well as in the Pres des Clerks by the Ladies Princes yea and by Henry the Second himself This one Ordinance only contributed mightily to the downfal of Popery and the propagation of the Gospel It took so much with the genius of the Nation That all ranks and degrees of Men practised it in the Temples and in their Families No Gentleman professing the Reformed Religion would sit down at his Table without praising God by singing Yea it was a special part of their Morning and Evening Worship in their several Houses to sing God's Praises The Popish Clergy raged and to prevent the growth and spreading of the Gospel by it that mischievous Cardinal of Lorrain another Elymas the Sorcerer got the Odes of Horace and the filthy obscene Poems of Tibullus and Catullus to be turn'd into French and sung in the Court Ribaldry was his Piety and the means used by him to expel and banish the singing of divine Psalms out of the prophane Court of France The Holy Word of God is duly truly and powerfully Preached in Churches and Fields in Ships and Houses in Vaults and Cellars in all places where the Gospel-Ministers can have admission and conveniency and with singular success Multitudes are Convinced and Converted established and edified Christ rideth out upon the white Horse of the Ministry with the Sword and Bow of the Gospel Preached Conquering and to Conquer His Enemies fall under him and submit themselves unto him O! the unparallell'd success of the plain and zealous Sermons of the first Reformers Multitudes flock in like Doves into the Windows of God's Ark. As innumerable drops of dew fall from the Womb of the Morning so hath the Lord Christ the dew of his Youth The Popish Churches are drained the Protestant Temples are filled The Priests complain that their Altars are neglected their Masses are now indeed solitary Dagon cannot stand before God's Ark. Children and Persons of riper years are Catechised in the Rudiments and Principles of Christian Religion and can give a comfortable account of their Faith a reason of that hope that is in them By this Ordinance do their pious Pastors prepare them for Communion with the Lord at his holy Table Here they communicate in both kinds according to the Primitive Institution of this Sacrament by Jesus Christ himself Sect. 7. Though the Churches of God walked in the Comforts of the Holy-Ghost and were multiplied throughout the whole Kingdom yet were they exercised with Fiery Tryals and underwent most cruel and inhumane Sufferings Satan stormed that his Kingdom was assaulted weakned and subverted this boileth up his Revenge and causeth him to throw out Floods of Wrath against the Church travelling under the pangs of Reformation Hence the Saints of God are imprisoned arraigned for their Lives and condemned by merciless unrighteous Judges for their Profession of the Truth unto the Flames Others are murdered in cold Blood and massacred without any legal forms of Justice in the least And yet in the sight of those cruel Deaths and most barbarous Executions the first National Synod is called and celebrated in the Metropolis of the Kingdom at the very Doors of the Court God inspiring with Zeal and Courage the Pastors of several Churches to meet and consult together about the arduous and most important Businesses of the Reformed Religion Sect. 8. Two things among others were dispatch'd in this Council 1. They publish the Confession of their Faith and tell the King and Kingdom what they believe and practise This was put into the Hands of their Young King lately come to the Crown upon the Death of his Father who though he had sworn to see that famous Martyr of Christ Annas du Bourg Counsellour in the Parliament of Paris burnt yet was at a Tilt by Count de Montgomery a Protestant wounded with a Launce in the Eye and died before he could perform his Oath How Francis the Second entertained this Confession when it was tender'd him is not my Business to relate I shall only give my Reader the Confession itself and I do the rather lay it before him because it is a brief System of the Protestant Religion constantly read at the opening of all their Synods and because of the frequent References unto it in and by all those National Synods which I now publish Sect. 9. The Confession of Faith held and professed by the Reformed Churches of France received and enacted by their first National Synod Celebrated in the City of Paris and Year of our Lord 1559. ARTICLE I. WE believe and confess That there is but one God only whose Being only is simple spiritual eternal invisible immutable infinite incomprehensible ineffable who can do all things who is all-wise all-good most just and most merciful ARTICLE II. This one God hath revealed himself to be such a one unto Men first in the Creation preservation and governing of his works secondly far more plainly in his word which from the beginning he revealed to the Fathers by certain Visions and Oracles and then caused it to be put in writing in those Books which we call the Holy Scripture ARTICLE III. All this holy Scipture is contained in the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament the Catalogue whereof followeth The five Books of Moses namely Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers and Deuteronomy Item Joshua Judges Ruth the first and second Book of Samuel the first and second Book of Kings the first and second Book of Chronicles otherwise called the Paralipomena one Book of Esdras Nehemiah Hester Job the Psalms Solomon's Proverbs or Sentences Ecclesiastes the Song of Songs Esaiah Jeremiah with the Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonas Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zachariah Malachi Item the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew according to St. Mark according to St. Luke and according to St. John as also the second Book of St. Luke otherwise called The Acts of the Apostles Item the Epistles of St. Paul the Apostle to the Romans one to the Corinthians two to the Galatians one to the Ephesians one to the Philippians one to the Colossians one to the Thessalonians two to Timothy two to Titus one to Philemon one Item the Epistle to the Hebrews the Epistle of St. James the first and second Epistle of St. Peter the first second and third Epistle of St. John the Epistle of St. Jude and the Apocalypse or Revelations of St. John ARTICLE IV. We acknowledge these Books to be Canonical that is we account them as the most certain Rule of our Faith and that not so much because of the common consent of the Church but because of the Testimony and Perswasion of the Holy Ghost by which we are taught to distinguish betwixt them and other Ecclesiastical Books upon which although they may be useful yet we cannot ground any Article of Faith ARTICLE V. We believe That the Doctrine contained in these Books is proceeded from God from whom only and not from men it deriveth
Countries approved XXXVII The Confession of Faith presented by the Churches of both Languages Dutch and French in the Low Countries hath been approved by this Synod and the Provincial Deputies have promised in the Name of their Churches to subscribe it if need be And it was consulted on by this Assembly A Project of Universal Confession of Faith for all the Protestant Churches what means would be most proper to re-unite the several Confessions of all those Nations which agree in Doctrine into one common Confession and which may be hereafter approved by all these Nations And this pursuant to the Project laid down in the late Conference at Neustadt September 1577. XXXVIII The next National Synod shall be called by the Province of Anjou about one year hence and the said Province shall give Notice thereof unto the Counties of Maine Loudunois and Touraine they being all incorporated into one with itself as also to all other the Provinces three Months before the Day and Place of Meeting Done at Figeac this 8th of August 1579. The End of the Synod of FIGEAC CHAP. IV. Remarks upon the DEPVTIES 1. MR. James Covet he in the Civil Wars retired into Switzerland and there writ against Socinus one of the first Books that was writ against his Heresie He was sometime Minister of the Church of Paris 2. Cayer he afterwards apostatized 3. Monsieur de la Faye the Moderator There was one of his Name but whether it were he I am not certain that was Pastor in the Church of Geneva a very learned Man THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XI National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD For the second time in the City of ROCHEL and Year of our Lord 1581. This Synod should have been Assembled at Loudun in the Province of Anjou but for some other Reasons was transferred unto Rochel The CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. 1. Names of the Deputies Synodical Officers chosen Chap. 2. Of General Matters The Deputies promise perseverance in the Vnity of Faith One Minister enough to ordain another Roll of Apostate Ministers Ministers practising Physick condemned Great Lords to observe the Discipline Canons about Ministers 7. to 11. Elders may read Prayers in the Church Parity of Elders and Deacons Of Certificates 16. The King of Navar Prince of Conde and all Lords desired to contribute to the Educating of Youth for the Ministery Acts Sufferings and memorable Events about the Churches to be Collected and Registred Gadding Professors censured Chap. 3. A Case about Censuring of Apostates resolved The Case of Lapsed Members inhabiting in another Church Publick Penance for Fornication how to be inflicted 25. Subordination of Synodical Meetings 28. A Book called the History of France censured 29. Brocard's Book upon Geness condemned Canons about the just Number of Deputies unto Synods 30.31 Dancings and other Dissolutions condemn'd Holding of Benefices by Bulls from Rome censured Impropriaters censured Care about Ministers Maintenance 36. Ministers out of the Kingdom to be called home 39. Psalm Books to be brought by all unto the Temples that all may Sing An Explication of the Canon about Habits The 14th Canon of Marriages explained 42. Vsuries condemn'd Printers to take care what Books they sell A Case resolved about Marrying the Widow of his Wife's Brother Licenses to Marry may be taken from the King tho' not from the Pope Baptism not to be deferr'd 47. Protestants must not be present at Apostates Marriages 48. Call of the next National Synod 1581. Synod XI THE II. Synod of Rochel SYNOD XI The Eleventh National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Rochel the second time instead of the City of Loudun in Anjou on Wednesday the 21th of June and ended the 10th of July in the Year 1581. In the 8th Year of the Reign of Henry the Third King of France and Poland CHAP. I. The Catalogue and Names of the Deputies THere appeared as Deputies of the Provinces unto this Synod the Pastors and Elders whose Names are hereafter registred Videlicet I. For the Province of Anjou Touraine the Maine Perche Vandômois and Loudumois Monsieur de la Plante Minister of the blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus in the Church of Pringay and Mathurin Peju his Elder in company with him II. For the Province of Poictou Monsieur Alexander de L'estang-Godion Minister of God's holy Word in the Church of Coue or Codue and Monsieur de Faux Minister of the Gospel at Chastel-herauld accompanied with Monsieur Colin Doctor of Physick and Elder of the Church in Fontenay III. For the Isle of France Monsieur de Beaulieu Minister of the Gospel in the Church of N. B. neither of my four Copies do note his Church yet there was a Gentleman of this Name Pastor of the Church of Senlis in this very Province in the Year 1603. which I suppose to be the same without an Elder IV. For the Province of Normandy Monsieur de la Four Minister of the Gospel and Pastor of the Church of Christ in the City of Rouan He came unto the Synod alone without an Elder Mr. Beraud was also the first Professor of Divinity in that University according to my Catalogue of its Professors V. For Xaintonge Monsieur dec Monstier Minister of God's Holy Word in the Town of St. John de Angely in company with the Sieur Paboul Elder of the Church of Pons VI. For the Province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guienne Monsieur Michael Beraud Minister of the Gospel in the Church and City of Montauban accompanied with Monsieur Bais Elder in the said Church VII For the Province of Perigord Gascony and Limousin Monsieur Berjat or Debordat Minister of God's Holy Word in the Church of Bergerac and Janicon Dedon Elder of the Church of Duras VIII For the Province of Britain Monsieur Nicholas Bernier Minister of the blessed Gospel of Christ Jesus in the Church of Vitre accompanied with Monsieur de Roussiere Elder of the Church in Vielle Vigne IX For the Province of Augolmois Monsieur La Croix Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Jarnac without an Elder X. For the Province of Champagne Monsieur Capell Minister of God's Holy Word in the Church of Sedan and Monsieur Pasquier Elder of the Church at Troys in Champagne XI The Province of Burgundy and Berry were absent but excused their absence by Letters XII For the Lower Languedoc Monsieur Brunier Minister in the Church of Vsez accompanied with Monsieur Fortin an Elder XIII The Provinces of Dolphiny Provence Forest and Auvergne were all of them absent and which was very much admired they had not the Civility to excuse their absence by any Letters written and sent from their respective Synods unto this National Assembly XIV Prayer being ended Monsieur de Nort Minister of the Gospel in the Church of Rochel was voted Moderator and Monsieur de la Place Minister of Pringey Assessor and
Monsieur de Lestang-Godion Minister of Coue in Poictou and Monsieur de Chauveton Lord of Beauvois and Minister of the Church of St. Martins in the Isle of Re were also voted to be Scribes CHAP. II. General MATTERS I. ALL the Deputies protested in the Name of the Churches of their respective Provinces that they would persevere in the Union of that Doctrine and Confession of Faith which was formerly subscribed in the National Synod held in this City in the Year 1571. and now exhibited read and recognized in this Assembly Moreover the said Deputies certifyed and declared that they had not the least notice given them of any manner of opposition to it but a general Acquiescency in the said Doctrine and Confession of Faith in all their Churches For which they did unanimously praise God One Minister enough to ordain another II. The Book of Discipline being read It was ordained that the fourth Article in the Chapter of Ministers should remain entire as it was excepting that instead of three or four Ministers required to present the new elected Minister unto the Ministery one only should be sufficient III. In the Margent of the 5th Article this shall be inserted That the said Article was only appointed for such a time when as a Province had no Churches constituted in it and not for the present Day when as blessed be God every Province in the Kingdom hath divers of them IV. These were declared Apostates by the Isle of France and their Declaration approved of by this National Synod Toussainct le Gibou in Normandy Launay in Brie And Panctier in Picardy a Deserter Grenet a Minister of La Garnache in Lower Poictou a Vagrant and Quenet in the Colloquy of Vsez and Monsieur Beazer was ordered to make inquiry about one called du Plessis V. The 22d Article of the Synod of St. Foy concerning Ministers who Practice Physick having been read was Approved as being consonant to the Word of God And this Assembly being informed that divers Ministers do more employ themselves in Physick than in the Duties of their Ministery The Deputies of the Province in which they live were ordered to exhort them to intend and mind their Ministery and to yield plenary Obedience unto God's Word in this Article or otherwise the Colloquies and Synods shall proceed against them according to the Rules of our Discipline VI. Princes and great Lords shall be advised to observe the Articles of our Discipline and to send their Ministers to our National and Provincial Synods and Colloquies VII The 12th Article of our Discipline and the 21th and 33d of the Synod of Figeac were thus confirmed 'T is the Judgment of this Assembly that a Pastor being duely discharged from his Church if the Colloquy or Provincial Synod in which he served do not within a Month provide him another Congregation he may accept of the first Call given him by any other Province and this according to the Canons of our Discipline VIII The 15th Article of our Discipline concerning Ministers was confirmed but with this Proviso That these words Composed of six at the least shall be left out IX And that the said Article may be the better understood After these words Who shall have intruded into a Church this shall be added Altho' he had been afterwards chosen by the People X. And whereas in the 16th Article it was thus written The Reasons it shall be added And the Reasons being well examin'd XI And to that of Professors shall be added Regents and School-masters XII Elders in the Pastor's absence may warrantably perform that Duty of publick Common-Prayer especially if they have been thereunto appoint-by the Consistory XIII Whereas in the 6th Article concerning Elders and Deacons it is said that no Elders shall pretend to Primacy Let this be added neither in Election nor Precedency nor in order of Suffrages nor in any other thing belonging to their Office of Elders XIV The 7th Article concerning Elders and Deacons shall be most diligently observed XV. Ministers and Elders are required to use their utmost Endeavour that the Twelfth Article in the Chapter of Consistories be punctually observed XVI Advise was taken on the Third Article of Consistories which treats of Certificates given unto Passengers That for time coming good and vallid Causes moving us hereunto The first Certificates shall neither be kept nor broken until such time as they be come unto their journies end mentioned in them and then and there the said Certificates shall be detain'd and cancelled and Certificates shall be given very rarely unto any Persons XVII The Tenth Article of Figeac shall be closed up with this Addition If it be not with Consent of the Consistories no Offences shall be discovered to the Civil Magistrate The 5th Penny of all Charities shall be applied towards the Maintenance of Proposans XVIII His Majesty the King of Navar and his Higness the Prince of Conde and other Lords professing our Holy Reformed Religion shall be most humbly desired to contribute liberally towards the Maintenance of poor Scholars and Proposans designed for the Ministery And all Churches are exhorted to press this Duty vigorously upon their richer and more substantial Members that so every Colloquy may be able at least to give Subsistance unto one Proposan and if it can be conveniently the fifth Penny of all Charity-monies shall be allotted to this very purpose XIX That the 13th Article of Consistories may be executed concerning a Collection of all memorable Acts relating to the Church's Sufferings it is thought meet that every Colloquy do depute a Minister to whom all the Churches shall send their Memoirs that they may be brought unto the Provincial Synod and thence unto the National XX. Such Professors as range abroad to hear the Word in one Church and receive the Sacrament in another shall be admonished of their Duty to fix themselves to some particular Church of Christ and in case of neglect they shall be censured XXI In the first Article concerning Delinquents next after these words Nor the Cause of it shall be added this nor in like manner the Restitution and these words shall be razed out Lest they be defamed CHAP. III. XXII IT being desired that the 3d Article of the Synod of Figeac might be explained the Assembly voted that towards the close of it there should be this Addition viz. That it was left wholly to the Prudence of the Consistory whether they would mention by name or not those who had a long time since revolted but as for them who were but of late Apostates Censures shall be pronounc'd against them according to the Tenor of that Canon unless that by such a Personal Denunciation of those Sinners the Consistory might foresee some great and notable Danger like to betide the Church In which case nothing shall be done without the Advice of the Provincial Synod XXIII If the Members of one Church fallen into Idolatry happen to take up their abode in
another where their Crime is not known they shall only testify their Repentance privately before the Consistory but with this Condition that in case they return to that former Church whereunto they belonged they shall then and there also make a publick Acknowledgment of their Offence XXIV Publick Penances shall be undergone personally and by those only who have publickly offended the Sinner openly and sincerely with his Mouth from his Heart testifying his Repentance XXV Whoredoms when committed and come to publick â—â—owledge shall by their Actors be publickly acknowledged with evident Tokens of Repentance XXVI This Clause by the greater part shall be razed out from the end of the 17th Article of Figeac and there shall be this only inserted known by the greater part XXVII Both those Canons of the Tenth National Synod and of our ancient Discipline concerning the time of meeting for Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall remain in full force so that they be wholly left unto their Liberty to do therein as they may most conveniently XXVIII Forasmuch as Provincial Synods depend upon the National Colloquies also shall for the same Reasons be subject unto the Provincial Synods and Consistories unto Colloquies XXIX The National Synod of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom assembled in this City of Rochel under the Authority of the King's Edicts having seen a certain Book Intituled The History of France printed in this City upon divers complaints made unto us from all parts of the Kingdom against it and having took Cognisance of the proceedings of the Consistory of this Church against the find Book hath found that in many places the Author speaks exceeding irreverently and irreligiously of divine Things and that it is a heap of idle vain and prophane Matters full of Falshoods Lies and Calumnies to the great prejudice of God's glorious Power to the disadvantage and dishonour of our Holy Doctrine and Reformed Religion to the Dissamation of divers godly Persons dead and living And therefore hath thought good to advertise all the Churches that they beware of the said Book and inasmuch as in them lieth to disapprove it And this Synod doth judicially declare the Author of the said Book if he own himself a Protestant unworthy of our Holy Communion and not to be admitted to the participation of the Sacraments until such time as he shall have acknowledged his offence and by convenient means such as the Suppression of his History shall have repaired the Scandal that he hath given unto the Churches XXX The Synod also having seen and examined another Book written in Latin upon Genesis by a certain Fellow called James Brocan of Piedmont printed in this City hath declared and doth declare it to be fraught with Impieties and horrible Profanations of the Sacred Scriptures and pernicious Errors especially in Matters of Revelation of Revelation Prophecy and therefore exhorts all the Faithful to keep themselves carefully from being seduced by it XXXI The first Article of Provincial Synods being read it was decreed That all Ministers should attend in Person at their Provincial Synods or should excuse themselves by Letters in case of absence the causes whereof should be judged valid or otherwise by those Assemblies XXXII The third Article concerning National Synods shall abide in its full power But for the benefit of all our Churches there shall be this clause added That for time to come if possible it may be done there shall be two Ministers and two Elders deputed from every Province unto them XXXIII Forasmuch as Dancings and other Dissolutions do sprout up and increase every where yea and in these our Reformed Churches it was thought good to exhort the Consistories that for God's sake they would conscientiously observe the Six and twentieth Article of particular Orders decreed in the Synod of Figeac and in the Name of God and by the Authority of this present Assembly that it be read publickly in the Churches and all Colloquies and Synods are hereby expresly charged to censure those Consistories that neglect their Duty in this particular XXXIV All those who by unlawful means as by Papal Bulls or ready Money shall purchase or hold Benefices and such as cause Idolatry to be upheld and maintained either directly or indirectly shall be excluded Communion at the Lord's Table XXXV As to what concerns Impropriators and Farmers of Benefices the ancient Canons of our Discipline shall hold good and be in full force power and vertue against them Yet nevertheless the Deputies shall bring with them from their respective Provinces whatever Difficulties have occurr'd about those matters that so they may be debated in the next National Synod And whereas our Brethren of Languedoc Gascony and Perigord have desired have for the welfare of their Churches to censure such Farmers the business is left unto the prudence of their Provincial Synods XXXVI That Churches may not hereafter upon the death or removal of their Pastors be dissolved the Ministers who preside in the Colloquy for a new Election shall first of all enquire of every Elder in other Churches of the Colloquy what and how much Maintenance they exhibit unto their Pastors and what care they take for paying in unto them their promised Stipends that so provision may be made for them by the Authority of the Colloquies XXXVII These words The most eminent shall be blotted out from the 33d Article of Figeac XXXVIII Synods and Colloquies shall consult how to six the Limits and Extent of that Church wherein a Minister shall exercise his ordinary Calling XXXIX Ministers belonging to the Churches of France and now living abroad without the Kingdom shall be recalled by their respective Provinces XL. Forasmuch as there is a notorious contempt of Religion visible in all places yea also in our Religious Meetings we advise that Notice be given unto all Persons to bring with them their Psalm-Books into the Churches and that such as contemptuously neglect the doing of it shall be severely censur'd and all Protestant Printers are advised not to sunder in their Impressions the Prayers and Catechism from the psalm-Psalm-Books XLI The 17th Article of particular Orders concerning Habits was thus explained This Synod declareth That such Habits are not to be allowed in common wearing which carry with them evident marks of lasciviousness dissolution and excessive new-fangled Fashions such as painting slashing cutting in pieces trimming with Locks and Tassels or any other that may discover our Nakedness or naked Breasts or Fardingales or the like sort of Garments with which both Men and Women do wickedly cloath and adorn themselves And Consistories shall do their utmost endeavour to suppress such Dissolutions by their Censures and in case the Delinquents are contumacious and rebellious they shall proceed against them even to Excommunication XLII As to the 14th Canon concerning Marriages this Synod doth not judge it contrary to the 24th Article enacted by the Assembly of Estates at Blois for in that Orders only were given unto Notaries and Scriveners how
till it hath been first of all seen and approved by the Church XXVII To that Article of Players and Mummers shall be added Juglets Players of Hocus-pocus Tricks of Goblets Puppet-playing Morrice-dances and all Christian Magistrates are advised not in the least to suffer them because it feeds foolish Curiosity puts upon unnecessary Expences and wasts Time XXVIII A Lottery ordained by the Magistrates Authority for the Relief of Minors Debtors and poor Merchants shall not be condemned but others of a different nature such as that called The Wheel of Fortune and the like are peremptorily forbidden XXIX The Faithful ought not to Feast at those Banquets made by Priests when they first sing Mass XXX Forasmuch as Whoredom especially in Women brings with it a brand of Infamy this Assembly explaining the 21st Article of the fifth Chapter of our Discipline doth decree That the Penance of such Persons as have been guilty of those scandalous Crimes shall be left unto the discretion of the Consistory CHAP. IV. Of APPEALS I. THE Appeals of the Church of Rochel from the Synod of Anjou about their pretended Claim to Monsieur de la None as also that of the Church of Castle-Gautier are both evacuated and disannulled II. An Appeal being brought by the Colloquy of Higher Rouargue for that the Provincial Synod of Figeac and Castres had ordained the Provincial Synods to be held at this time in the Colloquies of Albigeois Lauragais and Lower Quercy only this Assembly declareth That for time coming the Discipline shall be expresly followed and that the next Provincial Synod shall be held in the Town of Millaud but on this condition that unless the said Colloquy do send their Deputies unto the said Provincial Synod they shall then forfeit their Right III. The Appeal of Monsieur Croiseit from the Synod of Guyenne was made void because it was against the Discipline and for that he hath not appeared at this Synod in Person IV. This Assembly declareth the Appeal of the Church of Metz and Verdun to be good and valid and ordaineth that they shall be incorporated with the Colloquy of Montauban V. Forasmuch as Monsieur Quentin receiveth a very small Salary from his Church and hath been many Years in their Service this Assembly confirms the Decree of the Lower Languedoc granting him a License to Teach Youth for his better maintenance VI. The Differences between the Synods of Higher Languedoc and the Lower Guyenne about the Churches of Nerac Leirac and others of the Lower Armagnac are dismissed over by this Assembly to be finally decided by the next National Synod VII Monsieur Galoy shall be returned to his Church of Barjac provided they pay him within three Months all his Arrears and therefore the Sentence past by his Provincial Synod against him is declared null and void VIII The Appeal of the Upper Poictou pretending Right to the Ministry of Monsieur Caynard was made void because the Elder of the Church of Figeac desisted of his own accord from prosecuting of his Appeal and that this Assembly had ordained his continuance in the Church of Fontenay IX The Elders of the Church of Montpellier appealing from their Provincial Synod because their Judgment was not demanded upon the Proposition made by Monsieur Peyrol their Proposant this Assembly declares That the Elders have not any Right of appealing in such a Case till they have first communicated it with their Pastors in Consistory and it ordains that in all Propositions the Suffrages of the Elders shall be gathered but whenas the Debate is about Points of Doctrine the decision of them is vested by the Discipline wholly in the Ministers X. Those of Florensack bringing their Appeal from the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc this Assembly judgeth That Monsieur De Croy doth of Right appertain unto the Church of Florensac as their own Minister but by reason of the great Necessities of the Churches it is decreed That he shall serve both his own and the Church of Beziers alternatively so that the Provincial Synod allow him an Assistant 1598 Synod XV. CHAP. V. Of General MATTERS I. BY reason of the great Difference in the Copies of our Discipline of the Emendations and Additions by the Synods of Montauban Saumur and this now sitting at Montpellier that it may be reduced into an exact Order couched in plain and significant expressions this Assembly ordaineth That two Pastors out of each Province whose Names are here mentioned shall undertake and finish this Work Viz. Messieurs De Beaulieu and de Montigny for the Isle of France Messieurs Picheron and Cartaut for Normandy Messieurs D'Orival and * * * Pountaine Fontanez for Orleans Messieurs Mermett and St. Hillary for Lower Guyenne Messieurs Gardesy and Olivier for Higher Languedoc Messieurs Valeton and du Croix for Vivaretz Messieurs Gasquetz and Villette for Lower Languedoc Messieurs Du Mont and Merlin for Xaintonge Messieurs Des Agues and Macifer for Anjou Messieurs Chamier and Vinay for Dolphiny Messieurs Eynard and Moureau for Poictou And having performed this their Task they shall communicate it unto their Synods that so they may come prepared unto the next National Synod to compleat and perfect it II. Forasmuch as 't is the Duty of all the Faithful heartily to desire the Re-union of all the Subjects of this Kingdom in the Unity of Faith for the greater Glory of God the Salvation of Millions of Souls and the singular Repose of the Commonweal yet because of our Sins this being rather a Matter of our Prayers than of our Hopes and that under this pretext divers profane Persons attempt openly to blend and mingle both Religions all Ministers shall admonish seriously their Flocks not in the least to hearken unto any such motions it being utterly impossible that the Temple of God should hold Communion with Idols as also for that such Wretches design only by this Trick to debauch easie credulous Souls from the belief and profession of the Gospel And whoever attempts such a Reconciliation either by Word or Writing shall be most severely censured III. This Assembly having read the Letters sent it from the Church of Geneva and considered the Arguments contained in them and others offered to us doth decree That nothing shall be innovated in the Liturgy of our Churches in the Singing of Psalms and Form of Catechising And whereas Monsieur de Beza did at the Request of divers of our last Synods translate into Metre the Scripture-Songs they shall be received and sung in Families thereby to dispose and fit the People for the Publick Usage of them in the Churches until the next National Synod IV. The Churches of Geneva Bearn Basil the Palatinate and many others from divers parts of this Kingdom complaining of several Writings published on design of Re-uniting the two Religions in one Doctrine to the apparent prejudice of God's Truth and in particular of a certain Book Entituled Apparatus ad fidem Catholicum and another bearing this
extraordinary not from the Church of Rome 4. The question being moved whether in Treating of the Call of our first Pastors and Reformers it were expedient that we should lay the stress of their Authority for Preaching and Reforming upon that Call and Ordination they had in the Church of Rome or no. This Synod doth judge that we ought according to the one and thirtieth Article to found it principally upon their extraordinary Vocation whereby they were by an inward powerful impulse from God raised up and commanded to exercise their Ministry rather than to charge it upon the sorry Relicks of a corrupted Call and Ordination in the Romish Church 5. That Article treating of Antichrist shall be the one and thirtieth in order in our Confession of Faith and shall be thus worded Whereas the Bishop of Rome hath erected for himself a temporal Monarchy in the Christian World and Usurping a Soveraign Authority and Lordship over all Churches and Pastors doth exalt himself to that degree of Insolency as to be called God and will be adored arrogating unto himself All Power in Heaven and in Earth and to dispose of all Ecclesiastical matters to define Articles of Faith to authorise and expound at his pleasure the sacred Scriptures and to buy and sell the Souls of men to dispense with Vows Oaths and Covenants and to institute new Ordinances of Religious Worship And in the Civil State he tramples under foot all Lawful Authority of Magistrates setting up and pulling down Kings disposing of Kings and of their Kingdoms at his pleasure We therefore believe and maintain that he is truly and properly The Antichrist the Son of Perdition predicted by the Holy Prophets that great Whore cloathed with Scarlet sitting upon seven Mountains in that great City which had dominion over the Kings of the Earth and we hope and wait that the Lord according to his promise and as he hath already begun will confound him by the Spirit of his Mouth and destroy him finally by the brightness of his coming 6. The word Superintendant in the two and thirtieth Article is not to be understood of any superiority of one Pastor above another but only in general of such as have office and charge in the Church 7. The words substance and nourish shall remain unchanged in the six and thirtieth Article according as it hath been decreed by the Synods of Rochel in the year 1571. and of Nismes in the year 1572. 8. The Confession of Faith being read was sworn and subscribed by all the Deputies in the names of their respective Provinces and they did farther most solemnly ingage by their promise never to depart from it and protested that this was that very doctrine which was taught in all their Churches 9. The Provinces are exhorted for the future at the opening of their Synods to read this Confession of Faith and our Book of Discipline And Monsieur Chamier is appointed to draw up an Apology for this our Confession and to bring it with him unto the next National Assembly CHAP. III. Observations upon reading of the Discipline No private Ordination 1. THE Province of the Isle of France shall be exhorted to be more careful in and about the Election and Ordination of their Pastors and that Imposition of hands be given them not privately in a clandestine manner by a Consistory or Colloquy but solemnly and publickly in the face of the whole Church and that the fourth Article in the first Chapter of our Discipline be more religiously observed by them and all the Provinces Uniformity in Ordination 2. According to the Tenor of the seventh Article in the same chapter it is Decreed that all the Churches shall observe one and the same form in Ordination of Pastors by which the Person to be Ordained shall during that action be humbly on his knees and this ordination shall be administred on the Lord's day or on some certain day of the week in which there is held a solemn Assembly And these evil customs practised in some Churches of suffering the Person ordained to get into the Pulpit and of permitting another besides the Preacher to give Imposition of hands are justly condemned by this Synod 3. The eighth Article shall be most carefully observed and to this purpose there shall be deposited a Copy of our Confession and Discipline in every Provincial Synod Colloquy and Consistory See the 5th Observation upon the Discipline in the Synod of Rochell 4. All Provincial Synods Colloquies and Consistories are injoyned as they would avoid the greatest Censures to have a strict Eye over such who act contrary to the eleventh Article of the first Chapter of our Discipline and to suspend them from the Ministry and they also shall be liable to the same censures who leaving the true and genuine fence of Scripture expounded by it self do rather pitch upon the glosses of Fathers and Schoolmen and launch out into Allegories Larding their Sermons with Philosophical Discourses quoting the Fathers and bringing their Books with them into the Pulpit and they also who in time of Lent or on such noted seasons do chuse the self same Texts with the Popish Preachers 5. The twelfth Article of the same Chapter The form of Catechising according as now used in most of our Churches shall not be changed And whereas some choose a particular Text and accommodate it to that particular section of the Catechism they would treat of we desire they would not alter our establisht Order but conform themselves as the rest do unto it 6. Upon the same twelfth Article Ministers and Consistories are left to their own discretions whether in those general Catechisings which are usually had both publickly and privately before the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper they will further examine every individual person or not and therein to consult what will most contribute to the Spiritual benefit of their Catechumens 7. The third Article of the second Chapter shall be couched in these words Provincial Synods in which are our Universities shall choose their own Doctors Pastors and Professors of Divinity whose ability shall be proved by publick Lectures on some special Text out of the Original Hebrew and Greek Bible given to them for that purpose and by disputations in one or two days following as may be most adviseable And being approved in case they were never in the Ministry the right hand of fellowship shall be given them they having first of all promised to discharge their Office with faithfulness and diligence and to handle the sacred Scriptures with all sincerity according to the analogy of Faith and the confession of our Churches which shall be subscribed by them 8. On the fourth Article of the second chapter The fifth penny in all collections for the poor shall be laid up for the maintenance of Proposans And this shall be an Universal order throughout the Provinces 9. On the first Article of the third chapter That custom observed in some
Favour and Royal Benignity towards the Churches who have none nor desire to hold any Intelligence or Correspondence with Strangers but do protest unanimously that they will next and immediately under God depend wholly and solely on his Majesty's Protection and Soveraign Authority And it was resolved that as to the first Particular propounded by the Lord Galland his Majesty's Commissioner that although the Cause of sending those Royal Commissioners into our Ecclesiastical Synods was from divers false Reports spread abroad and taken up against those Synods most unjustly and to their great prejudice and damage and that it had occasioned the former National Synods most humbly to petition his Majesty that he would be pleased to leave the Churches in their ancient State of Liberty yet forasmuch as his Majesty hath ordained that no more Petitions should be presented him to this purpose the Churches do acquiesce in his Majesty's Pleasure sith he will have this his Ordinance inviolably observ'd and this Synod doth yield an intire Obedience to the King's Will and the Order prescribed by his Majesty whereof the Churches hope to reap the Fruits promised them in their Establishment and better Subsistence for the future and approbation of their Innocency and the rather because the last National Synods of Charenton and Castres have already tasted of them and been in a more especial manner aided by the Prudence Equanimity and good Conduct of his Lordship the Lord Galland Therefore a Decree past That conformably to his Majesty's Intention our Synodical Assemblies should subject themselves to a precise observation of his Majesty's Declaration made in the Year 1623 about sending Commissioners unto Synods and Colloquies And his Majesty shall be most humbly petitioned to enjoin those his Commissioners whom he shall be pleased to send into the Provinces not to abuse his Majesty's Name or Authority to the raising of new Difficulties which may deprive the Churches of the Effects of his Royal Bounty 29. And whereas his Majesty by his Declaration of the Year 1623 hath forbidden our Churches to receive into the Pastoral Office such Persons as are born in foreign Countries out of his Jurisdiction and divers Provincial Synods conceived that those Persons were excepted who were born in those States allied unto his Majesty and under the Covert of his Royal Protection wherein also they were confirmed by the Commissioners in whose Presence and no where else some few of those Ministers had been received Now our said Lord Commissioner having at this instant assured us that as it was his Majesty's Intention to comprehend under the name of Strangers all Persons born out of the Kingdom without exception so also that he is pleased to deal favourably with all those who have been admitted since the Year 1623 and to repute them as his natural born Subjects this Assembly intreateth the said Lord Commissioner to continue his good Offices unto our Churches and chargeth the Deputies which shall be sent unto his Majesty to present him our most humble Requests that those aforesaid Pastors may be comprized in that his Act of Grace and that for the future all others so born may be instituted and inducted into the Pastoral Cure of our Churches in the Presence of his Commissioners as if they had been natural born Frenchmen 30. And as for the third and fourth Articles in his Lordship's Speech the Synod hath upon very just Grounds intreated his Lordship to assure his Majesty that the Churches sixing themselves more and more in the observation of those Reglements taken up in the two last National Synods and with which his Majesty is fully satisfied will take all possible care that no Complaints upon those Accounts may be ever hereafter brought unto his Majesty And as for that particular Business of Monsieur Salbert this Assembly deferring all Obedience to his Majesty's Pleasure and leaving the said Salbert in that Estate wherein he is at present doth yet notwithstanding judg themselves bound by the Laws of Charity to have recourse unto his Majesty's Goodness on his behalf And therefore we most humbly beseech his Majesty out of his innate Clemency to remove the Tokens of his just Indignation against him and to let him share and participate in that same Royal Favour which he has vouchsafed and extended unto others involv'd with himself in the Miseries of the late Troubles 31. And whereas a certain Book hath been seen by us bearing Monsieur Beraud's Name whose Preface is already condemned by the Lords of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy-Council and that we are required to examine and censure both it and him After hearing of the said Professor Beraud he did ingenuously acknowledg himself the Author of it but also that it was extorted from him by mere Force and through the Malignity of the Times in the late Confusions and that it was never in his Thoughts or Intention to grant a License unto Ecclesiastical Persons to shed Blood and those Words of which he is accused having occasioned an Exposition quite contrary to his Judgment he declareth with all possible Sincerity and as in the Presence of God that he disapproveth of the Ambiguity in which those Expressions are there couched and detesteth from his very Soul the Consequences which are thence deduced protesting that his Belief is intirely conformable to that of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom which have according to the holy Scriptures decided in our former National Synods that Pastors should in no wise intrude themselves into the Administration of State-matters because they he wholly alien and foreign to their Profession and therefore the Argument is more valid that they cannot without contradiction to God's holy Word and the Confession of our Churches founded upon it stretch out their Hands to draw Blood from any one or engage in any military Factions This Assembly therefore confirming the Decrees of former National Synods and grievously censuring the said Beraud for having rashly and to ill purpose used those scandalous Expressions tending to establish an erroneous Doctrine declared once again That it doth reject and condemn that Proposition extracted out of the Book of the said Beraud and forbiddeth him and all other Professors in our Universities and Ministers in our Churches to teach or write any such Doctrine for time to come upon pain of incurring all Ecclesiastical Censures 32. And as for those sharp Words mentioned by his Lordship the Commissioner the Churches are utter Strangers to them having declared the Word of God with all Modesty and Meekness however they have been ill handled in divers Places and tho oftentimes our Adversaries have most licentiously perverted the most innocent Expressions of our Faith to render us more odious and criminal 33. The Lord Galland his Majesty's Commissioner requiring that Monsieur Bastide may be removed from the Church of St. Africk in the Province of Higher Languedoc because his Deportments in the said Church have been destructive to the Publick Peace and Tranquillity The Assembly being informed
Amyraud and Testard Messieurs and most Honoured Fathers and Brethren UNderstanding from good Hands That my Pains and Labour in the Defence of the Truth is very much blamed by persons of a contrary Perswasion I believed that as that Treatise Composed by me through the occasion of these new Controversies was submitted unto your Judgment so it was my Duty to undertake my own Justification and to wipe off those Reproaches wherewith I had been aspersed They say that I might have done well not to have medled with this Quarrel and that I am a Fellow who love to be embroyl'd and to fish in troubled Waters and who do presumptuously take upon me to prescribe my own private Notions as infallible Oracles You know Sirs that Messieurs Amyraud and Testard have kindled this fire which hath caused all this noise and hubbub and that 't is they who have fill'd all our Churches with those Books which in a very ill hour do remove the antient bounds by their new fangled Doctrines about the most important points of our Religion and that Monsieur Amyraud hath sent forth his Book of Predestination without ever submitting it to be examined by his Province or so much as waiting for its Approbation by them and that since that time contrary to the Advice of two Provinces and contrary to the Promise made by him unto Messieurs Vincent and du Soul he hath caused some certain Sermons of his containing the very self-same Doctrine to be Printed It was a long time before I stirred hoping that this Commotion would have calmed of it self and have found none to approve it But being well informed That this Distemper grew worse and worse and that this Sparkle might cause a great Conflagration I feared lest my Silence on such an urgent occasion might be interpreted for want of Zeal unto the Truth and be taken for an Approbation of their Errors I have none nor will I have any Quarrels with the Persons of those Gentlemen but only with their Doctrines It cannot be but ill resented that they should be permitted to Publish unto the World from the Press a new Doctrine and that it should be a Crime in me to Refute it in Manuscript I went about this Work with a great deal of Grief having nothing that lay heavier upon my heart or was more contrary to my Temper than to contend with my Brethren in the Work of the Lord especially now that my Age calls for Repose and that I am daily waiting for my Dissolution But I saw the Evil to be so great and its consequences so dangerous that I counted my self bound in Conscience to defend the Cause of God and to endeavour to discover the very bottom of the Imposture and the hidden Nature of it I very well know that your Assembly is made up of Persons of clearer and more piercing Judgments than my self nor would I be so presumptuous as to take upon me to be your Teacher but in what I have done I have satisfaction from my own Conscience nor durst I be wanting in my Duty unto God and the defence of his Cause But these Gentlemen who complain of me were not contented to keep within these Limits For besides the Printed Books wherein they have spread abroad their Doctrine they have now very lately Published a Treatise against me under the Name of Monsieur Vignier a Copy of which was sent unto the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France And I do not question but that they have disperst them elsewhere far and near I am also advised That Messieurs Amyraud and Testard do complain very much of a little Script of mine dictated not in the Publick School but in my private Chamber unto some few Scholars wherein I have changed their Names one of them into Greek and the other into Latin which I did out of fear lest if it should fall into the hands of any of the Romish Church they might understand my Discourse and learn out the Persons with whom I disputed of which little Treatise I never Communicated a Copy unto any one And understanding that these Gentlemen take this exchange of their Names in ill part I have Composed another more ample and exact than the former unto which I have set their Names that so I might give them content You be too Prudent not to observe that these Gentlemen do play at Tarriers with you and whilst they amuse you with Triftes their design is to take you off from diving into the bottom of their Doctrines and to divert you with idle Stories of my Practice and Custom instead of maintaining their own Cause 'T is but a small matter to change a French Name into Latin if compared with what they have done in changing the very Nature of God of the Law and of the Gospel I am informed that they make great out-cries for that in certain Letters written by me to Monsieur de la Millitierre I told him they endeavoured to make a new Religion a Hotch-potch of Popery and Cameronianism But let me not be misapprehended 't was never in my thoughts to charge the Doctrine of Monsieur Cameron who is now at rest with Heresy or that he intended to Model out a new Religion I only spake the Sence and Intention of de la Milletierre and the mark at which he aimed For he endeavours from the Doctrine of Monsieur Cameron to frame a new Religion and never speaks of him but as of an Oracle as of a most incomparable Person When we say that the Lutherans are equally bent both against Popery and Calvinism we do not thereby understand that Calvin was the Author of a new Religion I Honour the Memory of Monsieur Cameron and when there was need I defended it But yet I am truly of that mind That he had done very well if he had never over-turned the Order of God's Decrees as they were Explained and Asserted by the Synod of Dort and Approved by all the Reformed Churches of Europe and particularly by three National Synods at home which he had never done if he had soberly and seriously considered the consequences of his own Tanents For this new Method of his is that very Foundation upon which the Arminians have built all their Doctrines Nor can any one deny it but that one third part at least of all Cameron's Works is spent in the Confutation of Calvin Beza and the rest of our most Famous Doctors Yet notwithstanding these his Blemishes we are not to despise those Gifts and Graces God had so plentifully bestowed upon him and when I read his Works I cannot find that Doctrine which is now vented by those who boast themselves to be his Disciples and Followers and cover themselves with the Shield of his Authority I cannot find where he saith That the distinct knowledge of Jesus Christ is not necessary to Salvation nor that he saith That Jesus Chrict died equally and alike for all Men nor doth he Teach That the Reprobates may
Chillieure D'Angeau and Mer who shall take care of its Coâ—â—â—â— and Edification ARTICLE 18. Monsieur Drelincourt one of the Pastors of the Church of Paris and Deputy for the Isle of France having presented to this Assembly the books written by him upon that great Question about the Religious Worship paid by the Church of Rome unto the Blessed Virgin and maintained by the Bishop of Bellay received the Thanks of the whole Asâ—â—mbly for his Deference and Respect given to it his Zeal also in dâ—â—â—nce of God's Truth was praised and applauded by all the Members and he was entreated to consecrate the residue of his Labours and Studies to the common Edification of God's Church and the Confutation of its Adversaries ARTICLE 19. The Sieur de Morande Deputy for the Province of Burgundy petitioned on behalf of the Church of Bussy that this Assembly would be pleased to direct them what Course they should take to recover divers Legacies bequathed to it and to cause several Persons which owe the Monies to make payment of those Sums assessed on them for the Maintenance of the Holy Ministry among them A Decree passed That he should carry his Petition unto the next Synod of his Province who shall advise them to use their best Prudence in choice of those Means which will be most effectual and expedient for them in their present Circumstances ARTICLE 20. The Complaint of Monsieur Ramet Pastor of the Church of Pontigny about certain Letters very injurious to him and written by an unknown Person under the feigned Name of Philarque is dismissed over to the Cognisance of the Sieurs Basnage and de L'Angle and of the Commissiones their Colleagues nominated by this Assembly to pass over unto Vitre and there to labour conjunctly in the setling and restoration of Peace and good Order in the Church of Chirst gathered in that Town ARTICLE 21. The Provincial Deputies of Poictou having presented the first Tome of reconciling those Texts of Scripture which seemingly differed and disagreed written by the Sieur D'Artois Pastor of the Church of St. Hillary and Dedicated by him unto this Assembly and the Letters of the said Sieur D'Artois being read in which he requested that by Order of this Assembly his Book might be examined and approved and then in consequence thereof printed and published it was resolved that Letters should be written him in commendation of his Zeal and good Affection towards the clearing up of God's Truth But inasmuch as he had been already prejudiced by the Sieurs de Persy and D'Aubus who had offered to communicate their Labours on this Subject to him and that the Straits of Time and multitude of Business could not permit this Assembly to examin and revise his Book the Province of Poictou was charged to deliver the Message of this Assembly to him and praising him for his great Pains and Undertaking to assure him that when they had examined and approved of this Work of his they would take care for its Impression and Publication ARTICLE 22. The Sieur Bernardin Pastor of the Church of Cartays petitioned this Assembly by his Letters to assist him in the purchase of Books needed by him in prosecution of his great Design of refuting the Annals of Cardinal Baronius a Work which he hath undertook from that Evidence and Knowledge God hath given him of the many Weaknesses and Failures in the Adversary An Answer was Voted to be sent him That forasmuch as the Churches had no Fund at their Disposal this Assembly was not in any condition to satisfie his Demand And touching his Work if he pleased to go on with it he should render an account of it unto the Province of Lower Guyenne who are to judge how useful and serviceable it may be unto the Churches ARTICLE 23. The Sieur Richard was upon his Petition admitted to be heard give the Reasons why he had varied from that Act made on his Occasion in the last National Synod of Alanson and the Assembly allowing his Plea of Bodily Indisposition which did not suffer him to perform any Duties of his Ministerial Calling hath absolutely discharged him from it and freeing him from that necessity of returning to the County of Vaux doth again recommend him to that Charity which hath been usually extended to him by the Isle of France and that he might be enabled to return unto his own House there were some Effects of their Bounty imparted to him by this Assembly with an express Injunction laid upon him that he should never for the future trouble these Synodical Meetings with Complaints of his Poverty and Necessities ARTICLE 24. The Sieur Arnaud came in Person unto this Assembly and demanded its assistance and advice in his perplexed condition and he was directed to steer this course that if he intended to have his Majesty's Interdiction removed from him he should solely address himself unto his Majesty's Courts of Justice and in case the King should be pleased to release and acquit him and restore him once again unto his Ministry that then he should go unto the Consistory of Nisms who having sent their Deputies upon the Place to take cognizance of the Carriage of the Church of Andusa towards him and of the Sieur Bouit who was since inducted into it and calling in to their assistance for the confirmation and strengthening of their Act four of their Neighbour Pastors they shall by Authority of this present Synod proceed unto the Restoration of the said Sieur Arnaud and to censure those Persons who have so basely and unworthily forsook him in his Troubles and they shall censure the Sieur Bouit who is since gotten into his place And if upon a strict Examination they find him to have intruded himself into the Church of Andusa they shall deal with him according to the Rigour of the Discipline And the Expence and Charges of those Deputies from the Consistory of Nisms shall be defrayed both by the Church of Andusa and by the Sieur Bouit ARTICLE 25. The Expences which the Sieurs Arnaud Bland and others have been necessitated to make through the Wiles and crafty Practices of their Adversaries shall according to the Order passed in this Assembly be repayed them by the Churches of Sevennes and those Churches which had called them shall every one of them bear their proportions of one Third and the Colloquies in whose Division they are another third and the Province the last third ARTICLE 26. Mr. Blondel who when he was chosen Deputy for the Isle of France stood related as Pastor to the Church of Houdan and hath been since removed by the last Synod of the Province who permitted him to reside in Paris that he might with the more conveniency intend his Studies as appeareth by the Act of that Synod which was now read did petition the Synod to determin the Nature and Quality of his Function by some particular Act made by it and to be inserted into the Body of the Acts of
together with our Church Discipline shall be subscribed by them CAN. IV. That our Churches may be always furnished with a sufficient number of Pastors and of other Persons fit to govern them and to preach the Word of God unto them they shall be advised to chuse those Scholars who be already well advanced in good Learning and be of the most promising hopeful Parts and to maintain such in the Universities that they may be there prepared and fitted for the Work of the Ministry ever preferring the Children of poor Ministers if ingenious before all others of which the Colloquies shall take a most especial care Kings Princes and Lords shall be exhorted and petitioned particularly to mind this important Affair and to lay by some part and portion of their Revenues towards their maintenance and the richer Churches shall do the like Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall as they see meet notifie and sollicit this Affair and take the best courses that matters of so great necessity may be successful and if single Churches cannot do it their Neighbours shall joyn with them that one poor Scholar at the least may be maintained in every Colloquy and rather than this design should miscarry the fifth Penny of all our Charities shall be set apart if it may conveniently be done to be imployed in this service CAN. V. A Proposition out of the Word of God shall be made by the Scholars of every Church as time and place may conveniently bear it at which Exercises Pastors shall be present to preside and order the said Proposans N. B. There were general Statutes made for the Vniversities of the Reformed Churches of France in the National Synod of Alez By whom they were drawn up is now out of my mind but those for the Vniversity of Montauban were composed by Monsieur Beraud the Father who was the first Divinity-Professor in it Those for the Vniversity of Die in Dolphiny were composed by the great Chamier which I have lying by me written with his own hand and which I shall publish if the Lord lend me life in his Icon. CHAP. III. Of Elders and Deacons CANON I. IN those places where the Order of our Discipline is not yet set up Elders and Deacons shall be chosen by the joynt Suffrages of Pastors and People but where it hath been already established the power of chusing them and that with pertinent Prayers unto the occasion shall reside in the Consistory together with the Pastors and they shall be nominated with an audible Voice in the said Consistory that they may know in what businesses they are to be employed If they consent they shall on two Lord's days following be declared to the People that so their consent also may be obtained and if on the third Sabbath there be no opposition made they shall be then publickly received with solemn Prayers standing upright before the Pulpit and be thus ordained unto their Offices they subscribing our Confession of Faith and Church-Discipline but if there fall out any opposition it shall be determined in the Consistory and in case it cannot be there composed Chap III. Of Elders and Deacons it shall be wholly remitted to the Colloquy or Provincial Synod CAN. II. Henceforward if it may be possibly avoided none shall be chosen Elders or Deacons of the Church whose Wives are not of the true Religion according to the Apostles Canon Yet notwithstanding that the Church may not be deprived of the Labours of several worthy persons who in the days of their ignorance espoused Women of a contrary Religion they shall be tolerated because of the present necessity provided that they do produce good evidence of their serious endeavours for instructing of their Wives in that Faith and true Worship of God practised in our Churches CAN. III. The Elder 's Office is together with the Pastors to oversee the Church to gather and keep up the solemn Assemblies and to take care that the Members in communion do personally appear at those holy Congregations to make report of Scandals and Offences in Consistory and with the Pastors to take cognizance and pass censures on them In general it is to have the same care with them in all concerns about the Order Maintenance and Government of the Church Moreover in every Church there shall be reserved in Writing a Breviate of the particulars belonging unto their Office according as the circumstances of time and place may call for it CAN. IV. The Deacon's Office is to collect and distribute by the advice of the Consistory Moneys unto the Poor Sick and Prisoners and to visit and take care of them CAN. V. It doth not belong unto the Deacon's Office to Preach the Word of God nor to Administer the Sacraments yet because of our present distress the Consistory may chuse certain Elders and Deacons to catechize the respective Families of the Church as also in the Pastor's absence Elders are permitted on Week-days if chosen thereunto by the Consistory to Pray publickly with the Church and therein they shall use the ordinary form and in reading of the Scriptures none other but the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament shall be read And whereas in divers Provinces it hath been a custom for Deacons to catechize in publick the Inconveniences which have already and may hereafter happen from it being well considered the Churches are exhorted where this custom is not introduc'd not at all to admit it and those in which it hath took place to forsake it and to endeavour that the said Deacons if of competent abilities do enter as soon as may be into the Ministry CAN. VI. Elders and Deacons may be present at Propositions of the Word of God which are made by Ministers besides their ordinary Sermons or by Scholars that are Proposans and at those Censures which shall be past upon them and shall give their judgment of these Exercises but the decisive judgment in point of Doctrine is principally reserved unto Pastors Ministers and Doctors of Divinity who be duly called into that Office CAN. VII The Office of Elders and Deacons as it is now in use among us is not perpetual yet because changes are not incommodious they shall be exhorted to continue in their Offices as long as they can and they shall not lay them down without having first obtained leave from their Churches CAN. VIII Neither Elders nor Deacons shall claim any primacy or jurisdiction over one another whether in nomination unto the People or in precedency Chap IV. Of The Office of a Deacon or in order of voting or in any matters depending upon their Offices CAN. IX Elders and Deacons shall be deposed for those very crimes and causes for which the Ministers of God's Word are and if being condemned by the Consistory they should make an Appeal they shall yet notwithstanding continue suspended from their Offices until such times as the Colloquy or Provincial Synod shall have decided their affair CAN. X. Elders
or Provincial Synod CAN. XIX Such as have abandon'd the profession of our holy Religion and adhere unto Idolatry if they persevere in this their Apostasie after serious endeavours used to bring them back again unto the Church they shall be publickly denounced Apostates to wit those who have of late times revolted unless the Consistory do judg that by such a nomination some great and considerable danger may redound unto the Church in which case nothing shall be done without consulting the Provincial Synod And as for those who have long since revolted the Execution of this denunciation is remitted to the prudence of the Colloquy CAN. XX. In publick Sins that is to say such as are really committed and known to a great number of People this Delinquent shall be restored by a publick acknowledgment of his offence although he had been punished by the Sentence of the Civil Magistrate CAN. XXI Forasmuch as Whoredome carries with it a brand of Infamy especially upon Women the Confession and Penance for such Scandals is wholly left unto the prudence of Consistories CAN. XXII Publick Penance shall be undergone in Person and the Delinquent shall give an open testimony of his Repentance CAN. XXIII The Delinquent who was suspended the Lord's Table by the Consistory although that suspension was concealed from the People shall demand his restoration from the Consistory and he giving evident tokens of his Repentance he shall be restored without undergoing any publick Penance CAN. XXIV But he whose Suspension had been declared unto the People producing Evidences of his Repentance before the Consistory by the fruits of good works and sufficient Testimonies shall be publickly reconciled unto the Church upon the acknowledgment of his offence CAN. XXV Those who for their obstinacy and hardness in their sins shall have been out off from the Church may not suddenly be restored unto their state and reconciled unto the Church but upon good and long tryal had of their Repentance they shall be heard in Consistory and if they Petition to be received unto the Churches Peace they doing Penance for their offences there shall be notice given of it unto the Congregation to stir them up to seek and praise God and after some time they shall be presented unto the whole Church to confess their former Trespasses and Rebellions and begging pardon of God and his Church they shall be in this manner reconciled with joy publick Prayers and Thanksgiving CAN. XXVI If the Members of a Church have fallen into Idolatry and thereupon removed their Habitation unto another place in which their offence is not known they shall only make acknowledgment of their Fall before the Consistory but with this Proviso that if they return unto the said Church where they had offended they shall do publick Penance for it However it is left unto the discretion of the Consistory to deal otherwise with them if they judge it to be more expedient for the Churches edifying The same judgment shall be made of all other sins deserving publick Penance CAN. XXVII All Sins acknowledged and repaired shall be razed out of the Consistorial Books excepting those which drawing Rebellion with them had been censured by Suspension from the Lord's Table or Excommunication out of the Church CAN. XXVIII Consistories shall not give in evidence unto the Civil Magistrate neither by instrument in writing nor any other way nor shall particular Members of the Consistories reveal unto any Person the Confessions of Penitents who voluntarily and of their own accord or by admonitions made them shall have confessed their offences to them unless it be in case of High Treason CAN. XXIX Such Persons shall be prosecuted with all Church-Censures yea and Excommunicated who professing the Reformed Religion do appeal the Pastors Elders or the whole Consistory before the Civil Magistrate by that means to enforce them to give in Evidence against Delinquents who confessed their faults unto them CAN. XXX Crimes secretly declared unto Ministers by Persons demanding their advice and comfort Ministers are forbidden to discover them unto the Civil Magistrate lest reproach should thereby redound upon the Ministry and Sinners be hindred from coming unto Repentance and making a free Confession of their Sins And this shall be a standing Rule for all Crimes revealed to them unless in Case of High Treason CAN. XXXI If one or more of the People stir up Contention and do thereby break the Churches Union in any point of Doctrine or of Discipline or about the form of Catechising or Administration of the Sacraments or of publick Prayers or the Celebration of Marriage and that private admonitions have not been effectual remedies to appease them the Consistory of that place shall immediately endeavour to compose and pacify the whole affair without noise and with all sweetness from the word of God and in case the Dissenters do not acquiesce therein the Consistory of that Church shall intreat the Colloquy to assemble at such a time and place as will be most convenient they having first ingaged the said Dissenters in express terms and upon record to promise that they will not spread their Opinions in any manner or way till the meeting of the said Colloquy upon pain of being Censured as Schismaticks excepting always freedom of Conference with Pastors and Elders in case they have not been instructed And if the said Dissenters shall refuse to give the said Promises they shall be censured for Rebels according to our Discipline And the Colloquy being met shall proceed as was before appointed them And if the said Dissenters having been patiently heard and confuted be fully satisfied the whole shall be registred unless the Provincial Synod be requested to assemble extraordinary necessity so requiring it at such time and place as the said Colloquy shall judge most convenient after that the Promises before-mentioned shall have been again repeated by the said Dissenters The Synod being assembled shall first advise and consider with great and mature deliberation of the matter places time and persons whether it will be expedient that a Conference should be held with the said Dissenters publickly before the People and with open Doors and that Audience be given unto any there present to speak or not However the Decision of the Points in Controversy shall not be left unto any other Judges besides the Delegates of the Provinces according to the known Canon of our Discipline And if the said Dissenters refuse to conform they shall then ingage in the same Promises as before and be dismissed over to the ordinary National Synod or if necessity so require that it must be extraordinarily assembled they shall be heard in it with all holy freedom Chap. VI. Of the Vnion of Churches and there it shall be finally and intirely determined by the word of God unto which if they refuse to yield full obedience and in express terms to disclaim their recorded Errors they shall be cut off by Excommunication from the Body of
