prayers and supplications to the Lord of Glory for your Majesties long Life and Prosperous Reign and Preservation The Churches of France in whose name we be here Assembled have the deepest sence of this obligation because they have most frequently and to their great advantage received the comfortable influences of this bright shining star in the Heaven of God 's Church for which we render unto our God the glory and to your most Serene Majesty our humblest thanksgivings and shall ever reserve in our Memories the perpetual character of an inviolable gratitude We have received with all reverence and submission those good and wholsome Counsels which your most Serene Majesty was pleased to send us which as flowing from the Holy Spirit of God have confirmed us in those pious resolutions that were before lodged up in all our hearts and since reduced into act with unanimous consent in our Synodical Decrees We are enforced to our great regret to acknowledg there was an evil thing flung in among us but also we can assure your Majesty that hitherto it hath met with very small incouragement and we trust it shall never be able to make any breach in the peace of our Churches because we are resolved through grace vigorously to oppose it and to Conserve that Order and Union which hath been until now kept up among us We had grubbed it up by the very roots if it had been found among us as it is elsewhere and out of this Kingdom And as for that difference between the Sieurs Tilenus and du Moulin we believe that your Majesties helpful hand will exceedingly advantage us and we promise your Majesty for our selves that we shall give all reasonable satisfaction unto those that trouble us provided they do not attempt to break us in pieces The way of Arbiters hath been ever desired by us and that silence which we ordered and imposed might have been successful if the divided parties had but a little yielded on their side and strove who should have made the first advances we believe so much of the good intention both of the one and other that they had joyned hands and each had quitted his particular Interest for the peace repose and comfort of their Consciences which desired it We will be responsible for one of them according to the power which God hath given us over him and we are in good hopes of the other especially if your most Serene Majesty shall be pleased to employ your powerful Counsels in the furtherance of so good a work In the mean while we have Judged it necessary to suppress those writings which might any ways feed and nourish this bitter controversy between these two servants of God leaving the total suppression thereof unto an interview of both parties which we have appointed at Saumur upon very equitable and most reasonable terms It is the desire of our Souls that those self same Writings disperst abroad without this Kingdom might be suppressed and we most humbly supplicate your most Serene Majesty to order their suppression in your Kingdoms of great Britain As for that Heroick design of your Majesties communicated to us by Mr. Hume for re-uniting the Churches of divers Nations into one and the self same Confession and Doctrine we look upon it as an Undertakement worthy so great a King and well becoming that Divine Zeal with which the Celestial Majesty hath inflamed your Royal Soul and we also shall bring in our poor offerings and tribute Penny thereunto in due time and place and with our whole Heart and Soul we ardently pray that the same may be hastned and brought unto perfection to the great Glory of our God and confusion of the Adversaries of his Truth in hatred of whom we have condemned and detested that Execrable Doctrine of Regicides which violates the sacred Majesty of Kings and asserteth that whole Realms may be interdicted by the Pope And farther we earnestly desire to maintain a good correspondence with the Churches of your Kingdoms whereof we give your most Serene Majesty all possible assurance and do most humbly beseech you to accept of our devoutest Prayers and Services which with submission to his Majesty our Natural King and Soveraign we do lay at your Majesties Feet ever remaining as we are of your Sacred Majesty c. From Tonneins May 1614. The most humbly devoted Servants the Pastors and Elders of the Reformed Churches in France Assembled by the permission of our most Gracious Soveraign Lewis the thirteenth in a National Synod and in the name of all Gigord Moderator Gardesy Assessor Scribes Andrew Rivet and Denys Maltrett A Letter from the Church of Geneva To the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France assembled at Tonneins Messieurs and our most Honoured Brethren YOUR Charity and that Communion which we ever had with you in our Lord Jesus and the word of his Grace hath on all occasions made us joynt partners with you in those singular benedictions the great God hath poured down upon your Churches as also at all times and upon all occasions to sympathize with you in your afflictions by a most sensible and cordial fellow-feeling of them Yea 't is this very self-same passion that doth at present give us access to you and inviteth us not to let slip this opportunity of your National Synod for the consolating our own Souls by imparting to you our thoughts and purposes combined with yours in one and the same faith common to us all If our Wishes could have been granted we would not have put off our communion as now we do unto these dumb Letters but we had satiated our Souls by a personal presence interview and converse with you But for as much as the hard Laws of necessity do restrain us we believe it will not be unpleasing to you tho we be absent from you in body that by our Letters we testifie our presence with you in Spirit rejoycing in your Order and in the stedfastness of your Faith in Christ and that with Vows and Hearts most intimately united with your devoutest Prayers we first of all adore the infinite goodness of the Lord for inspiring their Majesties with that great benignity and singular clemency so as to continue you your Liberty and Priviledge of holding your National Synods in peace and security These Assemblies representing all your Churches are a divine Bulwark against the assaults and invasions of your Enemies and a most firm Cement of your Sacred Union a soveraign remedy against all your Maladies and in one word the very basis of that excellent building which God Almighty by his own wonder-working hand hath miraculously raised up in your Nation This is so rich and singular a Mercy that we cannot sufficiently admire the Providence and Wisdom of God which did at first suggest the usage and establishment of it and his special assistance support and bounty in continuing it And we doubt not of Satans machinations to unhinge it We must tell
your businesses are in extream danger at it were at the last gasp when you need the greatest Circumspection a most immovable fidelity and unchangeable integrity and without any affectation or introduction of ambition or hidden disguised interests No man going to War intangles himself with the World that so he may the better please his Captain that hath listed him That commination is very dreadful the Priest shall be as the people and that lamentation exceeding doleful All this evil and mischief is from the Prophets and the Stones of the Sanctuary are lying at the four Corners of the Streets Let us most Dear and Honoured Brethren give up and resign our selves to the conduct of true Wisdom speaking to us from the Word of God which is to forsake our own This also most Honoured Brethren should be endeavoured that all persons whatsoever in the Ministry when called forth unto those secondary employments of the Church do retain in their deportments and conversations the marks and characters of their first and most Sacred Vocation Let their Devotion Piety Gravity Self-denial and Sequestration from Worldly pleasures used with too great a liberty by many Christian States-men serve to maintain the sweet odour and reputation of our Church Government and to keep up inviolably the authority of their most Holy Ministry and to bind the Souls and Consciences of men by religious humility to an everlasting dependance on the Majesty of their great Lord whose holiness and Soveraign Wisdom shineth forth most resplendently in the Order of his service as the Queen of Sheba saw and admired it in the Court of Salomon Impiety and Impudence are too much in vogue every where But let the Sanctuary the Church of God be at least the Receptacle and Habitation of true and unfeigned Piety where it may act and breath freely at in the open Air with an uplifted countenance in a couragious demonstration of the Spirit and evidence of Truth convincing and condemning the unfruitful works of darkness and awakening with its bright shining Flambeau the drowzy Consciences of a perverse generation it may incourage the faithful unto perseverance and preserve the Remnant of Jacob in this day of dispersions and desolations The last Enemy of the Church and he hath been essentially one and the same in all ages and places and therefore she is now exposed unto all the mischiefs he can do her it the World The World succeeding the the stood of Heresies and Persecutions disguiseth himself into a Friend and Ally and the poor Church being respited and reprieved from her former contention and destructions by a short peace he makes short work with her and brings upon her the consumption determined which ravageth her poor and small remainder These last times have yielded us sufficient evidences and tokens of his rage and desolations Faith is decayed zeal grown cold the Gospel and the cross are become ridiculous and contemptible the language of Canaan is quite forgotten and a multitude of Souls in Israel debauched by following the Counsel of Balaam Now a strong and vigorous resolution is most needful His cheats and impostures can never be prevented but by a rejection of them when they crave at first their admission We are bound also in Conscience to request and sollicit you tho we be very well satisfied that it is already upon your Hearts to take care that those different sentiments which for these last years have troubled your Church in the Doctrine of Justification may be supprest Those opinions have been fomented and imbitered by prejudices grudges and secret hatable they have been spread abroad and propagated into a multitude of unprofitable and dangerous questions by frequent disputes and wranglings As for our part although we hold absolutely the same Faith with your Churches and do apply whole Christ unto our selves for Redemption from Death and Wrath and to obtain everlasting life and that we judge it to be communicable by imputation of all his obedience done and suffered by him in his human Nature which we were bound to have yielded according to the law of God in our persons yet we could never approve of such great strife and altercation between Brethren who were otherwise minded much less can we approve of their bitter separation and mutual condemnation So that we had rather that little spark had been suffered of its own accord to have dwindled away into nothing than by blowing it into a flame by so many oppositions to kindle a greater fire in the hearts of Gods People which hath tormented then with a world of ungodly jealousies suspicions and prejudices and those too in an age tossed and beaten with the tempestuous winds of contention and victory We have divers time suggested this advice and importunately insisted on it that there might be a Temperament and Expedient found out for a Concordat which without condemning or prejudicing either party might be sufficient to guide and direct Conscience and totally to exclude all errors subversive of Faith and destructive of Salvation in this fundamental point And we have received abundant consolation for that the self-same Counsels have been prescribed by a great and most potent Monarch and by very many learned men and most celebrated Universities And we were exceedingly satisfied that you did not reject but were well-pleased with our proceedings and intentions as we do according to the Universal Laws of Christian Charity freely forgive their unkindnesses to us who have been displeased with us for them And you most Honoured Sirs sith you have not only knowledge and wisdom but power also to judge and determine in these matters we beseech you to exert that power so forcibly and effectually that you may pluck up by the roots all unprofitable and curious questions and see to it that your Pastors and Professors do with all sincerity pursue those things which make for the Edification of your Churches in Faith and Godliness and that they utterly abandon all those opposition of Science falsly so called On which point we presume to deliver our mind with our usual freedom and we desire you would revise that form couched and conceived in the Synod of Privas and once more deliberate about it not that we except against the substance of it in the least but because its manner seems to threaten you with worse breaches and far greater partialities We are not the first who have observed the Remedy of forms to be very dangerous especially when a controversy is not formed into a party unless it be in Articles purely necessary and determined by the Word of God it self and when it 's otherwise impossible all means failing us to detect the fallacies of our real Adversaries and such strait bands instead of conjoyning and setling have for the most part dislocated the members and wounded them more sorely We desire also that when new authentick forms shall come to be framed the Churches might be first of all consulted that so our ears may not be
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
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
Ressent 547. La Motte Antony de Creze 548. Curban Claudius Marshall 549. Joran Andrew Guerin 550. Lormarin Peter Maurice 551. Riez Andrew Genoyer 552. La coste James Bayly 553. Merindol James Malat. 554. La Charce Andrew Beruard 555. Grasse Peter Mercurin 556. Luc John Durier 557. Soderon John Bernard 558. Manosques Paul Guardinar 559. Velaux James Rescent Fourteenth Province and Provincial Synod of Orleans and Berry divided into three Colloquies having twenty nine Churches and thirty Pastors 1st The Colloquy of Sancerre Gien and Nivernois 560. St. Leonard near Corbigny Stephen Monsanglard 561. Chastillon on the Loing Simon Jurieu 562. Gien upon the Loir Daniel Jamet 563. Chastillon on the Loir Louis Margone 564. Bruion Bennet de la Roche 565. Henry Chemont Dantigny enjoyeth the Ministry of Isaac Babaud 566. Sawerre Paul Alard a Rocheller 567. La Charité John Taby 568. La Scelle and Dolat Anne Poat 569. Despueilles Elijah Semeele 2d Colloquy of Orleans and Blaisois 570. Blois Nicholas Vignier and Paul Testard 571. Romorantin Jacob Brun. 572. Cheleure and Boudara David Horace 573. Boisgency John Guerin 574. Basoches and Denouville Jerom Belon 575. Orleans James Imbert and Durand 578. Chasteaudun James Lancy 579. Dangeau Lewes Tuissard 3d Colloquy of Bourbonnois 580. Argenton Bliseus Saluon 581. St. Amand and Belet Lewis Scoffier 582. Delise Peter Falquet 583. Moudun René Bedé 584. Ambusson William Vignon 585. Gergeau destitute 586. Bourges destitute 587. La Chastre and St. John Verin destitute 588. Suilly destitute Fifteenth and last Province and Provincial Synod of France is the Province of Normandy divided into five Colloquies having thirty five Churches and forty Pastors 1st Colloquy of Roan 589. Roan hath John Maximilian de L'anglé Peter Erondelle and David Primrose 590. Orbes Abraham le Seneschal 591. Quillebaeuf William Cacherat 592. Saucourt Charles De lossat 593. Pont Levesque Stephen Fudes 594. Eureax Peter le Tellier 2d Colloquy of Caux 595. Dieppe Abdias de Mondenis and Moyse * * * The Son of this Cartaud sâ—â—â—â—â—ed his Father and in the Year 1685 he turn'd Apostate Cartaud 596. Boislebec James de Larrey 597. Luncrey and Basqueville Isaac de la Balte 598. Seintet Isaac de la Motte 599. Fescum David Guellode 600. Haure de Grace John Baudowin 3d Colloquy of Caen. 601. Caen John le Boniver Lord of la Fresnay John de Ballehache and Samuel Bochart 602. Baali Samuel Bajeux 603. Bayeneux John le Breton 604. St. Vast Stephen le Sage 605. Trencens Antony le Genevois 606. Geffosse David Chanduret 607. Les Essars John Tappin 4th Colloquy of Falaise 608. Atis Peter Morin 609. Presnat David Bourgat 610. Mezieres Peter Baulran 611. Vire William Blanchard 612. St. Silvain Noah Gallot 613. Condé upon Noireau John Blanchard 614. Falaise Peter Baycux David de Caux a Pastor without a Church 5th Colloquy of Constantin 615. Ste mere Eglife Benjamin Banage and Antony de Lassleur 616. Dulé Mark Maurice 617. St. Lo Vincent Soler 618. Groussy Jeremy Charitier 619. Gaure Jehoiachin le Moyne 620. Cheffresne Isaac de Vennes 621. Chassagne Luke Boquet 622. La haye dupuy destitute 623. Serizi destitute There is in this Province a sixth Colloquy viz. the Colloquy of Alencon but it and its Churches are both omitted in this Catalogue Sixteenth Province and Provincial Synod is the Province of Bearn Which Province being in the Principality of Bearn did always appear by two Deputies chosen by their Synod in the National Synods of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and were in this of Castres represented by the Lords Peter de Rivall Pastor in the Church of Nay and John de Pommerede Advocate in the Parliament of Navarre Elder in the Church of Morlas but the said Deputies did not bring with them the Roll of the Churches and Pastors in their Province so that they could not be registred CHAP. XXXVIII A Letter of the Church of Geneva to the National Synod of Castres Most Reverend Honoured and Dear Brethren THere has not been a National Synod of the Churches for these many Years last past held in France but that we have made tenders of our Duties to them because of that strict and intimate Communion we have with them all in our common Lord. We have also new Ingagements unto Thankfulness and to abound in Thanksgivings for the infinite Mercies of our God which are Day by Day and from one Year unto another accumulated upon and continued to his Churches the Lord renewing his tender Compassions so miraculously in their Preservations But if ever we had any cause for so doing 't is now that we are in a most extraordinary manner obliged to it for his gracious Providence shines forth with a most admirable Lustre in the defence of your Churches and particularly in the free enjoyment of your Religious Assemblies so that at the many strange Accidents which have befallen you for divers Years together and the Tempests with which the Kingdom of France hath been assaulted and battered the sore and grievous Afflictions of many of our Brethren having astonished our Souls and overwhelmed our Hearts with Sorrows had made us almost despair of ever seeing the comfortable returns of Peace unto your Realm and of Repose and Settlement for your poor afflicted Churches and the Exercise of your most excellent Discipline than which a better was never practised in the Christian World And now in this Calm the Divine Wisdom gathers his Children as the Hen doth her Chickens under his Wings and reneweth the Face of his Church in your Congregations as the Eagle doth his Youth And this Mercy should be the more prized and esteemed by us because it is not in this Day a common Favour and Benefit vouchsafed of God unto all those whom he had once honoured with the knowledg of himself in the Gospel For besides that the subversion of so many Provinces the dismal Desolations or those sometimes flourishing Churches in Germany Bohemia Moravia and the Valtoline are yet continued and the Dissipations and Dispersions are still growing and augmenting and the Judgments of God from Heaven are following one upon the neck of another one dreadful Ravage calling upon another to make haste Therefore we lie prostrate night and day at the Feet of our Heavenly Father adoring his rich Grace in Christ Jesus for setting bounds unto the Fire of his Wrath so that all his Churches are not totally devoured by it And we most ardently beseech his Divine Majesty that as he keeps the Hearts of Kings in his own Hands so he would be pleased to inspire your King with Counsels of Favour and Peace for his People and tender Love unto your Churches that under his Government and Authority the Name of God may be celebrated with Liberty of Conscience and Truth may bring forth Faith in the World and Righteousness from Heaven may yield the Fruit of True and Saving Peace Moreover we do also carry upon our Hearts unto the Throne
of Grace all other our Brethren who he groaning under the heavy Yoak and Burden of Afflictions that he would restore unto them the Consolations of his Spirit and put an end in his appointed Time according to his own good Pleasure unto all their Anguish and Sufferings Those many and sad Objects which are daily presented to our Eyes of a multitude of Refugees who were once themselves a Refuge unto the Faithful from the Storm and a Covert from the Tempest but being now saved by a miâ—aculous out-stretched Arm from a most calamitous Shipwrack are wandring up and down seeking an Ark and Retreat from this overflowing Deluge and sheltring themselves as in a Sanctuary in this our poor City will not permit us to leave our God alone nor to give him any Rest till by our most importunate Prayers we have prevailed with him to stir up the Bowels of his Compassions for the deliverance of his Children And we also pour into your Bosoms the Sentiments of this Grief which as on the one hand it cannot but move our Sympathies so on the other hand it doth make us seriously reflect on God's Methods and Dealings with his Churches and principally to consider his exquisite Trials of Church-Officers who be constituted by him Overseers in his House and Service and were bound to sanctify his Name in their Performances lest he should sanctify himself upon them by his Judgments This was what he had denounc'd against all that draw near unto him and they have seen it executed in its Perfection Besides we cannot in these last Troubles of the Church but observe how poor and feeble a thing an Arm of Flesh is and how very perillous thole Succors and Assistances are which Men receive from it Whereas the true Shields and Bucklers of Salvation do belong to God who only hath the Priviledg and deserves the Glory of his Churches Protection and Deliverance And in this Confession the Faithful knowing that the Assistance of Heaven is promised unto those who do patiently wait for it as you your selves most honoured dear Brethren have frequently sensed and experienced in your Trials do always prefer the Resolutions and Weapons of the Spirit of God to the Counsels of the Flesh that so there may not be the least pot reflected or fastned upon the Gospel And those who despise Dignities and subject them to the Power of that Man of Sin to be trampled under foot by him may be ashamed and confounded at their Lies and Calumnies cast upon us from those evident Testimonies of our Loyalty and Fidelity which according to the Gospel is rendred unto God and unto those to whose Authority he hath subjected our Persons and Estates in this World And this will be most clearly owned and acknowledged even then whenas Pastors shall intend the interiour Service of the Sanctuary which is the Edification of precious and immortal Souls and do not walk according to the World nor fear their Fear but glorify God in the Day of their Tribulations by an absolute and intire resignation of themselves to him and dependance on him whom they must need know can never divest himself of that Care and Charge of them which he hath once took upon him so expresly and particularly as to be their Guardian their Fortress their strong Tower and a Wall of Fire and Brass round about his Church marching as their Captain-General in the Van and Front and bringing up the Rear-guard of his Israel whilst that the Priests are wholly busied and imployed in carrying the Ark of his Covenant And we do not speak this as taking upon us to be the Judges of any one's Work but with all due Respects communicating to you the Sentiments of our Consciences which we hope will be approved also by your Reverences we do hereby express the most affectionate Desires of our Souls that the Breaches in the Temple of God may be repaired and that the Face of our Lord Jesus Christ may shine forth more gloriously upon our Brethren and our selves unto Salvation by the Spirit of his Power in the Gospel of his Glory waiting always for that blessed Hope of his last Coming whose near Approaches are notoriously visible and conspicuous from those frequent Travel-Pangs of the Church and general Convulsions and Shakings of the Nations infallible Harbingers and Fore-runners of his glorious Appearance before which we comfortably hope that having chastised his Church he will turn the fiery Stream and Current of his Judgments upon the Enemies of his Truth and Glory and will most effectually by the Spirit of his Mouth destroy the Son of Perdition True indeed there is one thing which cuts the Sinews of our Hopes and obstructs the Progress of this Divine Work and exceedingly damps and saddens our Hearts to wit that incredible and astonishing Stupidity of vast Numbers of Persons who harden themselves in their Sins under the Rods of God's Wrath and do sottishly yield unto the Temptations of the Devil in the Hour of their Trials Yet notwithstanding we be greatly comforted most Honoured Lords and Brethren at the glad Tidings of those excellent Fruits which the Lord's Visitation hath produced in many of your Churches once again bringing into use and exercise those Graces and Vertues so necessary for the Faithful and so difficult to be exerted and practised in Times of Prosperity such as the love of God's Word contempt of the World and kindling again a Fire of holy Zeal by the Spirit of God upon the Altar of the Sacred Ministry to the conviction of Sins and Errors and the reformation of Life and of former Miscarriages and the strengthning of the infirm and weaker Christians This is a demonstration of the Spirit and Power of God who is not only magnified in rescuing of his Church whenas the World gave her up for lost but also as we are from all Parts credibly informed and for which we rejoice together with you in our Lord in manifesting the Power of his Truth whenas the Adversaries taking occasion from your Afflictions believed that it was as easy for them to triumph by their Sophistry over the Doctrine of the Gospel as to throw down your sorry Ramparts of Earth but they have in truth sound the Rock of God's Word to be then inexpugnable whenas there was least of the Work of Man and the Truth then most prevalent and invincible when discovered in its primitive native Beauty and Simplicity Whence we ground our Hopes and Considence that God who hath poured out his Blessing upon your Labours will not begin and advance his Work to destroy it nor will he build his Sion with your Hands and at last abandon it unto those of his most cruel Enemies Wherefore most honoured Lords and Brethren The Joy and Crown of God's Churches be you incouraged in the Lord and whatsoever Difficulties may befal you from without or from within by those who suffer themselves to be debauched by this evil World do you be fortified in your
Holy Work and as you have been made a Spectacle to Men and Angels so do you persist to hold forth the Light of the Gospel in all Pureness and to fight the good Fight with the Weapons of Righteousness on the right Hand and on the left taking all possible Care that no Root of Bitterness do spring up which under the Shadow and Pretext of subtle Questions may weaken or diminish the Union of all your Members and whom 't is most indispensably needful you should firmly cement in an Uniformity of Confession to avoid those dreadful Distractions which will infallibly arise from a Diversity of Opinions and Affections All the Reformed Churches as far as ever we could learn were filled with Joy at those solid Declarations made in your National Synods against revived Pelagianism and at that singular Care taken by those venerable and Holy Councils to exclude it out of your Churches Now he that lowed those Tares in God's Field is not asleep but is still at Work wherefore there is need of continual Watchings there must be no relaxing of your Circumspection lest you should lose the things which you have wrought But we may forbear insisting any longer on this Argument nor is there any reason that we should exhort you to continue in your godly Purposes and Resolutions Sith your great Zeal is a most powerful Example to excite others It 's enough that we have thus opened our Hearts unto your Reverences and have largely experienced the harmonious Uniformity of your Holy Thoughts and Intentions And forasmuch as by these late Troubles some famous Universities have to our unspeakable Grief suffered very sad Eclipses and Interruptions we shall do our best and utmost Endeavour to keep burning that little Candle which the Goodness of our God hath lighted up in our poor Candlestick And our most honoured Magistrates have resolved to continue their Incouragement and Maintenance of our School and University which from its first Foundation had none other Design or End than to prepare Instruments who might be another Day capable of edifying God's Church And they conceive themselves at this time more especially concerned and obliged to serve your Churches because 't is but the Repayment of an old Debt We owing the Original of our Academy unto the worthy Labours of some of your most eminent and famous Ministers besides your favourable Respects have been exceeding serviceable to it in its Growth and Progress and they do receive with singular Consolation the Assurances of your good Will both from the Letters of the last Synod at Charenton and from your sending of Students hither to whose Advancement in Learning and Godliness we shall most willingly contribute whatever God hath imparted to us that so we may return them to you well improved and furnished with those requisite Talents for the Ministry in the Temple of the Lord. Moreover we do return you our most hearty Thanks for your kind Remembrance had of our Church in times past and we do bless the Lord for the Expressions of his Majesty's Love and Kindness towards our City which is a Continuance of those Royal Favours we have ever received from the Crown of France and consonant to his former Declarations that he would not exclude the Natives of this Town in case according to your excellent Discipline they should be called out unto the Ministry in the Churches of his Kingdom And we are so very well satisfied of your Love unto us that it the aforesaid Declaration should not be notified unto some of the Churches yet by your means it shall be so for the future and this will be a renewed Pledg and Confirmation of your ancient fraternal Charity and Affection to us Whereupon we do most affectionately salute in the Lord your Holy Synod and tender you our most humble Service intreating the Continuance of your good Will unto us and that you would strive together with us in your Prayers for us as we do continually recommend you unto our God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Word of his Grace and to his Spirit of Consolation and all your Churches Persons Labours and your whose sacred Assembly to his most blessed Protection beseeching the great Shepherd of Souls that he would daign to preside in the midst of you and make you perfect in every good Work to do his Will working in you what is well pleasing to him and accumulate upon you his best and most Heavenly Benedictions to the Glory of his Holy Name And subscribe our selves Most Honoured Lords and Brethren Your most affectionate Brethren and most humble Servants in the Lord the Pastors and Professors in the Church and University of Geneva and in the Name of them all Prevost Diodati B. Turretin Du-Pan The Superscription was thus To our most Honoured Lords and Brethren the Pastors and Elders of the Reformed Churches of France assembled in their National Synod at Castres The Answer of the Pastors and Elders in the National Synod of Castres unto the Letter of the Right Reverend Pastors and Professors of Geneva Most Honoured Lords and Brethren AMong the Consolations which the Goodness of our God hath granted us in this Place this which we have received from your Communion in Spirit with us and those cordial Affections which you have expressed to us have been therefore the more acceptable because that as we rejoice in the Lord so we cannot but be thankful to him for that after so many Troubles and Desolations we be yet permitted to assemble from all Corners and Quarters of this Kingdom to the upholding settling and confirming of his Holy Worship You also are come in by your Letters to bear your Parts in this sacred Harmony augmenting by the Union of your Hearts with ours the rich Blessing which the Prophet hath compared to that precious Oil poured out upon the Head of Aaron and to the Dew which descends from Mount Sion and this too with such an Efficacy that the bare hearing of your sweet Consolations and Holy Counsels hath by a most secret and powerful Motion sensibly operated upon us and raised up the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Head in us who doth unite us though many Members into one Body in the Lord. We do therefore imbrace you in our God and accept thankfully of your Prayers and Holy Affections giving Thanks unto our Heavenly Father that as you have piously confess'd it he made us an Example of his Compassions and having saved us out of divers Perils and Distresses he hath preserved us our Lives by no less a Miracle than that of old when as he preserved the Bramble-Bush from being consumed in the midst of those Flames of War which ravaged our whole Country Nor can we sufficiently adore his singular Loving Kindnesses that although the Sins of his People had so far provoked his Wrath as to throw down all our Fences and to demolish all our Fortresses and to wither that Arm of Flesh in which we had so
very much confided yet he hath supported and doth still support by his own Almighty Arm the People of his Covenant confounding their Hopes who promised themselves no less than the utter Ruin of all our flourishing Churches upon the Change of their temporal Estate they not considering that the true Religion is kept up in the Hearts of God's Elect by the Efficacy of that Spirit of Life which having raised Jesus Christ from the Dead doth give Power and Virtue to the Faithful to triumph over all the Forces and Assaults of the World yea and of Death it self To this Occasion of Thanksgiving we will add another which is more particular viz. That since the Peace was ratified God hath filled our Hearts with Gladness by saving his Majesty to whose Clemency we owe our Peace from a great and horrid Conspiracy plotted against him by his perfidious Enemies and ours also The Lord grant that the lively Sense of his Benefits may make us groan for having sinned against him and inflame us with his Love and that we to whom he hath committed the Government of his House may be Pattners of Zeal and of every Christian Vertue and by the Light of sound Doctrine and of an Holy Life we may dissipate and drive away those black and dark Vices wherewith our Flocks have provoked his Anger for certainly we have very great Cause of Humiliation being as yet under the Cross and his Majesty's Edict in divers Points and Articles being not as yet executed observed or performed and the Malice of our Enemies increasing the Number of those Infractions and thereby the Measure of our Sufferings all which is ordered by the most holy wise Providence of our God for our Correction For as of old when he extended Mercy unto Jacob wrestling with him yet with a Blow from his own Hand he made him lame and halt ever after even so also now in these Deliverances from our past Miseries and Confusions which it hath pleased his Divine Grace to vouchsafe us yet hath he left divers Wounds on the Body of our Churches whereby to provoke us unto Repentance and to quicken us unto more Intenseness and Fervour in our Prayers and Supplications for the exciting of his Bowels of Compassion towards us We do acknowledg the free Grace of our God to be our truest Refuge and Sanctuary and that a Christian Patience and submissive Waiting for the Effects of his wise Providence will be our most assured Remedy against all the Evils that can befal us And we have this Consolation got by long Experience of the Vanity of all human Means and Aids that 't is in our Days as it was in ancient Times when God saved and restored his People it was not done by Might nor Power not by Arms nor by Swords and Bows but by his Spirit This self-same Spirit which levelled the great Mountains before Zorobabel and brought them into Plains worketh as powerfully now as heretofore so that we often see those very Mountains of Dangers and Difficulties which were raised up against his People reduced unto nothing giving us therefore a clear and full Knowledg of his great Name that he is wonderful in Counsel and excellent in Working Moreover we do give you farther assurance that it is our Intention That those who are called of God to serve and Minister before him in his House shall wholly and absolutely attend thereunto We well knowing that whilst with Moses in the Mount they give themselves to Prayer and apply themselves wholly to their Ministerial Work and Duty they will attract upon their People the Blessing of the Lord and they will be mighty with God for the throwing down of strong Holds and of every high thing that exalts it self against the Knowledg of God And whereas you remind us of that great Contentment you received at the sight of that Universal Harmony of our former Synods in Points of Doctrine and rejection of Errors which had troubled divers Churches we conceive our selves bound to promote the continuance of your holy Joys and Thankfulness unto God forasmuch as in this Assembly there was found but one Heart and one Soul to maintain the Confession of Faith and the Discipline of our Churches by which we know that the Lord will preserve his Heritage in this Kingdom he himself keeping up this Sacred Mound and Hedg by his own special Benediction whilst he hath broke to pieces that which was Terrene and Carnal in sundry places Yea 't is our hope that as heretofore he made his Ark triumph in Captivity and Dagon to fall down prostrate before it even then whenas Israel was most despicable so also in the midst of the Churches Sufferings shall his Gospel triumph over Superstition And as the Cross of his Son the Lord Jesus got the Victory over the World so shall the Cross of his Children which is also that of Christ be the Confusion of their Enemies This is most honoured Lords and Brethren our Consolation amidst the Ruins and Desolations of the Church of God in divers Regions of Europe which is intimated to us in your Letters Let us therefore lift up our Hands and Hearts unto our God that he would be pleased to take pity on the great and sore Afflictions of Joseph and that he would make Jerusalem a Praise and Renown in the whole Earth for his own Name 's sake Of which we have the more and greater Hopes because those great and violent Attempts of Satan do learn us that the time of his Confusion draweth near and we know that the Lord never humbleth nor casteth down his poor Church but with a design of exalting it and he layeth his Children as it were dead in their Graves that he may confound the World by raising them again from the Dead And inasmuch as amidst such horrible Afflictions God hath made your Church and Common-wealth a glorious Example of his Protection and of the Miracles of his Providence we render to his Divine Majesty from the bottom of our Hearts all possible Thanks and Praises and particularly for this that as your Golden Candlestick hath never wanted burning and shining Lights so also your University ceaseth not to educate and prepare for the Service of many Churches many fit and well-furnish'd Instruments for the Work of the Ministry In which we own and acknowledg the Zeal and Piety of our Lords your Magistrates to whom we do wish from the Lord of Lords all sorts of Benedictions And we praise God that through the goodness of our King we enjoy our ancient Priviledges of serving and building up the Churches in this Realm by their Ministry who owe their Education to your worthy Labours and Instructions and all our Provinces shall be as to their Profit so to your Contentment fully and sufficiently informed hereof at the return of their respective Deputies And in the mean while we most affectionately thank you for your singular care in cultivating and improving those many young and tender
Plants which have been sent you from divers Provinces of this Kingdom that through your well-deserving Pains and Counsels they may be prepared and made fruitful Ministers of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus And to these our Thanks we shall add our most ardent Prayers unto God that he would pour out upon you his most precious and saving Blessings and that he would always make you a most eminent Example of his Grace and Mercy in the Churches of his dear Son covering you and your Common-wealth wherein you live with the Wings of his Protection to the Glory of his Providence and to the Honour of his Holy Name as also to the Consolation of our Churches In whose Name we are From Castres this 6th of September 1626. Most Honoured Lords and Brethren Your most humble and most affectionate Servants in the Lord the Pastors and Elders of the Reformed Churches of France assembled in our National Synod and for them all The Superscription was thus To our Lords the Pastors and Elders in the Church of Geneva at Geneva Chauve Moderator Bouterove Assessor Scribes of the Synod O. Blondel Petit A Letter from the Church of Paris to our most Honoured Lords the Pastors and Elders assembled in the National Synod at Castres Most Reverend and very Honoured 'T IS with very great regret on our part that we are enforced to complain unto you against our Province but we have too just cause for out so doing We have ever held a fair and Christian Correspondence and Fraternal Union with it And indeed Sirs if it had been only our own particular Interest that was concerned we should much rather have chosen to suffer all manner of ill Usages than to have interrupted you in your most holy and important Occupations But the Honour of our Functions and the Glory of our God and the Advancement of the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ are all concerned Therefore we implore with the greater freedom the Assistance of your Charity and the Help of your Fatherly Protection because we are well assured of your Zeal to the Well-being and Edification of our Church You know Sirs that great Affliction wherewith our â—od hath of late visited us in calling unto himself that most excellent Person Monsieur Durant whose Gifts and Graces and singular ministerial Abilities were universally known throughout the whole Kingdom During his Sickness which lasted near sour Months and six Months since his Decease those two astors which were left us were so surcharged with hard Labour that they both fell dangerously Ill and must have infallibly funk under the weight of their Burden had they not been extraordinarily assisted and supported by God As soon as God had took into his Joys our late famous Pastor we faw immediately the great necessity we had to relieve and ease those two which survived and this was the unanimous Prayer and Desire of the whole Church It was utterly impossible for us to find in our Colloquy a Minister every way qualified for us for besides that none of those Pastors had a Voice strong enough for our Auditory and those other Abilities requisite for the edifying so great a People There were some afflicted with Sickness and divers Churches were destitute of Pastors and so far were we from being holpen by them that several of the Neighbour-Churches have importuned us to lend them our help To assemble a Synod for their and our Relief was out of our Power For besides the bitterness of the Season the rigour and sharpness of the Winter we were then in the very hottest and deepest of the late Trouble and without any hopes of Peace which since our good God out of his infinite Mercy hath bestowed upon us Being then obliged to provide for our selves elsewhere we were not in any great trouble on whom to sasten our Eyes for so had the gracious Providence of God ordered it that in the extremity of Monsieur Durant's Sickness Monsieur Daillé preached three Sermons to us which so much affected our whole Church that from that instant it was the common Discourse that as God afflicted us on the one Hand so did he seem to comfort us on the other by pointing out unto us such a Person as might he easily and speedily obtained by us because the Province of Anjou was well enough provided of able Pastors and of divers Proposans of very great Hopes Monsieur Durand resting from his Labours in Abraham's Bosom we believed it our Duty to concur with those ardent Desires that many of our Members had expressed for Monsieur Daillé and the rather because we were well inform'd of his singular Piety Probity and rare Learning who by reason of those excellent Gifts and Graces of God's Holy Spirit in him had been already sought after far and near by many of the greatest and most famous Churches in the Kingdom But the Lord out of his abundant Goodness had reserv'd him for us And that we might handsomly and regularly proceed in giving him a Call to the Pastoral Office in our Church we resolved at first to demand him by way of Loan as we can easily prove by our Letters written unto the Church of Saumur and to the said Monsieur Daillé and by the Acts of our Consistory But the Person whom we deputed to Saumur and to whose Prudence and wise Conduct we had confided this Affair having been refused as to the Loan advised us by an express Messenger that there was more hopes of gaining him as an absolute Gift because the Church of Saumur could more easily procure it self a fettled Pastor than borrow one for a few Months Whereupon he demanded of us new Letters and a more ample Commission The Quality of the Person imployed by us in this Negotiation and our most pressing urgent Necessity made us resolve to demand the Ministry of Monsieur Daillé purely and absolutely We in the mean while taking it for granted that our Synod would have approved and consented to what we had done as we on our parts were disposed to break off the whole Treaty in case they could make it appear that we were out and mistaken in our Choice and that there could be any thing opposed against the Doctrine Life and Conversation of him to whom we had sent our Call As soon as we had notice that our Synod should be assembled we to render all due Honours to it delegated the Sieurs Mestrezat Bigot and d' Huysseau to it and charged them to make report of our Conduct in this Affair and to petition that Assembly to approve of the calling Monsieur Daillé into Office among us though at that time we had no promise of him made us by the Church of Saumur We well hoped that those Reverend Gentlemen would have considered the great importance of our Church and the Kindnesses they continually receive from it and that they would have comforted us in our Affliction and would have praised our Proceedings or at least would
