bois unto this Assembly petitioning that they might be absolutely separated from the Church of La Voute and joyned unto that of Livron and that they might continue to pay in their Contributions to it Several Members of the Church or Consistory of Livron abetted them in their Demand The Deputies of Dolphiny were desired to give their Judgment in the case who replied they had no order to oppose it But the Provincial Deputies of Vivaretz did oppose this Petition of those Inhabitants of La Voute and of the Consistory of Livron Upon the whole Debate the Synod not finding this Affair as yet ripe for a Decision did dismiss it over to the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc who should pass a final Sentence therein by the Authority of this Assembly 18. The Church of Loudun petitioned the Assembly to discharge them from their Contribution of the Fifth Penny of the Poors Mony paid in towards the Maintenance of our Universities in consideration of those extraordinary Charges they are obliged to be at in upholding their Lesser Schools which have been of singular Use and Benefit even to the Neighbour Provinces Whenas the Provincial Deputies of Anjou were heard and those also of Brittaine who reported with how much cheâ—rfulness they had contributed their Sixty Livres yearly for supporting their Lesser Schools but that at present their Design was to bestow this Mony upon that in the Town of Vitre the Assembly could not grant unto the said Church their Petition But in case the Province of Brittaine do satisfie the Synod of Anjou that they have effectually employed the said Sum of Sixty Livres as before towards the upholding the Lester Schools in the said Town of Vitre then the Province of Anjou shall allow in account unto the Church of Loudun the like Sum to be employed to the same use and purpose 19. That Book of the Sieur de la Fite Solon Pastor of the Church of Orthez in the Province of Bearn intituled Disputationes de Vindiciis Gratiae being presented to this Assembly for its Approbation was remanded back to the Synod of the same Province who should examin and approve it according to the Canons of our National Synods 20. In reading the Memoirs sent unto this Assembly from Monsieur Clerk Pastor in the Church of Coulonges in the Baylywick of Gex about divers Contestations between him as Son and Heir of Mr. James Clerk his Father Pastor also in the said Bailywick of Gex and the Widows and Heirs of divers other Pastors in the said Bailywick with and against the Churches in the said Bailywick and the Provincial Synods of Burgundy and particularly in that of Gex held in the Year 1656. and that of Arnay le Due in the Year 1658. This Assembly observing that the occasion of all their Debate was a pecuniary matter dismissed it over to the Province of Dolphiny to put a final Period to it 21. The Provincial Deputies of Sevennes demanded on behalf of the Widow of Monsieur Rossel formerly Pastor in the Church of Sauve but since presented to the Family of the late Duke of Rohan by the Natinal Synod of Castres that he might receive the same Pension for her year of Widowhood as was paid her Deceased Husband yearly during his Life by Order of the Province of Sevennes The Assembly resolved that a Letter should be written to the Lady Dutchess of Rohan about this business and the Consistory of the Church of Paris is charged to apply themselves to the said Lady Dutchess that some Satisfaction may he given this poor Widow and to acquaint the Consistory of Anduze with it and the Sieurs Daille and Loride des Galinieres Elder in the Church of Paris are ordred to deliver this Letter unto the said Lady Dutchess 22 Monsieur Chamier Pastor informed this Assembly of the state of the Church in St. Hyppolyte by reason of the Departure of Monsieur de Mejannes their Pastor from it and of an Order that was made for its being served by another at the Charges of the said Sieur de Mejannes till the next Synod The Deputies of the Province of Sevennes were heard speak unto this matter who professed that they were surprized at this Relation and that any person should attempt against an Order of their last Synod which was made upon very good and sufficient Grounds and in which Monsieur de Mejannes himself had acquiesced And they wire the more affected at this because the Parties concerned are neither heard nor cited to appear and plead for themselves And they protested farther that they had no Commission at all from their Province to intermeddle in this business and they humbly desired the Synod that there might be no Debate about it And the said Sieur de Mejannes was also heard and the Acts of the Synod of Alez of Florac and of Vignan were all read and perused Upon the whole this Assembly disapproved that too great Facility of the Church and Pastor in demanding and yielding to such a Separation which was every way prejudicial both to the one and other and of dangerous consequence to our Churches if such Examples should be allowed And the Consistory of Montpellier is ordered to send Mr. Eustache unto the Church of St. Hippolyte accompanied with one of their Elders to reconcile Monsieur Mejannes with his Flock and that it may be effected they should propound to their Consideration his great Services eminent Zeal and most excellent Gifts with which God hath adorned him and sith that this Assembly doth give him such an ample Testimonial the said Church shall be obliged according to their wonted Charity to take care of their Pastor and to make Provision for his comfortable Subsistence and according to former Decrees they shall allow him a Colleague for their better Edification or else to release him of some part of his Ministerial Labours as it hath been ordered in the Canons of General Matters by this Assembly And if any Difficulties occur which may obstruct the Accomplishment of this good Design this Affair shall be removed unto the next approaching Synod of the Province of Sevennes unto whom the Person and Ministry of the said Sieur de Mejannes are recommended and till that the said Synod do meet Monsieur de Mejannes shall continue to exercise his Ministry in the said Church and all Charges and Expences about this business shall be defrayed by that Church of St. Hippolyte 23. Monsieur Thourond Pastor of the Church of Stofhouse complained against the Provincial Synod of Lower Guyenne for not performing their Promise of re-imbursing him his Charges expended by their Order in securing the Peace and Welfare of their Churches This Assembly blamed