they be accompanied with a Godfather and that they have made profession of our holy Christian Reformed Religion CAN. IX A Surety coming from another Church shall not be admitted to present a Child unto Baptism unless he bring with him a Certificate from his own Church CAN. X. Such as present Children unto Baptism shall be of sufficient Age in their fourteenth year at least and shall have Communicated at the Lord's Table or if they be well stricken in years and have not as yet received the blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper they shall protest seriously that they will do it and in order to it that they will suffer themselves duly to be Catechised CAN. XI Persons suspended from the Lords Supper may not in the quality of Sureties present Children unto Baptism so long as their Suspension shall stand in force against them CAN. XII Pastors shall diligently exhort all Godfathers and Godmothers to weigh and consider their Promises made at the Celebration of Baptism and Parents also to chuse such Sureties for their Children as are well-instructed in Religion and of a Godly Life and Conversation and that are as much as may be of their Acquaintance and by whose means if there should be a necessity for it in the course of God's Providence it is most likely that their Children will have a Religious Education CAN. XIII Such as by their Proxies presenâ— Children to be baptized in the Church of Rome shall be severely censured because they consent thereby unto Idolatry CAN. XIV As for Names which are given Children in Baptism Ministers shall reject if it can possibly be done and without any inconvenience those which yet remain of old Paganism nor shall they impose on the said Children the Names ascribed unto God in Scripture as Immanuel and others of like nature Moreover Parents and Sureties shall be admonished to take Names approved in the holy Scriptures or if they fancy any other they may be accepted excepting always those before mentioned and those which signify a matter which is unseemly CAN. XV. Ministers shall admonish their Flocks to demean themselves most reverently at the Administration of Baptism And that the contempt of Baptism which is expressed by too many even the far greater part of our People by going out of the Assembly or carrying themselves irreverently at its Administration may be avoided for the future it hath been judged meet that this holy Sacrament shall be administred before the singing of the last Psalm or at least before the giving of the Pastoral Blessing And the People shall be carefully admonished to behave themselves with the self same Reverence in the administration of Baptism as in that Sacrament of the Lord's Supper forasmuch as Jesus Christ and all his benefits are alike equally exhibited and offered to us in both the Sacraments CAN. XVI Consistories shall have an eye over such persons as do without any great and urgent cause defer for a long time together the Baptism of their Children CAN. XVII Chap. XII Of The Lord's Supper Although the Wife of a Believing Husband be of a contrary Religion yet is he in no wise to be excused if that his Child be presented unto Baptism in the Church of Rome and therefore he shall not be received unto the Lord's Supper unless he have to the utmost of his power laboured to prevent it CAN. XVIII All Baptisms shall be Registred and carefully kept in the church-Church-Books together with the Names of both the Parents Sureties and of the Children baptized which shall be subscribed by the Minister's own hand who did baptise them And when as Children shall be presented unto baptism The Parents and Sureties shall be obliged to bring with them a Note in which shall be inserted the Name of the Child of its Parents and Sureties and the day of its Nativity CAN. XIX The Parents Names of Bastards Children born of an Illegitimate Conjunction if they be known shall be Recorded in the Book of Baptisms unless of those Children who are born in Incest That so the very Remembrance of such an enormous Wickedness may be for ever buried in the Grave of Forgetfulness In which case it shall be sufficient only to have nominated the Mother together with the Sureties who shall present the Child to Baptism And in the Baptising of all Illegitimate Children express mention shall be made that they were born out of holy Wedlock CHAP. XII Of the Lord's Supper CANON I. WHere there is no Form of a Church the Lord's Supper shall not be administred CAN. II. Children under twelve years of Age shall not be admitted unto the Lord's Table but as for others who are above that Age it is left unto the Minister's discretion to judge whether they have sufficient knowledge to qualify them for their admission to it CAN. III. Priests Monks and other Ecclesiasticks belonging to the Church of Rome shall not be admitted to the Lord's Supper till they have first made a publick acknowledgment of their former Life and profession CAN. IV. Incumbents who retain the name and title of their Benefices and all other persons who do either directly or indirectly participate in Idolatry whether they receive the Income of their Benefices with their own hands or the hands of others shall not be admitted to Communion with us at the Lord's Table CAN. V. Ministers shall have notice given them not to receive unto the Lord's Supper the Members of other Churches without having a sufficient Testimonial from their Pastor or in default thereof from an Elder if it may be had CAN. VI. A Man dumb and deaf demonstrating his sence of Piety and Religion by evident signs tokens and gestures may be received unto the Lord's Table in case the Church hath experience of his holy Life and can perceive that he hath Faith and the true Knowledge of God CAN. VII The Bread in the Lord's Supper shall be administred unto them who cannot drink Wine they protesting seriously that it is not out of contempt that they do forbear it besides they doing their utmost endeavour for it yea bringing the Cup as near unto their Mouth as they can and taking and touching it with their Lips all occasions of offence will be by this means in this case avoided CAN. VIII Pastors are left at liberty in giving the Bread and Wine to use the accustomed words it being a thing purely indifferent provided that they use such words as tend to edifying CAN. IX The Churches shall be informed that it belongeth only unto Ministers to give the Cup. CAN. X. Forasmuch as when the Lord's Supper is administred sundry diseased Persons come unto it which causeth many that are in health to be shy of taking the Cup after them Pastors and Elders shall be admonished to use their greatest prudence that godly order may be kept up and observed in this Case CAN. XI Such as having been a long while Members of the Church and refuse Communion with it at the Lord's Table
of humanity and Consanguinity CAN. XVI Neither Ministers nor other Members of the Church may print any Books composed by themselves or others concerning Religion nor may they at all publish them until they have first Communicated them unto the Colloquy or if need be unto the Provincial Synod And in case the matter be urgent requiring speedy dispatch unto the Universities or to two Pastors appointed by the Synod who shall attest under their own hands that they have perused and examined the said Writings CAN. XVII They that handle the Histories of holy Scripture in Poems are admonished not to blend or intermingle Poetick Fables with them nor to give unto God the names of a false God nor to add unto nor take any thing from the Sacred Scriptures but they shall confine themselves as near as they can unto the words of it CAN. XVIII Neither the Canonical nor other Books of the Bible shall be transformed into Comedies or Tragedies CAN. XIX Churches which have Printers belonging to them shall advise them not to print any Books concerning Religion or the Discipline of the Church without having first Communicated them unto the Consistory because of those manifold Inconveniencies which have formerly happened upon this account And neither Printers nor Booksellers nor Hawkers shall sell any Books of Idolatry or that be Scandalous stuffed with Ribauldry or Impiety which tend to the corrupting of good Manners CAN. XX. Although Priests cannot lay any just claim or title unto Tyths in regard of their Ministry yet nevertheless they must be paid because of the King's Command and for the avoidance of Scandal and Sedition CAN. XXI According to his Majesties Edict the Faithful shall be exhorted to give none offence by working upon Holy-Days CAN. XXII All Usuries shall be most strictly forbidden and suppressed and matters of Loan shall be regulated according to the Kings Ordinance and the Rule of Charity CAN. XXIII All violence and injurious words against the Members of the Church of Rome as also against Priests and Monks shall not only be forborn but also as much as may be shall be totally suppressed CAN. XXIV Swearers who in passion or levity do take God's holy Name in vain and others who blaspheme the Divine Majesty shall be most severely censured and if after the second admonition they be not reclaimed they shall be then suspended from the Lord's Table And all Outragious Blasphemers Forswearers and such like Persons shall in no wise be tolerated in Church-Communion But immediately for their first offence shall be suspended the Lord's Supper and if they continue in their Ungodliness they shall be publickly Excommunicated CAN. XXV The Churches shall admonish the Faithful of both Sexes to retain Modesty and that most especially in their Habits and shall take care that all Superfluities heretofore committed in them may be retrenched But yet our Churches shall not make any Decree about it because it is an affair properly belonging unto the Civil Magistrate yet may they endeavour by their Remonstrances that his Majesties Edict concerning these matters be more diligently observed CAN. XXVI No Person shall be deprived of Communion at the Lord's Table for wearing any fashion of Apparel which is ordinarily and usually worn in this Kingdom But under this head those ought not to be comprised which carry with them a notorious Badge of Lasciviousness dissolution or over-curious novelty such as naked Breasts Painting and the like with which Men and Women cloath and abuse themselves And Consistories shall do their utmost to suppress these Impieties and shall proceed against the Refractory by Suspension from the Lord's Table N. B. That Clause in the middle of this Canon Printed in another Letter is found in my Parisian and Quevilly Editions of the Discipline yet injoined by the National Synods held at St. Foy 1578. Canon 21. of General Matters The second of Rochel 1581. Art 41. Explaining the 26 Canon in the last Chapter of the Discipline and the Synod of Montauban 1594. Canon 45. of General Matters CAN. XXVII All Dances shall be supprest and such as make a Trade of Dancing or make Custom of being present at Dances having been sundry times admonished in case they prove contumacious and Rebellious they shall be Excommunicated and all Consistories are charged to see that this Canon be most heedfully kept and observed and in the name of God and by the Authority of this Synod that it be read publickly in their Churches And Colloquies and Provincial Synods are exhorted to have an observing eye on those Consistories which shall not perform their duty in this particular that they may be censured N.B. Provincial Synods is left out by pure omission from my other Editions but those of Paris and Quevilly CAN. XXVIII Mummings and Juglings shall not be suffered nor Wassail-days nor keeping of Shrovetide nor Players at Heypass nor Tumblers nor Tricks of Goblets nor Puppet-Plays and Christian Magistrates are exhorted not to permit them because they do feed curiosity and cause a great deal of waste and loss of time Moreover it shall not be lawful for the Faithful to go to Comedies Tragedies Interludes Farces or other Stage-Plays acted in publick or private because in all Ages these have been forbidden among Christians as bringing in a corruption of good Manners but then most of all when as the Sacred Scriptures come to be profaned Yet nevertheless when as in a Colledge it shall be found profitable for Youth to represent any History it may be tolerated provided always that the subject matter thereof be not comprised in the holy Scripture which was never given us for matter of sport but purely to be Preached for our Instruction and Comfort And this also shall be done very rarely and with advice of the Colloquy which shall first have the sight and perusal of the Composition CAN. XXIX All Plays forbidden by the Kings Edicts as Cards Dice and other Games of hazard avarice lasciviousness notorious loss of time or scandal shall be suppressed and the Persons reproved and admonished in the Consistories and censured according to Circumstances No Lotteries can be approved although they were or were not allowed by the Civil Magistrate and the godly Magistrates professing the Reformed Religion are exhorted to restrain them N. B. This last Clause of the Canon is only in my two Editions of Paris and Quevilly CAN. XXX It is a thing purely indifferent to be present at those Feasts and Banquets which are made by those of the Popish Religion when as they are Espoused Married or their Children are born However the Faithful are admonished to use them for edification and seriously to ponder with themselves whether they be Masters of so much strength as to resist the dissolutions and other evils committed at them and especially whether they can reprove them And under these Feasts those are not to be comprised which Priests make at the Celebration of their first Mass for it is utterly unlawful for any one who
fears God to countenance them with his presence CAN. XXXi None of the Faithful shall be present at their Marriages and Banquets who that they may espouse a Party of the contrary Religion do revolt from the profession of the Gospel But as for them who have a long time ago Apostatized or have been always Papists 't is left unto the Prudence of the Faithful to consider with themselves whether it may be expedient for them or no. CAN. XXXII They that Challenge or cause others to be challenged unto a Duel or being challenged do accept of it and kill their Parties although they may have afterward obtained their Pardon or may be otherwise justified shall yet notwithstanding have the censure of Suspension from the Lord's Table inflicted on them and their Suspension shall be published without delay and in case they would be received unto the Churches Peace they shall first undergo publick Penance making acknowledgment of their great offence CAN. XXXIII These Articles contained in this Book of Discipline are not established among us in such a manner but that if the Churches benefit do require it they may be changed Yet shall not any Ministers Consistories Colloquies or Provincial Synods have power to add change or diminish without the advice or consent of a National Synod SECT XIII THis is the Discipline of those famous Churches This was their Canon-Law by which their Ministers Church-Officers and Church-Members were ordered and conduced As to their Ministers in the worst times it was strictly exercised upon them If any of them proved Scandalous in Doctrine in Conversation they were not spared The Church and House of God was soon rid of them Their Colloquies and Synods threw away the unsavoury Salt unto the Dunghill and it was very rare if the Deposed and ejected Ministers did not take up for good and all in the Dunghill of the Romish Synagogue There hath been a great Complaint of much looseness among their Members Certainly they had and still have as holy and truly gracious Souls in Communion with them as any Churches of Christ under Heaven and a vast multitude of most zealous and faithful Martyrs far more in number and quality of Sufferers for the Gospel than in any one of the Reformed Christian Nations in Europe When the Ceremonious Lutherans of Stutgard in the Dukedom of Wirtemberg Brentius Jacob Andreas c. cited Monsieur Toussaint who had been Pastor of the Church of Orleans which then lay desolate one part groaning in Prisons and Dungeons another burning in Fires and Flames and the poor remainders pining away in their Dispersions and Exiles to appear before them and give an account of his Preaching within their Jurisdiction and spreading his Zuinglian and Calvinistical Heresies as they were pleas'd to stile them for he assisted his Aged Father in the Ministry in the County of Montpelgart He return'd an Apologetical Letter to them in which he wondered at their quarrels with him and the Frenth Churches who abhorred those fierce digladiations with which the German Churches and Universities had abounded and told them that the poor Churches of Christ in France breathed after Peace with them and with all the Churches of the Augustane Confession and had written for it prayed for it and these last ten years had spilt no other Ink than that of their own blood in defence of the truth This silenc'd the pragmatical Lutherans at that time And the Argument is as good and valid now * * * See Monsieur Amyraut's Apologie pour ceux de la Religion p. 23 24 25 26 27 which is too long to be here inserted It is none of my business nor do those poor afflicted Churches of France need it to write Apologies for them The Staff under water seems crooked but is not so Those Galileans whose blood Pilate mingled with their Sacrifices were not the worst of the Galileans Nor those Jews upon whom the Tower of Siloam fell and crushed to pieces were they the greatest Sinners in Jerusalem Should we thus argue we should offend against the Generation of the righteous who from the infancy of the World to this very day from their youth upward until now have been perpetually afflicted they have passed out of one Furnace into another oftentimes from lesser into sorer and greater fiery Tryals An infinitely wise and gracious God taking this course with them to refine and preserve them For by these means they have lived and by them hath the Life of their Souls been preserved Yea God seems himself to justify them Because their most grievous Sufferings have wonderfully contributed unto his Glory The blood of the Martyrs having proved the Seed of the Church and the more they have been oppressed the more have they increased A Vine grows the more and better for being pruned and soak'd with blood And notwithstanding the Seas of blood drawn from this poor Vineyard of Christ yet hath it proved the more fruitful grown and spread exceedingly insomuch that after all the storms of Persecution which had made a most fearful havock of God's Saints in that Kingdom their Faith and Patience hath tired out and overcome their Persecutors So that in the National Synod of Rochel in the year 1571. Mr. Beza Presiding in it the Reformed could count then above two thousand one hundred and fifty Churches and in many of these above ten thousand Members and in most of these two Ministers in some they had five as in the year 1561. there served the Church of Orleans which at that time had seven thousand Communicants Antony Chanoriet Lord of Merangeau Robert Macon Lord des Fontaines Hugh Sureau Nicholas Fillon Lord of Valls and Daniel Tossane who afterwards died at Heydelberg in the Palatinate When the Colloquy of Poissy was held they had in the one only Province of Normandy three hundred and five Pastors of Churches and in the Province of Provence threescore And I remember the Author of Le Cabinet du Roy de France a Book Printed in the year 1581. and dedicated to Henry the Third makes a Computation of their Martyrs to have been in a very few years at least above two hundred thousand cut off for the Gospel and he makes up his account thus Allow saith he but an hundred Martyrs to every Church and you have the summ and yet 't is as clear as the Sun at Noon-day that the summ is vastly more For 't is a truth incontestable that there have been cut off by the Sword and Massacres for Religion from the Church of Caen above 15000 or 16000. from the Church of Alancon five thousand from the Church of Paris thirteen thousand from the Church of Rheims twelve thousand from the Church of Troye twelve thousand from the Church of Sens nine thousand from the Church of Orleans eight thousand from the Church of Angiers seven thousand five hundred from the Church of Poictiers twelve thousand Persons c. See Le Cabinet du Roy. Livre premier pag. 274
that when the Dragoons had done their part as effectually as they could the Intendant with the Bishops and the Military Commander do once again assemble these miserable Inhabitants totally ruined and exhort them to obey the King and become Catholicks adding in case of obstinacy most terrible Threats And the new Converts never failed in this juncture to execute what they had promised to entice and seduce them from the true Religion This they could do the more successfully because the Reformed had yet some kindness for and confidence in them 4. When the Master of a Family thinking to get rid of the Dragoons had obeyed and signed an Abjuration yet for all this he was not freed from his Tormentors unless that his Wife Children and the meanest of his Servants did not also follow his example And if Wife or Children or any of his Domesticks escaped their hands and fled for their Lives they renewed their Persecutions upon him till such time as he had brought them back again which being sometimes utterly impossible their change of Religion did not in the lead benefit or avail them The Form of Abjuration imposed upon the Protestants when they turn'd Papists and which they stiled The Mark of the Beast I here offer to my Reader 's perusal THE Mark of the Beast OR The Profession of the Catholick Apostolick and Romish Faith which the Protestants in France were inforced to make and subscribe through the Violence of Persecution in France In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen I do believe and profess with a firm Faith all and every thing and things contained in that Creed which is used by the holy Church of Rome to wit I believe in one God the Father Almighty who hath made Heaven and Earth and all things visible and invisible And in one Lord Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God and born of the Father before all Ages God of God Light of Light True God of the True God Begotten not made of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made who for us Men and our Salvation came down from Heaven and was Incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary and was made Man and was Crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate he suffered and was buried and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of the Father and he shall come again with Glory to judge both the quick and the dead whose Kingdom shall have no end And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord and Giver of Life who proceedeth from the Father and the Son who with the Father and the Son together is Worshipped and Glorified who spake by the Prophets And I believe one Catholick and Apostolick Church I acknowledge one Baptism for the Remission of Sins and I look for the Resurrection of the Dead and the Life of the World to come Amen I receive and embrace most firmly the Apostolick and Ecclesiastical Traditions and the other Observations and Constitutions of the same Church In like manner I receive the holy Scripture but with that sence which the holy Mother Church hath and doth now understand it to whom it doth belong to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures and I shall never take it nor interpret it otherwise than according to the unanimous Consent of the Fathers I profess also that there be truly and properly seven Sacraments of the new Law instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ and needful for the Salvation of Mankind although not alike needful to every one to wit Baptism Confirmation the Eucharist Penance Extreme Vnction Orders and Marriage and that they do confer Grace And that Baptism Confirmation and Orders cannot be reiterated without Sacriledge I receive and admit also the Ceremonies received and approved by the Catholick Church in the solemn Administration of all these for-mentioned Sacraments I receive and imbrace all and every thing and things which have been determined and declared concerning original Sin and Justification by the holy Council of Trent I likewise profess that in the Mass there is offered unto God a true proper and propitiatory Sacrifice for the living and the dead and that in the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist there is truly really and substantially the Body and Blood togâ—â—her with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ and that in it there is made a Change of the whole substance of the Bread into his Body and of the whole substance of the Wine into his Blood which Change the Catholick Church calls Transubstantiation I confess also that under one only of those two Elements whole Christ and a true Sacrament is received I constantly affirm that there is a Purgatory and that the Souls there detained are relieved by the Suffrages of the Faithful In like manner the Saints reigning with Jesus Christ are to be Worshipped and Invocated and that they offer up Prayers unto God for us and that their Relicks are to be honoured I do most stedfastly avow that the Images of Jesus Christ and of the Ever-Virgin Mother of God and also of the other Saints ought to be had and retained and that due honour and veneration must be yielded to them Moreover I affirm that the power of Indulgences was left unto the Church by Jesus Christ and that their usage is very beneficial unto Christians I acknowledge the Holy Catholick Apostolick and Roman Church to be the Mother and Mistress of all other Churches And I promise and swear true Obedience to the Pope of Rome Successor of Blessed St. Peter Prince of the Apostles and Vicar of Jesus Christ. In like manner I receive and profess without doubting all other things left defined and declared by the holy Canons and General Councils and especially by the most holy Council of Trent And withal I do condemn reject and accurse all things which are contrary and whatever Heresies have ken condemned rejected and accursed by the Church And swearing upon the Book of the Gospels he must say I promise vow and swear and most constantly to confess God aiding me and to keep intirely and inviolably unto the death this self-same Catholick Faith out of which no Person can be saved which I do now most willingly and truly profess and that I will endeavour to the utmost of my Power that it shall be held taught and preached by my Vassals or by those who shall belong unto my charge So help me God and these holy Gospels So be it I of the Parish of do Certifie unto all whom it may concern that having acknowledged the falseness of the Pretended Reformed and the truth of the Catholick Religion of my own free will and without any Compulsion I have made Profession of the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Religion in the Church of in the hands of In Testimony of the Truth hereof I have signed this Act
do with Silk or Gold at your Feasts or Repasts Every day should be unto us a day of Prayers and Tears not a feasting but a fasting day Your Indevotion is another source of your Afflictions You have despised God's holy Word Family Duties Family Prayer hath been either neglected or very negligently performed That you may turn away God's Wrath from you set upon the Religious Performance of these Religious Duties Let them be frequent prolonged and with greater fervency Let your outward demeanour be exemplary for its great mortification and this too in the very eyes of your adversaries and that you may be known publickly who you are by the modesty humility and plainness of your Garb and principally by your Charity and the excellency of your Faith Take a special care of your poor persecuted Brethren give liberally towards the charges of their Escapeal All things should now be in common among you and no person should count any thing his own whil'st his poor Brother needs it This is the very soul of Christianity and if you thus bestow it God may restore again unto you his Gospel whereof he hath deprived you Thus ordering your Conversations you will be admired by your own Countrymen and Enemies of your Religion it will prevail with them to hear you favourably and incline them either to become Converts themselves or else to favour your Escapeal These Adviso's are only Expedients for the present till such time as it shall please God to open you a door of deliverance from the Tyranny you now groan under And you must take the first opportunity you can of departing For don't fool your selves with this imagination that you shall be able for any long space of time to keep the Truth of God in the Land of Meshek Your Piety will gradually decay Your Children having never known any other Religion than the Romish will accustom themselves unto it and never desire to leave their Country Wherefore spare neither pains diligence nor costs that you may be transported into a Land of Liberty And look not back behind you to carry away what is in your Houses Whosoever looks back again is not meet for the Kingdom of Heaven And tho' you were stript of all in your flight yet you would be rich enough in having your Souls given you for a Prey The worst that can befal you is to die of famine But is that kind of death more terrible than any other Can any Death be dreadful to us when the Life of our Souls lies at stake and the Glory of God is concerned And yet possibly it may never be so bad with you 'T is our Duty in no wise to doubt of God's mercy Such a thought should never be harbour'd by us In the very worst of times God hath been gracious to his People and they have been relieved in their necessities So that all the hazard you run is but the renouncing the Vanities of this World or being reduced to work with our hands for our living or to receive an Alms. The pride of Man's heart can't brook this thought But 't is this Pride that must be subdued 't is this Monster that must be brained 't is it that hath undone us We should reckon it our great honour to be debased scorned impoverished and stript of all for Christ Jesus Our Life is very short No matter how we suffer in it Our great concern should be for Eternity We live and work for Eternity My brethren count it great joy when you fall into divers temptations And be perswaded that you cannot make any other satisfaction for your great crime in renouncing with your mouths the Truth of our holy Religion than by sacrificing unto God your Estate Ease and Comforts than by offering up your selves at last for his sake unto the Sufferings and Miseries of this Cruel World As for those among you who yet stand your ground My dearly beloved Brethren in the Name of God look unto the Recompence of Reward promised you for your Perseverance Look unto the Glory you shall receive for having overcome all Difficulties and retained your Integrity Let 's look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith lift up your hands that hang down and strengthen your feeble knees Remember that he endured the Cross and despised the shame and that he exposed himself to the contradiction of sinners that he might sit down at the right hand of God his Father Consider that great cloud of Witnesses and persist constantly in that Race which is set before you Look unto those Martyrs who live now glorified in Heaven and in the memory of Men. Remember that God chastises all he loves and that he owns them for his children be not therefore displeased with the correction of the Lord. Remember he bestows a very great honour upon you in calling you out to suffer for his Name 's sake Take patiently the loss and spoiling of your Goods your Prisons and Sorrows The Lord will recompence you for all your hard Labours and will give a glorious issue to all your Conflicts The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen If you have any charity for your Brethren you will communicate this Letter among them SECT LVII I have done with my Preface adding Courteous Reader but one Advertisement about my Manuscript Copies out of which I have extracted and compiled my Synodicon It is more than twenty Years ago that I met with some Collections out of the Manuscript Acts of these National Synods That great Learning deep Wisdom and sound Godliness I observed in them inflamed my desires and affections after the Originals Accordingly when as the Ministers were banished France and about 150 of them came unto London I made it my business to learn of them some News of these Acts. But I may speak it truly that the far greater part of these Reverend Confessors did with much regret inform me that they feared they were lost irrecoverably For the first thing the Intendants did when they visited their Churches was to seize upon all Papers Writings Acts Deeds Books and whatsoever belonged unto their Consistories Colloquies and Synods yea and this they did also unto particular Ministers thus robbing them of their well-furnish'd Libraries and of all their Manuscripts I mingled my Griefs with theirs for this Peculate But yet did not give over my search No sooner did I hear of any new Minister arrived but I insinuated my self into his Acquaintance and renewed my Inquiry tho' frequently to my sore dissatisfaction And having given over all hopes of ever seeing this Jewel one day about two years and a half since as I was in company with about six or seven of these worthy and reverend Refugees bemoaning the great loss their Churches had sustained in this cruel Persecution and particularly in the loss of those Acts of their famous National Synods * * * Monsieur Foren Pastor of the Church of Sion in the Province of
or others that may sing Masses for the Dead is he to be deposed from his Office We answer Let him be first heard in the Consistory speak for himself before they proceed unto his Deposal XXVII It was demanded Whether the Word of God might be preached publickly without Authority from the Civil Magistrate Answer was given That there should be special care had of the Time and Publick Peace and above all that there be no Tumults nor Sedition XXVIII The Churches of Paris Orleance and Rouan are deputed by this present Synod to Protest against the Popish Council now held at Trent and of the Nullity of all its Decisions and Decrees and their Protestation shall be done either by Printed Books or Oral Remonstrances unto the King's Majesty or by any other way as they shall judge needful XXIX It is now Decreed That the Deputies of the Provinces when they go to Court shall take with them our Confession of Faith and consult among themselves how to present it unto His Majesty together with the Petitions of our Churches and to this purpose they shall make Application unto those Lords who they know to be Favourers of our Cause and Religion XXX Whereas divers Persons do solicite this National Synod to supply the Congregations who have sent them hither with Pastors they are all answered That at present we are utterly unable to gratifie them and that therefore they be advised to set up Propositions of the Word of God and to take special care of Educating hopeful young Men in Learning in the Arts Languages and Divinity who may hereafter be imployed in the Sacred Ministry and they are most humbly to Petition the Lord of the Harvest to send Labourers who may get it in XXXI May he be admitted to communicate in the Bread only at the Lord's Table who hath an Antipathy against Wine Yes he may provided that he do his utmost to drink of the Cup but in case he cannot he shall make a Protestation of his Antipathy The End of the Synod of Poictiers THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE III. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At ORLEANCE in the Year of our LORD 1562. The Contents of this Synod Chap. I. A Moderator and two Scribes chosen Chap. II. General Matters The Synod to be called the General or National Church-Council of the Kingdom Chap. III. Discipline exercised upon Delinquents Chap. IV. Various Matters Cases of Conscience c. THE Synod of Orleance 1562. Synod III. SYNOD III. Articles of the National Synod held at Orleance the Twenty fifth Day of April in the Year One thousand five hundred sixty and two after Easter in the Second Year of K. Charles IX CHAP. I. Monsieur De Chandieu was a very learned French Divine His Works are 1. The Marks of the True Church 2. De L'Vnique Sacrifice 3. Contra les Traditions c. in Follo He was Lord of Chandieu and Baron of Chabot chosen by the Church of Paris to be their Pastor at Twenty Years of Age and Moderator of this National Synod at Twenty three A Gentleman of eminent Piety and Gravity He was desired by the King of Navary to be his Pastor and upon his Death removed to Geneva where he was called to the Pastoral Office in that City and discharged it with very great fidelity He never took any Wages for his Work in the Ministry He wrote himself Sadeel which is the Hebrew of Chandieu The Field of GOD. He died of an Hectick Fever in the 57th Year of his Age saith Mr. Du Thou but he was mistaken for it was in the 63d Anno 1591. Melchior Adams hath writ his Life among his Theolog. Exteri ANthony de Chandieu Minister in the Church of Paris chosen President Robert le Macon Lord La Fountaine Minister in the Church of Orleance and Peter Sevin Deacon of the Church of Paris chosen Scribes by General Consent of the Deputies CHAP. II. General MATTERS This Synod bears the Name and has the Authority of a General Council by the Advice of the Assembly I. THE Ministers and Elders Convocated in this Assembly of Orleance for the General Council of France following the Determination of the last Synod held at Poictiers are of Opinion That the present Assembly should have and bear the Name and Authority of the Council General of the Deputies of this Kingdom notwithstanding that several Deputies are absent who shall be sufficiently informed of Matters debated and resolved in this Council together with the Reasons for which notwithstanding their absence we were constrained to proceed without them all which shall be more largely declared in the next General Council where also shall be heard the Reasons of those absent Deputies for their Non-attendance and their Arguments if need be against the Decisions of the present Council Ministers of Princes and great Lords shall sign the Confession of Faith II. The Princes and other great Lords following the Court in case they would have Churches instituted in their Houses shall be desired to take such for their Pastors as are Ministers in Churches truly Reformed bringing with them sufficient Testimonials of their Lawful Call unto the Ministry who shall before their Admission subscribe the Confession of Faith of the Churches in this Kingdom and our Church-Discipline And that the Preaching of the Gospel may be more successful the said Protestant Lords shall be requested every one of them to erect a Consistory There shall be a Consistory in their Houses composed of the Ministers and other Persons most eminent for Piety in their said Family by which Consistory all Scandals and Vices shall be supprest and the Rules of Discipline observed Moreover those Ministers shall be present at Provincial Synods if it may possibly consist with their occasions And that this may be effected the Council hath ordained That the Province in which the Synod shall be assembled shall be obliged to call them to it And those Ministers especially or a part of them shall be there present being deputed by the rest unto the General Synods together with their Elders who may inform the said General or Provincial Synods of their Lives and Conversation And in case the said Lords and Princes have divers Houses they shall be advertis'd None to have preheminence over another that none of their Ministers may pretend domination or preheminence over another according to that Article of our Church-Discipline in this case expresly provided And when as the said Lords and Princes shall reside in those Houses of theirs where there is a Church already formed we desire for the preventing of all Divisions that the Church in their Family would joyn itself unto the Church of that place and for that time to make but one Assembly III. Whenas the Lord's Supper shall be celebrated in the close of every Synod according to the Fourth Article of our Church-Discipline in the Acts of the First National
Consistories of the Reformed Churches at such times at least when as the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administred XVII The Churches shall suppress Usuries and all manner of Extortions as much as lieth in their Power yet they may not condemn those who receive a moderate Profit for the Loan of their Monies provided it be conformable to the King's Ordinance and the Rule of Charity All Usury is sharply to be reproved See the Synod of Lyons p. 9. XVIII Priests Monks and other Ecclesiasticks of the Romish Church before they be received unto Communion with us at the Lord's Supper shall manifest their Repentance before the Consistory and for some particular causes if the Consistory do judge it requisite they shall testifie it before the whole Assembly Concerning Monitories See the Synod of Montpeillier Observations on the Discipline Art 24. The Faithful may do nothing that may favour Idolatry XIX The Faithful may not take out Admonitions or execute Excommunications from the Church of Rome nor obtain a Dispensation for Swearing from the Official or any other belonging unto that Church and though there hath been a Recompense given the Oath cannot hinder the Rescission of the Contract XX. Printers Booksellers Painters and in general all the Faithful especially such as bear Office in the Church shall be admonished not to exercise their Arts Office or Calling in or about the Superstitions of the Romish Church or their Dependencies nor in the least to savour them and the Cognisance of particular Matters that may happen hereupon and their Correction and Reformation shall belong unto the Consistories What Names may be given or rejected in Baptism XXI Concerning Names imposed upon Children Ministers shall reject those which yet remain of old Paganism nor shall they give unto Infants such as are attributed unto God in Holy Scripture nor Names of Office as Baptist Angel Archangel moreover Parents and Sureties shall be admonished as much as in them lieth to take those which are approved by God's sacred Word XXII Although a Church having lent a Minister for a time and that expired may re-demand him back unto its Service yet ought it to have respect unto the Necessities of that Church where the said Minister hath been sent and shall ordain herein what will make most for the Glory of God and the Edification of his Church XXIII No Church shall marry any Persons without having first received ample Information and Approbation of and about them XXIV The Inconveniencies which have already risen and may in time to come arise from the usual publick Catechisings by Deacons having been heard and consider'd the Council hath remitted the intire Decision of this Matter unto the next National Synod and in the mean while Exhorts those Churches which have not received that Custom never to admit it and in other places where it is practised the Churches are likewise exhorted to deal with their Deacons in case they be fitted for it to enter into the Ministry as soon as possible they can One may be adjured in Consistory to declare the Truth Booksellers may not print any thing against Religion nor may the Hawkers vent any scandalous ones XXV The Faithful may by their Consistories be adjured to declare the Truth because this doth not in the least derogate from the Authority of the Civil Magistrate XXVI Churches having Printers and Booksellers shall carefully advise them to print no Books concerning Religion or the Discipline of the Church before they have communicated them unto their Consistories because of the Inconveniencies that have arriv'd Nor may many Booksellers or Hawkers sell scandalous Books nor may they in the sale of their Books take unto themselves immoderate Gains CHAP. III. Discipline exercised upon Delinquents Particular Matters THe Council having heard and considered the Proceedings against James le Fevre his Excommunication and the publick Penance imposed on him by the Authority of the last Provincial Synod held at Gien and the Deportment of the said Le Fevre in undergoing publick Penance together with its Consequences and having understood the whole of that Affair partly from the Relation of the Brethren and partly from his own Confession the Council is of Opinion That the said James le Fevre hath not well nor duely made that publick Confession which was injoyned him nor given Testimony of his Repentance and for this cause the Excommunication denounced against him shall abide in its full power and vigour and therefore the Council hath declared and doth now again declare him a Man uncapable of serving the Church of God until such time as he shall have first undergone publick Penance in the Church of Bourges in which Penance shall be declared the Facts contained in the Article of the said Synod of Gien touching this matter And moreover this shall be added That by his Replies and Murmurings he had shewn himself Refractory and Disobedient to the Displine of the Church And whenas there shall be good Evidences of his Repentance he may be received into the Communion of the Lord's Supper II. As to those matters concerning David de Brosses who calling himself Minister of the Church of Melun after hearing the Charge brought in against him by the Deputies of the Church of Paris who had opposed his Election because of the wicked Doctrine formerly broach'd by the said David and because of the Troubles and Schisms excited by him particularly in the Church of Melun and because of his wicked and debauched Life which hath occasion'd a Process of Enormous Crimes to be commenced against him and from which he hath not purged himself before the Consistory the proofs of all these matters having been laid down in Writing read and diligently considered divers Brethren Ministers of God's Holy Word having been heard also both as to the Doctrine published by the said David and his Life and Conversation The Council judgeth the Opposition founded by the Church of Paris against him to be good and valid the Election of the said David made by the Church of Melun to be null void and of no force nor effect And farthermore the said Council hath declared and doth delare the said David uncapable of the Ministry of the Gospel until such time as he shall have manifested his Innocency before a National Synod of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom Yea moreover the said Council hath excommunicated him out of the Church until such time as he shall have testified publickly his Repentance by confessing publickly his Sin and that in the Church of Melun which he hath troubled by his Schism in case he return unto it or in any Church unto which he would hereafter joyn himself and that Church having good Evidences and Testimonials of his Repentance may receive him unto Communion with it in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper But and if the said David despising the present Decree of this Council shall hereafter intrude himself into any Church and cause new Troubles and Divisions
in it then this Council commands that Province in which the said David shall be and reside to Formalize itself against him and upon this account the Church of Paris shall be obliged to furnish the said Province with Proofs which it hath now or may have had heretofore lying by against the said David that so he may be proceeded against in such a manner as shall be thought most advisable for the Repose of the Church III. Touching the matter propounded by the Minister of Paris the Council is of Opinion That the Marriage pretended to be broken by reason of Spiritual Kinred doth remain firm and in its full power and therefore the second Marriage which hath since intervened is null and these second married Persons are excommunicated because of their Adulteries until such time as they have done publick Penance and shall have duely evidenced their Repentance IV. Whereas our Brother the Minister of Varennes in Picardy doth usually administer the Lord's Supper every Month the Council doth advise That our Brother of Mont-mejor do admonish him in the Council's Name to follow the general Practice of our Churches that so there may be no Diversity among us and our Uniformity may be preserved V. The Churches are advertised to take notice of a Fellow called Frederick Thierry formerly an Augustin Fryar as also of another called Marmande as being Vagrants VI. 'T is the Judgment of this Council That a Minister being imployed in the Church may not ordinarily exercise any other Calling nor receive Wages for it Our Brother of Britain moved this Question VII As to that Book entituled A Treatise of Christian Discipline and Polity composed and published by John Morelly the Council judges That as to the Points concerning the Discipline of the Church by which he pretends to condemn and subvert the Order received in our Churches sounded upon the Word of God that the said Book contains wicked Doctrine and tends to the Confusion and Dissipation of the Church and therefore the said Council cautions the Faithful to take heed of the aforesaid Doctrine VIII A Remonstrance being made by the Church of Poictiers about an Appeal brought by the People of the City of Loudun from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Poictou held at Niort concerning the Fact of Maturin Sibileau the said Appeal having been signified to the Church of Poictiers on behalf of the said People of Loudun the Decrees both of the Provincial Synod held at Partinay and of the Synod of Niort were read and considered Whereupon this present Council hath and doth send back the Knowledge of the said Cause unto the next Provincial Synod of Touraine which by the Authority of this Council shall pass a Definitive Judgment upon these Persons although they were absent provided their Absence be not out of Contumacy and they had been duely informed of the meeting of that Synod And in the mean while it is ordained That both the said Sibileau and the said People of Loudun shall yeild Obedience to the Synod of Niort And to this purpose the Church of Poictiers is required to signifie this present Sentence and the Church of Tours is to Assemble the said Provincial Synod IX A Petition being presented by Madam Margaret de la Voirie concerning a Marriage pretended to have been contracted between her and the Noble William de Schilhant The Council has approved and doth approve of that Sentence given by the Provincial Synod of Touraine held at Mans the last October by which the said Marriage was declared Incestuous because the said De Schilhant had formerly espoused the Sister of the said Petitioner whereunto it does injoyn the said Lady quietly to submit and to observe it with Repose and Tranquility of Conscience moreover the Council exhorts her to return unto her own Church there to make such Acknowledgment of her Fault as the Consistory shall think meet X. Having heard the Remonstrance made by our Brother the Deputy of Poictou concerning Peter Boulay who had intruded himself into the Ministry of the Church of Niort The Council ratifies and approves the Determination of the Provincial Synod held at Niort by which the said Boulay was declared uncapable and insufficient to be chosen into the Ministry of the Gospel until such time as he had given proofs of his Sufficiency before the Provincial Synod of Poictou Moreover this present Council hath ordained That this very Advice shall be signified both unto the said Boulay and to all those who do abett him by our Brethren La Forest and De Thire who making report unto the next approaching Synod of Poictou of the Obedience or Rebellion of the said Boulay and his Abettors a final Period shall be put unto this Affair according to the Rules of our Church-Discipline And the Council leaves it to the Wisdom of the next â—ynod whether it be expedient for the common Edification of the Church that our brother De la Fayole be not also removed from Niort XII There shall be no Alteration made in that Article of our Discipline touching the Choice of Ministers and the Council hath ordained That * * * In the Book of Niort he is called M John Viâ—ier Mr. John Rebitt do sign the Confession of Faith and Articles of Discipline and moreover doth expresly forbid him so Teach in his Lectures Doctrine contrary unto them that so there may be no Disunion in the Church and if he should refuse Submission to this Advise of the Council he shall be sent back to the Consistory of that City to be dealt withal according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline XII As to that Question moved by our Brother of Orleance the Council hath and doth leave it to the liberty of the respective Consistories to judge of those who may be sit to assist at the Examination of Candidates for the Ministry as may be most expedient for their Edification yet so as they shall not suffer any besides the Members of the said Consistory to examine them XIII The Council judgeth it inconvenient to publish from the Pulpit the Articles of our Discipline yet they may be given unto such as desire them by the Consistories XIV Whereas the Letters sent unto this present General Council of the Reformed Churches of France assembled at Orleance by * * * The Book of Niort calls him Jodâ—â— Maurice Joequin are fraught with heavy Complaints against David Vivian Minister of Bourges and divers others of the Consistory of the said Church and because both Parties are absent the said Council remands them unto the next approaching Provincial Synod Berry that there the said Vivian and the other Members of the Consistory may be dealt withal as is just and sitting In the mean while considering the outragious and prophane Words mentioned in the said Letters and the Contumacy of the said Joequin disdaining to come unto this present Council after he had been lawfully summoned and the Threatnings contained in his Answer divers of our
Brethren having been heard on this Affair reporting his continual Rebellions against the Consistory of the said Church for near six Months together The Council doth injoyn the Consistory to call the said Joequin before them and to give him a very severe Reproof for the sorementioned Crimes and in case of his Contempt and continued Rebellion to depose him from his Office of Deacon without delay as also to cut him off from the Communion of the Church and to denounce him publickly Excommunicate until such time as he shall have given publick satisfactory Evidences of his Repentance The End of the Synod of Orleance Thus Subscribed in the Original Chandieu Lord of La Roche President of the Council Le Masson Lord of La Fountaine Scribe of the Council THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE IV. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At LIONS in the Year of our LORD 1563. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Moderator chosen Chap. II. Of Synods in Five Canons Chap. III. Of Consistories in Five Canons Chap. IV. Of Censures Two Canons Chap. V. Of Ministers Three Canons Chap. VI. Of Baptism Three Canons Chap. VII Of Marriage Four Canons Chap. VIII Of Interest for Money Chap. IX Of Hereticks and Schismaticks and Vagrants Chap. X. Of the Lord's Supper Chap. XI General Matters Chap. XII A Case of Conscience about the Marriage of Cousin-Germans Chap. XIII A Book Censured See also Cap. 9. Chap. XIV Particular Matters A Delinquent Minister Censured Chap. XV. Advice to the States of Languedoc Chap. XVI Very many curious Cases of Conscience resolved Chap. XVII Memorials for the Service of the Churches Chap. XVIII Distinction of the Provinces Nine at first Chap. XIX Books Censured Chap. XX. Vagrants and Deposed Ministers Registred Chap. XXI Cases of Conscience 1. About Marriage 2. Consistories 3. Baptism 4. And the Lord Supper Resolved by Mr. Calvin and sent unto the National Synod of Lyons at their desire THE Synod of Lions 1563. Synod IV. SYNOD IV. Articles concluded on in the National Synod held at Lions the tenth of August 1563 in the third Year of the Reign of King Charles the Ninth CHAP. I. Mr. Virett was a most Eloquent Preacher and Calvin's Colleague at Geneva See the Catalogue of his Works in Du Verdier's Bibliotheque M R. Peter Virett Minister in the Church of Lions was chosen Modederator and Scribe CHAP. II. Observations Additions and Annotations upon the Church-Discipline Of SYNODS ARTICLE I. AT the Opening of all National and Provincial Synods the Canons of our Church-Discipline shall be read and for the future Provincial Synods shall send unto the National those Articles and Canons composed by them for the Government of their respective Provinces and all the Churches in their District ARTICLE II. The Canons of the three former National Synods held at Paris Poictiers and Orleance shall be reduced into a Body and this Order shall constantly be observed at the end of every National Synod ARTICLE III. Every Sentence of Excommunication confirmed by the Provincial Synod shall be for the future stable and valid IV. None other Articles of Discipline shall be divulged but those which were composed by common Consent of all the Deputies ARTICLE V. The Deputies of the Provinces shall not depart from the National Synod without carrying home with them the Resolutions and Decrees of the Synod signed and attested by the Moderator and Scribe CHAP. III. Of CONSISTORIES ARTICLE VI. ALtho' it may be convenient in weighty and important Business of the Church to call into gether with the Consistory some of the most discreet and judicious Members of the Church though they be not in actual Office in the Consistory yet nevertheless there ought not to be any other ordinary Assembly or Form of Council for Church-Matters excepting the Body of the Consistory which hath been chosen and settled by the Church to these very ends and purposes who be Persons in publick Offices which the others are not ARTICLE VII A Civil Magistrate may be a Member of the Consistory provided it do not hinder him in the Exercise of his publick Office nor be prejudicial to the Church VIII Professors of Divinity may be admitted Members of Consistories and deputed unto Synods ARTICLE IX Consistories are left at liberty to receive as Members into them both Father and Son and two Brothers at the same time unless there be something which may hinder it of which the Provincial Synod shall take Cognisance ARTICLE X. Although the Body of the Consistory may advise and admonish disagreeing Persons to terminate their Controversies and Suits at Law yet that very Consistory shall never consent to be the Judge or Arbitrator of those Controversies betwixt Persons at Variance about worldly Goods and Estates but in case any Members of the Church not of the Consistory shall be employed as Arbitrators in those Differences then the Members of the Consistory may assist them with their particular Advice but always in their private Capacities CHAP. IV. Concerning CENSVRES ARTICLE XI IF any Officer of our Reformed Churches shall have committed Idolatry in times of Persecution they shall be deposed from their Office and before they be admitted to communicate at the Lord's Table they shall do publick Penance And as for private Persons who have offended in the same manner they also shall undergo such a Penance as the Consistory shall judge meet The whole to be managed with Christian Moderation according to the Discipline ARTICLE XII Ministers who scandalize the World by marrying basely and unworthily the Brethren in this Synod are all of one Mind and Advice That Consistories shall proceed against these Delinquents in such a manner as may prevent all Scandals for the future CHAP. V. Of MINISTERS ARTICLE XIV MInisters though settled in one Church may be lent unto other Churches for some time for their Instruction and Comfort And whenas our Proposans are called unto the Ministry they shall be settled in some one particular Church there constantly to remain yet Synods shall have Power to remove Ministers from one Place to another for some certain Reasons and Considerations provided their Churches do consent unto it according to the Discipline ARTICLE XV. Here must be inserted the Fifth Canon of the National Synod of Orleance viz. Ministers shall not quit their Churches nor joyn themselves unto any other without the Authority of the Provincial Synod or consent of the Neighbour-Ministers or that Church unto which they were sent XVI Whenas a Minister is to be chosen not only the Consistories of that Church but the Neighbour-Ministers also shall with the Colloquy pursue that Election CHAP. VI. Of BAPTISM ARTICLE XVII MInisters shall admonish their Flocks to compose themselves withall possible Reverence at the Administration of both the Sacraments ARTICLE XVIII Women alone shall not be admitted to present Children unto Baptism ARTICLE XIX If a Person come to Years of Discretion was never baptized and shall
desire that he may be admitted into the Church of God by that Initial Sacrament he shall not be baptized till he have made a publick Confession of his Faith and evidence that he hath a competent measure of Understanding and Knowledge in the Articles of our Christian Religion CHAP. VII Of MARRIAGES ARTICLE XX. MInisters neither may nor shall marry such as are professed Papists till they have first renounced their Popish Religion Superstition the Mass and do make profession of our Faith although the Husband himself should be a Believer ARTICLE XXI The Churches shall be informed not to celebrate any Marriages of Strangers out of the places of their abode without sufficient Attestation from that Church unto which they do belong ARTICLE XXII The Banes shall be published on two Lord's Days in those places where there be Weekly Sermons and if in other places then at such times as there is Exhortation made and common Prayers yea also they shall there be published thrice within the Fortnight It may be lawful but not necessary to publish the Banes of Marriage in the Popish Temples ARTICLE XXIII 'T is the Judgment of this Synod That a Man having left his Wife because of Leprosie and married another his first being yet alive that this his Marriage is null before God and that therefore he may not be admitted to the Lord's Table till he have first separated from this second Wife and repaired the Scandal he hath given the Church by publick Penance CHAP. VIII About Interests of Money ARTICLE XXIV ALL Persons shall carefully observe the King's Edicts and the Rules of Charity about Interest of Money CHAP. IX About Vagrants Hereticks and Schismaticks ARTICLE XXV VAgrants Hereticks and Schismaticks shall be notified unto all Churches that they may be aware of them CHAP. X. Of the LORD's SVPPER THe Churches shall be informed that it belongs only unto Ministers to give the Cup in the Lord's Supper if possible they can do it and that all evil Consequences may be avoided CHAP. XI General MATTERS I. MInisters shall exhort their Churches to demean themselves with all Reverence during the Administration of Baptism II. Women only shall not be admitted to present Children unto Baptism III. This Synod explaining the Article of the foregoing Synod concerning Baptism saith That no Baptism shall be administred unless in publick Church-Meetings The Cup at the Lord's Supper must be given by the Ministers IV. The Churches shall be informed That it belongs only unto Ministers to give the Cup at the Lord's Table and to obviate all evil Consequences it be possible none else shall deliver it V. All Vagrants Hereticks and Schismaticks shall be denounced such by Name unto the Churches that they may beware of them VI. Consistories shall be directed to call none before them unless there be good and sufficient ground for it VII Professors that are Ministers may be Members of Consistories and Synods To remove and change Ministers the Power is vested in the Synods VIII Ministers tho' already fixed in one Church may yet be lent unto another for its Edification for some time And when as our Candidates shall be called into the Ministry they shall have a certain Flock assigned to them among whom they shall have their constant abode The Power of removing Ministers for certain considerations remaining in the Synods with the consent of their Churches according to the Discipline Excommunication 〈◊〉 Synod 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Appeal Whole Consistories â—â—y not be Arbitrators All Sentences of Excommunication ratified by Provincial Synods shall for the future be confirmed and no Appeal from them X. The Bodies of Consistories shall never be chosen Arbiters but only some particular Members from among them instead of the whole XI None other Articles of the Church-Discipline shall be divulged but such as have been resolved on unanimously by all the Deputies in the National Synod CHAP. XII A Case of CONSCIENCE XII MAy a Man marry his Cousin-German or she that is one degree removed This Synod is of Opinion That care be taken of giving Scandal in such a case and the Offence being removed we know nothing to the contrary but that such Persons may marry for they do not sin against any Prohibition of God XIII At the openings of all Synods Provincial or National all the Articles of the Discipline shall be read And for time to come Provincial Synods shall sâ—â—d unto the General Assemblies the Articles decreed by them as well such aâ— concern the Government of their own Province The Book of Discipline to be read at the beginning of all Synods as those others which concern the generality of the Churches XIV Consistories have full liberty to receive Father and Son or two Brothers at the same time into Office among them unless there be some just cause which may hinder it whereof the Provincial Synod shall take Cognisance CHAP. XIII A BOOK Censured XV. HAving seen and read a certain Book intituled A Declaration of the Mystery and Secret of God demonstrated by two Pictures as also another Book in Manuscript intituled The Mirrour of Antichrist This Assembly declares the said Books to be full of Blasphemies Heresies and of vain and scandalous Discourses and therefore adviseth the Faithful to beware of them and their Author is declared unworthy of the Ministry and of any other Office in the Church and the Books shall be put into the hands of the Ministers of the Classis of Nismes who shall tender them unto their suspected Author and if he avow them for his own then to depose him from all Office if he bear any in the Church and to proceed farther against him as they shall judge meet CHAP. XIV Particular MATTERS James Pinus deposed from the Ministry for being a Vagrant c. JAmes Pinus is declared unworthy of the Ministry and the Sentence of the Synod of Niort condemning him for divers Crimes from which he hath never purged himself is confirmed in particular 1. That he intruded himself into the Ministry without a Call 2. For that since he hath continued in it notwithstanding the Remonstrances made him and his Promises to desist which he made unto the National Synod of Poictiers Moreover he shall be bound to reconcile himself unto the Churches of Geneva and Lausanna And for what concerns our Brother De Ressé he shall be exhorted by Letters to continue in his Ministry and to renounce Pleading at the Bar and other Businesses which take him off from his Calling and in case of his Rebellion he shall be forthwith deposed and cut off from Communion with the Church And the Church of Talmont is admonished to live in Concord with the other Churches CHAP. XV. UPon those Remonstrances presented by the States of Languedoc unto this Synod there was this Advice given As to the first and second Articles concerning Ministers Letters shall be written unto the Provincial Synod of Languedoc exhorting the Ministers of that Province to
Bordier who is now sent unto them that so the Church of Chasteauneuf may not be left destitute And in case this be granted Monsieur de St. Fariol shall reimburse their Expences in procuring of him to be their Minister LIV. Whereas the Church of Die in Dolphiny have requested that Monsieur Figon might be sent unto them in case he were at liberty and for that our Brethren the Sieurs Tempeste and Moranges have yeilded to it the Assembly dismisseth this Affair unto the Consistory of Lions which shall do in it as they see good LV. Monsieur Matthew D'Anche offering himself voluntarily to be Professor of Divinity was refused till such time as he produced his Attestations and Testimonials from those Churches in which he hath lived and particularly from Geneva where he saith he hath lived a very long time and in case he refuse to do this the Ministers are bound to hinder him LVI Monsieur Vaisse reported how that he was sent to serve the Church of Ville Franche which is now dissipated by the Enemies of the Gospel and in the time of Perfection he withdrew himself unto the Lord of Pieure waiting for the Restauration of his Church which is not yet returned what shall he do Some were of opinion that he should continue with the said Lord of Pieure and that the Church of Ville Franche should be provided of another Minister But the major part of the Deputies judged that he ought upon the first Invitations given him by his Church to return unto them in case he could live among them in safety and that in the mean while he should continue the exercise of his Ministry in the House of the said Lord of Pieure who shall by the Classis or Colloquy be supplied with another Pastor whenever the said Vaissé shall be called back unto Ville Franche LVII Master Damian Joubert complaining that his Church of Domles neglected to maintain him The Church of Issoyre upon examination of this matter and finding it true is ordered to set and declare him free from their Service LVIII The Church and Brethren of Aubusson yeilded that Monsieur Du Pont their Minister should be Pastor in the Church of Creuen but with this Condition That whenas the said Church of Aubusson should be restored that they help them to another This their mutual Agreemant was approved LIX The Province of Berry hath the priviledge granted it by this Assembly to call the next National Synod within one Year and to give notice thereof unto all the Provinces three Months before the time and Place of meeting CHAP. XVII Memorials drawn up in the present Synod for the Service of the CHVRCH ARTICLE I. THe Churches shall be admonished to make a faithful Collection of all notable and remarkable Passages of Divine Providence which have happened in their Precincts and to send those Narratives unto our Reverend Brethren the Pastors of Geneva with all possible speed and diligence ARTICLE II. Monsieur Beza shall be intreated to draw up in Writing the Causes and Protestations of Nullity against the Council of Trent both in the Latine and French Tongues and he shall send them unto the Ministers at Court that they may present them unto his Majesty ARTICLE III. A most Humble Petition shall be presented unto his Majesty that we be not hindred nor debarred of our Synodical Assemblies which yet shall not be delivered without the express Consent of the chiefest Lords who are at Court and professing the Reformed Religion ARTICLE IV. The Articles of the three former National Synods shall be compiled into a Body unto which these of this present Synod shall be added and the Church of Lions shall give forth Copies of them ARTICLE V. Our Brethren the Pastors of Geneva shall be intreated to write us their Judgment about some principal Points of Church-Discipline as about Elections of Church-Officers and the Sentence of Excommunication and to send Copies of this their Judgment unto the Church of Lions which is ordered to distribute them among the Provinces of this Kingdom that so the Deputies may come prepared with well-digested Thoughts about those Articles unto the next National Synod and in the mean while all the Churches are required to conform themselves unanimously unto those Canons of Church-Discipline which have been already composed for them by the Decrees of our three former National Synods ARTICLE VI. The Provinces shall be advised to send their respective Proctors unto Court who may be charged to solicite the Affairs of their Provinces and they shall not act any thing but according to the Instructions put into their hands by their Principals nor shall they undertake any matter of great importance without having first communicated it unto their Province and they shall conclude on such courses as shall be joyntly concerted between them and the Ministers who may be then about the Court. CHAP. XVIII The Provinces if they themselves approve of it shall be thus divided Distinction of the Provinces of France 1. THE Isle of France Picardy Brie and Champagne 2. Burgundy Lyonnois Forest and Auvergne 3. Dolphiny Languedoc and Provence 4. Poictou and Xaintongs 5. Gascony Limousin and Agenois 6. Britain Turenne Anjou and Le Maine 7. Normandy 8. Berry Orleance and the County of Chartres VIII The Canons decreed in this Assembly shall be communicated unto our Brethren the Pastors of Geneva who having perused them shall return them back again unto the Church of Lions and by them sent unto our three first Provincial Synods and from them to be distributed among the other Provinces of this Kingdom CHAP. XIX BOOKS Censured IX THe Churches shall be advised of a Book lately published with this Title Conseil a la Pauvre France whereof Castalio is the reputed Author 'T is a wicked Piece and therefore they must be aware of it X. And they shall also reject a little Pamphlet added unto a Catechise stiled Les Demandes que font les Ministres de Geneve a ceux quil veulent recevoir la Cene. CHAP. XX. The Vagrants and Deposed Ministers 1. MArmande who was in the Ministry near Chartres 2. James de Vernueil or Berneil employed in Normandy 3. Beaujean Beraud or Bergard for he goeth by all these Names he was an Augustinian Fryar and Prior of their Convent at Poictiers 4. Christopher de la Place 5. Louis Tudett 6. A great lubberly Franciscan Fryer who quitted his Frock in the House of the Lord de la Martiniere he is called La Motte 7. William Tortereau de Foussay 8. William Coistereau or Bretereau du Bois 9. Peter Vrede or Boulay of Niort an Apostate 10. Maâ—turin Pennin or Pelling or Pilin for he goes by all these Names 11. Simeon Regent of the Colledge at Surgeres 12. John de la Tourniere 13. John Guerin 14. James Pinus 15. Lewes Matthew or Maton 16. Peter le Brun. 17. Calix Baptiste formerly a Carrier of Rogations he was a Monk at Thoulouse and Secretary to the Cardinal of
Chap. V. Of Vagrants Debauched Persons and Councils Chap. VI. Of Imposition of Hands Sureties in Baptism c. Chap. VII Vniformity in Common Prayers No Marriages without Certificates Loane of Ministers Synods and Colloquies Chap. VIII An Abjuration made by a Socinian Chap. IX Secret Promises of Marriage and several Cases of Conscience about Absolution Churches Ingratitude Age of Communicants of Marrying the Sister of a deceased Spouse Accounts of the Poors Money Divorces Chap. X. Method in Calling of National Synods Chap. XI General Advertisements unto the Churches about Printers Elders Books Schollars Lord's Supper Ministers in Noble Mens Houses Censures on Lords Censure upon a certain Book The Second Synod of PARIS 1565. Synod V. SYNOD V. Articles Decreed in the National Synod held the second time at Paris the twenty fifth of December 1565 and in the fifth Year of the Reign of King Charles the Ninth CHAP. I. NIcholas de Galars Minister of the Church of Orleance being chosen President and Lewis Capel Minister of Meaux and Peter Le Clere Elder of the Church of Paris Scribes after the Invocation of the Name of GOD. CHAP. II. An Explication of the Canons of the CHVRCH-Discipline and an Addition of several others General MATTERS I. FOrasmuch as the Church of God ought to be governed by a good and holy Discipline and that no other may be introduced but what is grounded upon the Word of God the Ministers and Elders deputed from the Provinces of this Kingdom to confer about Ecclesiastical Affairs and met together in the Name of the Lord after diligent Perusal of the Book and other Writings of M. J. Morelly concerning the Polity and Discipline of the Church and sufficient Conferences had with him from the Holy Scriptures about it do by this present Act condem his said Books and Writings as containing evil and dangerous Opinions subverting that Discipline which is conformable unto the Word of God and at this day received in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and whereas delivering up the Government of the Church unto the People he would bring in a new tumultuary Conduct and full of Confusions upon it from whence would follow many great and dangerous Inconveniencies which have been remonstrated unto him and he once and again admonished to abandon these Matters which yet he will not do but persists in his Assertions saying That he is perswaded those his Opinions are built upon God's Holy Word We having divers times exhorted him to approve and consent unto that Order which is received and conserved in these our Churches as appointed by our Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles and proved to him from their Sacred Writings because we hope that the Lord will be gracious to him and also because he does not differ from the Church in any of the fundamental principal Articles of our Faith the Brethren of this Assembly supporting him with Christian Charity are of Opinion that he be received to the Peace and Communion of the Church provided that as he hath formerly promised by Writing and now again protested to ratifie and sign with his own Hand this his Promise so that for time to come he do carry himself peaceably and subject himself to the Order and Discipline established in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom without ever any manner of ways publishing those his said Opinions neither by Word of Mouth nor Writing contrary to the said Discipline or to a Treatise in confirmation of it which may shortly be printed provided also that according to his former Promises and at the request of the Lords of the City and Church of Geneva to whom he hath not yet given sufficient Satisfaction though he is bound in Duty to reconcile himself unto them which is evident from his own Letters that he do once more by new Letters of his own Writing confess and acknowledge to have offended them and do beg their Pardon because that being an Inhabitant of their said City he did contrary to the Orders of the Seignory print and publish his said Book without having first demanded and obtained their License and being called both by them and the Consistory of that Church to give an account of that his Contempt he did not appear at the day assigned him These conditions being performed by him and the Consistory of that Church whereunto he shall joyn himself must take knowledge whether he hath fulfilled them or no and they accordingly may receive him as a Member of the Church and admit him into Communion with them or else proceed against him by Ecclesiastical Censures CHAP. III. The manner of Proceeding in Ecclesiastical Censures II. FOrasmuch as Sins committed in the Church ought to be corrected by the Word of God and according to the Rule of Charity and all Sins are not alike grievous and scandalous some being more enormous others of a lesser nature some secret and others publick we must therefore according to their quality and aggravations accommodate the Censure and Reprehension so then secret Sins whereof the Sinner by means of Brotherly Admonitions shall be brought unto Repentance and hath reformed them shall not be brought into the Consistory but those only which these first means cannot reform nor amend or Sins publickly known the cognisance of which belongs unto the said Consistory who must proceed to the Reformation of them by proper and convenient Censures considering these sins with all their circumstances that so according as the case requireth they may apply either a severe and rigorous Reprehension or a more moderate one in the Spirit of Meekness as may be most expedient to bring the Sinner to Repentance who to this end shall by the Authority of the Consistory be for some time deprived of the Lord's Supper if it be needful that so he may be humbled Excommunication must not be used but in extream necessity or finally excommunicated and totally cut off from the Body of the Church according to that Order hereafter declared if so be he shew himself rebellious to the Holy Admonitions and Censures inflicted on him and continue obstinate and impenitent But inasmuch as this is the last and most rigorous of all Remedies it shall never be used but in case of extremity when all fair and gentle Means have proved ineffectual And whereas even unto this day in divers places this distinction between this last Excommunication and temporary Suspension or simple Privation of the Lord's Supper hath not been observed as it ought that both the one and the other may be duely used the Ministers and Elders interpreting these words of Excommunication and Suspension from the Lord's Table The words Excommunication and Suspension explained No Minister of his private Authority can deprive a Man of the Lord s Supper do give it as their Opinion That no Person should be deprived or suspended the Lord's Table by the single Authority of the Pastors or of any other but only by the Consistory which shall prudently consider