Truths of the Sacred Oracles lest by the weakness of their Judgments and the fervour and instability of their age which enamours them of Curiosities they should be intangled in Debates and Controversies and embrace Factions and Partialities And indeed the Butt and Mark of well Educated Students in Divinity should not be to be the first Authors and Forgers of Novel and Subtil Opinions as in the Papacy where they be plung'd into a gulph of endless Errors and abastardized by a world of fruitless useless and endless Inquiries nor is it that they should be wrangling and worthless Disputants nor Speculative Doctors without any Savour or Power but the true End and Design of these our Theological Students ought be this That they may be a Holy Seed-plot of Able and Godly Pastors Sound in the Faith Mighty in Word and Doctrine Wise unto Sobriety keeping the great Mystery of Godliness in a pure Conscience delivering and dividing the word of Truth aright And in fine to be Men of God perfect and prepared for every good work of their Calling to which Holy and Noble ends all forts of Subtilties are utterly unserviceable and have ever marred the Divine Doctrine by wicked Errors or the Broachers of them by Ambition Contention Curiosity Conceitedness or the Church by a disgust of Scripture Purity and Simplicity or by Factions and Divisions which never happen when the common Sentiments of the Church are taught tho' by Ministers of meaner Parts and Talents whereas these have always happened by means of affected Singularities which is the true and genuine Food of the Romish Ambition which ever laboureth to subdue the common Sentiments because they be its greatest obstacles and most obstructing its growth and progress The Lord grant that the Sparkles of this Fire in the midst of you may not spring from the same Source Poor Germany hath sadly felt the direful effects of the flames kindled by it in its frequent and bitter Schisms Every Prince would have his University and every University admired and exalted its own Doctor as the most Eminent Professor of them all every Doctor had conceived and must needs broach and vend his new Notions and singular Opinions and these new Opinions are brought upon the publick Stage of the World where it hath met with fierce Antagonists and between these doughty Champions the poor Church of God hath been torn all to pieces To this consideration let us subjoin another for God's sake keep Philosophy within its due and proper bounds closely and strictly watched and restrained that it may only if we may so express it break up the Fallow ground of the Spirits of our youth but not in the least to take upon her by her Maxims and Assertions to bring in Seed and Food for the Church and House of God which must be fed with the pure Manna of the Divine Word whose Majesty and Liberty was so happily asserted and recovered by our Godly Fathers from that Bondage and Captivity whereinto the School-Divines of the Romish Church had enslaved it and into which 't is very likely it will be again insensibly reduced either by a too great fear of their false Weapons or by a perverse Emulation of them And yet in the mean while the Sacred Scriptures will be best understood by a diligent reading of them by comparing one Text with another and by Invocation of the Holy Ghost to enlighten our dark minds in the Knowledge of them and they will be thus more easily digested and brought home with a greater force and efficacy upon Conscience in a sober sensing of them according to the simplicity of Faith and Demonstration of the Spirit than by the most audacious and curious Applications of these false Lights new Notions and vain Discourses of Philosophy Pelagianism in the Low Countrys was the Plant of the Spanish Metaphysicks producing not Pious and Painful and Profitable but Subtile Pastors and Preachings an infinite Brood of Disputants void of Understanding and corrupt in Points of Faith Subtilties bring forth Thorns which never leave the Churches nor Consciences at rest but scratch and tear them to pieces And we exhort you to be Jealous and Suspicious of new Methods and imaginary Hypotheses and an affected singular way of Teaching and to avoid them Arminius took his walks at first in these by-paths till such time as he had gotten a stock of Credit and Reputation and had form'd for himself a Party then he pull'd off his Vizard and canvasseth all Points of Doctrine even those which were but accessary with no little vehemence in his Disputations and was uneasy till the roots had been searched and the most Fundamental Points had been assaulted and shaken Indeed the one wounds the other and it was always known that they who once chang'd their note and language and the sound Doctrine delivered to them have been attended by some secret hidden Vice or else they do engender it in their Followers Discharge therefore most Reverend and Honoured Brethren your bounden Duty unto your Churches and give this Memorable example unto them all and unto us this singular Consolation That you do maintain inviolably the Faith once Taught Established and Sealed among you far more than in any place of the World besides by a multitude of Divine Witnesses and Approbations which have rendered you a Spectacle of admiration to Men and Angels grub up by the Roots every Plant of Heterodoxy and by your Authority do you re-inforce as you shall find needful that Harmony and Agreement of the Reformed Churches which was declared in the Synod of Dort which having been the first General Council of the Churches in our days wherein God most evidently presided by his Holy Spirit and there will be difficulties enough to get such another doth therefore of right deserve the greater Reverence and Submission because of the disrespect offered it by the Broachers of these Novelties And this should be done unless we intend to be cry'd down as a sort of ungovernable persons refractary to that Order and Discipline which God hath Sanctified and Established from the very beginning in the Christian Church Ponder well how your past actions have been justified and may it please you to take that care that you may not hereafter be necessitated to make use of this Remedy against affected Ambiguities and Obscurities We very well know that some are charming your Ears with the Re-union of both Religions but that constancy and firmness you testified in your last Synod the nature of the points wherewith you be tempted that cannot admit of any reconciliation and for that you must make the first Overtures to a Party which keeps the wound open and holds the departure from them intolerable if ever you hope to get from them clear and plain Declarations of their Intentions and finally the whole set on foot without any Authority or Warrant and with apparent marks of very little sincerity and for great Worldly Respects and Interests freeth us of all
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
be Saved if they will or that God hath Counsels and Decrees which may be frustrated and shall never obtain their effect nor farther can I find where he saith That God hath taken away from Men their Natural Impotency to believe and convert themselves to him nor that he reduceth the Efficaciousness of the Regenerating Spirit to a variable suasion yea I find most express Protestations to the contrary insomuch that these Gentlemen under pretence of Honouring do Defame him wronging his Name and Memory in making him the Author and Father of these wicked Doctrines But the most grievous Accusation of all lags yet behind for these Gentlemen tax me for calumniating them by attributing things unto them which they never did spoke nor thought Now although this their Complaint be unjust yet have I great reason to give thanks unto God Almighty that they be ashamed of their own Doctrine and that by disavowing these Points so clearly taught by them they make Semblance as if they were about to give Peace unto the Church which they have so very much disturbed and that they were returning once again into the good old way I shall be exceeding glad that your Holy Assembly may accept of their Explanations of their Sentiments tho' they will be hard enough and there be very little appearance of it and that their Retractation may be taken for an Explication that so their Honour may be secured provided they do re-unite themselves with you upon these conditions I would willingly suffer them to repute me a Liar so that they might be found honest men and true However that I may be cleared from all suspicions of being a Reproacher and Calumniator I have extracted with very much Faithfulness some few passages out of their Writings which I now lay open before you that you may Judge whether I have Calumniated them and whether such Doctrines as theirs may be endured For my part I am of that mind That I need not at all trouble my self about these Accusations because that many Provincial Synods and many Professors and Pastors of Foreign Churches and Vniversities do join themselves with me in making the very self-same Complaints and do also accuse them of those very Errors particularly my Reverend Colleagues the Worthy Pastors and Professors in this our City of Sedan as you will see by this Writing unanimously Subscribed by us all and sent unto you which we most humbly intreat you to take into your Godly Consideration For if you should content your selves with a meer allaying of these Controversies and an Imposal of Silence on both Parties you will leave the Spirits of Men in suspence and put Error in the same Rank and Degree of Reputation with Truth and Foreign Churches and Vniversities who have been concerned for these new Notions will take your Silence not for a condemnation of Them but of the Truth Nor can you hope that witty men who have for divers years together laboured with an incredible ardor to maintain and promote their Doctrines should be kept within bounds by a poor simple Exhortation given them in an Assembly which is no sooner broken up but they be freed and delivered from all fear and will be at liberty to speak and write whatever pleaseth them If Medicines do not cure the Sick they make them worse and do the more irritate and increase the Distemper We not knowing when or whether the Lord will ever favour you again with another National Assembly it is very needful that before your Dissolution you should make use of the most Effectual Medicines which may be useful and serve as a Warning and Example to Posterity and to such as under the Shroud and Covert of new Expressions shall attempt to bring in and set up new Doctrines When I consider how that your Assembly is composed of persons endowed with a singular Zeal for the Truth and Glory of God and who are richly furnished with Learning and Prudence and who will not suffer themselves to be surprized by little Arts and crafty Sollicitations and hearing no tidings of these Gentlemens change of Language or that they have forsook their principal Propositions I am full of hopes that God will give good Success unto your Deliberations and that he will use you as effectual Instruments in his hand to corroborate and confirm our Vnion and by the same means to establish Truth and Concord among us all May the Lord God of Truth and Peace preside in the midst of you by his Holy Spirit and power forth abundantly upon your Persons and Holy Work and Ministry his best Blessings In him I am most Reverend and most Honoured Brethren From Sedan April 27. 1637. Your most Humble and most Obedient Brother and Servant Du Moulin A Letter of Monsieur Diodati Pastor and Professor in the Church and Vniversity of Geneva unto Messieurs the Pastors and Elders of the Reformed Churches of France Assembled by Permission of the King in the National Synod of Alanson craving their Licence and Permission for the Printing of his Latin and French Translation of the Holy Bible together with his Annotations upon it Messieurs and most Honoured Brethren GOd be Praised for the meeting of your Holy Assembly from which we promise our selves an Universal Blessing to be derived down upon all your Churches and that your Holy Discipline will be preserved and the Union and Purity of your Churches strengthed Having now an opportunity presented me I make bold to communicate unto you a private Affair of mine own which hath made a great noise in the World and according to the diversity of mens minds hath been entertained with various and different Censures It is my Labour on the French Bible on which having travailed very many years I have at length by the Grace of God finished it and after divers Revisals of it and Conferences about it have brought it unto Perfection and do now only wait for a little freedom from the strong opposition of some persons made against it that I may publish it to the World These Men pretend the sole Judgment of the Synod of Alez why it may not be Printed and therefore their keenness and contradiction cannot be removed by a less Authority than that of another National Synod equal to it which may receive full information and take full cognizance of the Cause 'T is very true that this being a Labour of Pure Innocent and Confessed Orthodoxy of an unreproachable Fidelity done by a Man who never ministred the least occasion to have the sincerity of his Faith questioned and who for many years hath given unto the publick an Essay of his small Talent in this kind of Work a Labour only designed and devoted for private Uses and Studies and which being the Common Right and the Practice of the Christian Church in all Ages and Nations methinks it should not have met with so many Oppositions nor be necessitated to sollicit your Assembly for a Licence especially sith that the last
long lines of Invectives Calumnies and false groundless Suspicions which they will never be able to extract from its publication By which means I doubt not but with my Candor to demulce their humours and by the representing of the lively Light of God in his Holy Word to illuminate them and by the Celestial sweetness thereof to allure even some of the fiercest Spirits amongst them to the good ways of God for however they may contradict men 't is difficult for them to contradict the Heavenly Sweets of God's Word Which I speak by experience of my Italian Translation for having where I could with a safe Conscience followed St. Jerom it was not unsuccessful If this happiness might now befal me which is not to be hoped for from our Vulgar French Translation judged by them over partial there is no Fear nor Worldly Respect that should weigh down with me Some tell me the time is unseasonable but I answer 'T is never out of season to do good and to be too intent upon the times is the right and ready way to lose all and these times of ours which do stupifie our Souls with the horrors of those woful events happened in them do contrariwise seem the most proper for the slipping of this Labour into the World which feareth no assault but what may be given it in the birth Besides my declining years do call upon me to consider the small time that is left me to give life unto this Fruit unless I would have it buried together with me in my Grave or I must let it come forth into the World all maimed and disfigured after my Decease For all these Reasons and Considerations most Reverend and most Honoured Brethren I shall conclude with two most humble and earnest Petitions to you One is That you would not in this Affair make any Reflection upon those Sentiments which are now disputed in this Church for tho' at the bottom it cannot but have other movements than you have yet nevertheless it cannot subsist but under your Shadow which if removed it must needs fall to the ground My other Request to you is That you would be pleased freely to vouchsafe me what lieth in your power to do for me which is not an Approbation of a Work never seen by you and to demand it of you would be a very unjust thing in me much less that you should give it with the privilege of a publick usage which would be an exorbitant Temerity but this only not to condemn me nor to hinder this first Edition which I desire only to publish unto the World for discovery of Mens Opinions of it and to be farther sifted and examined by them By this Equanimity of yours you will consolate me under my Travails and sore Pains you will renew my Vigour and raise my Spirits and incourage me also to publish my Latin Translation at the many instances and ardent desires which are made me But in case you should be so pre-occupied as to deny me this small favour I do now beg your pardon if I say with an extreme grief that I shall lock up my self in the Cloister of my own Conscience and rest quietly in this confidence that this work will at last be more accepted and approved than at first and I shall imitate St. Jerome who out of meer respect to the Union and Charity of St. Augustine with the African Synods resolved to displease himself for a short time that he might afterward more happily give content unto Posterity and according to the example of all good Servants who even in some remarkable act of their Duty and Service do often digest with patience the disdain of their Superiors and exceed in obedience that they may give them a more certain and better accompt of their Fidelity in the upshot of their Work I pray God that if it be his gracious Will I may receive from your fraternal hands this Fruit of Peace and Consolation and that from his Fatherly hands you may receive his abundant and most powerful Blessing upon all your Holy Deliberations and Actions I beseech you grant me that Honour of being avowed by you Geneva May 1st 1637. Messieurs and most Honoured Brethren Your most Humble and most Faithful Brother and Servant in the Lord DIODATI THE Acts Decisions and Decrees OF THE Twenty eighth Synod OF THE Reformed Churches OF FRANCE Held the Third time AT CHARENTON St. MAVRICE NEAR PARIS On Monday the Six and Twentieth Day of December and ended Thursday the Six and Twentieth Day of January following In the Years of our Lord 1644. and 1645. The CONTENTS of the Third Synod of CHARENTON Chap. I. THe Synod opened with Prayer The General Deputy presenteth the King 's Writ for calling the Synod The Deputies unto the Synod Manner of choosing the Synodical Officers 16.3 Chap. II. Letters Patents for the Lord if Boisgrollier to be His Majesty's Commissioner in the Synod 4. The Commissioner's Speech unto the Synod Chap. III. The Moderator's Answer to it very smart close and pertinent Chap. IV. The Synod's Letters unto the King and Lords of the Council Chap. V. The Return of the Deputies with the King's Answer The Deputies Address to the Prince of Conde His Answer Letters from Foreign Churches Vniversities and Divines not suffered to be Answered 11. The Old General Deputy lays down his Office another imposed upon the Churches by the King 12. The Bill of Grievances must be drawn up privately by a Select Committee 13. Thanks returned by the Synod unto the last General Deputy 15. Chap. VI. A Second Letter to the King and the Queen Chap. VII Confession of Faith approved Chap. VIII Observations upon the Discipline An Appellant shall abstain from the Lord's Table 2. No Mm shall Marry the Mother of his Deceased Spouse without a Dispensation from the Civil Magistrate 3. The Widow of a Deceased Brother may be Married with the Magistrates Dispensation 4. No Proposans shall get into the Pulpit 5. The Deputies Letters of Commission unto the National-Synod shall be Signed by the Synodcal Officers of their respective Provinces 7. Cousin Germans shall not Marry without the King's Dispensation 8. Chap. IX Form of Baptizing Pagans Jews Mahometans Anabaptists and Adult Infidels now embraceing the Christian Religion Ministers to give the Cup at the Lord's Table 11. Order about Catechising 12. The Memoirs sent by the Provinces must be Signed by the Moderatiors in their Synods or they will be thrown out of the National 15. The Moderator to Vote last 16. Chap. X. Observations upon the Synod of Alanson The last Will of a Deceased Minister not fullfilled 4. The Business of Monsieur Amyraud revived and immediately stifled by the National Synod 6.7 Chap. XI Of Appeals A Minister made Emeritus 3. Discipline Exercised upon one who had Married his Wifes Neece and other Delinquents 13. Monsieur Codur an Ancient Minister and Professor of Divinity Censured for attempting to Reconcile the Reformed Churches of France with
trieth your Reins and offer your selves to be inrol'd in the number of his Menial Servants and Gospel-Ministers Our great Lord Redeemer neither loveth the World nor the things of the World The design and end of his Coelestial Empire is to make all Men new Creatures and he serves himself of the Doctrin of the Cross that thereby be may Crucifie the World in you and you unto the World Sirs your own Consciences must needs reproach you that it is an affront unto the pure Eyes of his Glory that it saddens the Spirit of his Holiness that it must needs irritate his indignation when the Sons of the Prophets shall present themselves before him in the garb and habit of the World stuffed up and big-swoln with Vanities Pride and Indecencies and attended with its wonted Excuses Artifices and Deportments The Mysteries which our most blessed Saviour delivers unto his Servants that they may dispense them unto his People retain nothing of Earth savour nothing of this lower World they are all Divine and Heavenly And you cannot but acknowledge that it would be a darkning of their Lustre a Profanation of their Glory to manage them with impure Hands to vend and expose them in a strange Language and to search rather from the Wisdom of the World a Buttress to support their Authority than from the Eternal Verities of God's Wisdom and from the Lights of the Sacred Scriptures If none but the Spirit of God can reveal and manifest unto us the things which are given us of God is it possible we should make any considerable Progress and Proficiency in this Holy Study when we shall intend and prosecute it with the Spirit of the World and with Hearts filled and prepossessed with its Vanities To be short Sirs you be destinated unto an Employment in which there be no Advancements made but by Prayer and Prayers are never heard nor answered by God farther than they be sincere and they be not in the least sincere where the Hearts are not guided and purified by the Truth of God's Holy Word and Spirit who dictateth our Prayers and quickens and sanctifieth our Affections Do you imagin Sirs that God will give you his Holy Spirit without whom you are nothing and can do nothing unless you ask him of God And are you then qualified and fitted for Prayer a most holy Duty whenas your Spirit is stuffed up occupied and distracted with your Youthful Lusts and replenished with the provoking Objects of your Vanity Or can you bring unto this Sacred Ordinance to this most Religious Exercise that Attention Assiduity and Perseverance which is needful to the getting of gracious Answers and Returns from Heaven when as the better and far greater part and portion of our Time is wasted and consumed in worldly Companies and Conversations Certainly Sirs you will find it exceeding difficult to disintangle your selves from those Impressions you have first received and to empty your selves of the Vanities you have imbibed that you may be at Liberty to reflect and meditate upon God's Holy Word My Dear Brethren Honour and adorn that Profession whereunto you be devoted and it will reflect Beams of Honour again upon you Consider Sirs what is decent and becoming you and God will communicate what is needful for you to every one of you Let his Name and Glory be the principal Mark and Butt of your Condition and Studies and it will bring down toe choicest and chiefest Blessings of God upon you Let your Lives and Conversations be accompanied and crowned with all the Vertues and Graces of Reformed Christians with that Humility which becometh the Servants of God with that universal Modesty and Simplicity which God requireth from the Ministers of his Sanctuary in their Lives Actions Habits Language Behaviour and in your whole Course And then Sirs this your Sanctification will be most acceptable unto God and saving unto your selves it will bring your Profession into Credit and Reputation it will attract upon you the best Blessings of Heaven it will render your Studies and Employments prosperous successful edifying The Churches will be the better for you and the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus will be promoted and advanced by you In pursuance of an Order of the same Synod Messieurs Guitton and Bourdeau being at Saumur to pacifie the differences which were between some Members of that Church and Messieurs Amyraut and D'Huisseau Monsieur Guitton made this Speech Messieurs and most dear Brethren MY most honoured Colleagues together with my self were ordered by the Nationol Synod which was lately held and dissolved at Loudun to visit this Church and to assemble the Heads of its Families into this Consistory and to read unto you the Judgment of that venerable Assembly about the Differences fallen out among you and to endeavaur by the Grace of God and your Obedience your re-union which if already most happily begun between your two Pastors upon whose account you were divided and to ratifie that reconciliation of the Deputies of both Parties which you had sent unto it You shall hear their Judgment and the Act of our Commissions The Sieurs D'Huisseau Pastor accompanied with the Sieurs de Haumont Benoist and Favre did petition for themselves and on behalf of others the Heads of Families in the Church of Saumur that Monsieur d'Huisseau might be confirmed in his Ministry unto the said Church They appealed also from the Decrees of the first Synod held at Beauge in the Year 1656. and at Saumur in the Year 1657. and at Preuilly in the Year 1658. and in the second held at Beauge in this year 1659. and from the Orders of the Consistory of Saumur bearing Date the 16th and 27th Day of March 1659. And they complained of all that had been done in pursuance of those Synodical and Consistorial Decrees On the contrary part the Sieur Amyrald Pastor and Professor of Divanity in the said Church and University of Saumur together with the Sieurs Druett and Royer as well for themselves as for the other Deputies of that Consistory and of divers Heads of Families in the said Church together with the Deputies of the Province of Anjou did abet and maintain all the Acts Ordinances and Decrees of those Synods and Consistories before-named They were also heard declaring the Grounds of their Differences The Committee also who were appointed to examin and verifie the Acts of both Parties brought in their Report and at the same time Monsieur de Bois jardin Pastor of the said Church had Audience given him by the Assembly Upon the whole Debate this National Synod censured the Consistory of Saumur for that in stead of blaming the Deputies of the Assembly of the greater part of the Heads of Families held without their Order the 17th of September 1655. they did contrarywise receive them and at their instant earnest Suit had enjoyned the Sieur D'Huisseau to withdraw himself from the Service of the said Church against his Will and in contempt of
be published against the true Religion they shall be sent unto them that they may be answered And there shall be a Colloquy in each Province appointed unto this peculiar business carefully to peruse all Manuscripts before they be Printed and what is published and to disperse the Copies CAN. XVI No Minister shall claim or exercise any Primacy or Jurisdiction over another CAN. XVII Ministers shall preside by turns in their Consistories that so none may claim a Superiority over his Fellow and none of them shall give any Testimony in matters of importance without having first Communicated unto his Brethren and Collegues in the Ministry CAN. XVIII That Custom used in some places of deputing certain Ministers from the Provincial Synods to visit the Churches shall be for time to come totally suppressed and abolished That order which hath been used until now being sufficient enough for taking cognisance of Scandals And this manner of erecting new Offices and Employments is condemned because of its dangerous consequence as also all names of superiority are rejected such as Elders of Synods Super-intendents and the like And all Advertisements for assembling Colloquies or Synods or concerning any businesses which depend upon them shall be directed unto the Church and not to any particular Minister in it And if accidentally they have been so superscribed and for some certain Considerations addressed unto any one of the Ministers or Elders they who have received them shall present them unto the Consistory that so advice and deliberation may be taken of them CAN. XIX No Minister together with the holy Ministry shall be a Practitioner in Law or Physick yet out of Charity he may give Counsel and assistance to the poor of his Flock and of his Neighbourhood provided always that he be not thereby diverted from his Calling nor derive any gain from his practice unless in times of trouble and persecution and when he cannot exercise his Calling in his Church and cannot be maintained by it And those who shall thus employ themselves in Law or Physick or in any other Worldly distracting business shall be exhorted wholly to forbear it and totally to devote themselves unto the duties of their Calling as Ministers and to the study of the Scriptures And all Colloquies and Synods are admonished to proceed according to the Canons of our Discipline against the refractory and such as be willfully disobedient as also against those who spend so much of their time in teaching youth that it is an hinderance to them in the principal duties of their Ministerial Office And all Consistories Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall have a most especial care and regard that this Canon be punctually observed and to suspend such as do transgress it from their exercise of the Ministry CAN. XX. Ministers shall exhort their People to be modest in their Apparel they themselves also giving in this particular a good example unto the World by their own their Wives and their Children's forbearing all bravery in their Habits CAN. XXI Princes and great Lords following the Court that would have a Church erected in their Houses shall be desired to chuse their Ministers out of those Churches which be duly reformed and can spare them a Pastor and of whose lawful Call unto the sacred Ministry they may be well assured and this with the good will and consent of the Colloquies or Synods These shall in the first place subscribe the Confession of Faith of the Churches in this Kingdom and our Ecclesiastical Discipline And that the Preaching of the Gospel may be the more successful they shall be every one of them desired to constitute in their Families a Consistory composed of the Minister and of the best approved persons for Godliness in their said Family who shall be chosen Elders and Deacons by which Consistory all Vices and Scandals in that Family shall be suppressed and the common Discipline of our Churches shall be maintained Moreover if it be possible for them they shall personally appear at Provincial Synods To which purpose Powers shall be given unto the Church that convocates the Synod of that Province to call them to it And the said Ministers by name or some one or other of them according as they shall be deputed by the rest shall make their personal Appearance at the National Synods in company with their Elders who may inform the Synod of their Lives and Conversations And if several of them meet together none shall claim any preheminency or jurisdiction over his Brethren according to that Canon of our Discipline made on this behalf And when as the said Princes and Lords shall sojourn in their Houses or other places in which a Church is already constituted that all divisions may be avoided they shall be desired to conjoin the Church of their Families together with the Church of that place to make but one Church as shall be advised in an amicable Conference with the Ministers of both Churches that so what may be most expedient may be followed CAN. XXII It shall not be lawful for the Pastor to desert his Flock without leave first had and obtained from the Colloquy and Provincial Synod of that Church to which he was first given CAN. XXIII Deserters of the Sacred Ministry shall be finally Excommunicated by the Provincial Synod unless they do repent and return again unto their Charge which God had committed to them CAN. XXIV Ministers shall not be Vagrants nor have liberty to intrude themselves of their own Authority into any place which best pleaseth them CAN. XXV The Minister of one Church shall not preach in another without the consent of its Minister unless he were absent in which case the Consistory shall authorize him and if through persecution or any troubles the Flock should be dissipated the strange Minister shall endeavour to assemble the Elders and Deacons which if it cannot be done yet nevertheless he may warrantably preach that so the dispersed Flock may be reunited CAN. XXVI That Minister who intrudeth himself into a Church although he get the People's Approbation yet shall he not be approved of by the Neighbour Ministers or any others but the cognisance of his Case shall be devolved upon the Colloquy or Provincial Synod CAN. XXVII Ministers shall not be sent unto other Churches without authentick Letters or some other sufficient Testimonials from those places from whence they last came which shall be put into the Consistories hands of that Church whereunto they be sent and there carefully to be preserved CAN. XXVIII No Minister who reports himself forsaken of his Church of persecuted shall thereupon be received by another Church until he have first produced valid Certificates of his holy and unblameable Conversation unto the Colloquy or Synod and the whole Affair shall be remitted to the prudence and discretion of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod CAN. XXIX When as a Minister who hath orderly obtained his Licence of departure from that Church in which he last served
were Arbitrators But and if any Members of the said Consistories shall be chosen Arbitrators it shall be as they are private Persons and only in their own names CAN. XV. Besides those Admonitions given by the Consistories if there be a necessity of inflicting greater punishment or censures upon Offendors it shall be either Suspension or Privation for a time from the Lords Table or else Excommunication or cutting off from the Church And Consistories shall be advised to manage both the one and other with singular Prudence and to distinguish well betwixt them as also to weigh and examine very prudently those faults and scandals with their circumstances that are brought before them that so Censures and Judgment may be given according as is meet and requisite CAN. XVI Suspension from the Lords Table shall be used for the greater humbling of Offenders and for quickning them to a most lively sense of their offences This Suspension shall not be published unto the People nor its Cause nor also the re-admission of the Delinquent unless they had been Hereticks Despisers of God Rebels against the Consistory or Traytors to the Church These also shall be suspended who have been attainted of Crimes deserving Corporal punishment and causing grievous scandal to the Church Item those who contrary to the Remonstrances made them were married by a Popish Priest and Fathers and Mothers that so marry their Children and Tutors Guardians and others in the stead of Parents that do in the same manner marry their Orphan-Pupils and those also who shall carry them to a Popish Priest by him to be baptized or represent another at such a Baptism It being needful that such persons although they begin visibly to repent should be immediately suspended and for a time deprived of the Lord's Supper and that their suspension be declared unto the people that so they may be more deeply humbled and induced unto Repentance as also that the Church may be discharged of all shame and blame and to terrify others and learn them by this example not to be guilty of such sinful miscarriages CAN. XVII If by such suspensions Sinners be not reformed but abide obstinate and impenitent after long forbearance and frequent admonitions and earnest sollicitations of them to it they shall then be proceeded against with publick Admonitions made before the Congregation by the Pastor on three Lord's days following and for their greater shame if it be thought needful they shall be mentioned by name and the whole Church shall be desired to intreat God for them and to endeavour by all means to bring them unto Repentance and an acknowledgment of their sins to prevent their being cut off by Excommunication unto which we cannot proceed without a World of regret and grief And if after all this there be no Conversion on the Sinners part but that they persist in their hardness and obstinacy on the fourth Sabbath the Pastor shall publickly declare to the whole Congregation that the said scandalous and obdurate Sinners nameing them particularly are no longer owned by us for Church-Members but in the name and by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ and of his Church are cut off from it And this shall be the Form of Excommunication See the Acts of the second National Synod of Paris in the year 1565. Canon the Second The Form of Excommunication to be used in the Reformed Churches of France decreed by the Synod of Alez 1620. and incorporated with the Canons of Church Discipline by the National Synod of Charenton Observation the 11. upon the Synod of Alez Dear Brethren THis is the fourth time that we declare unto you that N. N. for sundry Sins and Scandals committed in the Church of God and for his Impenitency and contempt of all Admonitions which have been given from the word of God was suspended the holy Supper of the Lord which Suspension and its Causes have been notified to you that you might join your Prayers with ours that the Great God would be intreated to mollify his hard heart and touch him with sincere Repentance and draw him out of the way of Perdition But although we have so long born with him prayed exhorted and adjured him to return unto God and have essayed all means to bring him unto Repentance yet nevertheless he persisteth in his impenitency and with a most hardned obstinacy rebelleth against God and trampleth under foot his Word and the Discipline established in his House and boasting of his Sin hath caused a great deal of trouble for a long time unto his Church and the most holy name of our God to be blasphemed Wherefore we Ministers of the Word and Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ whom God hath armed with spiritual Weapons mighty through God to throw down the strong holds which do oppose themselves against him to whom the Eternal Son of God hath given power of binding and loosing upon Earth declaring that what we shall bind in Earth shall be bound in Heaven and being willing throughly to purge the House of God and to free his Church of Scandal and by pronouncing Anathema against the wicked one to glorify the name of our God In the Name and by the Authority of our Lord Jesus by the advice and authority of the Pastors and Elders assembled in Colloquy and of the Consistory of this Church we have cut off and do cut off the said N. N. from the Communion of the Church of God We do Excommunicate and deprive him of the Fellowship of Saints that so he may be unto you as a Pagan or Publican and that among true Believers he may be an Anathema and Execration Let his Company be reputed Contagious and let his Example possess your Souls with astonishment and cause you to tremble under the mighty hand of God! And this Sentence the Son of God will ratify and make effectual until such time as the Sinner being confounded and abased before God shall glorify him by his Conversion and being delivered from the Bonds of Satan to whom he is inslaved he may mourn for his Sin with Repentance unto Life Let 's pray God most dearly Beloved Brethren that he would daign to compassionate this most miserable Sinner and that this dreadful Sentence which with very great regret and sorrow of heart we have pronounced against him by the authority of the Son of God may contribute unto his humiliation and bring back into the way of Life and Salvation a Soul which is wandered and strayed from it Amen! Cursed be he that doth the work of the Lord negligently Amen! If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha Amen CAN. XVIII Henceforward all Sentences of Excommunication confirmed by the Provincial Synod shall be of full power and valid as also all Sentences of Suspension from the Lord's Supper made by the Consistory which were not declared unto the People shall hold good although the Person suspended had entered his Appeal unto the Colloquy
Consistory of that Church where these Persons are Members shall judge of the lawfulness of those Promises In a particular Affair the Common Cause is not to be concerned XL. No Church shall undertake any Matter of great consequence wherein the Interest or Damage of other Churches is of right to be comprised without consulting the Provincial Synod if it may be conveniently assembled But if the business be urgent they shall communicate it to other Churches of the Province and obtain at least by Letters their Advice and Consent XLI These present Articles of Discipline are not so ordained by us but that if the Churches Profit do require they may be changed But it shall not be in the Power of any one particular Church to change them without having first Advised with and got the Consent of a National Synod CHAP. III. Particular Matters Propounded and Decided in the aforesaid National Synod held in PARIS Such as have Popish Licenses to Marry shall not be married without having first confessed their Sin 1. AS to that Case of Conscience propounded by the Minister of Diep it was answer'd That such as had Licenses from Popish Vicars or Curates to Marry where they pleased should not be married in the Church of God unless they do confess this their Offence before the Congregation wherein they be married And the Minister of the Gospel shall be instant with them to evidence their Repentance by Tearing of the License But whether the Tearing of it in pieces be done in the Church or Consistory that is left unto the Church's Prudence where this Matter may fall out None can be discharged of their Marriage-Promise upon pretext of Religion II. As to the Question propounded by the Minister of Anger 's it was answered That he who had espoused a Maid of the Popish Religion but is himself since converted although the said Maiden refuseth to be married in the Church of God is nevertheless bound by his Promise wherefore he ought sollicite her to accomplish it but if she will not consent unto it he must contain himself until such time as the Bond be broken either by her Marriage or Whoredom The same Advice was given in the like case by Mr. Calvin Whether the Children of Papists are to be receiv'd into the Church III. The Minister of Castelherand having moved this case A Papist displeased with the Creasme and Spittle and other Ceremonies added unto Baptism by the Popish Church desireth him to Baptise his Child It was queried Whether he should do it But because there was another Question first to be debated viz. Whether the Children of Papists ought to be received into the Church of Christ Divers Arguments having been banded on both sides the Decision thereof was remanded to a more full Assembly What Course is to be taken with the Broachers of Heresies IV. As to what was related by the Minister of Poictiers concerning Lavan who for a long time hath publickly Taught and printed strange Doctrines Schisms and notorious Heresies The Brethren may if they judge meet cite him to appear before the next Provincial Synod or privately Commune with him and if he be found Obstinate there being made a diligent and faithful Collection of his Heresies they shall be brought into the Provincial Synod that so they may be according to the Rule of GOD's Word condemned However out of hand the People shall be admonished to avoid so great a Plague V. And whereas our Brother of Poictiers hath declared in private Conference That an Heretick is not to be punished as an Heretick but as a Disturber of the Civil Government we say That were there no other Fault but this yet he should be admonished not to create Troubles unto the Church but there being other Circumstances reported unto this Assembly and these in particular That he hath very proudly scorned Counsel given him and basely Calumniated the Minister his Tutor and the whole Consistory calling him A blind Leader of the Blind and notwithstanding the many Remonstrances made him not to frequent a certain Schismatical Heretick nevertheless he continues to keep him company Therefore for these causes we advise that he be cut off by Excommunication from the Fellowship of the Faithful VI. The Minister of Poictiers having demanded Whether it be well done to take their Oaths who are newly received into the Church not to discover their Brethren Whether an Oath may be take from such as are received into the Church Again these Novices being made Prisoners for the Gospel's sake and the Magistrate tendring them an Oath to declare the Truth whether notwithstanding their first Oath they should discover their Brethren As to the former it was answer'd That respect must be had unto the circumstance of Places that so they may obviate the Levity and Malice of those Persons who otherwise by their Imprudence and Malice would endanger an whole Church Whether a Man notwithstanding his former Oath may yet afterward declare his Brethren And as to the second Question It is most certain that the end of that Oath being to glorifie God and preserve Charity the latter Oath does not oblige to speak or do any thing contrary unto these But it were better that they did Protest at first never to speak any thing that might redound to the Dishonour of GOD or the Damage of their Neighbours Whether Children may be baptized without a Sermon and where no Church is VII Is it necessary that Infants should be baptized in a Publick Church-Assembly Or may it be done without such a Congregation as in a private Family where there be very few People We answer That where a Church is already constituted publickly there the Children shall be baptized publickly But where there is none gathered nor publickly established and Parents through Infirmity are afraid to carry them to a publick Assembly far distant from them there to be baptized Ministers may yeild what in Prudence they may judge convenient for them Whether the Faithful may write their Childrens Names in the Registers of Popish Priests VIII Our Brother of St. John d' Angely demanding Whether the Faithful might lawfully suffer their Childrens Names to be recorded in the Registers of Popish Priests It was answered That because it was a Civil Ordinance of his Majesty the Ministers and Consistories should specially observe the Design and End of him that it and admonish him that he be very careful lest thereby he be taken for a Papist Whether the Faithful may Rent Ecclesiastical Revenues IX Advice hath been taken upon what was proposed by the Minister of St. John d' Angely viz. Whether the Faithful might lawfully Farm the Ecclesiastical Revenues of Monks and Priests c And it is our Judgment That it is in no wise lawful for the Faithful to intermeddle with any Matter that hath Idolatry conjoyned with it as the Patten or the Baise-mains or to cause Masses or Vigils to be said or sung
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
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