it IX Under the Second towards the End this shall be added And the said Elders shall be admonished not to declare unto the Consistory their faults without just Cause and in much Charity according to the Rule of God's Word No Person at the first Report of his Miscarriage shall be mention'd by name in the Consistory On this Article the Lord-Admiral propounded That Persons upon the first Report should not be mention'd by Name unto the Consistory until they had first resolved whether they should be called into it or no. And there was added That no Person for the first Report ought to be named unless the Consistory for good and vallid causes should think fitting so to do X. Under the Third towards the End shall be this Addition If they be fit and in case of want and hindered by Ministers CHAP. VII General Matters Thursday the Fifth of the same Month. I. THere shall be added to the Third Article of Elders and Deacons That none others besides the said Deacons shall intermeddle with the Administration of the Poors Money II. This Article shall be added The Elders and Deacons may be present at Propositions of the Word of God made by Ministers besides their ordinary Sermons as also at Censures and shall have their Priviledge of Voting in all Matters Doctrine only excepted Of the CONSISTORY III. THE Fourth Article shall be thus formed Ministers and Elders compose the Consistory in which Ministers shall always preside and the Deacons may be present if so be the Consistory do judge it fitting IV. On the Seventh Article after these Words For tryal of their Ability shall be added which yet shall not be done without great Prudence and Discretion with promise of Secrecy V. There shall be this Addition made to the Close of the Eighth Article And if there be any other Counsels they shall be supprest VI. After these words in the Ninth But principally at the Auditing of Accounts there shall be this Addition of which the People shall have notice given them VII The Tenth Article was thus Explained If there should arise any Contention concerning Doctrine it shall be out of hand notified unto the Colloquy subordinate unto the Synods where also the Elders and Professors in Divinity may be present to give their Judgment on the Points but the Decision of these Controversies shall especially belong unto the Ministers and Professors of Divinity VIII In the Twelfth instead of Adjured to speak the Truth there shall be Exhorted and Summoned in the Name of God to speak the Truth IX On the Sixteenth after these words Propositions of the Word of God shall be added Among Scholars Of Delinquents and Censur'd Persons and what are these Offences which render them obnoxious unto Censures No copy of Excommunication or Church-censures to be given X. THE Question being mov'd whether a Copy may be given of the Excommunication or of any other Censure It was answered That because the whole Process was a Matter of Conscience it ought not to be given And as for the publick Act it 's subject properly to the Magistrates Jurisdiction XI The first Article was approv'd of but after those words And if notwithstanding all this they do not convert but persist in their Stubbornness and Obstinacy there shall be added On the fourth Lord's-day the scandalous Persons shall be Excommunicated either in this or such like form as shall be advised on by the Consistory we do declare unto the whole Congregation that we do not own him for one of the Members of our Church and in the Name and by the Authority of our Lord Jesus we cut him off from it XII On the third unto those words After they shall have continued firm shall be added without expecting the Advice of a National Synod Of Provincial SYNODS XIII ON the first Article instead of once a Year shall be inserted at least twice XIV In the second after the first Period shall be added And the said Ministers and Elders shall produce their Orders of Deputation XV To the sixth This Article is the 11th in the Chapter of Provincial Synods in the Book of Discipline this Article of the Synod of Vertueil shall be added If there arise any difference between two Synods they shall choose a third to reconcile them Of BAPTISM 1571. Synod VIII XVI AFter these words in the second Article This is the 4th Article in the Chapter and Book of Discipline Quit and resign their Right unto the Sureties shall be added As to Instruction And a little before shall be added If the Parents do consent The second and third Article shall make but one Papists and excommunicate Persons being joyned together XVII And the fourth after these words And is wholly null shall be abridg'd and cut short and shall be thus expressed Baptism administred by a Person who hath neither Call nor Commission is wholly null and void CHAP. VIII Acts passed upon Friday the Sixth of the said Month. I. IN the sixth Article the word Alliance shall be removed and it shall suffice to say thus much That fellowship among the Faithful may be maintained by Conjunction of Friendship and instead of Conceited shall be put Contentious II. Instead of these words in the Eighth Although the Husband have an unbelieving Wife yet he is not excusable shall be put these words Altho' the believing Husband have a Wife of contrary Religion yet is he not excusable III. After these words in the Ninth The Ministers shall reject shall be added as much as is fitting IV. This Article shall be added The Consistories shall have an eye over them who detain their Children from Baptism too long a time Of the LORD's SVPPER Beneficed persons not to be admitted to the Lord's Supper V. THis Article shall be added Beneficed Persons retaining the Name and Title of their Benefices and those also who dabble with Idolatry in their said Benefices shall not be admitted to the Lord's Table but such as hold those Benefices by the King's Gift and make a true and publick Profession of the Reformed Religion owning and avowing it with sufficient Considence may be received unto the Lord's Supper only they shall be exhorted to apply the yearly Profits of those their Benefices to pious Vses This is the 7th Article in the Chapter of the Lord's Supper and Book of Discipline VI. After these words in the sixth Article And striving as much as in them lieth shall be added yea also they shall put the Cup unto their Mouths that so they may prevent all Offence which might otherwise be taken VII At the End of the tenth Article there shall be this Addition And therefore the National Synods shall take care about it as the Good of the Church shall require This Article is the 14th in the Chapter of the Lord's Supper and Book of Disline Of MARRIAGES VIII THere shall be this Addition made unto the first Article This is the