transmitted Difficulties shall be maturely examined and the Arguments on both sides urged being fair and carefully written down shall be sent unto the National Synod And forasmuch as our present Circumstances will not admit any great Number of Ministers and Elders in this National Synod we are of Opinion that for this time only and during these Difficulties that the Brethren assembled in each Provincial Synod should choose from among them one or two Ministers and as many Elders of the ablest and most expert in Church-Affairs to be sent in the Name of the whole Province who shall come furnished with good Memorials and premeditated Thoughts upon those Difficulties which had been communicated to them The Provinces shall not prescribe any set time or term unto these their Deputies for returning but shall let them tarry in the said Synod as long as there may be need of them and the Charges of the said Deputies shall be defrayed by their respective Provinces And that the National Synod may be no more imployed in Matters already decided by former Synods the Provinces shall be advised to read over carefully the Acts of the past Synods before they prepare their Memorials and to send nothing but what is general â—nâ— of common concern to all the Churches or else that which merits the Resolution of the said National Synod And the Churches of Poictiers which is charged with the calling of the next National Synod shall be informed of all this that they may intend their Duty CHAP. XI General Advertisements unto the Churches XXIV THE Printers in every Province shall be advised That whereas at the end of psalm-Psalm-Books and Catechisms they do add the Confession of Faith of our French Churches that they do especially this which begins with these words We believe and confess that there is but One GOD c. and which hath an Epistle prâ—fixed to it dedicated to the King and not that other Confession which begins thus Forasmuch as the Foundation of Faith c. not but that both are conformable in Doctrine And hereof also Notice shall be given to the Printers of Geneva Elders not to be displac'd without great cause XXV Although the Elders Office as now used by us be not perpetual as is exprest in the 35th Article of the Discipline nevertheless the Churches shall be admonished not to discharge their Elders but for great Causes whereof the Consistories shall take Cognizance that so the Church may be be conducted after the bed manner by Persons well verst in her Government XXVI Ministers in places appointed by the King and in all others are advised not to receive the Members of any other Churches unto the Lord's Supper without a sufficient Attestation produced by them under the hand of their Pastors or Elders if it may be had No Books must be written ridiculously but Modesty is to be observed in them XXVII Ministers and others whom God hath endowed with Gifts and Abilities to write in Defence of the Truth are requested not to publish their Thoughts in a ridiculous or injurious manner but to keep to that Modesty and Gravity which becomes the Majesty of God's Word and to observe that self-same Modesty and Majesty in their Sermons and in their ordinary Stile to use the Language of God's Spirit in the Holy Scripture Schollars to be maintained by the Churches in the Universities XXVIII Because there is every-where a visible decay and a great want of Ministers and that some provision may be made for a Succession the Churches shall be admonished by our Brethren the Provincial Deputies that such as are rich would maintain some hopeful Schollars at the Universities who being educated in the Liberal Arts and Sciences and other good Learning may be fitted for and employed in the Sacred Ministry XXIX Altho' in our Churches for the most part the Lord's Supper is administred only sour times a Year yet the more frequent Celebration of it is very desirable due Reverence in approaching to it being always observed because it 's most beneficial for God's Children to be exercised and grow in Faith which is done by the frequent usage of the Sacraments as also because this was the Practice of the Primitive Church Nâ—â—â—e mâ—n may not carry with them in their Journeys the Ministers of the Churches leaving them â—â—â—upplied XXX Ministers being given to the Service of the Church and not to the Persons and Palaces of Great Lords altho' their Families may equallize in Numbers some Churches yet their Lordships shall be desired not to carry away with them in their Removals or Travels abroad with their Families the Churches Ministers least thereby they be left unprovided XXXI Lords and Gentlemen shall be censured according to the Discipline of our Churches if after frequent Admonitions they entertain in their Houses scandalous and incorrigible Persons especially if they suffer Priests to sing Mass or by Dogmatizing to debauch their Domesticks or if having cashiered them they shall again receive them into their Service XXXII The Churches shall be admonished to beware of a Book written by Mr. Charles Du Moulin Entituled Vnio quatuor Evangelistarum because in it there be divers Errors as about Limbus Free-will and the Sin against the Holy Ghost and the Lord's Supper and in particular about the Calling of Ministers and Church-Discipline which he treats with scorn and would totally subvert The Faithful also are warned not to assist at any of his Sermons or Sacraments it being against the Discipline of our Church Modesty to be kept in Attire See the Synod of St. Foy General Matters Art 2. The Faithful must use Charity towards their Brethren or Sisters that have forsook their Monastries XXXIII Ministers shall exhort their People to be modest in their Habits and that they themselves do in this and all other Matters give them the best Example forbearing all Gaudery in their own Persons and in their Wives and Children XXXIV They whose Brethren and Sisters have quitted their Monastery that they might serve God in freedom of Conscience shall be exhorted to admit them unto a part of their Estate at least they shall be compelled by all Censures to afford them Maintenance and a competent Pension according to their ability For they would otherwise shew themselves void of Natural Affection The End of the Second National Synod of Paris THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE VI. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE Held in the Town of VERTVEIL and Province of AVGOVLMOIS the First Day of September 1567. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Moderator Alterations and Annotations upon the Church-Discipline Chap. II. Marriage of Excommunicated Persons and Infidels Provincial Synods Reading of the Holy Scriptures Bread in the Lord's Supper to be taken by them who can't the Cup Church-Government Loan of Ministers Pastors deserting their Churches Rejection of Church-Officers Chap. III. A Case of Conscience about a Deaf and Dumb Man's
conform it self with the other Churches of this Kingdom unto that Canon of the Discipline viz. That Elders and Deacons shall be chosen by the Consistory and then presented unto the People XIV The Deputies in the last Synod of Paris acquainted this present Assembly that they had given order to our Brethren in the Church of Lions to Print the Book of Discipline XV. The Churches shall have notice given them that they do not admit unto any Ministerial Duties A certain Spaniard going by the Name of Anthony de la Rodit Bellariva till such time as he have first cleared himself of those Crimes for which he stands Impeached by the Church of Loudun XVI Whereas there is a very great difference in the Body of our Discipline which now passeth from hand to hand The Churches of Paris Orleans and Meaux were appointed diligently to revise and examine all those Canons that have been made in former Synods and to send Attested Copies of them unto all the Provinces XVII And the Churches of Paris Lion Orleans and others shall not for the future dispose of any Scholars and Students without their Consent who had sent to the Universities XVIII The Churches are advised to take heed of a certain Old Grave and Bald-headed Fellow going by the Names of Fontaires and Duzau of Valleyse in Languedoc who tho he was never Called or Ordained doth yet notwithstanding take upon him to exercise the Office of a Minister CHAP. IX A Resolution of several Cases of Conscience and of other Weighty Points of the Christian Reformed Religion by the R. Mr. John Calvin Pastor and Professor at Geneva THese Cases and their Solution were all annext unto the Canons of the National Synod of Vertueil in Augoumois held there the Seven first days of September 1567. 1. Quest Whether Children may lawfully detain and possess those Lands and Foundations which were given by their Parents for Singing of Masses Answ Altho those poor Founders as they be called in the Papacy were grosly cheated and abused yet inasmuch as these very Persons to whom those Goods and Lands once belonged did alienate them in a legal Manner Their Heirs and Successors are deprived of them and cannot pretend nor claim any Right unto them So that they must sit down patiently with the Loss unless that publick Authority should find out some Relief for them by a Reformation 2. Quest Whether a Man being forced to abandon his Native Country for Religion and Conscience may also lawfully forsake his Wife Answ The married Man would do much better to take his Wife with him if it be possible for him so to do rather than to live separate from her that so he may give a good Example unto others and avoid those Temptations unto which he is obnoxious as also that he may prevent very many Inconveniences which are likely in such cases to befal him And unless he be inforced to it by necessity he ought not to leave her By necessity I mean this when he cannot serve God with a safe Conscience But if it should so fall out that a Man cannot live as becometh a Christian altho his Wife will live at a distance from him yet is it lawful for him to go before her waiting for her to follow him and he is to sollicite her to come unto him even then when he is separated from her 3. Quest Whether a Father flying for Idolatry may leave his Children behind him Answ If a Father should leave his Children with this Condition That a Padagogue might if he would lead them unto Idolatry he would than be guilty of Sin against God For our Children are God's peculiar Treasure an holy and separate Seed for him and which must be kept with the greatest Care for God And altho he cannot always have his eye upon them yet 't is neither meet nor profitable that he should leave them in such a place from which he cannot recover them without a World of difficulty Yea did he conscientiously endeavour to get his Children with him it would be an effectual Means to draw his Unbelieving Wife after him 4. Quest Whether a Man may forsake his Country when he is not persecuted Answ If a Man should live among Idolaters unpolluted with their Abominations we would not condemn but praise him for his Constancy And in truth we cannot warrantably impose a Law upon him who would depart his Country as if it were unlawful for him so to do whether it proceed from his fear of what is likely to come to pass or upon any other account as suppose he distrusting his own weakness to stand out in a fiery Tryal or ardently seeking after the means of Grace and heavenly Knowledge should thereupon leave his Native Country such a Zeal as this cannot but be approved and applauded 5. Quest Whether it be our Duty to reprove those Sins and sinful Discourses we hear in wicked Company Answ There cannot be any stated Rule or Canon in this Case of reproving Errors or ungodly Talk but this that we should not dissemble nor conceal our dissent from them when as opportunity is offer'd us of reproving them For suppose we should be in some Company where they discourse wickedly we are not bound necessarily to reply upon them There is a time when the prudent Man may keep silence But in case we meet them privately and have no Witness we may do as Righteous Lot testify and express our Displeasure at their Sin and that we are unwillingly through Grief at Heart put upon the Reprehending of them But yet the best Course we could take would be this to observe and take by the' Forelock that Opportunity which God presents us of Opposing Sin of edifying our Company and hindring the Name of God from being blasphemed or that the weak and well-meaning Christian should be seduced through default of timely warning 6. Quest Whether we may correct or expell out of our Service an Infidel or Popish Servant Answ Forasmuch as the Holy Apostles of our Lord did not constrain the Brethren of their Times to drive away their Servants tho no better than Slaves when they would not imbrace the Christian Faith Therefore Masters should now adays observe these two Things First That Sith he is at liberty to give Covenant-Servants that he taken one but such as fear God and are of the Houshold of Faith if possibly they may be Good or that he take a most especial Care if that they be ignorant to instruct them and rid his hands of them Secondly That he do not suffer nor permit the Name of God to be blasphemed within his House and Family wherein God will be honoured But above all that he never prefer his own private Profit and Advantage above the Glory of God 7. Quest Whether a Reformed Christian Gentleman is bound in Conscience to hinder the Committing of Idolatry in the Chappel of his Castle Answ Forasmuch as we are permitted to suffer that which we cannot alter nor
of Maiâ—ant 1609. 4th Article of Observations upon the Discipline Then shall be read in the hearing of the whole Assembly 1. Tim. 3. and 1. Titus Where the Apostle delivers the Characters and Qualifications of a true Minister and that the Elect Person may be enabled by divine Grace faithfully and conscientiously to perform the Duties of this holy and honourable Office a pithy and fervent Prayer suitable to the occasion shall be powred out before the Lord for him in the close of which he shall Impose his hands on the Head of the Elect Person beseeching God that as he is consecrated unto his Service So that from the year 1559. to the year 1609. there was no stated Form of Prayer to whose words the Minister in Ordination was tied up necessarily and invariably so he may be replenished with the Graces of his Holy Spirit and that he would vouchsafe to bless his Ministery and pious Labours unto the Glory of his great Name the Edification of his Church and the Salvation of this elected Minister V. Under the Ninth shall be added And the Church-discipline and Confession of Faith shall be signed and subscribed by the Minister Elect. VI. The Tenth and Eleventh Articles shall be explained and conjoyn'd in one and after these Words They shall be Ministers during life there shall he this Addition If they be not lawfully discharged upon good and sufficient Grounds and those approved by the Provincial Synod Moreover there shall be added And deserters of the Ministery shall be excommunicate by the Provincial Synod in case they repent not And after these Words And as for those who be sent unto any Church shall be added for a time VII The Twelfth which was the Thirteenth shall be thus corrected Altho ' a Minister do tell it publickly that he was forsaken of his Church or persecuted yet shall he not be received by another Church without evidencing unto the Colloquy or Synod his conduct in this Matter and the said Colloquy or Synod shall act therein according to their best judgment and discretion VIII Under the Fourteenth after these words Such who intrude themselves into the Ministery in lieu of Places shall be inserted Provinces IX Under the Seventeenth after these words or expecting the Determination instead of the Council there shall be put in of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod and before instead of Sent there shall be Lent X. To the Eighteenth shall be added with the good Will and Consent of the said Minister XI The Two and twentieth Article shall abide unchanged only with this Addition And all Advises and Letters shall be sent unto one particular Church and not unto any one particular Person This Article iâ— the 37th of the Chapter of Ministers in the Book of Discipline XII Under the Twenty Seventh in lieu of those words After he was summoned there shall be put Three Months being past the first Summons Also after those words It may be lawful for him to joyn himself unto some other Church shall be added by the Advice of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod which shall consider both the Poverty of the Church and the Estate of the Minister And in case of urgent necessity the said Colloquy or Synod may shorten the said Term of Three Months and it shall be lawful for them to censure those ungrateful People even with Excommunication CHAP. IV. Acts passed on Wednesday the Fourth day of the said Month. This Article is the 19th in the Chapter of Ministers in the Book of Discipline I. UNder the 11th Article of Ministers which had been lain by whilst the Princes sate among us there shall be these Alterations for General shall be put Provincial and National and at the end there shall be added As shall be Advised on in an amicable Conference of Ministers of both sides that so what is most expedient may be followed And this Article was approved by the Queen of Navar and by the Princes of Navar and Conde and by my Lords Count Lodwick and the Admiral II. Under the 31st there shall be this Addition The Provinces shall be informed by each other of the deposed Minister that so the Deposed may not be received into other Churches III. Under the 32th after those words During the time of his Ignorance shall be added And this in case the said Minister abiding in his Ministry do bring greater scandal than Edification unto the Church whereof the Synods shall take Cognizance IV. On Article the 38th Monsieur Beza having propounded according to the Commission given him by our Brethren of Geneva that there might be some certain Person chosen to answer those many Books published against our Doctrine and that those Answers might be brought into the Provincial Synods and there perused by them and so to be Printed either with or without the Author's Name as the Synod should judge most convenient This Motion was well approved by the whole Assembly And it was also ordered That in whatsoever Churches there were sound Books Printed against our Doctrine they should be sent unto the said Deputies CHAP. V. V. THE Catalogue of Vagrants being read the Names of these following Persons were rased out of it Torteveau P. Bouleu La Tornevie Roberty and there were inserted into it Le Breuil of Lazan together with Merillo Paul de Haye Rouseau John Bougayott Bavillardy an Albigensis And the Churches were warned by Monsieur Beza to beware of them and of John Tevignon a Burgundian c. Claudius Alexius who bore about him a Certificate under the Hand of Mr. Melancthon deceased and yet both deposed by the Classis of Monbelliard VI. Ministers must use no other Calling but their Ministery This Article was added unto the former concerning Ministers Ministers shall be forbidden to practice Physick or any other Calling Trade or Vocation whatsoever VII Another Article was also subjoined That Ministers who had Estates of their own might nevertheless receive Wages from their Churches but in so doing they ought to consider the Necessities of the Church and the Rules of Charity CHAP. VI. A particular Matter about Elders and Deacons VIII MOnsieur * * * He is called in two other Copies Vires and in a fourth Virel Vercelle Deputy of Brie declareth unto this Synod that the Elders and People of Meaux are dissatisfied with the first Article of particular Matters and complain that they be deprived of their Freedom and Priviledge in Elections Whereupon it was advised that inasmuch as they had been divers times heard and particularly that by the Synod of La Ferte under Joarre they had been largely instructed in the Will of God from his Holy Word in this Article Letters should be dispatcht unto them from this Assembly exhorting them to acquiesce in the Order of Discipline received in our Churches of France and in case they will yet have the Business heard over once again they shall apply themselves unto their own Provincial Synod about
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
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
from the King and without any mixture of Superstition or Idolatry they may do it lawfully enough But and if they hold them with Idolatry or Superstition be it either from the King's Gift or the Pope they cannot do it there is sin and guilt in the case nor shall they be admitted to Communion with us at the Lord's Table For this would be a professed owning of the Pope's Tyranny who hath no rightful Dominion nor Authority in these matters but Kings and Princes only who are robbed by the Pope's Usurpation of their just Rights Power Priviledges and Authority CHAP. VII Particular MATTERS Art I. IT is now concluded that the Province of Normandy may be divided into two Provinces in case they cannot conveniently meet in one and all the Ministers shall come unto them accompanied with their Elders according to the Canon of our Discipline and not by deputies from the Colloquies Art II. As for Cozain upon reading those Letters sent us from our Brethren the English Ministers it was ordered That the two Books written by the said Cozain and dedicated to some particular Members in the Church of Bourdeaux and brought unto this present Synod by Monsieur de la Sauls should be put into Monsieur Beza's hands for his perusal and who should make report of their Contents unto us and an Answer shall be returned to our Brethren of England Art III. The Deputies of the Isle of France craved our Advice about those Points of Church-Discipline now controverted by Monsieur Ramus du Rosier Bergeron and some others Whereupon an Order was made That Monsieur de Chambrun should read in this Assembly that Abridgement made by our Brethren of the Isle of France and extracted out of Morellius's Answer to that Book De la Confirmation de la Discipline and sent by them unto this Synod together with the Book of the said Morellius in answer to it and for decision of those Points and Arguments therein contained as also Ramus and De Rosier's Books which shall be delivered unto Monsieur Cappel to be examined by him And in case there be any other Arguments found in them besides those formerly urged by Morellius these shall be also answered And Messieurs de Beza De Roche Chandieu and De Beaulieu are chosen to reply unto them And as for the Decisions and Decrees they shall be made only by the Provinces Yet liberty is given unto the By standers in case they think good to make opposition and to this purpose the Doors of the Synod shall be leâ—t wide open and silence shall not be imposed upon any Man in this matter for this time Only it shall not be made a Precedent Art IV. But this Affair having been since considered examined disputed debated and put to the Vote as it was ordered in the last mentioned Canon a Decree passed That our Church-Discipline as it hath been all along to this very day observed end practised among us so also shall it be for the future without any change or innovation in it as being grounded upon God's Word And as for those Positions asserted by Monsieur Ramus Morellius Bergeron and others 1. About the Decision of Points of Doctrine 2. About the Election and Deposal of Ministers 3. About Excommunication out of the Church and Reconciliation with and Re-admission into it 4. And lastly about Prophesying None of these shall be received among us because they have no Foundation in the Word of God and are of very dangerous consequence unto the Church as the whole hath been verified and made appear in the presence of this Synod in which all the Arguments of those Books of Ramus Morellius and Du Rozier were most narrowly sifted and discussed and this was unanimously assented to by the Declaration of all the Provincial Deputies who affirmed That they had maturely and duly considered of those Points of Discipline controverted by those Gentlemen before-mentioned And Monsieur De la Roche Chandieu was ordered to reduce and set down in writing all the Answers and Resolutions made by this Assembly unto the said Treatises and Arguments and to communicate them with the Colloquy of Lionnois that they may be printed and published Only the Relation of these Synodâ—cal Answers and Resolutions shall be writ with the greatest moderation and without mentioning the Names of any Person Art V. The Colloquy of Limmigny shall be advised to get the Memoirs of their Synod to be razed nor may they make any particular Canons of their own but shall be governed by those of our Discipline Art VI. Monsieur Berauld and his Colleagues in the Church of Montauban are charged to recover from Monsieur Comerard of Tholouse the History of the Albigenses written in their Langùage and Monsieur D' Acier shall translate it into French and having done it shall communicate it unto their Colloquy according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline and then cause it to be printed And Letters shall be written to this purpose unto the said Sieurs de Comerard and D' Acier from this Assembly Art VII The County of Messin and City of Metz shall be joyned to the Province of Champagne according to the particular Canon of our Discipline and Letters concerning it shall be sent unto them from this Synod Art VIII The Lord Admiral de Chastillon having writ a Letter unto this Synod the Churches were all admonished of their Duty to his Majesty and an Answer should be returned to this effect unto his Lordship Art IX A Vote passed but without any prejudice to the liberty of Monsieur de Saules and without debating the Merits of his Cause that a Letter should be written unto the Magistrates of Geneva thanking them for their Love and Good-will and they shall be desired to continue it unto all the Churches of France in general and particularly to those of Bearn and we do grant Monsieur de Saules tor one Year more unto the Queen of Navarre and Letters also shall be written unto her Majesty and to his Highness the Prince her Son Art X. The Churches shall be excited to assist with their Charity the poor Members of the County and Church of Orange who are in extream poverty there being no less than Twelve hundred Families of these Refugees in the single Province of Dolphiny Art XI Before that Mr. John le Gagneur shall be admitted Pastor into any one of our Churches he shall give good Evidence of his Repentance and of his Reconciliation with the Church of Geneva and we will have some considerable space of time for proving the truth of his Repentance Art XII Upon the Censure of Ramus Morellius and their Companions it was voted That Letters should be writ in the Name and Authority of this Assembly unto the said Ramus Morelly Du Rozier and Bergeron and to give them all severally to understand what was concluded by this Assembly against their Books and to re-mind them of their Duty according to God's Holy Word and a Letter
Cause and Sin must he confessed VIII There shall be no publick Penance done in the Church without express Confession of the Cause and Crime committed by this publick Penitent They shall not be chosen Elders nor Deacons who have Popish Wives IX For the future none shall be chosen if possible into the Eldership or Deaconry whose Wives are of a contrary Religion according as the Apostle Paul hath ordained Nevertheless that the Church may not be deprived of the Service of divers godly and well-deserving Persons who by reason of past ignorance have Wives of another Religion they may for this present necessity be tolerated provided they do their endeavour by Instructions and Counsels to convert their Wives and to bring them into Communion with the Church X. Neither Ministers nor Elders may give Attestations without an express and punctual Declaration of the Places and Persons Names and the way which they intend to travel who obtained these Certificates at their hands And if any Attestations are presented to them without these Circumstances they are required to vacate and tear them in pieces and those who granted them shall be censured in the next ensuing Colloquy or Synod CHAP. III. An Act for a National FAST IX FOrasmuch as the Times are very Calamitous and that our poor Churches as are daily menaced with many and sore Tribulations and for that Sins and Vices of all sorts are risen up and growing in upon us in a very fearful manner a general Day of Prayer and Fasting shall be published that our People may humble themselves before the Lord and all the Churches of this Kingdom shall observe it on one and the self-same Day which shall be Tuesday the 25th of March next following and if it may be done the Lord's Supper shall also be administred in all the Churches on the ensuing Sabbath XII According to the 2d Article in the Chapter of Consistories and Book of Discipline about Common-Prayers The Churches shall be exhorted where Morning and Evening Common-Prayers are publickly used to conform themselves unto those others which have none and where this Custom was never introduced And Ministers shall advise all Governors of Families to Worship God by Morning and Evening Prayers in and together with their respective Housholds and Families XIII Churches refusing to defray the Expences of their Ministers in going to Classes and Synods Churches shall defray their Ministers expences at Collâ—quies and Synods shall be admonished of their Duty and in case of non-performance and that their Ministers be inforced to travel to those Sessions at their own Costs and Charges they shall be deprived of their Ministers unless they remind themselves of their Duty and reimburse them those Sums they had so expended Moreover Colloquies shall reassume their disused Exercise of Propositions on the Word of God as they were formerly handled to their very great Profit and Edification That so Ministers may better know their Duty and grow in the Study and Understanding of the Holy Scripture and be more Methodical in their Sermons and Divinity Discourses XIV God-mothers shall be equally bound to the Religious Education of those Children for whom they be Sureties as their God-fathers And Ministers shall charge them to see that they conscientiously fulfil their Promises XV. The Synod having been acquainted that in divers Places during the Celebration of the Lord's Supper Ministers do vary in their Expressions it judgeth that nothing shall be innovated in particular Churches but that herein they be left unto their Liberty for the present only the Provinces shall be advertised to come prepared about this Matter unto the next National Synod XVI His Majesty shall be Petition'd to approve of those Marriages which have been celebrated among us during the last Civil Wars according to the Tenor of the former Edict against the Laws of the Romish Church in that particular Article of Consanguinities and Affinities CHAP. IV. Cases of CONSCIENCE A Man may nâ—t marry his dead Wife's Aunt XVII IT being Queried Whether any one might Marry the Aunt of his deceased Wife Answer was given That such a Marriage was altogether Incestuous and in case any Church had permitted it the said Church deserved Censure See the Synod of Bergeraâ— Art 2. XVIII This Case being propounded A Maid was betrothed unto a Man by words de presentl and with the usual requisite Solemnities The Resolution of this Case was to be given by the Magistrate but afterwards this Man happens to be condemned unto the Gallies during Life yet by some how or other he escapeth out of them and returning home doth demand and summon his betrothed Spouse to marry him according to her Promise What shall be done herein The Synod doth advise That because Marriage is a mixt Alliance the Parties concerned shall apply themselves unto the Magistrate according to whose Decree the Church shall be governed XIX Although the holding Temporalities of Benefices in France be an indifferent Matter yet the Faithful are admonished to intermeddle as little as may be with such Purchases because of their evil and dangerous Consequences and Consistories and Colloquies shall use a great deal of Prudence in their Opinions and Actings in and about them Scripture-stories must be handled with modesty by Poets XX. Such as shall put into Verse or Poems Scripture-stories are admonished not to blend nor mingle Poetical Fables with them nor to ascribe unto God the Names of false Gods nor to add or diminish from the Sacred Scriptures but to confine themselves strictly to the Scripture-Terms Modesty in Apparel See the Synod of Paris Gen. Mat. Art 33. XXI That Article concerning the immodest Habits and Fashions of Men and Women shall be observed with the greatest Care imaginable And both Sexes are required to keep Modesty in their Hair and every thing else that no Scandal may be given to our Neighbour See the Synod of Bergerac Art 9. upon reading the Discipline XXII A Minister may not together with his Ministery practice Physick But yet out of Charity he may give his Advice and Assistance unto the sick Members of his Church and to the Neighbourhood without diverting himself from his Function nor shall he draw Advantage from it unless in time only of Trouble and Persecution when as he cannot exercise his Ministery in his own Church XXIII Fathers and Mothers are exhorted to be exceeding careful in Instructing their Children which are the Seed and Nursery of the Church and they shall be most bitterly censured who send them to the Schools of Priests Jesuits and Nuns As also the Gentry shall be reproved who place them Pages or Domesticks in the Houses of Lords and Noble-men of the contrary Religion XXIV Such as commit enormous Crimes as Incests Murders or the like shall be without any more ado cut off from Communion at the Lord's Table and their Suspension shall be published in the Church XXV If there arise any difference between a Church and
this nature should have a perpetual tendency to the Churches edifying So that when Parents or Sureties do offer Children unto Baptism and desire their own Names to be put upon them this their Request shall be granted provided they be not Names prohibited in the close of the Ninth Canon of Baptism as the Names of God Angel or Office or such as be notoriously ridiculous V. Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall most humbly intreat and exhort Kings Princes Great Lords and all Impropriators of Church-Lands and all our opulent and wealthy Churches to lay by and dedicate some considerable Portion of their yearly Incomes Estates and Revenues towards the maintenance of Students in Divinity and of poor Schollars of excellent and hopeful Parts who may be hereafter imployed in the Sacred Ministry And that this Canon may be observed this Assembly will give the first Example and doth now order that Letters shall be written unto those most Illustrious and Noble Personages and to our richest Churches inviting them unto this most needful Contribution and these Letters shall be signed in the Name of this National Synod by the Moderator Assessor and Scribe VI. National and Provincial Synods shall be held once every Year for time coming and Colloquies twice a Year but by this Canon we do not intend to abridge the Provinces who can better do it of their Priviledge in observing the first established Order Pastors must come accompanied with one Elder unto Synods or Classes VII Pastors shall ever come unto these Ecclesiastical Assemblies accompanied with an Elder and in case they be sent alone there shall be no regard had unto Memoirs as in like manner it shall be with the Elders if they come singly Sureties must ponder seriously their Engagements at Baptism VIII Pastors shall diligently exhort all Sureties of both Sexes seriously to weigh and consider their Promises ingaged at Baptism and Parents shall be advised to chuse such Sureties for their Children as are well instructed in Religion and of exemplary Life and Conversation or at least such as if need be may be able to educate their Children in the knowledge and fear of God Some Crimes shall not be blotted out the Books of Consistory IX Upon Repentance and Satisfaction given unto the Church all Crimes and Offences shall be razed out of the Books of Consistories except such who for their Contumacy and Rebellion had been censured with Suspension from the Lord's Supper or Excommunication None of the Consistory may declare the Sins of ingenuous Penitents X. Consistories shall not give in Evidence against any Person by Act or any other way unto the Magistrate And the Members of those Consistories shall not reveal any Person the Confessions of Penitents who voluntarily and of their own accord or by Admonitions given them shall have confessed and acknowledged their Offences XI Forasmuch as divers sickly Persons are Communicants at the Lord's Table and some for fear of Infection scruple to take the Cup after them Pastors and Elders are advised to use their best prudence and discretion in this case CHAP. III. XII A Woman having been joyned in Marriage unto one who was formerly a Monk or Priest and since returned unto his former Profession may not marry another Man until such time as her first Marriage be dissolved and the Sentence of Dissolution shall be pronounced as of Right it ought by the Magistrate XIII Pastors are left unto their liberty to use either the accustomed words or any other words in the Administration of the Lord's Supper it being a matter indifferent The Faithful may not hold any Benefices where there is peril of Idolatry See the Second Synod of Rochel art 34.37 provided they be such as tend unto edification XIV In the case of Benefices to which there is a Right of Patronage by presentation from the Lord of the Mannor or by the interposal of the Bishop of the Diocess the Faithful must be advised not in the least to retain them thô they were freely given them without any Condition express or implicite of Service unto the Idol XV. Farmers of the Temporalities of the Clergy of their Rents Tithes and such-like Matters shall observe the Nineteenth Article of the last National Synod held at St. Foy which was to intermeddle as little as may be with such Concerns because of divers Abuses and Inconveniences that might happen about them Which ceasing those of the Reformed Religion may lawfully farm them And all Consistories are desired to take Notice of it XVI See the Second Synod of Rochel Art 50. How Parents ought to behave themselves when they marry their Children to one of a contrary Religion Parents professing the Reformed Religion having Idolatrous Children of a Religion contrary to their own who would take them Wives Idolaters like themselves shall be advised to use their utmost endeavour to turn away their Children from such a Marriage especially if as yet they be Minors and not emancipated from under their Paternal Authority But in case they cannot prevail upon them whenas the Marriage-Articles shall be signed they shall openly protest their abhorrency of that Idolatry into which their Children do so wickedly plunge themselves and afterwards may give their Consent to the Promises and Conditions concerning the Portion and other such-like Matters XVII Publick Penances to be used prudently See the Second Synod of Rochel Art 26. Consistories are advised to take care that Publick Penances be used very seldom and with a great deal of prudence and only for publick notorious Crimes really committed which are come to the knowledge of the far greater part of the Church and in this case the scandalous sin itself shall be particularly confessed No Book of the Holy Scripture shall be turn'd into Plays XVIII Neither the Canonical nor Apocryphal Books of the Holy Bible shall be transformed into Comedies of Tragedies XIX No Church nor Province shall make any Ordinance unless for Substance it be conformable to the General Articles of our Church-Discipline Ministers by their Personal Promises shall not be obliged to any Church XX. No Church shall pretend Title or Right unto any Minister because of his particular Promise given them without the Authority of the Colloquy of Provincial Synod XXI In case a Minister be destitute of a Church in his own Province and Colloquy and shall lend his Service unto another Church out of his Province which hath desired him so to do till the next Synod and if that Synod when convened cannot employ him in its own Province he shall then be the peculiar Minister of that Church which had demanded him provided it be done with the full content of the Church And this Canon shall bind for the future but without any prejudice to the time past XXII In the first Article concerning Elders and Deacons after these words The Duties of their Office shall be read there shall be this addition And a particular Prayer shall
they should carry and behave themselves wherefore leaving unto Notaries to follow their ordinary business in the way and manner prescribed to them nothing hinders but that the Church may make Espousals by words de proesenti XLIII All excessive and scandalous Usuries shall be severely forbidden and condemned Usuries forbidden XLIV After these words The Superstition of the Romish Church in the second Article of particular Orders there shall be these added And the said Printers and Booksellers are exhorted not to sell any scandalous Books relating to Idolatry or Impudicity or such at have a tendency to corrupt good manners Not lawful to marry the Widow of the Wise's Brother XLV As to that Case propounded Whether a Man might lawfully marry the Widow of his Wife's Brother we judge That over and above what has been determin'd by others formerly in this matter that there is a secret affinity between such Parties because in the sight of God the Man and Wife are accounted but one flesh and therefore decency and civility will not permit it Licenses to marry may be taken from the King thô not from the Pope XLVI It is in no wise lawful for any Member of our Churches to address themselves unto the Pope for Dispensations to marry within the degrees prohibited and to remove any present or after Impediments which may or do occur in that holy Estate because in so doing there is an owning and subjection to his Tyrannical Authority But yet in degrees not forbidden by the Word of God which are now forbidden by our Civil Magistrate we may lawfully address ourselves unto the King tor his License XLVII The Faithful shall be admonished both in Sermons and private Conferences not to defer Baptizing their Children unless there be some very great cause inducing them thereunto XLVIII None of our Members in Communion with us shall assist at their Weddings or Wedding-Feasts who that they may marry a Popish Wife do revolt from the Reformed Religion But as for those who have a long while ago left the Profession of our Religion or have been ever Papists it 's left to the prudence of the Faithful to consider what will be most expedient for them and if they go let them take heed of approving the Evil in those Meetings and that they bear no part in the Dances and other Dissolutions which are commonly found and committed at them XLIX For time to come neither Ministers nor any other of the Faithful shall print or publish any of their Writings or private Works without having first obtained the express leave and approbation of their respective Colloquies L. There shall be this clause added to the 12th Article of Figeac And the said Fathers shall make it appear unto the Consistory that they have been diligent in their Duty to hinder as much as in them lay the said Marriages LI. The Province of Brittany is ordered to convoke the next National Synod and shall give Notice thereof three Months before unto all the Provinces as also to the Ministers of Bearn Metz and Sedan and to the Ministers of Princes professing the Reformed Religion The Original of the Acts of this Synod was lodged up in the Archives of the City of Rochel out of which this present Copy was extracted and it was thus signed De Nort Moderator De L'Estang and Scribes chosen and deputed thereunto by the Synod Chauveton Scribes chosen and deputed thereunto by the Synod The End of the Second Synod of Rochel THE ACTS DECISIONS 1583. Synod XII and DECREES OF THE XII National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At Vitrè in the Castle of the Right Honourable GVY Earl of Laval on the 15th Day of May and ended the 27th of the same Month in the Year 1583 being the Ninth Year or the Reign of Henry the Third King of France and Poland THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Deputies Names Deputies from the Churches in the Netherlands 18. Synodical Officers chosen Chap. II. General Matters Deputies to be sent from the Reformed Churches of France unto the Dutch Synods and from theirs unto the French Synods 1. Their Confession and Discipline mutually signed Ministers to be lent reciprocally Assessments of Members to be in Churches not Provinces A Case of Conscience 6. Another about Prayer to be used at the Baptisms of Children born in Incest 8. Promises of Marriage by words de praesenti indissolvable Notorious Sinners cast out of the Church 12. A weighty Case of Conscience 13. Baptism to be administred before the last Psalm 14. A Case about Patronage 15. All the Deputies to communicate in the end of the National Synod 16. Whether a Popish Bride may be accompanied to her Church 17. A Case about Womens Habits 18. A Case about Prohibitions against Church Censures 19. Acts for a Synodical Seal and a National Fast 21 22. A Case about ungraceful Church-Members about Ministers delegated out of their Colloquy or Provinces about visiting of the sick 24 25 26. Chap. III. Canons removed from changed in and added to the Discipline Chap. IV. Of particular Matters A deposed Minister petitioning to be restored unto his Office is rejected A Case of Conscience 2. A whole Church deprived of the Ministry for not maintaining their Pastor 4. A Case of Conscience 5. An Apostate Minister exposed and excommunicated 6. Censures upon two other such Delinquents 7. A Minister practising Physick censured 10. the Harmony of Confessions approved 14. A Case about confronting Witnesses 15. A Case about a dissolved Marriage 17. A scandalous Minister deposed 18. A Case about a Pension upon a Benefice 21. King of Navarr's Message unto the Synod 26. A motion for Vnion between the German and French Churches The Appeal of a scandalous Minister rejected 31. A Case about a Man's Marriage with his Wife's Niece 32. Broccard's Book on Genesis again condemned 33. Bellefleur for writing against the Discipline censured An Act for calling the next National Synod THE First Synod of Vitre SYNOD XII CHAP. I. The DEPVTIES There appeared in this Synod on behalf of the Provinces and as their Representatives the Pastors and Elders hereafter named viz. 1. FOR the Province of the Isle of France the Land of Chartres Picardy and Brie Monsieur Matthew Virell Minister in the Church of Marchais in Beavoisis within the said Isle of France accompanied with Claudius de Hames Lord of Felnoy Elder of the Church at Dieppe 2. For Champagne and the Land of Messin there should have served Mr. Fleuret Minister of the Church of Esparnon in Champagne but he fell sick by the way and sent Letters of excuse unto the Synod which were accepted But the Province was censured for not sending an Elder with the said Minister 3. Fox Normandy M. William Feuguero Minister of Basqueville and John de Lamare Deacon of the Church of Veinieres 4. For Brittaine M. Peter Merlin Minister of the Church gathered in the House of the
be most sharply reproved and if after one or two Admonitions they do not refrain they shall be suspended the Lord's Table And all outragious Blasphemers Forswearers and suck-like Persons shall in no wise be tolerated in the Church but upon the first Offence shall be punished with Suspension from the Lord's Supper and if they continue in this their Vngodliness they shall be publickly excommunicated And this Assembly voted unanimously That when the Deputies of the Provinces shall be returned to their several respective homes they shall cause this Article to be read in all the Churches in the Audience of all the People 21. The Articles of our Discipline having been all read over one by one they were all approved and ratified by the joynt and common Consent and Suffrages of all the Provincial Deputies in the Name of all our Churches and in this self same Form in which they are couched by the former and this present National Synod And this Synod declareth farther That the Copies of it corrected and amended by the Commissioners authorized thereunto shall be hereafter followed and observed both as to Number of Articles and Terms and Words by which they be expressed that so such as shall take the pains to transcribe it may conform themselves exactly to those said Copies of our Discipline CHAP. IV. Of General MATTERS 1594. Synod XIII I. IN every Province there shall be chosen some sit Person to answer the Writings of our Adversaries not that by this Canon we intend to abridge any other of our Brethren of their liberty to use those Gifts and Abilities which God hath given them for his Churches Service And this shall be done at the sole Charges of that Province in which the Answer is made And if any Person shall presume to print his Book before he hath first communicated it unto his Colloquy or Synod according to our Discipline he shall be most severely censured and his Work shall be suppressed II. The Colloquies shall be exceeding careful that that Article of our Discipline concerning the Maintenance of poor Schollars designed for the Ministry be diligently observed and that they make Report of it unto their Provincial Synods and the Provincial Synods shall give account thereof unto the National that so it may be manifested how they have performed their Duty in this particular But forasmuch as the Expedients contained in that Article arc not sufficient for this end and the Churches Stock is very mean and low the farther Consideration hereof is referr'd unto the General Assembly at St. Foy The last Translation of the Holy Bible by the Pastors and Doctors in the Church of Geneva is to be received in ours III. Reserving liberty unto the Church for a more exact Translation of the Holy Bible our Churches imitating the Primitive Church are exhorted to receive and use in their Publick Assemblies the last Translation revised by the Pastors and Professors of the Church of Geneva And Thanks shall be presently given unto Monsieur Rotan and by Letters unto our Brethren of Geneva who have at the desire of our Churches so happily undertook and accomplished this great and good Work and they be further intreated to amplifie their Notes for the clearer and better understanding of the remaining dark places in the Sacred Text and Ministers in the respective Provinces are ordered to collect those difficult passages and to make Report of them unto the next National Synod who shall consider which most needs explication Mr. Calvin's Catechism to be used in our Churches IV. A Resolution being took in the last National Synod of Vitré at the desire of the Deputies of Xaintonge that they should consider whether Mr. Calvin's Catechism ought to be changed it is now decreed that it shall be retained and Ministers shall not be permitted to expound any other yet this Explication shall be done by familiar Questions and Answers And as for general Catechisings which are usually done before the Lord's Supper all People without exception shall be catechised in such a manner as every Church judgeth best sitting for their instruction V. To the Case propounded by the Deputies of Anjou and Tourain this Assembly replies That there is no need of an express particular Form of Prayer at the Ordination of Ministers However that Article concerning their Ordination shall abide in its full force and be carefully observed VI. There shall be nothing changed in the 4th Article of the 10th Chapter of our Discipline Nevertheless that all Abuses may be prevented either by Pastors or Churches the Colloquies may appoint two or three Ministers No regard is to be had unto the reciprocal Complaints of Pastors and People one against the other unless in such Cases as merit Suspension and Deposition who shall transport themselves upon the place to remedy and redress them and in case of failure by the Colloquies the Provincial Synods shall provide against such neglects and omissions 7. Whenas a Minister complains of his Churches Ingratitude and the Church on the other hand shall lay the blame on its Pastor there shall be no Notice taken of either of them unless it be in a case of very great and enormous wickedness for which the Pastor meriteth Suspension or Deposition from his Office and that Sentence shall be pronounced by the Provincial Synod And then also some effectual course shall be taken to provide against the afore-mentioned Ingratitude And the Churches shall be censured for concealing so long a time what ought to be more early discovered Ungrateful refractory Persons shall be deprived of the Lord's Supper VIII Forasmuch as the Ingratitude of divers Persons in not contributing to their Minister's Subsistance is more notorious than ever and that this crying sin threatens the Churches with a total dissipation after mature deliberation we do decree That in case these ungrateful Wretches having been several times admonished by their Consistory do persist obstinately in this their sin their Consistory shall deprive them of Communion with the Church in the Sacraments IX Colloquies shall be exhorted to observe carefully the 38th Article in the first Chapter of our Discipline Pastors must be resident The Apocryph◠not to be read in the Churches X. Colloquies and Synods shall take special heed that Pastors reside as much as possible on their Churches XI The Churches are advised to see to it that their Deacons or Readers do not read publickly the Apocrypha but the Canonical Books of Holy Scripture This Article was repealed by the Synod of Saumur art 5. Gen. Mat. XII Whenas there shall be any considerable Sum of the Churches Money given to their Poor lying by in Stock and there be no present urgent occasion for its distribution the Deacons may put it out to Interest upon good security and receive such profit for its Loan as is allowed by his Majestie Laws and those of Charity but with this Proviso that both the Deacons and Consistory do immediately call it
as there is none that doth oppose Letters from the King and High-Constable of the Kingdom unto the Synod XVIII Letters written by the King unto this Assembly and sent by Monsieur de Serres the 14th of May last were read wherein His Majesty giveth us assurance of his good Affection to us and to maintain his Edict of the Year 1577 and that we should give credence unto the said Monsieur de Serres as also Letters from the Lord High-Constable unto this Assembly dated the 18th of May last assuring us of the like kindnesses and demanding the like Credence from us to what should be declared by the said de Serres It was decreed That Answers should be returned unto His Majesty with the profoundest Reverence and Thankfulness and His Majesty should be most humbly and earnestly intreated to grant us the Gracious Effects of his Royal Favour And in like manner shall there be Answer returned in Writing unto the Constable XIX Monsieur D' Orival shall write from this Assembly unto the Church of Geneva to acquaint them with the Frauds committed by their Book-sellers who vend in these parts a number of psalm-Psalm-Books and New Testaments of the old Translation only prefixing a new Title as if it were a new Impression and Translation as also to return our Thanks unto Monsieur de Beza for Printing and Dedicating his Sermons upon the Passion unto the Pastors and Elders of the Churches in this Kingdom XX. Monsieur D' Orival propounded Whether it were convenient that our Ministers should be dispatch'd as Deputies unto those Assemblies where Matters relating to the preservation of our Churches are debated It was resolved That because the present Juncture of Affairs did necessarily require it they might be sent unto them XXI The Deputies of Orleans craved Advice Whether it were needful that the Contracts of Marriage should be seen before the Banes are published because in their Province the Contracts are not published till the Eve of the Marriage This Assembly determines That it shall be sufficient to see the Articles subscribed by the Principals concern'd or attested by the Publick Notary XXII The Province of Gascogny demanded farther Whether such as made publick profession of our Religion before their admission into Church-Fellowship with us ought particularly in the face of the whole Congregation to abjure the Mass The Synod declared That it was a matter of indispensable necessity XXIII The same Province demanded farther Whether Consuls and Magistrates professing the Reformed Religion and living in those places where Colloquies and Provincial Synods are held ought to be admitted into them It was answered They have no Right to be there but in case they be Persons of eminent Piety and such as may be useful unto the Assembly Synods have full Power if they desire it to call them in unto them XXIV It was again demanded by the Deputy of the same Province Whether a Judge or Magistrate of the Reformed Religion might take a Papists Oath upon the Crucifix Relicks Altar Pixes and such-like Appurtenances of Idolatry they demanding it This Assembly adviseth That no Protestant Judges do give them their Oaths in such a manner but that he exhort those Persons to swear only by the true God but if they will not do it and are obstinately resolv'd to swear after their own way the Judge may admit them provided that they contain themselves within the bounds of His Majesties Laws XXV The Province of Xaintonge craving leave for Monsieur Hautyn of Rochel to print our French Bibles he engaging his Word to do it better for Paper and fairer for Character and at a cheaper Rate than those of Geneva which are now become very rare and dear This Synod doth permit the said Hautyn to print the Bible and adviseth him to have a singular care that it be done most accurately and correctly XXVI The Deputies of the Isle of France demanded What course should be taken with those Persons who having contracted Marriage within the Degrees forbidden by the Word of God without any Dispensation and being married according to the Romish Mass-Book did notwithstanding earnestly desire to be admitted by doing Publick Penance into Communion with our Churches It was resolved That such should not be received to the Peace and Fellowship of the Church till they were first separated one from the other XXVII The Province of Lower Languedoc moving That no Minister might expound the Apocalypse without the Advice of his Colloquy it was granted that no such Exposition should be undertook without the Counsel and Consent of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod XXVIII The same Province demanding What Censure ought to be inflicted on them who marry their Children unto Papists It was resolved That both they and their Children should be deprived of the Lord's Supper and do publick Penance for this their Offence XXIX The desire of the Province of Higher Languedoc is very well approved of That Churches blessed by God with ability should be and they be now exhorted to erect publick Libraries for the Service of the Ministers and Proposans of their Churches XXX The Churches are exhorted most carefully to observe in every point that Union which was made at Mantes by the Deputies of the Churches of this Kingdom for their mutual help and benefit and they shall be informed by their Deputies of its necessity and those Churches which will not conform unto the rest shall be most grievously censured XXXI The Church of Paris is intreated to note and collect the passages in the Sacred Canonical Scriptures and Writings of the Fathers which have been falsified and maimed by them of the Romish Church And the Provinces are charged to send their Observations also to it that so this desirable Work may be printed and published without any delay XXXII The Deputy of Berry demanding Whether it be lawful for Cousin Germans to marry whenas the King hath given his License it was resolved affirmatively XXXIII The Lord du Plessis moving how expedient it would be that in the King's Army there should be ordinarily some Ministers towards whose subsistence the Governours Commissaries and other Officers professing the Reformed Religion should be exhorted liberally to contribute This Assembly decreeth That the Provinces beginning with the Isle of France and Normandy and following the Order prescribed by the 15th Canon of the Eighth Chapter of our Discipline shall make choice of two of their Pastors to be sent into the Army who shall each of them serve six Months which term expired the two next Provinces in order shall send two others to succeed them and so consequently all the rest And all Governours and Officers professing our Reformed Religion are intreated to take particular care of their Maintenance and Encouragement XXXIV Letters were presented unto this Synod by Monsieur Vulson from the Gentlemen assembled at Loudun which being read and after hearing what he was charged to deliver us by word of mouth viz. The Order established among the Churches for
D'Espoir a Copy of his Churches Petition that so he may return them an Answer within two Months time by the way of Paris and the Province of Higher Languedoc are charged in their next Synod to know of the said D'Espoir whether the matters contained in that said Petition be true or not and if true they shall enjoyn him out of hand to perform one of those Conditions proposed by the said Church in their Petition and the Province shall give an Account of the whole Affair to the next National Synod XXXI The Decree of the National Synod of Montauban shall be observed in that matter concerning Monsieur Berault Minister of the Gospel and the Deputies of Lower Languedoc are to acquiesce in it XXXII The Deputies of the Province of Poictou requesting That the Church of Luneré in Normandy might be exhorted to pay Monsieur Vatblè who was formerly their Minister his Arrerages owing to him This Synod hath given in charge to the Deputies of Normandy that pursuant to the Memoirs deposited in their hands by the said Vatblé they endeavour to procure him all satisfaction possible XXXIII The Memoirs of Limoges presented by the Deputies of Gascony are sent back again unto the Assembly of Loudun And the Case propounded in those Papers about Marriages contracted with a party of contrary Religion is fully determined by our Discipline which forbids the Blessing of those Marriages in our Churches where one of the Persons refuseth to quit its Idolatry CHAP. VII The Catalogue of the Deposed THE Deposed were Monsieur * * * Cahier was wheedled off from the Reformed Religion with the never-performed Promises of being made an Abbot He was deposed for writing two Books in which he asserted the Necessity and Lawfulness of Publick Stews and Brothel-Houses and that Fornication and Adultery were not forbidden in the Seventh Commandment but only the Sin of Onan 2. For Magick which he had practised This Wretch had one Vertue he never loved nor was beloved by the Jesuites He was once favoured but after slighted and neglected by the Sorbonists A most slovenly nasty Fellow in his Apparel and way of Living Peter Cahier of the Isle of France Vielbancque in Languedoc Peter le Roy otherwise Boilem in Normandy Godfrey de Vaux in Dolphiny and John Cornille The Provinces shall be advised to beware of a certain pernicious Heretick called Anthony de L'Escale who roves up and down scattering his Errors both by Writings and Discourses The Province of Lower Languedoc is charged to convene the next National Synod in the City of Montpellier the First of May in the Year 1598. The Acts were thus Signed by Dominick de Losse Moderator of the Synod Vincent chosen to Collect the Acts of the said Synod The End of the Synod of Saumur THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XV. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At Montpellier the 26th of May in the Year of our Lord 1598. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Names of Deputies Synodical Officers chosen A Decree that every Province should choose four Deputies who in case of sickness of the first Deputies might supply their places in the National Synod An Exception for the Deputy of Provence Chap. II. Observations upon the Confession Advertisement unto Printers Chap. III. Observations upon the Discipline Distinction between the inability and Ingratitude of a People to their Minister 4. Case of the Emeriti and their Widows 5. Certificates given to the Poor 9. A Case of Conscience moved by the Church of Castres 11. National Synods to be Triennial 12. No Funeral Doles 13. Marriage-Promises to be made either by words de futuro or de praesenti 15. A Case about one who married the Widow of him who in his first Marriage had married his Sister 16. A Case about Certificates to be married in another Church for fear of Witchcraft 17. Widows not to marry till Seven Months after their Husbands death 18. The Marriage of Madam the King's Sister 19. A Case about Incest 20. Whether a Man convicted and condemned by the Civil Magistrate for a Capital Crime which yet he stiffly denieth may be admitted to the Lord's Table 21. A Case about purchasing Lands to keep up the Popish Worship 23. A Case about Advocates and Proctors 24. About Printers 25. And Lotteries 28. Penance for Harlots 30. Chap. IV. Appeals Judgment in Points of Doctrine appropriate unto the Ministry 4. Chap. V. General Matters A Committee of Ministers to revise the Copies of the Discipline Reconcilers of both Religions to be rejected 2. The Liturgy not to be altered Mr. Beza's Scripture Songs to be sung in the Churches 3. Censure of Books Apparatus ad fidem Catholicam Avis pour la Paix de L'Eglise Elenchus Novae Doctrinae 4. A Case sent by a Soveraign Prince unto the Synod for resolution 5. Another Case depending on it 6. Another about Wounds 7. Another about Marriage-Promises 8. Monsieur Chamier's Advice to the Synod when he brought the Edict of Nants unto it 14. A distribution of the King's Money given the Churches 16. Ministers abroad cited home unto the Kingdom by the National Synod 17. Chap. VI. Particular Matters Letters to the Dutch Churches Monsieur Berand to answer Perron and Monsieur de Montigni Cahier 3. Franc a deposed Minister petitioning to be restored is rejected 6. Ministers for Madam 7. Cassegrain's Answer to Perron slighted by the Synod 10. Peyrol not duly qualified for the Ministry 11. Poor Ministers 14 15 16. Complaint of the Town of Aubenas 23. Ministers in one Church quarrelling are both removed 26. The Court of Castres hath the Thanks of the Synod 31. Chap. VII Private Acts. Chap. VIII Extracts from the Acts of the mixt Assembly of Chastel-heraut An Act for calling the next National Synod THE Synod of Montpellier 1598. Synod XV. SYNOD XV. Acts and Articles of the National Synod held at Montpellier the Six and Twentieth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand five hundred ninety and eight CHAP. I. Deputies and Officers of the Synod Monsieur Berault was chosen President Monsieur De Montigny Assessor And Scribes Monsieur De Macifer and Monsieur Cartau There assembled at it the Pastors and Elders whose Names are underwritten FOR the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne Monsieur Francis de Lauberan Lord of Montigny Minister in the Church of Paris and Moyses Cartau Elder of the said Church For Orleans Berry Blezou and Dunois Master Michael le Noir Minister of Chastillon on Loire and Esaias Fleureau Elder in the Church of Orleans For Dolphiny and the Principality of Orange Master Andrew Caille Minister of Grenoble and Master William Vallier Minister of Die and Master Sebastian Julian Minister of Aurange and Master Felix Elder in the Church of Montlimart For Normandy and Brittany Master William Claud Picheron Minister at Ponteau de Mer without an Elder For the Higher Languedoc and the
Pastors and Elders as they be obliged by that Article of our Discipline otherwise they shall have no power of Voting in that Synod XIII In explaining the fifth Article of the tenth Chapter of our Discipline concerning Funerals it was decreed That Ministers should hinder the distribution of the Deceased's Alms at their Interrments that so those inconveniences which would otherwise fall out may be prevented XIV That Article of the Synod of Saumur concerning the Administration of Baptism after Singing the last Psalm before the Blessing shall be inserted into the eleventh Chapter of our Discipline XV. Having read and carefully examined the Memoirs sent from the Provinces concerning the fifth Article of the thirteenth Chapter of our Discipline about the Form in which Promises of Marriage are to be conceived and uttered this Assembly ordereth That both that Article of the Discipline and of the last Synod of Saumur shall be amended and that the Churches be left to their own liberty and discretion either to use the words de praesenti or de futuro XVI In explaining the tenth Article of the same Chapter this case was propounded by the Colloquy of Foix A Man espoused the Widow of the Deceased who was married to his own Sister in a former Marriage The Synod judgeth That such a Marriage is not incestuous nor comprised in the said Article forasmuch as Affinity ceaseth by Death and proceedeth not beyond the Persons conjoyned by that said Affinity XVII A Question was moved upon reading the 16th Article of the 13th Chapter Whether it were lawful to give them a Certificate to be married out of their own Churches Who desired it for this reason only that they might avoid Bewitching and Impotency procured by tying the Point This Assembly ordaineth That it shall not in the least be granted them and adviseth them not to give way unto such fears proceeding from their weakness and unbelief and the Faithful are exhorted to arm themselves against such Attempts by an entire confidence in God's Holy Word and by fervent Prayers to vanquish such Illusions and to come unto the Ordinance of Marriage when blessed in our Churches with more Reverence Attention and Devotion than is usual XVIII The Assembly decreed about the 23d Article of the same Chapter concerning Widows Marriages That they shall not be admitted to contract Marriage till seven Months and fourteen days be fully expired after their Husbands Death XIX The 21st * * * It 's the 20th Article Article of the same Chapter being examined the Church in the House of her Highness the King's Sister craved Advice for their Conduct in that great Concern of her Royal Highness's Marriage with the Prince of Lorrain because althô she had employed the Authority of the Provincial Synod and of divers famous Persons both within and without the Kingdom yet she cannot any longer hinder it This Synod approving their Duty judgeth this Marriage utterly unlawful nor shall it be permitted in any of our Churches and Letters to this purpose shall be written to her and all Ministers are enjoyned carefully to observe this Article otherwise they shall be suspended and deposed from their Ministry And this Injunction shall be annexed to the Articles of our Discipline N.B. She would not be married after the Popish way and could not after the Protestants Henry IV. her Brother found out a temper got the Archbishop of Roven his Natural Brother to pronounce only the formal words of Marriage in his Cabinet the King himself joyning their Hands and the Duke of Barr went immediately to Mass and she to a Sermon at Court See the 28th Artic. of Part. Matters of the Nation Synod of Gâ—rgâ—aâ— XX. A Case was propounded upon the Article of Incests A Maid was married in her Nonage to one who in his first Marriage had espoused her Aunt by Papal Dispensation and had Children by her now she is since come to the knowledge of the Truth embraceth and makes open profession thereof but not her Husband she also hath born him Children may this Woman be received into Communion with our Churches This Assembly distinguishing between Affinity and Consanguinity and considering the time wherein the said Marriage was contracted and that the Dispensation such as it was is reputed a Law in this Kingdom and because the Husband is of the contrary Religion adviseth That without approving the said Marriage she be received unto Communion with us in the Sacraments And this shall be published unto the People XXI On the Article of Publick Penance for Scandals the Province of Higher Languedoc moved Whether a Man convicted and condemned by the Civil Magistrate for a certain Crime which yet he pertinaciously denieth may be received to the Peace and Fellowship of the Church without undergoing Publick Penance This Assembly judgeth That in the first place the past Life of this condemned Person be revised and examined and then the Accusations brought in against him the Witnesses attesting them and the Judges passing Sentence on him and then to ponder all Circumstances and Proofs over and above what were produced before the Magistrate and if alter the greatest diligence used herein and Adjurations made him in the Name of God to confess the Truth he still persists in his denyals he may be received unto the Lord's Table provided that the Church be publickly acquainted in his presence that the Judgment of the whole Process lieth between God and his own Conscience XXII Instead of those words in the beginning of the * * * It is now the 23th Art 26th Article of the same Chapter Who shall have dwelt there shall be inserted Who being espoused shall have dwelt together XXIII A Case being moved Whether Lands might be purchased on these Terms That you keep up Divine Service as 't is called in the Church of Rome This Assembly is of Opinion That we should make a difference between those who purchase upon Terms of paying such and such Suits and Service unto a Bishop Abbot or Curate and those who in downright Terms scruple the causing Mass to be said or sung the former of these be not liable to Church Censures but the latter must be informed that they cannot with a safe Conscience neither possess nor acquire such Lands or Leases XXIV Proctors and Advocates i. e. Attorneys and Counsellors professing the Reformed Religion may not take of their own accord Monitories out of the Popish Ecclesiastical Courts But Judges being Publick Persons and having Authority to declare what is Law and ought to be done may order what they shall do in such Cases XXV The last clause of the 13th Article in the Chapter of Ministers shall be struck out because 't is comprised in the 15th Article of the last Chapter of our Discipline concerning Particular Orders XXVI Divers Provinces complaining of the Licentiousness of Printers in publishing all sorts of Books Cities and Churches having Printers in them are advised to suffer no Book to get into the Press