watch mutually over one another as also other Letters unto the States acquainting them That because we cannot learn neither by Letter nor word of Mouth from their Deputy who those Ministers accused of Negligence be we will write in general concerning it unto the Provincial Synod of Languedoc And as to the third and fourth Articles this shall be inserted in the Letters to our Brethren of Languedoc That they do their endeavour to advance the Kingdom of God as much as in them lieth not only at home in their own Churches but if it may be done without incommoding their own Flocks abroad also And in the Letters to the Estates it shall be remonstrated That it is the Minister's Office to regulate them and their Flocks according to the Word of God and the Church's Discipline and that it is the Duty of Magistrates to watch over all Orders and Degrees of Men and in particular over Ministers that they walk uprightly in their Calling and in case Ministers be deficient and faulty that they cause them to be admonished and censured according to the Discipline by Classes and Synods Not hereby understanding such Crimes as are punishable by the Laws the Cognisance whereof doth properly appertain unto the Civil Magistrate As to the fifth sixth seventh and eighth Articles the Ministers of Languedoc shall be informed by our Letters to them that in case of lesser slighter private and domestick Injuries it shall be sufficient if a Member of the Consistory do secretly admonish the Offender But in case of publick and scandalous Offences as circumstances may be those who implead others at Law may be called into the Consistory unless besides their Law-suit they had committed some other and more scandalous Crime nevertheless they shall by Exhortations and other means endeavour to compromise and reconcile the litigant Parties And in our Letter to the States this Clause shall be insertted That though in Law-sence a Crime is then called publick when it merits exemplary Punishment yet we account that a publick Crime which coming to the knowledge of the World or of many does beget Scandal or evil Example so that all circumstances considered nothing hindreth but that these publick Crimes may be censured and corrected As to the ninth tenth and eleventh Articles by which the Estates demand Obedience to be yeilded unto Magistrates and in particular that they be called into Consistories Classes and Synods provided this be communicated unto both the Parties Plaintiff and Defendant this Council does freely grant it As to the twelfth and thirteenth Articles we answer That in the Civil Government the Magistrates Ordinances ought to be obeyed And in Ecclesiastical Affairs Ministers shall have the ordering of them in conjunction with Synods And when a Common concern doth offer itself to be discussed as for instance if this Question shall be propounded How many Ministers ought to be established in a City they shall consult together and ordain about it by joynt Suffrages Lastly as to the fourteenth Article it 's answered That Ministers may be removed from one Church unto another which shall be debated and resolved on by the Provincial Synods according to the Tenour of the sixteenth Article of our Discipline CHAP. XVI Cases of CONSCIENCE III. THe Brethren of Normandy requesting that the eighteenth Article of the Synod of Paris might be altered where it was ordained That no beneficed Persons or other such-like should be received into the Ministry without long Experience had both of their Life and Doctrine this present Assembly decreeth That the Article shall remain intire and in its full power without any Relaxation or Alteration and therefore that it be more diligently observed Beneficed Persons employing them to good and pious Uses and not partaking in Idolatry shall not be kept off from the LORD's Table IV. Such as hold Church-lands provided they do not pollute themselves in any manner with Idolatry and do their endeavour to root out all Superstition at least that there be none committed by their consent and authority and also protesting that they disclaim all Right that they might have from the Pope if also those Lands and Goods be visibly imployed in holy and lawful Uses forasmuch as the King grants Liberty of Conscience to enjoy them these Persons shall not be refused Communion at the Lord's Table V. It having been proposed Whether Maids above ten Years old should answer the publick Catechism This matter is left to the Prudence of the respective Consistories who shall act herein as will make most for Edification No other Council in the Church but the Consistory VI. The Church of Issoudun demanding Whether besides the Consistory it were not needful that the Church should have a Council to determinate all matters of difference arising in it After diligent consideration this Synod judgeth That it is the Duty of Consistories to determine all Church-Affairs and that it 's needless on this account to have an other standing Council besides those who are Officers in it VII The Brethren of Nismes having desired our Advice about Morning and Evening Prayers this Assembly dismisseth it over unto the Provincial Synods Magistrates may bâ—â—r office in the â—onsistory VIII Our Brethren of Normandy having propounded this case Whether a Magistrate might be called into Office by the Consistory This Assembly resolveth it may be done provided that the exercise of the one doth not hinder the other In Usuries the Rule of Charity See the Synod of Orâ—â—â—â—â—â— Art 6. 〈◊〉 Germâ—ns râ—mâ—ved prâ—â—â—ded there â—e 〈◊〉 Sea 〈◊〉 may maâ—ry 〈…〉 mâ—â—â—â—â— the â—eâ—â—â—d time and 〈…〉 fiâ—â—â— Wifâ—â—eâ—â—â—se oâ— her 〈◊〉 this Mâ—â—â—â—â—â—e is 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of the Mâ—nister 〈◊〉 â—â—vâ—al or not Crimes disâ—â—veâ—ed to him in Confessâ—â—n IX Concerning Interest of Money it is advised That the King's Edicts herein shall be universally observed as also the Rule of Charity X. The Minister of Normandy demanding Whether a Cousin-German removed might be married The Synod answers That if there be no Scandal taken by such a Marriage it may be done XI 'T is the joynt Opinion of all the Brethren That a second Marriage contracted by him who had forsook his Wife because of Leprosie is null and therefore till he be separated from his second Wife and the Scandal given by him be repaired he shall not be admitted unto the LORD's Table XII It 's lawful though not necessary for Protestants to publish their Banes of Marriage in Popish Temples XIII A Minister demanding our Advice Whether a Person begging his advice and comfort under inward Perplexities and confessing to him secretly great Crimes he ought to discover them unto the Magistrate We answer That it is left wholly to the conscience of the Minister who must prudently consider all circumstances XIV Ministers contracting unfitting Marriages which beget Scandal the Brethren in this Synod do judge that Consistories shall proceed in such a manner against these Delinquents by Church-censures that all occasion of Scandal for
the future be prevented XV. To the case Whether a Promise made by a Maid at the Age of eleven with the consent of her Parents to which before twelve she had renounced Ministers contracting unfitting Marriages to be severely censured Promises of Marriage made by Minors though with the consent of Parents are null A Papist maynot be married unless he or she do renounce the Mass Renters of Benefices where Idolatry is shall within a limited time be excommucate He that continues and hardens himself in his sins shall be excommunicate might be dissolved This answer was given That such a Promise was Null XVI It being moved Whether Ministers might marry them who were downright Papists The Synod answers That it may not be done unless they do positively renounce the Mass XVII Gentlemen or other renting Benefices from Priests where Idolatry is not as yet purged shall be seriously admonished to abstain from so doing within a certain fixed time and in case of final Disobedience to this Admonition they shall be cut off from Communion at the Lord's Table XVIII As to the difficulty propounded by our Brethren of Nismes Whether a Minister may with a good Conscience leave his Church when his Wife after that he hath done his Duty in order to her Conversion will not live with him It is answered That all circumstances considered he shall renew his Endeavours for the Conversion of his Wife and in the mean while he shall have his liberty to resume again his Charge as soon as he shall have reduced his Wife unto her Duty XIX Our Brother of Xaintes having demanded what is to be done in this case A Man having done publick Penance in the Church for divers Faults committed by him yet again and again returns unto the same Sins ought he to be excommunicated or not Our Judgment is because he hath not truely hearkned unto the Church that he be excommunicate XX. As to that Question Whether the Promises of Marriage may be given before a Priest because the Mother will have her Daughter contracted by a Priest It is answered Forasmuch as the presence of the Priest is only required that the Espousals should be performed by him 't is our Advice that it ought not to be done XXI A young Man promiseth Marriage unto a Maid with this express Condition inserted in the Contract That he promiseth Marriage provided the Maid consents to be married in the Reformed Church the Maid promiseth and consents for a time afterward seeing the Troubles arising for Religion she will not yeild unto it and saith farther That she will never have this young Man It 's demanded Whether he is hereby freed from his Promise We answer The young Man shall endeavour by his diligent Sollicitations to perswade her and 't is left to the prudence of the Consistory to judge of the Diligences used by him and accordingly to proceed to a Declaration of the Nullity of the Marriage if need be XXII Such as bearing Office in the Reformed Church having in times of Persecution fallen into Idolatry shall be deposed from their said Office and before they be again received unto the Lord's Table shall undergo publick Penance And if private Persons are guilty of the same Crime they shall do the same Penance enjoyned them by the Consistory all which shall be performed with Christian Charity and due Moderation according to the Rules of our Ecclesiastical Discipline XXIII The case being moved Whether it be sufficient that the Fornication of a Man be proved by his Harlot and the Testimony of some worthy Person who shall depose that he heard the Fornicator acknowledge his Crime and that those belonging to the House do testifie of theit frequenting each others company 'T is our Counsel That the Consistory of the Church would exhort the Accused to confess the Truth confronting him the Harlot and Witnesses together and to examine well all Circumstances And if he persist in his Denial yet to suspend him from the Lord's Supper provided the Witness be an honest Person and without reproach XXIV The Churches shall be advertised not to celebrate the Marriage of strange Persons who dwell not in the places where those Marriages are to be solemnized unless they bring Certificates from those Churches whereunto they do belong A Pagan Maid must not be baptized till she have been well instructed in the Christian Religion XXV A Maid brought from among Salvages and not instructed in the Principles of Christian Religion ought not to be baptized before she can give a rational account of her Faith and that by a publick Confession XXVI In the Province of Berry whenas over and above the Synodical Assemblies and Propositions to exercise the Gifts of young unordained Preachers in order to their Approbation for the Ministry there shall be other Assemblies specially convened to consult about necessary and emergent Affairs they shall be held by the common Agreement of the Churches Consistories and not by any other Authority that so that Article of our Discipline may not be thwarted which expresly ordaineth that no Church shall usurp any Authority over another XXVII The Minister of Memiot desiring our Judgment in this case A Gentleman caused his Child to be baptized by a Priest who continues practising his Idolatry Shall this Child be rebaptized or not It 's answered in the Negative XXVIII The Minister of Chasteneauef and Mazon desired Resolution unto this case Whether he may with a good Conscience lend another his Name that under the covert thereof he might enjoy the Profits of a certain Benefice We answer That he ought not to do it in any wise XXIX Forasmuch as the Minister of New castel in Normandy hath of his own accord forsaken his Ministry induced thereunto by the perswasions of his Wife as he protested before the Colloquy at Diep it is resolved that the Brethren Ministers of that Colloquy shall censure him according to his Deservings and put him in the Catalogue of Desertors A Man may not marry his Brother's Widow XXX It being demanded Whether it were only a Prohibition of Humane Laws That the Widow of the deceased Brother might not be married to his surviving Brother The Council answered That such Marriages were also forbidden by the Word of God And though under the Law of Moses it was ordained That when the elder Brother died childless the younger Brother should raise up Seed unto him yet this was only a temporary Law to God's Ancient Israel and intended only for the preservation and distinction of their Tribes XXXI One having renounced his Benefices demands advice What he shall do with his Writings Deeds and other Evidences belonging unto the Lands and Revenues of those his said Benefices We advise him to discharge himself by due course of Law according to the Ordinance of the Magistrate and he shall cancel his Letters of Presentation XXXII A certain Lady craves our Advice Whether she may claim her Right and Interests in a
assurances of the Virginity of their Daughter and she also herself avows it yet it comes to light that eight Years before she had a Child It 's demanded Whether he be freed from his Promises because he says he is cheated by them We answer That in case the Whoredom is manifest and he never had carnal Knowledge of her we are of Opinion that he is free according to our former Decision on the same Article XLIII A certain Abbot in Lymousin professeth himself a Doctor and Preacher the People hear him gladly nevertheless he maintains his Monks goes in Person unto the Mass and does not joyn himself unto a Reformed Church 'T is queried Whether the People may be permitted to hear him and whether those Ministers who exhorted him to read his Lectures have done well and those also who have assisted at his French Sermons It 's answered That those Ministers who have been present at his Sermons or exhorted the People to become his Hearers or him to Teach among whom there is one called Provost ought all of them to be grievously censured And the People shall be admonished according to the Rules of our Discipline to content themselves with their own Pastors and that my Lord Abbot be desired to forbear his Lectures and to subject himself unto the Order of God's Church and tarry till he be called unto such an Office XLIV Monsieur Pelot craved advice in this weighty Case A Marriage had been contracted between a Youth of sufficient Age and a Maid of Thirteen with mutual content of the Parties and their Parents The Banes were published in the Church and just as the Minister would have married them the Maid sate down and would neither rise nor stand up But after Sermon having been admonished of her Duty she yields unto it and they were married in the Church and lay together yet without any carnal Cohabitation She upon second thoughts says the Marriage is null and separating from her Husband protests she is not bound to own him for hers in that relation nor to cleave unto him and requireth to be divorced from him whereunto the Man would freely and willingly consent provided it might be done with a good conscience This Assembly declares That it is a good Marriage true and indissolvable and the Parties must be exhorted in the Name of God to carry themselves as true married Persons And Monsieur du Verges and the Consistory of Montlimart where the Mother which hinders the Marriage dwells are desired to do their endeavour that it may be perfected XLV Monsieur Vaissé propounds That Promises of Marriage had been made by two Persons at Marnejoux both of sufficient Age and with consent of Parties the Promises were ratified and confirmed the second time and that by Contract passed through the hands of a Publick Notary The young Woman refuseth to accomplish the Marriage urging for herself that she was compelled by her Parents to make such Promises though the contrary is evident from the very words of her Parents she further alledgeth That her Party's Breath is very stinking The Marriage is declared indissolvable XLVI A Man having contracted Marriage with a Maid by consent of Parents maketh other Promises unto another Maid and passeth Contract of this also of which he is afterward very penitent and persisteth in his first Promise By consent of the Consistory and Magistrate of the Place 't is concluded the first Promise shall hold Nevertheless when the Banes are published the Father of the second Maid forbids them May the Minister proceed to celebrate and bless this Marriage notwithstanding the old Man's Prohibition It is concluded that forasmuch as the Father of the second Maid opposeth it only out of Interest and for a sum of Money which he claimeth due unto him the Minister may do his Office in marrying them XLVII Monsieur de Lestany proposeth Whether a Minister who was formerly a Popish Priest and hath none other Estate nor Income but what belongs unto his Cure which may amount to about threescore and five Livres yearly and yet he cannot recover that sorry Pittance but by compelling his Debtors to pay him before the Magistrate and the Magistrate also will not condemn them to Satisfaction unless he plead in the Name of Priest and Curate Is it lawful for him so to do No by no means XLVIII An Abbot come to the knowledge of the Gospel who hath suppressed all Idolatry burnt his Deeds and Evidences provided for his Monks and not suffered for six Years last past Mass to be sung in his Abby nor done any other Exercise of the Popish Worship but ever carried himself faithfully and born Arms in Defence of the Gospel ought such an one to be admitted to the Lord's Table Yes undoubtedly XLIX A Man by the consent of her Father and of his betrothed Wife hath carnal Knowledge of her before Marriage He is afterwards by false Witnesses accused of Fornication and condemned for falsifying the King's Coyn and executed in Effigie He demands that his Marriage may be celebrated in the Church The Brethren are of Opinion That provided he submit to publick Penance for his Fornication and other Crimes it may be lawful to marry him and to admit him to the Lord's Table L. The Deputies of Vivaretz propounded this Case An Abbess though she hath forsaken the Idolatry of the Church of Rome doth yet notwithstanding retain her Nuns and employeth not the Revenues to their right use may she with a safe conscience be admitted to Communion at the Lord's Table No in no wise LI. The Brethren in the Church of Rochell are desired to leave off Prosecuting their Minister Monsieur de L'Isle and other of their Fellow-members because they want sufficient Evidence against them and they are to remit the whole matter unto our Brethren of Xaintonge who will take an exact cognisance thereof and judge in it according to truth And whereas the Church of Rochell have petitioned that they might have Monsieur Oded du Nort conferred upon them for their Minister answer was given them That he should serve them till such time as the Provincial Synod of Gascony do sit who properly can dispose of him and the said Church of Rochell shall apply themselves to the said Synod to gain their consent and in case they cannot obtain it then may they redemand the Monies if they please which they paid down for his Ransom LII The Brethren of Paris are intreated to give way that Monsieur de La Forest may be sent unto Bourges instead of Monsieur de St. Germain And this Article shall be communicated to our Brethren of Geneva and to their Church and they be intreated to write unto the Church of Paris about it that so Monsieur de St. Germain may be Minister unto the Family of the Lord de la Rochfoucaud LIII Our Brother de St. Fariol doth of right belong to the Church of Montignac yet that Church is intreated to accept of our Brother
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
Consistories there was this Question How may we carry ourselves towards those Delinquents who are guilty of Crimes deserving Civil or Corporal Punishments for if you call them into the Consistory their Crime will be published for the Magistrate is usually present in the Consistory The Brethren of Geneva's ANSWER Article I. IT 's very difficult in this case to shut the Doors against those Persons who delight in Sin for one Inconveniency draws on another It is a most mischievous things that the King's Officers being of another Religion are brought by an absolute Power into the Consistory but so it is and there is no Remedy They have more power than could be wished them so that sith we cannot hinder it if they have just cause of punishing Delinquents even let them do it Article II. If it be alledged That this will hinder poor Sinners from a free Confession and Acknowledgment of their Offences and that we shall be utterly disabled to bring them unto Repentance and that there will be a world of Hypocrisie and Ostentation and Dissembling in our Churches But what can't be helpt must be endured till such time as God shall have blessed us with a better Remedy However there may be some course found out whereby poor Wretches who are fallen into scandalous Offences may be saved from Peril Let two or three Members of the Consistory remonstrate to them in private their Miscarriages and though they may palliate and dissemble the matter yet we may be contented to have dealt thus with them In short we must use our best Endeavours to divert the bad Affections of the Church's Enemies from it and to keep them from hurting and doing that mischief to it they would But in case the Crimes be scandalous rather then nourish them let Discipline be exercised In those Towns where the Magistrates are godly Persons and Professors of our Religion there may be means of communicating the matter to them that so they may punish and chastise these Offenders gently and after a Christian-manner who deserve to be punished by Law And so the Consistory shall be exempted of blame and the Confession shall not be made to it but to the Civil Magistrate ANSWER III. Concerning Baptism this is the Contents and Answer of a Letter to certain Arguments urged for the Validity of Baptism administred by private Persons Article I. WE Ministers and Doctors in the Church of Geneva accompanied with our Brethren come from the National Synod of Lions being met together in the Name of God after that we had heard that Case of Conscience propounded to us Whether Baptism administred by private Persons without Office in the Church of God ought to be reiterated or not did unanimously declare this our Judgment That such a Baptism did not in any wise agree with the Institution of our Lord Jesus Christ and therefore consequently is of no force power validity or effect and that the Child ought to be brought into the Church of God there to be baptized For to separate the Ministration of the Sacraments from the Pastor's Office 't is as if one should tear out a Seal to make use of it without the Commission or Letters Pattents to which it was affixed And in this case we must practise that Rule of our Lord What God hath joyned together let no man put asunder This for and in the Name of all the Assembly JOHN CALVIN Article II. And whereas in that Letter there were Reasons to the contrary and that we were desired by the Synod to answer them in Writing we shall do it though we found them very feeble and Impertinent Article III. The first Argument of that Scribler was We must distinguish betwixt the Vertue of the Sacrament which belongeth only unto God to vouchsafe and the outward Sign of which Man is the Minister But this confirms our Assertion because God hath told us by his Son 's own Word who the Persons are that shall administer Baptism Article IV. His second Reason which depends upon the former and to speak properly is but an Accessory to it is nothing to the purpose For tho' Christ only do baptize with his Spirit yet it will not follow that he will not have the Sign and Figure to be annexed unto his Grace Article V. And this self-same Answer will suffice to refute his third Argument For when we reform what hath been done amiss in this Ordinance we do not confine God's Vertue unto the Water for we hold that this is a Counterfeit Baptism a meer Mockery a Prophanation of the Sacrament to whose first Institution we must keep strictly Besides such Language as this is very improper we do not reiterate Baptism for the pretended Baptism is utterly unlawful yea wholly null As for Example If you give a Child a Draught of salt or puddled Water you do not give him again Drink immediately upon it But if you give him an empty Bottle and he suck nothing out of it but Wind you will repair this Fault by giving him Drink in earnest Moreover those Expressions of his Of throwing Water or Plunging are affected and made use of by him to degrade the Usage and Utility of Baptism And we could wish that in handling of such Questions Men were more serious and sober In short either Baptism is unprofitable and appointed to no purpose or else it must be observed according to its Primitive Institution to be a Seal of the Remission of our Sins Article VI. His fourth Argument is altogether frivolous We know God be-thanked that our Spiritual Washing is in the Blood of Jesus and not from the Baptismal Water And he might have spared his pains in mustring up such a number of Texts of Scripture to prove that which none of us ever doubted of for Water in Baptism signifies the Bloud of Christ and the Effects and Fruits thereof accomplished in us by the Holy Ghost And tho' the Lord Jesus is no Respecter of Persons nor doth the Validity of Baptism depend upon the Worthiness or Unworthiness of the Minister yet it will not thence follow that we must not keep to that Order which he hath instituted yea and this also is alledged out of Ignorance For inasmuch as all our Dependance is upon the Word of God the Rule and Standard of our Duty given us by Christ himself if you neglect and slight it in Baptism and let one administer it who hath no Call from God to do it 't is all one as if an Ape as he that hath no Commission to preach the Gospel did administer it Article VII His fifth Argument takes that for granted which will never be yeilded to him viz. That even Baptism administred by an Heretick who hath no Office in the Church is yet held for true Baptism For were this so Baptism would not belong unto the Church but also to Turks and Pagans So that whilst he labours by such sorry trifling Arguments as these to build up Baptism 't is certain that he turns
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-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
by another XXII If a Minister die in the service of his Church it shall take care about the Maintenance of his Widow and Children and in case of the Churches inability the Province shall be obliged CHAP. V. Of Particular MATTERS I. IT is resolved That Ministers Appealing unto this Synod shall withdraw when their Matters are to be debated unless their Matters be such as may bring them dammage and they also who Appeal or be Appealed upon the account of their sinful miscarriages shall not at all be admitted into it but when they are to be heard in their own defence II. This Assembly doth judge that Monsieur de la Rogevay was justly inrolled in the Catalogue of Vagrants and yet no person shall be obliged to tell him who delated him But because the Church of Bergerack hath since that time given an honourable Testimonial of his Godly conversation it is ordained that his name be now razed out of that Catalogue Onely let him carefully mind the Protestation now made by him of containing himself within due bounds and living holily according to Gods blessed word and the Discipline of our Church III. It 's decreed That John Clopet alias Child shall not be tollerated nor reputed for a Minister until such time as he shall have purged himself from those Crimes and Heresies charged on him And four Months time having been assigned him to justifie himself both in Bearn and Montauban if within that space appointed him he neglect to do it he shall be totally deposed from the Ministry IV. The Brethren of Dolphiny make report how that certain Priests and Monks professing the Christian Reformed Religion after they had been Married in the Church revolted from it and entring again into their Monastâ—â—ies did sing Mass and polluted themselves with Idolatry and desired our thoughts about these Marriages whether they were lawful and valid or no. This Assembly defers the Decision of this Case until the next General Conference that after mature deliberation and debate about it they may definitively determine thereof Yet in the mean while Whether the Marriage of a Monk when converted and after revolted and returning to his Vomit of Idolatry be valid they advise these Women to refrain their Company because considering the present Juncture of Affairs in this Kingdom they cannot converse with them honourably as married Wives with their Husbands V. When Fasts are to be celebrated let all the Churches be uniform if possible in the manner of its Observation and keep themselves free and pure from all Superstition VI. If Women whose Husbands upon the account of Trade are a long time absent from them do desire to be married they shall apply themselves unto the Magistrate Windows shall not be permieted Marriage but according to the time prefixed by Law VII Let Ministers of the Gospel take heed that they do not marry Widows within the times forbidden by the Civil Laws VIII Information being given us That in certain Towns there be other Councels besides those of the Consistory which assume unto themselves the management of Church-Affairs we expresly order That the Sixth Article about Consistories unanimously approved in the Synod of Poictiers Orleans Lions and Paris be signified unto them and that it be most exactly and punctually observed and in case of Disobedience they shall be accordingly censured IX Notice shall be given unto the Churches that in Certificates given unto Travellers that Article be strictly observed and they shall be dated not in Cyphers but in Words at length X. The Canon made to the National Synod of Orleans concerning our Deputies at Court shall be punctually observed by the Provincial Synods CHAP. VI. XI OUR Brother * * * He is called in another Copy John de la Traissel Deacon of the Church of Rochel de la Chaise having complained to us That he was branded by the Deacons of Geneva because in his Impression of Mr. Calvin's Sermons upon Deuteronomy he had left out the Preface to them This Assembly being well satisfied of his Innocence and that he did not of his own head leave out the Preface neither in that Book nor in Calvin's Sermons upon Daniel but by the Advice of our Brethren the Ministers of Rochel nor that from the hopes of Gain he did thereby rob the Poor we order that the Provincial Synods shall be informed of his Innocence and that Letters be sent unto the Brethren of Geneva not only to purge him but that in their next Impression of Mr. Calvin's Sermons they would be pleased to give him an honourable Testimony of his Innocence XII The Churches shall be acquainted with the extream Affliction of our poor Brethren at Pamiers that so their Christian Bowels of Charity may be enlarged to them XIII As also that one called Roberty who was formerly on the List of Vagrants is now took off the File XIV And also that they would beware of a certain Fellow going by the Name of Fontaines du Baut of Vellay in Languedoc a lean Man who hath been often taxed for having no Call unto the Ministry and being unordained yet preacheth CHAP. VIII The Roll of Vagrants I. ONE Chartir or Charles who says of himself that he was a Counsellor of Grenoble and that he solicited at Court for the Profits of his Office a Man of mean Stature his Beard waxing grey deposed from the Ministry at Vsanchez by the Brethren of Limoges for Lying Cheating Forgeries Roguish Tricks Drunkenness unchast Kissings and at Pamier for Dancing and Contumacy against the Church This Fellow intrudes himself into all places where he can get admittance to Preach II. Simon du Plessis going by the Names of Mr. Peter Grueill La Mulle Nevill Grand-champ La Jauniere formerly a Franciscan Fryer deposed at Orbec by the Classis of Eureux because that without any Call or Ordination he had usurped the Ministry of the Gospel quitting and retaking at pleasure his Fryer's Weeds convicted of and condemned for Adultery by the Provincial Synod of Normandy accused also of being Confederate with Robbers he came into Xaintonge but is now at Auranches a Fellow of great stature yellow Beard and hath lost two of his Fore-teeth III. It is ordered that the Neighbour Brethren shall have their eyes upon Monsieur Sylvester's Conversation whether it be conform to the Discipline of our Churches and the Brethren of Normandy shall do their utmost to discover the Crimes whereof he is accused and send the whole Charge against him to the Brethren of the Province However in the mean while he may continue in the Exercise of his Function IV. The business of Mathou is referr'd to the Inhabitants of Jarnac and to our Brethren Du Moulin and San-Germain V. John Clopet alias Child a Wretch full of Heresies a Champion for the Mass asserting its goodness in two Points only excepted viz. Prayers unto the Saints and for the Dead maintaining that the good and bad have equal Priviledge to communicate in the
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
Orange shall be joyned to the Province of Dolphiny XXXI This Clause shall be added to the end of the 8th Article of Marriages After which time the Marriage shall be publickly blessed in the Church according to the Word of God CHAP. VI. General MATTERS I. THis Case was moved about the Elders viz. Whether they ought to be presented to the whole Church and in the face of the Assembly to receive their Charge and the Church itself to be reminded of its Duty to them or that they should be presented to the Consistory only The Synod judging it a matter meerly indifferent leaveth the Churches to their liberty herein II. Hath not a Colloquy the same Right to redemand a Minister as his Church It was answered in the Negative for the Colloquy hath not the Churches Right in its Power as was determined by the last National Synod III. A Query was made about Marriages Whether Doctors and Professors of Divinity were not bound by the 18th Canon of our Discipline to put away their Wives if guilty of Adultery or else to be deprived of their Professorship in our Schools and Churches Unto which there was this Answer returned That that Canon did purely relate unto Pastors not unto Professors nor is there a parity of reason for the one as for the other Ministers being Publick Officers in the whole Church are to be exemplary in their Persons and Families for holiness and therefore must not receive again an Adulterous Wife into their Bosoms which would be a Scandal to the Church Moreover Professors of Divinity are not to correct and reprove as Pastors are so that they may if they please pass by the wickedness of their Wives and notwithstanding their Adultery enjoy their Professor's place among us and not be deposed from it IV. This Advice was given to the Deputy of Poictou That such as revolted in the times of War from the Profession of the Gospel in case they bore no Office in the Church shall not make any publick reparation nor shall the Civil Magistrates but only in the Consistory and that too without mentioning them by Name nor shall they stand up But as for others who were publick Church-Officers they shall give publick satisfaction and repair the Scandal given by their Fall in a publick manner before the whole Church and then without any farther severity and with all possible sweetness shall be re-admitted to the Peace and Fellowship of the Church V. Is it necessary that the Confession of Faith should be read before Sermon and upon Sacrament-days before we go up unto the Lord's Table We answer The thing is meerly indifferent and therefore no Canon shall be made about it but the Church shall be left unto its liberty VI. The word Senate of the Church shall be changed into that of Consistory VII In case the Children of Believers will contract Marriage with Unbelievers against their Parents will their Parents shall not at all consent unto such Marriages nor by publick Instrument assign them any Dowry nor any other way or manner approve of such a Marriage VIII This Case was propounded After Promises of Marriage had passed reciprocally by words de proesenti one of the betrothed Persons falleth sick of the Leprosie and contracts a most loathsome stinking savour and a Disease utterly incurable may these Espousals be broken and dissolved Unto which there was this Answer returned That in case one of these betrothed Persons had not been informed of the said Sickness when the Promises were made she may not be compelled to accomplish them for there being Errour and Deceit in the Case there can be no Consent so that she may be set at liberty And in this business we must have a double respect 1. To the Publick and then 2. To the Interest of that private Person As to the Publick Special Care must be taken that incurable Vices and Diseases be not multiplied and that their Contagiousness be not propagated nor run in the Blood And if there were no particular private Interest in the Case yet before that this Marriage be consummated it s against all Prudence and Godliness to suffer Persons who have begun ill to be conjoyned together and that they should all their Life after live in a perpetual hatred and abhorrency of each other because of the said loathsome Stench and Distemper IX A Man hath abused his deceased Wife's Sister and got her with Child may he now marry her No for this commixture is incestuous nor may she become his Wife and both of them are to be censured most severely Yet he may marry another X. If a Man hath married a Wife out of his own Church and there be no Evidence of the Marriage he shall be called into the Consistory and prove his Marriage and in case he cannot do it because it was done during the Civil Wars the Consistory shall advise prudently how to censure him whether publickly or only privately within the Consistory for the Churches edification XI May Doctors of Divinity be created and admitted unto their Dignity and Office by Doctors of Law assisted with a Minister of God's Word in the University of Orange or elsewhere It 's answered That Lawyers and Physitians may be thus admitted but not Divines for our Discipline hath expresly provided against such an abuse as this is XII How may Consistories demean themselves about Banes of Marriage whenas those of the Romish Religion do make opposition and will not appear before the Consistory but before the Civil Magistrate We answer That if the Civil Magistrate will take Cognisance of the Fact the Consistory shall not proceed any farther least the Magistrate should thence take occasion of Offence and complain of the Consistory for intermedling with his business and intrenching upon his Authority And this will be direction enough as to that particular Case of Monsieur Cyprian XIII If any of our Brethren in the Ministry have lying by them any Relations of memorable Events relating to the History and State of God's Church in these times they be desired to send them to the Pastors of the Church of Lions who will model them into good order and publish them to the World XIV A Father having his Son murdered compounds with the Murderer for a Sum of Money what course is to be taken with this Father We answer That the Father is bound to prosecute the Murderer in a Court of Justice and to file a Bill of Indictment against him But in case he cannot do it and it so fall out that he and the Murderer do agree the Matter between themselves to his own private advantage he shall only be admonished by the Consistory and that prudently too according as they find Circumstances XV. May those Commanders Places and Dignities of Knighthood in the Orders of St. John of Jerusalem be counted among Benefices and whether these Knights may be kept off from the Lord's Supper We answer That if they hold their Benefices and Commanderships
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
to several Goldsmiths in the City of Sedan for which the Civil Magistrate inflicted corporal Punishment upon him in the said City all which he could not but acknowledge and confess to be true before this Assembly For these Causes the said Bonniot or Bouquier is deposed from the Sacred Ministery as a Person uncapable and utterly unworthy of it and shall be continued on the Roll of Vagrants and shall do publick Penance in the said Church of San Bouchard However because of his deep Poverty and great and numerous Family of Children we do License him to keep School and to instruct Youth but with this Proviso that the Ministers of the Places where he shall live do watch over him and his Deportments with a very strict and careful Eye VI. An Appeal was brought by Monsieur De la Jaille and the Church of Saujon who complained of the Wrongs done them by the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge held at Saujon which had adjudged him Pastor unto the said Church of Saujon without obliging it to defray his Expences in coming to it This Assembly ordereth that the Colloquy or Synod of that Province shall censure the said Church and Monsieur Royan the Minister for their pragmatical intermeddling in a Business not appertaining to them VII Monsieur Boucquet shall write unto the Colloquy of Aunix that Monsieur Baron may be returned unto the Church of La Guerche in the Province of Anjon there to exercise his Ministery in Obedience to the Call given him VIII The Synod of the Isle of France shall make an exact Enquiry into the Life Writings and Conversation of Monsieur Gibbon sometime Minister of Deippe that Judgment may pass upon him accordingly IX Forasmuch as Mr. Bernard Giraud hath been divers times recalled by his Church of Marceoill in Poictou and by the Synod of Poictou he shall be censured for his disobedience to this Summons and also for that he quitted his Church at first and this according to the Canons of our Discipline And the Colloquy of Annix shall in like manner be censured for admitting him among them without any testimonial Letters of Dismission For which cause this Assembly will remove the said Giraud elsewhere X. This Assembly will take special care of Monsieur Christian for his Subsistance But in the mean while the Church of Poictiers shall be severely censured for their default of Duty baseness and ingratitude to this Reverend Man of God who was one of their first and most ancient Pastors and who laid the very Foundations of their flourshing Church And the said Church shall be summon'd to the next Synod and injoyned to give him full Contentment and Satisfaction and to pay him all Arrerages owing to him for time past and to relieve him now in his old Age. XI The Province of Anjou shall be obliged to provide for the Safety of Monsieur Daniel a Minister of the Gospel who was formerly sent unto them and is now remanded back unto them by this present Assembly and that Church which shall call him unto their Service shall reimburse him those Expences he was at during the last Persecution XII Monsieur Daniel shall exercise his Ministery in the House and Court of his Excellency the Prince of Conde but only for some Months in the Year which being expired he may be redemanded by his own Church and Province And the Church of Bergerac shall likewise lend Monsieur de Borda their Minister unto the said Prince for four Months more of the same Year And this shall hold till such time as some other course be taken And Monsieur Martin shall be the ordinary Minister of his Excellency's House and Family XIII Monsieur de Malescot who was the first Minister of the Church of Montagu in the County of Perche shall be summoned by the Province of Poictou unto which he doth belong to return unto the said Province according to the Canons of our Discipline however without any prejudice unto the said Church of Montagu and the said Province of Poictou is ordered to receive those Informations of the Province of the Isle of France concerning the Deportments of the said Malescot his Writing and his Way and Manner of Preaching XIV The Brethren of the French Church of London in the Kingdom of England sent Letters unto this Assembly petitioning that Messieurs de Villiers Minister of the Church of Rouan and de la Fontayne Ministers of the Church of Orleans might be given to them for their Pastors Their Request was granted and these worthy Ministers of the Gospel were lent unto the said Church till such time as their own dissipated Flocks might be recollected and then they should return and be restored unto their former Churches respectively XV. On sight and perusal of the Writings of Mr. Anthony Fregeville of the Town Realmont this Assembly judgeth them utterly unworthy of any Answer because they are stufft with Errors Lyes and Calumnies and farther the Sentence past upon him by the Provincial Synod was ratified and whereas he was only suspended from the Lord's Table it is now ordered that his said Suspension shall be publickly notified unto the whole Church And in case he continue to sow and spread abroad his Errors and Follies either by Word or Writing he shall be cut off from the Body of the Church by the Sword of Excommunication as a notorious Disturber of the Repose and Union of the Church XVI Monsieur Giraud is sent unto the Town of Mas in Agenois to exercise his Ministery in the Church of Calonges which is now annexed to that of Mas according to the Letters and Request of my Lady of Calonges and of the said Church of Mas in Agenois CHAP. IX The Roll of MINISTERS provided for and disposed by this present SYNOD I. MOnsieur Christian is sent unto the Town of Sancerre in the Viscounty of Turenne 2. Monsieur Quesnel unto Lectoure 3. Monsieur Chaffepied to St Foy yet his Church may recall him at the Years end 4. Monsieur de la Valle at Abbeville in Agenois 5. Monsieur Giraud to the Town of Mas in Agenois 6. Monsieur Du Puy to Le Laigne and Bas de Fon with their Annexes 7. Monsieur Anisse to St. Aulaye ¶ This present National Synod was finished the fourteenth Day of February in the Year of our Lord 1578. Thus Signed in the Original Peter Merlin Moderator Francis L'Oyseau Scribe William de la Jaille Scribe Mr. Merlin the Moderator of this Synod was Minister in the Family of that famous Nobleman the Lord De Coligni High Admiral of France who miraculously escaped with his Life in that horrible Massacre at Paris on St. Bartholomew's Day 1572. He leapt out of a Window and hid himself in an Haylofft where an Hen came and lay an Egg by him three days successively with which he was sustained till the Lord opened a Door for him to get out of this bloody City He was afterward Minister of the Church of Vitre He
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-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