Catalogue was read of the Churches now in being whose Number was found 760 to wit in the Isle of France Picardy Champagne and Brie 88. Normandy 59. Brittany 14. Burgundy 12. Lyonnois 4. Forest Dolphiny and Provence 94. Vivarets 32. Lower Languedoc 116. Higher Languedoc and Higher Gnyenne 96. Lower Guyenne 83. Poictou 50. Xaintonge 51. Anjou 21. Orleans 39. Which is for each of them 52 Crowns 37 Sous and 10 Deniers  Cr. s. d. For the Isle of France 4631 34 10 For Normandy 3105 15 09 For Brittany 0736 50 08 For Burgundy 0538 56 10 For Lyonnois 0210 31 06 For Forest 0105 15 10 For Dolphiny and Provence 4997 22 * * * 3 7 For Vivaretz 1664 12 08 For Lower Languedoc 6105 15 09 For Higher Languedoc 5052 37 * * * 10 6 For Lower Guyenne 4368 22 * * * 25 3 For Poictou 2631 34 08 For Xaintonge 2684 12 07 For Anjou 1105 15 09 For Orleans 2052 38 00 And all the Churches shall be obliged to send their Accounts of Moneys paid by them unto their Pastors who have actually served them and the said Accounts shall be then accepted if the Acquittances be signed by those Ministers owâ—n hands who received the Moneys and the over-plus of this Money remaining shall be returned unto the Synod to be disposed of according to their Orders and by the Ministers to be relieved we understand such also who through Age or Sickness are uncapable of discharging the Duties of their Calling and farther we leave it to the Prudence of the Provinces what Allowances to make unto their Proposans and to the Widow sand Orphans of their deceased Ministers and to maintain as many of them as they shall judge expedient whose Names and Number also shall be inserted in these Accounts aforesaid and their Acquittances subscribed with their own hands shall be brought unto the National Synod And the Provinces shall give a demonstration of their care in erecting Academics and yield up their Accompts in like manner as was before ordained The Receivers of this Money shall be nominated by the Provinces And the Assembly of Chastelheraut shall be intreated to give us their Advice for the best and speediest course of getting the said Moneys And this Order shall hold good until the next National Synod which shall be called by the Province of Normandy in the Month of June three Years hence and the Synod next after that shall be held in Dolphiny XVII Letters shall be sent in the Name of this Synod unto all French Ministers abroad out of the Kingdom requiring them to return unto the Service of their Churches upon the first Summons who shall furnish them with necessary Supplies for their Journeys and whereas divers have departed without leave first obtained from their Provinces because of the Troubles and Persecutions the Synod orders that they return forthwith as in Duty they are bound unto their respective Churches God having now blessed us with Peace And hereupon the Church of Paris according to this Article required Monsieur D'amours to return back unto his Province XVIII As soon as the Edict shall be published those extraordinary Times of Prayer ordained in the Churches shall cease and the Churches are requested particularly to remember in their Prayers unto the Throne of Grace those of the Low Countries 1598. Synod XV. CHAP. VI. Particular MATTERS I. LEtters shall be written unto the Churches of the Low Countries expressing our Grief for that their Deputies came not unto this Synod according to the Advice that was given them as also to intreat them to inform us of the time when their Synod shall be convocated and the Province of Normandy is ordered to send the Deputies unto it II. Monsieur Chesneau shall write to Monsieur de la Planche intreating him to deposit with the Church of Paris those Papers which belonged to that Apostate Cahier and are in his Custody and Monsieur L'Esperient shall make enquiry what are become of those Manuscripts of his that were in Bearn and if possibly they may be retrieved to send them also unto the Church of Paris III. Monsieur Berault is appointed to answer the Writings of du Perron and Monsieur de Montigny those of Cahier and as for other Books publisht against us that Article of the Discipline relating to this head shall be punctually observed and the Charges of their Impression shall be defrayed out of the Moneys granted us by the King and allowed by producing an Attestation from the Colloquies IV. The Province of Normandy is intreated to mediate with the Church of Lunere that their former Pastor Monsieur Vatable be paid his Arrears otherwise they shall be censured according to the Discipline V. Upon hearing the Differences between the Churches of Boislebec and Gurville with Monsieur de Videt d'Espoir and having pondered all Circumstances this Synod determines That of Right he belongs unto the said Churches because he was maintained by them for four Years together yea and when they were driven away one from the other into Foreign Lands and for that the Term ordained in such a Case by the Discipline is not yet expired However in consideration of his Age and numerous Family and the distance of Places and the conveniences he hath near Pamiers as also that without great damage unto himself he cannot remove the Synod declares for his comfort that he may live in the City of Pamiers upon condition that within six Months the Province do furnish those said Churches with a Pastor and the Church of Pamiers shall bear the one half of his Charges in Travel which also is censured for enforcing the said Monsieur de Videt to enter himself into Bonds to them in the Sum of sixty Crowns for re-imbursing them the Expences of his Journey in case he should not tarry with them VI. Monsieur Franc petitioning to be restored unto the Ministry was told by this Assembly That because of the number and heinousness of his Crimes deserving Corporal Punishment and marked with a brand of Infamy and for that he gave in but a very sorry Evidence of his Repentance to us that therefore he ought not to be restored However he wax advised not to slacken his Studies but to take up with some other Calling VII Madam the King's Sister requesting That Monsieur de la Touche might be given for four Months in the Year to the Church in her Family this Assembly consented to it until the next National Synod and this shall be inserted in the Letters of this Assembly unto that Princess that our Synods shall always carefully provide the most able Ministers for the conduct of her Church and if Monsieur de Feugerau's Health will permit him he shall serve her Highness in that Quality the whole time his Province advising and consenting to it And the other seven Ministers waiting upon her Royal Highness shall bear no other Title than that of ordinary Pastors and Ministers VIII This Synod
provide a Church for him XXVI This Assembly upon hearing the Difference risen betwixt Monsieur Jarey and Voisin Ministers of Millaud hath ordained for the Peace of that Church That neither of those Ministers shall continue in it longer than till the meeting of the next National Synod and Monsieur Brunier and Monsieur Gasques are intreated to take their Turns in serving the said Church and Monsieur Brunier is to hasten thither as soon as possible he can farther that an exchange shall be made of the Person of Monsieur Voisin with that of Monsieur Remirat Minister of the Church of St. Afrique and Monsieur Jarey hath leave given him to joyn himself unto the Churches of Pamiers or Merueir at his own election until the next Provincial Synod XXVII This Synod revising the Decree of the National Synod of Montauban in which Monsieur Balarand was by their Gift appropriated to the Church of Castrees as also that Article of the National Synod of Saumur ordaining the said Ballarand to return unto his Church of Aymett and the Deputies of both those Churches having been heard on behalf of their Principals and considering the great importance of that of Castres do ordain That the said Monsieur Ballarand shall remain appropriated Pastor unto the Church of Castres which yet is obliged according to Agreements between them to re-imburse the said Church of Aymett the Sum of One hundred Crowns expended by them in their procuring of another Minister XXVIII A Petition was presented by the Church of Castres praying That Monsieur Rotan might be granted them for their Pastor This Assembly hath ordained That he shall remain with the Church of Castres until the next Provincial Synod who may as they think fit dispose of him respect being first had to the health of the said Master Rotan so as will most contribute to the edification of God's Church XXIX The Church of Castres desiring that Monsieur * * * In another Copy it is de Sossias in athâ—r Somaltuâ— Souls might be given them they were sent back to their next Provincial Synod XXX Monsieur Julian is ordered to recover out of the hands of the Heirs of Monsieur de Serres deceased all his Manuscript Memoirs that they may be produced and perused by the next Provincial Synod XXXI The Advocate-General of the Chamber of Castres having saluted and assured this Assembly in the Name of the said Chamber professing our Religion of their faithful and sincere desires to maintain the Rights of our Churches Thanks was given him and by him to that honourable Court represented by him and they were desired not to Complement with us but in good earnest to pursue that end for which they were established and for which each of them respectively were recommended by the Churches XXXII License is granted to the Churches of Cormis and St. John of Bruel to incorporate themselves with the Colloquy of Vigan because it lieth so very convenient for them XXXIII The Synod having heard the Deputles of the Church of Loudun and Pamiers concerning the Call of Monsieur Frogets determines that of Right he doth belong unto the Church of Loudun which however must pay unto that of Pamiers fifty Crowns disbursed by them in Books for the said Froget and they are also ordered to defray his Charges in coming unto this Assembly XXXIV This Synod not having at present a Pastor sufficiently qualified for the Church of Bourdeaux and considering the great consequenee of its Establishment ordaineth That the Colloquies of Albrett Higher Agenois and Perigord shall each of then in course for four Months supply that Church and Monsieur * * * Renault Renault is to begin the Exercise there XXXV Letters shall be written to my Lord the Ambassador of England and to Monsieur de la Fontaine Minister of the French Church in London to inform them of those injurious Writings publisht against our Churches by Sutcliffe and Saravia and they be desired to apply themselves to the Queen that such Writings may not be printed XXXVI This Synod intreateth both the Provinces of Languedoc to bear the Charges of a Criminal Process depending in the Chamber of Castres about the Oppressions exercised upon the Arnolds by the Seneschal of Ville Franche in Rouergue XXXVII The Church of Nions in Dolphiny petitioning for a Pastor Monsieur du Jay alias du Gasleur was granted to them till the sitting of the next Provincial Synod of Vivaretz CHAP. VII Of Private ACTS I. GOvernours are exhorted to improve their Interest that the Edict be not executed in their Jurisdictions till such time as it hath been first executed in those places possessed by them of the contrary Religion II. The Churches of Languedoc are required to oppose those Novelties introduced at the Interment of their Dead and in particular this that Maids be carried to their Graves by Maids wearing Garlands of Flowers III. And it being their Duty who govern the Church by all lawful means to procure the benefit and advantage of their Poor this Assembly ordaineth That whenas there shall be any considerable Sum of Moneys belonging to the Poor in the Deacons hands they may warrantably put it out to Interest that so in case of great necessity the Poor may receive the more and greater Relief and Comfort CHAP. VIII An Extract of the Acts of the General Mixt Assembly of the Churches of France held at Chastel-heraut and approved by their National Synod held at Montpellier the 26th Day of May 1598 and the Days following Rules for such as bring the King's Orders granted for any Command or Government in the Cautionary Towns given us for our Security THE Provincial Assemblies which shall be called upon the Return of the Deputies now at Chastel-heraut shall out of every Colloquy name some able and faithful Persons of the Nobility and Cities who yet shall be changed or confirmed by every Provincial Synod or General Assembly if need be to be present at Colloquies whenas an Attestation shall be desired by a Gentleman who hath gotten His Majesty's Grant of any Government or Place of Trust And in case the Person having the Grant be a Member of that Colloquy in which the vacant place lieth the said Colloquy meeting together for signing the said Attestation shall invite all those who were named by the Provincial Synod or Assembly that they may joyntly consult whether they ought to give it or inform His Majesty to the contrary If the time of sitting for the General Assembly be near the said Colloquy shall defer till they have first had their Judgment about the said Attestation And in case the Person who hath the Grant be of another Colloquy than that of the vacant place the Person who is charged to convocate the Colloquy whereunto the Grantee belongeth shall take some sufficient time to inform the Assembly or Province in which the vacant place lieth but at their Charges of the Quality Family Religion and Morals of
our King directed unto this Assembly being read wherein she demanded a Supply of Ministers for her Court it was voted That the Church in her Royal Highness's House should be supplied from the first Day of July next unto the first Day of October following by the Province of Normandy and from the first of October to the first of April next following by the Church of Sedan and from the said first of April 1602 by the other Provinces who in their turns should each of them send a Minister who shall be in actual Service six Months according to this Order now declared viz. The Lower Languedoc Orleans Dolphiny Anjou the Higher Languedoc Poictou the Lower Guyenne Xaintange Vivaretz and Burgundy unless the said Church be not before-hand provided of two able Pastors particularly appropriated to it And her said Royal Highness shall be by our Letters sent to her expressy to this purpose advised to get them and that the Moneys she bestows upon the Schools of Bearn may be employed by her Royal Highness towards the maintenance of a competent number of Proposans And that the Church in her Royal Highness's Court may not at any time be left unprovided the Provinces are all obliged to supply her with two Ministers that in case one should be detained by some lawful lett or hindrance the other may be always ready to serve in his stead XI In answer to the Letters of the Churches of the Low Countries this Assembly decreeth That the Province of Normandy shall continue to give them Notice of the Time and Place of our National Synods XII Letters shall be written to Monsieur de la Fontaine intreating him to use his endeavours for begetting a right understanding between Dr. Sutcliffe Saravia and our Churches XIII It is decreed That for time coming the Province authorized to convene the National Synod shall be so impowered to publish the General Fast which is to be observed in all our Churches upon emergent Providences XIV Letters shall be written to the Doctors and Professors of Divinity in the University of Leyden intreating them not to ordain our French Proposans Students in their University but whenas they have finished their Course of Theology to send them into France that here being called unto the Ministry they may receive Imposition of Hands in the face of our Churches XV. The Book entituled Elenchus Novoe Doctrinoe is dismissed over to the perusal of the Provincial Synod of Dolphiny and in case they approve of it and prefix a Preface to it it may be Printed XVI The Church of Paris is required to examine Three Books the one called Apparatus ad Fidem Catholicam the other Advice for the Peace of the Church and the third having this Title Seen by the King And in case the Propositions which some have extracted out of them be not contained in them then the Acts of the Synod of Montpellier relating thereunto shall be razed out and the Provinces by the Authority of this Assembly are enjoyned to raze them out CHAP VI. Particular MATTERS I. THE Differences between the Synods of Higher Languedoc and Lower Guyenne concerning the Churches of Nerac Leyrac and others of the Lower Armagnac which had been sent up to this Assembly by the last Synod of Montpellier it being impossible now to determine them because the Deputies of the Lower Guyenne had neither Orders nor Instructions about them are remanded back unto the next Provincial Synod of Xaintonge finally to determine them and that by the Authority of this Assembly And the said Synod of Lower Guyenne for not sending Instructions unto their Deputies concerning those Affairs is hereby censured II. The Province of Normandy reporting the extream Poverty of the Church of Lunere being utterly disabled from ever satisfying their old Debt unto Monsieur Vatble the said Province is exhorted to do their utmost endeavour that it may be satisfied by them III. That Decree of the Synod of Montpellier concerning Monsieur de L' Espoir having never been put in execution this Assembly enjoyneth the Province of Higher Languedoc to see it executed and in case of their neglect that then the said M. de L'Espoir shall return to the Church of Boslebec Since this Ordinance the Deputies of Higher Languedoc agreed with those of Normandy to re-imburse the Church of Boslebec whatever Charges they may be at in getting a Pastor one half whereof was to be born by those of Pamiers and another half by the said Province of Higher Languedoc or else to maintain for them for two Years space a Proposan in the University of Montauban or if they pleas'd to give them an hundred Crowns to be employed by them to this very purpose in ready Money IV. The Demand of Monsieur Caille is turn'd over to the Synod of Dolphiny to take care about it But this Article was struck out by the following National Synod of Gap V. Letters shall be once more written to the Duke de L'Esdigueres about the 17000 Crowns belonging to the Churches of Lower Languedoc and the Article of the Synod of Montpellier declaring those Moneys to have been raised towards the maintenance of Proposans shall be corrected and amended VI. In pursuance of what was decreed by the same Synod of Montpellier the Churches of Cormes and of St. John du Bruil shall be incorporated with the Colloquy of Vigan and the Synod of Lower Languedoc shall see that this Order be observed VII The Church of Lions desiring a Pastor and that one may be given them out of Dolphiny which hath several of their Ministers residing in the Churches of that Province it 's ordered That the said Province of Dolphiny do furnish that Church of Lyons and if possible to lend them at least for some Months Monsieur Chamier VIII The French Translation of The Harmony of Confessions done by deceased Monsieur Saluart is dismissed to the Synod of Higher Languedoc to be perused by them and if they judge it expedient then to Print it but with the Latine Annotations of Monsieur Goulart IX The Province of the Isle of France demanding Messieurs de L'Estang and de la Valleé to be restored to them who are now in Poictou have a Grant given them to prosecute their Right in the next Provincial Synod of Poictou X. This Assembly judging Monsieur Pellart to belong of Right unto the Isle of France ordaineth the Church of Marans in which he now serveth to yield up unto those of the Isle of France such a Proposan as they shall best like of within four Months otherwise that time being laps'd the said Monsieur Pellart shall be surrendred unto the said Province XI To the Case propounded by the Deputy of Brittany this Assembly gives it in as their Judgment That the Lords and Gentlemen Patrons of Churches and Chappels wherein Mass is sung cannot with a good Conscience repair them no although by not doing it they forfeit their Right of Patronage and Presentation to them XII The
Ministry in Normandy he is of but mean Stature hath a weeping Tone brown Hair 2. As also one called Mussidan alias John Bourdirier who had been deposed in Vivaretz 3. Also one named Des Hameux who had been declared Vagrant by the Provincial Synod of Anjou The Province of Dolphiny is appointed to call the next National Synod three Years hence saving that in case of necessity and that Province do judge it so by reason of extraordinary Occurrences they may convene it sooner Revising that Article concerning the maintenance of Monsieur Berger before-mentioned it was decreed That in lieu of a General Contribution towards it by all the Provinces that of Orleans shall give him in a double Portion from the Moneys granted us by His Majesty to what is assigned unto each single Pastor which Quota of his shall be allowed them in their Accounts to be presented by them at the next National Synod Those of Vivaretz complaining of Taxes imposed on by the Provinces of Higher and Lower Languedoc towards the defraying of Charges spent about Businesses whereunto they had never been invited The Assembly ordains that for what is past it shall be valid but for the future that the Moneys of His Majesty's Grant which were purely Church-Moneys shall not be diverted from their primary design which was the maintenance of our Ministers and in particular that the Provinces shall not usurp upon one another's Right Monsieur Palott before-named having sent unto this Assembly a little before its dissolution the Sum of Three thousand Crowns in ready Money it was divided among the Provinces and Universities defalking one Sol in the Livre upon the whole remaining Debt for the Years 1598 1599 and 1600 according to the Accompts sent by the said Monsieur Palott for every Province and this without prejudice to the Accompt of the said Palott or approbation of it Dated at Gergeau the 25th of May 1601. Signed thus George Pacard Moderator chosen by the Synod De Beaulieu Assessor Scribes Daniel Chamier Josias Mercier The End of the Synod of GERGEAU THE Acts Decisions and Decrees OF THE XVII National Synod OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE Held in The Town of Gap and Province of Dolphiny In the Year of our Lord 1603. The CONTENTS of the Synod of GAP Chap. I. DEputies from the Provinces The Lords General Deputies des Fontaines Agent for Monsieur Palot Receiver of the Churches moneys Synodical Officers chosen The Provinces censured for not sending their full number of Deputies Brittany censured for a particular fact Chap. II. Observations upon the Confession of Faith the Original always to be brought unto the National Synod the 18 and 20 and 22d Articles explained our Righteousness by the imputation of Christs Active and Passive Obedience 2. The Call of our first Reformers was extraordinary and not from the Church of Rome 4. The Pope is the Antichrist 5. Of the word Super-intendant 6. The Confession Sworn and Subscribed 8. Monsieur Chamier to write an Apology for it as Bishop Jewel did for the Church of England Chap. III. Observations upon the Discipline no private Ordination 1. Uniformity in Ordination 2. Irregular Preaching 4. Canons for Professors of Divinity 7. Orders for maintaining young Students in Divinity 8. Elders shall have no Impositions of Hands 9. A Canon about Penitential Confession 12 A Case propounded by the Deputies of Burgundy 13. The Churches of several Provinces Incorporated with those of France 15 16 17. An Inquiry for the Original Acts of these National Synods 19. Publick Common Prayers laid down and why 21. Whether Ministers may attend on Funerals 22. The Discipline ratified by the Oath of all the Deputies Chap. 4 Observations on the Synod of Jergeau Instructions to a censured Minister how to justify himself 2. Letters to the Professors of Geneva about our Proposans 8. A Canon for the Deacons of Bearne in Switzerland 9. the Church of Paris censured 10. The Petition of a Minister deposed for his insufficiency and desiring to be restored is rejected 15. Thanks given to the Lord of Pleâ—â—â—s for his Book of the Eucharist 17. The Petition of a deposed Minister for restoration unto his Work and Office rejected 18. Chap. V. Appeals Two Ministers at Variance reconciled 9. Chap. VI. General matters A petition of the exiled Protestants of the Martquisate of Salluces to the Synod 1. Pastors must not be Non-Residents 2. A Canon about Pastors not Deputed to the National Synods yet sitting in them 3. An answer to the complaint of the Pastors of Geneva 4. That the Pope is Antichrist shall be inserted into the Articles of the Confession of Faith 5. A great case whether the Faithful may say they be of the pretended Reformed Religion 6. Another case of Conscience about a place of Burial 7. Form of Certificates 8. Moneys to begin the University of Die 9 10. A motion and means for reuniting the Lutherans with our Churches 11. A Case whether a Child Baptised by a Proposan should be Rebaptized 12. A Case about Oaths 13. About Theological disputations 14. About a Lord of misrule 15. A Committee to draw up a body â—f Laws for our Schools and Universities 18. Moneys paid unto the General Deputies 21. The King of Spains Bible to be set up in our Universities 300 Crowns given to the Academy of Sedan Chap. VII Particular matters A suspected Gentleman cleared 5. The History of a Possession 9. Letters from the Faithful in the Valley of Barcellona answered 17. Settling of Religion at Issoire 18. Letters sent to the Faithful fallen in Salluces 19. The Synod of Burgundy censured 22. The Poverty of the Church of Aubenas 28. A Book Intituled Hypotoposes Theologicae to be revised 30. the Vniversity of Sedan incouraged 40. Election of General Deputies 44. Chap. VIII A Dividend of 45000 Crowns between the Churches and Universities Chap. IX An Accompt of Moneys allowed the Sieurs Palot du Candal Chap. X. A Dividend of 135000 Crowns among the Churches and Universities Chap. XI A Catalogue of all the Reformed Churches of France Chap. XII Remarks upon three of the Deputies to this Synod 1603. The 17th Synod The Synod of GAP SYNOD XVII 1603. In the Name of God Amen Acts of the National Synod held by the Reformed Churches of France at Gap the first day of October and continued to the four and twentieth of the same Month in the Year of our Lord One thousand six hundred and three CHAP. I. Monsieur Chamier was chosen President Monsieur Ferrier Assessor Scribes Monsieur Vignier and Monsieur Roy THERE appeared in it as Deputies for their respective Provinces the Pastors and Elders whose names are here under written For the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne For the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne Monsieur Peter du Moulin Minister in the Church of Paris and Gedeon Petau Lord of the Mollette Elder of the Church of Houdan For Brittany Monsieur Francis L'Oyseau Minister of the Church of Nantes
up his Innocency and justify himself fully before the World and therefore did ordain him to produce the Evidences of his Innocency and Integrity before the next Provincial Synod of Poictou that it may be thence transmitted unto the next National Synod and then all requisite care should be taken about the razing of the aforesaid Censure 3. Upon the difference between the five Colloquies of Xaintonge and that of Aunix This Assembly judgeth that it is but just and reasonable that the Colloquy of Aunix should bear a fourth part of the Charges of the Provinces of Xaintonge notwithstanding the determination of the Provincial Synod of Poictou to the contrary 4. The appeal brought by the Church of Beaune and Vannés from the Decree of the Provincial Synod of Burgundy past in favour of Monsieur Manissier is made null and void because the said Church appeared not to prosecute it 5. That debate on behalf of Monsieur Claudius Jobart concerning Festivals and which had been inserted among the appeals in the Synod of Gergeau shall be transfer'd unto the head of particular matters in the said Synod the aforesaid Jobart protesting that he never brought any appeal against the Province of Burgundy 6. The Church of Orleans complaining that it was oppressed by a Decree of the Synod of Gergeau which had adjudged unto the Church of Gergeau the Moneys granted by his Majesty which belonged to it till the meeting of this present Assembly This Assembly considering all circumstances finds no reason to alter the Decree of the aforesaid Synod And for time coming ordaineth that the Provincial Synod shall do in it as they think fit 7. Upon the difference between the Synods of Poictou and Xaintonge about the Churches of Montignac Marsillac and Villefagnon The Churches of Montignac and Marsillac are adjudged unto the Province of Poictou and that of Villefagnon is left to its oâ—n choice to which of the Provinces it will be Incorporated but being once Incorporated the said Church shall not at its pleasure depart from it And this their choice once made shall be notified unto the next Synod of both the Provinces However the Province of Xaintonge shall retain their right in the Minister of Marsillac Proposans may not Preach nor Administer the Sacrament without Imposition of hands See Act. 6. of the 3d. Synod of Rochel 8. Letters shall be written to the Pastors and Professors in the Church of Geneva intreating them not to send our young Students in Divinity to Preach and Administer the Sacraments in Country Villages before Ordination principally the Students who are hereafter to be employed in the Churches of this Kingdom because it 's contrary to our Discipline and to the Practice and Custom of the Primitive Church and for that we feel already the inconveniences hereof 9. If Deacons of the Church of Bearne in Switzerland should come into this Kingdom and have not been first duely examined and ordained by imposition of hands or have not had elsewhere any Pastoral charge and should yet notwithstanding as they have done in other places take upon them to exercise the Ministerial office Of the Deacons of Bearne coming into France and exercising the Ministry to Preach the Word to administer the Sacraments as the Mode of some Forraign Churches is so to do they shall first subject themselves to a new examination here and be received into the Ministry among us in that very self same manner as Proposans are who never were Ordained And for other persons who were duely examined and to whom the right hand of Fellowship hath been given in Forreign Churches and are now called to a Pastoral Charge in some one of our Churches in this Kingdom they shall be admitted by the Provincial Synods according to the manner prescribed by our Discipline 10. The Church of Paris shall be censured for not revising that Book styled Apparatus ad fidem Catholicam not the others as they were injoined by the last Synod at Gergeau And that Church which is charged to call the next National Synod is now by this appointed to review and examine those books 11. The differences fallen out between the Synods of Higher Languedoc and Lower Guyenne concerning the Churches of Montagnac Leyrac and some others and which had been dismissed by the last Synod of Gergeau unto the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge and by that of Xaintonge to the decision of this Assembly shall be thus determined Full power is again given unto the said Synod of Xaintonge to perform that Article of the National Synod of Gergeau and to this purpose the said Province of Xaintonge shall take care that notice be given unto the said Provinces of the time and place of their next Synod 12. In pursuance of that Decree of the national Synod of Gergeau the Province of Normandy shall give full satisfaction unto Monsieur Vatablé for whom nothing at all hath been yet done 13. The Article of the Synod of Gergeau being read which ordered Letters to be written unto the Duke de Lesdiguieres about the 17000 Crowns See the Synod of Montpel partic matt 17. And the Synod of Gergeau partic matt 5. being Moneys of the Churches of Lower Languedoc We have thought fit that both the Articles of the Synods of Monpellier and Gergeau relating to this matter be razed out Provided that the Deputies of Languedoc have first of all the sight and perusal of those Acquittances pretended to by his Lordship 14. Whereas differences have sprung up between the two Provinces of the upper and neither Languedoc about the Churches of Cormes and St. John du Brueil The Decree made in the Synod of Gergeau for their determination is now again confirmed by this present Assembly and they be censured who did not according to their duty put in execution the said Decree And therefore the Deputies of both these Provinces shall give notice unto those Churches to appear in the Colloquies and Provincial Synods of the Nether Languedoc 15. John Mussidan Bordaires presented his humble Petition unto this Synod requesting that his name might be blotted out of the Catalogue of Vagrants into which it was inserted by the last Synod of Gergeau and that he might be permitted to make a Proposition from some text of the Holy Scripture in order to his re-admission into the Ministry This Assembly having received several relations from divers of our brethren concerning his insufficiency for so great and weighty a Calling did advise him to lay by all hopes and thoughts of re-entring into this Sacred Office because the Lord did not think him fitly qualified for it nor would own or accept of his service in it But that he might not be totally disheartned the Province whereunto he retires himself is intreated to assist him with their Charities and to employ him as a Schoolmaster in the teaching of youth 16. The Synod willing to express their affectionate respects to Monsieur Berger and intending as the former Synod of Gergeau to
seal and testify their great love and care for him and for his better subsistence the Deputies of the Provinces of Orleans and Berry having informed us of his deplorable condition It doth ordain that over and above the two Portions assigned him from the Kings Money in the late dividend at Gergeau two other Portions shall be added towards his relief by the Province of Berry The favourable Opinion of the Book of the Eucharist writ by the Lord du Plessis 17. The Pastors and Professors in the Church of Geneva having read according to the desire of the late Synod at Gergeau the book of the Lord du Plessis upon the Eucharist and given a very honourable testimony to it This National Synod doth render unto his Lordship their hearty thanks for his great zeal and affection to the truth of God and for his worthy labours in the defence thereof and orders that it be printed out of hand believing that the Lord will give his blessing to it 18. The difference between the Provinces of Vivaretz and of both the Languedoc's concerning Moneys assessed by these latter upon that of Vivaretz shall be finally determined and to this purpose the Decree made in the late Synod of Gergeau is now ratified because the Brethren of Vivaretz have brought nothing against it but what had been answered over and over And this Article shall be in full force as to those 3000 Crowns which had been raised by those Provinces before the Synod of Gergeau 19. Master Gabriel Raoul presented himself personally before this Synod humbly desiring his re-admission into the sacred Ministry from which he had been deposed by the Provincial Synod of the Lower Guyenne held at * * * Nismes Aymet which Sentence was ratified by the Ministers assembled at St. Foy with the Authority of the National Synod of Montauban in the year 1594. After that the said Raoul had been patiently and for a long time heard speaking what he could in his own defence and that the Acts of the said Synod of Aymet had been reviewed as those also of the Pastors assembled at St. Foy declaring the enormous crimes whereof the said Raoul was guilty and after reading the Certificates of several Colloquies Churches and Godly persons unanimously proclaiming him a person utterly unworthy of Imployment in the Gospel-Ministry as also that Act of the National Synod of Saumur confirming his deposal This Assembly ratified those Judicial Sentences past upon him by the foregoing Synods and declared the said Raoul utterly unworthy of ever being re-admitted into the sacred Ministry and farther adviseth him to humble himself deeply before the Lord in a most bitter Repentance for his hainous offences and for time to come to live Holily and Christianly in a private and secular life and to betake himself to the practice of Physick in some Church of Christ In the mean while all the Papers relating to his deposal and the Certificates given him by several of his Friends Ministers of the Gospel shall be deposited with the Church of St. Foy to be forth-coming upon all occasions And whereas he begged an Attestation from this Assembly we declare that none other can or shall be given him than what is expressed in the very words of this Act. And the Province whereunto he shall retire for Habitation and Imployment is required to take notice what use and benefit he shall make of the good Counsels that have been here given him and what his after Conversation is and accordingly to give in their Opinion whether he be fit or no to be received as a private Member into Communion with our Churches CHAP. V. Of Appeals 1. THE Church of Xaintes appealed from the Judgment past against them by the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge about Monsieur Primrose ho was given by that Synod for Pastor unto the Church of Bourdeaux Messieurs Renaud Minister of the Church of Bourdeaux and Roy Elder in the Church of Xaintes having been both heard Monsieur Roy declared that the â—hurch whom he represented would desist from their Appeal provided the â—hurch of Bourdeaux would secure them another Minister or that the Province would do it or that they might be assisted for a time with one of the Ministers of Rochell This Assembly doth confirm the Call of Monsieur Primrose unto the Church of Bourdeaux yet reprehends the carriage both of Monsieur Primrose and that Church of Bourdeaux in his Call and ordaineth that the said Church do perform their promise engaged to the Provine of Xaintonge of giving them a Proposan meet to be imployed in the Ministry And the said Province is enjoyned to take speedy care that the Church of Xaintes be supplied with an able Pastor besides him who at present laboureth among them because of the great importance of that Church 2. The Inhabitants of Elbaeuf appealing from the Decree of the Synod of Normandy which had incorporated them with the â—hurâ—h of Beauroger This Assembly giveth leave unto those Inhabitants of Elbaeuf to joyn themselves unto the Church of Quevilly provided that they continue their Contributions to the Church of Beauroger lest thaâ— by their departure from it they should cause its dissolution 3. The Church of Poictiers appealed from that Decree of the Synod of Poictou which would have reinstated Monsieur de la Dugnie in his Office of Elder This Assembly judgeth that the said Church did well in making their Appeal from that Synodical Ordinance and that Provincial Synod shal be censured for giving Judgment that the said de la Dugnie notwithstanding these offences whereof he was guilty and which were owned in the very Judicial Decree of that Synod should be restored 4. The Elders of the Colloquy of Nismes appealing from the Decree of the Synod of Lower Languedoc by which an hundred and sixty Livâ—rs of the Moneys granted us from â—he King's Bounty had been assigned over unto Monsieur de Falgueroles in consideration of his many and great Employments this their Appeal was rejected and made null and the Decree of the said Synod ratified and confirmed 5. Monsieur Sohnius appealed from the Decree of the Synod of Higher Languedoc which had ordered that because the said Sohnius was not ordinary Pastor in the Church of Montauban therefore he should not participate in the Moneys granted us by his Majesty This Assembly censuring the Province of Higher Languedoc for derogating from the Ordinance of Gergeau by which four Pastors were assigned unto the Church of Montauban it doth ratifie and confirm that Ordinance before mentioned at Gergeau and declares that the said Master Sohnius ought to receive his share in the said Moneys equally with the other Pastors which are in actual service 6. Monsieur Berauld appealed from the Decree of the Province of Higher Languedoc which would in the distribution of his Majesties Royal Bounty that in all Colloquies and Synods the number of Pastors and Elders should be equal This Assembly judgeth that the said Master
nor Province As also for that he neglected to give notice of it unto this Assembly The whole business was dismissed over to the next Synod of the Isle of France there to be determined 3. The complaint of the Colloquy of Niort against the other Colloquies of the Province of Poictou about the third part of all expences to be defrayed by that Province is turn'd over to the judgment of the Synod of Xaintonge 4. The Church of Mauvaisin demanded that License might be given to Monsieur Girard to Preach occasionally among them This Assembly confirming the decree of the Synod of Gergeau doth expresly forbid the said Girard in any wise to Preach at Mauvaisin 5. Monsieur Bourg complaining that Monsieur Forton and some of the Elders in the Church of Bourdeaux had in divers places slanderously reported of him that he intended to revolt from the profession of the true Religion This Assembly not crediting such relations and being perswaded that he will constantly and faithfully persevere in the profession of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus doth remit the cognisance of this affair unto the Consistory of the Church of Bourdeaux which is ordered to look into it with more than ordinary care and diligence 6. The Lord Vicount of Paulin and the Church of Compagnac desiring it we grant that the said Church shall be conjoined with the Colloquy of Quercy 7. The Churches of Dauphiny are charged to notifie unto the other Provinces when it may be needful to assist the poor Fugitives banished the Marquisate of Saluces and from the Valleys of Piedmont and Savoy 8. The Provinces of Anjou Poictou and Normandy shall by turns supply the Church of Rennes with a Pastor until such time as it shall please God to give a fixed one unto them and the Colloquy of Lower Poictou shall begin Anjou next and last of all Normandy He was Minister of Fentenay 9. The little book of Monsieur de la Vallee concerning a person possessed by the Devil shall be read and examined by the Synod of Xaintonge and if they judge sit let it be imprinted 10. The next Provincial Synod of Dolphiny is charged to moderate the Taxes laid upon the Church of Montlimar by the Colloquy of Die the said Church complaining of its being over-rated 11. For as much as the Pastors and Elders of the Church of Bergerac have petitioned that Monsieur Beraud the younger might be permitted to continue the exercise of his Ministry among them and that Monsieur de Beraud his Father gives way unto it as appears by letters under his own hand This Assembly confirms the Call of the said Beraud the son unto the Ministry of the Church of Bergerac for so long time as his Father can dispense with him considering the great need he will have of him now in his declining years 12. Monsieur Hesperian is confirmed in the Ministry of the Church of St. Foy and Letters shall be sent unto his Father from this assembly desiring his consent unto it 13. This Synod approves that Order established in the Baylywick of Gex concerning their Supreme Consistory in Matrimonal Causes and nothing therein shall be innovated 14. The Churches of the Baylywick of Gex shall have their share in the Moneys granted us by the King until the next National Synod and in the mean while their Pastors shall dispose their people to contribute something towards the common charges of the Churches 15. The Deputies of the Isle of France shall tender unto their next Provincial Synod the Letters and Memoirs of Monsieur du Perche sent by him unto this Assembly that satisfaction may be given the said du Perche for what he pretends owing to him from their Province and to this purpose notice shall be given him of the time and place of their meeting by the Church of Paris 16. Letters were read from the Church of Vertueil whereupon this Assembly ordered that immediately Letters should be written to the Lords Commissioners for executing his Majesties Edict in Dolphiny recommending that Church unto them that so it may be named the first Town of the Baylywicks of Dolphiny as it was ordered at the Synod of Grenoble in the year 1602. and that the Town of Briancon might be reputed the second 17. Letters from our Brethren in the Valley of Barcelona craving advice how to govern themselves under their apprehensions of being deprived by the Duke of Savoy of their pretious Liberty to profess the Gospel and worship God according to his holy Will prescribed in the Scriptures This Assembly desiring most sincerely their Consolation doth earnestly exhort them to a stricter Union with the other Valleys of Piedmont assuring them of all Offices of Christian Charity in case they should be persecuted or banished they being Members of our own Body united with us in the same Doctrine and Discipline Concerning the setling of our Religion at Issoire 18. Letters from the Church of Issoire being read this Assembly ordered the General Deputies at Court vigorously to endeavour that the exercise of our Religion might be established according to the Edict in the said Town of Issoire and in other places of the lower Auvergne and the Colloquies of St. Germain and Anduza in the lower Languedoc shall supply them with Ministers And that this their Establishment may be the better and sooner effected they shall have four Portions of the Moneys granted us by the Kings Majesty out of that Sum appointed for the lower Languedoc And in order hereunto the said Colloquies of St. Germain and Anduze shall assemble themselves within a Month after the breaking up of this Assembly to consult together about those Ministers who are to serve and shall be sent into the Lower Auvergne and those Churches there shall in the mean while do their utmost endeavour to get themselves furnished with able Ministers And the Province of Higher Languedoc shall have the same care and kindness for the assistance and relief of the Churches of the â—igher Auvergne 19. The poor fallen Christians in the Marquisate of Saluces demanding Counsel what course they should take after this their great Offence This Assembly ordered that Letters should be sent them to forsake those places where they be constrained to participate in Idolatry and to accompany their banished Brethren in bearing the Cross of Christ 20. The Universities shall be once again exhorted to get for themselves if possible a publick Library See this Art 24. of gen mat and in it the great Bible of Antwerp 21. The General Deputies of our Churches at Court are ordered by this Assembly to do their utmost for the repose and welfare of the distressed Valleys of Chasteau-Dauphin 22. Monsieur Claudius Jobard Citizen and Inhabitant of Geneva complained against the Province of Burgundy for wrong done in their publick Synodical Acts at Ullim unto Master David Peaget Minister in the Baylywick of Gex when as by the Colloquy of Gex who had inspected and examined that matter the
said Peaget was justified and absolved of the Crimes imputed to him and that the Ministers of Geneva and Doctor Polanus Professor of Divinity in the University of Basil had given laudable Attestations under their Hands of his Godly Life and Conversation This Assembly considering the rashness of the Sentence denounc'd against the said Peaget and that too in his absence by the Synod of Burgundy orders that it be razed out of the Acts of their Synod and that he be restored to his good Name with Honour 23. Monsieur des Bordes shall take care of the Business relating to the City of St. Ambroise and to write unto their Consuls for Advice in what manner he is to act for them 24. The Synod of higher Languedoc is charged to prosecute Monsieur Hollyer and see that he do appear in person at the Provincial Synod of Vivaretz and demand leave both of his Church and Province from which he is departed without their Consent contrary to the Discipline 25. The Complaint of Monsieur Desparlay Vice-Seneschal of the higher Guyenne shall be presented unto His Majesty by our General Deputies And in the mean while he is desired to quit his Law-suit begun with the Magistrates of the City of Lectoure 26. Messieurs Sonis Josion Chauffepied du Bourg and de◠la Garde are ordered to take the City of Orange in their way homeward and to appease the troubles stirred up in that Church and City and to assure them that upon our reading their Letters and those of Monsieur Blacon's this Assembly confirming the Union of that Church with the other Churches of this Kingdom had charged their General Deputies to bestir themselves as the necessity of their Affairs did require in their behalf and that Letters to this purpose should be written unto His Majesty mediating with him for their Indemnity and future preservation 27. The Church of Beaulne shall pay Monsieur Caille the Sum of 560 Livers which it is indebted to him and bound to satisfie him fully by Decree of the former Synod of Burgundy held the last year and that Synod shall see their Decree accomplished 28. Monsieur de la Faye relating the extream poverty of the Church of Aubenac A Decree concerning the Church of Aubenac See the Synod of St. Maixant partic mat 25. and their utter inability for these two last years past to maintain their Minister This Assembly ordaineth that the said Monsieur de la Faye shall receive an Hundred Crowns before any others out of the first Moneys that come in clearly unto the Province of Vivaretz and are payable to it for this present year and the remainder of those that are past Because the said Province of Vivaretz hath received two Portions more than is due unto it upon the account of Ministers in actual service And for time to come the said Monsieur de la Faye shall receive three Portions of those Moneys assigned unto that Province and that preferably to all others without any deductions for Costs Taxes or bad Moneys to be allowed by him And to this purpose the Province of Vivaretz shall have two Portions given it over and above the number of Pastors actually imployed in its service 29. Monsieur Ganthois Minister and Deputy of the Church of Sedan complained of the Synod of the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne that whereas by a Decree of the National Synod of Gergeau they were allowed four Pastors they had retrenched their number and farther they remonstrated how greatly incommodious it was unto them by reason of excessive Charges and tiresome long Journeys to be personally present at their Provincial Synods which ordinarily were held at some place near Paris This Assembly ordaineth that for time past both parties shall bring and give in their Accounts according to the Allotment for four Pastors made at Gergeau An Order for the Church of Sedan and for time to come the said Church of Sedan shall remain incorporated with that Synod as it had been by the Ordinance of Gergeau but it shall be dispens'd with all as to its presence in the said Provincial Synod provided they attend on the meetings of the Colloquy of Champagne and in case of Appeals from the said Colloquy that they send these by the Deputies of the said Colloquy who shall personally appear in the Provincial Synod And the said Colloquy of Champagne is further injoined to give unto the Church of Sedan its Dividend of the Moneys assigned that Colloquy by the Synod of Gergeau and to act conformably to this our Order until the next National Synod 30. That Book of Monsieur Ferrier Intituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall be revised by himself and communicated to our Brethren the Pastors of Geneva before it be reprinted the second time 31. The Provinces are charged to collect the Memoirs of those Memorable Events which have fallen out these Fifty years last past and to send them unto Monsieur d' Aubigny in Poictou to be inserted by him in his History of this present Age. 32. The Province of the Isle of France complaining that Five Hundred Livers were drawn out of the whole Sum allotted them by the Dividend of Gergeau An Order of 500 Livers for the Ministers of Mantes and Fontainebleau out of the Moneys of His Majesty's Bounty and assigned unto the Province of the Isle of France See St. Maixant partic mat 22. and particularly assigned towards the Maintenance of two Ministers in their Province This Assembly judging it a matter of dangerous consequence for any Ministers to be thus preferr'd above their Brethren enjoyneth the said Province of the Isle of France not in the least to regard it and forbiddeth those Ministers on pain of the greatest Censures to draw out their Pensions by any other way than what is usual and common to all the Churches However for the incouragement and accommodation of those two aforesaid Ministers Pastors in the Churches of Mantes and Fountain-bleau two Portions more are ordained the Isle of France over and above those adjudged to it for Ministers in actual service 33. The Province of Vivaretz shall make a present Gift of an Hundred Livers unto the Province of Lower Languedoc out of the 372 Livers which they pretend to be owing them by that of Vivaretz and the Accompts of both these Provinces shall be audited in the next Provincial Synod of the Lower Languedoc and in case those of Vivaretz refuse this condition they shall be bound to make a full payment of the said 372 Livers 34. The Church of Lyons petitioning for an able Pastor fit to undergo so weighty and important a charge This Assembly ordaineth that Monsieur Bailly do exercise his Ministery there until the next National Synod 35. Because of the inability of the Church of Saumur to do it therefore the remainder of Moneys due unto that Church out of the Sum allotted towards the Maintenance of their University shall be employed in the purchase and building of
to appear at Court and that he was at the Expence of printing the Confession of our Faith This Assembly gives him the Sum of seventy Crowns to reimburse his Charges and thanketh him for his care and faithfulness in the delivery of those Letters and for having communicated with Monsieur Piscator and brought back with him his answers But order is given unto the Synod of Lower Guyenne to examine him upon some certain points mentioned in the aforesaid answers as for styling himself the Messenger or Ambassador of the Churches and for submitting the Confession of Faith of the Churches of this Kingdom to the Censures of Forreign Universities and in case these can be proved upon him he shall be censured And forasmuch as the Letters of Monsieur Piscator have been communicated to others before they were tendered to this Assembly the said Synod shall make a strict inquiry into this matter and know whether Monsieur Regnault were guilty of it or no. CHAP. II. Observations on reading the Confession of Faith 1. ON the tenth Article in which it 's said that the whole off-spring of Adam are infected with Original Sin The Pastors of Lauzanna by their Letters request that our Lord Jesus Christ may be excepted But it was not found needful to accord it to them because that it 's expresly mentioned in another Article of the same Confession and for that in this place it is to be understood of other persons as also for that the Scripture expresseth this in plain terms 2. Whereas the Synod of Gap had charged the Provinces to consider in what terms the twenty fifth Article of the Confession of Faith should be couched and to come prepared for it unto the present Synod and to judge whether any mention should be made of the Catholick Church spoken of in the Apostles Creed as also whether it would not be expedient to add the word pure to that of true Church in the twenty ninth Article and that all in general should come ready to debate that Question of the Church The Provinces having been heard speak by their Deputies it was finally resolved by common unanimous consent that nothing should be added to or taken from these Articles and there should be no more discourse had about that point of the Church 3. It was Decreed that nothing should be added unto the eighth Article of our confession which treats of Justification because it 's couched in the very express words of Scripture and in its own common phrase Those Explications and Amplifications desired by some may be received either from Doctors in our Universities or Pastors of our Churches 4. Whereas Doctor John Piscator Professor in the University of Herborn by his Letters of answer to those sent him from the Synod of Gap doth give us an account of his Doctrine in the point of Justification Concerning Man's Justification in the Opinion of Piscator as that it 's only wrought out by Christ's Death and Passion and not by his Life and Active Obedience This Synod in no wise approving the dividing causes so nearly conjoined in this great effect of Divine Grace and judging those arguments produced by him for the defence of his cause weak and invalid doth order that all the Pastors in the respective Churches of this Kingdom do wholly conform themselves in their Teaching to that form of sound words which hath been hitherto taught among us and is contained in the Holy Scriptures to wit That the whole Obedience of Christ both in his Life and Death is imputed to us for the full remission of our Sins and acceptance unto Eternal Life and in short that this being but one and the self-same Obedience is our entire and perfect Justification And the Synod farther ordains that answer shall be made unto the Letters of the said Doctor Piscator propounding to him this Holy Doctrine together with its principal foundations yet without any vain jangling and with that devotion as becomes the singular modesty expressed by him in his Letters to us wherein there is not the least bitterness or provoking expression leaving it unto God who can when he pleaseth reveal unto him the defects which are in the Doctrine of the said Piscator as also to assure him that he hath exceedingly satisfied this Assembly in his Explications on that Topick of Repentance The suppression of the Book of Felix Huguet on the point of Justification for being written without the Warrant tho' in the name of all our Churches against Piscator 5. Letters were sent by Mr. Felix Huguet Minister of the Gospel together with two Copies of a Book writ by him in Latine concerning Justification which said book he had for some time past caused to be Printed at Geneva without the knowledge of the Pastors of that City or the Approbation of the Pastors of the Province of Dolphiny where he resides Upon report made of it by several Brethren Pastors of Churches ordered to peruse the said Book both as to its style and matter The Synod judgeth the said Huguet to have incurred a most grievous censure first for writing in the name of the Synod in a matter of General concern without any warrant from it for so doing and secondly for giving a publick answer to a Book which was never published and lastly for having Printed his Book contrary to the Canons of our Church-discipline And therefore it ordaineth that the said Book be suppressed and that thanks be returned to the Magistrates of Geneva for their preventing of its publick sale and to intreat them that for the future they would totally suppress it And farther the Synod hath thought good that in the Letter which shall be written unto Dr. Piscator he shall be acquainted that Huguets Book was writ without the order knowledge and consent of our Churches and only attempted by him upon a private caprice of his own without any publick Warrant or Authority for so doing Monsieur Sohnis answers orthodoxly and in the name and by order of the Churches unto Piscator 6. Whereas Monsieur Sohnis Pastor and Professor of the Church and University of Montauban hath at the desire and in the name of this Assembly written Letters and an Answer unto those of Piscator which upon perusal are found very orthodox It 's ordered that thanks be returned unto the said Sohnius for his labour and diligence but yet for peace and concord 's sake it 's thought good to detain them by us for a while and Monsieur Sohnis is intreated to suspend the publication of his Treatise about Justification for some short time till we see what fruits the sweet and gentle procedures may produce and the next National Synod shall then license it 7. Monsieur Regnault Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux having sent us the Copy of Letters written to him by the most Illustrious Lord John Earl of Nassau in which he expresseth his desire of maintaining the Peace and Union of the Church and
respective Consistories 10. These words shall close up the fourty eighth Article and all sentences of suspension for what cause soever shall stand good notwithstanding any Appeal until the final Judgment 11. On the first Article of the third Chapter That Custom introduc'd into some certain Churches that Elders going out of Office do nominate their Successors is reprehended and it is decreed according to the Discipline that they shall be chosen by the common Suffragies of the Consistories 12. On the fourth Article of the fourth Chapter Notice is given unto Provincial Synods diligently to enquire who those Pastors and Elders be that give Testimonials contrary to the form prescribed by our Discipline that so they may be censured And for time coming all Pastors giving Attestations unto Trades-men or others who desire them upon none other account than to be acknowledged as Church-members shall specifie that they promised never to abuse them as Instruments for begging or wandring from one Church unto another and in case they should so do that then they be reputed null and void and be torn in pieces 13. Churches whose Members are Prisoners in Paris or elsewhere upon the account of Religion Prisoners for Religion to be relieved are exhorted to minister unto their Necessities by be relieved their Charities and Alms-deeds 14. This Sentence shall conclude the fourth Article of the fifth Chapter however without being able to treat of Church-matters but in those places where the Consistory doth ordinarily meet 15. On the ninth Article whole Consistories shall not be excepted against nor one of the Pastors and Elders in case a Consistory judge the causes of that Exception invalid notwithstanding the Appeal Persons married by a Priest must confess their sin publickly 16. On the twentieth Article such as have been married by a Popish Priest shall not be dispensed from making publick Acknowledgment of their sin by the Consistory whatever their quality or condition may be 17. To the seventh Article of the eighth Chapter after these words shall be chosen these must be added with a low voice 18. Reading over the division of the Provinces it was thought good that the greater and which are furnished with a larger number of Pastors should consult whether it were not commodious for them to be divided into two and they are requested to come prepared with these Resolutions upon it unto the next National Synod 19. On the third Article of the ninth Chapter The Provinces are left at liberty to send their present Deputies unto the following National Synod provided they judge it expedient 20. The clause which was razed out of the seventh Article of the ninth Chapter by the Synod of Gap to wit The Provinces having been first informed by that which was charged to convocate the next Synod shall be again inserted but with this restriction in the end if it may possibly be done 21. On the third Article of the tenth Chapter License is given unto particular Churches to celebrate a Fast they first consulting with their Neighbour-Churches and on great and urgent causes for which they shall be accountable unto the Colloquies and Provincial Synods 22. To the eleventh Article of the thirteenth Chapter after these words with the Niece shall be added and the Grand Niece 23. To the fifteenth Article of the same Chapter after these words sufficient attestation there shall be added of Promises 24. To the sixteenth Article of the fourteenth Chapter there shall be this addition made to close up that Article And in case the matter be urgent then unto the Universities or Neighbour Ministers The Church Discipline having been read and approved by all the Deputies they swore unto its observation and promised to see that it be carefully observed in their respective Churches and to sollicite their Provinces for its performance CHAP. IV. Observations on the National Synod of Gap 1. THAT Exhortation given by the Synod of Gap for reading the Confession of Faith and Book of Discipline in the Provincial Synods is only to be understood thus if it may conveniently be done 2. This Assembly judgeth that it 's no proper time at present to make an Apology for the Confession of our Churches 3. In that Article of the same Synod treating of the 31th Article of the Confession of Faith where it speaks of the Call of the first Pastors in our Reformed Churches these words And to teach which are found in some certain Copies shall be razed and instead of simply shall be inserted principally and that last clause And not unto the small remainders of their corrupted Call shall be thus read Rather than unto the small remains of their ordinary Call 4. Our Brethren of Normandy shall out of hand conform to the other Churches in their reception of Elders and Deacons 5. The Churches of the Baylywick of Gex shall be incorporated with the Provincial Synod of Burgundy See observ 8. of the Synod of Gap upon that of Gergeau Scholars not ordained may not administer the Sacraments 6. In the Letter which shall be written to our Brethren of the Church of Geneva they shall again be intreated not to send our Proposans to preach in their Villages and to administer the Sacraments before they have been lawfully Ordained They shall also be further intreated to take special care of our Students in Divinity and when as they demand a Testimonial to give them none but upon good and sufficient knowledge of their Lives and as their diligence hath deserved and most especially in case of Monks who have quitted their Monasteries to whom this Assembly hath limited the term of two years before their reception into the Sacred Ministry and our said brethren of Geneva shall be advised to detain those who are too forward And farther 't is thought good to pray them that they would endeavour with their Magistrates and People to conform themselves unto the other Churches of Christ in the use of Leavened Bread at the Lords Supper according to the example and received practice of their Neighbour Churches of Berne 7. The word Damnation as 't is qualified and explained in the tenth Sunday of our Catechism shall remain unchanged 8. The Church of Sedan shall be joined according to the Article of Gap unto the Synod of the Isle of France and to the Colloquy of Champagne and shall be present by its Deputies at the said Colloquies and Synods On which condition they shall receive the four portions which had been assigned them by the Synod of Gergeau 9. The Ministry of Monsieur Baily who was granted by the Synod of Gap unto the Church of Lions having been exceeding fruitful unto this very day and mightily edifying unto that Church This Assembly ratifieth that Grant and bestoweth him upon them for their ordinary Pastor so that the Province of Lower Languedoc for the future shall not have any the least pretensions or right unto him 10. This Synod judgeth the Universities of Montauban Nismes Montpellier and
of him and that he is not bound in his own person to make restitution of Moneys that had been bestowed upon him for his Education and Subsistence 8. The Church of Chaallons upon Saone entred their Appeal in this Synod because that Monsieur le Blanc formerly their Pastor but now of the Church of Lions had his dismission from them by leave of the Colloquy upon this condition that he should restore unto them the Moneys wherewith they had Supplied him during his Studies at Geneva and for the buying of Books and the overplus of wages received by him above the time he Served among them Yet nevertheless the afore-mentioned Provincial Synod of Burgundy had discharged him of all payments and afterwards granted him to the Church of Lions This Assembly having perused the Memoirs of the Church of Chaallons heard their arguments and those of the Synod and of Le Blanc did condemn the proceedings of that Church of Chaallons and Suppressed its Memoirs because they revived the minuter passages and circumstances of matters long since transacted in Consistories Colloquies and Provincial Synods and ordained that the whole series of affairs passed between the said Church and Monsieur le Blanc should be razed out of the Registers of their Consistories and Colloquies and farther it approves of the Call of the said le Blanc unto the Church of Lions who also shall restore fifty Crowns unto the Church of Chaallons upon the Soane disbursed by them for his maintenance in the University and the overplus of his wages received by him over and above the time that he served them in the Ministry And the Church of Lions shall see that this be faithfully performed and the said summs of Money so received by the Church of Chaallons shall be paid in to that of Dijon in consideration of the charges they were at before hand for the encouraging and promoting the Studies of the Sieur Cassegrain whose Ministry the Church of Chaallons doth now enjoy And furthermore there shall be taken out of the Stock of the Province of Burgundy an Hundred Livers to be added unto the aforesaid summ for the benefit of the Church of Dijon unto which the said Sieur le Blanc shall not be obliged to make restitution of the summ of one hundred and fifty Livers received by him for that time in which he was by Decree of the Synod remanded back unto Dijon and Beaune And further it was ordained that the Moneys before mentioned which ought to have been restored unto Dijon shall be imployed towards the discharging of the said Churches of Dijon and Beaune from the Heirs of Monsieur Paillard and the remaining over plus of what was due unto him shall be paid in by equal portions from those two Churches of Dijon and Beaune And as to what concerns the second place for Religious Worship in the Baylywick that which was ordained by the Provincial Synod shall hold good but only till such time as we may obtain another place in the Baylywick and distinct from that of Beanue 9. The Appeal of the Church of Mure in Dolphiny from the Decree of the Provincial Synod being about pecuniary matters is according to the Canon made in the last Synod of Rochel turned over to the Neighbour Province 10. The Appeal of divers Colloquies in the Lower Languedoc from an Order made by that Province for their continuing United in one and not divided into two Synods is vacated and made null and notwithstanding their Arguments drawn from the greaness of their expence long tarrying unequal distribution of Offices and the like reported by the Deputies of the Province It is decreed that they shall abide in the same estate in which they are and the said Province shall take some effectual course to prevent as much as in them lieth the inconveniencies above mentioned by them 11. The Sieurs de Falgueirolles and Paulet Ministers and de Gasques an Elder appealing from the Judicial Sentence of the Synod of Lower Languedoc which had declared that the Bayliff of Vigan might be admitted into their Synodical Assemblies only as a meer spectator though at first he claimed it of right by vertue of his Office and as a Magistrate contrary to that Priviledge and Exemption granted unto our Synods and Colloquies by His Majesty The Synod judgeth that the aforesaid Ministers and Elder had very good warrant for their Appeal and it abrogates and censures the Judicial Sentence of that Synod The Widdow of a deceased Minister shall be paid her Annuity from the day of his Death 12. The Church of Sauves appealing from the Decree of the Synod of Lower Languedoc which had ordered them to pay unto the Widdow of Lazaras de Pedon their late deceased Pastor her Annuity beginning from the very day of his death This Assembly ratifieth the Judicial Sentence of that Provincial Synod judgeth the Appeal null and void and ordains that the said Annuity shall be imployed for the benefit of the Orphan Daughter of the said deceased Minister 13. Henry Dindault formerly Minister in the Church of Nieuil in Aunix deposed from the Sacred Ministry first by the Colloquy of Aunix and afterward by the Provincial Synod held at Barbezieux and the whole process of it was confirmed by the last National Synod held at Rochel which had declared him utterly uncapable of ever exercising the Ministry did now make his Appeal unto this Assembly and that it might be admitted appeared in person professing his repentance for many and grievous sins committed and acknowledged by him but denying others whereof he also was accused and importunately demanded a mitigation of the Sentence past upon him by the afore mentioned Synod and that he might be again restored unto the holy Ministry This Synod having heard the Deputies of Xaintonge declaring the proceedings in their Assemblies against him the Letters and other Writings of the said Dindault hearing also his Confessions Apologies and Protestations doth ratifie and confirm the Judicial Sentence of the said Synod of Xaintonge and declares him for ever uncapable of being re-admitted unto the Ministerial Office and exhorts him unto a true Repentance and amendment of life Upon evidences whereof given by him he may be received unto Communion at the Lord's Table 14. The people of Marchenoir appealed from the Decree of the Provincial Synod of St. Amand which had equally imparted the Ministry of Monsieur Chambaran unto them and the Inhabitants of Lorges upon condition that those of Lorges should pay one half of his Stipend This Assembly ordains that the Article of the Provincial Synod be observed both by them of Lorges and Marchenoir and in case the Inhabitants of Lorges refuse this condition that then the extraordinary Sermons shall be preached at Marchenoir And in the mean while the said Synod is required to observe more carefully the 8th Article in the 5th Chapter of our Discipline which giveth ample power of judging finally and without Appeal in such cases unto Provincial Synods 15. The