Earl of Laval and Vitré and M. Mathurin L' Hommeau Lord of Gravier Minister in the Church of Rennes and William le Moine Elder in the Church of Vitré For Orleans and Berry M. William Sauvage Minister of the Church of Mer upon the Loire and Christopher Elder of the Church at Chastelnaudun 6. For Anjou Tourain Le Main Vandomois Loudunois and the lower Perche John Malesousse and De la Durelleric Ministers of Chasteau-Gontier René Pineau Minister in the Church of Craon in Anjou and Mathurin Peju Elder of the Church at Augers 7. For the upper and neither Poictou M. Nicholas Gorré Minister of Flontenay le Conte and Peter Guittaud Elder in the Church of Chastel-heraud 8. For Xaintonge Aunix the City and Government of Rochel Andrew de Mazieres called also Peter de la Place Minister at Thoire in Aunix aforesaid and Hierom Faureau Elder in the Church of Rochel 9. For Augoumois M. Guy du Pou Minister of Vertueil without an Elder 10. The Deputies of Gascogny Perigort and Limousin were absent but excused themselves by Letters because they wanted timely Notice of the sitting of the Synod and there was no Money gathered to defray the charge of their Journey 11. The higher and lower Vivaretz and Vellay were absent without excuse 12. For the lower Languedoc Nismes Montpellier Vsez Basques Beziars and Givaudan inclusively M. John de Grores Minister of Nismes and Andrew D'Alguillonnet Elder of the same Church 13. For the higher Languedoc And Guienne M. John Gardesi Minister of St. Antonin ill Quercy and M. Amand le Gros Elder in the Church of Castres M. Gardesi was a severe Nathan to Henry the Fourth 14. For Bourbonnois and lower Auvergne Lyonnois Forest La Marche and and Beaujolois there were no Deputies they being absent nor did they send any excuse 15. The Deputies of Provence were indeed absent but sent their Reasons for it which were not accepted 16. The Deputies of Burgundy were absent and inexcusable 17. The Deputies of Dolphiny and Orange were absent but excused themselves by their Letters 18. There appeared also and sate and voted in this Synod the Deputies of the Churches in the Low Countries who brought with them their Letters of Commission viz. Michael Forest Minister of the French Church at Machlin and Doctor Joannes Boulins Minister of the Church of Gant and John Charan Minister of the Church of Bruges 19. After Invocation of the Name of God M. Peter Merlin Minister of the Gospel and Pastor of the Church at Vitré and Laval was chosen Moderator and Master Matthew Virel Minister in the Church of Marchais in Beauvoisis Assessor and M. Renatus Pineau Minister in the Church of Craon and Mr. Jerome Faureau Elder in the Church of Rochel were appointed Scribes unto the Synod to Collect and Register all its Acts. CHAP. II. Canons made and decreed in the National Synod held at Vitré in Brittany at the Castle of the Lord De la Vall on Monday the 16th Day of May in the Year of our Lord One thousand five hundred eighty and three Monsieur Merlin being President and Monsieur Pineau Scribe General MATTERS The means of uniting our Churches with those of the Nitherlands I. OUR Brethren of the Low Countries having requested that some good course might be taken and means used that the Deputies of their Churches might for time to come be present at our National Synods and ours at theirs This Assembly doth now ordain That as often as the Synods of the said Low Countries shall be convened two Provinces of this Kingdom shall be obliged to send their Deputies to wit two Ministers and one Elder who shall be expresly named by those two Provinces in every National Synod and their Charges born by all the Provinces of this Kingdom and for this present approaching Synod of the Low Countries the Provinces of the Isle of France and Normandy are appointed to send the Deputies II. And whereas the Brethren their Deputies have tendred unto this Synod the Confession of Faith and Body of Church-Discipline owned and embraced by the said Churches of the Low Countries this Assembly having humbly and heartily blessed God for that sweet Union and Agreement both in Doctrine and Discipline between the Churches of this Kingdom and of that Republick did judge meet to subscribe them both and it did also request those our Brethren their Deputies reciprocally to subscribe our Confession of Faith and Body of Church-Discipline which in obedience to the Commission given them by their Principals they did accordingly thereby testifying that mutual harmony and concord in the Doctrine and Discipline of all the Churches in both Nations III. Moreover this Assembly having to its great grief understood the miserable Condition of the greater part of the Churches in the Low Countries how that they be exceedingly pester'd with divers Sects and Heresies as of David George Anabaptists Libertines and other Errors contrary to the purity of God's Word and against which they cannot use those Remedies that are most desired And yet on the other hand this Synod did exceedingly rejoyce at the glad Tidings of their care and diligence in opposing and refuting those Anti-scriptural Heresies subversive of Divine Doctrine Order and Discipline and it did most earnestly intreat them to persevere in the confutation and condemnation of them as it would also on its part cordially joyn with them in so doing and would give as it doth now give an unquestionable proof thereof by subscribing unto their Confession of Faith and Church-Dilcipline As a Pledge of their Union the Churches of both Nation shall communicate to one another their Ministers IV. And forasmuch as this holy Union and Concord established between the Churches of France and those of the Low Countries seems necessarily to demand their mutual Loves and Assistance This Assembly doth judge meet that the Churches of both the Nations shall lend and borrow their Ministers reciprocally according as their respective Necessities shall require V. That all Contentions may be avoided this Assembly doth ordain That every one shall be assessed in that Church of which he is a Member towards all Charges ordinary and extraordinary without any respect had to the distinction of Provinces A Man may not marry another Woman his Wife being yet alive thô leprous VI. A Case was propounded Whether a Man might lawfully marry another Woman his Wife being alive but infected with Leprosie This Synod judgeth according to the Rule given us by our Lord Jesus That no Man may marry another Woman his Wife as yet living unless she were an Adulteress And therefore he that demands this License to re-marry must give himself to Prayer and Fasting and contain himself during his Wife's Life and he must conscientiously give all possible assistance and relief unto her necessities VII The observation of the 33d Article of the 5th Chapter of the Discipline shall be carefully recommended to all the Churches in every Province That Article begins
Synod hath advised hereupon That a Publick Declaration shall be made of the Incompetency of this Judge who granted the Prohibition and if notwithstanding this they will yet proceed in their Contentions an Appeal shall be then made unto the Chamber of the Edict and the Church shall prosecute the Censure they have commenced and in case the Minister be troubled for it we judge it necessary that the whole Body of the Consistory do unanimously defend him And this self-same Resolution shall serve as an Answer to what was propounded by our Brethren of Anjou that some Magistrates would compel them to give in Writing an Account of Matters debated and resolved on in their Consistories XX. That Church in which the National Synod did last meet is ordered to send the Acts of the said Synod unto the Province which is obliged to convocate the next Synod XXI * * * There is engraven on the Seal a Burning Bush in the midst whereof is written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and round the Circle Flagror non Consamor a true Emblem of the Christian Church It was resolv'd That a Seal should be made for the use of the National Synod that all Letters of Importance written in its Name may be sealed by it and this Seal shall constantly be sent unto that Province in which the next is to be celebrated XXII This Assembly seriously considering the many Judgments with which we be threatned as of War Pestilence and Famine the foul Apostasies of divers Professors the little Zeal and Reformation in the generality of our People It doth Ordain a Publick Fast to be celebrated most solemnly in all the Churches of France on the last Week in July according to the conveniencies or our Churches XXIII The Observation of the 28th Article of the fifth Chapter of the Discipline is lest to the prudence of the respective Consistories XXIV The Deputies of the Isle of France demanding what course is to be taken with ungrateful Persons to their Ministers and such as refuse to contribute to the defraying of Ecclesiastical Expences This Assembly adviseth That because of the Calumnies and Reproaches unto which the Churches are exposed the Duty of such Persons shall be prest upon them by lively Remonstrances and Exhortations and if it be thought needful it shall be done in the Assembly of the principal Heads of the Families belonging to the Church However they shall not for this be kept back from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper A Minister deputed to another Provincial Synod hath his deliberative Voice XXV Our Brethren the Deputies of Anjou craved Advice in this Matter Whether a Minister delegated by his Provincial Synod unto the Synod Colloquy of another Province upon business common to them both ought to have his deliberative Voice This Assembly answereth Yes and not only as to that particular Affair upon which he came but also in all others excepting what may concern himself only during the whole Sessions Whether a Minister be bound to visit the sick of the Magâ—e XXVI The Deputies of Poictou demanded Whether it were expedient that Ministers should visit Persons sick of the Plague This Assembly leaves the decision of this Case unto the Prudence of the respective Consistories only judging that if it be done at all it must be upon a very urgent cause that so a whole Church be not expos'd to danger for the sake of a single Person Unless Visit may be so managed as to be without danger of Infection he speaking at a distance to the diseased Party However we give it as our Counsel unto the Minister who foreseeth the approaching danger that in the ordinary course of his Preaching he do prepare his Church to a patient submission unto this terrible Providence and that by proper and pertinent Texts of Scripture he do in his Sermons comfort and revive their drooping and desponding Spirits XXVII The Articles of Discipline ordained for the Conduct of our People shall be read publickly and Colloquies may make an Extract of such Articles as they shall judge needful to be known by all which shall be read publickly at some extraordinary season as the prudence of the Consistory shall determine CHAP. III. Containing the Canons which were removed Observations changed in and added to those in the Body of our Church-Discipline CHap. I. 4. At the Fourth Article of the first Chapter the Second Section after those words The whole shall be related you must add Vnto the Colloquy or Synod CHap. VII At the end of the Seventh Article instead of saying According to the Form which hath been ordained it shall be said As followeth And there shall be brought and inserted here all the said Form which is at the end of the Articles of our Discipline CHap. XIII The 13th Article shall be removed unto the Chapter of the Colloquies CHap. XXI The One and twentieth Article was wholly razed and instead of it there was this placed Lords and Princes demanding of a Church a Minister to serve theirs for some certain time shall be careful not to demand him of that which hath but one And he shall not be granted them without leave first had from his Church and Colloquy The Twenty third Article is wholly razed CHap. XXVI The Sixth and Twenty third Article shall be totally razed and instead of it there shall be this substituted If that a Minister intrude into a Church although he were approved by the People yet shall he not be approved by the Neighbour-Ministers or others but the Cognisance of this Matter shall be referr'd unto the Colloquy or Provincial Synod 'T is now the 29th Article of the Discipline CHap. XXXI The One and thirtieth Article shall be wholly razed out and to the end of the Thirty third Article there shall be this Addition made Or to the Colloquy in case the Churches be of one and the same Colloquy This is now the 30th Article of the Discipline CHap. XXXIV The Four and thirtieth Article shall be wholly razed out and formed a new after this manner Ministers may with their own consent be lent by the Consistory if it make for the Churches edifying and yet this Loan shall not be without consulting two or three Ministers or the Colloquy if it be for any longer time than six Months CHap. XXXVI XLV The Six and thirtieth and the Five and fortieth Articles shall be wholly razed out This is now the 41st Article of the Discipline CHap. XLVII Towards the close the Seven and fortieth Article instead of these words That so by those worldly Cares he may not he diverted from his Work there shall be this inserted That so he may be freed from all suspicion of Covetousness This 〈◊〉 â—ow the 4â—â—â— Article of the Discipline CHap. LV. Towards the end of the Fifty fifth Article in lieu of those words The Consistory shall judge this shall be inserted Those who ordered the Deposition shall take Cognisance of it
This is now the 50th Article of our Disicipline CHap. LVI The Fifty sixth Article shall be thus worded National Synods shall be informed by the Provinces of their deposed Ministers that so they may not be entertained by them CHap. LVII * * * This is now the 57th Article of our Discipline In the Fifty seventh Article instead of National read Provincial Synod CHap. LIX After Vagrants in the Fifty ninth Article there shall be inserted Apostates and in the end of that Article there shall be this clause And a Catalogue of these shall he brought from the Provinces unto the National Synods Chap. II. 4. After these words in the Fourth Article To be employed in the Ministry This is now the 53d Article of our Discipline this shall be added Ever preferring the Children of poor Ministers if ingenious whereof the Colloquies shall take special care Chap. III. 6. The Sixth Article of the Third Chapter shall be thus read but the decision of Points of Doctrine is principally reserved unto Ministers and Pastors of Churches Chap. V. 20. The twentieth Article of the Fifth Chapter shall be wholly razed because 't is included in the One and twentieth and Two and twenty foregoing Articles the Four and twentieth shall be also blotted out Chap. VIII 6. In the Sixth Article of the Eighth Chapter next after these words And one of the Pastors shall be President there must be added Together with one or more Scribes This is now the 11th Article and instead of the Provincial it is the National Synod that is to provide for those Widows and Orphans of deceased Ministers CHap. XII Artie To th of the Twelfth Article there shall be this added And where the Province becomes ingrateful the Deputy thereof shall make report of it unto the Provincial Synod which shall provide for them Chap. IX 6. To the sixth Article of the Ninth Chapter there must be added And Ecclesiastical CHap. VIII In the Eighth Article after these words Ample Memoirs shall be added With lawful excuses for their absence CHap. XI To the last clause of the Eleventh Article these words shall be added Which shall before-hand be advised to prepare for it Chap. X. 3. To the third Article of the Tenth Chapter in the close of it shall be this added As much as may be done considering the conveniency of Times and Places CHap. V. And to the Fifth Article these words shall be added And such as accompany the Dead unto their Graves are exhorted to demean themselves with all Christian Modesty meditating according to the Nature of the present Object upon the Misery and Brevity of this present Life and that blessed Hope of Immortality in the World to come And the Tenth Chapter shall be closed up with this Article Forasmuch as Mourning lieth not in the Habit but Heart the Faithful shall be advised to comport themselves with all Modesty shunning all Ambition Hypocrisie and Superstition Chap. XI 11. In the Eleventh Article of the Eleventh Chapter instead of these words Attributed unto God in the Scripture shall be added As Emanuel and all others Chap. XIII 7. In the Seventh Article of the Thirteenth Chapter instead of those words The Synods do esteem shall be inserted They do declare CHap. VIII IX Between the Eighth and Ninth Articles this shall be placed The betrothed Person may not marry the Mother of his deceased Spouse CHap. X XI Between the Tenth and Eleventh Articles this shall be inserted A Man shall not after the death of his Wife marry her with whom he had committed Adultery whilst she was living unless the Consistory have first had Cognisance of the same and maturely considered thereof CHap. XXII After these words in the Two and twentieth Article Solemnly married there shall be this addition 〈…〉 Whether that their Offence were known before or after the solemnizing of the Marriage And those words shall be razed If they demand to be And in the same Article this word also shall be blotted out And forasmuch and these shall be inserted Although this had been avoided before the Celebration of the Marriage yet he shall proceed to c. CHap. XXII XXIII This Article shall be placed between the Two and twentieth and the Twenty third That those Inconveniences may be avoided which ensue upon a long delay of solemnizing Marriage all Pastors of Churches and others in whose Power the espoused Persons are shall he advertis'd not to defer the celebrating of their Marriage above six weeks after their Espousals Chap. XIV 1. This word Much shall be left out and the last clause of the first Article And to the Fourth Article these shall be added Vnless in case it be for suppressing the Preaching of God's Word and the setting up of Mass CHap. XIX These words excessive and scandalous shall be left out of the Nineteenth Article CHap. XXI The word Excommunication shall be left out in the close of the One and twentieth Article and instead of it this shall be inserted Suspension from the Lord's Supper CHap. XXIV XXV This ensuing Article shall be placed betwixt the Twenty fourth and Twenty fifth Swearers and Blasphemers of the Name of God shall in no wise be tolerated in the Church but they shall be admonished with the greatest seriousness to desist from those sins and in case of non-forbearance they shall be prosecuted with all Church-Censures as the Consistories in their Wisdoms may judge most fit CHAP. IV. Particular MATTERS I. WHereas Monsieur de Tourfillant formerly denosed from the Ministry hath most humbly petitioned that he may be restored to it this Assembly having seriously considered the enormity of his Crime of which he had been accused and convicted before the Civil Magistrate and that as yet he retains his old Inclinations to the self-same sin yea and that his supplicatory Letters do rather justifie him than exprese his Contrition and Repentance as is evident to any one who doth but cursorily read and peruse them therefore it is ordained that he shall not be re-admitted to the Exercise of the Gospel-Ministry II. The Brethren Deputies of Normandy desired our Resolution in this difficult Case A Widow of the Church in was contracted to a Man by words de praesenti and duly informed by the Ministers of that Church to which she belonged of the importance of such Promises yet nevertheless a while after to his very great grief she separates herself front this her Spouse by Sentence of the Official pleading for herself That she was ignorant of the meaning of those words de praesenti and futuro and afterward marries another Person according to the manner of the Romish Church not at all regarding the Remonstrances given her either by Ministers or by him to whom she was first contracted before and after her last Espousals This Assembly judgeth That the first Promise in itself and of right is indissolvable and that therefore the Second Marriage is of right null and void So that
the Man first contracted to her according to the liberty given us by our Lord Jesus should declare that he doth repudiate and reject the said Wise because the had violated her Faith given to him and is joyned unto another And after such a declaration if so be the Delinquent Parties return unto their Duty according to our Discipline the Consistory may approve and confirm the Second Marriage and the rather because a Child begotten in the said Marriage hath been baptized in our Church the Father having devolv'd his Right in it upon the Surety who presented it III. The Differences fallen out on the Promises of Marriage between Monsieur John Herisson and Mary the Daughter of Monsieur Moutier Minister of Orbec are dismissed to the Colloquy of Beauvoysie where they shall be fully and smally determined and the Brethren of Feugeray and Paris because they well understand the Matters of Fact relating to it shall be present thereat This present Synod having given no Judgment in the Case because the'fore-mentioned Parties were never summon'd to nor appeared before this Synod and for divers other particularities and circumstances relating to this Affair which merit a longer and more diligent enquiry than the time allotted for our Sessions would admit of IV. As touching the matter proposed by our Brethren the Deputies of Augoumois What is to be done with the Church of Angoulesme who for refusing Maintenance unto their Pastor had together with all the Haeads of its respective Families been deprived of their Minister and of Communion at the Lord's Table by the sole Authority of their Provincial Synod until such time as they had given full satisfaction unto their said Minister It is decreed by the Authority of this Assembly That this whole Affair shall be dismissed unto the Synod of Xaintonge which shall duly summon both Parties to appear before them and having heard them shall put a final period by their Sentence unto all their Differences V. Our Brother the Deputy of Picardy demanding Advice on this difficulty A Woman refuseth to cohabit with her Husband pretending that he was a Monk thô she was well acquainted with it long before she married him and adds scoffingly when she is exhorted to re-unite herself to him That they must be married as if they had never been It is the Judgment of this Synod That for this deserting of her Husband she shall be proceeded against by all Church-Censures and the Husband is advised if he think it fitting to summon her before the Civil Magistrate VI. Master Julian de Lande an Apostate who being formerly displaced with Reputation to himself from the Sacred Ministry hath since revolted from the true Religion and wallows in Debauchery and Idolatry refusing to hearken to the Advice and Orders of his Consistory and hath drawn also a Nephew of his into Apostasie this Assembly ordaineth That the Sentence of Excommunication be publickly denounced against him and that without delay VII This Synod having understood of the Revolt and Apostasie of one Crosse formerly a Minister in the Province of Normandy and that he is plunged Head and Ears in Idolatry persisting obstinately therein As also the defection of one Saint Martin from the Truth who was a Minister of the Gospel in the same Province This Synod remits these Matters of Fact relating to both these Revolters unto their own Provincial Synod with full Power to proceed against them both according as it shall judge most expedient for the good and edification of the Church VIII The Deputy of Higher Languedoc having formed a Complaint against the Colloquy of Armagnac for separating itself from the Province of Higher Languedoc and joyning itself unto the Condonnois thereby to make up one entire Province a part from the other This Assembly ordaineth That it shall be remonstrated to the Colloquy of Armagnac that by this their separation they act contrary to the Distinction of Provinces established by the former National Synods and that they ought to return unto their first condition and become as heretofore One Synod with that of Languedoc and this Order shall be observed until tho meeting of the next National Synod whereunto the Colloquy of Armagnac shall be summoned to exhibit their Reasons for this their separation and if upon mature deliberation it be found necessary the said Distinction shall be then ordained IX Monsieur Le Sage Minister of Mimbré in Maine being re-demanded by the Province of Normandy this Assembly defers the Judgment of this Affair till the next National Synod because the Province of Anjou had no Notice given it of the Difficulties propounded by the Deputies of Normandy as also that the said Le Sage may have warning given him to prepare his Answer to them X. The Remonstrance of the Deputy of Augoumois being heard upon an Appeal from their Synod by our Brother Monsieur De la Croix Minister of Jarnac which Synod forbad the said De la Croix the Practice of Physick together with his Ministry and having also heard the Reasons urged by the said De la Croix for his said Practice as his Abilities for it the Publick benefit by it and the great Charge lying on him by his numerous Family This Synod ratifies the Sentence given against him according to our Discipline by his own Provincial Synod And the Consistory or Jarnac are to procure another able Physitian to dwell there and the said De la Croix shall be admonished wholly to addict himself unto his Ministry and as for his Practice of Physick that he do fully conform himself unto the Articles of our Discipline XI The Lady De la Blanchardaye hath liberty granted her to get a Minister that may set up the true Worship of God and Exercise of the true Religion in her House called The Wood of Mayne provided that the Neighbouring Colloquy do allow and approve of the said Minister and in the mean while our Brother Le Fresne shall continue to discharge his Office in the Church of Lacay and in case he cannot do it because of the aforesaid Establishment the Colloquy or Provincial Synod shall provide another Church for him XII All the Provinces are desired to take Notice in what place Monsieur Du Croy formerly Minister of Perigueux may be now residing and whether he doth exercise his Ministry or not and that Province wherein he is found shall be intreated to exhort him instantly to return unto his own Church XIII Forasmuch as those of Higher Languedoc have permitted some of their Members to Farm Tythes and other Ecclesiastical Goods upon this Condition that they give them a certain Sum of Money This Assembly ordains That for time coming this rigorous manner of dealing shall be wholly disused only that the said Farmers be exhorted according to their Duty to contribute some considerable Portion of their Gain towards the Relief of the poor Churches whereunto the said Revenue was originally designed XIV This Assembly gives its Approbation to that excellent Work of our
that they may be combin'd into one and by this means gain a Minister for the Church of Rouen or if this don't like them they may contrive some better expedient And this course also shall be taken by the Province of Xaintonge for the supply of the Church of Xaintes XXV This Assembly prays and intreats the Province of Brittany to lend Monsieur De la Melluniere unto the Church of Vitré and at the same time to make provision for the Church of Cuisit where he is at present XXVI The Lord Du Plessis presented himself in the Name of the King of Navarre unto this Assembly proposing from His Majesty That there might be sent unto him being now on the other fide of the Loire certain Deputies Persons of Quality and Understanding who might be near His Majesty to acquaint him with the true State of our Churches and that he also might reciprocally communicate unto the Churches all Matters of Importance tending to their welfare and preservation This Assembly is of Opinion That all the Churches be exhorted effectually to comply with His Majesty's Demands and in order thereunto to name one or two Deputies to be dispatcht unto him in the Name of the Churches and this to be done out of hand and the Province of the Isle of France is to see it done without delay Means for uniting the German and French Churches Synod of Gap Gen. Mat. art 11. Synod of Rochel art 4. after the choice of Moderator and Assessor XXVII A motion being made for an Union and Agreement betwixt the Churches of Germany and ours this Assembly adviseth That Monsieur De Chandieu be solicited to undertake a Journey for the effecting of it and in case the said Monsieur De Chandieu have just Excuses for not accepting the Employ Monsieur De Seire shall be intreated to supply his place XXVIII Monsieur Salnar is intreated to write in the Name and by the Authority of this Synod unto the Princes and Divines of Germany and he shall confer with the Lord Du Plessis about the subject matter of his Letters and the said Letters shall be sent to Monsier De Chandieu to be represented by him XXIX Monsieur De Chassincour is intreated by this Assembly to continue his Office at Court and the Churches are exhorted to perform their Duties to him whereof the Brethren of the Isle of France are order'd to give him notice XXX The Deputy of Lower Languedoc demanding that our Brother Vilette Minister in the Church of La Sala may be removed thence and translated unto Montpellier because of that great Service he may do there and that his Church may be some otherways provided This Assembly leaveth the decision of this matter unto his Provincial Synod which after due consideration had of all Circumstances shall determine of it XXXI Monsieur Laurence Bouchart formerly Minister of Privas in Lower Languedoc deposed for his scandalous Crimes having appealed unto this Assembly it examined the Causes of his Deposition and all the Proceedings in and about it and now judgeth that he cannot be restored unto the Minstry whatever Testimonials of Repentance may be produced by him XXII To the Case propounded by the Deputies of Berry Whether his Marriage should be tolerated who had espous'd his Wife's Niece and that had some Years after his said Marriage joyned himself unto our Religion and communicated with us at the Lord's Table and hath had several Children by this Wife This Assembly answereth That by the 14th Verse of the 18th Chapter of Leviticus such a Marriage is incestuous and that therefore in no wise can it be tolerated and that they provoke not the Wrath of God more heavily against them they ought to separate one from the other And whereas these Persons committed this sin in the time of their Ignorance we advise that they privately confess it unto the Consistory where they shall be admonished counselled and comforted from the Word of God XXXIII Complaint being made by divers Persons of the Censure passed on Brocard's Exposition of the Book of Genesis in the last Synod of Rochel where he was condemned for Impiety and Prosanation of God's Holy Word and blaming it as too strict and rigorous tho' some would acquit him of Impiety because he agrees with us thoroughly in all the Articles of Faith This Assembly doth confirm the afore-mentioned Censure judging that that Doctrine is not only impious which is contrary to the Articles of Faith but that also which perverts the true sence and meaning as his doth of the Holy Scriptures because they be the true Foundation of the Christian Doctrine Yet that satisfaction may be given them who are displeased at the Censure past on this Book of Brocard's there shall be extracted out of it a Catalogue of his grossest Errors and communicated abroad for their perusal and information XXXIV Monsieur De Bellefleur appealing from the Sentence given against him in the Synod of Higher Languedoc by which his Treatise against the Discipline of our Churches was condemned this Assembly having read his Treatise and the Answers made unto it doth confirm the said Saentence past against the said Bellefleur To whom notwithstanding a Letter shall be dispatcht in the Name of this Assembly and the Answer of our Brother Monsieur Berault shall be communicated to him in which if he do not acquiesce the next Colloquy or Synod shall denounce him Schismatick XXXV The Deputy of Higher Languedoc related the Affair of Arias and Bourgade complaining that they were too severely censured by their Pastors Berault and Gironnin whereupon the Synod came unto this Resolution That the Piovince shall be informed that they have full Power and 't is their Duty to judge definitively of it and that the Censures given by the Consistory of Montauban and the Provincial Synod against them shall be in force and if the said Plaintisss be not quiet nor demean themselves peaceably and modestly according to their Duty The Colloquy of Lower Quercy calling in two other Ministers from the Neighbour-Colloquy shall in the Name and Authority of this Synod judge definitively of this Fact XXXVI The Province of * * * Higher Lower Languedoc is appointed by this Assembly to convoke and assign the Time of Meeting for the next National Synod which is once for all ordained two Years hence in the Month of May. May 16. 1583. Thus Signed by Peter Merlin Moderator And René Pineau Scribe The End of the Synod of VITRE THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XIII National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At Montauban in the Year of our Lord 1594. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Deputies unto the Synod Synodical Officers chosen The Lord's Supper to he received by all the Deputies in the conclusion of the Synod Chap. II. 7. Observations upon the Confession of Faith and its Approbation Chap. III. 21. Observations upon the Discipline being so many Additions and
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
and diligently perused by it they were found to contain divers erroneous Points of Doctrine contrary to the analogy of Faith yea and contrary to the point of Justisication Whereupon the said de L'Escale was interrogated Whether he would receive Instruction in those Points which are contrary to the Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom but he answered in the Negative and that he would not submit himself to the Judgment of this Synod nor be instructed by it but boldly demanded that we would either approve or reject his Theses And although our Brother Mr Rotan who was first deputed to confer with him before the Lord du Plessis Governour of this City and two Elders of the Church had non-plust and silenced him so that he knew not what to answer yet nevertheless he did obstinately persist in his Errors and Self-conceitedness Whereupon this Assembty having remonstrated to him his gross spiritual Pride and wicked pernicious Errors doth now ordain That this Act shall be inserted into the Articles of the present Synod that so the Reformed Churches of France may be cautioned against his false Doctrine which hath been condemned by the Churches of Suitzerland and Intelligence of this shall be given unto Monsieur Beza in Geneva and to the French Church of Basil II. The Deputies of the Isle of France and Normandy declaring That they had only prosecuted the Verification of the Edict in 1577 for themselves this Assembly was satisfied therewith III. Whereas Monsieur de Serres hath informed this Synod See Synod of Montauban G. M. art 52. concerning the Printing of his Harmony and how impossible it is for him to transcribe three Copies as he was ordered by the last National Synod held at Montauban This Assembly hath therefore thought fitting that this present Work be Printed either at Geneva or Rochel or any other place where they may be conveniently communicated unto the Pastors deputed by the Synod of that Province in which it shall be printed IV. The Censure denounced in the second Article of the National Synod of Montauban against Monsieur Bargemont shall be revoked See the Synod of Montaub Appeals art 2. and struck off the File because he hath given satisfaction unto his Province V. The Fact of Monsieur de Croix heretofore Minister in the Church of Perigneux shall be examined by the Provincial Synod of Dolphiny VI. Monsieur de * * * Two other Copies call him Villenave Vielbancque complaining by Letters unto this Assembly that he was deposed from the Ministry by the Colloquy of Berry who were impowered to it by Authority of the last National Synod held at Montauban and requiring that a Committee might be appointed to hear what he had to say in his own defence a Vote passed that his Cause should be dismissed over to the Provincial Synod of Gascoigny VII The French Church in London by their Letters to this Synod earnestly requested That Monsieur de la Fontaine might be continued among them and the said Minister moved also by his own Letters to the same purpose Whereupon Monsieur D'Orival Deputy from the Province of Orleans intreated That in case Monsieur de la Fontaine were yielded up unto the Walloon Church of London that then Monsieur du Moulin might be given during life unto the Church of Orleans and his Mission to it ratified by the Authority of this Assembly The Deputy of the Isle of France also did consent that on those Terms Monsieur du Moulin should be perpetually affixed to the Church of Orleans This Assembly decreeth That Monsieur de la Fontaine may remain in the Service of the Church of London always that Right reserved which our Churches of France have unto him and that Monsieur du Moulin be given for ever unto the Church of Orleans VIII Our Brethren Pastors in the Church of Metz excusing themselves for not sending a Deputy unto this Synod by reason of their present Circumstances and craving Advice about the dissoluteness of Habits Monsieur de Serres is ordered from this Assembly to write unto them That they do their endeavour to come unto the Synods of this Kingdom and that they conform themselves unto that Article of the Discipline concerning Habits without any the least difficulty And this self-same Order shall serve also for the Provinces of Gascogny and Orleans which demanded a larger liberty as to that Article IX Letters were read from the Pastors of Sedan excusing their inability of deputing one from their Body unto this Synod and craving Advice about the Marriages of such as were lately received into Fellowship with our Churches whether their Nuptials might be solemnly blessed in our Assemblies before they had communicated at the Lord's Table and claiming Monsieur Capel Lord of Tilloy and some others as their own Ministers requesting also that they might be assisted by a Collection in this their extream necessity After mature deliberation it was resolved That they should conform exactly as to their first demand unto the Articles of our Discipline without any the least repugnancy and for the Second they were dismissed over to the Synod of Champagne and for the Third we will endeavour to gratifie their desires and the Provinces shall be exhorted liberally to contribute to them and the Monies of the said Collection shall be remitted unto Monsieur de Menilles and de la Gourmandiere Elders in the Church of Paris X. The Lord du Plessis Governour of this City desiring that the Lords going into the Army might be exhorted to take with them a Minister demanding also from this Assembly that Monsieur de la Noue might be provided of a Pastor by our Authority It was resolved That the Lords now going and those who are already gone into the Army should be advised so to do and Letters shall be written unto the Church of Sedan that they would be pleased to lend one of their Pastors unto Monsieur de la Noue who may be sit for such an Employment and in case of failure herein on their part then the Colloquies of the Isle of France shall endeavour to get him one XII Monsieur Manthois according to the desire of Monsieur de la Banseric is granted unto the Church of Pont-dorson XII The Lord Baron of Courtomer demanding by Monsieur de la Banseric a Pastor for his Church of Courtomer the Church of Paris was appointed to use all possible means to procure him one XIII Master Gabriel Raoul formerly a Minister requesting by his Letters to be restored unto his Office this Assembly judgeth That the Deposition of the saiâ— Raoul ought to be continued whereof Notice shall be given him by Monsieur de St. Hilary De Sâ—â—res was suspected to be an Accommodater with the Papists but prevented by Death XIV Monsieur de Serres complaining of that Order past against him in the last National Synod of Montauban This Assembly having with much patience for a long time together
Brocard Elder of the Church of Dijon and President of the Exchecquer in that Parliament and Province And for Lyonnois Monsieur Levis Turquet Elder of the Church at Lyon For the Province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guyenne there came the Tenth Day of May Master Michael Beraud Pastor of the Church of Montauban and Master John Gardesy Pastor of Villemur with Monsieur John de Lupe Lord of Maraval Elder of the Church of Puy Caskay and Henry le Renier Lieutenant particular in the Seneschalsee of Armagnac and Elder of the Church of Lectoure Moreover there appeared for Sedan Master Eusebius Gantois Minister of the Church of Sedan and Anthony Drelincourt Elder of the said Church Prayers being ended Master George Pacard Pastor of Rochefoucauld was chosen President of the Synod and Master John Lieuin Lord of Beaulieu Assessor he was Pastor of the Church of Auverne and Master Daniel Chamier Pastor of Monlimard and Josiah Mercier Lord of Bordes Elder of the Church of Paris were by common Suffrages chosen Scribes CHAP. II. Observations on Reading the Confession of our Faith I. ON reading the Confession of Faith the Title of the Epistle to the Hebrews was noted to have been changed in the last Impressions of the Geneva Bibles wherefore Letters were ordered to be written unto our Brethren of Geneva about it and about several Annotations affixed on the Sacred Text in those Bibles II. The Confession of Faith being read the Pastors and Elders did all unanimously protest to live and die in the said Confession and that it is the Doctrine taught in the Churches of their Provinces III. Monsieur Chamier propounded That the Jesuits and other Doctors of the Romish Religion having charged our Doctrine especially among the People with divers Calumnies it were convenient to justifie it from those Slanders by printing an Apology together with this Confession as hath been done in England and Germany It was decreed That whoso of our Brethren would undertake it should bring it with them unto the next National Synod CHAP. III. Observations made on Reading of our Discipline I. BEginning with the first Article after those words Of their Doctrine shall be added And if they be fit to teach II. Instead of those words in the third Article During the times of their Ignorance shall be put The times past III. The fourth Article shall be couched in these words A Minister of the Gospel shall be chosen by the Colloquy or if it may be by the Provincial Synod and in Times of Persecution or other great Calamity by two or three Ministers together with the Consistory IV. In the same Article instead of these words The said Election shall be suspended shall be placed The said Reception shall be delayed V. And that Article shall be thus concluded As also the Pastor shall not be imposed upon a Church against his will VI. After these words in the fifth Article To another Church there shall be put For to be employed in the Holy Ministry and a little lower these shall be subjoyned And also they shall examine them if ever c. VII There shall be this addition made unto the beginning of the Eighth Article The Ceremony of Imposing Hands in Ordination and receiving Ministers shall be always observed VIII Provincial Synods Colloquies and Consistories are all charged to see that the 12th Article in every part and tittle of it be most punctually observed and there shall be this clause added to it Nor shall their Doctrine be handled in the manner of Scholastick Disputation and they shall carefully avoid an intermixture of Languages and also Consistories Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall see to it that in the ordinary course of their Ministry they beginning with a Text or Portion of Scripture shall not break off till they have finished the whole Paragraph IX After these words in the 18th Article Physick shall be added in both places Nor the Civil Law and in the end of that Article Whereunto Provincial Synods Colloquies and Consistories shall bear a most vigilant and careful eye yea and may suspend them from the Ministry X. After these words in the 43d Article Great and small these also shall be added Of whatsoever rank or degree they are XI The word As shall be left out in those words of the 44th Article As those who being convicted of Heresie XII These words shall be razed out of the 4th Article Even such as enjoy Ecclesiastical Revenues XIII Touching the execution of that clause of that aforesaid Article it was decreed That Ministers should inform their Churches that the Fifth Penny of all Moneys collected for the Poor is to be laid by for the maintenance of our Proposans XIV This addition shall be made to the end of the Fifth Article In which the Pastors shall be present both as Judges and Orderers of the said Propositions XV. Richer Churches and great Lords shall be intreated to erect Libraries for the benefit of their Ministers and Proposans XVI This addition shall be made to the fifth Article of the third Chapter According to the appointed Form XVII After the word Ordinary in the sixth Article these shall be added By the Schollars that are Proposans XVIII There shall be this addition to the first Article of the fourth Chapter And according to what had been decreed and ordained by the Consistory XIX The word Punishment shall be changed into that of Censure in the end of the fifteenth Article of the fifth Chapter XX. these words shall be struck out of the sixteenth Article And in case of Appeal that said Appeal shall be notified unto the Church without mention made of the Person or declaration of the Censure ordained by the Consistory XXI This addition shall be affixed to the end of the twentieth Article Althô he had been punished by the Magistrate XXII This also shall be inserted into the thirty first Article For administring of Marriage and the Sacraments XXIII This following Order shall be the fourth Article of the sixth Chapter Disputes about Religion with our Adversaries shall be so managed on our part that we be not the first Aggressors and in case it be a Verbal Disputation they shall only stand to the decision of the Sacred Scriptures which is our Rule and not to the Writings of the Fathers who are no competent Judges in Points of Doctrine nor shall they undertake any regular Dispute without Articles of Agreement first mutually given and subscribed nor shall they enter upon any publick Disputations without advising previously with their Consistories and a certain number of Ministers who shall be thereunto chosen by the Colloquies and Provincial Synods nor shall they enter on a general Conference or Dispute without the consent of all the Churches assembled in a National Synod And in case any Ministers do otherwise they shall be denounced Deserters of and Apostates from the Vnion of our Churches XXIV This following addition shall be counted the sixth Article of the seventh Chapter And a