University of Montauban appealed because the last Synod held at Pamiers refused to admit of Monsieur Gardesie unto the Professors place of the Greek Tongue This Assembly decreeth that the Synod or both the Colloquies which shall judge about the Proposans of the Church of Montauban shall also take cognisance of this Affair And in case they do grant the said Gardesie unto that University and he consent unto it that then they do dispose of one of the said Proposans or of some other person whom they believe will best edifie the Church of Mauvoisin unto its service in the Pastoral work 22. The Appeal of the Common Council of the City of Montauban on behalf of the Counsellors in their Colloquy is dismissed over to the next Political Assembly of the Province 23. The Sieurs des Baconis Sylvius and de Malleret in their journey unto Montauban about the affairs of that Church are ordered to visit the Churches of Meusac Islemade and St. Leophary and to take knowledge of their Estate and Proverty that so they may testifie unto the approaching Synod of the Higher Guyenne whether the Sieurs Richaud and Bicheteau can be maintained by them and whether they be able to incourage them in their personal residence among them according to the Decree of the National Synod of Rochel 24. Whereas Monsieur Beraud appealed from the Judgment of the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne for their continuing the Sieurs Richaud and Bicheteau in the Curatorship of the University of Montauban since the Decree of the last National Synod and for their approving of that custom of precedency among the Elders according to their Seniority in Office This Assembly expounding the Canon of the aforesaid Synod of Rochel declareth that it never intended to set up any ordinary Curators excepting those that be upon the place and it only gave leave unto the Consistories and University Counsels to call in upon extraordinary occasions such persons as they judged best able to advise and assist them and therefore can in no wise approve of this Intendency ordained by the Provincial Synod And as for the other point it cannot allow the Provincial Synods to make orders about precedency and condemns the said Province for so doing and farther it does appoint all Consistories to use their prudence in preventing of those disorders and confusions which may fall out on such punctilio's and to take care that every one have that respect paid him which is due unto him 25. The appeal of the Sieurs Rafin Perrot and Phillipy about their expences unto the last National Synod is sent back unto the Neighbour Province with full power to determine finally therein according to the Canon of the same Synod concerning Pecuniary matters 26. The Sieur Beraud brought in an Appeal of the Colloquy of Armagnas which complained of the Province of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne that meerly out of conformity to their Neighbours would send their Deputies to the Synods of Lower Languedoc and Guyenne This Assembly approving the resolution of the said Synod Censures the Colloquy for their opposition and makes null and void their Appeal 27. Master Claudius Maillard Doctor of Physick and heretofore Elder in the Church of Orleans appealed from the judgment of his Provincial Synod held at Gien by which the said Maillard was censured together with his book written by him against his own Pastor Monsieur du Moulin and because it had ordained that his Censure should be published in the Church before the whole Congregation the said Maillard pleading that neither his Book nor Person ought to have been censured but only that formality of his having caused it to be printed and farther that the Censure past upon Mr. du Moulin by the same Synod ought also to have been published in the Congregation Upon perusal of that aforesaid Printed discourse and published by the said Maillard and sent by him subscribed with his own hand unto this Assembly and the several acts produced by him proving his assertions And Monsieur du Moulin being heard apologizing for himself and his demand of License to depart from the said Church and Province both which he had long ere this have quitted had it not been that he expected the sitting of this Assembly and the Deputies of the said Church being heard earnestly requesting his return unto them The Acts also of the Colloquy held at Baugency being perused which condemned the Consistory of Orleans for not deposing of Esaiah Fleureau from his Office and for not publishing his suspension from the Lords Table notwithstanding his Appeal and finally the act of the Synod before-mentioned together with what was done about its execution by the Deputies sent from the Synod After mature deliberation of all these things this Assembly judged that the said Maillard had do reason at all to Appeal from the sentence of the Synod considering the greatness of his fault which is again condemned both in substance and circumstance and ordaineth that he shall call in all his Books dispersed abroad and suppress them and judgeth that the said Colloquy ought in no wise to have hindred the Appeal of the said Fleureau And as for the said Sieur du Moulin This Assembly approveth the judgment of the Synod and the proceedings of the Pastors delegated for its execution but cannot allow of the departure of the said du Moulin since the denunciation of the said Sentence And it ordaineth that the said du Moulin shall be restored unto the Church of Orleans which is injoined to love honour and maintain him And that an effectual reconciliation may be wrought among them Messieurs Ferrier Chauve de Montdenis and Basnage Ministers together with the Lord of Fiefbrun an Elder and the other Elders Deputed with the aforesaid Elders unto this National Synod are commissioned by it to transport themselves unto the Church of Orleans and there by Authority of this Assembly to ordain whatsoever may be judged expedient for the mollifying of those Hearts and abating of those heats and reconciling of the divided parties and the happy re-establishment of the Ministry of the said Sieur du Moulin in that Church and to inflict such Censures as are meet upon the Refractory and Contumacious Members which shall oppose and hinder this pacification 28. The Provincial Synod of Poictou dismissed over unto this Assembly the last Censure of Master Fiacre Picard sometime Minister in the Church of Chastelheraut who being convicted in the said Synod of several notorious Crimes was suspended until now from his Office and commanded to appear in person before this Assembly The Deputies of the Province gave an account of the Synods judgment past upon him produced the Accusations brought in against him and the several proofs and Evidences of them together with his Letters and Confessions After which the said Picard was called in and heard speak in his own defence some things he owned and others he denied whereupon this Assembly confirmeth the judgment past upon
Monsieur Benoist presented the Letters of Monsieur d'Islemade which were recommended to the Lord of Mirande our General Deputy as also the Affair of the Sieur Piloty propounded by the Deputies of Lower Languedoc 30. Whereas the Widdow of Monsieur Quinson deceased complaineth of the Colloquy of Gex for not paying her the Arrears due unto her of her Annuity this Complaint is dismissed over to the Province of Burgundy who shall by their Judicial Sentence put a full and final period to it 31. The Church of Gien Situated upon the Loire being destitute of a Pastor and addressing themselves unto this Assembly petitioned by their Letters and by Monsieur Alix their Deputy that by our Authority they might be provided We Considering the necessities and importance of the said Church Monsieur Francis l' Oyseau now free of I ingagements is granted to them for their ordinary Minister who also accepted of the Charge and was sent unto that Church who were required to take care for his Comfortable Subsistence as being a most faithful and eminent Servant of Christ and one that hath industriously and painfully discharged his Ministry in Sundry and divers places for many years together as appeareth by those honourable Testimonials lying by him and given him from those Churches 32. The Church of Poictiers complaining of the Loan of Monsieur Clemenceau their Pastor for one month unto the Church of Chastelheraut that they could not in the least spare him This Assembly considering their necessities doth nominate in his stead the Sieur de la Roche Crese Pastor of the Church of Cuirey 33. The Deputies of Berry complained in the name of their two Colloquies against that of Orleans about an agreement made by the Church of Orleans and others with the Sieur Fluereau This business was dismissed over to the Province of Burgundy by whose Judicial Sentence a full and final period shall be put unto it 34. The Churches of Vitray in Brittany and of Lassay in the Maine being at variance about the Ministry of Monsieur Conseil sometimes Pastor in the Church of Puylaurens in Lauragais This Assembly having heard the Deputies of both Provinces and what was urged on either hand as argument for them doth censure the said Conseil for his actings in both those Churches as also that Church of Lassay for their secret dealings with him to gain him wholly to themselves yet nevertheless judging that the Church of Vitre had no just title to the said Conseil by vertue of his private promise past unto them the Province of Higher Languedoc having transferred him unto that of Anjou he shall therefore continue Minister in the said Province and be consigned to the Church of Lassay 35. Master James Royer sent Letters and a book unto this Assembly treating of that controversy first started by him in the Church of Geneva and afterwards continued in that of Metz. The Letters of the Pastors of Geneva relating to this matter being read and those also of the Consistory of Metz craving advice from us about that custom of their Elders giving the Cup in the Sacrament unto the Communicants and reciting the words of Institution at their delivery of it from the eleventh Chapter of the first of Corinthians This Synod having already determined what should be done herein by an express Canon inserted into our Discipline in which nothing shall be changed for whatever Difficulties may arise about the delivery of the Cup It cannot by any means approve of the actings of the said Royer nor at all of publishing the said book nor the great passion discovered in his Letters And therefore Ordaineth that Letters be written unto the Church of Metz that by them he be exhorted to follow the things that make for Christian peace and love and we counsel and advise the said Church in answer to their Request that forasmuch as Pastors in Populous Churches cannot without excessive toyling themselves deliver the Cup to every individual Member Communicating at the Lords Table they may use the help of their Eldership but withal they shall injoyn them silence and the Pastors only shall speak when these Sacred Elements are distributed that so it may be generally and manifestly known that the adminstration of the Sacraments is wholly appropriated to the Pastoral office 36. To put an end to the difference between the Sieurs Durdez and de Beaune this Assembly being very well satisfied that the said Durdez is indebted for those summs of Moneys mentioned in his Letters intreateth the said de Beaune to rest contented with one hundred Livers out of one of those portions allotted to the said Durdez CHAP. IX An Order for Calling the next National Synod ORDER is given to the Province of Vivaretz to Assemble the next National Synod and that within two years immediately after the month of May next and it 's left to the prudence of the said Province to chuse the place and to give notice of that day wherein the Synod shall be opened CHAP. X. The Roll of Deposed Ministers THeophilus Bluett and James de l'Obell who were formerly deposed their Deposals is new confirmed without any hope of Restauration and their names were inserted in the National Synod of Rochel at the end of General Matters Henry Dindault whose Deposition was confirmed in the Appeals before-mentioned in this Synod he is about five and twenty or six and twenty years old low of Stature Chess-nut coloured hair pale and meager low visag'd Bertrand Faugier deposed in Dolphiny sometimes Minister in the Church of Vienna is of mean stature black hair beginning to be gray fat and corpulent aged about five and fifty having a very long and large beard and a little short-sighted James Vidouse deposed in the Lower Guyenne about five and thirty years old low of stature Chess-nut coloured hair long and large beard pale and often winking with his eyes One called Senerac or Serverat or Sajerac born at Castres in Albigeois formerly Minister in the Church of Lombert in the same Colloquy is revolted from the Truth of the Gospel unto the Idolatrous Church of Rome he is a fellow short and thick black hair'd he had a full beard but is now shaven wrinkling always his forehead about thirty five years old Vagrants John Rostolon Native of Bearne calling himself a Proposan pretty tall of stature meagre small eyes the hair of his eye-brows very thick not separated black hair little or no beard about four and twenty years old CHAP. XI Moneys divided among the Churches 1. THE Moneys gathered for the Poor of the Marquisate of Saluces were deposited in the hands of Monsieur Videl at the General Assembly of Gergeau by the Sieur Chaussepied from the Province of Poictou amounting to the sum of fourteen hundred four and forty Livers eight Sous and six Deniers and are now in the hands of the Deputies of the Province of Dolphiny By the Province of Orleans and Berry one thousand nine hundred Livers By the Province of Brittany seven
it and the Lord of Mirande was immediately upon his coming to Paris to acquaint those fore-mentioned Deputies that as soon as they had spoken with his Majesty their commission was expired and that the very next day after they should all of them return to their several homes and give an account unto the General Deputies of their long tarrying at Court and what retarded their answering of this Synods Expectation from them and our General Deputies shall inform the Provinces of what these Gentlemen have done as to their Deputation Moreover the Lords General Deputies shall acquaint the Provinces with all occurrences necessary to be known by us especially if it be of Common concernment for the Churches CHAP. XIV An Account of those Sums of Money which were given upon particular occasions by the Synod of St. Maixant 1. To the Sieurs Ferrier de Fief-brun and Malleret Deputed by the Synod unto the King to defray the charges of their journey the summ of 500 l. 2. In Charity to the Wife of Theophilus Bluett 60 l. 3. To Monsieur Perrin Minister of the Church of Nyons 150 l. Total Summ 700 l. All which moneys amounting to 700 l. allowing the Lord of Candal his Sous in the Liver the Assembly ordered to be deducted from the october Quarter which is to be paid in to the Provinces the last year 1608. 5. The Lord of Candal is desired to put 250 l. of the 500 l. first mâ—ntioned upon the account of the Governours who are to bear one half of our charges in deputations unto Court 4. Mr. Rivet Pastor of the Church of Touars was ordered to bring in this Ensuing account of the Universities appertaining to the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom unto the next National Synod in Case they should call for it 1. To the University of Montauban the summ of 3000 l. for two Professors in Divinity at 700 l. Sallary by the year each 1400 l and for two professors of Philosophy at 400. Sallary by the year each the summ of 800 l. For one Professor in Greek 408 l. a year and for one Professor in Hebrew 400 Livers a year which is in all 3000 l. 2. To the University of Saumur The sum of 4190 l. For two Professors in Theology at 700 l. Salary by the year each 1400 l. For two Professors in Philosophy at 400 l. Salary by the year each is 300 l. For one Professor in Greek 400 l. For one Professor in Hebrew 400 l. More for the Colledg Erected at Saumur to the first Regent yearly the summ of 360 l. to the second 300 l. to the third 200 l. to the fourth 180 l. to the fifth 150 l. All which summs amount as before to 4190 l. 3. To the Academy of Nismes and Montpellier Equally the summ of 2500 l. viz. For two Professors in Theology at 700 l. Salary by the year each is 1400 l. For two Professors in Hebrew at 400 l. each a year is 800 l. More for other necessary occasions of the said Academies 300 l. For which they must be accountable The whole summ put together amounts unto 2500 Livers Tournois 4. To the University of Sedan the summ of 1500 l. for one Professor in Divinity his yearly Salary 700 l. For one Professor in Greek 400 l. Yearly For one Professor in Hebrew the like summ All which amounts to 1500 l. 5. To the Colledg of Gergeau 1500 Livers Signed thus in the Original June 18. 1609. Merlin Moderator End of the Synod of St. Maixant THE Acts Decisions and Decrees OF THE XXth National Synod OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE Held in the Town of PRIVAS the fourteenth day of May In the Year of our Lord 1612. The Contents of this National Synod 1612. The 23th Synod Cap. 1. DEputies of the Synod Synodical Officers Cap. 2. Orders about Election of Moderator and Deputies Censures upon a Delinquent Deputy unduly Elected 3. Cap. 3. The Oath of Union sworn by all the Deputies Cap. 4. Observations upon the Confession Means for the preservation of Union 2. A Prohibition unto Printers 3. Confession approved and sworn Cap. 5. Observations upon the Discipline Canon amended about Novices 1. Proposans to be examined in the Synod of Burgundy 3. Modest Habits of Ministers and their Families 4. A Canon for the Poor 5. A Case about Suspension and an Appeal 8. A Case about an Appeal from a Pastor 11. Whether Condemned Malefactors may Communicate at the Lords Table 12. A Case about Marriage-promises 14. There be sixteen Provinces 15. The Discipline approved and sworn Cap. 6. Observations on the Synod of St. Maixant A Canon about Ministers Sermons c. 1. Two thousand Livers given Mr. Chamier to encourage him in the study of his Panstratia Catholica 2. Two hundred Livers given Mr. Perrin for his History of the Albingenses 3. A Canon about Monks Abjuration of Popery 5. Children may be baptiâ—â—d before Sermon in case they be very sick 7. Professors not to assist at Political Assemblies 8. The Synods of Languedoc censured 9. Cap. 7. Of Appeals Method for healing the Divisions in the Church of Montauban 5. A Minister imposed upon a Church against his and the Churches will 6. A penitent Minister suspended 10. An Appeal of the D. of Lesdiguieres with its Effects 11. A negligent Minister censured 15. Ferrier a Pastor censured 16. Ferrier a covetous pragmatical Minister severely censured 16. An Appeal of a private person from a whole Synod slighted 19. Elders and Deacons may distribute the Cup at the Lord's Table but silently 22. Divisions in the Church of Orleans how composed 23. A Minister cited and not appearing unto a Synod shall be deposed 24. Intercession for Ferrier and the Synod affronted by those his Intercessors 25 26. A Church Minister Colloquy and Synod censured 27. An Accused Minister suspended 28. A Book against the Mass suppressed 34. An unqualified Elder 34. Cap. 8. The King's Proclamation of Pardon Cap. 9. The Synods Declaration against this Proclamation Cap. 10. General matters Inspection of Presses 1. Of Proposans 2. A Canon about calling of Converts unto Church-Offices 4. An Act for the National Fast 5. Cap. 11. The Act of Re-union Cap. 12. A Warrant for 45000 l. for the Churches Councillors in the Courts of the Edict censured 14. A Catalogue of all Pastors and Proposans must be sent from the Provinces to the National Synods 15. The patience and courage of the Synod 16. Palot sued 17. Cap. 13. Particular matters A Petition from the Protestants in the Arch-Bishoprick of Avignon 1. Monsieur Chamier desired by two or three Universities at one time to be their Professor in Divinity 2. Difference between the Churches of Nismes and Valence 3. Non-residents 5. A Riot in a Church examined 16. The misery of the Churches of Gex 19. The Church of Bergerac censured 21. Mr. du Moulin hath the thanks of the Synod for his Book of Justification against Tilenus 26. Pastors removed 31 32 33. Cap. 14. Of Colledges
Magistrate will in some Cases oblige us to hold them separated whom God had once joyned together in this holy ordinance 'T is true that Betrothed Persons in Scripture are called Husband and Wife not that they be so already in very truth and deed but only because the Scripture oftentimes styleth things shortly to be done as if they had been already done And though a Betrothed Wife committing Whoredom be by the Law of Moses as severely punished as a Married Woman that commits adultery yet it doth not thence follow that she is an Adultoress For in the same Chapter a Daughter playing the Whore in her Fathers House is also punished with death Therefore for these and other causes and for that the Laws of the Kingdom do decree that Promises of Marriage shall be made in express words de futuro This Assembly ordaineth that from henceforward All the Members of our Churches shall Universally and Uniformly conform to the Laws and Customs of this Kingdom not only as to the bare words but also as to their sence and meaning and that the words de futuro shall not be reckoned by the parties as obliging and dissolvable as words de praesenti So then for time coming the fifth Article in the Chapter of Marriges shall be Couched in these words Henceforward in Promises of Marriage the words de futuro shall be used as also in all Espousals nor shall those words be taken as indissolvable as the words de praesenti because words de praesenti do not Promise but effect and perform Marriage yet those words and Promises de futuro shall never be dissolved without very great and lawful causes And therefore that Custom of divers Churches celebrating the Espousals by the Ministry and Benediction of the Pastor and gift of bodies with words de praesenti is expresly condemned For this Synod reckoneth that by this Ceremony the parties be truly and actually joyned together in Marriage and that consequently all Banes are preposterous and useless because done after Marriage and the Blessing of the Church thereby render'd altogether needless Yet we don't count it ill for Ministers to assist at Espousals nor that they should by prayer implore the Divine Blessing on the intended Marriage nor that they should exhort the Betrothed Persons to mutual Love Unity Faithfulness and the fear of God only that they ought to forbear those other formallities which sometime render a bond indissolvible which we be afterwards necessitated to break and untye because of those oppositions which are made at the publishing of the Banes and for divers other Causes that may then happen And the Churches of Rouen and Dieppe who solemnize Espousals in the Temple after the same manner as publick Marriages are exhorted to abandon this usage and to conform unto the received Custom in the Churches and Provinces of this Kingdom Article 15. Whereas formerly the 16th Article of the eighth Chapter of our Discipline contained the distribution of the Provinces it shall be henceforward the 15th and the Provincial Synods shall be thus distributed 1. The Isle of France 2. Normandy 3. Brittany 4. Berry 5. Anjou 6. Poictou 7. Xaintonge 8. Lower Guyenne 9. Higher Languedoc 10. Bearn 11. Lower Languedoc 12. Provence 13. Dolphiny 14. Sevennes 15. Vivaretz 16. Burgundy Article 16. The Church-Discipline being read was unanimously approved by all the Deputies then present who promised to observe it and see it observed in their respective Provinces And this Assembly gave an express charge to Monsieur Valleton Pastor of the Church of Privas to get the Confession of Faith and the Book of Discipline transcribed that so the Copies of them might be signed and subscribed by all the Deputies of this Assembly and the subscribed Copy shall be deposited in the hands of the Deputies of that Province which is appointed to summon the next National Synod CHAP. VI. Observations made on Reading the Acts of the next National Synod of St. Maixant 1. IN pursuance of the Decree made by the National Synod of St. Maixant in their Observations on the 11th Canon of the first Chapter of our Church-Discipline all the Provinces are strictly enjoyned on pain of Censure to have a very careful Eye over their Ministers that they preach not up any new Doctrines and that they affect not in the Pulpit nor in Writing nor in any other Discourses any phrases or modes of speech which be strange and forreign to the Sacred Scriptures and that they intersperse not Latine Greek nor Hebrew sentences in their Sermons nor surcharge them with many prophane Histories And those Deputies who shall be sent by the Provinces unto the next National Synod are charged to bring their Memoirs with them whether this Decree had been observed or not 2. Monsieur Chamier having presented his Controversial Writings unto this Synod according as he was enjoyned by the last National Synod he received the thanks of the whole Assembly for the great progress he had made in them and he was earnestly intreated and encouraged to finish his designed Labours and that he would be pleased to print the three first Tomes at once and to assist him in the great and necessary Charges he must needs be at the sum of two thousand Livers is ordered to be paid him now in hand 3. Monsieur Perrin also presenting his History of the Albingenses and Waldenses it was put into the hands of Messieurs Roussett Cuville de Preaux Petit and Joly Ministers of the Gospel who were ordered to bring in their Opinion of it and in consideration of his Charges this Synod orders him the sum of three hundred Livers 4. The Provinces which have not observed that Decree of the above-mentioned Synod which forbad all additions to be made at the close of Propositions and Colloquies are exhorted conscientiously to obey it 5. In the observations made by the same Synod upon the Acts of the former National Synod held at Rochell in which there was great discourse and debate about Monks who quitting their Cloysters did joyn themselves to the Communion of the Reformed Churches but Information being now given of divers Scandals arriving from the publick declaration made by these Monks in our Churches This Assembly judged that it was in no wise expedient for the said Monks to make any declarations publickly until such time as we have good experience of their abilities sincerity and discretion However their simple and unfeigned Abjurations shall be admitted either publickly or in the Consistories 6. That Article of the same National Synod about those Remonstrances which should have been made in the Chamber of Nerac shall be razed 7. Nothing shall be altered in that Article of the aforesaid Synod which had approved the administration of Baptism before Sermons and at the ordinary publick Prayers excepting in that clause which specifies the lawfulness of this Action in case there be apparent danger of death and that the Consistory do attest it or at least some of the Elders because this
if after notice given him he continue to preach at Nismes or within the Province He is from this very instant declared suspended from the Ministry and not to be restored but by the next National Synod 27. The Church of Vallence Appealed from the Provincial Synod of Vivaretz held at Annonay and from the Synod of Dolphiny held at Veyners for removing from them the Sieur Murat their Pastor The Memoirs and Acts of the said Synods and of the Colloquy of Nismes being read and both parties having been heard speak upon this present Case Monsieur Murat was sharply Censured for his over-forwardness in closing with the Invitations of the Church of Nismes and for urging by dishonest ways the Church of Vallence to give him his Dismission and this extorted also under the pretence and with the plausible Attestation of his singular prudence And the Church of Nismes is severely censured for all its proceedings and particularly that contrary to the Decree of St. Maixant in the first Article of General Matters it sought a Pastor for it self out of the Province without first consulting with their Colloquy or Synod And the Synod of Vivaretz also was blamed for acting contrary to the Discipline in judging notwithstanding the Appeal of the Church of Vallence lay neglected by them that the said Murat was at liberty And the Provincial Synod of Dolphiny held at Veyners is also censured for suffering themselves to be surprized and inveigled into this present Act and passing too slight a Judgment on it whereas they should have been more reserved and done as the Colloquy of Nismes which dismissed the whole Affair unto this Assembly For these causes and after mature deliberation upon the whole this Assembly enjoyneth the said Murat to return unto his Church of Vallence within three months and in case of contravention unto this Ordinance we do presently denounce him suspended from the Ministry 28. Monsieur Isaiah Ferrier appeared in person before this Assembly he was Minister of St. Gyles in Lower Languedoc to answer those Accusations which were brought against him by the Sieur de Beauvoysin who appealed from the Synods of Vigan and Baignols and that the truth of those Accusations might be proved Commissioners were ordained to receive and examine them who having heard them and seen the Evidences produced by the said Sieur de Beauvoysin and upon their Report made of them and of matters confessed by the said Ferrier the Assembly pronounced this Sentence viz. that the said Ferrier be suspended from the holy Ministry until the next National Synod And forasmuch as among those many Articles of which he stands accused several cannot be fully proved because of Processes yet hanging in the Court of Castres The Assembly doth order the said Ferrier to appear before the Synod of Vivaretz and to justifie himself if he can in their presence and the said Synod shall transmit his Defence of himself whatever it be over unto the next National Synod that so he may be either restored or more severely censured and in case he cannot justifie himself between this and the next National Synod he is now as he shall then be denounced Deposed from the Ministry of the Gospel And in case he should be restored by the National Synod unto the Ministry yet shall he not be sent back unto his Church of St. Gyles nor to any other in that Colloquy Nevertheless there shall be allowed him betwixt this time and the next National Synod a yearly portion of the King's Moneys towards his subsistence And also the Province of Lower Languedoc is sharply censured for their long connivance at so great a wickedness and for not doing their duty in endeavouring to suppress the scandal and throughly to purge the House of God from such defilements 29. The Appeals of the Sieur Conain from the Decree of the Synod of Parey le Moyneau as also that of the Sieur Truchis who yet did not send his Appeal unto this Assembly are declared null and void and the Judgments past in the Provincial Synods of Burgundy against them are by this present Act ratified and established 30. The Appeal of the Church of Avalon from the Province of Burgundy being not prosecuted by any one in this Assembly is declared Null 31. The Appeals of the Colloquy of Gex from the Synod of Bussy and also that of Pont du Velle were wisely and rightly judged by the Synod of Burgundy and the said Colloquy is exhorted to conform it self for the future unto the Orders thereof 32. The Church of Manosques appealled from an Ordinance of the Synod of Provence held at Lire September 1610. And complained how that by the said Ordinance an yearly grant of sixty Livers formerly accorded to them by a preceding Synod was then reversed This Assembly doth confirm that Article of the said Synod of Lire Yet nevertheless it recommends the said Church of Manosques to the care of that Province 33. An Appeal was brought by divers Churches of the Lower Guyenne from a Judgment of the said Province importing that the more opulent and wealthy Churches should be deprived of their portions in the King's Moneys and that their shares should be employed to the comforting of poorer Churches that so they might be kept up or restored And whereas the Deputies of the said Province requested that the Judgment of their Synod might be confirmed This Assembly leaveth that Province wholly to their liberty either to follow the aforesaid Expedient or those other Overtures particularly notified unto those Deputies and it recommends with the greatest earnestness their poor Churches unto the Charity of those which flourish and are in a better condition as to the World 34. That Book written by Monsieur de la Viennerie Pastor of the Church of Tonne Boutonne in Xaintonge entituled A Commentary upon the Canon of the Mass having been read and examined as to its chiefest Points to wit Invocation of Saints Justification Predestination and divers others there was observed in it several odd expressions and phrases which were not only obscure but also doubtful suspicious and erroneous Whereupon in pursuance of the Judgment given by the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge the said Manuscript was ordered to be supprest and farther the Province was exhorted to watch carefully over the Doctrine delivered from the Pulpit by the said de la Viennerie 35. Whereas there is a great Dissention sprung up in the Church of Montauban about the Sieurs Loupiat and Gouze who are Elected Elders This Assembly condemns the proceeding of the said Sieur de Gouze as being full of vanity and for insisting on it that he ought to be preferred to the Sieur Loupiat in their nomination unto the people Also the said Gouze is blamed for his animosity in searching out crimes and persons to accuse Monsieur Loupiat who yet could never make proof of those matters laid by them unto his charge Moreover the Consistory there is also censured for not restraining those proceedings by a
examine the matter of fact and by the Authority of this Synod judicially to censure and condemn it And in the mean while the Pastors shall Assemble the Consistory of that place and Summon before them the said du Tremoulet and all his Partners in that Scandal and in case of their non-appearance immediately to suspend them from the Lords Table and to denounce this their suspension publickly before the whole Congregation 18. Report being made of the extream Poverty of Mr. William Papin who was discharged from his Ministry and is now Emeritus and at present residing in Dolphiny this Assembly gives him freely one portion free of all Taxes for his Subsistence which shall be drawn out of the Province of Vivaretz where he once served and given unto the Province of Dolphiny with order that they pay it him punctually 19. The Churches of the Baylywick of Gex reported by their Deputy the Sieur du Pain how that they were dispossessed of all their Antient Church-Lands and Stock and that their Temples wherein they worshiped God were taken from them notwithstanding all their Petitions and Endeavours to preserve them This Assembly gave express order to our Lords the General Deputies in Court that they be very urgent with their Majesties that the twelve hundred Crowns granted unto the said Churches and taken from the five and forty thousand Livers of Augmentation lately given unto our Churches may be paid out of some other Fund and that the said Augmentation-Moneys may come in wholly and freely without cloggs and defalcations unto our Churches And farther that the Churches of Gex may be assisted with some Relief towards their Building of other Temples 20. The Church of Montpellier was censured for seeking Monsieur de Faucheur to be their Pastor by oblique and very unbecoming ways And the Church of Annonay also fell under the same Censure for driving that unworthy Bargain with the said Church of Montpellier 21. The Lords General Deputies informed this Assembly how that the Church of Bergerac deserting the Union of our Churches had by undue means procured to themselves the sum of fifteen hundred Livers out of the five and forty thousand Livers of Augmentation towards the maintenance of their Colledge to the great prejudice of all our Churches and especially of their own Province This Assembly judgeth them worthy of the greatest and severest Censures and enjoyneth their Provincial Synod to make them yield up that Warrant gotten by them for the said sum And in case of their refusal the said Synod shall denounce unto them by the Authority of this Assembly that their portions out of the King's Moneys shall not be paid them but detained in the hands of the Receiver General of the Province And if it be found that any one of their Pastors have tampered in this Disunion they shall be suspended from their Charges and all the other Delinquents shall be censured as Schismaticks and Deserters of our Union And farther it is ordained that none of their Pastors or Elders shall be received as Members of the Provincial or National Synods until such time as they have fully submitted themselves to our common Order and so receive their portions in the usual and ordinary ways which are appointed them 22. The Affairs of the Churches in the Principality of Bearn are particularly recommended to the care of our Lords General Deputies at Court 23. The Province of Dolphiny having not brought in to this Assembly the Account of their distribution of the Charity-Moneys gathered and deposited with them for the poor Refugees of the Marquisate of Salluces as they were enjoyned This Assembly doth once more command and enjoyn them on pain of Censure to perfect the said Account and to bring it in to the next National Synod And whereas in consequence hereof the Sieur de la Combe presented an Acquittance which the Provincial Synod held at Ambrun the seventeeth day of June One thousand six hundred and ten had given hi Assessor Guyonne and Jullien Scribes the aforesaid Sieur de la Combe is discharged by this present Assembly of the sums of seventeen hundred fifty nine Livers and eleven Sous which had been delivered to him in the National Synod of St. Maixant by the Provinces of Berry and Brittain by whom also the said Sieur is acquitted he having deposited them in the hands of the Province of Dolphiny 24. A difference having risen between the Church of Sezane and the Sieur Normund Pastor of Belesme about some Moneys which the said Normund had received in the name of the Church of Sezane he having visited them in hopes to be called unto the Ministry among them the Deputies of the Isle of France were appointed to compose it which Agreement now perfected by them is approved and confirmed by this Assembly and it ordains that the said Sieur Normund do out of the Moneys received by him restore sixty Livers unto the said Church and pay it for their use into the hands of Monsieur Montigny Pastor of the Church of Paris and this within three months within which time also the said Church shall restore unto the said Normund his Books and Clothes in their custody and so they shall give mutual Discharges and Releases unto one another 25. The Deputies of Anjou demanding reimbursement from the Province of Brittany of moneys expended by them and paid by the Church of Saumur towards the maintenance of Giles Drisonieurs formerly a Monk in the Province of Brittany and the Province of Brittany contesting with them to the Contrary The whole affair is dismissed over to the Province of Normandy which is finally to determin it 26. Monsieur Moulin having tendred unto this Assembly a Latin book made by him upon the controversy with Piscator concerning justification The Sieurs Sonys la Fresnaye le Faucheur and Bonnett were ordered each of them to peruse and read it and make report of it who gave in a very honourable Account of it as containing sound and orthodox Doctrine and contributing very much unto the Churches Edification whereupon Monsieur du Moulin had the thanks of the whole Assembly given him for his great labours taken in the conference at Paris on this Article in defence of the Truth Yet nevertheless lest that reunion projected in this Assembly should be retarded it adviseth him not to publish it till the sitting of the next National Synod during which time he shall send a Copy of his book unto every Province that so this matter being more carefully examined it may come forth with general Approbation and Satisfaction 27. The difference between the Isle of France and le Sieur de le Touche Pastor of Mouchamp in Poictou is dismissed over to the next Provincial Synod of Berry who by authority of this Assembly shall put a final period to it 28. A Letter was read from the Inhabitants and Consistory of the Town of Clerac and their demands heard also by the mouth of Monsieur Ricotier their Pastor But this Assembly
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
their Principals That they believed it to be true that they would teach it as such and procure to the utmost of their powâ—r that it should be taught and believed in and by all their Churches and Provinces CHAP. V. Observations on Reading of our Church-Discipline Article 1. St. Maixant Observat 2. THE Deputies of the Province of Orleans and Berry having noted it it was ordered that after these words in the close of the fourth Article in the first Chapter His ordination being compleatly finished in that Church whereunto he is sent the following words shall be razed then there shall be Deputed three Ministers to Present him unto the People in lieu of which these shall be substituted Which shall be informed of his Election by Act and Letters from that Synod or Colloquy carried and read unto them by a Pastor or Elder Art 2. The 5th Article shall begin with these words He whose Election is declared and published to the Church shall make a Proposition c. Art 3. See Syn. of Rechel obs 4. The 7th Article shall not begin with these words when Ministers are to be ordained but with these following All which as before having been observed two Pastors Deputed expresly by the Synod or Colloquy to ordain by imposition of hands the Minister Elect being come unto the Church He of them who is to Preach shall treat of the nature and manner of ordination c. Art 4. St. Maixant Obser 4. Whereas the Deputies of Burgundy moved about the sence of the 7th Article as to the hand of fellowship and of the newly Elected Pastors presence at the Acts of Colloquies and Synods after his Election This Assembly judgeth that the hand of fellowship ought not to be given him but immediately after his ordination and that this is the sence of that Article and tho he may be permitted entrance into the Colloquy or Synod yet shall he not be admitted to give his decisive suffrage the first Sessions after his Ordination Art 5. In expounding the 19th Article of the same Chapter this Canon was made Orltans Art 3. That none of the Pastors Ministring in the Houses of Princes and great Lords should be chosen Deputies unto our National Synods unless it were for that particular Province unto which their Church and Consistory is joyned at the very instant time of their Deputation Art 6. The Deputies of the Isle of France insisting for a change of some words 1 Par. 22 which their Provincial Synod judged needful to be altered in the 47th Article of the same Chapter This Assembly thought it inconvenient to make any alteration Art 7. The Deputies of Vivaretz demanding that in the second Article of the 7th Chapter the number of Elders which are to be sent unto Synods or Colloquies might be reduced to the same with that of Pastors and that one Elder only might be Commissionated with the Pastor The Assembly ordained that there should be nothing changed in it Art 8. As to what hath been observed by the Province of the Isle of France on the 5th Article of the 8th Chapter this Assembly ordains that the Article shall not be changed but these words following shall be added to it Saving always their power to prosecute that ungratefull Church according to the Judgment of the Provincial Synod Art 9. On the 5th Article of the 3d. Chapter after these words They shall herein follow the Common form there shall be these added And they shall suffer none other books to be read but the Canonical books of the old and new Testament Art 10. In the 2d of Article the 11th Chapter instead of these words that he were chosen Doctor it were best so that all Ambiguities may be removed to read both Doctor and Minister Art 11. The Province of Berry remonstrating by their Deputies that the 5th Article of the 13th Chapter had been changed at Privas without the Consent of the Provinces and demanding that it might stand as it had been couched by the Synod of Gergeau which also was demanded by the Province of Lower Languedoc and Sevennes This Assembly ordained that the Article should remain in that very form as it was framed by the National Synod of Privas Art 12. Vertâ—eil 26. At the request of the Deputies of the Isle of France this Assembly considering the 32d Article of the 13th Chapter treating of Monks and Priests revolting from the truth of the Gospel which they had once embraced and returning like Swine to Wallow in the Mire of Idolatry doth Judge meet and fit for the removing of all Ambiguities that these following words should be added to it viz. Chaunting Masses and entring again into their Cloysters Art 13. 1 Paris P. M. 17. Do not evil that good may come lest the end should be destruction The Deputies of Higher Languedoc moved that because of the great advantage would accrew unto us by Monitories gotten out of their Ecclesiastical Courts against those of the Church of Rome especially in compelling them to confess the truth it would be very convenient for us to allow the demanding of them and that the 11th Article of the 14th Chapter might be razed out But this Assembly ordained that the article should abide in its full force and nothing at all to be changed in it Art 14. Montpellier p. m. 16. Altho the Deputies of Sevennes demanded it yet this Assembly did not conceive that the 32th Article in the same Chapter concerning Duels needed any further explication wherefore it shall continue as it is the words being very clear and plain and their sence obvious to any common Understanding and their exact and careful observation of this Canon is recommended unto all the Consistories Our Church Discipline being read the Assembly approved of it in all its Articles and all the Deputies Promised and Sware for themselves and their Churches and Provinces that they would observe it in their own persons and use their best endeavours that it should be most carefully observed in their respective Churches and Provinces CHAP. VI. Observations on reading the Acts of the National Synod of Privas Art 1. Privas Art 3. after the List of the Deputies IN reading that Article concerning such as will not yield to the Majority of votes in our General Assemblies the Deputies of the Province of Xaintonge craved advice how to Censure them that will not acquiesce in the votes and resolutions of our General and Provincial Assemblies whether Ecclesiastical or Political but set themselves vigorously against their Execution This Assembly ordains that such refractory persons in any of those Assemblies shall be prosecuted with all Ecclesiastical Censures according as Consistories Colloquies Provincial and National Synods shall Judge meet Art 2. The Lord de la Millitiere Deputy General earnestly demanding both in his own name and in their's also who were joynt Deputies together with him for the Reunion that the Censure past on the Sieur de Barjac which
under the name of Captain Gautier Art 16. Privas App. 18. In executing that Decree of the National Synod of Privas about the Expences which the Province of Orleans had disbursed in the University upon Mr. Salomon and which the Province of Lower Guyenne now enjoying his Ministry stands obliged to return back again unto them The Deputies of Berry acknowledged that they drew out of the hands of the Lord du Candal the sum of five hundred Livers upon an Acquittance of the said Province of Guyenne which yet the said Deputies redemanded as having before paid it in unto the said Salomon for his encouragement This Synod ordaineth that the Moneys detained by the said Province of Orleans shall remain in their custody saving always to the said Province of Guyenne a power of redemanding from the said Salomon what they had disbursed for him Art 17. Privas App. 23. The Decree of the same Synod concerning the Charges of those Commissioners sent unto Orleans which were to be equally defrayed by all the Churches of that Province shall stand valid Art 18. Privas App. 34. Le Sieur de la Vienerie Pastor of the Church of Tonne-Boutonne in Xaintonge presented his Petition that the Canon of the Synod of Privas concerning his Book might be moderated and those words in it by which his said Writings were declared to be very suspicious and erroneous in the points of Justification Predestination Invocation of Saints departed c. might be obliterated Moreover he professed that he was not convinced in his Conscience to be guilty of those matters whereof he is accused and desireth they may be proved he having written nothing but what he believeth to be the truth This Assembly voted that the aforesaid Canon should remain still in force and that Monsieur Banage and Bouchereau should peruse his Book and give him instruction and make report thereof unto this Synod which they did accordingly whereupon this Assembly did once more enjoyn him to suppress that his Manuscript which tho' revised by himself cannot be approved of neither in his words nor in his manner of handling it And exhorts him in his way of teaching to follow the form of sound words contained in the holy Scriptures however we judge charitably of him and of his Opinions and Intentions believing that he is orthodox and sound in the Faith principally as to the Fundamentals of Religion Art 19. Privas obs 2. upon the Coufession Revising that observation made upon the 18th Article of our Confession of Faith especially about the Oath enjoyned to be taken by all Pastors actually employed and Proposans who are designed for the Ministry concerning Justification divers Provinces remonstrated that it needed some explanation See Art 5. after the Roll in this Synod The Assembly after mature deliberation and long debate had of the matter ordained that it shall be couched in these terms Forasmuch as divers persons demand an explanation of the 18th Article of the Confession of our Reformed Churches in this Kingdom wherein the Doctrine of Justification is freely asserted this Synod declareth that in this point the Form of Doctrine which ought to be received and taught in the Churches of this Kingdom according to the Scriptures is That Man not having in himself either before or after his Effectual Calling any Righteousness of his own by which he may subsist before the Judgment-seat of God he cannot be justified but by Jesus Christ our Saviour who being incarnate was obedient unto his Father from the first moment of his birth unto the last of his ignominious death upon the Cross having most perfectly both in his life and death fulfilled the whole Law given unto men and that particular Commandment imposed on him by his Father of suffering and giving his Soul a ransom for many By which most perfect Obedience we are justified because it is counted ours by the Grace of God and apprehended by that Faith which he gives unto us From which we are assured that through the merit of this whole Obedience we have and shall obtain the forgiveness of all our sins and be made worthy of everlasting life And all Pastors Professors in Divinity and all other the Members of our Churches are enjoyned to hold fast this Doctrine and in no wise to depart from it and they be forbidden either by word of mouth or writing to teach or preach publickly or privately any thing that may be directly or indirectly repugnant to it Moreover this Synod ordaineth that whosoever are chosen into the holy Ministry shall promise it before God and all Consistories Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall exert their whole Authority to see this Canon punctually observed inspecting their Ministers and all other persons that none act contrary hereunto and to prosecute such as do with all the Censures of the Church Art 20. Privas p. m. 12. see about this Saumur p. m. 32. Montp p. m. 4. Gergeau p. m. 2. Gap obs 12. on the foregoing Synod In obedience to that Decree of the National Synod of Privas the Province of Normandy hath paid in to Monsieur Vatable the hundred Livers by the hands of the Deputies of Poictou and took up from them their Acquittance CHAP. XVII Appeals 1. MOnsieur John Constans Pastor of the Church at Mazgravier appealed from the Decree of the last Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Mauvesin for refusing him leave to withdraw from that Town tho' requested by him because of his Wifes sickness which could not brook the Air of Maz and because of those many unkindnesses he hath for divers years received from them and the Sieur Darder for from the Decree of the same Synod which permitted the said Monsieur Constans to live at Montauban until the next Provincial Synod Both of them being heard and the Deputies of that Province declaring the reasons which swayed them to pass that Decree This Assembly doth discharge the said Monsieur Constans from all Pastoral relation unto the said Church of Mazgravier on condition that the next Colloquy do provide a Pastor for the said Church who shall reside with them and the said Constans of another Church And Ordaineth that till this can be performed he shall continue to serve the said Church as before but without being obliged unto residence and the said Church is injoyned to make full payment to him of all his Arrears of Salary or they shall not be provided of another Pastor 2. 3. Rochel g m. 2. and observat 11. The Appeal of some Elders in that Church of Mazgravier from the same Synod was rejected because it was of the Nature of those things which might be finally determined within the Province and the parties were told that they deserved a very sharp reproof for presenting unto this Synod Acts attested by a Publick Notary as also for that contrary to the Canons of our National Synods Elders going out of office had named their successors whereas they ought to be chosen by
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
one kind the Adoration of the consecrated Host Prayer in an unknown Tongue by the Petitioner Errors of this last sort altho in themselves less yet do they most often occasion the greatest divisions and do most venemously exasperate mens Spirits and immediately engender Schism For if a man communicate at the Lords Table with an erroneous person in the doctrine of Predestination or about the Nature of Jesus Christ or who believes that the Body of our Lord is every where in all places at once altho this Error be very great yet may it not trouble him who is a Communicant with him But and if we communicate with one who giveth religious adoration unto the bread or pretends to sacrifice the Lord Jesus Christ such an action would scandalize us and must needs drive us from that Communion lest we should participate with him in his Idolatry or in a false Sacrifice Now we have this advantage together with the Lutheran Churches that all our differences are of the first kind and as for those external Ceremonies used and practised by them we have no such difference but what may be easily composed yea and that too with a wet Finger 18. It were fitting to lay before them on the Table the Concordat of the Polonish Churches made at Sendomir in the year 1570. and since revived in the Synod of Ulodislan in the year 1581. that so we may learn by their example to serve our selves of all things which may contribute unto this Union and are worthy of our imitation And possibly there may be found some Lutheran Churches who for peace sake would not insist upon their Ubiquity but frankly yield it up and part with it 19. The same Order should be observed in this second Assembly as in the first and the same difference paid unto his Majesty of great Britain and it should be opened with a fast and concluded with the celebration of the Holy Supper of our Lord at which both the Lutheran Ministers and ours should communicate together 20. It is very needful that some course should be taken to bring the several Churches and People to embrace and practise the Articles of this Union and that Soveraign Princes and Estates do promise to exert their Authority about it and that those words of Lutheran Calvinist and Sacramentarian Gustazus Adolphus K. of Swiâ—â—dland would have them styled the Evangelical Churches being wicked badges of distinction were utterly abolished and that our Churches should ever after be called the Christian Reformed Churches And all Invectives from the Pulpit or Press or Writings against the Brethren of either side shall be forbidden under the severest penalties And that the Catalogues of Books vended at Frankford maybe no more stuft with injurious Titles as formerly And the German Princes should at some certain days mutually agreed on send their Pastors unto the principal Churches of their Neighbour Princes and also admit and receive of their Ministers into theirs and so communicate together on some set and solemn day at the Lords Table 21. If it should please God to bless this Holy and Laudable Design with success which would be a Crown of Eternal Glory unto his Majesty of Great Britain and to the Princes joyned with him therein then would it be a convenient time to sollicit the Romish Church unto a Reconciliation which whether it may be really effected or is at all feasible seems as yet very doubtful because the Pope will admit of no Council nor Conference at which he may not preside But could this General Union of all Christians be once accomplished we should be then more considerable and Ministers might Preach with more authority and greater success than ever CHAP. XIX A Letter from His Majesty of Great Britain To Messieurs the Pastors and Elders Assembled in their National Synod at Tonneins in France Sirs HAving received intelligence that your Assembly would be held in Gascony the first of May in which some persons may be engaged to revive that Controversly about Justification and to urge the Consciences of others to assent against their own judgment unto matters not sufficiently Understood by them We thought good to send you Monsieur Hume one of our subjects and of your Pastors with this our present Letter to exhort you in our Name not to suffer the spirits of your Pastors and Professors to be imbittered one against another about distinctions more substile than profitable more curious than needful but that you would indeavour to Moderate those animosities which are grown up already to too great an heighth among several of your Ministers and that you would quench those sparkles of dissention which meeting with wood hay stubble and slight rather than substantial matters may inflame you into such aschism as will Consume you all unless you do timely prevent it and stifle it in the birth by committing to the fire those Books Papers and Manuscripts which serve only as fewel unto new Controversies rather than promote your Edifying and give occasion to the Enemies of Gods Church to advance themselves on your weaknesses and to be the more hardned in their Errors Particularly we intreat you to compose the difference risen up betwixt the Sieurs du Moulin and Tilenus if it should be brought unto your immediate Cognisance and discussion and not be removed out of the way by Arbitrators which we judge of the two to be the best and by arbitrating their fact you your selves will publish unto the World how great a value you have for the Gifts of God in both those personages That honour with which God hath invested us by exalting us unto the highest and most eminent place in his Church for the defence of the truth or duty to serve it in our regall dignity and to the utmost of our power and that particular desire we have to see a good Peace and Vnion to flourish among all Sincere Professors of the Christian Faith and our care for your preservation as being the first Churches which have rejected the yoke of Idolatry do induce us to deal so freely with you And we promise our self from your prudence that all matters shall be pacified and amicably composed among you as we have commanded Master Hume to press you more amply by word of mouth thereunto to whom you may give credence receiving him as our Messenger and as a persom well-known unto you and sufficiently commended by his own excellent good parts and a Lover of peace which above all things we recommend unto you and so we pray God to Bless your godly debates and consultations and to have you always in his holy keeping From our Palace this 15th Day of March,1614 Signed James R. The Synods Answer To the King of Great Britain Sire THAT Zeal with which it hath pleased God to inflame your Royal Spirit and that abundant care which your most Serene Majesty vouchsafeth to take of all the Christian Churches obligeth every good servant of God to pour out continual
broken with the din and complaints of their being surprized and of an usurped domination over Conscience and of reproaches for precipitancy and connivency as we are informed hath been the issue of that at Privas And in short we should think it best to leave your Confession alone immoveable and not as you often do dig it up and lay open this Foundation which though for the present it may be done with a good Intention and with laudable moderation yet may in after times produce a world of licentiousness Above all we most instantly request this of your Piety totally to extinguish those Accessory questions which being altogether needless and unprofitable do extreamly indanger Gods Church and are naturally apt to engender Heresies or Atheism among the ignorant people We very much fear that the Printing of Tilenus his book will be a great stumbling block and hindrance to this work and therefore we judged it necessary to obstruct the publication of its answer and are in great trouble what other lawful course we may take for the justifying of our Dear Brother whom he hath so grievously impeached However if it shall be thought good for the weal of the Church that he be silent and there be no more invectives or mutual recriminations left standing on the File we hope some other Expedients may be found out to salve the honour and the reputation of our Brother especially since the controversie is not about any point in it self fundamental which is to be defended but occasionally and in disputation where all sort of arguments and ways of proving though they be not always good and receiveable do not consequentially import a simple and absolute assertion because had it not been for their serviceableness to confirm the conclusions they had never been at all mentioned And we cannot think it any wise convenient to redeem the honour of a private dispute from the Laughter and Scorn of the Enemies of Truth by letting in upon us a swarm of perilous and curious Questions together with horrible scandals and scruples perplexing and tormenting Conscience Let 's labour rather to extirpate these animosities and to draw these divided Spirits nearer in love one unto the other And then the offendor who in our opinion cannot with any Conscience judge so unworthily of our Brother will be the first as in duty bound to acquit and clear him exchanging his Invectives into Brotherly admonitions We receive frequent and mournful relations of that accursed Practice of Duels yea and among persons of our Religion and tho we believe this violent and brutish Sin is so strongly rooted as to elude and reject all remedies yet because of its atrociousness and enormity we desire your holy Synod to consuls of the last and Soveraign Remedy even that dreadful power which the word of God hath given unto his Church to draws out the Spiritual Sword against such notorious delinquents without connivency dispensation or respect of persons that by its implacable severity against those daring Rebels the Lord blessing his own ordinance their feet which ran swiftly to shed innocent blood may be hereafter stopped and restrained At least let us weep and groan before the Lord that this evil may never be imputed to us that we may be delivered from the guilt of so much Blood as hath been wickedly spilt among us that it may never lie at our doors nor our Consciences may ever reproach us for having lent our heart or hands unto that murdering spirit and that we may never be marked with this brand of infamy which is peculiar to the enemies of God to have been Executioners of his vengeance upon themselves Finally most Honoured and Dear Brethren knowing the great care you have for us and how much you are allarumed with reports of Plots and Preparatives for War against us we give you to understand that through grace excepting Gods ordinary discipline of fears and threats he doth yet keep us in peace and lengthens out our tranquillity by which we are taught continually to conside in him who quickneth the dead and not to be puffed or lifted up with pride and carnal security but Religiously to improve our repose unto his service and glory and the general aid and benefit of all the Churches And we thank you heartily for your kind acceptance of our affection expressed in sending so great a number of your Scholars to Study in our University which is a very great honour to us and we shall do our utmost endeavours by all means to fit them for your future service by moulding them into the form of sound words and into that doctrine which is according to godliness weaning and withdrawing them as much as in us lieth from that vanity of Jesuitical knowledge wherein to our great grief so many gallant hopeful wits have through vain curiosity and affectation been wretchedly insnared especially in the endless Mazes and Labyrinths of Metaphysical terms and questions the true Siminaries of all novelties and heresies Help us as we shall you in united Prayers unto the throne of grace you have been exceeding helpful to us this way in our frequent distresses and we conserve the Memory thereof by us and ever shall as of a most pretious Jewel And may the most blessed God continue his divine grace and favours to you and us perfecting his strength in our infirmities uniting all our hearts in a perfect charity and grant us to keep the Faith unto the end and to finish our course with joy and to lay hold of Eternal Life and that we may all be to the praise and glory of his grace through our Lord Jesus Christ to whose power and Spirit we do with all our hearts recommend your holy Synod and all your Churches in general Subscribing our selves most sincerely Most Honoured and Dear Brethren Your most humble and most affectionate Brethren in the Lord the Pastors and Professors in the Church and University of Geneva and in their Names S. Goulart J. Diodati A Letter from the Lord of Plessis Marli unto the National Synod of Tonneins Sirs I Could not let the ' Deputies of this Province part from me without giving you assurance of my most humble and faithful service and to intreat you notwithstanding all the tricks and wickedness of this age to believe that I am speaking to you as one who is quitting this world and hath nothing left him to dispatch but his own Epitaph which through divine grace shall never give the lie to my past life and after all I shall never take my own private Interests for the Rule of my Life or actions nor so abound in my own sence as to counteract the common Resolutions of our Churches whose prudence I have always found safest because Conscience is its eye and guide Sirs All good men expect two principal blessings from your holy Synod the first is that you would be pleased by your Authority once for all to suppress those unnecessary Questions which trouble the
I have the will I swear unto you that my own mouth should have verified unto you what I now write that I am more than any man in the World of Montpellier April 26. 1614. Your Reverences The most Humble and the most Affectionate to do you service Chastillon The Letter of the Mareschall Duke of Bouillon to the National Synod of Tonneins Sirs I Delayed writing to you because I was in hopes to have sent my Letters by one of the Pastors of his Highness the Prince Elector Palatine who should have past through this City in his way unto your Synod and have delivered those of his Highness to you But that little time he had for so long a Journey and the little safety that now is on the High-ways having kept him at home they were directed to me that I may send them as I now do unto you and I shall take this occasion to confirm you in those assurances I have given you of my intire affection and service for the Weal Preservation and Increase of our Churches upon whose account you are now Assembled and that I desire to keep up with them a good Union and Correspondence 'T is to my very great regret that there have been some little differences between Monsieur du Moulin and Monsieur Tilenus one of the Professors in my University to the suppressing of which I have done all that lay in my power In so much that all those bitter reflections are allayed and quasht and I dare promise that from your prudence and the interposal of his Majesty of great Britain who writes to you by Mr. Hume Pastor of the Church of Duras and by the mediation of the Elector Palatin whose Letters this bearer from me delivers to you you will meet with some proper Expedient for their final determination so that those two great personages considerable for their Profession and merits may employ the gifts which God hath bestowed upon them more unto the Churches profit for the future And I will be Surety for the Sieur Tilenus that he shall pay the greatest deference unto your good Counsels and on my part I shall contribute all that you can expect from me to so good a work whereof I earnestly attend the happy Issue through your wise and prudent direction I shall detain you no longer but with the offer of my prayers unto God Almighty that he would please to guide and influence your Spirits and Councils that their result may be glory to his great Name and happiness unto his Church From Sedan May 3. 1614. A Postscript with his own hand Sirs ALtho I am well assured that your Intentions are all leading to a good Reunion both in Civil and Church-affairs yet will I not forbear quickening you hereunto and the rather because Satan and his Engines are now more than every at work marvellously busied and employed to divide us having found in this degenerate age more debauched persons and greater debaucheries than in times past Wherefore I protest unto you that in what concerns my self in particular that I shall freely discharge my duty and services according to what shall be resolved on in your Common and United Counsels and seek for my self none other benefit and advantage than to live and die in the fear of God Your most humbly to do you service Henry de la Tour. CHAP. XX. The Excommunication of Monsieur Jeremy Ferrier sometimes Pastor and Professor in the Church and Vniversity of Nismes denounced in the Church of Nismes upon the 14th of July 1613 being the Lords Day Extracted out of a little Book Intituled The Troubles happened in the City of Nismes in Languedoc July 15. 1613. and Printed the same year MAster Jeremy Ferrier formerly Minister of the Word of God having been judged by the National Synod yet hath not in the least owned and acknowledged God's singular Mercy and Benignity to him nor the Gentleness and Clemency of his Judges He hath took no notice of his great and hainous offences though God saw them the Church observed them and the World cried out of them Some days after Sentence had past upon him he made semblance as if he acquiesced in it requesting to be provided of another Church His Judges had respect unto his demand and provided for him very much unto his conveniency But the close and issue hath evidently demonstrated that what he did was all in Hypocrisie was nothing else but fraud and mockery Instead of humbling himself he waxed more fierce and fiery he kicked against the pricks he hardened his heart against the voice of God speaking to him He hath multiplied and increast his sins seeking Sanctuaries for his Rebellion from the World and protection by it in his Enter-prizes following the train and lure of his own lusts and loving this present World he would rather be a slave to the Mammon of Unrighteousness than to serve God and his Church and betaking himself to wicked and unworthy courses he hath refused to be reformed and hateth Discipline and Correction scorning and trampling under foot all Church-Order He hath most licentiously inveighed against and satyrically lampoon'd the Ecclesiastical Assemblies he hath let flie the worst of Calumnies against the Servants of God generally and particularly in publick and private by word of mouth by Pen and Writing He threw himself wittingly and wilfully upon temptations and into the snares of the Devil he became his own Seducer and like tile Devil endeavoured to seduce others He hath by his ungodly comportments scandalized those that are without and such as are within he hath attempted to mischief the Church of God for which the Lord Jesus hath shed his most precious Blood He did most solemnly engage unto the Church of Paris yea he swore it with as great seriousness as possible that he would never take upon him nor aspire unto any other Calling than that of the Sacred Ministry unless the Colloquy of Lionnois should discharge him by taking from him all possible means of subsistence Before which nevertheless when he was called he refused to appear and would not be judged of God nor by the Men of God He hath cast himself into a contumacious and audacious Rebellion into the most injurious and excessive Insolencies he hath published himself guilty of a notorious and horrible Perjury totally deserting the Sacred Ministry having rejected all the Summons and Invitations unto Repentance made him for a whole year together by divers Church-Assemblies in divers places and at divers times by many most excellent Servants of God who cordially and industriously laboured after his Conversion and Reformation He hath despised the long-suffering patience and forbearance of God and of the Church and never heeded those publick Admonitions which according to the Discipline were used to reclaim him and bring him back again unto his duty But he persists obstinately in his sins in his Disobediencies and Rebellions and hardens hardens himself in his Impenitency insomuch that we must speak it
true Religion All the Churches are most expresly injoined to observe punctually and with the exactest care the 13th and 14th Canons in the last Chapter of the Discipline without any acceptation of persons and to give in an account thereof unto Colloquies and Synods who are ordered to take notice of it and to inflict the heaviest Censures upon those Consistories which neglect this their bounden duty 15. The Deputies of the Isle of France craving advice about the difficulties met by them in executing the 32d Article of the 14th and last Chapter of our Discipline Montpel p. m. 16. which enjoineth a speedy publication of their suspension from the Lords Table who either give or take a Challenge to fight a Duel This Assembly distinguishing between them whose offence is known only to a few particular persons and those who have publickly committed it before the Sun and which is known to the whole World exhorteth Consistories to judge prudently in the Case so that the Discipline of our Churches may not be violated 16. Our Church-Discipline having been read distinctly word by word was approved in all its Articles and sworn to by all the Deputies of the Provinces both for themselves and for those who were represented by them and they were all exhorted to see it most exactly kept and observed whereof they all gave good assurance and promised to be with their whole power assisting to it CHAP. V. Reflections on reading the Acts of the last National Synod Celebrated at Tonneins 1. THE Deputies of the Isle of France read an Act of theirs in this Assembly Tonneins Art 12. in the Roll of Pastors and reported what was done by them in execution of that Commission which had been given them and the Provincial Deputies of Anjou to censure the Church and Consistory of Tours and Monsieur Coupé Pastor of the said Church for not obeying the Decree of the Province of Anjou concerning the deputation of Monsieur Coupé unto the National Synod of Tonneins and declared farther how that the said Deputies of Anjou had not assisted them in the least in it This Assembly approving all that hath been done by the said Deputies of the Isle of France doth charge the next Provincial Synod of Anjou to hear what the said Deputies of Anjou can say for themselves and why they had not joined with them in executing the said Commission with which they were equally intrusted with the Deputies of the Isle of France 2. Forasmuch as the third Article of Observations Privas Observ on the Discipl Alez Observ 2. on this very Synod made by the National Synod of Tonneins on the Acts of that of Privas was omitted by him who dictated the said Acts This Assembly thought good to insert them into the Acts of this present Synod which it doth in these following words As for that Canon which gives way to Elders the Pastor being refused because of exceptions taken at him to judge of differences even unto suspension from the Lord s Supper the Province of Lower Languedoc demanding that some change might be made in it This Assembly Ordained that it should abide in those very self same words in which it was couched at first 3. The Province of Brittaine complaining of a Judgment past by the Provincial Synod of Anjoy in executing a Decree of the National Synod of Tonneins Tonneins Appeal 7. Below p. m. 10. was now heard in what it had more to say and offer unto this Assembly But when they had done the judgment of the said Province of Anjou for dividing the Church of Montague from that of Viellevigne was confirmed And the Church of Viellevigne is admonished to contribute lovingly towards the maintenance of their Pastor and in case of their inability the Province of Brittaine shall make provision for him out of the monies apportioned to them from his Majesties liberality and those private persons who will join themselves unto the said Church of Viellevigne shall not for time to come at their will and pleasure depart from it to be joined in Communion with that of Montagu 4. The Deputies of the Province of Dolphiny Tonneins Obs 5. on the Synod of Privas Alez p. m. 3. gave notice unto this Assembly that their Synod had seen and perused the History of the Waldenses and Albingenses collected by Monsieur Perrin but it was not printed nor distributed according to the Order given the said Monsieur Perrin by the National Synod of Tonneins Now it is Ordained That the said History shall be sent unto our Honoured Brethren the Pastors and Professors in the Church and University of Geneva who shall be desired by the Synod of Dolphiny to peruse it and whereas the said Monsieur Perrin requests a sum of money towards the Printing of the said Book The Province of Dolphiny is injoined to sollicit it's impression for there can be nothing more given or added by us to what was formerly granted by the Synod of Privas 5. A Canon of the Synod of Tonneins was read Tonneins Appeal 18. concerning the Appeal of Monsieur Margonne sometimes Pastor in the Province of Burgundy but since withdrawn unto the Church of Chastillon on the Loire in the Province of Berry which Canon had ordained that the said Province of Berry should give unto that of Burgundy a Proposan before the next Provincial Synod The said Province of Burgundy reported that they having no information given them of the time and place when the Synod of Berry met they could not demand them to fulfil the conditions and terms enjoined in that Canon wherefore they besought this Assembly to confirm the aforesaid Canon which it also did and injoined the very next Provincial Synod of Berry fully to answer and satisfy the Contents and Import of the said Canon of Tonneins 6. The Province of Vivaretz requesting Tonneins Appeal â—2 that the Censure imposed on them by the National Synod of Tonneins might be reversed and took off the File and that the Letters of Monsieur de la Faye Pastor of the Church of Aubenas on whose account the said Censure was decreed might be read he joining together with the Province in this their request This Assembly considering that the discontents on all hands are now appeased and desiring the weal and repose of the said Province and particularly of the Church of Aubenas hath granted them their demand 7. That Act of the National Synod of Tonneins being read Tonneins p. m. 35. about the difference between Monsieur du Moulin and Tilenus on which the Lord of Plessis-Marly had been intreated to contrive away for Reconciling them by calling in some of the Neighbour Pastors together with the Professors in the University of Saumur Monsieur Rivet tendered unto this Assembly a Letter on this subject from the said Lord du Plessis by which he informs them of what he had done in it and how that the Sieurs Fleury Le Bloy Rivett Rerillaâ— and Bouchereau Pastors in
were ordered out of hand to go unto the said Church of Rochecouart and to use their best endeavour to appease the differences in it and to reunite its divided Members and to desire Monsieur Fourgaud their Pastor to devest himself of the burden of his Pastoral Office in it we granting him in consideration of his great and continual Maladies that he shall be Emeritus and only preach unto them when his own conveniencies and health may permit him 25. That Appeal of the Church of Tours from the judgment of the Province of Anjou was dismissed over to the Synod of Poictou who shall put a final Period to it by the Authority of this Assembly 26. The Appeal of the Church of Vsez from the judgment of the Synod of Lower Languedoc is declared null and the Ministry of Monsieur Fauchet is confirm'd in the Church and University of Nismes 27. The Church of Aulais appealed from a judgment of the Synod of Sevennes and sent Letters and Memoirs about it unto this Assembly which accepted of their Appeal against the Decree of the said Synod and declared That the Church of * * * Another Copy has Bâ—â—â—ize another Bâ—â—â—ez and another Bâ—uâ—ezz Brunize shall be for the future annext unto that of Aulais according to their own desire and request unto this Assembly by their Letters written to us 28. Monsieur Banconis Pastor of the Church of Tonneins appealed from the judgment of the Synod of Lower Guyenne for that they had dismissed Monsieur Marmett from being their Minister and had fixed him in the Pastoral Charge of the Church gathered in the House of that most Illustrious Prince the Lord Duke of Rohan But this Assembly declared that the Appeal ought not to be admitted by them because that very Synod hath full power finally to determine of this affair and doth therefore ratify this Synodical Decree 29. The Sieur Colinet Pastor of the Church of Paray having appealed from the judgment of the Synod of Burgundy which had ordained that he and Monsieur Gravier his Collegue should serve the Church of Bourbon their Appeal was declared null and void because he neither sent Letters nor Memoirs about it unto this Assembly 30. The Sieurs Charon la Fosse and Gillet appealing from the Synod of Lower Guyenne for restoring Monsieur de Puch unto his Office of Elder in the Church of Bergerac were never to be regarded in their Appeal because they had not sent any Memoirs or Letters concerning it unto this Assembly 31. The Church of Maringues appealed from the judgment of the Province of Burgundy which had given Monsieur Chesneau their Pastor from them unto the Church of Soubize in Xaintonge but they afterward disclaimed and quitted their Appeal insisting only to be reimburst of their Charges expended by them in bringing the said Chesneau and his Books from Geneva to Maringues and setling him among them and also that their other Expences in getting and setling among them Monsieur Tonnel instead of Monsieur Chesneau according as the Lord des Brosses Elder of the Church in Soubize had offered and stood bound for it unto the Synod of Burgundy might be paid in unto them This Assembly having seen the account of the said Charges amounting to the sum of two hundred and eight Livers nineteen Sous and that Article of the Synod of Burgundy relating to it hath ordained that there shall be presently taken two hundred and eight Livers nineteen Sous out of the moneys belonging to the Province of Xaintonge and put into the hands of the Deputies of Burgundy who also on their part shall pay unto the said Monsieur Chesneau the Arrears of his Salary due unto him as appears by a Schedule now tendered by the Elders of the said Church of Maringues and since granted by him unto a certain particular Friend of his and the Province of Xaintonge may redemand the said sum from the Church of Soubize 32. The Appeal of Monsieur Roussell from the Sentence of the Synod of Dolphiny held at Nions in April 1617. obliging the said Roussell to live in that Province was declared null because he had neither sent any Letters or Memoires about it unto this Assembly 33. The like Judgment was past upon the Appeal of Monsieur Videl acting for the Sieur Bouyer from a Decree of the same Synod 34. The Church of Vitré appealed from a Judgment of the Province of Brittain by which an hundred Livers were taken out of the four hundred granted to their College and given to the maintenance of a small School in the Church of Viellevigne This Assembly ordaineth that the sole right of having a College shall belong to the Church of Vitré and they shall be fully paid their four hundred Livers Tonneins of Univers Art 11. And the Province shall out of the supernumerary Portions attributed to it assign an hundred Livers unto the Church of Viellevigne and continue the payment thereof for the maintenance of a School there And whereas the College of Vitré hath not had any Exhibition to this very day this Assembly will pass a special Order which shall for the future be observed by the Province of Brittain as to this concern 35. The Sieur Soubyran Consul of the City of Aimargues Above Art 13. together with divers Inhabitants thereof Appealed unto this Assembly by Letters and Memoires which were delivered by the Sieur Margaret for that the Synod of Lower Languedoc had confirmed Monsieur Boulet in the Ministry and Pastoral Office of the said Church of Aymargues and required that Monsieur Laurent who had been removed from them by the said Synod might be restored On the other side the Consistory of the said Church petitioned by Letters and Memoires sent by the Sieur Tarascon one of their Elders that the Judgment of the said Synod might be confirmed After a serious Debate of the whole affair and hearing the Deputies of Lower Languedoc it was declared that the Appeal of the Sieur Soubyran and the other Syndics with him could not be approved and that the judgment of the Synod should be fully executed and the Ministry of Monsieur Laurent confirmed in the Church of Bernixy And it being apparent by what hath been brought before this Assembly that there be very great divisions in the Church of Aymargues the Assembly ordered the Sieurs Josyon Joly and the Baron of Montbrun and de la Viale Deputies of the Higher Languedoc as they return to their respective Churches to pass over unto Aymargues and to use their utmost care diligence and prudence to heal their breaches and to reunite the divided Members of that Church and to procure and settle Peace in it and to prosecute those contumacious Persons who rebel against the Government of our Churches and of that particular Church of Aimargues with all Ecclesiastical Censures CHAP. VII A Speech made unto the King by the Deputies of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches in France together with his Majesty's
hold that such persons ought not to be rebaptized And therefore those Churches unto whom these poor Wretches be presented are advised to take all possible care that they be well principled in the Faith of our Lord Jesus 5. At the request of the Provincial Deputies of Anjou Saumur g. m. 2â— Alez g. m. 1. and of the Isle of France This Assembly ordained that the Decree of the National Synod of Saumur shall be still in force which was couched in these words That although by reason of the present necessity of these times in which we now live Pastors are permitted to be sent Deputies unto these Political Assemblies in which affairs relating to the Churches preservation are treated and debated Yet our Provincial and general civil Assemblies are earnestly requested to discharge and dismiss all Pastors from Deputations unto Court and this at the desire of several Provinces 6. At the request of the Province of Berry all the Provinces are enjoined to extend their Equity and Charity towards the poorer Churches Gergeau p. m. 39. in their distributions of the Kings money and in their allowances for expences in travel unto the general Assemblies whether they be Political or Ecclesiastical 7. The Deputies of Burgundy demanded whether a Patron might with a good Conscience sell away his right of Presentation unto any Rectory or Benefice 1 Vitré g. m. 15. provided he dispose of those moneys unto pious uses It was answered that he might warrantably do it For it was thus decreed in the National Synod of Vitré in the year 1583. 8. The same Province of Burgundy demanded that a special Canon might be made for direction how we should receive 3 of Râ—chel g. m. 16 Below Art 19. and what maintenance we should exhibit unto Monks who come unto us from foreign parts Order was given unto the Provinces where such Fellows first come to examine them most strictly and to see whether they be fit for the study of Divinity that so they may be supplied with maintenance accordingly or to employ them in other Callings according to their Capacities and the said Provinces shall give account of them unto the National Synods that they may dispose of them as of their own Peculiar 9. The Province of Higher Languedoc moving it Fâ—â—lliâ—rs Obs 14. all the Churches are injoined to suppress with the greatest care imaginable all manner of Insolencies such as they call Charivary's Redemptions of Marriage and the like and they who after admonitions prove incorrigible shall be prosecuted with all Ecclesiastical Censures and Magistrates professing the reformed Religion are intreated to exert their Authority so as to hinder or punish such Scandals 10. The Deputies of the said Province demanding Gap Obs 9. upon the former Synod that Ministers ordained abroad without the Kingdom might not be permitted to exercise their Ministry in our Churches at home without subjecting their Testimonials unto the Examination of Colloquies or Provincial Synods The Assembly ordered that all the Provinces should yield exact Conformity unto the ninth Article of Observations upon the Discipline made by the Synod of Gap on that of Gergeau 11. At the request of the forementioned Deputies the Professors in our Universities are ordered not to be too easy in giving their Testimonials unto Scholars but first of all carefully to examine their parts proficiency and conversations and according to the progress they have made in Humanity St. Maixant g. m. 30. and of Univers 8. Alez g. m. 6.1 Paris 13. Philosophy and Divinity and as they shall merit to give them their Attestations 12. On a Remonstrance exhibited by the Deputies of Normandy it is ordained that if a Pastor have given his Ministry unto any one particular Church he shall not leave it at his pleasure but shall first demand and obtain the advice and consent of his Colloquy or Provincial Synod in the matter and in case they judge of its expediency he may remove 13. This Assembly ordaineth St. Foy 7. that Catechising be more frequently used in all our Churches than ever and that the manner of expounding it whether Sermon-wise or by Questions and Answers is wholly left to the prudence of the respective Consistories who are to consider of the capacities and apprehensions of the Children in their Churches 14. Forasmuch as divers notable errors have been met withal in the Impressions of whole Bibles and of the New-Testament singly and of the psalm-Psalm-Books The Consistories of those Churches which have a Printing Press belonging to them are injoined to look carefully to it that their Printers have good Overseers and Correctors of the Press and that they Print with a fair Character and a good Paper And particularly the Pastors of the Church of Montauban are charged to call in all the Copies of the New Testament Printed in their City in Octavo and to suppress them because of the many and frequent faults in that Impression which quite alter and pervert the sence and because of the evil Consequence if that Impression should be vended and in answering the Letters of our Brethren the Pastors and Professors in the City and University of Geneva this Clause shall be inserted that we earnestly desire them to over see the Impressions of the Holy Bible of the New Testaments and Psalm Books that they may for the future be more correct than heretofore 15. The Deputies of the Isle of France demanding that the second part of the fifth Canon in the sixth Chapter of the Discipline might be a little qualified Saumur g. m 8. This Assembly did not think fit to make any alteration in it but exhorts Consistories Colloquies and Synods to use it unto Godly Edifying 16. The Deputies of Anjou and Poictou remonstrating how exceeding needful it is Figeac 51 Alez Obs 4. upon this Syn. that our Universities should be supplied with able Professors in Divinity This Assembly exhorts the Provinces to come prepared for this Debate unto the next National Synod and in the mean while to consider how to raise a Fund for the maintenance of some Scholars of great parts and hopes who may be wholly destinated unto this work or to find out some better expedient if they can 17. Complaints coming to us from divers hands Alez Obs 5. upon this Syn. that the Pensions paid by Scholars in the University of Saumur are so very high and the expence so exceeding great that many cannot and others will not send their Children to it This Assembly chargeth Monsieur Rivet Lanusse and de la Pilletierre that in their way homeward to their respective Provinces they do visit the University Council of Saumur and report unto them these Complaints and to assure them that in case they do not take some effectual course for moderating those excessive rates for lodging diet and washing the next National Synod will advise about it and transfer the said University to a cheaper and more convenient place 18. The Deputies of
Bearn brought with them a History of our Martyrs collected by that Province in the year fifteen hundred sixty and nine This Assembly ordained that it be sent unto Monsieur Goulark Pastor of Geneva that it may be added to the next Impression of our Martyrology 19. For the right understanding of those Canons made by the Synods of Rochel in the year sixteen hundred and seven and at Tonneins in the year sixteen hundred and fourteen Above Art 8. concerning a fixed Rule about the quota to be exhibited unto Monks for the defraying of their expences who abandoning their Convents do come and imbrace the Protestant Religion and live in Communion with our Churches This Assembly ordaineth that for the future the Churches and Provinces which first received them shall not have any power to redemand the charges they have been at about them from those Provinces in which they were born Mentauban Obs 9. Alez Obs 20. Forasmuch as the nine and twentieth Canon in the fifth Chapter of our Church-Discipline had ordained that if any persons professing the Protestant Religion should cite their Pastors or Elders or the whole Consistory before the Civil Magistrate to enforce them to bear witness against Delinquents who had confessed their faults before them that they should be prosecuted with all Church-Censures yea even as far as Excommunication This Assembly doth farther injoin all the Churches to prosecute such persons with the very self-same Censures who that they may avoid the Censures of their Consistories do arm themselves with Prohibitions from the Civil Magistrate although the matters for which they be censur'd are purely Ecclesiastical and not belonging to the Civil Tribunal or Jurisdiction 21. All Ministers are forbidden to vent in the Pulpit their private Sentiments of State-affairs St. Foy 26. Alez Obs 5. upon this Syn. it being contrary to the Resolutions taken up in our general Assemblies And Consistories Colloquies and Provincial Synods are injoined to have a watchful Eye over such Pastors as so do and to inflict upon them all the Censures of the Church yea and to suspend them from the Ministry and the same punishment shall be also laid on them who in their publick Sermons do clash one against another upon these matters Privas Obs 5. upon the former Synod 22. The Deputies of Anjou demanded at what time Monks who are lately converted from Popery unto the truth of the Gospel might be admitted to make their publick abjuration Answer was given by this Assembly that it was left wholly to the Wisdom of the Consistory to act therein according as they found such persons to have grown in Grace and in the knowledge of God's Truth Tonneins Obs 4. on the former Synod 21. The Sieur de la Viale one of the Deputies of Higher Languedoc presented unto this Assembly Letters from Monsieur Chamier Pastor and Professor of Divinity at Montauban by which he informed us of the progress made by him in his body of Controversies which he undertook at the intreaty of the last National Synod held at Rochell and that there were three Volumes ready and fitted for the Press the heads and matters of which were included in a particular Memorial that was also tendered by him The Assembly ordered their thanks to be returned him for his great and worthy labours and that the two thousand Livers which had been formerly promised him by the Synod of Privas should be kept by him as an incouragement for his travail and to help defray his charges and that the Church of God may be no longer deprived of his most singular and fruitful Labours whose publication it hath most ardently desired these many years The Consistories of Paris and Lyons are ordered to treat with the Printers and Booksellers of their Cities and with those of Geneva or with their Company who deal in such matters to undertake the Impression of these three Volumes without delay and to get them Printed either in Germany or Geneva and in case they should demand monies to be paid them in before hand they may oblige themselves to advance three thousand Livers deposited for this purpose with the Lord of Candal unto those that will ingage to finish the said Impression provided that as soon as it is finished they do cause to be deliver'd into those afore-mentioned Consistories of Paris and Lions according to the Articles Covenanted between them so many intire and perfect Books as will satisfy the aforesaid sum of three thousand Livers already received by them at the rate of four deniers per sheet And these Books lodged in the hands of those two Consistories shall be sold unto the Pastors of our Churches at a very moderate price reserving always twelve compleat Copies to be presented unto their Reverend and Learned Author free of all costs and charges whatsoever And farther those Consistories before-mentioned shall be accountable unto another National Synod for their receit and disbursement of the sum aforesaid and of the Books received and sold by them And that this Excellent Work of Monsieur Chamier may be the sooner finished and wrought off at the Press he is intreated to send speedily unto the abovementioned Consistories the Titles of his Works the number of Quires and of Folio's in each Quire together with one Folio-leaf of the same fairly written that so an estimate may be made of the bulk of the whole And these two Consistories having perused it they shall consult together about the best and most advantaglous terms they can agree on with the Printers which being signed notice thereof shall be given unto Monsieur Chamier with their request that he would be pleased to send his Manuscript Copy unto such a place as they shall appoint him at the charges of the Undertaker who shall be reimburst by deducting such a number of Books at the rates before contracted for as his charges amounted to in fetching the said Original Papers from their Reverend Author And the said Printers shall be obliged to work off the whole Impression within the space of one year at the farthest from the date of the Contract made with them 24. In pursuance of this Order for Printing those worthy Labours of the most Reverend Chamier Thomas Portau a Printer living at Saumur appeared in Person before this Assembly and offered those terms unto it which were accepted Whereupon the Consistory of Saumur were charged to contract with him taking therein the advice of the Lord du Plessis their Governour and of Monsieur Rivet Pastor of the Church of Touars and Monsieur Chamier shall be intreated to deliver unto the said Portau his Manuscript Copy who on notice given him shall wait upon him for it and at his own charges And besides this Article there shall be added these ensuing Conditions unto the Contract stipulated with him that he shall finish the Impression of these three Books against the next Mart of Franckfort and that he shall bring them to the place appointed before the
utterly impossible for him to comply with their Order See above on g. m. 28. injoyning him to reside on the Church of Issoyre until the next meeting of the Provincial Synod of Sevennes because he hath not any maintenance at all allowed him for his subsistence and that of his poor Family The Deputy of the Lord du Candal being now in Town was commanded to pay in unto the said Monsieur Babat immediately one hundred and fifty Livers out of the Portions attributed to the Churches of Auvergne and the said Babat shall be accountable for this Money unto the next Colloquy of St. Germain and shall bring with him to it an Elder of the said Churches to see those Accounts so tendred by him audited and accepted and the Commissioner of the said Province of Sevenues shall take the Acquittance of the said Monsieur Babat for the Moneys so paid by the Lord du Candal 28. Monsieur Guerin Pastor of the Church of Baugency made report unto this Assembly Alez Obs 13. on this Synod how that he and several other persons of the same Province were obliged in great Sums of Money disbursed for the conservation of the Town and Fortress of Gergeau during the late Troubles for which he is now prosecuted at Law and in danger of Arrests and to be made a Prisoner during Life unless it shall please this Assembly to take some effectual and speedy course for payment of this Debt out of the Augmentation-moneys granted unto the Churches by the Treaty of Loudun This Assembly being informed that by the Treaty of Loudun a certain Sum of Money was ordered to be paid in to the Lord Marquess of Rosny for this self-fame purpose and that he hath received it decreed that Letters should be written unto the said Marquess that he would be pleased out of those Moneys which have been paid in unto him for the reparation and fortifying of Gergeau to indempnifie the said Monsieur Guerin and those other Gentlemen bound together with him and these our Letters shall be put into the hands of the Lords our General Deputies that they may themselves deliver them unto him and prevail with the said Marquess that the Debt may be paid and the said Guerin and the rest of the Sureties legally discharged And the Province of Berry shall joyn with them in the same demand and in case they should gain nothing from him that then the said Province shall inform all the other Provinces that so the Deputies unto the next National Synod may be charged particularly to consider the Petition of the said Sieur Guerin 29. The Deputies of Dolphiny brought in their Accompts of Moneys formerly given unto the Protestants exiled from the Marquisate of Saluces Pâ—iâ—as p. m. 29. which were examined and allowed and deliver'd unto the Scribes of this Assembly with all the Acquittances that they might be carried unto Rochel and lodged up in the Archives there and the said Province of Dolphiny was discharged 30. Monsieur Sonis Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the Church and University of Montauban did by Letters petition this Assembly to assist him with a Sum of Money to help to print several Books composed by him And whereas divers Provinces had it in their Instructions to move that for the future no recompences might be given unto any on such occasion unless they had written at the desire and order of a National Synod This Assembly applauding the Zeal and Pains the Diligence and Faithfulness of the said Professor in his Place and Calling recommends it to the Province of Higher Languedoc to peruse the Manuscript Copies of the said Monsieur Sonis and to testifie their respect unto him so as that none of his worthy Labours be buried in silence and forgetfulness but that they be published for the common benefit of God's Church 31. Mr. Christian and Jacob Huberus Brethren and Sons of Monsieur Huberus Pastor of the Church of Berne in Switzerland came unto this Assembly bringing Letters from the Lords of Berne and from the said Huberus their Father demanding great sums of money which the late Monsieur Sturmius Father of the Wife of the said Huberus Alez g. m. 10. had lent partly of his own partly of what he had borrowed and stood ingaged for unto others for the good and service of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom about forty years ago whereof they tendered in an Account and several Memoirs relating to it which having been perused and examined this Assembly did not believe that the Papers produced did at all oblige our Churches to make satisfaction for any of those great sums and this shall be notified by Letter from us unto the Lords of Berne and to the said Monsieur Huberus and two hundred Livers were ordered to be paid immediately by the Lord du Candal unto these two young Gentlemen the Sons of Monsieur Huberus to help to defray the Charges of their Journey hither 32. Monsieur Solera a Spaniard born who having forsook his Native Country retired into France and hath for a good space of time followed his studies hard in the Church and University of Saumur and the Deputies of the Province of Anjou understanding by his Testimonials from the Consistory and Professors there of his progress in Piety good Learning and knowledge of Divinity The Province of Normandy demanded him for their Proposan and designed to exhibit a Pension to him till such time as he should be found fit and qualified for the holy Ministry This Assembly ordained that the Portion attributed unto the said Province for a second Pastor in the Church of St. Lo shall be disposed of towards the maintenance of the said Solera and in case he be called forth unto the Ministry and be imployed in the said Church of St. Lo or in any other of the same Province that the said Portion shall be continued to him as unto the other Pastors 33. Monsieur de la Viale Deputy for the Province of Higher Languedoc Tonneins p. m. 5. Petitioned on behalf of Laurence de Fernandez that the sum of an hundred and twenty Livers which by the National Synod of Tonneins had been ordered to be paid in yearly to him might be continued for the future This Assembly declared that in as much as the said Fernandez had learnt a Trade and was Married and took up his residence at Montauban the said Relief could not be continued to him and in case he be pinched with wants the Church of Montauban shall assist him out of their Poors stock with their Charities 34. Peter Mercurin a Provencal maintained out of the Churches money Alez Appeal 9. ever since the last National Synod of Tonneins until now presented his Testimonial from the University of Montauban and Petitioned that whereas he had been assisted with the supply of an hundred and twenty Livers that it might be continued to him for some longer time This Assembly ordered the Lord of Candal to pay
COUNCILS Z VOL. II. By JOHN QVICK Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed by J. Richardson for Thomas Parkhurst at the Three Bibles and Crown in Cheapside and for Jonathan Robinson at the Golden Lyon in St. Pauls Church-Yard MDCXCII THE CONTENTS OF THE National Synod OF ALEZ Chap. I. DEputies to the Synod Synodical Officers chosen Chap. II. Letters from the Duke of Rohan The Pastors of Alez sit in the Synod Oaths taken by the Deputies that they had not procured themselves to be Elected 3. Monsieur Turretin no Deputy yet hath the priviledge of a Deputy in this Synod Letters from the D. of Lesdiguieres and from the Lord of Chastillon Chap. III. Oaths of Union Chap. IV. Observations upon the Confession of Faith Confession sworn Chap. V. Observations upon the Discipline A Case about a Solemn Fast on Dayes of Ordination 2. About Proposans fit for the Ministry 3. Catechising enjoyned 5. A Cannon about Habits and Fashions especially of Ministers and their Families 6 7. About Deposed Ministers 9. A Case about the Readers in Churches 12. A Cannon of the N. S. of Privas inserted into the Discipline 16. Whether the Banes of Strangers may be published 17 18. The Discipline approved and sworne Chap. VI. Observtions on the National Synod of Vitre Elders without the Pastor cannot suspend a Person from the Lords Table 2. The Case of Mr. Beauchamps Pastor to the D. of Rohan 3. A Select number of Pastors to be chosen out of the Churches to be made Professors upon a Vacancy in the Universities 4. The prudent care of the Synod against pragmatical Ministers 6. Non-Residents declared Rebels against the Discipline 8. Samuel de Fresnay incouraged by the Synod 9. The Case of Mr. Chauveton 10. Of Mr. D' Anglade 11. Of Mr. Guerin 12. Of the Booksellers of Geneva 14. Chap VII Mr. Chauve reports why neither himself nor the Sieurs Du Moulin Chamier and Rivet went not to the Synod of Dort 16. The Case of Mr. Bennet 17. Chap. VIII Of Appeals Of Mr. Gaussens 3. Of Mr. La Coste 4. Of Mrs. De Sales 5. Of Mr. Rossens 6. Of Mr. De la Fage 11. Of Mr. de la Garie 12. Of Mr. de Rieu 13. Of the Church of Privas 17. Of the Baron of Ganges 19. Of Mr. Gallpin 20. Of Discipline severely but justly exercised upon Two Scandalous Ministers 24 25. The Case of Mr. Des Maretz 29. A Cannon made against filling of Consistories with Relations 31. The Case of Mr. De Monsanglard 36. Cottelier a Scandalous Minister Deposed 50. Of Mr. Mahaut 56. Discipline exercised upon a Scandalous Minister 65. Chap. IX Of General Matters Ministers may not intermeddle with any Political Affairs 1. Palot's Business 4. Act for the National Fast 5. About Proposans 6. Huberus cometh to this Synod again with his Petition 10. Care for Ministers Maintenance 17. Advice to the Pastors of Geneva 20. Chap. X. Form of Excommunication Chap. XI The Cannons of the Synod of Dort incorporated with those of the Churches of France Chap. XII The Oath taken by the Deputies against Arminianisme An Order to the Lord of Candals Deputy Chap. XIII Particular Matters Mr. Martin's Relation of his Book Le Capuchin Reformed 1. A Minister Emeritus cared for 2. The sad case of the Church of Privas 7. A Spanish Protestant cared for 11. The sad State of the Church of Issoire 20. Chap. XIV Of Canons for the Province of Provence Chap. XV. Of Colledges and Universities Chap. XVI Of Accompts Chap. XVI Of Laws for the Universities of the Reformed Churches in France Chap. XVIII Of Dividends of Moneys amongst the Provinces Chap. XIX Of the Lord of Candal's Accompts Chap. XX. Of Moneys which the Synod ordered the Lord of Candal to pay to Provinces and particular Persons Chap. XXI Of the Catalogue of Apostates and Deposed Ministers The Synod of Alez 1620. The 23th Synod SYNOD XXIII 1620. In the Name of God Amen Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches in France and Principality of Bearne held at Alez in Sevennes the First Day of October and the Dayes following in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty CHAP. I. Deputies and Officers of the SYNOD 1 IN which there met for the Province of the Isle of France Monsieur Peter du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris Isaac de Juigne Pastor of the Church of Vassy and Thomas Papillon Advocate in the Parliament of Paris and Elder of the Church there gathered Monsieur de Marolles Elder in the Church of Vitry was nominated in the Letters of Commission but absent however he did by Letters written under his own hand excuse his absence which Letters were remanded back unto his Provincial Synod to judge of them 2. For the Province of Normandy Monsieur Samuel de L' Escherpiere Lord of Riviere Pastor in the Church of Rouen Daniel Massys Pastor in the Church of Caen Antony Bridon Esq Lord of Boisleroy Elder in the Church of Fescamp and James de Montbray Esq Advocate in the Court of Vires and Elder in the Church of Conde 3. For the Province of Brittain Monsieur Ezechiel Marmet Pastor of the Church gathered in the House of My Lord Duke of Rohan and Philip de Vassaut Esq Lord of Pennonstet Elder of the Church of Roche Bernard 4. For the Province of Orleans and Berry Monsieur Daniel Jammet Pastor in the Church of St. Amand Nicolas Vigner Pastor in the Church of Blois John de Bennis Advocate Elder in the Church of Gien and Galliot de Gambris Esq Lord of Soussesse Elder in the Church of Romorantin 5. For the Province of Tourain and Anjou Monsieur Samuel Bouchereau Pastor in the Church of Saumur Matthew Cottieres Pastor in the Church of Tours George Rabboteau Advocate Elder in the Church of Pruilly and Monsieur de la Plante Elder of the Church of Saumur being absent and excusing himself by Letters his excuses were admitted 6. For the higher and lower Poictou Monsieur John Chauffepied Pastor of the Church at Niort John Carre Pastor of the Church at Castelheraud Giles Begand Lord of la Begaudiere Elder in the Church of Mountagu and Esajah du Mas Esq Lord of Montmartyn excusing his absence because he fell sick upon the way unto this Synod his Excuse was admitted 7. For Xaintonge Mr. Daniel Chanet Pastor of the Church or Ars in the Isle of Re John Constans Pastor of the Church of Pons Peter Packquet Elder of the Church of Rochefoucault Peter Fromentin Elder of the Church of St. John D' Angaly 8. For the lower Guyenne Mr. James du Luc Pastor of the Church of Castlejatoux James Privat Pastor of the Church of Chastillon Francis Joly Counsellor and Secretary to the King and his Auditor in the Chancery of Bourdeaux and Elder of the Churchthere and John Guillim de Boutieres Esq Lord of Artigues Elder in the Church of Grateloup 9. For Vivaret Mr. David Agard Pastor in the Church of Valence Daniel
Dieu le Fit Peter de la Croze Pastor of the Church in Courtezon James Bernard Elder in the Church of Montlimart and Moses du Port Elder in the Church of La Mure Deputies for the Province of Dolphiny Peter Guillamin Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborne Daniel Venturin Pastor of the Church of Vigan John de Vignoles Elder in the Church of La Salle Deputies for the Province of Sevennes Peter L'abbadie Pastor of the Church of Pau and John de la Coste Elder in the Church of Moneins Deputies for the Principality of Bearn De Chalas General Deputy for the Reformed Churches of France Touretin Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the Church of Geneva 24. Whereas the Deputy of the Lord du Candall hath acquainted this Synod that several of the Deputies unto this present Synod having no Letters of Order unto the said Lord of Candall to pay them the necessary charges of their Journey in case he should pay them the Receivers of the respective Provinces might make some difficulty to allow those payments of his unto the said Deputies in his Accompt This National Synod doth ordain that those Receivers aforesaid shall take the promises and Acquittances of the said Deputies as ready Moneys paid by the said Lord du Candall out of the very first Moneys that be either hath already or shall hereafter receive for the Churches and that they shall ho a sufficient discharge for him the said Deputy and good and valuable in the Audit of his Accompt 25. The Deputies unto our National Synods Privas g. m. 15. shall hereafter bring with them the Catalogues of all the Churches and of all the Pastors in actual Service in their respective Provinces Signed and Subscribed by the Moderators and Scribes of the Provincial Synods And in case they neglect the doing hereof there shall be no Respect nor Care had for them in the dividend of the Churches Moneys 26. All the Provinces which have Supernumerary Portions assigned to them in the General dividend shall give an Accompt how they have employed and to what use they have put those Supernumerary Sums in the next National Synod 27. In pursuance of that debate in this Synod concerning those great Sums of Money remaining due unto the Churches from the Sieur Palot This Assembly did this Thirteenth day of November pass a Letter of Attorney before a publick Notary which was delivered unto the Deputies of the Isle of France with this Express Restriction that they should not put it into the hands of the Sieurs Guidon and d'Huisseau till such time as they have agreed and stipulated by some publick act duely executed in Law that they do approve of the Act past in this Assembly and do solemnly promise that they will most effectually prosecute the said Sieur Palot according to the Conditions and Articles mentioned and declared in that our said Act. CHAP. XIII PARTICULAR MATTERS 1 MR. Gasper Martyn Minister of the Church of Saillans in Dolphiny related the great loss sustained by him in the printing of his Book styled Le Capuchin Reforme a great number of Copies being left upon his hand through the Craft and Knavery of the Booksellers who having printed more Copies than they should took out their own Number and leave him to pay the rest and in truth to stand indebted for the whole Impression This Assembly highly honouring him for his great sufferings for professing the Truth and the usefulness of his Works and in consideration of his present wants do bestow upon him one Portion free of all Taxes and Charges which shall be pay'd him until the sitting of the next National Synod over and above that ordinary Portion allowed the Church of Saillans for him and Monsieur Turretin was now desired to deal with the Printers and Booksellers of Geneva that the said Mr. Martyn may have satisfaction given him for the dammage he sustaineth by their means 2. Monsieur James de la Planche having faithfully served the Church of God for Six and Twenty Years in Provence and being now taken blind and almost broken by the Pthysick and borne down with many other Afflictions occasioned through his past labours and sufferings and through his declining Age for which causes he was declared Emeritus by the Synod of that Province and discharged with a very honorable Testimonial from the Exercise of his Ministry and now conflicting with great wants and needing Relief in his Old Age he petitioned this Assembly that some care might be had of him and a competent maintenance assigned to him yearly The Assembly compassionating his Poverty ordained a Portion free of all Charges for him which shall be pay'd by the Lord of Candal unto Monsieur Gras at Lions who shall see that the said Summe be remitted him unto the place of his Abode and the Summ of Six and Thirty Livres was now given him in hand to defray the Expences of his Journey thither 3. Mr. John Paul Perrin Minister of Nions in Dolphiny presented himself before this Assembly to render an Account of Printing his History of the Vaudois and Albigeois 2 Vitre Observ on the former and he farther declared that he was now writing the General History of the Church from the beginning of the World to this Age in which we live This Assembly applauding him and thanking him for his Pains and Labours in the before-mentioned History leaveth it to his prudence and Conscience to judge whether such a Work as he is now undertaking will be of use and benefit unto the Churches because we would not impose that task upon him which would be needless and unprofitable And whereas the said Monsieur Perryn informed us of the numerousness of his Family and that he had a great charge of Children and humbly requested tha the might have some Relief from us especially for the breeding of a Son of his formerly debauched by the Jesuites but now through Grace brought home again unto Repentance a youth of Excellent parts and yielding great hopes that he may be hereafter eminently useful in the Ministry The Province of Dolphiny was exhorted to take care of him and his Family according to the Laws of Christian Charity and the great Merits of the said Monsieur Perrin 4. Monsieur Albiac Dr. of the Civil Law Living at Velleneusve in Berry petitioned to be reimburst the Summ of Fifty Crowns expended by him in executing a Commission for the Churches of the Four Neighbouring Province viz. of Lower Languedoc Dolphiny Sevennes Vivaretz This Assembly judgeth That the Provinces which imployed him ought to see him satisfied and each of them shall pay him equally their parts of so just a Debt and the quota of their Moneys shall to this purpose be detained in the hands of the Lord du Candal that he may be honestly repayed 5. Mr. Simon Daniel Hoslâ—ie Pastor of the Church of Villenusve in Berry petitioned that some Relief might be allowed unto his Church because of
and admitted of all kind of Evidence and Witnesses against him though they were never so passionate and Parties in the case and some also who were not legally to be admitted unto a Deposal against a Minister And as for the said Sieur de Richelieu This Assembly judgeth him worthy of a very grievous Censure for neglecting his Duty and not keeping up Order and Discipline in his Church for not holding Consistories nor passing Censures as ought alwayes of course to have been done and practised before Communion days at the Lords Table and for leaving his Church before the time appointed and without having demanded or obtained his License of departure in due form and above all for expressing too much levity in his imaginations and for giving too much way unto his passions and for speaking disadvantagiously of other Persons and insulting over the dead whom he took for his Enemies and who could not speak for themselves And whereas this Assembly could not at present be fully and satisfactorily informed of the State of that Church of Plouer the Colloquy of Constantine in the Province of Normandy is ordered to visit it by their Deputies who are Authorized by this Assembly to provide for that Church as they shall judge meet and to order all matters for its edification in Godliness and if they see cause for it they shall remove and discharge the said Sieur de Richelieu from his Ministry and the Expences of these Deputies shall be defrayed by that Province of Britain 13. The Church of Die and the Sieurs Martinett and Huron appealed from two Judicial Sentences denounced in the Provincial Synod of Dolphiny against them to witt Monsieur Martinett complained for that the said Synod had ordained his removal from the said Church of Die upon pretence of ease and quieting his Spirit though he had been preferred unto that Church by some former Synods And Monsieur Huron appealed for that the said Synod had forbidden him the Exercise of his Ministry within the Province of Dolphiny whereunto he had retired in time of the late troubles And the said Church appealed for that the said Synod had refused and rejected their endeavours to get Monsieur Huron for their Pastor Whereupon the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny were heard give in their Report of the causes and occasions moving their Synod to pronounce those Judgments and the aforesaid Martinett and Huron were heard in their reciprocal Accusations and Apologies and in like manner the Messengers of the said Church were heard speak for it and the Acts relating to these Affairs were all produced and perused upon the whole This Assembly doth ratifie the Judgment of the said Province of Dolphiny and dischargeth the said Monsieur Martinett from his Pastoral Office in the Church of Die purely for his ease comfort provided alwayes that the said Church do pay him if they have not already done it all his Arrears due unto him from the very first day that he was set at liberty from them by the aforesaid Synod and he is at full liberty to accept of any other Church And as for the maintenance of the said Martinet since that time he was first of all discharged and set free of serve the Church Beaumont This Assembly exhorteth and intreateth the said Province out of Charity to pay him the one half of his Salary And forasmuch as Monsieur Huron has been convicted to have left his Church for little or no just cause and to have brigued his Election into the Church of Die and to have fomented the Divisions in it betwixt the Church and Monsieur Martinett in whose expulsion out of it he had the greatest hand and part having consented to divers irregular Actings and Contentions and adhered to the Rebellions of several Members of the said Church to the contempt of its Consistory and of the Decrees of many Ecclesiastical Synods and for that he kept Conventicles private Meetings Proclaimed Fasts and Days of Prayers and Writt Books contrary to the Analogy of Faith and Form of Sound Words and hath done many other things contrary to the Order and Discipline Established in the Church of God and that honourable Calling of the Holy Ministry This Synod aggravating the Judgment of the Provincial Synod of Dolphiny suspends the said Huron from the Sacred Ministry for the space of Three Moneths and sets him at liberty to be imployed in some other Province than that of Dolphiny And forasmuch as in their endeavours to get the said Huron to be their Minister the Consistory and Pastors of the Church of Die have too much adhered to the unruly motions of some private Persons and strangely supported their insolencies and proud irregular actings This Assembly doth judge them also worthy of a very sharp censure and exhorts them for the future to testifie and express more Vigour and Zeal for the Discipline of our Churches and to maintain it in theirs and to see the Decrees and Canons of our National Synods put in Execution And that all these Censures may be performed the Sieurs Paulet and Berlie Pastors Deputies for the Province of Sevennes are appointed by this National Synod to pass over unto the said City of Die as they return home unto their Province and in the Consistory of that Church there to make denunciation of them 14. The said Sieur Huron the next day came into this Synod petitioning that his suspension might be taken off and that some maintenance might be provided for him until such time as he were presented unto another Church But the Synod confirmed his suspension and ordered that some small matter should be allowed and given him for his present Relief 15. The Church of Sauve and Monsieur Rossel Pastor of the Church of Montlimart appealed from a judgment of the Synod of Dolphiny by which his Ministry was refused to that of Sauve and confirmed in that of Montlimart though the former did most earnestly re-demand him After hearing the Deputy of the Church of Sauve and Monsieur Rossel speaking for it as also Monsieur Chamier for the concern of the Church of Montlimard and the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny and Sevennes This Synod ordains that Monsieur Rossel shall be lent unto the Service of the Church of Sauve in the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments until the next National Synod and injoyneth the Colloquy of Montlimart to take care that the said Rossel be then restored unto his Office again in that Church 16. Monsieur de Gouvernet Lord of Mirabel appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Dolphiny concerning Monsieur Perrin Pastor of the Church of Serres After that the Deputies of that Province had been heard who reported that there was nothing to this purpose spoken of or handled in their Synod at Mure This Assembly because of the absence of Monsieur Perrin and their want of Acts needful to determine this Affair hath given full Authority to the Province of Burgundy to judge therein and the Province of Dolphiny is
tending to his being discharged from the Church of Chastelheraut because of his indisposition This Assembly valuing the Health of the said Sieur de la Piltiere and for divers other considerations doth bestow him upon the Church of Touars and whereas the Church of Chastelheraut pretends to have been at great Charges and Expences about the said Sieur de la Piltiere the Judgment thereof is devolved over unto the Colloquy of Higher Poictou which is injoyned to provide the Church of Chastelheraut of an able and worthy Minister considering what an important Post it is 27. The Church of Vassy appealed from the Judgment of the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France for depriving them of Monsieur Juigne their Pastor because he had for divers years together complained of their unkindness and unthankfulness unto him The Church of Passavant Mont and Pressigny appealed from the Judgment of the same Synod because it had deprived them for their manifest and notorious ingratitudes of their Pastor the Sier Babinett * * * Of this Babinett see the Roll of Apoitates and Deposed in the National Synod of Castres and had given him unto the Church of Vassy At the same time the Church of St. Quentin appealed and complained of Monsieur de Juigne who having been presented to their Church for Pastor by the Synod aforesaid and agreed with them and also begun to exercise his Ministry among them upon pretext of fetching his Goods and Books from Vassy returned thither but never came back again unto them and had left them quite destitute After hearing the Deputies of the Church of Vassy and St. Quintin and the Deputies of the Province and perusal of divers Letters written unto this Assembly by the Churches of Vassy Passavant Mont Pressignay and St. Quintin aforesaid and by the said Monsieur de Juigne This Synod acknowledging that the Province had but too great reasons for making those exchanges and removals doth yet notwithstanding because of the satisfactions and amends since made by them ordain that the said Sieur de Juigne shall continue in the Church of Vassy and the Sieur Babinett in the Church of Passavant Mont and Pressigny and that the Church of St. Quintin may be no longer vacant This Assembly chargeth the Deputies of the Isle of France now present in it to write in their Authority unto the two nearest Ministers of the City of St. Quintin that they ordain Monsieur Mestayer by imposition of hands unto the Ministry in that Church and that he continue there until the sitting of the next Provincial Synod which may either continue him in it or supply the said Church some other way and provide another Church which shall be more to the advantage of the said Monsieur Mestayer And farther this Assembly censureth those Churches of Vassy and Passavant for their disingenuity and ingratitude towards their Pastors and the said Monsieur Juigne for his irresolution and unfixedness 28. Monsieur Juigne some days after this censure came unto this Synod and requested that the Note and Reproach of ingratitude fastned on his Church of Vassy and of irresolution on himself might be removed because that he was ever well pleased with his Church and their not contributing to his maintenance came not from want of Will but from their Poverty and Inability This was granted but the Censure past on him was ordered to hang still on the File 29. The Lord of Aldebert Judge of Sauve appealed from the Judgment of the Synod of Sevennes which had ordained that though Monsieur Bony Pastor of the Church of St. Andrews deserved to be suspended yet he should only receive a sharp and publick Reproof and be continued in his Ministry After the Letters of the said Aldebert and Bony were read and the Sentence of the said Province of Sevennes and those Acts produced when the Judgment was given and the Deputies of that Province were heard and Monsieur Rossel his Petition for the said Bony how that because of his Absence the Business might be remanded back again unto the Province This Assembly declareth that the said Province deserves a very severe censure for being so slow and remiss in its proceedings and using an unjustifiable Indulgence and Lenity when it came to Judgment and decreeth that the said Bony shall continue suspended from his Ministry from that very day whereas this Synodical Sentence shall be signified to him which the Deputies of the said Province shall forthwith inform him of until the next Sessions of the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc unto which the Parties aggrieved shall make their complaints The Deputies of Sevennes being charged to summon them unto it that so the said Synod by the Authority of this Assembly may examine and judge and aggravate the Sentence if need be And that Province of Sevennes is ordered to proceed with rigour and vigour against all other Pastors who have demeaned themselves ill in their Office and to render an account thereof unto the next National Synod 30. The Church of Nions appealed from a Judgment of the Synod of Dolphiny importing that the said Church should not seek for it self a Pastor without the Province and that Monsieur Bouvier should be their Minister for Six Moneths The Acts needful to be known for the right understanding of this Case having been all read and the Deputies of the Province being heard This Assembly judged that at present there was no reason for that Church to seek a Pastor abroad out of the Province and the said Province is injoyned to provide them a Minister fit for their Service 31. The Lord of Puyredon Elder in the Church of Nismes appealed from the Sentence of his Consistory about Matters of Precedency and the way of gathering the Votes and Suffrages in the said Consistory This Synod judging this Affair not fit to be debated by it hath dismissed it over to the Colloquy 32. Whereas the Elder of the Church of Charenton St. Mere Vallognes and le val de Serre appealed from the Sentence of the Provincial Synod of Normandy which had provided for the safety and comfort of Monsieur Basnage their Pastor that he should be removed from them and placed elsewhere as he himself should approve of This Appeal was declared null 33. The Appeal of Monsieur Bicheteau Professor of the Hebrew Tongue at Montauban from the Judgment of the Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Montauban the Five and Twentieth day of April last is declared null 34. An Appeal of Monsieur De Mas Pastor in the Church of Campagne from the Higher Languedoc held at Montauban the Five and Twentieth day of April last is declared null 35. The Appeal of Monsieur Perrier formerly Pastor in the Church of Paillac from the Judgment of the Synod of Burgundy which had Deposed him from the Sacred Ministry was declared null 36. The Pastors and Elders of the Church of Issurtille appealed from the Judgment of the Province of Burgundy for refusing them
not only alwayes exempted from all Defaults but also from the very Suspicion thereof and that all kind of Testimonials and Thankfulness is due and owing them for their Capacity Carefulness Diligence Integrity and Singular Love and Zeal unto the Weal and Happyness of our Churches nor cannot in the least be refused them Wherefore this present Order passed for their discharge shall be inserted into the Acts of this Synod that it may be carried into all the Provinces that so none may plead or pretend his Ignorance and Unacquaintedness with the intentions of this present and of the last immediately preceding Synod Monsieur Palot of St Antonine presented a Petition unto this Assembly on behalf of his Brother Palot that it would be pleased to cause all processes commenc't against him by the Lord Malat to cease and that Arbitrators might be chosen on both sides with full power to determine the differences betwixt him and the Churches of this Kingdom Letters also from the Lord Malat were read informing it of the great progress he had made in the Suit against him Whereupon the Synod finding the Complaints and Requests of the said Palot to be unreasonable and that from their former Experience they could only conclude them done on purpose to gain and spin out time and to elude if possible the Prosecutions already begun it voted Thanks to be given unto the Lord Malat for his care and pains and that he be intreated to continue his Travel and Diligence in this Affair and the like thanks were ordered unto Monsieur Arnault for his singular Affection to the Weal of our Churches and the Lord Commissioner Galland was also earnestly desired to befriend our Churches with his kind Assistance at Court and to speak for us unto the Kings Majesty that His Gracious Majesty would be pleased to ordain that Justice might be done us Letters were read from the Lords Marbaut de Massanes Bigot and de Launay Commissioners named by the last National Synod to treat on behalf of all our Churches with Persons capable of bringing the Sieur Palot to give us some reasonable satisfaction And also Monsieur Mestrezat another of those Commissioners made report of what had been done herein as weâ—l by himself as by those others joyned in Commission with him Whereupon all their Actions were ratified and approved In reading that Act of the Synod of Charenton containing His Majesties Answer unto the Sieurs Cottiby and du Bois Saint Martyn Deputed by the said Synod unto His Majesty in which hope was given unto the Churches that the Prohibition issued out against Monsieur du Moulin should be taken away and that he should be restored unto his Ministry in this Kingdom And a Letter to this self-same purpose from the Church of Paris also requesting our Intercession with His Majesty that he would be Graciously pleased to grant unto the Churches the injoyment of their hopes The Deputies of the Isle of France joyned with them in this their request Whereupon it was resolved that His Majesty should be most humbly petitioned to grant leave unto the said Monsieur du Moulin to return into France and to the Exercise of his Pastoral Office in his aforesaid Church and the said Monsieur du Moulin shall be required by Letters from this Synod to joyn vvith the Churches in their Petition for his return and re-settlement in France and that he shall address himself also by a particular Petition of his ovvn unto His Majesty that he may be restored unto his Charge vvherein by the Blessing of God he had such eminent success that so if it may be His Majesty by so many importunate Petitioners may be prevailed vvith to grant us our desires The Provincial Deputies of Lower Guyenne and Poictou being heard it was voted that the Churches of Rochechouart and Limoges should continue joyned unto the Province of Lower Guyenne as they have been heretofore notwithstanding that they were separated from it by a Decree of the last National Synod because they cannot subsist if they be divided nor can the Church of Limoges be united unto Poictou without too much enfeebling the Colloquy of Limousin Maister Peter Guillemin Pastor in the Church of La Bour presented his Petition unto this Assembly that the Summ of Three Hundred Livres granted the said Church by the former National Synods may be continued and that the Summ of Threescore Livres more might be bestowed upon them for the breeding of a young Scholar who may be hereafter capable of serving the said Church and to preach in their Language and that His Majesty may be petitioned that He would grant according to His Edicts Two Places more for Religious Worship unto the Faithful of the said Countrey of Labour It was voted that this Petition in all its Parts and Members should be fulfilled on this Condition that the Scholar to be maintained by them be presented unto the next Synod of Lower Guyenne and that the said Province of the Lower Guyenne do yield an accompt of the said Summ of Sixty Livres unto the next National Synod as also of the Three Hundred Livres granted unto the said Church of La Bour and the Pastor there shall be obliged for the future to assist in Person at the Provincial Synods of Lower Guyenne After the last Canon was voted This Assembly recollected that heretofore the National Synod of Tonneins had granted unto Monsieur Busthonoby Pastor of the Churches in Soules the Summ of Three Hundred Livres to defray the Charges of Printing some certain Books in the Biscayan Language and that since by a Decree of the Synod of Vitre the Province of Lower Guyenne was reimburst the said Summ which they had beforehand advanced to that purpose Whereupon Order was given unto the said Province to call in its next Synod the aforesaid Monsieur Busthonoby to an accompt how he did imploy and dispose of the said Moneys and to bring in that Accompt unto the next National Synod CHAP. XVIII No Minister to Depart the Kingdom without the Kings Leave THE Lord Commissioner declaring that it was His Majesties Will and Pleasure according to Law that none of our Pastors should depart the Kingdom without his Royal License and that in case any Foreign Princes or States desired that any of our Ministers might be either lent them for a time or given to them absolutely during Life that then the said Minister should according to our Laws first obtain His Majesties Licence for his departure The Council resigned it self and all the Ministers of our Churches most fully and freely as they have ever done unto the Laws of the Land This Synod inquiring into the causes obstructing the Execution of those particular Canons that the last National Synod had made for the better Government of the Province of Provence judged that the said Province did justly deserve a Censure in case it cannot vindicate and acquit it self from all impeachments of neglect herein And whereas the Sieurs Crubellier
of no moment confirmed Monsieur Horle in the Pastoral Office of that Church and gives it leave to provide themselves of a second Pastor either within or without the Province as the Lord shall offer them an opportunity and farther it decreeth that the said Church shall attend their next Provincial Synod and gain an Order from it for re-uniting the Church of Tornas now joyned unto that of Lezan unto themselves and the said Synod shall comply with them in this their request and use some other means for the maintenance of that Church of Lezan when as that of Tornas shall be again incorporated with that of Anduze as it was heretofore 25 The Decree of the last Synod of the Isle of France notwithstanding the Letters and Complaints of Monsieur Richard Pastor and and of some certain Elders of the Church of Vandieres to the contrary was confirmed and the said Richard was injoyned by the Synod to exercise his Ministry in those Churches unto which he was assigned on pain of being suspended from his Office and that Province is requested to compassionate his great wants and to extend unto him their wonted Charities 26. Whereas Monsieur Razes appealed from a Judgment of the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc This Council rejected his Appeal and to put a period unto the contentions of the said Razes about the precedency of Monsieur Martyn an Attorney at Bezieres it decreed that for the future no businesses of this Nature should ever be presented unto these Assemblies 27. The Appeal of the Church of Mazamet was also rejected because it was not of the Nature of those businesses which ought to be decided in these Councils and because the Provincial Deputies of Higher Languedoc offered to take care that both the Appealers and their Partners should have full satisfaction given them 28. The Appeal of Monsieur Rossel Pastor in the Church of Issoire about pecuniary matters is according to the Canons in that case provided dismissed over to the Judgment of the Province of Lower Languedoc 29. The Several Appeals of Monsieur Genoyer Pastor of the Church of Riez in Provence are devolved on the Colloquy of Ambrun who shall call upon the Church of Luc to produce what they have to say for themselves and to threaten them that notwithstanding their Appeal in case of their absence or refusal to obey this Order and to bring forth the Book of their Consistory whereby the justice or unreasonableness of what is demanded of them may be discovered Judgment shall pass upon them 30. Report was made in full Council of the Contents of Monsieur Sauceux his Memoirs who appealed from the Judicial Sentences of the Synod of the Isle of France and of their Commissioners sent on their behalf unto the Church of Bayolett and the Deputies of that Province were heard also Whereupon without invalidating the Judicial Sentences of that Synod or of its Commissioners They were told that the form of their proceedings was wrong that the said Synod should have cited Monsieur Sauceux to have appear'd before them and have omitted in that Act concerning him the mentioning of His Majesties Edict and that the bottom of the business may be found out the Council decreed that the Provincial Deputies of Normandy shall in their return homewards pass over unto the Church of Bayolet and shall examin the said Mr. Sauceux and his Consistory and after hearing both Parties they shall pronounce a final Judgment on them 31. Whereas Monsieur des Maretz Elder of the Church of Oysemont hath sent neither Letters nor Memoirs to defend his Appeal from the Judgment of the Province of the Isle of France his Appeal was therefore declared null 32. That Appeal from the Judgment of the Province of Burgundy brought by the L. L. Renaut and Fronevill in the Name of the Sieur L' Advise touching a certain Declaration delivered unto the Sieur de Villemenat to be kept by him is declared null 33. The Lord of Fournivall Elder in the Church of Beaune appealed in behalf of its Consistory from a Decree past in the last Synod of Burgundy held at Issurtilles which had censur'd the said Consistory for not observing all requisite Formalities in receiving a Person of the contrary Religion into Fellowship and Communion with us but his Appeal was declared null and the said Consistory was censured for appealing unto this Council upon the score of a single Censure CHAP. XXI Discipline Exercised on a Scandalous Minister This Peris did afterwards by flight save himself from being prosecuted by the Lord Commissioners for a Libel which was found upon him and for which he was condemned to the Gallows 34 PEter Peris formerly Pastor in the Church of Estray in the Colloquy of Aunix complained personally unto the Synod against the Province of Xaintonge for that having discharged him the Service of his Church they refused him an Attestation of his Life and Doctrine The Deputies of that Province immediately assigned the reasons of their refusal grounded upon the scandalous Conversation of the said Peris and his Method of teaching which was exceeding offensive unto divers Churches And the said Peris Apologizing for himself The Council took thence occasion to interrogate him on divers Articles of which he was accused and convicted as 1. For desertion of his Ministry 2. Of haunting and over-much familiar and scandalous Acquaintance and Communion with our Adversaries particularly with Apostates revolted from the True Religion unto Romish Idolatry and with Persons cast by the dreadful Sentence of Excommunication for Errors and Blasphemies out of these our Reformed Churches 3. Of Prophaneness Insolency and Vanity 4. Of Lyings Slanderings and Plottings against our Churches and several of their Members And forasmuch as he had about him even now whilst he was under examination a most execrable Libel against His Majesties Honour and the Tranquillity of the State compos'd by some mutinous Spirits disturbers of the Publick Peace which was delivered into the hands of His Majesties Commissioner the Lord Galland to dispose of it as his Lordship in his Wisdom should think fit The Council Deposed the said Peris from the Sacred Ministry and debarring him all hopes of ever being again restored to it decreeth that he shall be suspended all Communion in the Sacraments until such time as he giving Glory unto God and confessing his Offences shall have manifested to the World the Gracious Fruits of a serious and sound Repentance And this Act shall be notified unto all the Churches 35. Mr. Peju a Pastor Baignouâ—â—n Elder and Rousseau all deputed by the Heads of Families in the Church of Mer declared the grievances for which they appealed and on the contrary the Provincial Deputies of Berry vindicated the Sentence of their Synod The Letters and Acts also of both Parties were produced and read both by Monsieur Peju and by the Province Upon the whole the Council judged that the Province ought not to have brought before this Assembly Acts and Memoirs
him of the Monies accompted for by the said Palot and not delivered into the Hands of the Lords Commissioners that so we may have recourse unto it when need requires in out prosecution of the said Palot 16. The Lord of Angoulin's requesting on behalf of the City of Rochel that the Synod would be pleased to reimburse the said City the Sum of Two thousand five hundred Livers which were lent unto certain Deputies of the Provinces assembled in the said City in the Year Sixteen hundred and seventeen This Demand was dismissed over to the next Politick Assembly which his Majesty shall be pleased to grant unto his Subjects of the Reformed Religion that so the said Assembly may take care about it to whom it doth belong because the Monies of his Majesty's Liberality and which are at the disposal of our National Synods ought not to be diverted from that particular Use and Service whereunto his Majesty hath devoted them 17. The Deputies of the Isle of France declaring how very useful unto the Churches the worthy Labours of Monsieur Blondel Pastor of the Church of Howdan might be and the Synod being further informed of his rare Dexterity and Diligence in the Imployment of those excellent Talents which the Lord hath concredited to him for the Edification of his Church it decreed That he should be publickly commended and incouraged and that the Lord of Candall should pay him in presently as a Token of our great Esteem and Value for him a Thousand Livers to buy him Books and that as soon as his Works shall be ready for the Press the Synod will defray the Charges of their Impression And because his great Excellency lieth in Church-History and Antiquity he is earnestly desired to follow his Genius and to combate and refute the Adversaries with that Weapon 18. The Demand of Quentin Mareschall a Printer dwelling at Chastelheraut is dismissed over to the Province of Poictou who shall take care of it according to the Rules of Christian Charity And the said Mareschall is forbidden the troubling our National Synod any more with his little Businesses 19. The Synod not abridging the Rights and Priviledges of any Province doth permit that of Higher Languedoc to recal Monsieur Casaux a Pastor lent unto the Church of Montagnac in the Lower Guyenne and the Lower Guyenne may recal Monsieur Testard at present Minister of the Church of Realmont in the Province of Higher Languedoc whenever the Necessity and Edification of the Church shall so require 20. Monsieur Mestrezat presented Letters from the Lord de Launay and requested by word of Mouth both for himself and his said Colleague that the Synod would be pleased to discharge them from that Commission which the National Synod of Charenton had intrusted them with But this Synod not being in a capacity to alter the Decree of that Synod did earnestly intreat them both to continue in that Employment for the general good of the Churches 21. Monsieur Tolozany Pastor of the Church of St. Antonine relating the great Poverty of his Church and Family and the extream Necessity whereunto he is reduced in his old Age. The Synod not being at present in a capacity to alter any thing in former Constitutions for the Relief of our indigent Ministers doth ordain that immediately three hundred Livers be given him to the easing of his Church of which in the Dividend that shall be made of the Monies granted us by his Majesty there shall be a particular care taken 22. Letters from my Lady Marchioness of Bouillé and from Monsieur du Mont formerly Pastor in the Church of Mimbre in the Territory of Maine were read in open Synod And Information being made of the notorious Crimes committed by the said du Mont the Province is ordered to proceed forthwith against him and to depose him from his Office And the said Lady shall be advised of it by Letters from this Synod 23. The Complaint of Monsieur Toussain a Pastor Emeritus in the Province of Dolphiny was given unto the Province of Sevennes who should procure by their best Skill and Power the paiment of those Arrears of Wages due unto the said Toussain by the Church of Marvejoils 24. Monsieur * * * Anotâ—er Copy calleth him Benter Brucet a Proposan being demanded by the Church of La Verdac to be their Pastor the Colloquy of Condommois is authorized to examine and ordain him CHAP. XXIX Care taken for a poor persecuted Church 25. THere were Letters from the Church of La Mote Mauravel in the Province of Lower Guienne sent unto this Synod and being read together with their Memoirs we were informed of a cruel Persecution raised against the said Church by the Lords Cardinal of Sourdis and Bishop of Maillezais Whereupon the Lord Commissioner was humbly desired to write unto his Majesty and the Ministers of State on the behalf of that poor distressed Church And Letters were also ordered to be written out of hand unto the Lord Duke of Esperon earnestly to entreat his Grace that by his Authority his Majesty's Edicts and the Publick Peace might be preserved And our general Deputies at Court shall address themselves unto his Majesty that according to his usual Clemency and Royal Goodness he would be pleased to stop the Torrent of this Persecution and to exert his Justice and punish the Infractors and Violators of his Royal Ordinances and to curb and restrain their Fury who dare in a time of open Peace to deprive his Majesty's Subjects of the Benefit and Protection of his Edicts of the Exercise of their Religion and of the Safety of their Lives And the said Church of La Mote shall be immediately advised to keep and secure the possession of their Temple and Religious Worship and to seek and get into their Possession all necessary Titles Evidences and Proofs of their Right unto their Temple 1626. The 25th Synod and to bring those Evidences and Acts of Prohibitions that have been served upon them by the Officers of the said Lord Cardinal and all other Proofs of their Excesses and actual Outrages against their Members unto this City that so they may with all diligence be dispatched unto the Lord des Loges Advocate in his Majesty's Council who will use all needful Means on behalf of our Churches that their Adversaries may be prosecuted and punished 26. Mousieur de la Motte Pastor of the Church du Gua in Vivaretz did both by word of Mouth and written Acts which he produced declare and prove his great Losses and Persecutions sustained during the last Troubles The Council gave him good assurance that in the Dividend of our Churches Moneys there should be a particular care taken for his Relief and Comfort 27. The Synod compassionating the sad Estate of Monsieur du Bois a Publick Notary living in the City of Pouzin ordered that three hundred Livers should be paid him out of the Mass of Moneys which will be allotted unto