Churches are admonished to Register the Names of those Romish Church-men which have been converted since the last National Synod and are daily brought over to the Reformed Religion and to give in an Account of them unto the Church of Montauban XIII The Church of Jansac is admonished to conform itself unto the rest of our Churches about the wearing of Garlands at Espousals XIV To the Petition of the Faithful of Auvergne this Answer was given That the Lower Auvergne should be assisted by the Lower Languedoc and the Higher Auvergne by the Higher Languedoc both as to Pastors and in the share of His Majesty's Moneys XV. The Church of Villevigne re-demanded by the Province of Brittany shall remain united to the Synod of Poictou until the next National Synod XVI Monsieur Jarry is left in full liberty either to fix at the Church of Mesuez where he now is or to go unto that of Mauvezin XVII The Petition of Monsieur Lazarus de Robert Minister of Gaureé and Briqueville is remanded back unto the Synod of Normandy XVIII Monsieur * * * He hath four Copies but five Names viz. Eude Andre Hinde Inde and Dades Eude shall abide where he is at present in the Church of Bayeux XIX The Provinces of Lower Languedoc and Dolphiny are exhorted to in continue their assisting of the poor Churches of Provence with the Loan of Pastors XX. Letters shall be written to the Consuls of Montpellier entreating them that those Outrages offered the Spanish Families which for this last hundred Years have took up their fixed Habitation in their City may cease as also unless there be express Laws to the contrary to receive them into the honourable Offices of the City that so the Peace and Union of the Church and its Members with them may be conserved And this self-same Exhortation was given them by the last Synod of Montpellier XXI The Letters of Monsieur Causabon being read in this Assembly an Answer was ordered to be sent him expressing our Joy for his constancy in the true Religion and exhorting him unto perseverance in it XXII Monsieur Colinet Deputy of Burgundy informing this Assembly of the great diligence used by Monsieur Cassegrain in discharging the Duties of his Ministry to the singular advantage of his Church and that he hath wonderfully profited by the Admonitions of the Synod of Montpellier this Assembly declares themselves very well satisfied with the said Monsieur Cassegrain and adviseth him to continue labouriously in his Calling unto the end XXIII In our Answer to the Letter of the Lord du Plessis this clause shall be inserted That we advise him to send his Book unto Geneva because of the advantage of Libraries and Letters shall be sent unto our Brethren the Pastors there recommending to them the Examination and Verifying of all the Quitations in it XXIV Letters shall be sent to the Church of Metz intreating them to joyn themselves unto the Province of the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne XXV In consideration of the great Services done for the Church of God by Monsieur Berger Minister of the Church of Chasteaudun and because of his great Afflictions worthy of the deepest Compassions the Synod of that Province is ordered to provide a Pastor for that Church of Chasteaudun and then the said Monsieur Berger shall be discharged from it yet nevertheless he shall be maintained by the Contribution of the Provinces and that of Orleans is to bear one third of the Charges XXVI This Synod does not count the demand of the Church of Bourdeaux reasonable which requires Monsieur Primrose to be given them for their Pastor because he cannot be taken from the Church of Mirambeau whereunto he is appropriated XXVII Whereas the Lords Mareschal de Bouillon and Duke de la Tremouille and those of the Assembly of Saumur have written in favour of Monsieur Pallot answer shall be return'd them that we cannot supply him out of the Moneys belonging to the Churches and which were assigned for the maintenance of the Ministers and that therefore we humbly intreat them to take some other course for his subsistance See the Synod of Montpellier Observation upon the Discipline art 20 XXVIII The Brethren in the Colloquy of Becausse having by their Letters propounded the Case of an Incestuous Marriage which had been decided in the Synod of Montpellier This Assembly for divers Reasons doth ratifie the Judgment of that Synod provided that it be made appear that when the Marriage was first solemnized the Woman had not then attained her Five and twentieth Year and that she was under the power of her Father and Mother all which shall be verified in the next Synod of the Isle of France whereunto the said Parties are ordered to for this purpose to make their personal appearance and those our Brethren are reproved for speaking so slightly and irreverently which did not in the least become them of that Synodical decision XXIX The demand of Monsieur Vaisse to be removed into the Province of Higher Languedoc because of his Wife's Indisposition is dismissed over to the Synod of Lower Languedoc who shall order therein as is most agreeable to the Rules of Christian Charity XXX Letters shall be written unto Monsieur Couet desiring his presence in this Assembly before its dissolution XXXI The Deputies of the Assembly of Saumur informing us that they had his Majesty's Command to break up this Assembly after mature deliberation had about it ordains that Monsieur Chamier and de Maravat shall be sent in our Names unto his Majesty humbly to intreat his Majesty That the said Assembly may with his good pleasure be yet continued for some time longer XXXII And these Deputies being return'd and relating his Majesty's Intention who declared That he would be peremptorily obeyed in that his Command for the breaking up of their Assembly but he would however permit them one or two Deputies near his Majesty's Person who should upon all occasions tender him their Complaints and Requests and that they might nominate and appoint them he granted them another Assembly Whereupon it was resolved That his Majesty should be most humbly petitioned That the said Assembly might be held at St. Foy the fifth Day of October next whereunto the Provinces were charged to send their Deputies furnished with the Memoirs of their respective Churches and Divisions And every Province shall send thither one Deputy at least that they may be nominated the said Provinces are authorized to anticipate the time of keeping their Synods and Colloquies and the Gentry and Corporations shall be all summon'd to them The Church of Paris is appointed to use all diligence in getting the Writ of Summons promised by his Majesty from the Court and to expedite with all speed the Calling of the said Assembly together with the Letters Mandatory unto the Lord Mareschal d' Ornano to allow of their sitting XXXIII This Assembly receiving no Answer from Monsieur Couet he not being
Brittany Orleans and Berry For Orleans and Berry Monsieur Nicholas Vignier Minister of the Church of Blois and Samuel de Chambaran Minister of the Church of Baugency Lorges and Marchenoir Tourain Anjou Maine For Touraine Anjou and the Maine Monsieur John Eleury Minister of the Church of Bougay and Peter de la Primaudaye Lord de la Bareé Elder of the Church of Chasteau du Loir For the upper and nether Poictou Monsieur John Bonnavet Minister of the Church of Lusson Poictou and John Chauffepied Minister of the Church of Niort and René de Lumont Lord of Fiefbrun Elder in the Church of Sansay Xaintonge Aunix c. For Xaintonge Aunix c. Monsieur Samuel L'Hommeau Minister in the Church of Rochell and Arthur de Partenay Lord of Genouillé and Querray Elder in the Church of Tonné Boutonné and Daniel Roy Elder in the Church of Xaintes Gascony Perigord and Limousin For Gascony Perigord and Limousin Monsieur Antony Renaud Minister of Bourdeaux Peter Esperian Minister of the Church at St. Foy James du Brueil Lord de la Garde Elder of Tonneins and Peter du Bazats Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux For Vivaretz and Vellay For the upper and nether Vivaretz and Vellay Monsieur Peter Labat Minister in the Church of Vabon la Gorce and Salvais John de la Faye Minister of the Church D'Aubenac and James Oliver Elder in the Church of Villeneufve de Berg. For the Lower Languedoc Monsieur Jeremiah Ferrier Minister and Professor of Divinity in the Church of Nismes Isaiah Bailly Minister in the Church of St. Martin d' Anduze and John de Barjac Lord of Gasque Elder in the Church of St. Martin Lower Languedoc and John d' Aguerre Elder in the Church of Sauve Higher Languedoc and higher Guyenne For the Higher Languedoc and Guyenne Monsieur Bernard Sónis Minister and Professor of Divinity in the Church of Montaubon John Josion Minister in the Church of Castres and the Lord Du Bovry Governor of the Isle of Jourdan and Elder of the Church there and Daniel de Belujon Elder of the Church in Villemure Burgundy Lyonnois c. For Burgundy Lyonnois c. Monsieur Peter Collinet Minister of the Church of Parrey Samuel de Trucis Elder of the Church of Bourg in Bresse and Job James Bonnet Elder in the Church of Chaalons upon Saone For Provence Provence Monsieur Anthony the Croase Minister of the Church in Cabiers and Peter de Villineufve Lord d' Espineuse Elder of the Church Dolphiny and the Principality of Orange For Dolphiny and the Principality of Orange Monsieur Claude Perron Minister in the Church of Pragelet Daniel Chamier Minister of the Church of â—ontlimart and Jacob Archmart Elder of the same and Jacob Videl Elder in the Church of Brianson For Normandy there was no Deputy but Monsieur du Moulin was entrusted with their Memoirs by the Brethren of that Province The Lords of St. Germain and des Bordes General Deputies for our Churches at Court and Mr. Joseph des Fountaines commissionated by Monsieur Palott to give in his Accounts of the King's Moneys granted our Churches were personally present in this Synod The Lords of St. Germain and des Bordes appeared in their Quality of General Deputies according to the Office conferred upon them by the General Assembly of St. Foy and Mr. Joseph des Fontaines was deputed by the same Assembly of St. Foy and to audit the Accounts of Monsieur Palott Prayers being ended Monsieur Chamier was chosen Moderator and Monsieur Ferrier Assessor and the Sieurs Vignier and Roy Scribes The Provinces which have not sent their full number of Pastors and Elders ordained by our Discipline are excused for this time but for the future they shall all oâ— them conform unto the Canon of the Synod of Montpellier otherwise they shall forfeit their right of Sitting and Voting in our National Synods The Powers given before Publick Notaries unto the Deputies of Brittany and attested by secular persons is tolerated for the present but that Province is required to abstain from them for time to come and are ordered to get their Letters of Commission signed by the Moderator and Scribes of their Provincial Synod Monsieur * * * In another Copy he is written Givoult Gueran Minister of the Church of Dindeveuf Deputed by the Province oâ— Normandy excused his absence from this Synod which was accepted but that Province shall be censured by Letters from us for their neglect in not sending other Deputies CHAP. II. Observations upon the Confession of Faith 1. THE Province charged to call our National Synod is charged also to bring with it the Original Confession of Faith which shall to this purpose be subscribed by this Assembly and sent unto that Province 2. The Synod reading over the Confession of Faith and explaining the 18th 20th and 22d Articles of the said Confession concerning our Justification before God expresseth its detestation of those Errors which are now-a-days broached to the contrary and in particular their Errors who deny the Imputation of Christ's Active and Passive Obedience by which he hath most perfectly fulfilled the whole Law unto us for Righteousness Our Righteousness by the Imputation of Christs active and passive Obedience And therefore Provincial Synods Colloquies and Consistories shall have a careful Eye on those persons who be tainted with that Error be they Ministers or private Christians and by the Authority of this Assembly shall silence them and in case of a wilful stubborn persistency in their Errors to depose them if they have a Pastoral Charge in the Church from the Ministry And Letters shall be writ unto Master Piscator to intreat him not to trouble the Churches with his new-fangled Opinions as also from this Assembly to the Universities of England Scotland Leyden Geneva Heydelberg Basil and * * * In another Copy Ziguen Herborne in which Piscator is Professor requesting them to joyn with us also in this Censure And in case the said Piscator shall pertinaciously adhere unto his Opinions Master Sohnius and Ferrier are to prepare an Answer to his Books and that it be ready against the Meeting of the next National Synod And this Article shall be read and in all points most exactly observed by the Provincial Synods 3. The Provinces are exhorted seriously to debate in their Synods how to word the five and twentieth Article of our Confession and to bring with them their maturest thoughts about it unto the next National Synod because in expressing our Faith about the Catholick Church mentioned in the Creed we have nothing in our Confession concerning the Church Militant and Visible As also they are intreated to consider whether it would not be fit to subjoyn ths word Pure unto those of the True Church which is in the nine and twentieth Article The Call of our first Pastors and Reformers was
Churches of ordaining Elders by imposition of hands shall be abolished 10. On the fourth Article of the fourth Chapter The Provinces are required to see that this Article be punctually observed in every part and clause of it and in case of transgression Provincial Synods and Colloquies shall censure those Elders and Deacons exceeding sharply 11. On the eight and twentieth Article of the fifth Chapter These words which conclude that article Unless it be by the advice of the Consistory shall be razed out 12. The thirtieth Article of the fifth Chapter shall run in these words When Crimes are privately confessed by Penitents unto their Ministers that they may be holpen with their Counsel and Comfort Ministers are forbidden to discover them unto Magistrates lest the Ministry should thereby he blamed and sinners hindred from Repentance or making a free confession of their Offences And this shall be a standing Canon in all Crimes revealed to them excepting those of High Treason 13 On the third Article of the seventh Chapter The Brethren of Burgundy demanding whether those Propositions made by Pastors in their Colloquies should be done in a Scholastick or Popular manner This Assembly judgeth that they ought rather to hold of the Schools because the design and end for which they be instituted is that Ministers should give a satisfactory proof of their usefulness and proficiency in their Studies and Ministerial labours among their people So that their Doctrine ought to be well opened and proved and a short application only made unto manners As concerning those additions which are afterward subjoyned by the Pastors they shall be managed with all soberness and in as much as may be to the edification of the whole Church And this Article shall be exactly observed by all Colloquies 14. Upon the fifteenth Article of the eighth chapter The Brethren of Brittany shall consider whether they can provide a sufficient Number of Pastors to make up a Provincial Synod And in case they cannot care shall be taken in the next National Synod to incorporate them with some convenient Province 15. The Church of Metz shall be intreated by Letters from this Assembly to send a Deputy unto some one of our Ecclesiastical Assemblies and to join themselves unto one of the nearest Provincial Synods of this Kingdom 16. A Declaration from the Churches of Nivernois Bourbonnois La Marche having been presented by the Brethren of Berry it was ordained that those Churches should be Incorporated with the Synod of Berry 17. The Pastors and Churches in the Baylywick of Gex are exhorted to conform themselves in all things unto the Discipline of our Churches and that they may more easily be enur'd unto it a decree passed in this Synod for their being Incorporated with the Province of Burgundy at present and in the next National Synod farther care shall be had of them 18. In the third Article of the ninth Chapter these words As much as may be shall be razed and in the same Chapter the last clause of the seventh Article after these words The Provinces having shall also be blotted out 19. On the eleventh Article of the same Chapter Monsieur l'Oyseau was charged to inquire whether the Acts and Papers of our National Synods were at Vitré or not And Monsieur Ferrier was to make inquiry whether they were not in Languedoc and to see that they be sent unto that Province which is impowered to call the next National Synod and in case they be not sent unto it the said Province shall intreat those before-named Gentlemen Mr. l'Oyseau and Bayly that they would seek diligently for them 20. The word Common after that of piety in the first Article of the tenth Chapter shall be razed out and in the second Article of the same Chapter these words also As much as may be And the Churches are exhorted to a strict observation of it 21. Upon the fourth Article Some of the Brethren because of divers inconveniencies which have already and may hereafter happen through oppositions made against this Article moved that whereas the continuing of publick solemn Prayers which had been appointed in the times of trouble and calamity drew with it a contemptuous neglect of Sermons and of the Worshiping of God in their private houses and a superstitious opinion of their present necessity now in times of peace that therefore the Pastors of Churches should be advised to dispose their people by degrees to the observation of this Article and the Consistories should wisely consider of what herein would most contribute unto edifying 22. Upon the fifth Article of the same Chapter the Deputies of Lower Languedoc moved this doubt whether Pastors ought to attend at Funerals This Assembly considering the condition of our Churches and the manner of Burying doth leave it wholly to their discretions 23. The sixth Article of the eleventh Chapter shall hold good according as it was formerly decreed by the National Synods of Poictiers and Saumur And as for Preaching in the houses of Gentlemen when their Children are Baptized Ministers shall Act therein prudentially and in such a manner as will most promote the edification of their Churches And as for that word Infirmity 't is not to be understood of the Infants but of their Parents 24. Instead of those words in the tenth Article of the same Chapter It were well these shall be inserted It ought to be 25. On the fifth Article of the twelfth Chapter The Churches are required punctually to observe it 26. On the fifth Article of the thirteenth Chapter All kind of censures shall be inflicted upon the breakers of Marriage-promises whether expressed in words de praesenti or de futuro 27. On the six and twentieth Article of the same Chapter to the word ratified which is in the close of that Article there shall be this added and blessed 28. On the first Article of the fourteenth Chapter after these words Till he have first renounced there shall be added publickly The Discipline being read all the Deputies of the Provinces did swear unto its observation and that they would seriously and sincerely indeavour that it should be religiously observed in their respective Provinces in all its Articles CHAP. IV. Observations made on reading the Acts of the Synod of Gergeau 1. THE Town and Church of St. John d' Angely desiring that the Decree of the National Synod of Gergeau might be disanul'd and that Monsieur d' Amours might be restored to them This Assembly doth ratify that Decree of the aforesaid Synod and ordaineth farther that the said d' Amours shall remain with the Church of Chastelheraut and chargeth the Province of Xaintonge to provide out of hand another Pastor for the Church of St. John 2. Monsieur de Bargemont petitioning by Letters that the Censure inflicted on him by the Synod of Gergeau might be reverst and razed out of the Acts of the said Synod This Assembly replied that they were very desirous that the said de Bergemont would clear
Berauld had sufficient cause for his Exception against it and to appeal from them unto this Synod and therefore the Antient Order established in our Synods and Colloquies shall be observed according to the Discipline without any other particular Regulation concerning it that so all suspicion and occasion of differences in our Churches by such an innovation may be cut off and prevented And all Ministers are advised in such cases to manifest their Self-denial and how far they be estranged from Covetousness and that they do prefer the publick before their own private benefit and advantage 7. Monsieur Berauld appealing from the Decree of the Consistory of Montauban confirmed by the Synod of Higher Languedoc importing that Ministers had no power to call into the Consistory the Ministers of other Churches to consult together with them about Church-affairs without the previous advice and consent of the Consistory This Appeal is rejected and made void and this National Synod ratifieth the Decree of the Provincial Synod of the Higher Languedoc in what concerns Ordinary Consistories However it intends not by this act to abridge Ministers of their priviledge when they be desired to give some private advice consulting with such of their Brethren as they shall judge fit to call into the Consistory 8. Monsieur Paul de la Ville appealed from the Synod of Vivaretz for decreeing an Excommunication against him unless he did immediately withdraw his Son from out of the Jesuits Colledge in Tournon This Assembly approving the just severity of the Synod of Vivaretz against the said de la Ville doth expresly forbid him ever to send his Son back to Tournon and in case of his obedience unto this our Order that then he be restored unto his Office of Elder in the Church and that all censures denounc't against him shall cease and be disannulled 9. Master Lawrence Brunier and Mr. Simeon Codur formerly Ministers in the Church of Usez Appealed from the Sentence of the Synod of Lower Languedoc whereby the said Master Simeon Codur for the facts specified in the Decree of that Synod was suspended from the Sacred Ministry for the term of a full year which being expired he might officiate as Pastor in some other Church of any other Province by attestation and discharge had and obtained from that Synod And the said Master Lawrence Brunier is suspended the Sacred Ministry for three months time after which the Colloquy of Nismes is to provide a Church for him but out of the Colloquy of Usez Which appeal both the said Ministers Mr. Lawrence Brunier and Simeon Codur had once retracted and revoked but yet since have took up and again revived it Farther also there presented themselves as Parties to this Appeal the Lady Margarita de Brahier and Susanna de Sallette Wife of the said Master Lawrence Brunier complaining that the said Synod of Lower Languedoc had not took any the least care for the reparation of her honour wronged as she pretends by the said Codur This Assembly having read the acts of the said Synod of Lower Languedoc and the proceedings of Brunier and Codur one against the other and the accusations of the said Lady against Codur and having examin'd the said Codur upon all those Articles whereof he was accused by the said Mr. Lawrence Brunier and his Wife who pressed them home upon his Conscience as also that the said Codur did apply himself to both their Consciences charging them to give glory unto God by a free full and sincere confession of the Truth This Assembly did in the first place judge the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc worthy to be censured for their tumultuous and disorderly departure from the place of their meeting and for proceeding in this affair contrary to the Discipline and for producing before us Acts which were never signed by the Moderator and Scribe of their Synod as in course they should have been and for getting those subscriptions out of their Synodical Sessions And as for the said Codur although he cannot be fully and plainly convicted in every particular of the matters laid unto his charge yet nevertheless this Assembly judgeth that there is cause enough for confirming as it now doth confirm in every point and article the sentence of the said Synod of Lower Languedoc concerning the suspension of the said Codur from the Ministry and the excluding him from the Province of Lower Languedoc as also it doth confirm the suspension of Mr. Lawrence Brunier for three Months because of that excessive animosity manifested by him in his prosecution of the said Codur however it restores the said Brunier unto the Colloquy of Usez to be imployed by them immediately if they think meet But because of the great divisions which are in the Town of Usez the said Brunier shall not exercise his Ministry in it unless the next National Synod shall otherwise determine for him who may restore him if they please unto the Town and Church of Usez on their petition for him And that the honour of Mrs. Susan de Sallette Wife of the said Brunier may be repaired which was damnified by imprudent words uttered against her by the said Codur the said Codur is injoined to acknowledge his offence and the scandal given by him here before this whole Assembly and shall ask pardon of the said Brunier and shall further declare that he believeth the said Gentlewoman to be a person of great vertue and honour and that he is sorry to have spoken any thing prejudicial to it and that he hath scandalized the Church of God by it All which the said Codur shall not only protest in this Assembly but also in the Consistory of Usez where he shall give the same satisfaction unto the said Mistress Susan de Sallette begging her pardon in the presence of the Elders and Deacons of that Church and of the Lady Marguarita Brahier if she please to be there and of ten or twelve other persons such as the said Brunier and his Wife will choose And hereupon all Prosecutions at Law before the Magistrates both of the one and other side whether directly or indirectly had or done shall immediately and eternally cease And if either of them contradict this decree he is hereby declared totally deposed from the Holy Ministry And the said Master Lawrence Brunier and Simeon Codur acquiesced in this Ordinance and the said Codur having made his acknowledgment in the form prescribed him unto the said Master Lawrence Brunier and his Wife they were reconciled together and like loving Brethren did mutually give each other their hands And that Peace may be made in the Church of Usez this Assembly orders Messieurs Renaud Esperien Sohnius and Gigord to visit that Church and to dispose their minds unto it And that no new Controversies may hereafter arise upon the score of the Writings and Proceedings relating to this business they shall be all lodg'd in the hands of Monsieur Chamier 10. An Appeal was brought by the
Church of Puylaurens and Monsieur Voysin the Minister from a Decree of the Synod of higher Languedoc ordaining the said Voysin to return unto the Colloquy of higher Quercy and to serve the Churches of St. Clere Blenac and Calvinett This Assembly rejecteth and maketh void this Appeal and confirms the Decree of the Synod of Higher Languedoc but on this condition that those Churches last-mentioned do fully satisfie within three months the Church of Puylaurens all those expences they have laid out upon the said Voysin 11. The Colloquy of Albigeois appealed from the Synod of Higher Languedoc because they had now adjudged the Church of Mazamet and St. Amand which formerly belonged to the Colloquy of Albigeois unto the Colloquy of Lauragais This Assembly leaveth the Churches to their full Liberty and to chuse that Colloquy which lieth most commodiously for them And in consequence hereof the Church of Mazamet joined it self unto the Colloquy of Lauragais according to their desire and choice And in the next National or Provincial Synod the Church of St. Amand shall declare into which Colloquy of these two it will be Incorporated 12. Monsieur de Clermont and the Church of Pringey appealed from the Synod of Anjou and Touraine which had adjudged Monsieur le Bloy to the Church of Anger 's notwithstanding the right Monsieur de Clermont pretended to have in the said le Bloy who had been Educated for the Ministry at his sole charges This Assembly because of the importunity of the Church of Anger 's hath confirmed the Call given by them unto the said le Bloy but on this condition that the Church of Pringey shall be provided of Monsieur Douchet who is now in England immediately upon his return or of some other able Pastor by the Church of Anger 's 13. The Church of Montlimard appealed from the Synod of Dolphiny about the Erecting of a Colledge in the Town of Die This Assembly ordereth the Provincial Synod of Dolphiny to put a final period unto this Controversie 14. The Churches in the Principality of Orange brought their Appeal against the Province of Dolphiny for three portions of the King's money to be attributed unto the Churches of the said Principality as it had been decreed in the Synod of Gergeau This Assembly doth Ordain that according to the Dividend made at Gergeau the Churches in the Principality of Orange shall receive three portions of the moneys assigned unto the Province of Dolphiny and that without allowance of any charges unless what had been expended in the recovery of them And this Order shall be of force unto this day but for the future they shall be provided for by that new distribution which shall be made in this Assembly 15. The Elders of the Churches of Lue Tarbies and Brignoles appealed from the Colloquy and Synod of Provence which had ordained that the moneys laid out upon Monsieur Baptist Beliste should be redemanded from those said Churches it having been disbursed wholly and solely for his particular Maintenance This Assembly judgeth that it 's most agreeable to found reason that the charges of Journeys should be born by the whole Province and come out of the publick purse but as for such Expences as were done for expediting and forwarding of particular business relating unto those particular Churches they ought in Conscience and Justice to be defrayed by those Churches 15. The Appeal brought by Joseph Pallott from the Decree of the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc is dismissed over to the decision of that Province which is hereby fully impowered to determine finally of it CHAP. VI. Of General Matters 1. THE Petition tendered by our Brethren of the Marquisate of Saluces Exiled for the Gospel's sake from their Houses and Inheritance was read and 't was judged reasonable Concerning the Faithful of the Marquisate of Saluces refuge it the Province of Dolphiny that the Churches of the said Marquisate should be preserved and confirmed in their Union and Communion of Faith and Discipline which they have ever had with the Churches of this Kingdom And therefore the King's Majesty shall be most humbly intreated to recommend them to the Duke of Savoy that the Liberty granted them by his Edicts may be continued and confirmed to them And Letters also to this purpose shall be written from this Assembly unto the Duke of Savoy and to the Duke de les Diguieres and the Churches of the Valleys shall be exhorted to joyn themselves into a stricter Bond of Union as they have done in times of former troubles one with the other Pastors must not be Non-residents 2. All Pastors shall be obliged to a personal Residence in their Churches and who so live at a distance from them shall within three months time at the farthest after notice given them to this purpose retire unto them on pain of being suspended from their Ministry And the Deputies shall immediately upon their return acquaint their respective Provinces with this Decree that so the Provincial Synods may put to their helping hand for its better observation 3. For as much as divers Ministers not deputed unto this National Synod do carry themselves with very little reverence or respect unto it 1603. The 17th Synod that such inconveniencies for the future may be avoided it is ordained That if any Pastors not delegated by their Provinces unto these National Assemblies do notwithstanding appear in them they shall have no place of sitting nor be admitted into them unless it be when matters of a most general and publick concern as to Doctrine and Discipline are treated and debated and then also for no longer time than those Assemblies shall judge meet and fit Concerning Hautyus Printing of the Bible at Rochel 4. The Pastors and Professors in the Church of Geneva complained of our Bibles printed at Rochell This Assembly having revised the Decree of the Synod of Saumur by which the priviledge of Printing those Bibles was granted unto Monsieur Hautin deceased And for as much as the said Impression is very much advanced and that from all parts our Ears are filled with great complaints of the scarcity and dearness of those Bibles printed at Geneva and of the bad Paper and worse Letter used by them in their last Edition in Quarto It was advised to dispatch Letters to our Brethren of Geneva desiring them not to take it amiss that we continued the Printing of our Bibles at Rochell according to the unanimous desire of all the Churches in this Kingdom and in the mean while our Printers at Rochell shall be exhorted to hasten their said Impression and to vend it at as low a price as possibly they can and Monsieur l'Hommeau is requested to add a good Index to it That Article concerning Antichrist shall be inserted into the Body of our Confession 5. Divers Pastors and Members of several Churches remonstrated in this Assembly how they had been troubled and prosecuted for calling the Pope
Antichrist in their private and publick discourses This Synod protesting that this was the common Faith and Confession of all our Churches and of this present Synod That the Pope is the Great Antichrist and one of the principal causes of our separation and departure from the Church of Rome and that this Confession was contained in and extracted out of the holy Scriptures that it had been sealed with the blood of a world of Martyrs Therefore all the Faithful be they Pastors or private Christians are exhorted constantly to persist in the profession of it and openly and boldly to confess it yea and this very Article shall be inserted into the body of the Confession of our Faith and the General Deputies of our Churches at Court are required to petition his Majesty that none of his Officers in any Soveraign or other Inferiour Courts of Judicature may be suffered to infringe our Liberty of Conscience granted us by his Edicts of making a free Confession of our Faith and that none of them may trouble or vex us as divers of them have done for this very matter And who so are now prosecuted and molested on this account or may be hereafter they shall be supported and defended by the whole Body of the Churches in the best manner that can be according to that firm Bond of Union which is established among us And Letters shall be written to our Lords the Judges in the Mixt Courts to exhort them vigorously to maintain this Article of our common Confession Concerning those words Pretended Reformed 6. A general Case was proposed Whether the Faithful might lawfully use in publick Acts and Instruments before Magistrates these words Of the pretended Reformed Religion especially if those Magistrates be of a contrary Religion to us This Assembly thinks fit that an humble Address be presented to his Majesty intreating him that we may not be forced to speak or act any thing contrary to our Consciences and in the mean while all the Faithful are exhorted to abstain from that word of Pretended it being repugnant to our Faith and to that sincere and free and open confession we are bound to make of it Whether a private Christian may appropriate unto himself a place of Burial and erect Monument upon Pillars 7. This Case was propounded by our Brethren of Xaintonge Whether a private person might appropriate unto himself a place of Burial and erect upon Pillars or any other way a Monument unto himself and whether the Lords of the Mannor or other Gentlemen may set up their Escutcheons in our Temples As to what concerns our Churches This Assembly ordaineth That in matters of Sepulchres the ancient plainness and simplicity shall be retained nor shall any private person appropriate any spot of ground unto himself in particular because we express hereby our Communion as with the Saints in their Death so in our hope and expectation of a blessed Resurrection And the same plainness and modesty shall be observed in our Temples leaving however unto Colloquies and Consistories to act on special occasions as they shall judge meet The Form of Certificates that shall be given unto Officers of the Mixt Courts and to Govenours of places 8. The Attestations granted unto Officers in the mixed Courts where they be one half Protestants and the other Papists shall run in the same form with those given unto Governors as it was expressed and inserted into the acts of the Synod of Montpellier in these terms We Ministers and Elders assembled in the Colloquy of N. in the Province of N. do testifie that whereas Monsieur N. hath applied himself unto us for our Attestation of his being a Protestant professing the Reformed Religion he being chosen by his Majesty for the Government of N. vacant by the death of Mr. N. lately deceased we do attest and certifie unto the Kings most excellent Majesty that the said Monsieur N. doth make open and actual profession of the Reformed Religion and that he communicateth with us in the Holy Sacraments and is a person of a Godly life and well reported of performing all the duties belonging to his said profession and therefore we do give him this our Testimonial for his use and service as in reason and Conscience we stand obliged 9. Messieurs Berron and Videl demanding that out of the Common stock of Moneys granted us by his Majesty there might be drawn the summ of Six thousand Crowns for the founding an University at Die and whereas the Deputies of the Town of Die protested that they sought not a penny of the said Moneys for themselves only that other Churches having Academies they had none and that the necessities of their Churches did require one This Assembly having considered the whole judgeth that there cannot be granted unto the said Town of Die any farther summ than was at first demanded by their Deputies 10. Our Brethren of the Church of Die requesting that Monsieur Chamier might be constituted by this Synod the Professor of Divinity in their intended Academy This Assembly doth confirm that Article of the Synod of Gergeau whereby it was ordained that Monsieur Chamier ought not without the express consent of the Churches of his Province be removed from his Church of Montlimart 11. Our Brethren of Dolphiny desired that some means might be contrived for a Conference and Union with the Lutheran Churches in Germany Means of Union with the Lutherans See the Synod of Vitré part M. Act. 27. and the 3d. Synod of Rochel Act. 4. after the choice of the Moderator that so the Schism between us them might be removed This Assembly desirous to see the fruits of such a noble project ordereth Letters to be dispatcht to the Orthodox Universities of Germany England Scotland Geneva Basil and Leyden and to Messieurs des Gourdon and de Fontaines in London intreating them to travel with us in the effecting of this Holy Union and that Princes may be ingaged to put forth their authority herein that so we may all be more firmly united among our selves in the Confession of one and the same Doctrine 12. This Case was propounded A Proposant never called nor ordained unto the Ministry takes upon him to baptise a Child Is this baptism valid This Synod judgeth that the scandal given unto the people be carefully taken away And forasmuch as that baptism is of no force the Child shall be brought into the Church of God by true Baptism according to the decision of the Synod of Poictiers 13. This Case was moved Whether an Oath might be lawfully taken before the Magistrate by laying the hands on and kissing of the Bible This Assembly judging that Ceremony to be of dangerous consequence declareth that it ought not to be used but that whoso are called out to swear shall content themselves with the bare lifting up of their hands 14. The Province of the higher Languedoc moved whether disputations in Theology might be introduced among our Ministers in
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
a Colledge meet for their Academical Exercises 36. That the differences betwixt those of Provence and Dolphiny may be finally composed this Assembly ordaineth that those of Dolphiny do bring in their Accounts and pay unto the Provencals the seventh part of all those Moneys which the said Province of Dolphiny hath received for the years 98 99 1600. and the seventh part of the Assignations remaining as yet unpayed for those years deducting only from the said Moneys the Sum of two hundred Livers remaining in their Hands and to be allowed them upon pretence of Charges An Order for the Church in the Court of Madame 37. A motion was made for providing the Church in the Court of Her Royal Highness His Majesties Sister with an able Pastor and Monsieur du Moulin Minister in the Church of Paris informing this Assembly that the Church of Metz hath assisted the said Church with two Ministers who have each of them serv'd his Quarter and that he the said du Moulin is to serve the third and next Quarter beginning the first of May according as the Church of Paris had been injoined therefore the Church of Rouan having three Ministers and well able with much ease to undergo this task it is Ordained that the said Monsieur du Moulin and Monsieur de la Riviere Minister in the Church of Rouen shall in their turn serve the said Church and that Monsieur de la Riviere shall begin with the next year 1604. and Monsieur du Moulin the year ensuing 38. Our Brethren of Anjou demanded that Monsieur Renaud might be constituted Professor of Divinity in the University of Saumur This Assembly grants it provided that he and his Church of Bourdeaux do consent thereunto 39. Differences having risen betwixt the Provinces of Dolphiny and Provence about Accounts of Moneys employed by the Deputies who had met at the Synod of Saumur from both these Provinces this Assembly most earnestly intreats them before their departure hence to compound the matter among themselves and that it may be effected Monsieur de Lhomeau and Monsieur de Grenoville are appointed to hear the differences and to make report of the whole unto this Assembly which being done by them and heard by the whole Synod that so a final period might be put unto these unhappy differences which had been of too long a continuance It was ordained that those of Dolphiny should be accountable unto them of Provence for the seventh part of those Sums actually received by them in the years 1598 1599 and 1600. and for the seventh part of the Assignations which are yet unpaid only deducting from the whole the Sum of two Hundred Crowns remaining in their Hands and to be allowed them in lieu of charges and all other pretensions whatsoever 40. Considering the Importance of the University of Sedan and the great Service it hath done and still does unto a great part of our Churches this Assembly ordaineth that in the Dividend of our Moneys granted us from â—is Majesty's Bounty there shall be an Addition of three Hundred Crowns more to those five Hundred assigned to it by the Synod of Gergeau 41. The Provinces are desired to consider against the next National Synod whether the Word Damnation attributed unto our Lord in the tenth Section of our Catechism may be retained or changed 42. Monsieur des Fontaines left the Original Accounts of Monsieur Palot in the Hands of our General Deputies who are charged to get them Copied out and sent unto Rochell together with other Papers to be preserved in the Archivès there 43. The Province of Xaintonge is ordered to Convene the next National Synod in the City of Rochell in the Month of May and in the year 1605. unless there should fall out some other General Assembly in the mean while 44. The Assembly proceeding to a new Election of General Deputies for the Churches according to the regulation made in the Assembly of St. Foy among all that were recommended by the Deputies of the Provinces It chose only these two the Lord of St. Germain and the Lord of Bordes ordering that they be continued in this their Office because of their good report and general satisfaction given by them unto the Provinces and Churches in their former administration who having accepted this Office did Swear the Union prescribed at Mantes and solemnly promise to employ themselves with all faithfulness to the utmost of their power in the discharge of the Duties thereof according to their Commission given them at Saint Foy. 45. The Sum of five and forty Thousand Crowns coming in unto us this year from the Moneys of His Majesty's Bounty after mature consideration had of the State of our Universities and Churches they were distributed in manner following CHAP. VIII A Dividend of the Sum of 45000 Crowns both for our Vniversities and Churches For the Universities  Crowns Sols Denier Of Saumur 1111 05 8 Of Montauban 1111 05 8 Of Montpellier 700 06 8 Of Nismes 700 06 8 Of Sedan 800 00 0 All the Provinces shall have for their respective Churches according to the Number of Ministers in actual Service and of the Proposans they were obliged to maintain For the Provinces  Cro. S. D. The Isle of France for 62 portions to wit for six and forty Ministers in actual service comprising in it four Pastors in the Principality of Sedan and ten Churches to be provided for with six Proposans 3748 11 6 Normandy for 45 portions out of which they provide for their vacant Churches and maintenance of Proposans according to the number of their Colloquies 2720 24 10 Orleans and Berry for six and thirty portions for seven and twenty Ministers six Churches unprovided to be supplied with Ministers and three Proposans 2176 19 06 Brittany for 15 portions for seven Pastors four Churches to be provided for and four Proposans 906 19 6 Anjou and Tourain for 27 portions for twenty Ministers four Churches to be provided for and three Proposans 1632 14 9 The Higher and Lower Poictou for fifty portions for nine and thirty Ministers eight Churches to be provided for and three Proposans 3022 38 4 Xaintonge and Aunix for sixty portions for forty eighty Ministers six Churches to be provided for and six Proposans 3627 13 0 The Lower Guyenne for sixty portions for nine and forty Ministers and seven Churches to be provided and five Proposans 3627 13 0 The Higher and Lower Vivaretz and Vellay for eight and twenty portions for nineteen Ministers including what was ordained for the Church of Aubenas six Churches to be provided for and three Proposans 1692 42 1 The Lower Languedoc hath one hundred portions for fourscore and four Ministers in actual service six Churches to be provided for four Pastors for the Lower Avergne and six Proposans 6045 21 11 The Higher Languedoc eighty portions for sixty and four Ministers in actual service six Churches to be provided for four Pastors for the Higher Auvergne and six