one of his Privy Council he was earnestly intreated most humbly to petition his Majesty to add unto those Favours which he hath already vouchsafed us the Grant also of those which we expect and wait for from his Royal Clemency and Goodness CHAP. XII The Sieurs Bouteroue and Basnage admitted as Deputies to sit and act in the Synod 2. THE same Day the Sieur Benjamin Banage Pastor of the Church of Quarentin and one of the Deputies for the Province of Normandy presented himself unto the Synod craving leave that he might be admitted as a Member into it The Lord Commissioner bespake him that the King for divers Considerations had thought good to debar him Entrance into this Synod and to remove him from his Church and Province of Normandy But having a particular Respect unto the most humble Petitions of this Assembly he gave him leave to take his Place and Vote in it during the remaining Sessions thereof and permitted him to continue the Exercise of his Ministry in his own Church upon condition that he ordered his Words and Actions with that Moderation and Reservedness which became his Calling and Profession 3. Monsieur Denys Bouteroue Pastor of the Church of Grenoble and Deputy for the Province of Dolphiny coming also in like manner and desiring to be admitted into the Synod according to his Majesty's Permission the Lord Commissioner told him That he had given the King occasion to be displeased with him because of a Book which he had printed in June 1628 and was condemned by Decree of the Parliament of Greenoble but that the Prosecution which was against him for being the Author of it and for which he deserved to be put out of the Synod and Province of Dolphiny was remitted by his Majesty's great Goodness in Confidence that for the future he would comport himself with all Moderation and keep within the due and proper Bounds of the Discipline as appeared from the Charge and Letter Missive of his Majesty unto the said Lord Commissioner the Tenor whereof is as followeth CHAP. XIII A Copy of the King's Letter unto the Lord Galland for restoring the Lord of Bouteroue unto his Place in the National Synod My Lord Galland HAving seen by your Letter written unto the Lord de la Urilliere what you report concerning the Minister de Bouteroue whose Restitution I desired might be respited till such time as I was informed of the Decree given against him in my Court of Parliament of Grenoble for a certain Book made by him containing very many injurious and slanderous Discourses I have since reflected on the Reasons alledged by you and those Assurances you have given me that for the future he will carry himself better therefore I now send you this Letter to acquaint you that I have thought good to extend the same Favour to him which I have unto those two other Ministers Banage and Beraud and to restore him unto his Function permitting him as I have also done those now mentioned Ministers to assist in that Synod the Remainder of its Sessions upon condition that hereafter he contain himself within the Bounds of their Discipline which you shall notify unto all the Members of that Assembly that thereby they may be convinced of my Goodness to them and that I shall always be glad to extend the Fruits thereof unto the whole Body and every particular Member of that pret Reformed Religion provided they render themselves worthy of it by an intire Obedience to my Royal Authority And I beseech God to take you my Lord Galland into his holy keeping Written from Vandosme the 20th of September 1631. Signed in the Original Louis and a little lower Phelippeaux And superscribed To my Lord Galland one of his Majesty's most honourable Council of State 5. After that those Remonstrances had been made unto them those aforesaid Ministers Banage and Bouteroue took their respective Places in the Synod according to the Commission given them by their respective Provinces 6. The Lord Commissioner having declared that it was his Majesty's Pleasure that for the future no Strangers but only the proper Members of the Consistories in each particular Church should assist at all their Church-Sessions and Consistorial Actings The Assembly represented unto his Lordship the many Difficulties which did daily occur in the Management of Church-Affairs and which did necessarily require the Assistance Advice and mutual Communication of other Churches Whereupon his Lordship promised to write unto his Majesty about it and to petition his Majesty that he would be pleased in Cases of Necessity to grant that three other Pastors and as many Elders from the neighbouring Churches might be allowed to meet and consult together in the Consistory CHAP. XIV Approbation of the Confession of Faith THE Confession of Faith was read word by word and every Article posedly and in its proper Order approved and signed by all the Deputies who were sent and commissionated by the Provinces and they did all of them in their own personal and relative Capacities both for themselves and for their Principals who had intrusted them and whom they represented and who had given them express Charge so to do protest that they would live and die in the Confession of that Faith that they would teach it unto their Churches and put to their helping Hand that it might be inviolably kept and preserved to Posterity CHAP. XV. Observations on Reading the Church-Discipline 1. THE Provinces of Anjou Xaintonge and Lower Guyenne requesting that the 4th Article of the 1st Chapter might be explained This Assembly decreed that the said Article should be thus expressed A Minister of the Gospel unless in times of Difficulty and cases of very great Necessity in which he may be chosen by three Pastors together with the Consistory of that Place shall not be admitted into this Holy Office c So that those Lines from the Verb are unto the Adjective national must be taken away And Consistories are required not to forsake the wonted Order particularly that of calling in divers Pastors from one and the same Church to ordain their Ministers unless they should be enforced by an extream Necessity to do otherwise of which as of all other extraordinary Occurrences they shall render an Account unto the Provincial and the Provincial unto the National Synods And as to what hath been done in the Province of Anjou this Assembly doth confirm it without allowing of it as a Precedent for the future 2. In case of Difficulties that a Church be constrained to have Recourse unto an University or Neighbour Province to be provided of a Pastor it shall not for the future serve it self of this Expedient nor may the Neighbour-Province or University grant that Church its Demand unless there be an unanimous Consent of all the Churches of the same Colloquy which they shall notify by their Letters approving the Choice of the elected Pastor 3. On the 33d Article of the 1st Chapter and 8th Observation of
the National Synod of Rochel the 18th in order held in the Year 1607. on the Discipline by which at the Request of the Province of Dolphiny the said Article had been explained The Assembly gave leave unto Provincial Synods to extend the Loan of Pastors unto the term of a full Year notwithstanding the Churches from whence those Pastors were borrowed had entred their Appeal against it 4. Upon the 4th Article of the 2d Chapter the Province of Poictou was advised to observe that Canon framed by the 24th National Synod held at Charenton in the Year 1623 which had ordained That the Children of Ministers should not he preferred unto the Pensions unless caeterus paribus they were equal in Merits with the other Competitors 5. After those Words in the 8th Article of the 5th Chapter As also all Sentences of Suspension those shall be added which were given by the Consistory and were not declared before the Congregation shall be binding although the suspended Person had made his Appeal either to a Colloquy or Provincial Synod 6. In Obedience to those Remonstrances made by his Lordship the Lord Commissioner the Provinces are exhorted to come prepared to the next National Synod in which it will be debated whether any thing shall be changed in the 19th and 20th Articles of the 5th Chapter before mentioned 7. The Word Gypsys the French call them Bohemians shall be razed out of the eleventh Chapter because the two others do sufficiently explain it 8. Those Words as also the Names of Office such as Baptist Angel Apostle shall be struck out of the 4th Article of the fore-mentioned 11th Chapter as being useless and now not practised in the Churches 9. The Deputies of Xaintonge upon that same Article reporting that divers Persons according to the Custom of the Country did give Names unto Children in Baptism which occasioned ridiculous Raillery and foolish Jesting and that it would be needful to redress it The Synod gave Liberty unto that Province to use such Means as they judged best and most expedient to effect it 10. The Lord Commissioner remonstrated on the 18th Article of the same 11th Chapter that the Register of Baptisms Marriages and Interments of the Members of all the Churches should be yearly brought into those Courts of Judicature whereunto our respective Churches do belong The Synod unanimously concurred with his Lordship and injoined all the Provinces to see that it be accordingly observed and performed 11. Upon the Remonstrance of the Lord Commissioner instead of those Words at the close of the first Article of the 13th Chapter Shall give such Advice unto the Parties as may be convenient there shall be inserted according to the Intentions of the Synod of Vertueil in the Year 1567 and of Montauban in the Year 1594 these Words The Consistory shall advise the Parties to apply themselves unto the Civil Magistrate 12. These Words Nevertheless the Parties shall be exhorted not to depart from the Words and Promises de futuro without great and lawful Causes shall be inserted into the fifth Article of the same 13th Chapter and the Clause beginning thus All Promises shall be razed 13. At the Request of the Lord Commissioner this Clause was added to the end of the 13th Article of the 13th Chapter Vnless that such a Marriage were authorized by the Civil Magistrate 14. Upon the Remonstrance of the Province of Xaintonge the Synod decreed That such as in conformity to the 18th Article of the same 13th Chapter did cause their Banes to be published in the Temples of the Popish Religion should carry a Certificate of their being of the Reformed Religion unto that Church which was nearest the Place of their Abode and where their Banes also shall be proclaimed that so all Surprizals may be prevented 15. These following Words shall close up the 22d Article of the same 13th Chapter Vnless the Magistrate hath interposed with his Judicial Sentence to the contrary 16. Upon the 2d and 11th Articles of the 14th Chapter the Synod approved of that Sentence given by the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge which judged that the Faithful ought not to desire their Parties of the contrary Religion to swear by the Te igitur and Cross 17. The Assembly not being able to add or change any thing in the 4th Article of the 14th Chapter giveth Licence unto the Province of Normandy to establish for its own particular Service such Orders as it shall judg most fitting for the Edification of the Churches in their Division 18. The Lord Commissioner requiring that for the future no Book might be published till it had been first examined by Divines appointed unto that very purpose this Assembly did thereupon ordain That the 16th Article of the said 14th Chapter of the Discipline shall be couched in these Terms Ministers nor any other Members of these our Reformed Churches may not cause any Books concerning Religion which are either made by themselves or any others to be printed or published till such time as they have first communicated the Manuscript Copy unto the Colloquy or if Occasion so require unto the Provincial Synod and in case the Matter be urgent unto the Vniversities or unto two Pastors nominated by the Synod who shall give an Attestation under their own Hands that they have examined the said Manuscript 19. The Lord Commissioner acquainted the Synod that his Majesty had sent him divers Books and Treatises on several Subjects fraught with injurious and intolerable Expressions and therefore required that they should be censured according to their Deserts Whereupon the Synod requested the said Lord Commissioner that those Books might not be at all look'd into because they were printed many Years ago and the greater part of them when their Authors were enforced to it by the bitter Provocations of others professing a contrary Religion And the Synod having together with his Lordship took all possible care in the foregoing Canons to prevent the printing of all offensive Books for the future the Provinces shall use all possible Care and Circumspection that his Majesty should not have any the least occasion to complain of us With which Answer his Lordship remained satisfied and judged it not meet that any particular Censure should be applied unto those Books as he had at first demanded 20. The whole Book of Church-Discipline having been read over the Deputies of the Provinces did in their own Names and in theirs who had commissionated them sign it promising solemnly that they would observe it and see it exactly observed by their respective Provinces CHAP. XVI Observations made in reading the Acts of the 25th National Synod held at Castres in the Year 1626. CHAP. XVII A great Debate about incorporating the Churches of Bearn with those of France opposed by the Lord Commissioner Article 1. THE Province of Bearn having charged its Deputies to submit it unto the Discipline of the Churches of this Kingdom and to the Authority of our National Synods as the rest of
all humility submitting to his Majesty's good Pleasure and hoping that he will be graciously pleased to permit our ancient establish'd Order to take place doth earnestly intreat the Lord Commissioner to present our most humble Petitions unto his Majesty that he would be pleased to grant that our next National Synod may be held at the end of three Years in the Town of Aâ—anson in the Province of Normandy 8. Hereafter no Monies belonging unto the Churches shall be diverted to the printing of any Books unless such as shall be written by express Order of our National Synods 9. The Deputies unto this Synod having been on their Journey hither put unto extraordinary Expences by reason of the Contagion which reigneth universally in all parts of the Kingdom this Assembly exhorts all the Provinces to have respect unto it and therefore have rated the Charges of every day's Travel going and coming at an hundred Sous which is eight Shillings and eight Pence per diem 10. The Province of Burgundy having made report of the deplorable Necessities whereunto the Ministers and Pastors of Churches in the Colloquy of Gex are reduced for want of the Monies granted heretofore by his Majesty's Bounty for their Maintenance not one of their People contributing any thing towards their Subsistence This Assembly touched with a just Resentment of such base Ingratitude doth injoin all the Churches of that Colloquy to return unto their Duty and maintain their own Pastors or else they shall be deprived of the Ministry of the Blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus and this according to the 34th Canon in the first Chapter of our Discipline 11. Whenas the Lords General-Deputies shall assist in Person in these National Synods they shall take place above all the Deputies of the Provinces 12. The Synod enjoineth all the Provinces to distribute with their wonted Charity those supernumerary Portions attributed to them that they may redound unto the Benefit of the poorer Churches and of the more necessitous Ministers 13. The Consistory of the Church of Paris is ordered to administer the accustomed Oaths unto the Lords General-Deputies immediately upon their being accepted by his Majesty and to keep by them a Copy of their Warrant 14. The Lord Commissioner remonstrated that through the Prerogatives of Precedency claimed in the Churches of Noblemens Houses divers Quarrels had arisen and several Murders had been committed therefore his Majesty hath ordained That in such Places where the Publick Worship of God according to our Religion is exercised the Proprietors of those Houses may not under colour of that Propriety pretend to any Place of sitting than is otherwise due unto them by reason of the Dignity of their Birth or the Honour of their Offices and forbids all Ministers to pray for them in Publick by their particular Names or Qualities Whereupon his Lordship the Commissioner being intreated that after we had prayed for his Majesty it might be lawful for us in general terms to pray for those Lords under whose Justice the Church of that Place was gathered He replied that he would in no wise hinder it 15. The Deputies for the Province of Sevennes may receive their part of the Monies granted us by his Majesty's great Liberality for the defraying of our necessary Expences in this Synod without their having recourse unto the Lord of Candall's Deputy for it provided that they be accountable for that Sum so received unto their Province And all the other Provincial Deputies may likewise do the same if they please 16. After many and divers Delays and Shiftings this Assembly being at last come to a Treaty with Sir John Palot Counsellor and Secretary to the King about the Monies claimed by the Pastors of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom from him the said Palot for which a Suit was brought against him before his Majesty's most honourable Privy-Council and divers preparatory Decrees had out against him This Assembly hath commissionated and deputed the Lords Marquess of Clermont and Galland General-Deputies of our Churches the Lord of Candall Receiver-General of the Monies granted by his Majesty's great Bounty unto these Churches the Lords Banage and de Champvernon Pastors De Maschelieres Dupuy Gilbert and Beraud Elders and have given them full Power to treat with the said Sir J. Palot about the Monies so claimed by our Pastors on such Conditions and Clauses as they shall judg most advantagious unto our Pastors aforesaid and to sign Contracts and Articles of Agreement before Publick Notaries this Assembly promising that they will stand to approve and ratify whatever shall be so determined by the said Lords Commissioners 17. This tenth day of October in the presence of the said Lords Commissioners before-named by this Assembly to treat with the before-named Sieur Palot upon the Suit commenc'd against him for Monies claimed by our Churches from him After that the Contract pass'd by the said Lords was read in the Assembly it was agreed to approved and signed by the Moderator Assessor and Scribes thereof And there having been a thousand Livers promised unto the Lord Malat by a separate Act and with which he remained fully satisfied he was duly discharged of those Powers formerly given him for prosecution of the said Palot and lie shall deliver into the Hands of the Lords General-Deputies all the Papers Decrees and Memoirs in his custody concerning this Affair 18. The Lord of Candall having received from the said Sir John Palot the Sum of eight thousand Livers in pursuance of the Agreement made with him the said Sum shall be paid out in that manner as hath been ordered by this Assembly Nor may the Deputies of the Provinces lay any Claim or Pretence whatsoever of Right to the receiving of the said Monies 19. This Assembly authorized the Consistory of the Church of Paris to treat with the Lord Mallet and to discharge him from all Prosecutions of the Sieur Palot and to satisfy him for his past Travel and Pains to the Sum of thousand Livers which shall be paid him by the Lord of Candall and this in full of all Demands Debts Dues or Pretensions whatsoever either for himself or his late deceased Uncle the Lord Mallet the said Mallet bringing in an Inventory unto the Lords General-Deputies and depositing it with them of all Papers Decrees and Memoirs in his keeping concerning this Affair CHAP. XXIII Particular Matters Article 1. MR. * * * He is called in another Copy Lavent in a third Lavand Laurence heretofore Pastor in the Province of Bearn presenting himself in this Assembly with an Attestation of his Life Carriage and Conversation for these two Years now last past and most humbly and importunately petitioning to be restored unto the Holy Ministry This Assembly did not judg his Request meet to be granted but advised him to apply himself to some other Calling than the Ministry of the Gospel and to use such means for a Livelihood as the Providence of God may trace out and direct
him to Article 2. Forasmuch as Monsieur Eymard abusing the Leave granted him by his Church of Veyne in Dolphiny hath for several Months withdrawn himself into the Province of Lower Guyenne and is there since imployed in the Holy Ministry This Assembly censuring the Church of Berbignieres for calling him unto their Service and condemning the said Province for their too great Facility in admitting and supporting him doth injoin the said Eymard to appear before the Synod of Dolphiny which if the good Providence of God do permit will be assembled the next Year and he shall give an Account unto them of all his Actions and Deportments and in case he refuse Obedience and Submission unto their Judgment he shall be then as he is now at this Instant denounced suspended from the sacred Ministry Article 3. Mr. Harvey Deputy from the Church of Bourdeaux presented himself to this Assembly with Letters and Memoirs from the said Church petitioning that Monsieur Vignier might be conferred upon them for their Pastor There was read also an Act of Opposition made against this Call by several Heads of Families of the said Church and divers Letters also of the said Mr. Vignier and Letters from the Church of Nerac There were heard also the Lords of Aulous and of Massilieres petitioning on behalf of the Church of Nerac that the said Mr. Vignier might be bestowed on them for their Minister and the Lord Berdolin also spake in behalf of the Province Whereupon the Assembly bestowed Monsieur Vignier upon the Church of Nerac to be their peculiar Pastor and ordered the Church of Nerac to reimburse that of Bourdeaux of those just and reasonable Expences they had been at in their Endeavours for the getting of the said Mr. Vignier and the Church of Bourdeaux hath leave given it to provide for it self either within or without the Province according to the Forms prescribed by the Discipline and in case the said Church should meet with any Pastor at Liberty and one who may contribute beneficially to their Edification the said Church is now impowered to treat with him Article 4. The Church of Valance shall carry its Declaration unto the Synod of Lower Languedoc which shall judg whether the said Church ought to be rejoined to that of Soyon and the Province of Vivaretz Article 5. For the future the Church of Sr. Estienne in Forest shall be reputed a Member of the Synod of Vivaretz Article 6. Mr. Constantin Pastor of the Church of Rochefoucauld presented himself unto this Assembly with Letters from his Mother petitioning that he might be discharged the Service of the said Church and drawn out of the Province of Xaintonge and a Letter also was read from the Consistory of the Church of Nismes unto the said Province to the same purpose and the Act of Dismission granted the said Constantin by the Church of Rochefoucauld After hearing of the Deputies of Xaintonge and a mature Debate of all Arguments pro and con this Assembly did consent that the said Mr. Constantin should be set at Liberty but did exhort him to make Conscience of keeping to his Calling and readily to embrace all Opportunities of serving the Church of God Article 7. The Deputies of the Province of Bearn having moved that their Right unto divers Scholars whom they at their own Charges had educated for the Ministry and were now imployed in the Pastoral Office in Churches of this Kingdom might be conserved This Assembly did assure them that the Interest of the said Province should be equally regarded with that of the other Provinces and that the Churches of this Kingdom should be always ready upon all Occasions to communicate unto them the sensible Effects of their Charity and Affection to their Preservation ☞ The Commissioners nominated by the Synod to examine that Book made by Monsieur d'Aubus intitled Bellarmin Reformed having made their Report of it the Assembly considering that it would do good Service and contribute greatly to the Edification of the Readers approved the printing of its first Part and exhorteth the said Monsieur d'Aubus to imploy those excellent Gifts which God hath so abundantly poured out upon him to the Advancement of his Kingdom and promised that if God did enable the Churches with a Supply of Monies they would be at the Charges of the first Impression But this Act as Monsieur Bollenat one of the Deputies unto this Synod relateth in his Copy of its Acts was afterwards razed out and that also by Order of the very Synod Article 8. Because of the great Importance of the Church of Nismes and its present urgent Necessities and for that the Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc have yielded their Consent unto their Petition This Assembly permits the Lord Cheyron Elder of the said Church to discover to it any Pastor by whose Ministry the said Church may be edified that so it it be possible they may be provided of a third Pastor during the Session of this Synod and in case he cannot find one Leave is given unto the said Church to get it self a Pastor any where either within or without the Province Article 9. Because of the Inability of the Colloquy of Rovergue and of the small Numbers of its Pastors the Colloquy of Albigeois is ordered to take care that the Church of St. Affrique be supplied till the Meeting of the next Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc Article 10. Leave is given by this Assembly to Mr. Bastide a Minister freed from his Service in the Church of St. Affrique and Province of Higher Languedoc to address himself unto any other Church or Province in this Kingdom in which he may exercise his Ministry and make his Abode as may be best for his Advantage Article 11. The Synod being informed of the Innocency of Monsieur de Monbreueil and touched with a deep Sense of his many and great Sufferings doth order the Lords General Deputies to take a most especial Care of his Concern and to sollicit the expediting and ratifying of those Attestations given him by the Churches of Paris Nantes and Rennes who have had a perfect Knowledg of his Life and Deportments that so he may be fully justified and discharged Article 12. The Sieur Cottiere having presented a Summary of Books composed by him and of one especially treating of the ancient Faith of the Churches in the three first Centuries This Assembly being fully informed of those many excellent Gifts with which God had indowed him and applauding his Zeal and great Affection for the Advancement of Christ's Kingdom doth exhort him to continue the devoting of himself and Labours to the Defence of God's Truth and to carry his Writing unto the Synod of Anjou which is expresly ordered to peruse them and having approved of them to take care about their Impression and the Churches shall defray the Charges thereof Article 13. Mr. Perrier formerly Receiever of the Monies given by his Majesty's Liberality unto the Churches in the Province of
Provincial Synod of Vivaretz and presented by that grave Assembly to the Pastoral Office in the Church of Annonay though he was then but eighteen Years of Age and Annonay was a Church of no mean Consideration but what he wanted in Years he made up in Merit In the Year 1612 he was removed to the Church of Montpellier in which he served full twenty Years He was one of the Scribes in the National Synod held the first time at Charenton 1623. The Parliament of Tholouse having made a Decree that no Foreigner should be a Minister or preach within their Jurisdiction in the Year 1632. he came to Paris and sollicited the Court for his Restoration He had in that City a Brother very rich and one who followed the Law Whilst he resided here the University of Lansanna in Switzerland earnestly invited him to be Professor of Theology in it but he very civilly declined that Motion though he was a most accomplish'd Scholar and Divine In the Year 1636 a Franciscan Friar who was the great Favourite of Cardinal Richelieu and of his Cabinet-Council meeting him in an Apothecary's Shop in St. James's Street demanded his Name and he telling him who he was and the Reason for which he was driven away from Montpellier he bespoke him Monsieur Faucheur do you tarry here and preach at Charenton and I will ingage my Word for it that the King shall never trouble you He communicating this Relation to his Brother his Brother communicated it unto the Elders of that Church who discoursing with him intreated him to preach the next Lord's Day in their Temple which he did to their and the Churches very great Satisfaction And here he continued in their Service preaching and dispensing the Word and Sacraments among them unto the Day of his Death 3. Monsieur Amyraut of him I shall speak in the Catalogue of the Churches and Ministers hung upon the File in the last National Synod where my Reader will meet with a Multitude of Remarks upon the Pastors that were then actually imployed in the Service of those-once flourishing Churches The End of the Second Synod of Charenton THE Acts Canons Decisions and Decrees OF THE Twenty seventh Synod OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE Assembled under his Majesty's Authority and Permission AT ALANSON IN THE PROVINCE of NORMANDY On Wednesday the twenty seventh of May and ended Thursday the ninth of July In the Year of our Lord God 1637. Being the twenty eighth Year of the Reign of LOUIS XIII King of FRANCE and NAVARRE The CONTENTS of the Synodical Acts in several Chapters Chap. I. THE King 's Writ for calling the Synod presented by the Marquess of Clermont General Deputy Monsieur St. Mars Commissioner for the King Names of the Deputies Election of the Synodical Officers Chap. II. The King's Commission to Monsieur St. Mars to represent hit Royal Person in the Synod Chap. III. The Lord Commissioner's Speech and a very long one unto the Synod Chap. IV. The Synod's Replies and Answers unto the Contents of it Chap. V. Three Deputies sent with a Letter from the Synod unto the King Chap. VI. A second Letter to the King Chap. VII Approbation and Confirmation of the Confession of Faith Chap. VIII Observations upon the Discipline Chap. IX Observations on the last Natiâ—â—â—â— Synod Chap. X. A peniâ—â—n◠〈◊〉 after tâ—â— Yoâ—â—s Deposition and Penaâ—â—â— iâ— at last restored to the Exercise of his Ministerial Office Chap. XI The Snappishness of the Commissioner the Prudence and Patience of the Synod Chap. XII A penitent Minister petitioning for Restoration unto his Ministerial Office refused and why Chap. XIII The Churches of â—earn incorporated with the Reformed Churches of France Chap. XIV Appeals 3. A Lady appealeth 4. Des Champs a factious Minister 11. An Appeal about a Legacy Chap. XV. General Matters 1. An Action indifferent so left by the Synod 4. Whether Slaves may be purchased 5. No Minister to be ordained without a Title 7. An Act for a National Fast 8. An Expedient to preserve Peace among the Ministers Professors and Churches 9. A Petition to the King opposed by the Commissioner 10. A Letter from the King unto the Synod The Synod's Letter to the King 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30. A Determination of the Controversies moved by Amyrald and Testard 31. The Deputies in the Synod to receive an hundred Sous par diem Sallary from their Provinces 32. Professors of Divinity designed Chap. XVI 4 5. Two poor Ministers in great Wants 7. An Expedient to compose Differences in a Church and Province 9. The Case of La Milletierâ— the Reconciler 11. Complaints of two Books L'Antidote and Les Ombres d'Arminius Chap. XVII Of Vniversities Order taken for upholding and maintaining the Vniversities Chap. XVIII Arrears of Monies due unto the Vniversities Chap. XIX Accompts of the Vniversities Chap. XX. Lord of Candall's Accompts Chap. XXI A Dividend of 16000 Livers Chap. XXII Roll of deposed and revolted Ministers Chap. XXIII Catalogue of the Churches and Ministers Chap. XXIV Monsieur Ferrand's Speech unto his Majesty Chap. XXV Instructions given unto Monsieur Ferrand c. deputed to the King Chap. XXVI Monsieur Ferrand's Speech to Cardinal Richelieu Chap. XXVII The Bill of Grievances A Book stiled Le Proselyte Evangelique Chap. XXVIII Letters from the Pastors and Professors of Geneva Chap. XXIX Testimonials unto Dr. Rivet's Treatise against the Books of the Sieurs Amyraut and Testard Chap. XXX Two Letters one from Mr. du Moulin another from Monsieur Diodati to the Synod The Synod of Alanson 1637. The 27th Synod SYNOD XXVII 1637. In the Name of God Amen Acts of the twenty seventh National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held in the Town of Alanson in the Province of Normandy It was opened by his Majesty's Permission Wednesday the 27th of May and ended Thursday the 9th of July in the Year of our Lord God 1637 and the 18th Year of the Reign of our Dread Sovereign Louis the Thirteenth King of France and Navarre CHAP. I. The King 's Writ presented by the Marquess of Clermont for calling the Synod Mr. de St. Mars Commissioner Deputies Officers chosen Article 1. THE Lord Marquess of Clermont General Deputy of the Reformed Churches of France at the opening of the Synod presented his Majesty's Warrant expresly given by him under his own Hand for the calling of it the Tenour of which is as followeth This sixth Day of Jannary in the Year Sixteen hundred thirty and seven the King being at Paris upon the most humble Petition of his Subjects of the Reformed Religion who craved his Royal Permission for the calling and assembling of a National Synod there not having been one held since that of Charâ—nton in the Year 1631. His Majesty being desirous to gratify those his Subjects and to deal favourably with them hath permitted and doth permit the Convocation of a National Synod the 27th day of May next
Majesty and to our Lords his Ministers but that they repose themselves firmly on his Royal Word trusting always in his Majesty's Goodness that he will hinder and prevent the Designs and Attempts of ill-minded Men who would contrary to the Tenour of his Edicts persecute his poor Subjects because they be of the Reformed Religion 19. And to the intent that our Churches may never be impeached of contributing unto any Alterations and Changes whereby the Publick Peace should be broken This Assembly recommends unto all Pastors an exacter Observation of our Ecclesiastical Discipline and of the Stile of God's holy Word and of our Confession of Faith than heretofore and doth according to our Canons in all these Articles expresly interdict and forbid them the utterance of any bitter Words or Expressions whenever they declare their Faith and Hope against any Person or Opinion whatsoever And it doth also most humbly supplicate his Majesty to interpose his Royal Authority that those of the Romish Religion who do licentiously depart from their Duty may be reduced to the Obedience of his Edicts and that his poor Subjects of the Reformed Religion may not for the future as they have been upon all Occasions hitherto be loaden with the most outragious and atrocious Abuses and Reproaches And we do farther recommend unto all our Churches and their respective Members the observation of our Discipline and particularly that no one do publish any Book till it have been first perused and examined and approved by them who are commissionated thereunto and that none take upon them to violate the Judicial Sentences of the Civil Magistrate concerning Divorces And the Province of Sevennes hath and doth protest that it had never any such Design or Purpose for so doing 20. And whereas there is a Crime imputed unto our Churches about the Residence of their Pastors and the Exercise of their Ministry as if some of them had acted contrary to the tenth Article of January 1561 which yet is very false for not one of them hath ever attempted to preach forcibly in any Place Yea and secondly that Edict of January was only provisional made for that time and hath been since abrogated by the subsequent Edicts particularly by the one and fortieth Article of that Edict made in the Year 1570 and by that of Nants made in the Year 1598 and which by his then Majesty was declared to be a clear plain general and absolute Law by which it was his Will and Pleasure that all his Subjects should be governed And thirdly The Pastors do not exercise the Duties of their Calling in any other Places besides those which are allowed them by the 78th 79th 80th and 81st Articles of the Edict last mentioned And fourthly Our Lords of the Council and the Parliaments and the several Commissioners for the Execution of that Edict have from the beginning made out Orders where and in what Places the publick Exercise of our Religion should be established and performed and did always consider that the most part of those Places were but so many Quarters and Members of one and the same Church served by one and the same Pastor And fifthly That the Pastors never preach out of those Quarters unless in the case of Absence or Sickness or of some other lawful hindrance of their Brethren And lastly By the sixth Article of the Edict of Nants explained by the first of the secret and particular Articles it is granted that our Ministers may reside in any Places of the Kingdom indifferently Wherefore we most humbly petition that his Majesty would maintain them in that Liberty granted them by his Edicts and revoke all Orders and Decrees of his Privy-Council which are derogatory to them 21. Moreover forasmuch as our Pastors do not receive their Maintenance in a way of begging nor from the Poors Box nor from Legacies bequeathed to pious Uses and destinated for the Relief of the Poor but only from a voluntary Contribution of their Flocks or by an Assessment made upon them according to the forty fourth Article of Particular Matters conformably to those Agreements past between them and their Pastors at their first coming And that according to the Discipline the fifth Penny of all Alms is particularly assigned to the maintenance of our Professors Regents Scholars and other such like Persons whole Poverty renders them meet and proper Objects of those Charities without ever diverting the Monies of this natu them but according to the Order of Provincial or National Synods His Majesty is most humbly beseeched to keep up in our Churches the Observation of this ancient Order established by the Discipline and authorized by his Edicts and whereof there was never any Complaint yet formed and that he would be pleased to interdict his Officers the disannulling or changing of Agreements past and made between the Pastors and their Churches about their Salaries when they first took upon them the Cure and Charge of their Souls 22. And sith what hath been done in the case of Mr. Petit relateth to the Execution of this Order and to the Canons of former National Synods his Majesty is most humbly requested to approve thereof 23. Finally forasmuch as the Declaration made by the Synod of Nismes is neither as to its Substance nor Terms in which it is framed and expressed any other Matter than the first Article of the eleventh Chapter of our Discipline bottom'd upon our Confession of Faith Catechism and other Expositions of the Belief of our Churches and for that the Arguments produced on behalf of the Opus operatum and the Decision made by the Church of Rome which is directly opposite unto our Faith aforesaid do formally condemn it his Majesty having by his Edicts allowed of it is most humbly intreated to grant that his Subjects of the Reformed Religion may still enjoy and be always secured in the full enjoyment of the Liberty of their Consciences according to his Sacred and Royal Promises that so they may all unanimously with one and the same Heart and the self-same Vows and Prayers unanimously imploy themselves in the Service of God and of his Majesty CHAP. V. Deputies sent with a Letter unto the King 24. THere were chosen by Plurality of Voices in the Assembly the Sieurs Ferrand Gigord and Cerizy to carry unto his Majesty the most humble Thanks and Petitions of the Churches who were furnished with their Instructions and Letters unto his Majesty and to our Lords the Ministers of State 25. A Copy of the first Letter written by the Synod unto the King SIRE THE Great God whose lively Image you are accepting indifferently and irrespectively the Prayers and Homages of all his Creatures we believed that your Majesty would not he displeased with our Boldness in laying ours at your Feet your Majesty having granted us the Priviledge of assembling our selves in this Place And 't is to acquit our selves of this necessary Duty Sire that we have sent the Sieurs Ferrand Gigord
slandering and calumniating us and by divers Pamphlets and Libels fraught with lying Stories do their utmost Endeavour to make the Loyalty and Fidelity of our Churches to be suspected and called in question and that there is an absolute Necessity we should justify our selves not only by Sermons preached in the Pulpit and by Books composed and published from the Press unto the whole World to this very End and Purpose but also by our most humble Remonstrances unto his Majesty that he would be pleased graciously to account all the Members of our Churches as his most obedient and loyal Subjects and to have an intire Confidence in their Fidelity unto his Service the Welfare of his Estate and the Augmentation of the Glory of his Crown The Assembly imbraced this Remonstrance as a sacred thing consonant to Reason and Justice and perfectly correponding with those Propositions tendred us from his Majesty by the Lord Commissioner and ordained That all Pastors in the Churches of this Kingdom should give all religious and conscientious Satisfaction herein according to the Word of God and the Confession of our Faith which are punctual and most express on this Subject Article 7. Whereas for divers Years last past War and Mortality have overspread with a Deluge of Woes the far greatest part of Europe and made the unrepenting Nations sensible what a dreadful thing it is to fall into the Hands of the Living God justly incensed against those hard-hearted Sinners who despise the Riches of his Grace the Abundance of his Goodness and Long-suffering The National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France assembled by the King's Permission in the Town of Alanson beholding in the continual Plagues with which all the Provinces of this Kingdom are scourged evident Threatnings of new impendent Judgments Wherefore that those affrightful and approaching Storms may be averted and the Bowels of God's fatherly Compassions may be moved and that we may obtain from his infinite Mercies and Goodness the Preservation of his Majesty's sacred Person a Blessing upon his Armies the Return and Re-establishment of Peace and Prosperity in the State and a quiet Settlement for his poor afflicted Church tossed with Tempests and not comforted We do exhort all the Faithful by a deep Humiliation of Soul and a sincere and serious Conversion of Heart to seek after the Help Grace and Favour of God And to this Purpose the Synod decreeth That a publick Fast shall be kept and solemnly observed in all the Churches of this Kingdom on Thursday the nineteenth Day of November next coâ—â—ing which shall be notified unto them by reading of this present Act. Article 8. That the Purity of Doctrine may be intirely preserved and all Misunderstandings between Pastors Professors and Churches may be avoided and to prevent those many Inconveniences which would thereupon happen and to tie and maintain more strictly and strongly the spiritual Bonds of brotherly Charity and Union among the Faithful This Synod doth most rigorously forbid on Pain of all Church-Censures yea and of Deposal from their Ministry all Pastors of Churches and Professors in our Universities to treat of in their Sermons Lectures or Writings those curious Questions which may occasion the Fall or Stumbling either of Students in Divinity or private Christians it being most necessary that both they their Scholars and Flocks should keep themselves to the Simplicity and Plainness of the Holy Scriptures and to the common Expedition of the Orthodox Creed grounded thereupon and approved by the National Synods particularly by that of Charenton held in the Year 1623. They be also forbidden the using of any new Expressions subject to ill Constructions and Misinterpretations or contentiously to dispute one with the other upon such Questions or Interpretations or to draw reciprocally the Saw of Controversy betwixt them in Polemical Writings nor shall they violate directly or indirectly the Canons made either in this or former Synods about printing of Books for whose Contents the Licensers of the Press shall be responsible as much as the Authors unto the Provinces And those Provinces within whose District and Jurisdiction our Universities lie shall take a most especial Care of them and see them visited from time to time by Persons chosen to that Purpose and to oblige all Professors both in Philosophy and Divinity to send every six Months unto the Examiners of Books in the Neighbour-Provinces one or two Copies of the Theses disputed and defended in the publick Schools And the Neighbour-Provinces are impowered with full Authority together with those in which our Universities are erected to take a particular Knowledg of their Estate And in case any Pastor or Professor or any Member of our Churches in reading or perusing the Books printed with Licence of our Examiners shall find any matter of Importance which they shall count worthy of Reprehension we order that they apply themselves to the Authors of the said printed Discourses or to the Examiners and Licensers of them and to demand Satisfaction from them and in case they refuse to give it then they shall address themselves unto their Colloquies and Synods And that Church and Province out of which the said Complaint cometh forth is forbidden as are also all other Persons whatsoever from intermeddling with this Affair or to take upon them to judg and decide it or to inflame this Controversy or to spread it farther but according to the Canons of our Discipline they shall leave and resign it intirely unto those Assemblies to whose Jurisdiction the Authors of these Disturbances do belong and against whom the Opposition is formed Article 9. The Lord Marquess of Clermont our General Deputy and the Sieurs Ferrand Gigord and Cerisy who were particularly delegated to lay at his Majesty's Feet the most humble Supplications and Complaints of our Churches having immediately after their Return from Court delivered his Majesty's Letters and given an Account of that gracious Audience and most kind and favourable Reception they had from his Majesty and our Lords his principal Ministers of State and how well they approved of the Conduct of this present Synod and had promised that as soon as it was concluded and separated an Answer agreeable to our Desires expressed in the Cahier presented to them should be given us and that they would assign for the defraying the Charges and Expences of this Synod the same Sum of Monies as was granted unto the last National Synod which was also confirmed by my Lord Commissioner who had received Letters concerning it and required that this Assembly would dissolve it self speedily The Synod having testified their great Satisfaction in the Wisdom Faithfulness and Affection manifested by these their Deputies in their whole Negotiation and finding that they had Hopes given them by his Majesty that his poor oppressed Subjects of the Reformed Religion should sense and experience the comfortable Effects of his Sacred Royal Promises and that according to his wonted Goodness he would take care that they
Doctrine and Writings of the Sieurs Amyraud and Testard Pastors and Professor of Divinity in the Vniversity of Saumur The Sieurs Testard Pastor of the Church of Blois and Amyraud Pastor and Professor of Theology in the Church and University of Saumur came in Person unto this Synod and declared That they understood from common Fame how that both at home and abroad and by the Consutations and Proceedings of sundry Provinces as also from divers Books written against them and their printed Labours they were blamed for that Doctrine which they had published to the World that therefore at the first opening of the Synod they presented themselves before it not knowing but that their Cause might be debated whenas the Confession of Faith came to be read and that they appeared to give an account of it and such Explanations of their Doctrine as the most Reverend Synod should judg needful and to submit themselves unto its Judgment and consequently to demand its Protection for the support of their Innocence hoping that this Favour would not be denied them because they were fully perswaded in their Consciences that they had never taught either by Word or Writing any Doctrine repugnant to the Word of God to our Confession of Faith Catechism Liturgy or Canons of the National Synods of Alez and Charenton which had ratified those of Dort and which they had signed with their Hands and were ready to seal even with their Heart-Blood Article 13. And the Sieur de la Place Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Saumur reported also from the said University That he was charged by it to render an account of the Grounds and Reasons which induced him to approve and license the Works and Writings of Monsieur Amâ—â—aud which he did according to the Priviledg granted by the Discipline unto our Universities Moreover the Sieur Ouzan Elder in the said Church of Saumur being admitted into the Synod declared that the said Church understanding that Monsieur Amyraud one of its Pastors was brought into trouble for his Doctrine though both by it and and his most exemplary and godly Conversation they had been always exceedingly edified had given him an express Charge to testify unto it before this grave Assembly and most humbly to commend unto their Reverences the Innocency and Honour of his Ministry Article 14. There were also tendred unto the Lord Commissioner the Letters but not opened which were sent unto the Synod from the Churches and Universities of Geneva and Leyden and from the Sieurs du Moulin Pastor and Professor in Theology at Sedan and Rivet Pastor and Professor at Leyden together with the Treatises composed by them and the collationed Copies of the Approbations given by the Doctors in the Faculty of Theology at Leyden Franequer and Groningen unto the Treatise of the said Professor Rivet Which Letters being opened by the Lord Commissioner and their Contents perused by him he allowed the reading of them unto the Assembly The Assembly did likewise read the Letters writ by Monsieur Vignier Pastor in the Church of Blois and by Monsieur le Faucheur Pastor in the Church of Paris in which they offer their Sentiments for reconciling the Controversies arisen about the Writings of the said Testard and Amyraud and their Opponents Article 15. Moreover the Apologetical Letters of the Sieurs Vignier and Garnier Pastors of the Churches of Blois and Marchenoir were read who informed the Synod that by virtue of a Commission given them by the Province of Berry to examine the Theological Writings which might be composed either by the Pastors or others of their Province they had given their Attestation and Approbation to the Book of the said Monsieur Testard and had given an account of this their Judgment unto the Provincial Synod assembled in the Year 1634 and the Extracts of those their Writings were produced Article 16. Those Papers having been all read and the aforesaid Sieurs Testard and Amyraud having been divers times heard and the Assembly having in a very long Debate considered the Difficulties of those Questions raised by them did constitute the Sieurs Commarc Pastor id the Church of Vertueil Charles Pastor in the Church of Montauban de L'angle Pastor in the Church of Roan Petit Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Nismes le Blanc Pastor and Professor in the University of Die de Bons Pastor in the Church of Chaalons upon Saone and Daillé Pastor in the Church of Paris a Committee to digest and reduce into Order the Explications which had been given or might hereafter be given by the before-mentioned Testard and Amyraud and that they should accordingly as soon as it was finished bring in their Report Article 17. And the said Committee having discharged their Trust and made their Report unto the Synod the before-mentioned Mr. Testard and Amyraud were again introduced and did with the deepest Seriousness protest before God that it was never in their Thoughts to propound or teach any Doctrine whatever but what was agreeable to the known and common Expositions of our Creed and contained in our Confession of Faith and in the Decisions of the National Synod held at Charenton in the Year 1623 all which they were ready to sign with their best Blood Article 18. And pursuant hereunto explaining their Opinions about the Universality of Christ's Death they declared That Jesus Christ died for all Men sufficiently but for the Elect only effectually and that consequentially his Intention was to die for all Men in respect of the Sufficienâ—y of his Satisfaction but for the Elect only in respect of its quickning and Saving Virtue and Efficacy which is to say that Christ's Will was that the Sacrifice of his Cross should be of an infinite Price and Value and most abundantly sufficient to expiate the Sins of the whole World yet nevertheless the Efficacy of his Death appertains only unto the Elect so that those who are called by the Preaching of the Gospel to participate by Faith in the Effects and Fruits of his Death being invited seriously and God vouchsafing them all external Means needful for their coming to him and showing them in good earnest and with the greatest Sincerity by his Word what would be well-pleasing to him if they should not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ but perish in their Obstinacy and Unbelief this cometh not from any Defect of Virtue or Sufficiency in the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ nor yet for want of Summons or serious Invitations unto Faith or Repentance but only from their own Fault And as for those who do receive the Doctrine of the Gospel with the Obedience of Faith they are according to the irrevocable Promise of God made Partakers of the effectual Virtue and Fruit of Christ Jesus's Death for this was the most free Counsel and gracious Purpose both of God the Father in giving his Son for the Salvation of Mankind and of the Lord Jesus Christ in suffering the Pains
any other way than by the Merit of our Lord Jesus Christ or in any other Religion besides the Christian Article 26. And whereas divers Persons were much offended at the Professor Amyraud for calling that Knowledg of God which Men might gain from the Consideration of his Works and Providence unless their Corruption were extream by the Name of Faith The said Professor declared that he did it because he reckoned that that Perswasion which some have that there is a God and that he is a Rewarder may bear that Name he owning however that St. Paul did simply and plainly stile it the Knowledg of God 1 Cor. 1.21 The Assembly injoined him not to give the Name of Faith to any other Knowledg of God but unto that which is ingendred in us by the Holy Ghost and by the Preaching of his Word according as the Scripture useth it whether thereby to point out unto us the Faith of God's ancient Saints or this which is now under the New Testament and necessarily accompanied with a distinct Knowledg of Christ Article 27. And as for Man's natural Impotency either to believe or to desire and do the things that belong unto Salvation both the said Sieurs Amyraud and Testard protested that Man had none other Power than that of the Holy Spirit of God which is only able to heal him by an interiour illuminating of his Understanding and bending of his Will by that gracious invincible and uneffable Operation which he only exerts upon the Hearts of those Vessels of Grace which are elect of God Article 28. They did farther declare that this Impotency was in us from our Birth for which Cause it may be called natural and they have called it physical or natural nor ever did refuse so doing unless when they would signify that it is voluntary and conjoined with Malice and Obstinacy whenas Man despiseth and rejecteth the Invitations of God which he would receive and imbrace provided his Heart were well and fittingly disposed within it self Article 29. And Monsieur Testard added particularly that this doth not in the least derogate from what he had asserted concerning two Callings the one real and the other verbal given by God unto Men whereby they may be saved if they will sith that he intended thereby to signify nothing else but that their Impotency to convert themselves was not of the same kind with that of a Man who having lost his Eyes or Legs was willing with all his Heart to see and walk but that this Impotency sprung from the Malice of the Heart it self The Assembly having heard him thus express himself injoined him to abstain from these terms and not to use them unless with very much Prudence and Discretion and to join with them such needful Glosses and Explications as thereby it may appear that Man is so depraved by Nature that he cannot of himself will any Good without the special Grace of God which may produce in us by his Holy Spirit both to will and to do according to his good Pleasure Article 30. And those afore-mentioned Minister and Professor Testard and Amyraud having acquiesced in all as above declared and having sworn and subscribed to it the Assembly gave them the right Hand of Fellowship by the Hand of their Moderator and they were honourably dismissed to the Exercise of their respective Charges The Continuation of other General and Ecclesiastical Matters Article 31. FOrasmuch as the far greater Part of the Provinces have not took any Order about the Expences of their Deputies sent unto this Synod the Assembly desirous to provide for their Indemnity without Prejudice to that Vantage-Assessment they might lay claim unto or which had been granted to them did pass this Decree That their respective Provinces should pay them after the Rate of an hundred Sous being eight Shillings and four Pence Sterling Money a day and they shall be accountable to them for those Portions accruing from the Sum granted by his Majesty towards the defraying of our Synodical Expences Article 32. Henceforward whenas a Professor's Place in Theology in any one of our Universities comes by his Death to be vacant that it may not be any long time void and that the University-Councils may have fit Persons ready at hand whom they may chuse and call in to supply the Office of the Deceased this Synod desirous to repair so great a Loss exhorteth the Lords of Chamvernon de L'angle Texier du Soul Daillé Bochart of Caen to separate themselves unto the Profession of Theology that they may take it upon them whenever the Necessities of our Universities shall require it Article 33. Forasmuch as particular Actions cannot be truly and impartially judged but from a due Consideration had of all their Circumstances this Assembly not being able to enact a Canon concerning Persons accused of Bankerouting doth leave the whole Affair to the Prudence of Consistories how and in what manner to proceed against them as they shall see to be most expedient Article 34. The Province of Lower Guyenne having requested it the Assembly declareth that the appointing of publick Fasts and of all other Deliberations relating to the Discipline of our Churches and the upholding of their Order ought to be determined in Ecclesiastical Meetings by the Plurality of Pastors and Elders Suffrages without any preferring of one above another Article 35. Over and above those Attestations which Scholars are wont to bring with them from the Professors and Regents of those Universities under whose Direction they have followed their Studies the Synod doth ordain that they shall also take out Attestations from the Pastors and Consistory of their Lives and Conversations Article 36. Forasmuch as the Church judgeth not them that are without and doth not exercise any Jurisdiction on those who have quitted her Communion This Assembly judgeth it not meet that those Persons should be publickly from the Pulpit censured who that they might marry with Parties of a contrary Religion have abandoned the true Religion which they formerly professed Article 37. Without prejudicing the Rights of the Province of Provence and Burgundy this Assembly grants the Power of calling the next National Synod unto that of Anjou CHAP. XVI Particular Matters 1. THE Sieur de la Fite Solon Pastor of the Church of Bayon having presented the first part of a Book of Metaphysicks composed by him and dedicated unto this Assembly after they were examined about it who had been commissionated thereunto by the Synod of Lower Guyenne this Assembly ordered that it should be again perused by some of its Members who having made their Report the said Sieur de la Fite was praised and incouraged to employ those Gifts wherewith God had indowed him for the Illustration of the Truth and the Sum of three hundred Livers was voted to be given him which the Lord du Candall should pay him upon his Debet and the Monies so paid should be charged to the Accompt of the Churches 2. Monsieur
Maeil Elder in the Church of Dieppe being chosen by the common Votes of the Pastors Elders and Heads of Families there and sent unto the Deputies of the Province of Normandy to move and intreat them to request that Mr. Texier who was freed from the Church of Mauvesin in the Province of Higher Languedoc might be given to them absolutely and the said Lords Deputies having introduced him into the Assembly to make his Demand in which also they joined with him After that Mr. Texier had been heard on the one part declaring how that for the Ingratitude of his Church he accepted of the Call given him by the Church of Dieppe upon Condition that his Province should judg it reasonable to set him at Liberty and with Design to oblige his Church by the Authority of the National Church to give him a full Satisfaction and on the other part the Deputies of Higher Languedoc complained that they were not in due time and place acquainted with his Intention and requesting that the Right of their Province might be intirely secured it having many Churches to be supplied which were destitute of Pastors and particularly the Church of Mauvesin which had sufficiently assured the said Texier that he should be paid the Arrears of his Wages The Assembly decreed that he should apply himself unto his Synod which is exhorted to see that he be fully satisfied and in case he be set free from his Church and that he cannot be commodiously provided for within his Province that then leave shall be given him to depart where he best liketh 3. The Assembly conserving to the Province of Berry the Right they have hitherto had over the Church of la Selle ordaineth that as long as it shall be supplied by the Pastors of the Isle of France it shall be under the Jurisdiction of the said Province which shall continue their Contributions towards the Subsistence of the Colledg of Chastillon 4. Forasmuch as the Assembly is not now in Possession of any Fund out of which those who have Recourse unto it might be relieved by its Charities Monsieur Falquet whose Necessities are very great is recommended unto the Province of Berry to be assisted and comforted by them either by allowing him some certain Portion out of their Alms or by recommending his afflicted Condition to be relieved by the more rich and populous Churches 5. The Deputies of the Province of Vivaretz relating the extream Poverty whereunto Monsieur Zuccond a Pastor emeritus hath been for several Years last past reduced by reason of his great Sicknesses Losses Expences and Imprisonments suffered from the Lord of Chanal and la Motte and that the precedent National Synods had in Consideration of his great Afflictions granted him a free Portion out of the Monies of his Majesty's Liberality and requested this Assembly that they would be pleased to vouchsafe him some sensible Tokens of their Charity and Compassion Answer was made them that forasmuch as the Churches had no Monies at all of their own nor now to be disposed by them the said Province was exhorted to take care of him for his comfortable Subsistence and Relief from among themselves 6. Whereas the Province of Sevennes had formed a Complaint against Monsieur James Pasquier Pastor in the Church of St. John de Breuil this Affair was turned over to the Judgment of the Province of Higher Languedoc 7. The Deputies of Bearn requesting that the Divisions which have been judged and condemned in the Church of Morlas maybe totally and effectually remedied and that there may be an End put unto the Complaints brought in by Monsieur Fabas against his Province and sundry particular Persons on the one hand and of divers others against him on the other that therefore some Deputies may be sent with an express Charge to take Knowledg of and give a final Judgment on all those Articles which could not possibly be examined or clearly inspected into in this Place and at so great a Distance The Assembly accepting the Offer of the Deputies of the Province of Bearn promising to bear their Charges who should to this Purpose be sent unto them did nominate the Sieurs Ferrand and Charles Pastors and Charron an Elder to receive the Information drawn up at the Request of Monsieur Rival by the Lord D'abbadie the Decrees past in Parliament against the Lords D'abbadie Rival and others who by Order of their Colloquy had admitted unto Communion at the Lord's Table some particular Persons of Morlas and generally all Papers whatsoever which have given Birth and Fewel unto this Fewd and Contention that so they may proceed to a final Judgment on the remaining Matters yet under Debate and Controversy And they shall bring in their Accompt hereof unto the next National Synod 8. To regulate the Pretensions of the Churches of Alanson St. Aignan and Mans about the Donative given for their Benefit by the Lady de la Harangere and destined to the Maintenance of some poor Scholars This Assembly ordaineth that according to the Tenor of the said Legacy the Administration of the Monies arising from it ought to be left in the Hands of the Church of Alanson and those two other Churches shall agree with it about the choice of him to whom the Pension shall be exhibited and that the first of these three Churches which shall be unprovided may proceed to receive and imploy him and that the Son of Monsieur Vignier Pastor of the Church of Mans who hath already received some Fruits of the aforesaid Pension shall injoy it and be preferred before all others in the Injoyment of it 9. Forasmuch as the Sieur de la Milletiere hath sent unto the Pastors deputed by the Provinces the first Part of a Book written by him intituled Les Moyens de la Paix Chrestienne en la Reunion des Catholiques Evangeliques sur les differends de la Religion divisé en quatre parties and the Title of the first Volume La Refutation de la procedure de Monsieur Daillé en son Examen and Letters also in which he asserts that he is moved hereunto by the sole Spirit of God for to reconcile the Differences in Religion He takes for granted that what he hath offered or may hereafter offer will be received without any Contradiction by all the Churches and presupposeth that all our first Reformers and their Successors were abused and do abuse themselves through a Misunderstanding which cannot be discovered but by them who shall admit his new conceited Lights And whereas he hath been too long even for the space of three Years tolerated and that the Church of Paris hath used all Endeavours to reduce him unto his Duty and that in the Articles contained in his first Script he hath designedly concealed his Opinions though under the very Phrases used by the Doctors of the Romish Religion and with which they are accustomed to express their own Sentiments and that in the second which he hath sent abroad
into the World under Pretence of producing Methods of Reconciliation he hath insinuated divers Novelties which are of no Concern at all to our present Controversies and sided with the Church of Rome And whereas Monsieur Daillé who was expresly ordered to refute him hath used him with a great deal of Equity and singular Moderation for which he is generally approved And forasmuch as in his third Book he endeavours might and main to overthrow the Orthodox Doctrine of Justification by Faith betraying the Cause unto the Champions of Merits and of Justification by Works The Assembly ordaineth that Letters shall be written him to acquaint him with the Unreasonableness and Injustice of his Presumption and the Unprofitableness of his Design and to threaten him that unless he do quit and abandon it and contain himself within the Bounds of his Vocation and make Declaration of it within six Months unto the Consistory of Paris he shall be cut off from all Communion with our Reformed Churches N. B. The Letter sent him by the Synod bore Date the 6th of July 1637. but La Millitiere did afterward revolt unto Popery and died a Papist 10. After the Lord Commissioner had opened the Letters of Mr. Diodati Pastor and Professor in Theology at Geneva the Assembly considering the Contents thereof and having examined the French Translation of the Books of Ecclesiastes and of the Song of Songs which had been notified to them by him ordered that Letters should be written unto the said Mr. Diodati and to represent unto him the Reasons why we cannot depart from the Canon of the Synod held at Alez 11. The Professor Amyraud petitioned the Assembly that they would be pleased to ordain that the Author of two Books intituled Antidote and Les Ombres d' Arminius in which his Doctrine and Reputation were most odiously traduced and the Memory of Monsieur Cameron deceased is wickedly defamed might be cited before them to answer for his Fact And Monsieur de la Place in the Name of the University of Saumur joined with him in the same Petition But forasmuch as the Author of the said Book is unknown and absent these two aforesaid Professors were advised to carry the Proofs they have of this Action unto the Synod of Poictou which having condemned the Impression of the Antidote would do them Justice upon their Complaint 12. Monsieur de Vinay having remonstrated that the Province of Vivaretz had not satisfied nor made Payment of those Monies advanced by the Church of Annonay for the defraying of his Expences during his Deputation unto the National Synod of Castres and demanding a Rule and Order for those Charges the said Church should be now necessitated to be at on the same score Monsieur D'Hosty joined with him in the said Request on behalf of the Church of St. Fortunate This Assembly confirming the Decree of the Synod of Tonneins in the 7th Article of Observations upon the Discipline ordaineth That the said Province of Vivaretz should conform it self thereunto both for the present and what is past 13. Whereas Monsieur Fabas hath been afflicted with Sickness all the time of his sojourning in this City the Assembly doth freely give him the Sum of an hundred Livers to be taken out of the Debet of the Lord du Candall 14. The Lord du Candall having offered to advance for defraying the Expences of the Sieurs de l' Angle and Gigord deputed unto the Court the Sum of three hundred Livers he is intreated to allow them at the rate of an hundred Sous by the Day during the time of their Abode which is limited unto one Month or more 15. There shall be allowed in the Lord of Candall's Accompt the Sum of four hundred and fifty Livers advanced by him unto the Sieurs Ferrand Gigord and Cerizy who were first deputed by this Assembly unto his Majesty for the defraying of their Expences in their Journey and Attendance at Court 16. In case his Majesty should hereafter grant any Sum of Monies for the maintenance of our Ministers the Provinces of Lower Guyenne and Bearn shall agree together in the choice of one Scholar who may be hereafter fit to serve in the Ministry in the Land of La Bour and shall allow him yearly the Sum of one hundred Livers and shall pay in unto Monsieur Guillemin the Sum of an hundred and fifty Livers according to the Decree made by the last National Synod of Charenton 17. Forasmuch as the Professors present in this Assembly have protested that they would inviolably observe the Canon framed in it beginning with these Words For the preserving of c. The Deputies of Higher Languedoc and Anjou are charged to demand and receive the like Protestations from the other Professors resident in the Universities of Montauban and Saumur CHAP. XVII Of VNIVERSITIES The Order taken for upholding and Maintenance of our Universities Article 1. WHereas the Universities of Montauban and Saumur have complained that by reason one of the Provinces hath retrenched part of its Contribution they have been deprived of that Assistance which was destined unto their Maintenance and requested that some Course might be took herein by an Order of this Synod looking forward and backward to what is past and to come The said Province was heard speak in its own Defence which urged for it self that it had been over-rated by the last National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1631. This Assembly did greatly condemn the aforesaid Province for attempting to violate the Canons of that Synod and for giving an evil Example unto others of committing the like Crime and forbiddeth that and all other Provinces of being guilty for the future of such Offences on Pain of forfeiting their Priviledg of entring into these National Synods and ordaineth that they make good and full Payment of all Arrears due by them unto those before-mentioned Universities Article 2. The Provinces which are indebted unto our Universities are exhorted to use their best Endeavours to pay in unto them their Arrearages according to the Rate before made Article 3. The University of Nismes demanding her just Dues and that the Sum granted her by the last National Synod of Charenton might be actually paid in unto her this very Day and requesting that the Sum of sixteen hundred and thirty nine Livers three Sous paid to her Prejudice by the Synod of Lower Guyenne unto that of Montauban which applied unto its own particular Profit what belonged unto another This Assembly generally condemning all such Proceedings ordaineth that the Sum of sixteen hundred thirty nine Livers three Sous shall be reprised by the said University of Nismes out of what is owing by the Province of Normandy and others who should have brought in their Contributions for the Subsistence of the University of Montauban and the University of Nismes shall receive its full Maintenance according to the Number of Professors who have been in actual Service there since the last National Synod of
fears that it will ever take with or go down in your Churches or Spirits and makes us believe that all these little Projects will be resolved into their first Principles of wind and smoak to the sole prejudice of the Vanity of the Undertakers Accept most Reverend and Honoured Brethren in good part these thoughts so freely Communicated to you from your Loyal Sister which owes you her All and can pay you but Little excepting the deep sorrows of her heart for the general Calamities of the Church and her continual Sighs and Cries unto Almighty God for the Peace thereof and that he would be pleased to return with his Majesty and Glory unto the many thousands of Israel and re-edifie his ruinated Zion and above all to continue his Grace Protection and Benediction upon you All with whom she is most intimately united and perfectly conjoin'd in the firmest and most antient bonds of an Holy Love which together with her most earnest Cares and devoutest Prayers she doth continually offer up unto the Divine Majesty for the Health and long Life of your Sovereign Lord the King for the prosperous success of his Affairs for the re-establishing of Peace and Tranquillity in his Kingdom in which both ye and we are so very much concerned and by means whereof we cannot but hope that our poor afflicted Brethren in Foreign Provinces may also through the Grace of God meet with Peace and Settlement May the good hand of the Almighty make your Assembly a blessed Instrument of your Peace Union and Perseverance in the Truth and fullfil all our Desires and Prayers for the Consolation of all his Churches and that you may be the first who shall enjoy the Fruit of your Labours by the Witness of God's Holy Spirit in your Hearts and the happy effects of your Holy and Prudent Debates and Counsels We conclude all with the tender of our most Humble Faithful and Cordial Services and Affections and of our most intire Union with you in Spirit which we most humbly beg of the Lord to Sanctifie and Consummate in its full and total Perfection in the Kingdom of his Glory Your most Humble and most Affectionate Brethren and Servants in the Lord the Pastors and Professors in the Church and University of Geneva and for them all From Geneva April 26. 1637. Diodati Tronchin Chabray Prevost and Pauleint CHAP. XXIX The Testimonials of divers Doctors and Universities unto the Treatise of Monsieur Rivett against the Books of the Sieurs Amyraud and Testard To the most Honoured and our most Excellent Colleague Andrew Rivett Professor of Divinity WE did read with singular delight your Remarks on the Writings of Monsieur Amyraud Pastor and Professor at Saumur which we had seen sometimes before and we have found them exactly agreeing both with the Holy Scripture in all Articles of Faith and in those wherein our National Synod of Dort had declared its Judgment and therefore we approve of your Writing as being very Learned and Moderate and count it Worthy of Praise from all Orthodox Divines and we doubt not in the least but that this your Labour will be most acceptable unto the now approaching National Synod of France and will be useful and serviceable for the suppressing and putting a period by due and proper ways unto these late Controversies which some certain Pastors affected and addicted unto Novelties have to their shame raised in the French Churches to the great Offence of very many Godly Persons From Leyden March 14. 1637. Your Reverences most Affectionate Colleagues Johannes Polyander Antonius Wallaeus Antonius Thysius and Jacobus Triglandius Extracts out of a Letter sent by Mr. John Bogerman to Mr. Andrew Rivett from Franequer Feb. 7. 1637. HAving thus concerted that Affair among our selves we now Write you our present Judgment which in this Paper is Transmitted to you begging of God with all our heart That he would bless your Holy Labours and behold in the Son of his Love your distressed Churches of France which have been hitherto as a Pure and Chaste Virgin and have kept inviolably their Oath of Fidelity unto the Truth but now-a-days begin to be troubled with impure Errors and of a very dangerous Heterodoxy My Colleagues could not read that French Book of the Professor Amyraud because they don't understand the French Tongue therefore did I most Faithfully make those Extracts which you see out of his Writings Our ears could not suffer with any Patience those Novelties of a double Predestination unto Salvation and of a certain general knowledge by the light of Nature of the Mercy of God to all Men and of another particular knowledge of the same Mercy unto particular persons of a double Decree of God without any knowledge of Christ The good Lord be merciful unto these Brethren and according to his infinite goodness grant that they may have but one and the same Mind and the same Language with all the Churches of Christ and may he ever watch over you to keep and preserve you for many long years yet to come to the Glory of his Great Name and the Edification of his Church To that most Excellent Person our most Dear Brother in Jesus Christ Master Rivett Greeting SIR HAving received your Writing together with the Books of this 21. of January we perused them very diligently and were grieved in our hearts that the Seeds of new troubles were sowen in your Churches of France Thus Satan who is always the same and like himself endeavours by vile Errours to obscure the Lustre of the Truth and continually discovers himself a most mortal Enemy of the Grace of God And Oh that our most Gracious God whose great Benignity towards us deserveth our everlasting Praises would deign to preserve your poor Churches of France from all their Enemies and from those woful troubles attending on them These Attacks of the Adversary are ill-boding signs of some sad Events which may betide them unless they be resisted with singular Prudence and an immovable Resolution in their first beginnings and that they be stifled in the Birth For what is it that Men are hammering out of this multitude of Errors but a certain new Arminianism Pelagianism and Socinianism That odd and ridiculous Opinion of Vorstius concerning the changeable Decrees is once again digged out of its Grave and brought upon the publick Theatre yea and that spurious Doctrine of the Jesuits condemned by the School-men themselves appears bare-faced before the World Alas How many points incompatible one with another are there to be found in Monsieur Testard his Book For his latter Theses subvert the former and so far are these Pamphlets from conciliating Peace that to the contrary we believe the Adversaries are more exasperated by them animated and strengthened to Combat with us and that Saying of Monsieur Beza may be justly applied to this Script He would have forged a Peace but he hath forged out Dissention Sir You are very well acquainted with the Man and therefore
we Judge it your Duty to examine his work and censure it and to return it back unto us that we also may add our consent unto your performance What you have already done discovers a Holy Religious and Charitable Affection to the Service of God and to the Edification of the Churches in your Native Countrey Your Remarks upon his Errors are very clear your Confutations of them exceeding Solid and the Admonitions you have ministred unto our Brethren express a great deal of Christian Charity and what you have done in this matter is highly pleasing to us and we cannot but Esteem and Honour you the more for your singular care in defending the Truth and conserving the Peace of God's Church and we Praise and Applaud your Pious Zeal for the Service of God and of his Church And what Man fearing God but will cherish in you these good Dispositions and your Praise-worthy Labours May our God who hath breathed into you these Divine Motions and Affections maintain them in you And the Lord grant that the Churches of France may acknowledge with due respects and thankfulness your Zeal and approve of your Writing and may remove those Errors which you have detected to them from among them and watch over them that they may not gain ground in the midst them for they have a tendency to Exclude our Lord Jesus Christ from being a means of Salvation And further we do with all our hearts beseech the God of Bounty and Mercy that he would lengthen out your days unto many years to the benefit of our Belgick Churches and of those in the Kingdom of France that he would preserve you from all evil and accumulate upon you his best Blessings Amen From Franequer this 15. of February 1637. Your most Affectionate Servants and Brethren Johannes Bogermannus Dr. of Divinity and chief Professor in this Vniversity Menardus Sertaunus S. S. Theolog. Dr. and Professor Johannes Majomus Dr. and Professor Letters from Monsieur Altingius to Monsieur Rivett and the Approbation of the Church of Groninguen SIR IT was very late when the Pacquet you sent me was received by me having opened it I found therein closed three Books written by certain Pastors in France in love with Novelties the Disciples of Mr. Cameron deceased together with your Animadversions upon their Doctrines briefly Collected by you Indeed as I am exceedingly desirous of the Peace and Concord of God's Church which we do more need now than ever so was I as much sadned and dejected that those Brethren and others of their Perswasion should go about to change the Doctrine Established in France and the Netherlands against Arminius and his Followers and trouble the Repose and Tranquility of all our Churches and grieve weak Consciences especially those who have no insight into these matters and others of the same Nature I doubt not but that your Churches of France will find out a convenient and speedy Remedy in this their approaching National Synod that may prevent this growing evil according to the laudable Canons of their Discipline and preserve others from its Infection I approve and commend your singular Care and Diligence for those Churches and that tho' you be at a distance from them yet you do so seasonably assist and help them I have Communicated the whole unto Monsieur Gomarus who was very much pleased with your Considerations and who did not only read the Writings you had stitched with them but extracted divers things as I also have done to be of use to me in case I should hereafter be called out to give my Judgment on these points You have here added a form of Approbation brief indeed but harmoniously agreeing with that of the Professors at Leyden and which as we hope will be sufficient enough for the present If you desire any thing more you need only hint it to me nor use or urge any Arguments with me for so doing I pray you to inform me whether Monsieur Capel is a Partner in these Novelties for I have held with him a most intire sincere and inviolable Friendship more than thirty years I must confess ingenuously unto you that I could never well enough understand that Merit of the Covenant of Nature which contains the Foundations of Pererius his Faith Could I have met but with a Messenger any one day of this last week I had sent the whole unto Monsieur Bogerman which God willing I shall do by the very first opportunity The Lord preserve you my most Illustrious and Dear Brother and whom I Honour with my whole heart and the Lord lengthen out your life many a year for the Service of his poor Church and give down his Heavenly Blessing upon your worthy Labours to the Glory of his Great Name From Groninguen Decemb. 27. 1636. Henricus Altingius The Form of Approbation WE have Read and Examined in the fear of God the Theological Considerations of that most Famous Divine Monsieur Rivett upon the Abridgement of the Doctrine of Nature and Grace which as they do clearly repeat that Orthodox Consent settled against the Pelagians and Semi-Pelagians by the Synod of Dort in Holland and of Charenton in France so be they also meet and fit for their singular Prudence Moderation and Charity to stop the Progress yea and wholly to suppress those unhappy Controversies which are lately started by some certain Pastors who be more in love with Novelties and Subtilties than with plain and simple Verity They have shown a great deal of Imprudence in raising them and have also Scandalized the Churches and Universities of France We beseech God through our Lord Jesus That he would give his Blessing from Heaven unto the Designs and Labours of this Man of God and that he would Sanctifie us all and keep us in the Truth From Groninguen this 27th of December 1636. Francis Gomarus Doctor of Divinity and Professor in that University Henricus Altingius S. T. P. The Original of this present Formulary of Approbation being in my Custody in case any one should call in question the Truth of the Copies thereof I shall produce it at any time for their satisfaction I could not get the first Copy which I took from the Original and sent back to be Subscribed by those Reverend Persons who had Signed the Original to be Subscribed because some of them were then absent from the City of Groninguen and because I was necessitated to dispatch this second Copy so suddenly that it could not possibly be attested by them But in case the first Copy should not be delivered to our Reverend Brethren yet nevertheless I hope they will credit these which in the presence of God I do avouch to have been most Faithfully extracted from the Original From the Hague in much haste this 17th of May 1637. Andrew Rivett CHAP. XXX A Letter of Monsieur du Moulin Pastor and Professor of Sedan sent unto the National Synod of Alanson in the year 1637. concerning the Books of the Sieurs
the Church of Rome in the Article of Justification 17. The Dutchess of Tremoville appears in the Synod Differences between two Pastors and a Church made up 21. A Church Projector Censured 27. Chap. XII Of General Matters A Decree against Swearing of young Scholars 2. All Deeds and Evidences belonging to particular Churches carefully to be preserved 3. No Canon to be made about things indifferent 6. Care for the Redemption of poor Captives in Turkey 7. A Canon against Independents 9. Chap. XIII The Heads and Articles of Agreement between the Presbyterians and Independents Chap. XIV Books and Manuscripts against Original Sin Censured Act 10. Of General Matters An Act against any manner of Worship yielded to the Popish Host when carried in Procession 11. An Act for a National Fast 12. Chap. XV. Millitiere and his Business before the Synod His Excommunication Particular matters 1. The Province of Normandy may not be divided into two 11. Mr. Drelincourt hath the Thanks of the Synod for his Book against the Worship of the Virgin Mary 18. A poor Minister and Emeritus relieved but with a Check 23. The Case of Mr. Arnaud a Persecuted Minister 24. An Account of Mr. Blondel his Works Office and the Synod's Honour for him 26. Monsieur Gauter Compiles the Canons of the National Synods into one Body and applieth them to the Canons of the Discipline 28. Monsieur Catelon doth the same 29. Chap. XVI Of Vniversities Care taken for the Vniversity of Montauban and the other Vniversities 1. The Province of Bearn Exposed for neglect of their Duty and Promise 2. The Generosity of a Professor in Divinity 10. An Ordinance of the Synod to several Ministers and Professors to compleat Monsieur Chamier's Works and to Publish their own 23. The Contribution of the Provinces to the several Vniversities 25.6.7.8 Chap. XVII Accompts of the Vniversities Chap. XVIII An Act for calling the next National Synod Chap. XIX A Decree about the Validity of the Synodical Acts. Chap. XX. The Roll of Apostate and Deposed Pastors Chap. XXI Remarks upon some of the Deputies to this Synod D. Blondel c. THE Synod of Charenton 1644. and 1645. The 28th Synod SYNOD XXVIII 1644. 1645. In the Name of God Amen Acts of the Eight and Twentieth National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France Assembled by His Majesty's Permission at Charenton St. Maurice near Paris on Monday the Six and Twentieth Day of December 1644. and ended Thursday the Six and Twentieth Day of January 1645. CHAP. I. 1. Monsieur Drelincourt Pastor of the Church of Paris opened the Sessions with Prayer and then the Lord Marquis of Clermont General Deputy Presented the Writ given forth by His Majesty's Command for calling the Synod The Tenour of which is as followeth THis day being the Twelfth of February 1644. The King being then at Paris upon the most humble Petition of his Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion to permit them the Calling and Holding of a National Synod there having been none since that of Alanson in the year 1637. His Majesty by the advice of the Queen-Regent His most Honoured Lady and Mother desiring to Gratifie and Treat Favourably His said Subjects hath permitted and doth permit them the Convocation of a National Synod in December next at Charenton but with this Condition that they Treat in it of none other matters but of those which be allowed them by Their Majesties Edicts and that the Commissioner whom His Majesty shall please to appoint be Personally present in the said Synod as hath been accustomed In Witness whereof His Majesty hath Commanded me to Issue out this present Writ which he hath Signed with His own Hand and caused to be Counter-signed by me His Councellor and Secretary of State and of His Commands Signed in the Original LOVIS And a little lower Phelippeaux 2. There met in the said Assembly with Letters of Commission which were read by my Lord le Coq Elder in the Church of Paris sitting at the Table together with another Elder the Sieur Caillard who were both Chosen by Common Suffrages unto this Office these Persons hereafter named Article 1. For the Province of Anjou Monsieur Isaac Pelletier Pastor of the Church of Vandome and Stephen le Vacher Pastor of l' Isle Bouchard together with the Sieurs George Raboteau and Joseph Roisay Advocates and Elders in the Church of Previlly Article 2. For the Province of the Isle of France Monsieur David Blondel Minister of God's Holy Word and formerly Pastor of the Church of Houdan but now residing in Paris by express Order of his Provincinal Synod and of this Assembly and Charles Drelincourt Pastor of the Church of Paris and Theodorus le Coq Elder of the said Church He was alone because the Lord had called home unto himself the Sieur John Bazin Elder of the said Church who was joyned in Commission with him Article 3. For the Province of Normandy the Sieurs Benjamin Basnage Pastor of the Church of Ste. Mere Eglise John Maximilian de L'Angle Pastor of the Church of Rovan Daniel Guesdon Elder of the same Church and Isaac Caillard Elder in the Church of Alanson Article 4. For the Province of Dolphiny the Sieurs Francis Murat another Copy calls him de Maras Pastor of the Church of Grenoble Simon Coin Pastor of the Church of Bessey Peter du Clog Esq Lord of Chastillon and du Serres Elder in the Church of Veyne and David Albert Elder in the Church of Brianâ—on Article 5. For the Province of Sévennes the Sieurs Nicholas Blane Pastor of the Church of Sumaine Anthony Button Pastor of the Church of Alez the Noble John de Bringniere Lord de la Roque Elder in the Church of la Salle and David Rouviere Doctor of Physick Elder of the Church of Alez Article 6. For the Province of Bearn the Sieurs John de la Fitte Pastor of the Church of Pau and the Noble Alexander de la Fibre Baron of Riquam and Lord of Cadellon Elder in the Church of Couches Article 7. For the Province of Lower Guyenne the Sieurs James Privas Pastor of the Church of Ste. Foy Simon de Goyon Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux the Sieurs de Cazes and de Sauvage tho' they were Deputed by their Synod appeared not the Cognisance whereof was remanded back unto that Province Article 8. For the Province of Xaintonge the Sieurs Philip Vincent Pastor of the Church of Rochel Theophilus Rossel Pastor of the Church of Xaintes Stephen Soulard Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux Elder in the Church of Xaintes and Daniel Texeron Lord of Cresper Counsellor nominated by His Majesty for the Circuit of St. John d' Angeley and Elder of the Church in that Town Article 9. For the Province of Vivaretz the Sieurs Alexander de Vinay Pastor of the Church of Annonay Paul Annard another Copy calls him Accaurat Pastor of the Church gathered near Privas James Gautier Esq Lord of Gourdanel Elder in the
he can hinder them But he hopes that for the future you will use more Circumspection and carry your selves better and avoid all just occasions of displeasing his Majesty though they may occur unto you CHAP. III. The Moderators Answer 6. THE Lord Commissioner having finish'd his Speech the Deputies return'd their Answer by the Mouth of the Moderator Monsieur Garrissoles who thankfully acknowledged the grew Goodness and Mercy of Almighty God in answering the Prayers of his poor Churches with his Heavenly Blessing So that the General Loss which the whole Nation sustained in the Death of the Late King of most Glorious and Immortal Memory is now most abundantly made up and recompensed in the Succession of his present Majesty For though the Sun of this Kingdom did set under a most sad and black Eclipse and was likely to have been Buried in the everlasting Darknesses of an Unconsolable grief of an irremediable Confusion yet we have all seen to our Incredible Joy and Admiration the Peace and Happiness France to shine out again in a New Bright Star from the East who hath revived the Hopes of all his Faithful Subjects and filled Christendom with Wonder and Astonishment when they consider that the good Hand of God hath not only exalted his Majesty from the Cradle to his Father's Throne whose Birth was so long Desired They need not be Proud of it and at last obtained by the Joynt Prayers of his People and most especially of the Churches but also hath put the Reins of the French Empire into the Hands of the Queen Regent a Princess whose Glorious Birth and Extraction seems to serve for no other end than to place her Vertues on the highest Theater of Glory Secondly the beginnings of his Majesties Reign are under most auspicious Stars for Success Victory and an uninterrupted Series of Prosperities upon his People have mutually contended how they might most advance the Reputation of his Crown and have combined together in Strengthning those rightful Arms employed by his Majesty for Defence of the State and Protection of his Allies The Designs of his Royal Highness and of other Chieftains have every where succeeded with Happiness and Glory His Majesty was no sooner Seated on the Throne but he gave out Marks of his Royal Authority his first Declarations were to ratify and Confirm the Edicts of Pacification and to assure all the Churches in his Kingdom of their being Protected by their Sacred Majesties and that as those Edicts had been made in favour to us so also should they be conserved for us That glorious approvement of the Services of * * * Mareschal Turenne and Mareschal Gassion Two Great Men bred up in our Bosom and Communion and raised so far above the reach of Envy that the Staff of Mareschal of France together with the Conduct of Royal Armies were put into their Hands without the least discontentment of any Person in the State And their Majesties Condescention in accepting kindly of our most Humble Petitions presented them by the Hands of our General Deputy and granting us the Priviledge of holding this Synod and committing the Inspection of it unto a Person most Illustrious for his Vertues and well deserving that high Place of Dignity and Honour he enjoyeth in the First and Chiefest Parliament of the Kingdom All these and many other Considerations more do inforce our Souls with a Sweet and Pleasing Violence to break forth into inlarged Praises and Enflamed Thankfulness unto their Majesties for such signal Favours and Benefits vouchsafed to us which we account the First-Fruits and Pledges of a greater Harvest yea and in most ardent Supplications unto our God for the Preservation of their Sacred Persons his Benediction upon their Government the Glory of their Crowns under whose Comfortable Shadow the Churches enjoying a Sweet Peace will never have any other Desire nor Thought than to practise Faithfully and Conscientiously that most express Command of our Lord and Saviour by his Apostle St. Peter to Fear God and Honour the King and that with a most intire and sincere Obedience And as we have no design to do it so neither shall we ever admit any Person to sit as a Member of our National Synods it being contrary to our Ancient Custom who hath not a Deputation from the Provinces nor shall we hold any Foreign Correspondencies nor shall we Receive or Read any Letters coming from Foreigners nor return any answer to them unless that my Lord Commissioner who Represents his Majesties Person shall have first Perused them and approved of our so doing Nor will we debate about State Matters nor make any Orders in relation to them Nor shall we present unto the Pastoral Office in our Churches any Foreign Ministers who be not Natives of this Kingdom nor set up Provincial Councils in Opposition to his Majesties Will nor as his Majesty hath demanded to us will we suffer those Canons of our National Synods concerning the Approbation of Books that shall be Printed on Matters of Religion to be Violated Nor shall we Excommunicate any of those Persons who quit the Communion of our Churches for we do not arrogate unto our Selves any Jurisdiction over them from that Moment in which they left us Nor shall we tollerate any Sermons fraught with Injuries and Reproaches against the Members of the Church of Rome whether in general or particular or that may Excite the People to Insurrections Tumults or Rebellions or taking up of Arms against the Sovereign Authority of their Majesties Nor shall any single Province have an Absolute Power of indicting General and Publick Fasts nor suffer that Monies be Collected from Door to Door nor that the Poor's Monies be diverted from their proper use nor that the Forty Fourth Article of particular Matters in the Edict of Nantes be broken It being our Sincere and most Fixed Resolution to observe in the precisest and strictest manner their Majesties Edicts and under the benefit of them to lead a Quiet and a Peaceable Life in all Godliness and Honesty But my Lord we do most humbly beseech their Majesties in the First Place that by the Interposal of their Sovereign Authority they would stop the violent Attempts and Practices of such Persons who being instigated by a false Zeal or by reason of their Imployments do trouble the Publick Peace and Tranquillity by an infraction of the Edicts and by actual Enterprises against the Professors of our Religion both in general and particular that so none of them contrary to the principal end the formal and express intention of the said Edicts may be expos'd to Sufferings upon the Account of their Religion or be inforced by reason of them to draw up a Bill of Complaints and Grievances sustained by them for a good Conscience towards God the very title of which is so displeasing unto their Majesties Secondly We most humbly beseech their Majesties to take it into their Royal Consideration that our Confession of Faith was framed
Face and called him to the Knowledg of thy self the only True God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent and animated him with a Spiritual Courage to make a publick Confession this Day of thy Holy Faith and that Hope which thou hast begotten in his Soul and granted him this Grace to offer himself in thy Presence unto this Holy Sacrament of Baptism the Seal of thy Covenant the Pledg of the Remission of our Sins and the Token of our Admission into thy House by a Supernatural New Birth So most blessed God we beseech thee to dart in upon him more and more the Beams of thy Mercy to forgive him all his Sins to purge his Conscience with the precious Blood of the Lamb without Spot who taketh away the Sins of the World O cause him Lord to feel the Almighty Vertue of his Propitiation Let thy Holy Spirit sanctifie him and make him a new Creature that he dying unto Sin may live unto Righteousness and putting off the Old Man with his Works he may put on the New Man who is renewed in Righteousness and true Holiness And as we are now pouring upon his Head the Waters of thy Sacrament so we beseech thee more especially to pour down upon him the Gifts and Graces of thy Holy Spirit Receive him into the Number of thy Domesticks and honour him with the Adoption of thy Children Give him Grace that during his whole Life he may devote himself entirely unto thy Service and yield that Obedience and Religious Worship to thee which is thy Due and his Duty And let him persevere faithfully in thy Holy Covenant for ever-more that as we do now receive him in thy Name into the Communion of thy Church Militant so thou mayest another Day exalt him into the Bosom of thy Church Triumphant and gather him at his Death unto that general Assembly of the First-born whose Names are written in Heaven Hear us O merciful Father that this Baptism which we do now administer to him according to thy Sacred Ordinance may produce its Fruit and Vertue in him as thou hast declared in thy Holy Gospel to us for the sake of thy dear Son in whom thou art well-pleased even our Lord Jesus Christ who hath commanded us to call upon thee saying Our Father which art in Heaven c. Then the Minister addressing himself to the Sureties who present the Catechumen shall say My Brethren As you have charitably employed your selves in the Instruction and Edification of this our Brother and are Witnesses of tha Baptism which he shall now receive through our Ministry so do you not promise before God and this Sacred Assembly to continue more and more to strengthen and confirm him in the Faith and to stir him up unto all good Works Answ Yes This done the Minister speaking unto the Catechumen who upon his Knees waiteth for Baptism shall say Forasmuch as we have received these Evidences of your Faith pouring Water upon him N. I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen The Conclusion of the Form of Baptizing Strangers from the Covenant of God whether Pagans Jews Mahometans Anabaptists or any other Infidels who had not been before baptized 11. If in Churches served by divers Pastors any one of them be disabled either through Age or some other Infirmity from administring the Cup yet shall he always distribute the Bread in the Lord's Supper unto the Communicants and this Canon shall be observed in all the Provinces without exception 12. Whereas in many of the greater Churches of this Kingdom it hath been found requisite for their more general edifying to handle the Sunday's Catechisms by way of Common-Places in Divinity and not by familiar Questions and Answers And to promote their Instruction who are well grown in years they have substituted extraordinary Catechisings on certain Days immediately preceding the Lords Supper we approving their Practice do notwithstanding exhort the rest of the Churches to conform themselves unto the Order prescribed by the Discipline as much as possibly they can And in case they cannot every Lords Day Catechise their Children yet shall they chuse out some days of the Week peculiarly for this Exercise especially before the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is to be administred and the Provincial Synods are ordred to see this punctually observed in every Church of their Jurisdiction and to give an Account thereof unto the next National Synod 13. To explain that Canon of our Discipline which bindeth Pastors in their ordinary Course of Preaching to expound some one particular Book of Holy Scripture from the beginning to the end thereof this Assembly declareth that the Intention of the National Synod which decreed that Canon was not thereby to debar or hinder any Pastors from edifying their Churches by expounding of any Books or Texts of Scripture particularly chosen on extraordinary occasions as of the Lords Supper c. nor to impose upon them any necessity of prosecuting the Exposition of the same Book which was the Subject of their Lord's Day Sermon upon the Week Days in which the far greatest Part of the People are taken up with the Occupations of their Secular Callings and Families that they cannot attend upon such Sermons and so would be deprived of their chiefest Edification but in this respect to leave all Pastors to their Liberty 14. Henceforward the Moderators in Synodical Assemblies and the Deputies which shall be sent from the Provinces in their Name to assist in National Synods shall be chosen as the Canons of our Discipline have determined not by the Churches but by Plurality of Suffrages of the Provinces And in case any absent Person should be elected yet this shall not abridge the Pastors of their Liberty in Voting 15. For the better Understanding the Third Canon of the Ninth Chapter of the Discipline This Assembly declareth that the Memoirs wherewith every Province intrusteth their respective Deputies ought to be resolv'd in their Provincial Synods by plurality of Votes and signed in the said Assemblies by the Moderators and in case this be omitted there shall be no more regard had unto them than unto Motions made by Private Persons who had no Order nor Commission and propounded such matters of their own Head 16. Upon the Eighth Canon of the Ninth Chapter of the Discipline it was decreed that the Moderator of the Synod having propounded the Matters of Discipline which are to be debated shall defer the giving of his Suffrage till all the Deputies have given theirs and he having gathered their Votes shall then at last have the Casting Voice CHAP. X. Observations made on Reading the National Synod of Alenson held in the Year 1637. 1. IN compliance with that Petition of the Deputies of Vivaretz and of the Church of St. Stephen in Forest which had agreed in a particular Treaty made with the Church of Bonlieu and by Consent of the Province of Burgundy that the said Church
should be united as it hath been for divers Years last past with it this Assembly doth approve both of their Reunion with the said Province of Vivaretz and of its being incorporated with that of Bonlieu 2. In Confirmation of the promises made by the National Synods of Charenton held in the Year 1631 the Second time at that Place and of Alenson in the Year 1637 unto Monsieur Chamier this Assembly resolveth stedfastly as soon as God shall have inabled the Churches that they shall be punctually performed 3. A Decree past that the Sieurs Constant and Bellot should be effectually paid what had been promised them by the foregoing Synods as soon as ever the Churches may recover a Fund for it and it shall be returned unto the Province of Xaintonge who had advanced before-hands the said Monies 4. For as much as the whole written Will and Testament of Monsieur Scoffier the Father produced in this Assembly hath not been in the least fulfilled although the National Synod of Alanson had strictly injoyned his Executors to perform it the Consistory of the Church of Nismes is ordered once again to call before them the Widow of Mr. John Scoffier Deceased who had applied to his own private uses the Monies belonging to Jaquemine his Sister tho she was by their own Father made Joint-heir with him that so she may make Restitution of what she had unjustly taken to her self and that by a false Information brought in by her unto the National Synod of Castres And in case she refuse to Discharge her Conscience in this particular then shall the said Consistory prosecute her with all the Censures of the Church according to the Discipline 5. Monsieur du Fresne producing Testimonials from the Province of Higher Languedoc of his Godly Life and most exemplary Conversation ever since the last National Synod and out of respect to his most Humble and Importunate Petition this Assembly granteth him his Desire and restoreth him to the Honour and Exercise of his Ministry of which he had been deprived these Fourteen Years And it was farther Decreed that the Act of the National Synod of Alanson relating to him shall be Rased and whereas his Name was enrolled among the Deposed it shall be now taken off the File and he shall be sent unto the Churches of Issoire Paillac Chazelle and Gazelle to serve them as their Ordinary Pastor All which shall be signified unto him by Letters 6. Complaints being brought in against Monsieur Amyraud Pastor and Professor in Theology at Saumur for Violating the Canons of the National Synod of Alanson by Printing his Book of Reprobation and some other of his Works and the Province of Anjou and the said Monsieur Amyraud who was deputed by the said Church and University of Saumur and charged with the Delivery of their Letters having remonstrated unto this Synod many and sundry Transgressions of those very Canons by several Provinces And the Provincial Deputies of Poictou being heard and also the said Amyraud both as to the Publishing of his Books and the Doctrin contained in them this Assembly being very well satisfied with his Explications and Sense given of his Doctrin agreeable to that of the Synod of Alanson and judging it best to bury in the Grave of Oblivion all those reciprocal Complaints brought in from all Parties hath as formerly dismissed the said Sieur Amyraud with honour to the Exercise of his Professorship wherein he is exhorted to employ himself with Courage and Chearfulness Moreover this Synod desirous for the future to settle a good arid lasting Peace in all the Churches and to satisfy the Requests of all the Provinces which have unanimously demanded the strict and punctual Confirmation and Observation of the Canons of the National Synod of Alanson doth most expressly forbid on pain of all Church Censures yea and of being deposed from their Offices all Pastors and Professors to go beyond those bounds in Writing Preaching or Disputing one against another upon those points declared and explained in the said Synod of Alanson or to publish any Books on those Subjects Moreover the said Professors shall be responsible for all their Lectures Theses and Disputations and their Provincial Synods shall be accomptable for them onto the National And all Students in Divinity are most expresly injoyned upon pain of being declared unworthy of ever serving in the Sacred Ministry to raise any Stirs or Debates about unnecessary Questions as concerning the Order of God's Decrees of Universal Grace by the Preaching of Nature which may lead and bring Men unto Salvation Points only propounded and advanced by pure Curiosity and for the Exercise of Mens Wits And all Examiners of our Proposans in order to the Ministry shall proceed in that business with very much Charity exacting from them nothing but what is demanded by the Canons of our Discipline and provided they give that Satisfaction which is requisite by signing the Confession of Faith the Liturgy of our Churches and the Canons of Alez Charenton and Alenson and this present Act they shall be approved and admitted 7. After Reading of this Canon which Monsieur Amyraud promised to observe and obey he petitioned the Synod that in case his Works might be opposed by Books printed in Foreign Parts without the Kingdom to the blasting of his Reputation License might be given him to defend his own Innocency and to make use of his Natural right in repelling injury and purging himself from all Blame and Reproach An Order passed that if any such thing fell out he should demand leave to vindicate himself from the Provincial Synod of Anjou who shall consider whether it will be expedient for his Consolation and the Churches Edification 8. Monsieur Grace producing his Accompts of Monies received and distributed to the Churches of Rochel Montauban and Castres shall carry them to the next Provincial Synod of Burgundy where upon his Bringing forth of the Acquittances this Accompt shall be concluded and past by the Authority of this Assembly CHAP. XI APPEALS 1. THE Churches of Divonne and Grilby in the Land of Gex appealing from a Judgment in pecuniary matters their Appeal is according to the Discipline sent unto the Province of Burgundy And the Deputies of that Province are Ordered to take into their Custody all Papers of both Sides relating to it 2. That right may be done the Church de la Fite upon their Appeal this Assembly judgeth that the Province of Lower Guyenne hath exceeded the stated Rules First In removing Monsieur de Bourdieu from the Church in that Town unto which he was by a particular Covenant obliged and without hearing the Church as is evident from the Acts of the said Provincial Synod 2. For fixing the said Monsieur de Bourdieu absolutely in the Church of Bergerac notwithstanding the Appeal of that of La Fite 3. That when the said Church of La Fite re-demanded their ancient Pastor they provided for them Monsieur Belon a Person never
the Neighbouring Pastors 'till such time as the Synod shall be agreed and approve thereof ARTICLE 6. The Province of Lower Guynne moved that all the Churches might be injoyned to conform unto their Custom who as soon as they come into the Temple humbling themselves upon their Knees do each of them privately by themselves offer up a short Prayer unto God craving in it his gracious assistance in hearing of the Word Preached But it was the Judgment of this Assembly that no Canon should be made about a matter in itself indifferent and that the Churches should be left at liberty to use their own ancient Customs and they be all exhorted respectively to seek after those things which will make for their Edification and to avoid and shun all kind of Ostentation Affectation and Superstition ARTICLE 7. The Maritime Provinces making great Complaints of the vast number of Captives detained in Algier Tunis Salle and other Places of Barbary and Morocco and of their sad and woful Condition and that they do indispensably need the Charitable Assistance of all the Faithful to redeem them out of Misery This Synod adjureth by the Bowels of Compassion of the Living God and by that Fellow-feeling which all Members of our Lord Jesus ought to have of one anothers Straits and Necessities all the provinces and all the Churches and every particular Individual Professor of our Religion to yearn with Bowels of Pity over the Affliction of these our poor Brethren and to contribute liberally towards their Redemption and the Alms which shall be Collected to this purpose from the Provinces of Xaintonge Poictou Lower Guyenne Bearn Higher Languedoc shall be paid into the Consistory of Rochell and those Alms which shall be Collected from the Provinces of Lower Languedoc Sevennes Vivaretz Dolphiny and Burgundy shall be paid into the Consistory of Lions and those Alms which shall be Collected from the Provinces of Normandy Brittain Anjou Berry and the Isle of France shall be paid into the Consistory of Paris and every Province shall send unto the Consistory of Paris a List of their Captives and an Account of their Alms that so these Monies may be employed in the Redemption of those Captives who are Natives of Provinces before any others and after them as a Supplement of Charity for others also That so this whole work of Love may redound to the Glory of God the common Edification and particular Consolation of these our Poor Afflicted Brethren ARTICLE 8. The Provinces of the Isle of France and Anjou moving it All those Churches who injoy the priviledge of a Printing Press are strictly charged that they do not suffer any Alteration to be made either in the Translation of the Bible or Book of Psalms or in the Text of the Confession of Faith Liturgy and Catechism without an express Order from that Consistory which is authorised thereunto by the Provincial Synod ARTICLE 9. Upon report made by certain Deputies of the Maritime Provinces that there do arrive unto them from other Countries some Persons going by the Name of Independents and so called for that they teach every particular Church should of right be governed by its own Laws without any Dependency or Subordination unto any Person whatsoever in Ecclesiastical Matters and without being obliged to own or acknowledge the authority of Colloquies or Synods in matters of Discipline and Order and that they settle their Dwellings in this Kingdom A thing of great and dangerous consequence if not in time carefully prevented Now this Assembly fearing lest the Contagion of this Poyson should diffuse it self insensibly and bring in with it a World of Disorders and Confusions upon us and judging the said Sect of Independentism not only prejudicial to the Church of God because as much as in it lieth it doth usher in Confusion and openeth a Door to all kinds of Singularities Irregularities and Extravagancies and barreth the use of those means which would most effectually prevent them but also is very dangerous unto the Civil State for in case it should prevail and gain Ground among us it would form as many Religions as there be Parishes and distinct particular Assemblies among us All the Provinces are therefore enjoyned but more especially those which border upon the Sea to be exceeding careful that this Evil do not get footing in the Churches of this Kingdom that so Peace and Uniformity in Religion and Discipline may be preserv'd Inviolably and nothing may be innovated or changed among us which may in any wise derogate from that Duty and Service we owe unto God and the King N. B. whether the Persons thus qualified by this Reverend Assembly came from the Old or New England I cannot tell at this time 't is certain the Divisions about Church Discipline flew very high here at Home to the great hinderance of Reformation and the letting in upon us a Deluge of Sects and Pestilential Heresies the sight of which grieved the Hearts of all that truly feared God and exasperated very many Eminent Divines and Ministers against the Congregational Brethren which terminated in a most lamentable Schism and of above Forty Years continuance But it pleased God at last to have Compassion upon us and to touch the Hearts of the Godly Ministers of the Presbyterian and Independent Persuasion with a deep sense of this great Evil in separating so long one from the other Whereupon several Learned and Pious Pastors of Churches in the City of London of both ways met together divers times and Conferred each with other about the healing of this Breach and having frequent Consultations about it and poured out many Mighty and Fervent Prayers unto the God of Grace and Peace to assist direct and prosper them in it upon Fryday the Sixth Day of March 1690 according to our Computation most of the Dissenting N.C. Ministers in the City and many others from the Adjacent parts of it met together and there was then read unto them the Heads of Agreement prepared by the Committee and which had been seen and perused by many of them before and their Assent unto them being demanded it was readily accorded and afterwards near an Hundred gave in their Names unto this Union This Example was taking and leading to all other the N. C. Ministers of England who in many of their respective Counties had their Meetings to compose this Difference and by the Blessing of God upon those their Endeavours it was also upon the sight and consideration of the Printed Heads of Agreement among the United Ministers in London effected whereof Notice was sent up unto the Brethren here in London When the London Ministers first signed this Union they agreed unanimously to bury in the Grave of Oblivion those Two Names of Distinction viz. Presbyterian and Independent and to communicate these Articles of Union unto all Members in Communion with them in their particular Churches the Lords day come Seven-night after and that they would at the next Meeting
of Sevennes who are to see him satisfied ARTICLE 3. The Petition of the Province of Sevennes concerning the Church of Dourbiez shall be brought before the next Synod of Higher Languedoc which is entreated to take it into their particular Consideration ARTICLE 4. This Assembly declareth that those free Portions which were by the National Synod of Castres put upon the Dividend of the Province of Sevennes to be distributed among the Churches of Auvergne having not been payed into the said Province it is not at all accountable for them ARTICLE 5. Whereas the Widow of Monsieur Garnier deceased complaineth that the Wages of her late Husband were not paid him by the Church of Lorges The Sieur de Clesles Elder of that Church and Deputy of the Province of Berry answereth That there was a course already taken for the discharge of that Debt and he promised that the Quarter of Messac should bring in their portion without delay unto the next Synod of Berry and the said Synod is enjoyned to see this Widow fully and entirely satisfied ARTICLE 6. The Sieur de la Lause petitioned by Letters that his Son-in-law the Sieur Boronet might be set at Liberty from his serving the Churches in the Province of Xantonge because of his great Age and that he needs him to look after the Concerns and Affairs of his Estate and Family An Order passed that this Petition of his should be carried unto the next Synod of Xaintonge which is charged to take it into their Godly Consideration and to deal with him according to the Rules of Charity and Equity ARTICLE 7. The next Synod of Berry shall take Cognisance of the Petition of the Sieur Gueren and in case he be oppressed the Province of Burgundy is ordered by their final Judicial Sentence to redress his Grievances ARTICLE 8. Letters written by Monsieur Percy Pastor of the Church of Monflanquin and Deputy for the Province of Lower Guyenne were read in which he gave an Account of those Causes which hindred him from attending on this Synod as also the Titles of those Works begun by him in defence of the Truth This Assembly admitted his Excuses and ordered him to carry the Manuscript Copies of his Works unto the Provincial Synod which shall carefully examin them that so with their Approbation they may be published ARTICLE 9. The Sieur Daubus Pastor of the Church of Nerac Petitioned by Letters that this Assembly would be pleased to constitute some certain Commissioners to examin a Book written by him and presented to the Synod of Lower Guyenne and which was now brought hither unto this Nationa Synod It was Voted that the said Manuscript Book of his should be examined by Commissioners chosen in the Synod of that Province who having approved of it should take Care about it's Impression and Publication ARTICLE 10. This Synod being well informed both by the Letters of Monsieur Falquett a Pastor Emeritus and by the Speech of Monsieur Taby of the deplorable Estate whereunto he is reduced An Ordinance passed That the said Falquett should be recommended to the Charity of the Churches who have hither relieved him with oar desire that they would be pleased to continue their Offices of Love and Christian Kindness to him And this Ordinance shall be sent unto the Church of Maringues whether the said Mr. Falquett is ordered to retire ARTICLE 11. According to those respective Letters written by the Pastors and Consistories of the Colloquies of Rouan and Caux the Siâ—urs de L'Angle and Guesdon having petitioned that those two aforesaid Colloquies might be sundred to make up each of them a particular Synod the Sieurs Basnage and Caillars who spake for the four Colloquies of the Lower Normandy which opposed this Separation being also heard The Assembly after a mature Debate and serious Consideration of the Reasons pro con of the Conveniences and Inconveniences which might ensure upon this dismembring and for denying or granting their Request made this Decree That the Separation demanded by them could not be allowed And whereas the said Sieurs Basnage and Caillard have on their side requested that without any respect had unto that distinction of Higher and Lower Normandy this Assembly would be pleased to ordain that whenever an Election should be made of Deputies unto the National Synods that it might he carried by Number of Persons and Plurality of Suffrages and not by that Custom of deputing one tor the Higher and another for the Lower Normandy It was again resolved that the ancient Custom should not be abrogated nor that any thing should be innovated in the Form and Manner of their Elections ARTICLE 12. The Complaint of Monsieur des Marez in his Letters was brought hither by the Deputies of the Lower Languedoc and exaggerated by their Remonstrances in this Synod whereunto the Deputies of the Province of Vivaretz also did make Reply in their own Defence Upon hearing of both Parties the Consistory of Montlimard which was accepted by both Parties for their Umpire was empower'd with Authority from this National Synod to determin finally of this Affair ARTICLE 13. Report was made by the Deputies of Normandy of a Suit at Law commenced by a certain Head of a Family belonging to the Church of Rouen against a Woman espoused without their Permission or the Consent of his Parents unto his Son This Assembly decreed that the Son who by reason of this difference had been suspended the Lords Table should humble himself unto his Father and by all the Ways and Duties of Submission and Reverence endeavour to regain his Favour and Blessing and the Father shall be intreated and conjured by the Consistory to limit a certain time when he will put an end unto this Process Which term being laps'd the Son shall be received unto Communion at the Lord's Supper ARTICLE 14. The Complaint of Monsieur Gravier shall be brought before the next Synod of Burgundy who shall take Care about it ARTICLE 15. Whereas Monsieur de la Fite hath represented that there was a Clause inserted into the Act of the Synod of Alanson fram'd upon the Account of the Sieur Fabas and which concerned both him the said La Fite and the Sieur Gillott Advocate in the Parliament of Navarre this Assembly decreeth That the said Sieurs shall appear before the Provincial Synod of Lower Guyenne which is to determin finally of this their Affair ARTICLE 16. That Act made in the Synod of Lower Guyenne held at St. Foy on behalf of Monsieur Larigorrie shall be executed according to its Form and Tenor and the said Sieur Larigorrie is according to the Intention of that Synod recommended to the Charity of the Churches of Lower Guyenne that from them he may receive the assistance promised to him ARTICLE 17. Till the Meeting of the Provincial Synod of Berry unto which the Sieur L'Eufant shall present himself to be examined the Church of Bâ—â—â—â—e shall be supplied by the Pastors of Orleans Blois Chasteaudun Mâ—â—â—â—â—noir
themselves to that Canon of the National Synod of Gorgeau on the Tenth Article of the first Chapter of our Discipline which declared that it was resolved for the future that when Ministers were ordained they should not be sent any more for one Year unto a Church but that the Method prescribed in our Discipline should be most strictly and closely followed All which shall be notified unto all the Churches by reading of this present Act. 23. In all our National Synods this Order shall be observed that after the Moderator Assessor and Scribe who is a Pastor shall have given their Opinions on the Question propounded then the Scribe who is chosen from among the Elders shall give his in the next place and after him my Lord the General Deputy and then the whole Body of Pastors and next to them the Elders who are Deputed by the Provinces and then lastly the Moderator shall collect the Votes and conclude with his own Suffrage and all Provincial Synods are likewise to observe and practise this self-same Method in Debates and Suffrages without swerving from it in the least 24. Sundry Provinces complaining that the Sieurs Daille and Amyrald had violated the Canons made in the National Synods of Alanson 1637. and of Charenton 1644. about the Doctrin of Grace This Assembly having heard those two Eminent Ministers of the Gospel Daille and Amyrald speak in their own Defence and found that they were clear and sound in their Judgments and that they might be well enough discharged from all Blame for having thwarted and transgressed the said Canons and that they had not incurr'd those Censures which were decreed against the Infringers and Violators of them And it being evident that the said Book of Monsieur Daille was not only printed without his knowledg but also against his Will which he proved by his express opposing of it's Publication and that the said Mr. Amyrald hath not written any thing since those Synods aforesaid but according to that License which was granted him by the Synod of Charenton 1644. in case any one should write against him nor have any Writings of his been since published till others had first provoked him by clamouring against his Doctrin For these Causes this Assembly doth unanimously decree nemine contradicente that all that is past on this occasion unto this very Day shall be buried in the Grave of a deep and holy Oblivion and the said Sieurs Daille and Amyrald are exhorted to continue in their Faithful Imployment of those rich Talents which God hath bestowed upon them to the advancement of his Glory and the edifying of his Church 25. And whereas the Happiness of our Churches consisteth very much in their Peace and that all kind of Contentions and Divisions may be obviated and prevented this Assembly treading in the Footsteps of their Predecessors and that Satisfaction may be given to the Requests of all the Provinces who have unanimously demanded a punctual Observation of the Canons made in those Synods of Alanson and Charenton doth confirm those said Canons and absolutely forbids on pain of the last and greatest Censures of our Discipline all Pastors and Professors to transgress them either by publick Lectures Sermons Disputes or Writings against the Natives of our Kingdom or the Subjects of Foreign States nor shall they suffer any of their Scholars to hold any Disputations about them And finally that a strict Conformity may be upheld among us All Colloquies and Provincial Synods when they receive Proposans into the Sacred Ministerial Office shall not use with respect unto these points any particular Forms but shall acquiesce in the Signing and Swearing our Confession of Faith and Church Discipline by these Proposans and in causing them to protest with Hands uplifted unto Heaven calling God to witness upon their Souls that they do reject all Errors rejected by the Decrees of those National Synods of Alanson and Charenton about the Doctrin of Predestination and of Grace the Tenor whereof is as followeth Articles extracted out of the Acts of the National Synods of Alanson and Charenton THat the Purity of Doctrin may be entirely preserved See the Synod of Alanson G. M. Art 8. c. and all misunderstandings between Pastors Professors and Churches may be avoided and to prevent those Inconveniences which would happen thereupon and to tie and maintain more strictly and strongly the Spiritual Bonds of Brotherly Charity and Union among the Faithful this Synod doth most rigorously forbid on pain of all Church-Censures yea and of Deposal from their Ministry all Pastors of Churches and Professors in our Universities to treat in their Sermons Lectures or Writings of those curious Questions which may occasion the Fall or stumbling either of Students in Divinity or of private Christians It being most necessary that both their Flocks and Scholars should keep themselves to the simplicity and plainness of Holy Scripture and to the common Expositions of the Orthodox Creed grounded thereupon and approved by our National Synods particularly by that of Charenton held in the Year 1623. They be also forbidden the using of any new Expressions subject to ill Constructions and Mis-interpretations or contentiously to dispute one with the other upon such Questions or Interpretations or to draw reciprocally the Saw of Controversie betwixt them in Polemical Writings nor shall they violate directly or indirectly the Canons made either in this or former Synods about Printing of Books for whose Contents the Licensers of the Press shall be responsible as much as their Authors unto the Provinces And those Provinces within whose District and Jurisdiction our Universities lie shall take a most especial care of them and see them visited from time to time by Persons chosen to that purpose and to oblige all Professors both in Philosophy and Divinity to send every six Months unto the Examiners of Books in the Neighbour Provinces one or two Copies of the Theses disputed and defended in the publick Schools And the neighbour Provinces are empowred with full Authority together with those in which our Universities are erected to take a particular knowledge of their Estate And in case any Pastor or Professor or any Member of our Churches reading or perusing the Books printed with the License of our Examiners shall find any matter of importance which they may count worthy of Reprehension we give order That they apply themselves to the Authors of those printed Discourses or to the Examiners and Licensers of them and to demand Satisfaction from them and in case they refuse to give it then shall they address themselves unto their Colloquies and Synods And that Church and Province out of which the said Complaint cometh forth is forbidden as are also all other persons whatsoever from intermedling with this Affair or to take upon them to judge and decide it or to inflame and spread this Controversie any farther but according to the Canons of our Discipline they shall leave and resign it entirely unto those Assemblies
to whose Jurisdiction the Authors of these Disturbances do belong and against whom the Opposition is formed The Sieurs Testard Pastor of the Church of Blois and Amyrald Pastor and Professor of Theology in the Church and University of Saumur came in Person unto this Synod and declared that they understood from common Fame how that both at home and abroad and by the Consultations and Proceedings of sundry Provinces as also from divers Books written against them and their printed Labours they were blamed for that Doctrin which they had published unto the World that therefore at the first opening of the Synod they presented themselves before it not knowing but that our Cause might be debated whenas the Confession of Faith came to be read and that they came to give an Account of it and such Explanations of their Doctrin as the most Reverend Synod shall judge needful and to submit themselves unto its Judgment and consequentially to demand its Protection for the support of their Innocency hoping that this Favour would not be denied them because they were fully perswaded in their Consciences that they had never taught neither by Word nor Writing any Doctrin repugnant to the Word of God to our Confession of Faith Catechism Liturgy or Canons of the National Synod of Alez and Charenton which had ratified those of Dort and which they had Signed with their Hands and were even ready to seal with their Hearts Blood And the Sieur de la Place Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Saumur reported also from the said University that he was charged by it to render an account of the Grounds and Reasons which induced him to approve and license the Works of Monsieur Amyraud which he did according to the Priviledge granted by the Discipline unto our Universities Moreover the Lord Ouzan Elder in the said Church of Saumur being admitted into the Synod declared That the said Church understanding that Monsieur Amyraud one of their Pastors was brought in trouble for his Doctrin tho both by it and his most exemplary Godly Conversation they had been always exceedingly edified they had expresly charged him to testifie unto it before this Grave Assembly and most humbly to recommend unto their Reverences the Innocency and Honour of his Ministry There were also tender'd unto the Lord Commissioner the Letters which were sent unto the Synod from the Churches and Universities of Geneva and Sedan and from the Sieurs du Moulin Pastor and Professor of Theology at Sedan and Rivett Pastor and Professor at Leyden together with the Treatises composed by them and the collationed Copies of the Approbations given by the Doctors in the Faculty of Theology at Leyden Franequer and Groningen unto that Treatise of the said Professor Rivett which Letters being opened by the Lord Commissioner and their Contents perused by his Lordship he allowed the reading of them unto the Assembly The Assembly read the Letters writ by Monsieur Vignier Pastor in the Church of Blois and by Monsieur Le Faucheur Pastor in the Church of Paris in which they offer their Sentiments for reconciling the Controversies arisen about the Writings of the said Testard and Amyraud and their Opponents Moreover the Apologetical Letters of the Sieurs Vignier and Garnier Pastors of the Churches of Blois and Marchenoir were read who informed the Synod that in vertue of a Commission given them by the Province of Berry to examin the Theological Writings which might be composed either by the Pastors or other persons of their Province they had given their Attestation and Approbation to the Book of the said Monsieur Testard and had given an account of their Judgment unto the Provincial Synod assembled in the year 1634. and the Extracts of those Writings were produced Those Papers having been all read and the aforesaid Sieurs Testard and Amyrald having been divers times heard and the Assembly having in a very long debate considered the difficulties of those Questions raised by them did constitute the Sieurs Commarc Pastor in the Church of Vertueil Charles Pastor in the Church of Montauban De L'Angle Pastor in the Church of Rouan Petit Pastor and Professor in the University of Nismes Le Blanc Pastor and Professor in the University of Die de Bons Pastor in the Church of Chaalons upon Saone and Daille Pastor in the Church of Paris a Committee to digest and reduce into order the Explications which had been given by the before-mentioned Testard and Amyraud and that as soon as it was finished they should bring in their Report And the said Committee having discharged their trust and made their report unto the Synod the before-mentioned Mr. Testard and Amyraud were again introduced and protested with the deepest Seriousness before God that it was never in their Thoughts to propound or teach any Doctrin whatsoever but what was agreeable to the known and common Expositions of our Creed and contained in our Confession of Faith and in the Decisions of the National Synod held at Charenton in the Year 1623 all which they were ready to sign with their best and purest Blood And pursuiant hereunto explaining their Opinions about the Universality of Christ's Death they declared that Jesus Christ died for all Men sufficiently but for the Elect only effectually and that consequentially his Intention was to Die for all Men in respect of the sufficiency of his Satisfaction but for the Elect only in respect of its quickening and saving vertue and efficacy Which is to say that the Will of Christ was that the Sacrifice of his Cross should be of an infinite price and value and most abundantly Sufficient to expiate the Sins of the whole World yet nevertheless the efficacy of his Death appertains only unto the Elect so that those who are called by the Preaching of the Gospel to participate by Faith in the effects and fruits of this Death being invited seriously and God vouchsafing them all external means needful for their coming to him and shewing them in good earnest and with the greatest sincerity by his Word what would be well-pleasing to him if they should not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ but perish in their Obstinacy and Unbelief this cometh not from any defect of Vertue or Sufficiency in the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ nor yet for want of Summons or serious Invitations unto Faith or Repentance but only from their own Fault And as for those who receive the Doctrin of the Gospel with Obedience of Faith they are according to the irrevocable promise of God made partakers of the effectual Vertue and Fruit of Christ Jesus his Death For this was the most free Council and gracious purpose both of God the Father in giving his Son for the Salvation of Mankind and of the Lord Jesus Christ in suffering the pains of Death that the efficacy thereof should peculiarly belong unto all the Elect and to them only to give them justifying Faith and by it to bring them infallibly
Providence unless their corruption were extream by the Name of Faith the said Doctor declared that he did it because he reckoned that that perswasion which some have that there is a God and that he is a Rewarder may very well bear that Name he owning however that St. Paul did simply and plainly stile it the Knowledg of God 1 Cor. 1.21 The Assembly injoyned him not to give the Name of Faith to any other knowledg of God but unto that which is ingendred in us by the Holy Ghost and by the Preaching of his Word according as the Scripture useth it whether thereby to point out unto us the Faith of God's ancient Saints or this which is now under the New Testament and necessarily accompanied with a distinct knowledg of Christ And as for Man's Natural Impotency either to believe or to desire and do the things that belong unto Salvation both the said Sieurs Amyraud and Testard protested that Man had none other Power than that of the Holy Spirit of God which is only able to heal him by an Interior Illumination of his Understanding and bending of his Will by that Gracious Invincible and Uneffable Operation which he only exerts upon the Hearts of those Vessels of Grace which are Elect of God They declared farther That this Impotency was in us from our Birth for which cause it may be called Natural and they have also called it Physical or Natural nor ever did refuse so doing unless when they would signifie that it is voluntary and conjoyned with Malice and Obstinacy when as Man despiseth and rejecteth the Invitations of God which he would receive and imbrace provided his Heart were well and fittingly disposed within it self And Monsieur Testard added particularly that this doth not in the least derogate from what he had asserted concerning Two Callings the one Real and the other Verbal given by God to Men whereby they may be saved if they will sith that he intended thereby to signifie nothing else but that their Impotency to convert themselves was not of the same kind with that of a Man who having lost his Eyes or Legs was willing with all his Heart to see and walk but that this Impotency sprung from the wickedness of the Heart it self The Assembly having heard him thus express himself injoyned him to abstain from these terms and not to use them unless with very much Prudence and Discretion and to joyn with them such needful Glosses and Explications as thereby it may appear that Man is so depraved by Nature that he cannot of himself will any good without the special Grace of God which may produce in us by his Holy Spirit both to will and to do according to his good pleasure And those fore-mentioned Monsieur Testard and Amyraud having acquiesced in all as above-declared and having Sworn and Subscribed to it the Assembly gave them the Right-Hand of Fellowship by the Hand of their Moderator and they were honourably dismissed to the exercise of their respective Charges One of the Provinces having complained against Monsieur Amyraud Pastor and Professor of Theology at Saumur as if he had violated the Canons of the Synod of Alanson by printing his Book of Reprobation and some others and the Province of Anjou and the same Monsieur Amyraud in the name of the Church and University of Saumur who had deputed and charged him with their Letters remonstrating that several other Provinces had transgressed those very Canons and after hearing the Provincial Deputies of Poictou and the said Mr. Amyraud about his Proceedings both in publishing those Books of his since the last National Synod and the Doctrin contained in them This Assembly was well satisfied with those Explications given by the said Mr. Amyrald agreeing with the Synod of Alanson and judging that those mutual Complaints on all sides of violating the Canons ought to be buried in the Grave of an Holy Oblivion did dismiss him with Honour to the exercise of his Professorial Office and exhorted him to bestir himself in it with Joy and Courage Moreover the Assembly coveting to establish a firm and lasting Peace in all and every of our Churches for the future and to give content to the Petitions of all the Provinces which unanimonsly demanded the Confirmation and punctual Observation of the Decrees made in the National Synod of Alanson this Assembly forbiddeth on pain of all Censures even of Deposition from their Offices all Pastors and Professors that they do not exceed those prefixed Bounds in Writing Preaching or Disputing one against another upon those Points declared and explained in the said Synod of Alanson or of publishing any Books about them And all Professors shall be responsible for their Lectures Theses and Disputations unto their Provincial Synod who also shall give an Account thereof unto the National And all Students in Divinity are more expresly enjoyned on pain of being declared for ever uncapable of the Sacred Ministry to forbear for the future all Strifes and Debates about unnecessary Questions as about the Order of God's Decrees of Universal Grace by Nature's Preaching which may bring Men unto Salvation and other Subjects which may be propounded for Exercise of Men's Wits and Curiosity And all Examiners of Proposans who are to be ordained shall deal with them according to the Laws of Charity exacting of them as our Discipline demands over and besides those Gifts and Abilities requisite a Confession of Faith from them conformable to that of our Churches and to our Liturgy and to the Canons of Alez Charenton and Alanson all which together with this present Act shall be subscribed by them And that this present Act may be inviolably observed all the Deputies of our Provinces who composed this Assembly did swear that they themselves would keep it and see that it should be constantly kept and observed and they did farther bind themselves to endeavour that it should be Sworn by all Pastors and Proposans in all their Provincial Synods who are expresly charged to have a strict and watchful Eye over all that may transgress them and to prosecute them with all Church-Censures proceeding herein according to the Method and Form prescribed and appointed by the National Synod of Alanson 25. The Province of the Isle of France informed this Synod that the Judgments given by Provincial Synods could not for a long time together be executed by reason of Appeals brought in against them which occasioned very many and great Troubles and it is very needful that some care and course should be taken to remedy and prevent them This Assembly reserving unto National Synods the Cognisance of Point of Doctrin of the Sacraments and of the whole Body of our Discipline doth ordain that hereafter whenas a Provincial Synod shall have decreed the Suspension or Deposition of any Pastor or Elder or pronounc'd a Sentence of Excommunication against any person or shall ordain that a Church of one Colloquy or of one Synod shall be translated unto
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
repent rouze up thy self out of thy Spiritual Lethargy Awake then and give Glory unto God the God of Heaven and Earth and he will raise thee up again tho thou art fallen Call upon him for who knoweth but that he may have Compassion on thee He hath not forsaken thee but thou hast forsaken him and thou canst tell in what place thou shookst Hands with him Don't consult with Flesh and Blood go seek and find him out in the beginning of thy Sin that yet he may recover thee His Gifts and Callings are without Repentance Thou hast quitted the Pastoral Office to be a wandring Sheep a Sheep wandring after the Voice of a Stranger However thou knowest what the great Shepherd saith by St. John on this occasion make use of it to thy best advantage and if thou canst not be a Pastor yet at least become a Sheep of Christ's Fold In the mean while my dear Friend I will humbly beseech God from the bottom of my Soul and with all my Heart that he would recover thee from this thy most dangerous Malady by some proper and most effectual Remedy For I know him by good Experience to be the best Physician and that he can purge out of thee all thine Errors all Humane Considerations and corroborate the good infeebled in thee through the perverseness of the former that he can again enlighten thee ingraft thee into Christ tho thou hast broken thy self off from him and give Rest unto thy Soul in the Bosom of the Church Militant that so in the Church Triumphant thou mayst enjoy those everlasting Blessings which he hath prepared for them who persevere unto the end And I being filled with Joy at thy Recovery will take thee by the Hand and we will go together into the House of our God there to render him according to our poor Abilities that Sacrifice of Thanksgiving which is his Due and our Duty Now then under this Quality and with this Hope I subscribe my self Dear Friend Excuse if my Superscription do omit these Titles which once thou hadst and I am ignorant of what thou now bearest Thy Humble Servant Aide de Dieu Help of God A Monsieur Monsieur Martin at his House in Montoire CHAP. XXII Remarks upon the Deputies 1. MR. Boschart Pastor of the Church of Caen a Man of vast Learning and reputed one of the most able Scholars in all France His Hierozoicon and Phaleg proclaim his Worth to the whole World Christina Queen of Sweedland invited him into that Kingdom and he was for some time a Professor in the University there 2. Peter de la Musse Here is a Marquess of that Name in London a faithful Confessor for Christ having forsaken his Estate are embraced the Cross rather than part with his Religion and his God and I think the same Deputy 3. Monsieur Mussard Minister in the Church of Lyons but a Native of Geneva he married Mr. Beza's Granchild By a Trick of the Jesuits which he told me he was outed of the Church of Lyons The Cardinal of Villeroy Archbishop of that City and Diocess had an esteem and value for him For he was a Person of great Worth an excellent Scholar and a most eloquent Preacher The French Church of London invited him over to their Service and he died in the Pastoral Office of it There be Printed of his Works a Volume of Sermons in French in Quarto 2. Historia Deorum satidicorum 4 to And 3. Les Conformites des Ceremonies Modernes avec les anciennes His Modesty made him not put his Name to his Works But he himself told me he was the Author of them Les Conformites doth speak English for I have seen the Translation in a Booksellers Shop 4. Monsieur de Bourdieu Pastor of Montpellier this reverend and ancient Servant of the Lord Jesus resides in London and Preacheth tho 95 Years old 5. Monsieur Guitton Pastor of the Church of Sion fled here upon the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes into England and was some time in London but since for want of Employment left the Kingdom and retired I think into the Netherlands 6. Monsieur Amyraud the Famous Professor of Saumur His Learned Writings are well known I shall say more of him God willing in my Icones 7. Monsieur Daille Pastor of the Church of Paris A most Learned and Eloquent Preacher My Worthy and Reverend Friend Mr. Soreton an eminent Nonconformist Minister in Devon translated his Commentary upon the Colossians into English His Book of the Right Use of the Fathers was translated into English and highly valued He writ against Brachet Sieur de la Millitiere a Tool of Richlieu's to compound and reconcile if possible the Two Religions Millitiere at last turned Apostate He hath a most accurate Treatise De Imaginibus Apologie des Eglises Reformees and a great many other things of which and him I shall give an Account at large in my Icones 8. Monsieur Homel Pastor of the Church of Sojon a most pious and zealous Preacher he died a constant and Faithful Martyr His Execution was most barbarous being broken upon the Wheel and left under Torments for several Hours before his Inhuman Persecutors would give him the Coup de Grace as they call it the last Blow upon the Breast to put an end to his Torments But God filled him under his greatest Sufferings with the Consolations of his Spirit I have writ a larger Narrative of his Martyrdom and shall insert it into the Life of the Great Chamier for a Great Grandson of the Famous Chamier suffer'd about the same time unless my memory fail me with him FINIS