Burgundy Lionnois Forrest Bresse Beaujolois and Gex Monsieur Esaiah Bayly Pastor of the Church of Lion and Daniel de Piotay Pastor of the Church of Gex together with John de Jaucourt Lord of Villarnoul Elder of the Church of Avalon and Master Claudius Cotereau Elder of the Church of Dijon and Counsellor in the Parliament of Burgundy For the Province of Normandy Mr. John Gueroult Pastor of the Church of D'Indebeuf and John Boudrier Lord de la Buissonniere Pastor of the Church of Alencon and Samuel de L'Escherpiere Lord de la Riviere Pastor of the Church of Rouan together with Nicholas Le Febvre Elder of the Church of Caen with their Letters of Commission The Synod of the said Province and the Colloquies of the Higher Normandy were all censured for leaving the Nomination of their Deputies unto the Colloquy and for not sending an equal number of Pastors and Elders according to the Canons of our Discipline however the four fore-mentioned Deputies were admitted For the Province of Brittany Master Rene de Losse Lord de la Touche Pastor of the Church of Blain and Master Peter de la Place Pastor of the Church of Sion together with Lewes d'Avangour Lord of Bois de Cargrois Elder of the Church of Nantes and Elias de Goulaines Lord de Loudoniere Elder in the Church of Vielle Vigne There came also with Letters of Commission from the Countrey of Bearn Master Isaac Balldraind Pastor of the Church of l'Escar and principal of the Colledge of the same place craving admission and priviledge of Voting in this Assembly which was granted him But the said Churches were exhorted for the future to join an Elder in Commission with that Pastor whom they shall depute unto our National Synods Master James Capel called otherwise du Tilloy Pastor of the Church of Sedan and the Lord Peter de Bury Elder of the same presented themselves as Deputies from the Churches of the Sovereignty of Sedan in this Assembly but were not admitted as representing a particular Province because they were Members of the Colloquy of Champagne yet it was granted them to assist in this Assembly when as matters concerning Doctrine and Discipline in general were debated and that they might in their turn propound what did particularly concern their Churches and University Prayers being ended and the Assembly proceeding to the choice of their Moderator Assessor and Scribe there came into the Synod the Deputies of the Commonalty and City of Rochell demanding to be admitted and to give their Vote in that Election as constituting a Province together with the other Provinces of the Kingdom especially when as any Affairs not relating to the Doctrine or Discipline of the Churches but for our common preservation should be treated This caused a very great debate and at last it being judged that this Assembly was purely Ecclesiastical and it being utterly uncertain whether any matters of another nature might be handled in it it was finally determined that the Moderator Assessor and Scribe should not be chosen but by such persons as were purely Ecclesiastical However those Deputies were admitted into the Synod and had their priviledge of Voting in it according to the Decree at Chastelleraut in case other matters fell under consideration Monsieur Beraut was Elected Moderator and Monsieur Merlin Assessor and to Gather and Record the Acts of this Synod Monsieur Rivet and Roy. In the Letters of Deputation that Clause of Approbation and Submission unto the Decrees of the Synod in no wise to be left out In reading the Letters of Deputation it was observed that those of certain Provinces wanted that clause which promised Approbation and Submission unto the Decrees and Resolutions of the Synod Whereupon they were all admonished In no wise for the future to omit it as being very necessary for the ratifying the Decrees of these Assemblies and of this our Brethren of Bearn are particularly to be informed Whereas the Pastors and Elders of divers Churches not deputed unto this Synod were yet very importunate to be admitted to the seeing and hearing of all matters transacted in it This Assembly considering that their number did daily and excessively increase which might at last cause confusion and other evil consequences in case every one should be indifferently received it was resolved that entrance should not be granted to any other besides the Deputies unless when as the General matters of Doctrine and Discipline should be debated And this Order shall hold good for the future nor shall they be suffered to be present at these debates who have no business calling them unto these Synods unless they produce a Certificate of Leave had from their Churches together with the time limited for their tarrying No Appeals shall be consider'd till the 7th day after the meeting and sitting of the Synod For as much as divers persons at the opening of the Synods are very importunate and thereby disturb the Order of Affairs pressing impatiently the dispatch of their own particular concerns because of the Expences they are inforc'd to make by a long Attendance Notice shall be given to the Churches that for time coming no Appeals shall be medled withal till the seventh day after the sitting of the Synod that so the parties concerned in them may not be over-hasty and that they may have fit time for their Appearance The Answers of his Highness the Prince Elector Palatine return'd unto the Letters of the Synod of Gap by which he had been intreated to endeavour the Uniting of the Protestant Churches being read as also those others from the Ecclesiastical Senate of the Palatinate from the University of Heidelberg from the Provincial Synods of Holland and Zeland from the County of Hannaw and the Classis of Lauzanna Morges Iverdon from the Canton of Bearn and Church of Geneva This Assembly having found evident Testimonials in them of their sincere affection to the seeking and procuring the Common Good How the Lutherans may be re-united see the Synod of Vitré part mat 27. and of Gap Gen. matt 11. and in special an intire Approbation of the Confession of Faith owned and received in the Churches of this Kingdom doth render most hearty thanks unto God for vouchsafing us so great a benefit well-hoping that by their persisting in it the Lord will be pleased graciously to touch the Hearts of them who as yet dissent from us and disagree with us to imbrace it also And all persons are exhorted to be mighty Wrestlers with God in humble and ardent Prayers that it may be effected The Letters also of Monsieur Regnault Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux were read who was charged with those of the Synod of Gap when he went into Germany about his own private Affairs to be delivered unto those to whom they had been directed And because that such a Negotiation was not a little Incommodious to him and that upon his return he was summon'd personally and at his own charges
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
Sedan worthy of severe censures for not bringing or sending hither the Accounts of Moneys received for the maintenance or their Professors and Regents according to the Decrees of Gap and Gergeau And that for the future they may be more carefull of the Moneys belonging to the University of Montauban there shall be detained in the hands of the Receiver General five hundred Livers and for the Universities of Nismes Montpellier and Sedan two hundred and fifty Livers for each of them and with this farther penalty that in case hereafter they shall be guilty of the like neglect there shall be defaulked from their portions five hundred Crowns But if upon auditing their accounts they be found just and faithful then the detained summs shall be restored to them Finally the Provincial Synods are ordered to give in unto the National Synods a true report as in Conscience they be bound to do how the Professors and Regents in the several Universities of their respective Provinces do discharge the duties of their places and to be very careful in the form of their Acquittances and other evidences of their Integrity and to send them all by the Deputies of their Province unto the National Synods 11. Reading that Article of the Synod of Gap concerning censures to be inflicted on the breakers of Marriage-promises without just cause divers difficulties in divers places having risen hereupon This Assembly judgeth that neither private persons nor Consistories have authority to dissolve such Promises and therefore they shall be turned over to the Judgment and Lawful Decree of the Civil Magistrates and those refractory persons who will not discharge their injoined duty shall be pursued with all Church-censures CHAP. V. Of Particular Matters St. Maixant Art 1. of observat on this Synod 1. IT is ordained for time coming that particular Acts of Appeals Censures and things of the like nature shall not be delivered but unto the parties concerned in them 2. This Assembly declareth that the Act of the Synod of Montpellier not permitting any Certificate to be given them who through fear of Witchcraft would solemnize their Marriage in other Churches besides their own shall remain in full force as not being contrary to that of the Discipline which concerneth attestations in the Chapter of Marriages Charities ordered the poor Saints of Saluces 3. For as much as the necessities of our poor Brethren of the Marquisate Saluces are exceeding great they being banished and persecuted for the true Religion as is evident by the Relations of their Deputies Charles Garnier and Constans Vivyan This Assembly exhorts all the Churches in the Provinces of this Kingdom to assist them by extraordinary Alms and 't is left to the prudence of every Provincial Synod to take that course for Collecting the Charities for them as they shall judge most proper and convenient to the state of their respective Churches And whereas in divers Churches there have been Moneys already gathered for them it is ordained that in no wise those summs be diverted from their designed use but be out of hand sent unto them And that they may be reputed Natural French men our Deputies which shall be sent unto Court are expresly charged to procure the Declaration from his Majesty for their being naturalized 4. Henceforward the Deputies of the Provinces shall bring with them unto the National Synods an exact Catalogue of the number of Churches Ministers and Proposans in their respective Provinces together with an account of their particular Stipends annually paid them by the Receiver of the Province as also the Testimonials of the Universities concerning our young Students in them if possibly it may be done Proposans may be present as silent Learners in National Synods 5. Proposans may be admitted into the National Synod when as general Matters of Doctrine and Discipline are debated provided they bring with them good Testimonials But as for other Persons which are not Ecclesiastick whatsoever their quality or condition may be it hath been already judged inexpedient because of divers ill Consequences to grant them this priviledge A remedy against contentions for the Professors place in an University 6. If in case of difference about the Call of Professors and Regents in our Universities one of the contending parties should seek for relief and assistance any where else than in our Ecclesiastical Assemblies he shall be prosecuted by all the Censures of the Church and if he continue obstinate and rebellious he shall then be Excommunicated and if he be already seized of a Professorship this Synod Decreeth that no Wages shall be paid him and declareth him a Person utterly uncapable of any Academical Office 7. To prevent for the future that evil custom crept into the Churches and which hath caused a great deal of trouble unto this Synod by reading and examining an infinite number of Acts passed before secular Judges which may finally bring in upon us that base Chicanery so much practised by crafty Lawyers and utterly unworthy the Gravity of these Assemblies Wherefore all such manner of proceedings are most expresly forbidden and all persons are commanded to keep themselves to a native plainness and simplicity as best suiting with Church affairs on pain of having their papers and propositions rejected who shall do otherwise Pecuniary matters may be dismissed from one Province to another 8. In case a person complain of His being overcharged in pecuniary matters by the Provincial Synod in which the Synod is a Party he may demand a hearing before the next Provincial Synod which shall have power to judge finally in that affair without bringing such matters before the National Synods 9. When as the publick Fast shall be celebrated in the Churches of France those of Bearn shall be acquainted with the time and causes of it by the Province of Lower Guyenne and those Churches shall be comprised in all matters relating to our Union yea and in those Complaints and Petitions which shall be presented unto his Majesty by the means of our General Deputies 10. Monsieur Baldran Deputy for Bearn moved that whereas the Churches of Soulle and Bigorre lying within the bounds of France were yet notwithstanding unto this day annexed to the Churches of Bearn and supported by them both with the grant of Pastors and Moneys for their subsistence wherefore he requested that they might be enrolled among those who shared in the Moneys of his Majesties bounty and withal he left them to the sole disposal of the Churches of this Kingdom either to be Incorporated with them or implanted into any other Synod besides that of Bearn as they should conceive most expedient This Assembly ordaineth that for the present two portions of the said moneys shall be assigned out of the Dividend of Lower Guyenne unto those two before mentioned Churches and they have full power to declare in the first Provincial Synod of Bearn to which of the Provincial Synods of France they will adjoin themselves consulting
directly repugnant unto our Discipline to call only the Deputies of the Colloquies and the said Province was censured for that irregular practice and the Higher Normandy is forbidden to Congregate and pack up into one their two Colloquies as they have done heretofore 11. The Church of Cormes and that of St. John du Brueil petitioning to be incorporated with the Colloquy of Rovergue and separated from that of Sauve This Assembly having heard Monsieur Gasques speaking on behalf of the Lower Languedoc that they did not oppose it their Petition was granted them provided that the Synod of Higher Guyenne would carefully inspect and watch over them 12. The Church of Foix and Tarascon complained of their utter inability to maintain a Pastor by reason of the excessive poverty of the Inhabitants of those places This Assembly did therefore add two Portions more out of the Kings Money to that which they already had and intreated Monsieur de Montigny to perswade Monsieur du Mattellet to accept of the Pastoral Charge of that Church and to assist and incourage him in it 13. The Petition of the Church of Bourg Argentall was granted and they shall be henceforward incorporated with the Church of Bonlieu in Vivaretz but on that condition mentioned in the Act of the Provincial Synod of Burgundy that when as by the good providence of God they may be inabled to maintain a Pastor of themselves that then they shall be returned back unto the said Province The Deputies of the Lower Guyenne petitioning that the Decree of their Provincial Synod might be confirmed that all their Churches might be obliged to put the moneys Collected by them for the poor Exiles of the Marquisate of Salluces into the hands of Monsieur Bernardin Elder in the Church of Thonneins that he might be reimbursed the four hundred Crowns lent by him upon his Majesties Grant of that sum unto the Deputies assembled at Chastechelaud and who had already paid it in to the Brethren of the said Marquisate This Assembly hath confirmed and doth now by this present Act ratifie and confirm that Decree aforesaid and it shall be accordingly executed and performed but so that every Church shall be taxed according to its ability and the said Collection thus assessed shall be levied according to the said Rate and Tax 15. Madam la Faye being fallen blind is recommended to the Charity of the Church of Bourdeaux which is intreated to continue their wonted Relief and Assistance to her 16. Monsieur Haulier Pastor of the Church du Mas d' Assier is injoyned to ride unto Vivaretz and in obedience to the Synodical Decree made at Gap to Account with the Church of Annonay and to give them full satisfaction within six months time all delays and excuses being set by 17. Monsieur Baldran Deputy for the Churches of Bearn petitioned that Monsieur Esperian the younger Minister of St. Foy might be restored unto their Province and to serve in one of their Churches The Elder of the Church of St. Foy was heard who produced a Letter written by the Father of the said Monsieur Esperian declaring that his Son if he pleased might continue where he was This Assembly did not approve that the said Esperian should be any wise obliged unto the Churches of Bearn to the hindrance of his abode at St. Foy and this was so determined by the National Synod of Gap and is now ratified by this present Synod And the said Esperian by our authority is now fixed and appropriated to the Church of St. Foy yet with this restriction that in case of great and indispensible necessities he may assist the Churches of Bearn as a Pastor as they also shall in like manner assist ours by vertue of that holy Ordinance of Communion betwixt the Churches of our Lord Jesus 18. Monsieur Durdes Pastor of the Church of Pamiers did by his Son acquaint this Synod of that great Affliction God had laid upon him in depriving him of his Eye-sight together with very many domestick troubles befallen him partly by Persecutions in former times and grievous Sicknesses and that the Church of Pamiers is not of sufficient ability to maintain another Minister Wherefore the Province of Higher Languedoc is enjoyned to deal kindly with him in their Dividends of his Majesties Liberalities and to provide for him under his pressing necessities 19. That all Dissensions arising in the Church of Xaintes about Church-Offices may be prevented for the future this Assembly doth judge fit that as soon as the said Church shall be provided of a Pastor one third of their Consistory shall be changed and another third at the years end and the residue the year following and the Election of the two thirds who are to continue and enter into Office shall be made by majority of Votes of the said Consistory and those who have a mind to be discharged shall enjoy their Liberty And this Canon was made for the said Church at the request of the Province of Xaintonge and to be perpetuated in the said Church but without any prejudice in the least unto other Churches 20. Our Brethren in the Baylywick of Gex shall subscribe the Church-Discipline yet with this Restriction that they shall not be obliged unto some particular Canons which shall be excepted by name in their subscribed Copies and this because of their present estate and circumstances 21. The Deputies of Poictou craved resolution unto this Case Some persons lately married were tied up from Conjugal performances by Witchcraft and thereupon separated one from the other and the Wife was since married unto another Man and afterward her first Husband unto another Woman May these persons be admitted to the Peace and Communion of the Church This Assembly remits the Judgment of the matter of fact unto their Provincial Synod which is ordered particularly to examine all circumstances 22. The Deputies of Lower Languedoc moved this Case whether a Colloquy might refuse payment of a Donative given by the Provincial Synod unto the Widdow of a deceased Minister upon this pretence that the said Widdow died before the time of paying the said Donative became due and whether her death may cause a Revocation of that Relief from the indigent Heirs of the said poor deceased Widdow This Assembly resolves in the negative and censureth that Colloquy for making a needless stir and opposition 23. The Church of Rochell having collected eight hundred Livers for our Exiled Brethren of the Marquisate of Salluces this sum of Moneys was ordered to be paid in to the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny which was done accordingly and the said Province shall bring in their Account how they distribute it unto the next National Synod 24. The Church of Bourdeaux delivered unto the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny four hundred Livers collected in it for our Exiled Brethren of the Marquisate of Salluces and the said Province is to bring in their Account how they have distributed it unto the next National Synod 25.
who consented to pass over unto their Church that they might have a proof of his Ministry and he a tryal of their Tempers and in case of mutual Agreement he intended to settle among them as their Pastor This Assembly approved of this their Reciprocal Transaction and decreeth that after their acceptance of him according to the Discipline of our Churches he shall be confirmed in his Pastoral Office to them 8. The Deputies of the Church of Pons demanding the establishment of a Colledge in their City 2. Vitré Appeal 2. and a supply of Moneys necessary its charges were remanded back to the Province of Xaintonge who should take such care about it as they judged needful 9. The Churches of Soules having deputed the Sieur Bustonoby Pastor 2. Vitré p. m. 19.38 remonstrate the necessity and advantage that would accrew by the personal Residence of Ministers among them which yet they could never effect by reason of their poverty and inability requesting also some little Moneys to forward the impression of a few Manuscripts in the Biscain Language this Assembly over and above the portions received by them from the Province of Lower Guyenne doth bestow upon them two portions quitted free and discharged of all expences taxations and deductions whatsoever and three hundred Livers to be paid at one entire payment towards the Printing of the said Manuscripts And the said Province shall bring in those Moneys upon Accompt unto the next National Synod 10. Mr. Stephen Rochers Pastor of the Church of Monthasillac and Piles having been suspended from his Office by the Provincial Synod of St. Foy until the next Synod of that Province appeared in person before this Assembly petitioning to be restored unto his Ministry and producing laudable Certificates from the Colloquy and Church of Bergerac where he hath since resided as also from that in which he had served his request was granted him and he was declared from this instant Reinstated into the holy Ministry which he was exhorted to discharge with all prudence diligence and faithfulness and whereas he complained of his Churches Poverty the consideration thereof was deferr'd till such times as the Moneys granted us by the King should come to be distributed 11. The Deputies of the Isle of France demanding that another Order might be Issued out against Monsieur de la Touche Pastor of the Church of Mouchamp in Poictou to Account with them about the Moneys owing them for maintaining him several years together in his preparatory Studies for the Ministry 2. Rochel p. 3. m. 4. Privas p. m. 17. to the performance of which he stands obliged by the very orders of one or two former National Synods This Assembly having heard his exceptions and reflecting upon the inconsiderableness of the debt and that his brother hath served in the Ministry in the very self same Province and that he was at great expences in Paris where he fell sick in a Journy which he took on purpose to put an end to this business doth cancel his obligation and intreats the said Province also never to trouble him any more about it 12. The difference in the Church of Mussidan and the Complaint of Monsieur Chabot for that the Publick worship of God had been transferred unto Lunga and the Sieur Latane given without the Consent of the said Chabot unto that Church are dismissed over unto the Provincial Synod to be examined by it and that matter concerning our Cautionary Town there it shall be decided by the next Mixt Provincial Assembly and that things may be brought into a good temper in order to an accommodation some of the Members of this Assembly shall in their way homeward call in at Mussidan and by their best arguments perswade them to a sincere Peace and hearty Union among themselves 13. Phillip Marulles born at Realmont Student in Divinity in the University of Montauban was presented by the Deputies of Higher Languedoc craving some charitable assistance from this Synod who gave him sixty Livers to be paid him by the Receiver General out of the Moneys allowed unto the said Province 14. The Deputies of Vivaretz reported that divers Churches in their Province sending two Elders unto their Synods caused an Inequality in their Votes and the lesser Churches on several occasions do make greatest noises and complaints This Assembly leaveth that Synod In case of contestation full power to gather the suffrages not by Deputies but by their Churches however this shall not be made a precedent unto the other Provinces 15. John Guerin second Regent in the Colledge of Die in Dolphiny requested to be restored unto the sacred Ministry of the Gospel from which he was deposed thirty years ago for a crime committed by him when as he lived at Geneva This Assembly having read and heard the Attestations given him by the Churches of Dolphiny in which he hath since made his aboad and of the University of Die and of his Provincial Synod gave orders unto the said Provincial Synod to write unto our Reverend Brethren the Pastors Professors and Elders in the Church of Geneva to give us their thoughts about it and in case by their answer they approve and consent unto it the said Province having pondered all circumstances and believing that he may be useful in Edifying God's Church is impowered with full authority from this Assembly to restore him unto the Ministry 16. The Deputies of Berry declaring that the Moneys granted unto the Lord Duke of Sully for the Colledge of Boisbelle were laid out and employed in repairing the Colledge of Chastillon Privas p. m. 35. and in divers other pious and requesting that they might be discharged from making restitution of them as they had been injoyned by the National Synod of Privas they being in no wise able to do it by reason of their deep poverty and very great necessities of their Province This Assembly compassionateing their deplorable condition doth for this reason only grant them their request 17. The great necessity and famine befallen the Church of Mas St. Espueilles having been reported in this Assembly St. Maixant P. m. 19. the Lord du Candal w to pay out of the Common Moneys of our Churches unto the Inhabitants of the said City the sum of nine hundred Livers and to Monsieur Aubriot their Pastor charged with a great and numerous family the sum of three hundred Livers the whole being 1200 l. Which sum of nine hundred Livers shall be distributed by the Consuls and Consistory who are to give an Acquitance for it And that the said distribution may be made among the People with the greater Order and fidelity Monsieur Isaiah Lignier Lord de la Menarie Elder of the Churches of Melquel and Lunel who is now personally present in this Assembly and was an Eye-witness of their sore and deep affliction is intreated to see this Charity well-managed and distributed and he shall carry home with him what other Collections he hath
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
for some weighty reasons and motives it doth at present accept of their Appeal and amending the Decree of that Provincial Synod ordaineth that the Canon made in the National Synod of Tonneins be put in Execution and whereas the said Church of Niort have been at needless Expences in seeking Ministers to supply them abroad without the Province all their Costs and Charges shall be limited and restrained to the sum of two hundred Livers to be payed them out of the monies allotted unto the said Province nor shall Monsieur Chauffepied be at all obliged to make any restitution out of the monies given him for his pains and travel unto the said General Assembly 8. The Church of Chastelheraut appealing from a judgment of the Province of Poictou their Appeal was admitted notwithstanding it had been decreed otherwise in former National Synods Though still the Provinces be exhorted to conform themselves unto their Orders of else they shall be remanded back re infectâ who ever bring unto these Assemblies matters which may and ought to be judged in a Neighbour Province and therefore amending the Sentence of the Synod of Poictou it ordaineth that whereas the Church of Chastelheraut had exhibited an hundred Livers towards the maintenance of a certain Fellow named Pichon formerly a Franciscan Fryar the Province of Poictou shall reimburse the said Church the sum of fifty Livers 9. Monsieur Paul Bonnet formerly Pastor in the Church of Saujon Alez Obs 17. on this Synod appealing from the judgment of the Colloquy of the Isles and since from that of the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge which had ratified the Sentence of the said Colloquy by vertue whereof he was suspended the holy Ministry until such time as he had fully cleared himself from that crime whereof he was impeached and accused This Assembly having heard the Deputies of that Province and the Arguments and grounds of their proceedings against him and the said Bonnet speak in his own defence approved the Decrees both of the Synod and Colloquy and ordained that his suspension should be continued until the next meeting of the Provincial Synod of Poictou which will be about six months hence and at present doth Commissionate the Sieurs Chesneau Pastor of the Church of S. Maixant and Papin Pastor of the Church of St. Hermin to take with them each an Elder either from their own or the Neighbour Churches at their own choice and to pass over unto those places at the charges of the Province of Xaintonge where the Crimes of which he stands accused were committed and they shall make strict and particular inquiry into the truth of them and make report thereof unto the said Provincial Synod who shall judge finally by authority from this Assembly of the whole affair either by aggravating his Censure in Case he be found guilty or by restoring the said Bonnet if innocent unto the holy Ministry which yet he shall never any more exercise within the said Province of Xaintonge and till this judgment be executed the said Bonnet shall be received into Communion with us at the Lord's Table but in another Church than that of Saujon And that portion of moneys given us by his Majesty and received under his name by the Province of Xaintonge shall be detained by the Receiver of the said Province to be restored to him free of all Taxes and Costs from the time of his deprival in case he be declared innocent absolv'd and justified but and if he be found guilty the said Province shall be responsible for it in their accounts unto the next National Synod And whereas the Church of Saujon demands reimbursement of costs expended by them during Bonnets absence they be remanded back unto the said Province of Poictou who shall judge definitively herein and the next Synod of Xaintonge shall come to an account with the Church of Saujon and pay them all their charges which are in justice due unto them without expecting the Declaration of that final Judgment which was before mentioned 10. The Church of Belin having appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Brittain which had ordained the said Church to reimburse Monsieur de la Place Pastor of the Church of Sion a certain sum of moneys owing by them unto Monsieur Aveline his Father-in-Law deceased The whole business was dismissed over to the Consistory of this Church of Vitré because it was not of that nature or moment as to be brought hither or determined by these Assemblies 11. The Appeal of the Church of Beziers from a Decree of the Synod of Lower Languedoc which had refused to give them two supernumerary portions is rejected because the said Church neither sent any Memoirs about it nor any one to report the true Causes of their said Appeal 12. The Appeal of the Church of Genouillac from a Judgment of the Synod of Lower Languedoc is also rejected and declared null because they sent not any Memoir about it and the Reverend and Learned Monsieur De Croy is confirmed in the Pastoral Office of the Church of Beziers 13. Whereas the Lord of Soubeyran Consul of the City of Aimargues and certain Inhabitants of the said City have appealed unto this present Assembly from the Synod of Lower Languedoc which had confirmed Monsieur Boulet in the Pastoral Office of their Church and had refused to restore unto them Monsieur Laurent neither of those persons having appeared for them nor having sent any Memoirs unto the National Synod they were declared to be fallen from their Appeal and to have lost all benefit and advantage by it and the Judgment of the Provincial Synod was now ratified and the rather because the Elder of the said Church yielded his consent unto it in the name of the Consistory and farther declared that the Ministry of the said Monsieur Boulet was exceeding edifying and successful and very acceptable unto the whole Church Wherefore the Colloquy of Nismes is charged to pursue the opposers of Monsieur Boulet's Ministry and settlement there with all Church-Censures 14. The Church of Privas appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Vivaretz Privas Art 10. of Colledges which had transferr'd their Colledge setled in their Town and confirmed by the National Synod there in the year 1612. unto the Churches of Aubenas and Annonay but they not appearing about it nor sending any Memoirs unto this Assembly the said Appeal was laid by until the next National Synod 15. Another Appeal of the same Church of Privas which was brought in from a Judgment of the Synod of Vivaretz that had injoined them to pay unto the Widow of Monsieur Valeton deceased the remainder of his Wages due unto him as also what he had disbursed out of his own pocket for their service was declared null and the Judgment of that Synod ratified 16. The Judgment of the Synod of Burgundy declaring that the Church of Mascon could not lay any claim of right unto the Ministry of Monsieur de
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
next Easter at the farthest that he shall print them on fair and large Paper which will hold ink without washing such as that on which the Lord du Plessis his Book of the Eucharist was Printed with as large a Margent and weighing fifteen pounds a Ream or there away that the Character shall be such as that Little Cicero Printed by Colomiés that the Letters shall be new founded with which he begins the work and to be renewed in the progress thereof in case occasion do require it and that the Consistory contracting with him do judge it needful that the stamps for the Latine Greek and Hebrew Quotations shall be all new and proportionable to the Work that the Books which according to the beforementioned Articles and Conditions he is to render unto the Churches shall be kept at Saumar there to be sold and a part of them shall be sent by the said Portau to Lions and Rochell and all of them delivered unto the respective Consistories of those Churches who shall take care for their being distributed abroad among our Ministers And in case Monsieur Chamier shall not deliver his Copy unto the said Fortau then the Consistory of Paris is ordered to divide equally the three thousand Livers remaining in the hands of the Lord du Candal and to send the respective dividend thereof unto the Provinces to whom it doth belong 25. This Synod received Letters from the Gentlemen deputed by the Provinces unto the Assembly at Rochell and Monsieur Preau Pastor of the Church of Vitré Commissionated by them reported their unanimous intentions and resolutions to live and die in the Union sworn by all the Churches for which he was ordered to render them the hearty thanks of this Synod and to assure them that we never had nor will ever have any other end or aim than firmly and inviolably to secure and promote this holy Union And as touching that particular reported by the said Du Preau unto this Synod by word of mouth and by Letters from the said Assembly how that the necessities of the day obliging them to send several Deputations unto Court and elsewhere whilst the six Provinces met and since all the others have joined them they were forc'd to borrow in one place five hundred Livers and in another place two thousand Livers more to defray their charges and there will be a want of five hundred Livers more to make another and their last Deputation unto Court which they shall be constrained also to take up at Interest For the payment of which sums the Deputies aforesaid have by an Act which was here presented us bound and obliged the moneys given us by the Kings Liberality for the maintenance of our Ministers This Assembly gives those Deputies to understand that the disposal of this money is wholly and solely in the power of our National Synods and of this in particular and that not a penny of it can be disposed of by any Political Assembly whatsoever yet notwithstanding for some special reasons in this juncture and not intending hereby to make a precedent of it for the future the Lord du Candal is ordered to pay unto the said Deputies the sum of three thousand Livers and this only by way of Loan that so their expences may be cleared of And whereas the six Provinces have borrowed five hundred Livers this Synod can do nothing in it because it was imployed on a private concern of the City of Rochell and by parity of reason the other Provinces might as well demand a reimbursement of their charges also expended by them on the like occasions And our Lords the General Deputies are intreated most humbly to Petition his Majesty that the said three thousand Livers may be returned us again and distributed among our Churches Since this the said Deputies assembled at Rochell have writ unto this Synod by the Lord of Cusonnel Deputy for Vivaretz that now they had no need of the said sum of four thousand Livers demanded by them before Whereupon advice was given to the Lord of Candal to furnish them only with two thousand one hundred Livers 26. Monsieur du Preau did also represent the distressed estate of the City and Church of Sancerre See below g.m. 37. who by reason of their past sufferings and to secure the possession of this Cautionary Town were well-near undone having borrowed so much moneys and Mortgaged their Estates for the payment thereof that without considerable assistance and relief from the Churches they shall never be able to pay their Debts nor to free their Estates from those great Incumbrances The same also was attested by Letters from the Lord Baron of Belette and by the Deputies of Berry This Assembly considering that all the Churches are concerned in the preservation of this important place exhorteth those Provinces which have not as yet charitably contributed towards their relief to do it out of hand and to remit the moneys Collected by them unto the Consistory of the said Church And our General Deputies are requested to have an extraordinary care of that City for the future 27. The same Monsieur du Preau complained to us from the Deputies in the Assembly at Rochell that Monsieur du Crest Pastor of the Church of Manosques in Provence did together with his Church and Consistory oppose the Election of the Lord Baron of Semis and of Monsieur Huron a Pastor to be Deputies unto the said Assembly Whereupon an Order past that those Pastors and Elders which were authorized by this Synod viz. the Deputies of Lower Languedoc to take cognisance of those many and great differences which are fallen out in the Province of Provence should also examine this matter and inflict such Censures as the Authors and Partners in these Divisions have incurred and deserved 28. Moreover Monsieur de Preau informed us of the deplorable Estate of the Churches in Auvergne which Information was confirmed by Monsieur Babat Pastor in the Church of Issoyre who came from them This Synod having heard them both and perused the Letters sent from the Assembly at Rochell and those from the Consistory of Issoyre and from the Lord Viscount of La Roche Courtan all advising us or the most miserable Condition of those poor and persecuted Churches It doth ordain that whereas the Deputies of the Provinces assembled at Rochell have recommended this affair unto our Lords the General Deputies the Synod will in a more special manner take care of this and be more concerned for it than for any other and will Petition his Majesty that Commissioners may be dispatched thither out of hand to cause the persecutions to cease and that satisfaction may be given unto our poor Brethren who have been so barbarously and cruelly tormented and that his Majesty's Edicts may be vigorously and faithfully put in execution And forasmuch as the Deputies of Sevennes and the said Babat have urged the necessity of setling two Pastors in those Churches aforesaid this
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
take our advice first in it CHAP. X. FORM of EXCOMMUNICATION 2. Paâ—is 2. 2. Vitre 2. Observaâ— upon the Discipline 21 THE Province of Poictou requested that there might be another Form of Excommunication framed of a larger Nature than that in our Discipline because the horrible Corruptions of the Age we live in do indispensably need it and call upon us loudly to put it in Execution Whereupon this Form following was drawn up See the Excommunicat 〈◊〉 Jâ—â—emy Ferâ—â—er in the â—nd of the Synod of Tâ—â—neiâ—s My Brethren This is the Fourth time that we declare unto you that N. N. hath been suspended the Lords Table for that hainous Crime of N. committed by him to the great scandal of the Church of God and yet he continues impenitent and rejecteth all Counsels and Admonitions that have been given him which suspension and its causes we have fully notified unto you that you might joyn your Prayers with ours unto the great God to soften his stony heart and to move him unto Repentance and to bring him out of the high and broad way of destruction But notwithstanding our Indulgence to him and long suffering and forbearance of him although we have prayed intreated threatned and adjured him to break off his sinful courses and to return unto the Lord and tryed all means to bring him unto Repentance he yet persisteth in his Ungodliness and Impenitency and is more obstinate and hardned in his Rebellions against God and tramples under foot his Holy Word and scorneth that Discipline which God hath set up in his Church boasting himself of his Sin and causeth unto the Church for a very long time a world of grief and trouble and the Holy and Effectual Name of Jehovah our God to be blasphemed Wherefore we Ministers of the Word and Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ whom God hath armed with Spiritual Weapons Mighty through God to destroy the strong holds of Sin which oppose and exhalt themselves against him and to whom the Eternal Son of God hath given an ample Power of binding and loosing in Earth declaring that what we shall do here below he will ratifie and make it good in Heaven we being willing to purge and cleanse the House of God and to free the Church from all Reproach and Scandal and to glorifie the Name of God by pronouncing an Anathema upon the Wicked and Godless Sinner We do in the Name and by the Authority of our Lord Jesus and by and with the Advice of the Pastors and Elders assembled in the Colloquy at N. and of the Consistory of the Church of N We have and do cut off the said N. from the Communion of the Church we do Excommunicate him and cast him out of the Society of Gods Saints that he may be reputed by you as a Publican and Pagan and that among the faithful he may be an Anathema and Execration Let his Company be lookt upon as contagious and plaguy and his Example possess your Souls with terror and horror and make you tremble under the Mighty Hand of God and know that 't is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Living God And this our Sentence of Excommunication the Son of God himself will ratifie and may he succeed and prosper it in such an effectual manner that this proud Sinner being ashamed and confounded before God may give Glory to him by his Conversion and that being deliver'd from the power of the Devil who hath hitherto kept him in Chains and Bondage he may be sorry for his Sin with a Godly sorrow and turn from it with a repentance unto life never to be repented of Let us my well-beloved Brethren call upon our God that he would be pleased to yearn with the bowels of his compassion upon this vile and miserable Creature and that this horrible Sentence which to our very great regret and grief we pronounce against him by and with the Authority of the Son of God may serve to abase and humble him and to reduce him into the way of Life and Salvation who hath wandred and strayd as a lost Sheep in the crooked paths of destruction Amen! Amen! Cursed is he who doth the Work of the Lord negligently Amen! If any one love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha Amen! 22. The Province of Xaintonge craved advice what course we might take with them who take out from the Courts of Parliament Prohibitions against the Orders and Censures of the Church as if they were intolerable abuses This Assembly injoyneth all Synods Colloquies and Consistories to procede against such Persons as Rebels against the Discipline of our Church and to inflict upon them the last and heaviest censure of Excommunication provided they have first endeavoured by the ways of Love and Kindness and Grave Religious Counsels to reduce such Persons unto their Duty and to subject them unto our Church Orders CHAP. XI The Canons of the Synod of Dort incorporated with those of the Reformed Churches of France 23 A Motion was made in this National Synod that some course should be taken in time to prevent the spreading of the Arminian Errors that have of late so much troubled the Churches of the Netherlands that they create no trouble to the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom This Assembly embraced the motion very readily and approved of it as very laudable just and needful for the peace of the Church of God and for the Conservation of the purity of our Doctrine and for the farther strengthning of our Union with the Foreign Reformed Churches and therefore counting the Maladies of the Low-Country Churches a very fair Advertisement and warning unto us and that we may imitate so excellent an Example and prevent the danger threatned us by making use of these self-same means they did for the Expulsion of those Errors out of their Bowels wherefore forasmuch as the National Synod of Dort called by the Authority wise Counsel and vigilant forecast of their High and Mighty Lordships the States General of the Confederate Netherlands and of all the United Provinces under their Jurisdiction and Government and in which assisted personally divers great and very Learned Divines from many other Reformed Churches of our Lord Jesus hath been in the Netherlands and still is a most effectual remedy for the Reformation of the Church and the grubbing of Heresies in the Article of Predestination and its depencies This Assembly after invocation of the Name of God decreed that the Articles of the said National Council held at Dort should be read in full Synod which being read accordingly and every Article ponder'd most attentively they were all received and approved by a common unanimous consent as agreeing with the Word of God and the Confession of Faith in these our Churches that they were framed with singular prudence and purity that they were very meet and proper to detect the Arminian Errors and to confound them for which reason all the
Pastors and Elders Deputed unto this Assembly have sworne and protested joyntly and severally that they consent unto this Doctrine and that they will defend it with the utmost of their power even to their last breath The Form and Tenour of which Oath together with the Deputies Names subscribed shall be added to the close of this Article that the consent may be rendred the more Authentick and Obliging to all the Provinces And this Assembly ordaineth that this very Canon be printed and added to the Canons of the said Council and that it shall be read in our Provincial Synods and in our Universities that it may be approved sworne and subscribed to by the Pastors and Elders of our Churches and by the Doctors and Professors in our Universities and also by all those that are to be ordained and admitted into the Ministry or into the Professors Chair in any of our Universities And if any one of these Persons should reject either in whole or in part the Doctrine contained in and decided by the Canons of the said Council or refuse to take the Oath of Consent and Approbation This Assembly decreeth that he shall not be admitted into any Office or Imployment either in our Churches or Universities Moreover this Assembly conjureth by the bowels of Divine Mercy and by the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant all Ministers Pastors of Churches to whom the Cure of pretious Souls is committed that they would walk together evenly and harmoniously in one and the same way that they abstain from all idle unprofitable and curious Questions that they do not pry into the Sacred Ark of Gods hidden and unrevealed Counsels and Decrees above or beyond what is recorded in his written Word the Holy Scriptures of Truth but rather that they would humbly own and acknowledge their ignorance of those profound and unfathomable Mysteries than intrude themselves into things unlawful and that they would so order their Discourses and Sermons concerning Predestination that it may promote Repentance and Amendment of Life consolate wounded Consciences and excite the practice of Godliness that by this means all occasions of Disputes and Controversies may be avoided and we may abide united in one and the same Faith with our Brethren of the Netherlands and other Churches of our Lord Jesus without the Kingdom as maintaining together with them and contending for one and the same Faith assaulted by the same common Enemies and called to one and the same hope through our Lord Jesus Christ to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be Honour and Glory for ever and ever Amen CHAP. XII The Forme of the Oath taken in the National Synod and which is to be administred unto all the Members of Provincial Synods I N. N. do Swear and Protest before God and this Holy Assembly that I do receive approve and imbrace all the Doctrines taught and decided by the Synod of Dort as perfectly agreeing with the Word of God and the Confession of our Churches I Swear and Promise to persevere in the Profession of this Doctrine during my whole Life and to defend it with the utmost of my power and that I will never neither by Preaching nor Teachings in the Schools nor by Writing depart from it I declare also and I protest that I reject and condemn the Doctrine of the Arminians because it makes Gods Decree of Election to depend upon the mutable Will of Man and for that it doth extenuate and make null and void the Grace of God it exalteth Man and the powers of Free Will to his destruction it reduceth into the Church of God old ejected Pelagianisme and is a Mask and Vizard for Popery to creep in among us under that disguise and subverteth all Assurance of Everlasting Life and Happyness And so may God help me and be propitious to me as I swear all this without any Ambiguity Equivocation or mental Reservation Sworn and Subscribed by Peter du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris Deputy for the Isle of Franse and Moderator of the Synod Laurence Brunier Pastor of the Church of Vsez Deputy for the Province of lower Languedoc and Assessor of the Synod Nicholas Vignier Pastor of the Church of Blois Deputy for the Province of Orleans and Scribe of the Synod Thomas Papillon Elder in the Church of Paris Deputy for the Isle of France and Scribe of the Synod Isack de Juigne Pastor of the Church of Vassy and Deputy for the Province of the Isle of France Picardy c. Samuel de L'Escherpiere Pastor of the Church of Roan Daniel Massys Pastor in the Church of Caen Antony Bridon Elder in the Church of Feschamp James de Montbray Elder in the Church of Conde Deputies for the Province of Normandy Ezechiel Marmet Pastor in the House of the duke of Rohan Philip de Vassaut elder in the Church of Roche Bernard Deputies for the Province of Britain Daniel Jammen Pastor of the Church of St. Amand John de Bennes Elder in the Church of Gien Galliot de Cambirs Elder in the Church of Romorantin Deputies for the Province of Orleans Samuel Bouchereau Pastor of the Church of Saumur Matthew Cottiers Pastor of the Church in Touns George Rabbotteau Elder in the Church of Pruilly Deputies for the Province of Touraine John Chauffepied Pastor of the Church of Niort John Carre Pastor of the Church of Chastelheraud Giles Begaud Elder of the Church of Mountagu Deputies for the Province of Poictou Daniel Chanet Pastor of the Church of Ars John Constans Pastor of the Church of Pons Peter Paâ—quet Elder in the Church of Rouchfoucauld Peter Promentin Elder in the Church of St. John de Angely Deputies for the Province of Xaintonge James du Luc Pastor of the Church of Casteljaloux James Privat Pastor of the Church of Chastillion Francis Joly Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux John Guillim Elder in the Church of Grateloupe Deputies for the Province of lower Guienne David Agard Pastor of the Church of Valance Daniel Richard Pastor of the Church of Cheilar John de Blache Elder in the Church of Biuffres John de Rouvre Elder in the Church of Aubenas Deputies for the Province of Vivaretz Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier Charles de Boaques Elder in the same Church Anthony de Roques Elder in the Church of Montfrin Deputies for the Province of lower Languedoc John de Voysin Pastor of the Church of Realmont Antony Garrissoles Pastor of the Church of Puylaurent Paul de Luppe Elder in the Church of Mauvoisin James du Elder in the Church of Montauban Deputies for the higher Languedoc Peter Helliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Duc Francis Perreauld Pastor of the Church of Mascon and Noyer du Noyer Elder in the Church of Bussy Deputies for the Province of Burgundy Peter Huron Pastor in the Church of Riez Elias de Glandeves Elder in the Church of Puymitchel Deputies for the Province of Provence Paul Guyon Pastor of the Church of
fretted at the heart to hear an Impudent Jesuit abuse the good Nature of his King vvith such odious Equivocations and to laugh in his Sleeve at the simplicity of his over credulous Auditors Whereupon he intreated Monsieur de Modene at that time a Person utterly unknown to him to ask of Father Arnoux Whether Fryer James Clement that stab'd Henry the Third in the Bovvels vvith a poysoned Knife being a Prince Excommunicated by the Pope had killed his King And suppose the Pope should Excommunicate His Majesty novv reigning and declare his Throne and Kingdom vacant vvhether he vvould then ovvn Lewes XIII for his King And if at that time an Assassinate as John Chastel Peter Barriere or Francis Ravaillac all Disciples of the Jesuits should attempt upon His Majesties Life he would accurse and anathematize him as guilty of Treason in the last and highest degree for daring to lift up his bloody hands against the Sacred Person of his King The By-standers immediately comprehended the cheat and imposture of the Jesuit and how they had been gull'd by him for he could not make any Reply to the demand of this Protestant Minister Monsieur Primrose But though he could not ansvver his Arguments the Jesuit found out means and opportunity to cry him quitts and to be reveng'd upon him For ' t vvas be that sollicited the Parliament of Bordeaux and by his Interest got that Decree to pass in it That no Stranger not born in the Kingdom should be a Minister in France Monsieur Gilbert Primrose hereupon being outed of his Church passed into England and was chosen Pastor of the French Church of London in whose Service he continued till his Death And where now succeeds him though at some distance in the same Pastoral Office his Reverend and Worthy Grandson See this Relation in page 75 and 76 of his Panegyrique a tres grand tres puissant Prince Charles Prince de Galles 1624. CHAP. XVI 17 THE Lord of Galland required that for the future no Pastors might be deputed unto Political Assemblies declaring it to be His Majesties Pleasure expresly notified in his Letters written unto this Synod Whereupon it was unanimously voted that His Majesties Command should be absolutely obeyed and as it was injoyned so His Majesties Letter should be inserted into the Acts of this Synod the tenour whereof is as followeth By the KING Trusty and well-beloved we have heretofore made known unto you what was our intention concerning Foreigners being Ministers in the Reformed Churches of this our Kingdom and in particular about those Two Scotchmen the Sieurs Primrose and Cameron lately Ministers in our City of Bourdeaux And whereas in your last sent unto us you started some difficulties about it we do now once again declare it to you that it is our Will and Purpose that the said Primrose and Cameron shall neither of them in any wise he imployed in the Publick Offices of Ministers in the Churches or of Ministers and Professors in the Churches and Universities of the Reformed Religion in France not so much because of their Birth as Foreigners but for reasons concerning our Service Moreover you shall again move them That in obedience to our Command formerly notified to you no Ministers shall b e deputed unto Political Assemblies and they should of themselves have made a Canon against it because their Ministerial Calling is quite of another Nature and such Deputations must needs distract and hinder them if they do not wholly take them off from the Occupations and Duties of their Spiritual Function And in ca e they should make any difficulty to comply with our Will herein you shall give them to understand that they will enforce us to take some other course with them either by a Publick Declaration against them or else by those very Warrants which shall be issued forth in Our Name and Authority for the holding of those Assemblies However it s not our mind to exclude the Ministers of those places where those Assemblies do meet from sitting in them And let this our intention be inserted into the Register of your Assembly that so none may pretend ignorance in case of their failure and transgression For such is our Will and Pleasure Given at St Germans in Laye this 25th of September One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Three Signed Lewes and below L' Omenie And on the Superscription thus To Our Trusty and Beloved Counsellor in Our Council of State and Privy Council and Attorney General for our Dominion of Navarre The Lord Galland Our Commissioner unto the Synod of Charenton 18. The Synod being informed that the Publick Notary who received the Letters of Attorney given unto the Sieurs Durant Mestrezat Massocos Biggot and de L' Aunay had through inadvertency omitted the1 Revocation of the Letters of Attorney formerly granted by the preceding National Synods for the recovery of the Arrears owing to our Churches by Monsieur Palott it hath declared as it now doth and will again declare if need be that all former Letters of Attorney granted unto any Persons whatsoever by the former National Synods are revoked and we do will that they be esteemed null invalid and of none effect 19. The Assembly being desirous that the succeeding National Synods may have a particular knowledge of the number of Pastors imployed in the Churches of this Kingdom it doth ordain that there shall be now written a Roll and Catalogue of the Names end Sirnames both of Ministers in Actual Service in every Province and of their Churches as also of Ministers discharged and Emeriti and of all vacant Churches which Catalogue shall be attached to the Original Acts of this Synod and kept by that Province whose Priviledge it vvill be to convocate the next National Synod And this shall alvvay be continued in all subsequent National Synods And all the Provinces are injoyned to bring vvith them the Names and Surnames of every Minister in actual Service to vvhom a Dividend is allotted and that this may be done the more carefully and effectually they shall bring vvith them the Acts of their Provincial Synods subscribed and attested by the respective Moderators 20. The Sieurs Cottiby Pastor and du Bois St. Martyn an Elder vvho vvere deputed unto His Majesty from this Assembly most humbly to petition His Majesty that Monsieur du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris might have His Majesties Gracious Leave to return into this Kingdom and be restored unto his Flock and to the Exercise of his Ministry and that the Sieurs Primrose und Cameron might also be restored unto the Church of Bourdeaux and Church and University of Saumur vvhereof they vvere Pastors and Professors Those being novv returned from Court they reported that His Majesty received them vvith His vvonted Candor and Goodness and having given them Audience he did by the Lord Chancellor tell them that His Majesty had Graciously received their Message but commanded him to acquaint them that for divers
good reasons vvhich if they vvere knovvn to us vvould very vvell satisfie us His Majesty could not permit that the said Ministers du Moulin Primrose and Cameron should live in His Kingdom and that since from His Majesties ovvn Mouth and Writing they understood his Will it vvas his pleasure that they should make no Replies Hovvever because of their most humble petition His Majesty would permit those Ministers to reside within His Kingdom but on this condition That they should neither be imployed in the Pastoral or Professors Office But in time Matters might be better ordered to their contentment CHAP. XVII THE reason of the French Kings Indignation against Monsieur du Moulin and for which he would never admit him to serve either in his Church of Paris or in any other Church or University of this Kingdom as it hath been related to me by some eminent Ministers of that Nation was this That when Lewes the Thirteenth by the Advice of Cardinal Richelieu his perpetual Coadjutor in all Affairs of State as he styled himself did first attempt the ruine of those poof Churches Monsieur Du Moulin writ a Letter unto James the First King of Great Britain who had a value and kindness for this Learned Minister in which he inform'd His Majesty how that not only the Eyes of all the Reformed Churches of France were upon him for help in this the day of their Exigency and great distress but the Eyes also of all other the Reformed and Protestant Churches in Europe This Letter was delivered to the King but as some credibly inform'd dropt afterward into the hands of the Duke of Buckingham who sent the very Original it self unto the French King Upon the Receipt whereof he immediately issues out Warrants to seize and apprehend Monsieur du Moulin which were not executed with that speed and secrecy but that Monsieur du Moulin had timely notice given him by some of his Friends at Court to flee for his Life out of the Kings Reach and Dominions which he did accordingly and was sometime afterward called to be Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Sedan a little Principality of which the Mareschal Duke of Bouillon was Sovereign And here this Worthy Minister of Jesus Christ lived the rest of his dayes dying in a good old Age and full of dayes in the Ninetieth Year of his Life 1650. The Works Published by him were these * * * I do admire him upon the Eucharist and on Purgatory He hath my heart when I read his Consolations to his Brethren of the Church of France as also intreating of the Love of God I would willingly learn French to underitand him only and have a long time desired and still do get any thing that he hath written Dr. Twisse 1. Petri Molinaei Elementa Logica Lugduni Batavorum 1596 1603. 2. Meditatio in Psalmum 123. adversus Jacobum Perronium Episcopum Eburo nicensem 3. De Peregrinatione Altaribus 4. De Monorchia Temporali Pontifieis Romani Londini l614 in Octavo 5. Narré de la Conference verbale par Escrit tenue entre Monsieur du Moulin Monsieur Bayze 1602 in Octavo 6. Accroissement des Eaux de Siloe pour eteindre le feu de Purgatoire noyer les satisfactions humaines les Indulgences A la Rochelle 1604 in Octavo 7. Defense de la Foye pour Jacques 1. Roy de la Grande Bretâ—gne A la Rochelle 1604 in Octavo 8. Trente deux demandes proposees par le Pere Coton avec les Solutions Item Soixante quatre demandes proposees en contre-eschange a la Rochelle 1617 in Octavo 9. Veritable Narré de la Conference entre les Sieurs du Moulin Gontier en Auvrill 1609 in Octavo 10. Theophile ou de L' Amour Divin a la Rochelle 1609. in Twelves 11. Heraclite ou de la Vanite Misere de la Vie humaâ—ne 1609 in Twelves 12 * Apologie pour la Sainte Cene du Seigneur contre la Presence Corporelle Transubstantiation 1610 in Octavo 13. * Accomplissement des Propheties Livre auquel sont exposees les Propheties de L' Escriture Saincte concernantes le Pontife Romain et son Siege a la Rochelle 1612 in Octavo 14. Action de graces du R. Pere Gontery a R. Viseur pour avoir entrepris sa defense contre le Sieur du Moulin respondu a ses demandes touchant L' Autiquite 1612 in Octavo 15. Le Sainct Reveil Spirituel a la Rochelle in Sixteens 16. Defense de la Confession des Eglises Reformees de France contre les Accusations du Sieur Arnauld a Charenton 1617 in Octavo 17. De la Toute Puissance de Dieu de sa Volonte a la Rochelle 1617 in Octavo 18. Lettre a Messieurs de L' Eglise Romaine a Saumur 1611 in Octavo 19. Veritable Narré de la Conference entre les Sieurs du Moulin de Raconis Professeur en Theologie a la Rochelle 1618 in Octavo 20. * Bouclier de la Foy ou defense de la Confession de Foy des Eglises Reformees du Royaume de France contre les objections du Sieur Jean Arnoux a Charenton 1618. a Sedan 1612 in Octavo Translated into English and printed in Quarto 21. Conseil fidele Salutaire sur les Marriages entre personnes de contraire Religion a Charenton 1619. in Twelves and Octavo 22. Lettre ecritts a un de son Troupeau sur la Calamite presente 1621 in Octavo 23. Response a quatre demandes faites par un Gentilhome de Poitou a Sedan 1623 in Octavo 24. Sermon sur le ix Chapitre de Daniel verset premier jusques a neufieme a Sedan 1623 in Sixteens 25. Element de Logique a Sedan 1628 in Octavo a Paris 1624 in Twelves and Twentyfoure 26. Elemens de la Philosophie morale a Sedan 1624 in Twelves and Twentyfours 27. Du Combat Chrestien ou des Afflictions a Messieurs de L' Eglise Reformee de Paris a Sedan 1622 in Twelves 28. Refutation de la Replique du Cardinal du Perron in Folio and in Quarto 29. Dialogues Rustiques deux Parties in Octavo and in Twelves 30. Juge des Controverses in Octavo 2 Vol. 31. Hyperaspistes seu defensor veritatis in Octavo 32. Anatome Arminianismi in Quarto 33. Vates in Octavo and Quarto 34. Opera Philosophica Logica Moralia Physica in Octavo 35. La Philosophie Logique morale Physique in Octavo 36. Esclaircissement de la Doctrine Salmurienne in Octavo 37. Lettres de Reconciliation a Monsieur Amyraut in Octavo 38. Oppositions a la parole de Dieu 39. Journal des Capucins in Octavo 40. Instruction pour Consoler les malades in Octavo and Twelves 41. Vocation des Pasteurs in Octavo 42. Nouvelles Brigues pour le Batiment de Babel in Octavo 43. Examen du Livre du R. L. Joseph de Morlais Capucin in Octavo 44. Examen de la Doctrine de Messieurs
before their Deposal And the Proceedings against the Sieur Beraut was put into the Hands of Monsieur Baux 93. The Council being informed of those excellent Gifts which the Lord hath liberally bestowed on Monsieur Godefrey Doctor of the Civil Laws and Professor of that Faculty in the University of Geneva ordered Letters should be written to intreat him because of his singular Knowledg in Antiquity that he would discover and publish to the World those Artifices and Disguises used by Cardinal Baronius and other Doctors of the Church of Rome to corrupt and alter the true History of the Ancient Church 94. The Lord Commissioner was intreated to write unto the Lord President of Tholouse in Behalf of Monsieur Bidac imprisoned at Sommieres for abjuring the Errors and Idolatry of the Romish Church and Mr. Petit was charged to carry unto that Parliament his Majesties Letters and Command and to join themselves with the young Mr. Galland the Lord Commissioner's Son who will be sent thither for this very End by his Father 95. The Lord of Candall is desired to pay unto Monsieur Mercurin the Sum of sixty Livers which were given him by the National Synod of Vitré and it shall be allowed him in his Accompt for the Moneys appertaining to our Churches 96. Mr. Mestrezat and d'Huysseau presented Letters from the Church of Paris most humbly petitioning that Monsieur Chauve whom they had so often and earnestly requested for their Minister might now at length be bestowed upon them The Deputies also of the Isle of France joined with them in their Petition But Mr. Chauve as earnestly intreated the Council that he might be continued in his Ministry unto the Church of Sommieres because of its great Afflictions and present Necessities And the Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc did with as much Importunity request that the Rights of that Church and of the Province might be preserved and he in no wise removed from his Pastoral Charge This weighty Affair having been maturely deliberated the Council considering the Desire of the Reverend Mr. Chauve and the singular Importance of the Church of Paris and the present Condition of that of Sommieres decreed That the Church of Paris should carry their Demand unto the next Synod of Lower Languedoc which is injoined to pay all just Deference unto this Request of the Church of Paris and to gratify them fully in it provided that it be not a Case of Conscience with that Reverend Minister and determined by him positively that 't is his Duty to live and die with his said Church of Sommieres 97. A Letter was read from the Church of Vigan and the Lord of Villencufve their Messenger and the Deputies of the Province of Sevennes were heard speak as to its Contents After which the Council gave leave unto that Church to seek a Pastor for it self without the Province of Sevennes and injoineth the Colloquy of Sauve to assist the said Church until such time as they be provided of a Minister to their Contentment 98. Mr. Constans and Mr. Belot represented unto the Council the great and pressing Necessities they labour under through their Inability of paying those Moneys they borrowed during their Imprisonment at Bourdeaux Whereupon the Receiver of the Province of Xaintonge was ordered to pay them thirteen Portions and an half which were given them for the Years 1627 1628 and 1629. out of the Arrears due in the Year 1621. And that the said Receiver may come to no Trouble about it he shall join the said thirteen Portions and an half unto those other Portions which were given them that so they may divide them equally between them as has been accustomed 99. If any Church in the Colloquy of Nismes should desire Monsieur Baux for their Minister who is at present Pastor of the Church in Cucque This Assembly decreed That he might have his Liberty and accept of such a Call without any Obstruction or Molestation 100. The Deputies of Sevennes are charged as they return homeward to pass through the City of Beziers and to recommend to the Judges and Counsellors of that Court the Affairs of the Church of Alez and of those Reverend Ministers Mr. Paulet and Banzillon 101. For as much as in the Dividend to the Province of Higher Languedoc there were two Portions couched for two Professors of Divinity in the University of Montauban although it had been before determined by this Synod that the said Professors should receive but an half Portion and give Acquittance unto their Church for it now the Lord of Candall is ordered to detain in his Hands one of those Portions and to accompt for it unto the next National Synod 102. The Relation of Mr. Banzillon's Troubles was read as also Letters written by the Lord Marquess of Varennes Governour of Aguemortes unto his Lordship his Majesty's Commissioner in this Assembly Whereupon the Lord Commissioner was most importunately intreated to intercede for Mr. Banzillon with the Lords Judges in the Court of Bezieres and with the said Lord of Varennes and it was unanimously voted that a most humble Petition should be presented unto his Majesty that his Majesty would be graciously pleased to permit our Churches and Ministers officiating in them their injoyment of that Peace and Liberty and their comfortable Effects which by his Edicts are accorded to us and that his Majesty would order the said Lord Marquess and all other Governours of Places to follow and imitate his Majesty in his favourable Inclinations and Disposition towards us and to cause his Subjects of the Reformed Religion both Ministers and People who live within their Governments and Jurisdiction to reap the refreshing Fruits of his Majesty's most gracious Favour and Protection Moreover this Council ordained that till such time as Mr. Banzillon may be restored unto the Exercise of his Ministry in the Church of Aiguesmortes that Church shall be supplied by the Neighbour Pastors to whose Christian Charity the said Church is in a most special manner recommended and that they would upon all Occasions assist it in its great and pressing Necessities 103. Mr. Petit made report of what had been done by him and Mr. Galland junior in their Conference with the Lord President in the Parliament of Tholouse and they presented his Lordship's Letters unto this Synod And they received the Thanks of this Synod for the Pains taken by them And an Answer was voted unto the Letters of the said Lord President and the Consuls of Montauban and Castres were desired to pass over to Tholouse immediately after Martin-mass and to sollicit the Enrollment of his Majesty's Letters of Command unto that Court of Parliament and to see that the Restrictions opposed by that Court unto his Majesty's Declaration be removed 104. The Deputies of Dolphiny giving an honourable Character of Monsieur Agard who had lately quitted the Convent of the Jacobins at Avignion a Vote passed in the Council That Report hereof should be made in the next National Synod
obedient Brethren the Pastors and Elders in the Reformed Church of Paris and for all Drelincourt Pastor Bigot Tardif Dinets Massanes Millet Raillard and Mandat Elders And in the Margin We most earnestly beseech you to give Audience to Monsieur Mestrezat who is ordered more particularly to report this Affair unto you The End of the Synod of Castres SYNODICON IN Galliâ Reformatâ OF THE Acts Canons Decisions and Decrees OF THE Four Last National Synods OF THE Reformed Churches OF FRANCE The Second Part of the Second Volume By JOHN QVICK Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed by J. D. for Thomas Parkhurst and Jonathan Robinson 1691. THE Acts Canons Decisions and Decrees OF THE Twenty sixth Synod HELD BY The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE and BEARN The second Time at CHARENTON Under the Authority and Permission of LOUIS XIII King of FRANCE and NAVARRE In the twenty second Year of his Reign begun September the 1st and ended Friday the 10th of October In the Year of our Lord 1631. The General CONTENTS of these Synodical Acts in several Chapters Chap. I. THE Lord Galland the King's Commissioner The King 's Writ for calling the Synod Deputies Names Election of Synodical Officers Chap. II. The King's Letters Patents and Commission to the Lord Galland Chap. III. The Lord Galland's Speech to the Synod Chap. IV. The Moderator's Reply to this Harangue Chap. V. Deputies and a Letter sent from the Synod unto the King Chap. VI. The Cahier or Bill of Grievances sent by the Synod to the King Chap. VII The Deputies Return from Court with the King's Answer and Letter to the Synod Chap. VIII Election of General Deputies Chap. IX Monsieur Beraud admitted at Deputy to sit and vote in the Synod Chap. X. A second Letter from the Synod unto the King Chap. XI The General Deputies make Report of their Audience and the King's Answer to that Letter Chap. XII The Sieurs Bouteroue and Basnage admitted as Deputies to sit and act in the Synod Chap. XIII The King's Letter unto the Lord Galland about it Chap. XIV Approbation of the Confession of Faith Chap. XV. Observations upon the Discipline Chap. XVI Observations upon the National Synod of Castres Chap. XVII A great Debate about incorporating the Churches of Bearn with those of France opposed by the Lord Commissioner Chap. XVIII The Synod's Reply unto his Lordship Chap. XIX The Synod's Protestation upon this Conjunction of the Churches of Bearn with those of France Chap. XX. General Matters Chap. XXI An Act for a publick National Fast Chap. XXII An Act in favour of the Lutheran Brethren Chap. XXIII Particular Matters Chap. XXIV Of Vniversities and Colledges Chap. XXV An Act for an Assessment upon the Provinces for maintaining the Vniversities Chap. XXVI A Dividend of our borrowed Charities to maintain the Vniversities Chap. XXVII The Provinces Accompts about their Maintenance exhibited to the Colledges and Vniversities Chap. XXVIII The Lord of Candall's Accompts Chap. XXIX A Dividend of sixteen thousand Livers among the Provinces Chap. XXX A blank Dividend Chap. XXXI Roll of Apostate and deposed Ministers Chap. XXXII An Act for calling the next National Synod at Alanson Chap. XXXIII Remarks upon three of the Deputies The Second Synod of CHARENTON 1631. the 26th Synod SYNOD XXVI 1631. In the Name of God Amen Acts and Decrees of the twenty sixth National Synod held by the Reformed Churches of France and Bearn the second time at Charenton St. Maurice near Paris in the Province of the Isle of France under the Authority and Permission of Lewes the Thirteenth King of France and Navarre in the twenty second Year of his Reign begun September the 1st and ended Friday the 10th Day of October in the Year 1631. CHAP. I. The Lord Galland the King's Commissioner The King 's Writ for calling the Synod Deputies Names Election of Synodical Officers Article 1. AT the opening of this Assembly the Lord Galland Counsellor to his Majesty in his most honourable Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for his Dominion of Navarre appeared in Person as Commissioner deputed by his Majesty unto it and presented his Majesty's Warrant signed with his Sign Manual for the convocating of it 2. This 29th Day of January in the Year of our Lord 1631. The King being at Paris upon the most humble Petition of his Subjects of the pret Reformed Religion that they might be permitted to meet and assemble in a National Synod there not having been one held since that of Castres in the Year 1626. His Majesty being very willing to gratify those his Subjects aforesaid and to give them some Marks of his Royal Favour hath granted and permitted and doth grant and permit unto those his aforesaid Subjects the Power and Priviledg of holding a National Synod the first Day of September next at Charenton near Paris but with this Condition that none other Matters shall be debated in it but such as are allowed them by his Majesty's Edicts and that the Lord Galland Counsellor to his Majesty in his Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for his House of Navarre shall assist personally in the said Synod as his Majesty's Commissioner as hath been accustomed and practised heretofore In Testimony whereof his Majesty hath commanded me to issue out this present Writ which he was pleased to sign with his own Hand and commanded it to be countersigned by me his Counsellor and Secretary of Estate and of his Commandments and of his Treasury Signed in the Original LOVIS And a little lower Phillippeaux 3. There appeared on Behalf of the Churches in the several Provinces of this Kingdom the Pastors and Elders whose Names are hereafter mentioned For the Province of Burgundy the Sieurs Peter Boullenat Pastor of the Church of Vaux and Alexander Rouph Pastor of the Church of Lyons together with the Lords Timothy Armet Advocate in the Privy Council Elder in the Church of Conches and Lazarus du Puy Counsellor for the King in the Presidial Court of Bourg and Elder of the Church gathered in that Town 4. For the Province of Provence the Sieurs Paul Maurice Pastor of the Church at Aiguires and Peter de Peyre Lord of Retardet Elder in the same Church 5. For the Province of Orleans and Berry the Sieurs Daniel Jamett Pastor the Church of Gien upon the Loir and James L'amy Pastor of the Church of Chasteaudun accompanied with Master Claudius Bernard Elder in the Church of Chastillon upon the Loir and Bailiff of the said Town and Henry du Four Doctor of Physick Elder in the Church of Blois 6. For the Province of Poictou the Sieurs Isaac de Cuville Pastor of the Church in Couhé and John le Masson Pastor of the Church of Civray together with the Lords René de Lauvrignac Esq Lord of Miauvray Elder of the Church of St. Maixant and Giles Begaut Lord of la Begaudiere Elder in the Church of Montague 7. For the Province of Xaintonge
of an hundred and fifty Livers and the Scholar named Martill having been examined in the last Synod of Bearn and found meet and qualified to serve the Church of God in the Sacred Ministry shall receive for his yearly Portion sixty Livers and the Sum of seventy five Livers shall be paid in to the said Mr. Guillemin in Consideration of his Sickness only by the Lord of Candall this Synod not being able to charge it self with the reimbursment of his Expences because it judgeth it an unreasonable thing that Pastors should take long Journies upon none other Errand than to present their Petitions unto the National Synods which might as well if not been better done by inserting them into the Memoirs of the Deputies of those Provinces of which they be Members 42. The Complaint of Stephen du Mas against Mr. Scoffier Pastor in the Church of Lunell is dismissed over to the Consistory of Montpellier which having heard both Parties shall within one Month after the signification of this present Act by that Consistory judg of the pretended Right of the said du Mas by Authority from this Assembly 43. This Assembly ratifying the Decree of the National Synod of Castres concerning Mr. Bicheteau Pastor in the Church of Vrillac and Prosessor of the Hebrew Tongue in the University of Montauban judgeth concerning his Demands notified by his Letters as also by his Son declaring them by word of Mouth that they are not of their nature which ought to be tendred unto the National Synods yet in Consideration of his great Necessities and Losses it was resolved that he should have a Token of this Assembly's Affection and Charity which should be given him whenas the Monies appertaining to the Churches came to be divided 44. The Letters of Dr. Andrew Rivet Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the famous University of Leyden being read a Decree past That in the Answer which should be returned unto him he should be intreated to continue his Care and Kindness to the Weal of our Churches And whereas the laid Reverend Professor is upon the point of being settled in the House of his Excellency the Prince of Orange and his Lordship the Lord Commissioner having remonstrated that he could not be there established without his Majesty's Licence the Lord of Champvernon his Brother is intreated to give him notice thereof 45. The Reverend Pastors of Xaintonge and the Lower Guyenne who were appointed to examine the Works of Monsieur Blondell having made an honourable Report of them this Assembly commended the said Monsieur Blondell for his great Labour Care and Exactness in so painful and important a Subject and exhorts him continually to employ those excellent Gifts and Talents which God hath so abundantly bestowed upon him in clearing up the History of the five first Centuries And whereas the last Synod of Castres had promised to bear the Charges of the Impression this Synod doth now assure him that he shall be fully satisfied in this Particular And that the after-Writings of the said Mr. Blondell may be strictly perused and examined the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France is commissionated to do it and to give their Licence and Approbation that so they may be printed 46. Upon hearing the Report of those Commissioners who were appointed to audit the Receivers Accompts of the Monies collected by his Majesty's Permission the 7th of February 1626 for relieving the Necessities of the Cities of Rochel Montauban and Castres they declared that they had seen and examined that of Monsieur d'Huysseau for the Provinces of the Isle of France Normandy Berry Anjou Poitou Brittain and Xaintonge and his Receipt amounted to the Sum of sixty nine thousand seven hundred and thirteen Livers nineteen Sous and six Deniers and the Disbursment to sixty eight thousand six hundred and thirteen Livers five Sous and eight Deniers so that there remains in the hands of the said Monsieur d' Huysseau eleven hundred and forty Livers thirteen Sous and nine Deniers The Assembly approving the said Audit orders that Monsieur d' Huysseau do pay in the said Debt unto the Lord of Candall who shall divide it between the Churches of Montauban Castres and Rochel proportionably to what they have already received and may hereafter receive according as it was regulated in the National Synod of Castres in doing of which he shall be sufficiently acquitted and discharged of the Monies so received and disbursed by him as he also is now thanked for his great Care Pains and Diligence in his management and execution of the said Office of Receiver And it was farther voted that all his Acquittances sent unto the Churches shall be restored to him if possible it can be done but if it cannot be they are then declared Null and Void 47. Report being made unto this Assembly by those Reverend Divines who were commanded to peruse divers parts of that Treatise upon the Eucharist made by Mr. Faucheur and how exceeding profitable this most Elaborate Work would be unto the Publick by reason of its deep and curious Learning the most worthy Author received the Thanks of the Synod for his singular Diligence and Zeal for God's Glory and Affection to the edifying of God's Church And Messieurs de Croy and Gigord Pastors of the Churches of Beziers and Montpellier are ordered to revise it that as soon as it hath past their Examination and Approbation it may be immediately printed at the Costs of the Churches according to the Intention of the National Synod of Castres 48. Mr. Charron Deputy from the Church of Bergerac related the Causes which obstructed the restitution of their Colledg Whereupon this Synod voted a Continuance of that same Supply which had been formerly granted them for its Support by the last National Synod of Castres and exhorted them to use their best and utmost Endeavours that it may be restored betwixt this and the next National Synod And in case they can effect it sooner the Provincial Synod of Lower Guyenne is ordered to acquaint the Lord of Candall with it who shall pay in unto them the Monies granted by the Churches for the Maintenance of the said Colledg proportionably to what he shall receive from the Monies of his Majesty's Liberality The Synod likewise ordaineth that till the said Colledg be restored the four hundred Livers attributed to the Province of Lower Guyenne for its Colledg and applied by the last National Synod to that of Nerac shall be paid out of the same Fund according to the Intention of the said Synod 49. The Synod of Burgundy is ordered to examine the Accompts of Mr. Gros who was commissionated to receive the Collection granted by his Majesty for the Cities of Rochel Montauban and Castres that so upon the closing of them they may send the residue of the Monies in his Hands unto the Lord of Candall who according to the Sum shall divide it among those Churches in the same manner as he did that of
Monsieur d' Huysseau and conformable to the Regulation made in the last Synod of Castres 50. Mr. Du Bois a Pastor discharged by the Province of Normandy complaining that contrary to the Decree of the National Synod of Castres the said Province instead of reckoning with him for his Portion assigned by the 24th National Synod held at Charenton in the Year 1623 unto him had ordered that the free Portion granted him by that of Castres in the Year 1626 should be paid in unto him by the Receiver of the said Province The Assembly having heard the Report of the Commissioners nominated by it to examine his Pretensions doth condemn the said Province for not having followed the Intentions of the said National Synod of Castres and ordaineth that out of the best and clearest Monies belonging to the said Province there shall be detained the Sum of eight and fifty Livers and fourteen Sous in the hands of the Lord du Candall who shall pay it unto the said Mr. Du Bois he giving an Acquittance for it And whereas he hath not touch'd a Denier of his free Portion given him by the National Synod of Castres it shall be paid unto him either by the Lord of Candall or his Deputy in the Province of the Isle of France 51. Whereas the first National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1623 had ordained four hundred Livers to be paid in to the Province of Higher Languedoc now the Lord of Candall out of the first Monies that shall be distributed among the Churches shall reimburse the said Province of that Sum. CHAP. XX. APPEALS 1. MR. Nonis Pastor in the Church of Aulas appearing to defend that Appeal brought by the said Church from the Judgment of the Province of Sevennes which had ordered the Inhabitants of La Breauvaise to be incorporated for the future with the Church of Breas After hearing the pretended Grievances of the Church of Aulas and the Petition brought by the Deputy of the Inhabitants of La Breauvaise confirmed by their Letters and by the Letters of the Church of Breaus and the Reasons given in by the Deputies of the Province for their Judgment whereby it was manifest that the Differences between those two Churches of Aulas and Breas are rather bottom'd on the Passions of some particular Persons than on any real Interest of either And whereas by the Canon of the National Synod of Castres the Province of Sevennes was sufficiently impower'd to pass a final Sentence in this Affair this Assembly condemneth Monsieur Nouis for quitting the exercise of his Ministry in his Church and taking upon him the Office of a Sollicitor which might have been better discharged by another and enjoineth the Deputies of the Province of Sevennes to labour a Composition in the most amicable manner of the Differences between both thole Churches of Aulas and Breau and in case they should not be able to compose them then they shall acquaint the Synod of Lower Languedoc therewith before which the Deputies of both those Churches shall appear and receive their final Judgment Moreover the Synod of Sevennes is injoined to see to it that Mr. Berlé Pastor of the Church of Breau and all other Ministers of the said Province do actually and personally reside with their Flocks And forasmuch as the National Synod of Castres had given full Power unto Provincial Synods to judg finally in the Case of Conjunction and Separation of the Churches and their Annexes this Assembly confirming that Canon ordaineth That in case any Difficulties should arise and hinder the Provincial Synods from coming to a final Judgment then those Causes shall be dismissed over to the Synod of the Neighbour Province nor shall they be brought hereafter unto our National Synods 2. This Assembly approving the Zeal of the Province of Burgundy and the Motives inducing them to give Sentence on Monsieur Durand Pastor of the Church of Issurtille doth however take off that Censure of Suspension from him and restoreth him with Honour unto the exercise of his Ministry and ordereth that the Act from which he appealeth and that which follows it shall be supprest because 't is very clear the said Durand had no Design to execute the Sentence denounc'd against himself but that he proceeded in that Business with all simplicity and uprightness wherein he is exhorted to continue and to walk with more prudence and circumspection according to the Counsel of his Brethren 3. This Assembly revising the Judgment given by the Province of Burgundy against Paul Sarazin heretofore Pastor in the Church of Vison declareth That the said Province proceeded in that Matter with excessive Severity and for the future enjoineth that they never insert into the Causes of their Censures Facts not verified and that in no wise they depart from the wonted Forms And farther the said Sarazin is judged worthy of the greatest Censures for abandoning his Church without leave first had and obtained and for being negligent in conserving the Honour of his Vocation whereunto he had been called by God and amending the Sentence from which he doth appeal this Synod removeth him the said Sarazin from his Ministry which he shall not any more exercise 4. The Judgment past by the same Province against Joseph Aubery formerly Pastor in the Church of Coulonges in the Colloquy of Gex is confirmed in every Point and Article thereof 5. Mr. Chacerat Pastor of the Churches of Ponteau de Mar and Quillebeaf having made his Complaints unto this Assembly and praying that Right and Justice might be done him the next Synod of Normandy was ordered to take special care of him and with all love to provide for the Safety of his Person and that his Life may be made comfortable to him And the said Cacherat is exhorted to continue in the Exercise of his Calling with that Zeal and Conscientiousness he hath ever manifested Yet afterward he revolted 6. The said Mr. Cacherat appealing from the Judgment of his Province and declaring the Grievances pretended to have been sustained by him The Assembly representing to him that his Cause was not of their Nature which should be brought before the National Synods did exhort him to rest satisfied with the Testimonial given him unanimously by his Province of his Probity and Fidelity in the discharge of his Ministry and the rather because these Persons whom he accuseth to have done him Wrong being dead 't is utterly impossible that his Province should procure him a more ample Satisfaction 7. Although the Appeal brought by Monsieur Pejus from the Judgment of the Commissioners of the Province of Berry be not of their Nature which are to be brought unto these National Synod Yet nevertheless this Synod taking to it self the cognizance thereof doth confirm that Judgment given by the said Commissioners in all its Articles and censureth the said Mr. Pejus for not acquiescing in it and enjoineth him to yield full satisfaction to it on pain of being suspended
Causes over to the Provinces to be finally decided by them CHAP. XX. General Matters Article 1. IT having been reported in this Assembly that the Magistrates in divers Places have commanded the Professors of our Religion to hang their Houses and light out Candles on that Festival that goes by the Name of the Holy Sacrament and that several Persons thrô a deplorable Infirmity have so much forgotten themselves as to observe an Ordinance which obliges their Consciences to yield unto the Creature that self-same Honour which is due unto the Creator This Assembly wanting Words with which it may express its just Grief and Resentment for such an inexcusable Cowardliness doth adjure the Consciences of those Persons who have fallen into Sins so repugnant unto true Piety by the Fear of the Living God by the Zeal of his Glory by the Bowels of his Mercy in the Son of his dearest Love and by that special Care the Faithful ought to have of their Salvation that they would revive their Zeal and shew themselves Loyal Followers of the Faith and Constancy of their Fathers and testify by their Perseverance in Well-doing the Sincerity and Soundness of their Repentance and of their Affection to the Service of God Moreover the Consistory of those Places where such Scandals do fall out is injoined to rebuke them with an holy Vigour who give such an evil Example and all Synods are to proceed against them with all Ecclesiastical Censures and if they be Pastors and Elders who by their Connivance and Dissimulation have or for the future may favour such Offenders they shall not only be suspended but deposed also from their Offices CHAP. XXI An Act for a Publick National Fast 2. FOrasmuch as after a most desolating Drought which hath reduced the greatest part of the Provinces of this Kingdom to an extream Famine the Hand of God lifted up against us is not yet called back but continueth to visit his People by contagious and mortal Diseases which have overspread the whole Land and are every day more and more growing upon us This National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France assembled by his Majesty's Permission at Charenton acknowledging that the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven and poured but upon the Face of the Earth because of the Ungodliness of Men and of the Impenitency and Hardness of their Hearts to prevent the dreadful Judgment of this great and righteous Judg who resisteth the Proud and giveth Grace unto the Humble and to turn away the Floods of his Vengeance and to excite the Bowels of his fatherly Compassions and to impetrate from his Divine Bounty the continuance of his gracious Favours for the Prosperity and Repose both of Church and State doth exhort all the Faithful to bring forth Fruits worthy of Repentance and to cast off the unfruitful Works of Darkness and to return unto the Lord with broken humble and contrite Hearts And to this purpose it ordaineth That a Fart shall be celebrated in all the Churches of this Kingdom the first Day of January next following which shall be signified by the publick reading of this present Act. 3. Forasmuch as divers Provinces have craved Advice how we shall proceed against those Persons who occasion scandalous Reports prejudicial to the Peace of the Church and may hereafter propound Terms of Accommodation by mingling and blending of both Religions into one This Assembly recommendeth unto all the Churches the observation of that Canon which was made two and thirty Years ago in the National Synod of Montpellier whose Tenour followeth Syn. Montpel gen mat v. Forasmuch as 't is the Duty of all the Faithful heartily to desire the Reunion of all the Subjects of this Kingdom into the Vnity of Paith for the greater Glory of God for the Salvation of millions Souls and the singular Repose of the Common-wealth yet because of our Sins this being a Matter rather of our Desires than Hopes and that under this Pretext divers profane Persons do openly attempt to blend and mingle both Religions together All Ministers shall admonish seriously their Flocks not in the least to hearken unto any such Notions 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 easy credulous Souls from the Belief and Profession of the Gospel And whoever attempts such a Reconciliation be it either by Word or Writing shall be most severely censured CHAP. XXII An Act in favour of the Lutheran Brethren 4. THE Province of Burgundy demanding Whether the Faithful of the Augustane Confession might be permitted to contract Marriages in our Churches and to present Children in our Churches unto Baptism without a precedaneous abjuration of those Opinions held by them contrary to the Belief of our Churches This Synod declareth That inasmuch as the Churches of the Confession of Ausbourg do agree with the other Reformed Churches in the principal and fundamental Points of the True Religion and that there is neither Superstition nor Idolatry in their Worship the Faithful of the said Confession who with a Spirit of Love and Peaceableness do join themselves to the Communion of our Churches in this Kingdom may be without any abjuration at all made by them admitted unto the Lord's Table with us and as Sureties may present Children unto Baptism they promising the Consistory that they will never sollicit them either directly or indirectly to transgress the Doctrine believed and professed in our Churches but will be content to instruct and educate them in those Points and Articles which are in common between us and them and wherein both the Lutherans and we are unanimously agreed 5. If any Persons shall be hereafter deputed unto the Court by the National Synods during their sitting they shall be accountable for all Monies received by them for the defraying their Expenses whether those Sums do arise from their respective Churches or from his Majesty's Liberality that so whatever good Monies come in clearly unto the Churches being remitted into their common Stock may be disbursed to their common Profit and Advantage by Order of these Synods 6. Whereas contrary to his Majesty's Royal Word given unto the Deputies of the National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1623 That Strangers employed in the Service of the Churches of this Kingdom should be continued those Reverend and Learned Pastors Mr. Martinius and S. Sharpius are commanded to depart the Province of Dolphiny The Lord Commissioner is intreated immediately to issue out Letters Patents that may effectually hinder the execution of those new Orders and that all Foreigners received into the Ministry among us both before that time and since may not in any wise be molested or obstructed in performance of the Duties of their Charge and Calling 7. The Lord Commissioner declaring that it was his Maiesty's Intention that for the future our National Synods should beheld in this Place and nowhere else This Assembly in
to those necessitous Flocks the most Sovereign Antidotes for the preservation of their precious Faith and of their precious and immortal Souls and like faithful workmen who having well nigh finished a great Building well laid in its Foundation and far advanced to the top of its perfection do account it absurd and dangerous to rake and dig about the Foundation Besides the sad example of our Neighbour Provinces who have suffered this Canker to fret into their Bowels should oblige us to keep this Poyson at the greatest distance from us For since we have once agreed and seriously and sincerely consented unto the Faith and Canons of the Holy Synod of Dort both by word of mouth and our own manual Subscription it seems to us that we cannot recede from it without offering a most notorious injury to all the Reformed Churches and particularly to those of the Netherlands who have been at vast expence and trouble to give us those clear lights into and those Pious and Judicious Decisions and Determinations of these very Controversies and 't is a great unkindness in us to thwart and cross them by our contradictions and to assault and batter their Buttresses and Foundations The first essay and attempt of this nature was about those Opinions which like some certain Simples and Drugs are more wholsome when taken in the Mass than when they be minced and subtilized by Discourses Distinctions and Disputes which deprive them of all respect and enfeeble their Virtue for the instruction and comfort of the Soul and rob God of the greatest part of his Rights Glory and Adoration and do corrode mortally producing endless debates and strifes in no wise edifying but hugely embarrassing the Conscience to the disturbance of its peace polluting the heart by rash Judgments and Discourses about these deep and abstruse points and cause it to despise and reject that saving Grace of God which he would have us accept and entertain at the very first sight and tender thereof Moreover we are very much astonished and our dear Brethren of Switzerland are also extreamly offended that the Names of the greatest Doctors of our Churches have been used for the defence of these Novelties And would Charity suffer it we should believe that they were persons not in the least to be credited because the Novelists do impute and tax them with a very great inconstancy in their Doctrine the contrary whereunto notwithstanding their pretended Allegations out of them for their darling Opinions is Universally known and their different Sentiments from these new Dogmes will clearly and sufficiently justifie them before the whole World However we were somewhat comforted in our Spirits by the Advice given us That these upstarted Opinions were not at so great a distance from the Truth as was first reported nor estranged from that Center of Union in the Churches as the terms in which they were couched at their first publick appearance did represent and for that several persons of Eminent Piety had used their best endeavours to quench this Sparkle before it grew into a Flame and the Dread and Reverence born your then approaching Assembly hath happily contributed to the Reduction and Establishment of the Principal Truth And we give due Praises unto those Worthy Persons who first sounded the Alarm and marched forth against these Tenents as also unto those who brought the Waters of Moderation to extinguish the fire of this Controversy and who in the dressing of this Wound applied proper Lenitives whereby they qualified and removed the most dangerous Symptoms reserving for the more powerful hand of your Supreme and Venerable Assembly the total extinction of this fire-brand and the perfect cure of this Malady And we beseech you to exert your full Authority in and about these matters saving all that lieth in your power regaining what is lost retaining Truth and Love as much as is possible without violencing your own Integrity without degenerating into any dangerous Connivency and speedily and solidly repairing the Breach which otherwise the common Adversaries will not fail to keep open and come in upon you to your utter Destruction And tho' we very well know that your Wisdoms will not be wanting to suggest prudent Advice and Counsel and to prescribe wholsome Remedies yet we take upon us the boldness to acquaint you that forasmuch as these questions have been moved without occasion or necessity and that it will be very hazardous to let them be spread abroad to the scandal of the World to the raising of Disputes and Controversies among your selves and to the exasperating of Spirits who will be exceedingly moved and imbittered by a formal condemnation of them especially sith they have been along time revolved in their most secret thoughts by those who yet protest that in the bottom of this business they consent with you and sith they be persons who are at present and may be hereafter serviceable unto the Church of God we conceive the safest and most inoffensive Remedy that you can use will be this To enjoyn all the Churches and Universities to be wholly silent and that neither from the Pulpit nor Press any of these new Doctrines be broached nor vended And farther to Decree That when occasionally these matters shall come to be debated that all persons do keep themselves to the simplicity of our Confessions and to the Canons concluded and made in the Renowned Synod of Dort without mingling with them these new Hypotheses Phrases and Distinctions And so doing you will calm the now troubled Spirits and you will dispose them to a perfect cure and to joyn in with you in a full and uniform consent and divert them from gazing on an Object whose sparkling Lustre would attract their Affections and make them addict themselves unto others far more profitable and edifying A Puissant Neighbour Commonwealth did very happily fleer this course whenas divers years ago they were troubled with such Alterations and Scruples raised on the like points which were degenerating into profaneness and would have raised Factions and Confusions in the State and Schism in the Church This evil was nipp'd in the Bud and the Wound healed as soon as given by the sole interdiction of any farther Disputes and to prevent such dangers in time to come we conceive it very needful that you Establish if you have not done it already an Ordinary Super-Intendant over your Universities for 't is in those Schools of Learning where Leisure and the Pleasures of Speculation Variety of Reading and curious Inquiries into matters out of the common Road and the bait of Singularity do transport great Wits with too much facileness after these Novelties which how tolerable soever they may seem to be in Discourse and Conference with Learned and Accomplish'd Men yet ought not at any time to be published nor thrown into the minds of young Students who are to be dealt with all after another way to wit by a more careful instilling into them the choisest and soundest
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 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
acquaint the United Brethren what Entertainment and Acceptance the Reading of it had with their respective Assemblies which was done accordingly and to general satisfaction And because the Reader of the Acts of this Third National Synod of the Reformed Churches in France held at Charenton may not have seen and may be desirous to see what this Syncretism was between those Brethren in England I have here inserted them from my own Manuscript and printed Copies CHAP. XIII Heads of Agreement Assented to by the United Ministers in and about London formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational Preface to the Reader ENdeavours for an Agreement among Christians will be grievous to none who desire the flourishing State of Christianity it self the success of these Attempts among us must be ascribed to a presence of God so signal as not to be concealed and seems a hopeful pledge of further Blessings The favour of our Rulers in the present established Liberty we most thankfully acknowledge and to them we are studious to approve our selves in the whole of this Affair therefore we declare against any intermedling with the National Church-Form Imposing these Terms of Agreement on others is disclaimed All pretence to Coercive Power is as unsuitable to our Principles as to our Circumstances Excommunication it self in our respective Churches being no other than a declaring such Scandalous Members as are irreclaimable to be incapable of Communion with us in things peculiar to visible Believers And in all we expressly determine our purpose to the maintaining of Harmony and Love among our Selves and preventing the inconveniences which Human Weakness may expose to in our use of this Liberty The General Concurrence of Ministers and People in this City and the great Disposition thereto in other Places persuade us this happy work is undertaken in a Season designed for such divine Influence as will overcome all Impediments to Peace and convince of that Agreement which has been always among us in a good degree though neither to our Selves nor others so evident as hereby it is now acknowledged Need there any Arguments to recommend this Vnion Is not this what we all have Prayed for and Providence by the directest Indications hath been long Calling and Disposing us to Can either Zeal for God or Prudent Regards to our Selves remisly suggest it seeing the Blessings thereof are so important and when it s become in so many respects even absolutely necessary especially as it may conduce to the Preservation of the Protestant Religion and the Kingdoms Weal a Subserviency whereto shall always govern our Vnited abilities with the same disposition to a concurrence with all others who are duly concerned for those National Blessings As these considerations render this Agreement desirable so they equally urge a watchful care against all Attempts of Satan to dissolve it or frustrate the good effects thereof so manifestly destructive to his Kingdom Therefore it's incumbent on us to forbear Condemning and Disputing those different Sentiments and Practices we have expresly allowed for to reduce all distinguishing Names to that of United Brethren to admit no Vncharitable Jealousies or Censorious Speeches much less any Debates whether Party seems most favoured by this Agreement Such Carnal regards are of small moment with us who herein have used Words less accurate that neither side might in their various Conceptions about lesser matters be contradicted when in all substantials we are fully of one Mind and from this time hope more perfectly to rejoyce in the Honour Gifts and Success of each other as our common good That we as Vnited may contribute our utmost to the great Concernments of our Redeemer it 's mutually resolved we will assist each other with our Labours and meet and consult without the least shadow of separate or distinct Parties Whence we joyfully expect great Improvements in Light and Love through the more abundant supplies of the Spirit being well assured we herein serve that Prince of Peace of the increase of whole Government and Peace there shall be no end HEADS of AGREEMENT These following Heads of Agreement have been resolved upon by the United Ministers in and about London formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational not as a Measure for any National Constitution but for the Preservation of Order in our Congregations that cannot come up to the common Rule by Law Established 1. Of Churches and Church-Members 1. We acknowledg our Lord Jesus Christ to have one Catholick Church or Kingdom comprehending all that are united to him whether in Heaven or Earth And do conceive the whole Multitude of Visible Belieers and their Infant Seed commonly called the Catholick Visible Church to belong to Christ's Spiritual Kingdom in this World But for the notion of a Catholick Visible Church here as it signifies its having been collected into any formed Society under a visible human Head on Earth whether one Person singly or many collectively we with the rest of Protestants unanimously disclaim it 2. We agree that particular Societies of Visible Saints who under Christ their Head are statedly joyned together for ordinary Communion with one another in all the Ordinances of Christ are particular Churches and are to be owned by each other as Instituted Churches of Christ tho differing in apprehensions and practice in some lesser things 3. That none shall be admitted as Members in Order to Communion in all the special Ordinances of the Gospel but such Persons as are knowing and sound in the Fundamental Doctrins of the Christian Religion without scandal in their Lives and have a Judgment regulated by the Word of God and are Persons of visible Godliness and Honesty credibly professing cordial Subjection to Jesus Christ 4. A competent number of such visible Saints as before described do become the capable Subjects of stated Communion in all the special Ordinances of Christ upon their mutual declared Consent and Agreement to walk together therein according to Gospel Rule In which Declaration different degrees of Explicitness shall no way hinder such Churches from owning each other as Instituted Churches 5. Tho parochial bounds be not of Divine Right yet for common Edification the Members of a particular Church ought as much as conveniently may be to live near one another 6. That each particular Church hath right to chuse their own Officers and being furnished with such as are duly qualified and ordained according to the Gospel Rule hath authority from Christ for exercising Government and of enjoying all the Ordinances of Worship within it self 7. In the Administration of Church Power it belongs to the Pastors and other Elders of every particular Church if such there be to rule and govern and to the Brotherhood to consent according to the Rule of the Gospel 8. That all Professors as before described are bound in duty as they have opportunity to joyn themselves as fixed Members of some particular Church their thus joyning being part of their professed Subjection to the Gospel of Christ and are instituted means of
Thursday and part of the Day following When the said de la Milletiere importunately demanding that now in his turn he might oppose and produce the Arguments in defence of his Opinions confirmed as he pretended by the Council of Trent tho this was far wide from what he at first requested yet was it freely granted him And he having continued Writing till Evening and for that it was needful he should be answered Monsieur Amyraud spent a great part of the Fryday night and of the Saturday Morning in making a Reply unto him Whereupon the said de la Milletiere finding that the time allotted him was expired the Fryday Evening he came and demanded a longer time for continuing the Conference Which the Synod did once more refuse him especially because that he had fully opened his Intentions and in formal Words declared that by that Writing subscribed with his own Hand he never promised to submit his Doctrin but Himself and Person to the Judgment of the Assembly who taking as in truth they could not but take this distinction such an one as it was in any other Sense than a notorious Scorn of their Just and Charitable Endeavours for his Eternal Welfare They told him plainly that neither they nor any of their Commissioners would waste a moment more of their precious time about him and adjured him by the Mouth of the Sieur Garrissoles their Moderator to give Glory unto God and to relinquish his most impious Designs and added farther that they did as the National Synod of Alanson had done before them declare that for divers Years past he was not to be reputed a Member of our Reformed Churches After which the said de la Milletiere demanded a Copy of the Conference collation'd with the Original and Sign'd by Monsieur Amyraud and the Two other Commissioners that he might make such Reflections on it as he thought best which was readily accorded him by the Synod But before the said Copy was finished on Monday the 23d of January the said de la Milletiere accompanied with one de Nardeau Huisser des Eaux Forests de France Overseer of the Waters and Forests of France living at Paris came unto Charenton and applying himself to Monsieur Blondel one of the Scribes delivered to him by the Hands of the said Nardeau an Act subscribed with his own Hand summoning the Synod to cause the said Conference began at Charenton by their Commissioners whom he all accused but especially Monsieur Amyraud of Ignorance and False Dealing to be continued in Paris And Secondly in case of Refusal that then they consign unto them the Acts signed by the said Commissioners that he might examine them at his leisure and pleasure Which said Summons being brought in and reported to the Synod by Monsieur Blondel a Vote past that Copies of those Acts Collationed and Subscribed by the said Commissioners and by Monsieur Amyraud should be delivered unto the said de la Milletiere according to his desire And that Monsieur Amyraud should be in readiness to refute him in case he should attempt as he threatned to make any further opposition by his Scribbles against that sound and saving Doctrin of Justification professed in all the Protestant Churches And whereas by these last actings of his the said de la Milletiere hath discovered himself to be immovably fixed in his Designs of impugning the Truth professed in all the Churches of this Kingdom which he now treateth as his avowed Adversaries and that for these Twelve Years last past notwithstanding all Admonitions and Remonstrances made him he hath wholly estranged himself from our Communion altho he hath frequently assisted at the Sermons which have been during all that time and still are Preached at Charenton This Synod confirming the Decree of the last National Synod held at Alanson in the Year 1637. doth now ordain that on the next Lord's Day being the Nine and Twentieth of this Instant January after the Morning Sermon is ended and before the last Prayer is poured out before God the said Sieur de la Milletiere shall be denounced by the Pastor from the Polpit in the Face of the whole publick Assembly an Excommunicate Person and cut off from the Body of our Reformed Churches and not at all to be reputed a Member of them A Copy of the Act of Excommunication to be Published the 29th of January 1645. against the Sieur De la Milletiere Most dear Brethren YOV have seen with very much Regret how Theophilus Brachet Sieur de la Milletiere hath made it his business for several Years by his Publick Writings to combat the Faith professed in all our Churches and you have been a long time grieved in your Souls for his scandalous Actings and Proceedings which are directly contrary to the bounden Duty of a Person educated from his Cradle in the knowledge and profession of the True Religion now utterly despised by him He had rather abound in his own Sense and suffer himself to be seduced by his own Prejudices than yield the least tittle of Deference and Respect unto those Remonstrances and Admonitions which the Christian Charity of the Consistory of this Church did in the first place make him and which were again and again repeated to him by the express Order of the National Synod of Alanson held in the Year 1637. and with this particular Clause That in case he did not return unto himself and give Glory unto God within the space of Six Months by renouncing of his corrupt Opinions and desisting from his sinful Practices that he should be no more owned nor acknowledged for a Member of our Reformed Churches those just and needful Admonitions having wrought no Impressions upon his Heart nor hitherto produced their long desired and much expected Fruit and Effect but that he is since the more hardened obstinate and inexcusable The National Synod of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom which is now breaking up in this place desirous to apply a proper Remedy to so long a continued Scandal and as much as in it lieth to procure your Edification doth now ratisie and confirm that Decree of the former Assembly held at Alanson and declareth to you by our Mouth that the said Sieur De la Milletiere who hath been for Ten Years together suspended from the Lord's Table and Communion with the Church of God in that most holy Sacrament and hath been ever since the Year 1638. cut off from the Number of the Faithful of our Confession ought not any longer to be reckon'd or reputed by you as a Member of the Reformed Amen This very Act was accordingly pronounced at the Close of the Morning Sermon upon the Lord's Day January 29. 1645. by Mr. Theophilus Rossel Pastor of the Church of Xaintes in the Church of Charenton before that great and numerous Congregation ARTICLE II. The Petition of Monsieur du Mais upon the account of his Services unto the Churches of Auvergne is dismissed over to the Province
hath been by some Persons misinterpreted and that therefore they would be pleased to explain their Sense and Intentions of it This Assembly did explain it self thus That by those grievous Crimes and Accusations whereof there is mention made in their Act they understood all matters whatsoever relating to the Purity of Life and Conversation of the said Monsieur Morus of all which he was absolutely judged innocent And as to those other points whereof he was impeached as some sharp Words spoken or written against his Brethren the Assembly declareth that the Remonstrances and Counsels were given him upon this account and which having been accepted by him he was also in this respect absolved and Discharged 20. Monsieur Plassay formerly Pastor of the Church of Niort presented himself to this Assembly complaining that the last Synod of Poictou held at Fontenay le Conte had suspended him without any lawful cause from his Ministry and for that a Committee of that Synod did in pursuance of that Suspension most unjustly depose him notwithstanding the Appeal which he had brought against his Suspension and he petitioned that he might be restored with Honour unto the Exercise of his Office There joyned with him in this his Complaint and Petition the Sieurs Bellebat and Tristan Deputies of the Heads of Families in the said Church of Niort and requested that he might be restored and continued in his Ministry among them as was more amply specified in their Appeal from the Decrees of their Provincial Synods held at Lusignan in the Year 1657 and at Fontenay aforesaid in the Year 1658. Monsieur de la Place Deputed by a certain number of the Elders of that Church was heard opposing the Demand both of the said Monsieur Plassay and of those two before-mentioned Deputies and craved a Confirmation of the Decrees of those Synods and of their Committee and complained that the Conversation of the said Monsieur Plassay did render him unworthy to be received into the Holy Ministry The Deputies of the Province of Poictou were heard also speak whatsoever they thought meet on this occasion And the Report of the Committee being made and Letters and Acts concerning this affair being read the Assembly judged that those who opposed the continuance of Monsieur Plassay in his Ministry to the Church of Niort are worthy to be Censured because they have testified too much bitterness and passion against the said Mr. Plassay as also for that they did not express that tender care which they ought unto the Edification of the Church of Niort who professed that they were very well satisfied with his Ministry opposing themselves to the sense and sentiment of the People and this too in ways diametrically opposite to Christian Charity and the Discipline practised in our Churches Moreover the Assembly judged the Province of Poictou to have deserved Censure for having in the said Synod of Fontenay removed Mr. de Coignac from the said Church of Niort without any cause alledged as they did also the Sieur de Plassay from it without hearing either him or the said Church and for that they suspended him from his Ministry with very much precipitancy without any reason assigned by the said Synod yea and without so much as citing him to appear before them And it injoyneth the said Synod to abstain from such Proceedings as these for the future And as for those Inhabitants in whose Names the Sieurs de Bellebut and Tristan have here appeared this Assembly disapproving their Rebellion to the Orders and Canons of our Ecclesiastical Assemblies to which all Church-Members owe Submission and Obedience and those extraordinary courses they have taken on several occasions by which they have violated the order of our Discipline and that Reverence which they were bound to pay unto their Superiors and more especially for that to redress their grievance they did contrary to the Canons of our National Synods apply themselves unto Secular Judges to the Civil Magistrates which very fact of theirs is expresly forbidden by our Discipline whereas they should have contented themselves with their Appeal unto the Superiour Assemblies which were allowed them and therefore these have incurred the sharpest Censures And whereas Monsieur Plassay hath been found by this Assembly deeply ingaged in the most violent proceedings of those Inhabitants before-mentioned and among the rest in that undue recourse unto Secular Judges and that he is convicted of Rebellion against our Church Discipline having exercised the functions of his Ministry after that he was suspended and deposed directly contrary to our Canons a fact in it self so heinous that it deserveth the severest and utmost Censure This Assembly cannot but condemn these Actings of the said Mr. Plassay although 't is evident he persisted but a very little while in his Rebellion and that he hath forborn the Exercise of his Ministry for about Fourteen Months or thereabout and yet being desirous to support him it Decreeth that he shall be sharply censured and reproved but that the Sentence of Deposition inflicted on him shall be taken off and that he shall be restored unto the Exercise of his Ministry but with this restriction that he do not for Three Months time perform any of the duties thereof which term being expired he shall enter again upon them in the said Church of Niort and in which this Assembly doth confirm and settle him exhorting him to employ himself with the greatest care and diligence that is possible and to look more narrowly unto his ways and deportments and to shew forth that gravity which becometh his Calling and Profession and to seek after their Friendship who may be averse to him And finally as to Monsieur de Coignac this Assembly confirms him also in the said Church of Niort and could do no less considering what it oweth unto his Age and Merit And that this present Ordinance may be notified unto the said Church the Sieurs Marchand and de la Forest Pastors and the Sieurs de Thiac and de Courcelles Elders in the Province of Xaintonge are charged to visit that City and to endeavour the Peace of that Church and to reconcile those particular Members of it which are at variance one with another and these Deputies together with Mr. de Plassay are intreated to do their utmost for the effecting of this good work and that in the mean while in the presence of this Assembly they do give mutually to each the Right Hand of Reconciliation The business of Monsieur Amyraut and D'Huisseau 21. The Sieur D'Huisseau Pastor accompanied with the Sieurs de Haumont Benoist and Favre did Petition for themselves and on behalf of other the Heads of Families in the Church of Saumur that Monsieur d'Huisseau might be confirmed in his Ministry unto the said Church they Appealed also from the Decrees of the First Synod held at Beauge in the Year 1656 and at Saumur in the Year 1657 and at Previlli in the Year 1658 and from the
wronged Party shall produce before the Consistory and then the Consistory shall declare unto him that Liberty which God in his holy Word hath given him But in regard of our present difficulties the Ministers of this Kingdom are advised not to re-marry the said Parties to whom this Liberty of providing themselves elsewhere hath been granted And as for the Delinquent Party there shall be very great and mature Deliberation used before she have any Liberty at all allowed Her CAN. XXX If it should fall out that after Marriage-Promises have past and before its accomplishment a betrothed Woman be found to have played the Whore either before or after the said Promises and that it was unknown to him who had promised her Marriage a definitive Sentence being given by the Magistrate upon it the Consistory may proceed to bless a new Marriage And the betrothed Woman shall have the same Liberty if it be found that her betrothed Husband had committed Fornication after he had made her Promises of Marriage CAN. XXXI Women whose Husbands are gone away and have absented themselves a long time about Mercantile affairs or for other Causes if they demand Licence to be Married again they shall have recourse unto the Civil Magistrate CAN. XXXII As for the Wives of Priests and Monks who turn Apostates and return unto their old Idolatry chanting Masses or re-entring into their Cells from which they had formerly departed they shall be admonished not to cohabit with their said Husbands during their Apostasie that God's Ordinance of Marriage may not be loaden with reproach and infamy nor may they marry any other until such time as their first Marriage shall be dissolved by the Civil Magistrate CHAP. XIV Chap. XIV Of Particular Orders Of particular Orders and Advertisements CANON I. NO Person shall be received into Communion with the Church till such time as be have first publickly renounced all the Superstitions and Idolatries of the Romish Church and in particular the Mass CAN. II. No godly Man shall be allowed to intermeddle with any matters conjoined with Idolatry such as those they call the Baisemains or Le Dedans de Leglise nor to cause Masses and Vigils to be said nor to ordain Monks who be solely ordained to this purpose But to hold Priories Revenues Rents Chanteries and Tithes and to pay the profits of them unto the Popish Ecclesiasticks for as much as they be Temporal Lords it is a thing indifferent and they that will do it may take their Liberty Nevertheless the Faithful shall be advised not to intermeddle with these matters if they find any abuses in them or an appearance of evil Consequences of all which Consistories and Colloquies shall pass a prudent judgment CAN. III. Such as by unlawful means as by Papal Bulls or a sum of money shall buy or hold Benefices or such as in like manner shall directly or indirectly maintain Idolatry shall be denounced Persons utterly unworthy of Communion with our Churches in the holy Supper of the Lord nor shall they be admitted to it And as for Benefices of which any one may have an Advowsonage whether by Presentation from the Lord of the Mannor a Lay-Patron or by the Bishops Gift the Faithful are advised not to accept of them though tender'd to them if there be a tacit or express condition of any service to be performed unto the Idol CAN. IV. Printers Booksellers Painters and other Artificers and in general all the Faithful and particularly such as bear Office in the Church shall be admonished that they do not in the least act any thing in their Calling that tends directly to countenance the Superstitions of the Church of Rome and as for secret Acts and the Censure incurred by them their judgment is left unto the Consistory CAN. V. Notaries Scrivenors and others who by the Duty of their Callings are obliged to sign and seal indifferently all matters which are brought unto them they shall not be censured for receiving Testaments passing Contracts and expediting Letters which concern Idolatry nor Judges for their judging Causes concerning Ecclesiastical Estates and the Execution of the Edict CAN. VI. Arbitrators shall not in any manner of way intermeddle with things which concern Idolatry either directly or indirectly CAN. VII Neither Counsellors nor Attorneys at Law shall plead in those Causes which tend to the suppression of the Ministry of the Gospel or to the setting up of Mass nor shall they in any manner of way whatsoever be allowed to give their advice or assistance unto the Romish Churchmen in those Causes which do either directly or indirectly tend unto the oppression of a Reformed Church CAN. VIII Neither Bishops nor Officials nor Arch-Deacons as they be now Constituted have of right any Civil or Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction However because the Faithful are sometimes constrained to appear before them for obtaining their own just dues which otherwise would be detained from them in case they he turned over to them by the Civil Magistrate to whom they shall first make their applications they may warrantably enough have recourse unto them CAN. IX Godly Advocates ought not in any wise to plead in the Officials-Court unless in those Cases in which they be necessitated to prosecute the right of their Clients before them according to the last foregoing Canon CAN. X. It is not in it self unlawful to exercise civil Jurisdictions as to act as Attorneys for and under Ecclesiastical Persons unless in such Cases which they call spiritual CAN. XI The Faithful may not take out or cause to be Executed any Monitory or Writ of Excommunication from the Church of Rome CAN. XII Forasmuch as it is neither lawful not expedient to heat the Popish Preachers nor any others who have intruded themselves without a lawful Call the Flocks shall be hindred by their Pastors from going to them and such as shall go they shall be called into the Consistory and Censured according to the nature of their offence CAN. XIII Lords Gentlemen and others shall be admonished according to the Discipline of our Church not to entertain in their Houses any scandalous or incorrigible Persons and above all that they do not suffer any Priests to sing Mass or to dogmatize and debauch their Domesticks nor shall they admit of any such again into their service if they have once discarded them CAN. XIV Fathers and Mothers shall be exhorted to be very careful of their Childrens Education which are the Seed-Plot and promising hopes of God's Church And therefore such as send them to School to be taught by Priests Monks Jesuits and Nuns they shall be prosecuted with all Church-Censures Those also shall be Censured who dispose of their Children to be Pages or Servant unto Lords and Gentlemen of the contrary Religion CAN. XV. They whose Brethren Sisters or other Kindred have quitted their Monasteries to serve God in liberty of Conscience shall be exhorted to relieve them and to provide for them according to the duties
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
Observations on reading the Acts of the National Synod of ALEZ 1 WHereas in their Reflections on our Ecclesiastical Discipline the said Synod of Alez had enjoyned all the Provinces to see that the Twelfth Canon in the First Chapter of the Discipline concerning Catechising should be strictly observed This Assembly repeats the same injunction and chargeth the Provincial Synods to make report unto the next National Synod whether this Canon hath been carefully observed or not 2. And as the said National Synod of Alez so doth this also Decree and Enioyn all Consistories to read that Canon made at Privas about Moderation in the habits of Pastors and their Families and it doth enjoyn all Colloquies and Synods to put forth their helping hand for its better observance and to see that all Consistories do read it once a year in their Assemblies and to make report hereof unto the next National Synod 3. On that Canon of the same Synod injoyning Pastors to deliver the Cup as well as the Bread at the Lords Table Divers Provinces requesting that those words As much as may be which had been razed out by the Synod of Alez from the Ninth Canon of the Twelfth Chapter of our Discipline might be again restored This Assembly considering that the far greatest part of the Churches in this Kingdom do conforme themselves unto that Canon of the said Synod and that very many Churches both abroad and at home have since acquiesced in it that also such an observation as this contributes more to the Dignity and Reverence of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and tends very much unto the Edification of the Communicants therefore doth it injoyne all the Churches to observe most uniformely that Canon of the said Synod of Alez CHAP. VII Reflections on their Observations passed upon the Acts of the Notional Synod of VITRE 4 THat Canon prohibiting Ministers intermedling with State-Matters in their Pulpits and Sermons framed by the Synod of Vitre and reinforced by that of Alez shall be read in their Consistories and all Provincial Synods are expresly charged to see that it be put in Execution and to bring good proof of their Obedience Care and Diligence as to its observation unto the next National Synod 5. On that Canon commanding Pastors to reside in their Churches This Assembly decreed that after the Twelfth Canon in the First Chapter of our Church-Discipline there shall be this immediately inserted All Ministers shall actually reside in their Churches on pain of being Deposed from their Ministerial Office CHAP. VIII On the Chapter of APPEALS This Codur Apostatized afterward in his Old Age and was therefore Deposed by the Synod of Loudun 1659 6 WHEN as that Canon was read concerning the Church of Ganges and Monsieur Codur formerly Pastor of it The Assembly understanding by the Provincial Deputies of Sevennes that the said Province could not in all this time provide a Church for the said Codur It doth now decree that the said Province shall present him unto one between this and their next Synod and in case of their neglect the said Codur is injoyned to wait upon the Synod of Dolphiny which is ordered by this Assembly to assign him a particular Church where he may profitably imploy himself in the Ministry and not rust in Idleness See of this Tuffan Syn. of Alez Appeal 63. and the Roll of Apost in the second Synod of Charenton 7. The Canon concerning the Church of St. Laurence and Monsieur Tuffan their late Pastor suspended by the Synod of Alez and whose Suspension was prolonged till the sitting of this Synod but under this condition that he might be restored unto his Ministerial Office if so be the calling of this National Synod had been deferred for any longer time This Assembly being informed by the Deputies of Lower Languedoc that the said Tuffan hath ever since his suspension demeaned himself with very much Humility and Modesty and suffered very great hardships in the late troubles for which reasons he had been restored unto his Office in the last Synod held at Vsez according as it had pleased the aforesaid Synod of Alez to concede it had the said Province then and there received the News of the Calling of this Assembly Wherefore this Assembly approving fully the Decree of the Synod at Vsez and confirming the said Tuffan again in his Ministry doth overlook that Formality omitted by the said Synod which should have tarried till the time prescribed by the Synod of Alez were totally expired and farther it doth mitigate the rigour of the Canon of that Synod and permits the Synod of Lower Languedoc to assign unto the said Tuffan a particular Church in the Colloquy of Nismes or any one near unto it but still with the consent of the said Colloquy CHAP. IX On the Chapter of GENERAL MATTERS 8 THAT Canon concerning Attestations given unto Proposans shall be read in Consistories Colloquies and in all University Councils and the Provincial Synods shall so exert their Power that it be most strictly observed 9. That Canon about Means and Maintenance for our Ministers and the keeping up of the Holy Ministry shall be read in all Consistories which are exhorted to procure its Execution and Observation as much as in them lyeth 10. On those words in the form of Excommunication In the Name and by the Authority of our â—ord Jesus and by the Authority of the Pastors and Elders assembled in Colloquy and of the Consistory of this Church The Provinces of Anjou and Poictou demanded whether a particular Consistory might not proceed to Excommunication without the advice and consent of the Colloquy This Synod judged according to our Church Discipline that Consistories might warrantably do it provided there were no Appeal Yet nevertheless because of the great importance of this Action the Consistories are exhorted to get it strengthened by and with the Approbation of the Colloquy at least with the advice of the Neighbour-Pastors if it may be had 11. The Province of Berry requesting that the said Forme might be inserted into the Body of our Discipline and that another Forme might be drawn up to be joyned with it for the Restauration of a Penitent Excommunicate The Synod leaving it to the prudence of Ministers and Consistories to use such a Form in the Reception of Penitent Excommunicates as they shall judge most convenient for Places and Persons ordaineth that the aforesaid Form of Excommunication shall be incorporated with our Discipline and placed immediately after the Seventeenth Canon of the Fifth Chapter and those words which before concluded it shall be razed out viz. Vsing this or any other Form as shall be advised by the Consistory Instead whereof shall be inserted these My Brethren this is the Fourth time c. CHAP. X. On the Chapter of PARTICULAR MATTERS 12 ON that Canon about composing an History of the Albingenses This Assembly having been well informed of the Learning and Abilities of the Sieur du
Tilloy Pastor in the Church of Sedan decreeth that he be intreated to write the said History and the Provinces are exhorted to send him whatever Memoirs they have on this Subject 13. On that Canon concerning Monsieur Pilotis the Deputies of Sevennes requesting that he might be reimburst the losses which he had heretofore suffered in the Service of our Churches This Assembly agreeing with the Synod of Alez hath answered that the Moneys attributed unto the Churches can not be diverted unto other uses 14. That Canon condemning the Province of Higher Languedoc to make restitution of the Summ of Five Hundred Livres unto that of the Isle of France the Province of Languedoc requesting that it might be discharged from paying the Two Hundred Livres which yet rest due This Assembly judged that it ought not to change a Tittle in the said Canon and that the said Province should apply it self unto that of the Isle of France to whose Charity they be recommended 15. On the next Canon concerning Monsieur Richer this Assembly having seen the Judgment of the Consistory of Saumur Deputed to clear up his Accounts doth confirm the said Judgment yet nevertheless it intreateth the Province of the Isle of France to deal charitably with the said Richer according to the Canon of the Synod of Alez and the advice of the Consistory of Saumur 16. The reading of particular Matters being over it was observed that divers Provinces though they were ordered by the foregoing Synod to execute several Canons yet had not brought with them any proof of their care and diligence in so doing The Synod therefore ordained that for the future the Provincial Deputies should produce the Acts of their Provincial Synods and other needful Evidence of their having performed the Matters which were injoyned them CHAP. XI On the Chapter of Colledges and Universities 17 THE Synod of Anjou petitioned that the Fourth Canon concerning Professors of Divinity and the Hebrew Tongue who are Ministers to be reputed Pastors of that Church wherein the University is seated might be explained This Synod confirming the decree of Alez declareth this to be the sence and meaning of it That the Churches are not obliged to give them Wages nor imploy them in such frequent services as their ordinary Pastors but leaveth it to die prudence and discretion of Consistories to agree with the said Professors about their work and maintenance as they shall judge most consonant to reason and equity 18. In that Fifth Canon by which the Province of Higher Languedoc is censured after those words And for not having observed all the Formalities required by the Discipline in the reception of the said Monsieur Beraud into the Professors Chair of Divinity shall be added these following When as the said Sieur Beraud had submitted himself unto the most Rigorons Examen even as the Deputies themselves of that very self-same Province had attested 19. On the Eleventh Canon which had setled the Colledge of the Province of Sevennes in the Town of Anduze by provision only till the meeting of this present Synod This Assembly ordaineth that since by their silence both that Province and the City of Alez do seem to consent unto it things shall continue in that Estate in which they are at present 20. Reading that Article about bringing in the Accompts of our Colledges and Universities Monsieur Basnage and le Clerk Pastors and Du Port and du Four Elders were constituted a Committee to examine all such Accompts CHAP. XII Observations on the Chapter of General Laws for our Universities 21 THE Synod after Debate had of what Classick Authors should be read in Schools doth order all Tutors and Regents of the Lower Classes on every Saturday to read unto their Scholars a Section of the greater Catechisme either in French Latin or Greek according to their Capacities and to cause them to get it by heart and to give them a plain and familiar Exposition of it CHAP. XIII Appeals unto this National Synod of CHARENTON 1 WHereas the Church of Mesnil-Imbert appealeth from the Sentence of the Synod of Normandy which had ordained that the said Church should be joyned to that of Falaise The Deputies of that Province being heard they did declare that they had no notice nor intimation given them of this Appeal till this very moment and Monsieur de Beaufiel Deputy for the said Church being heard praying that they might be joyned unto that of Orbec This Synod injoyneth the Province of Normandy to procure the re-union of the Church of Mesnill-Imbert with that of Falaise and in case that the said Church of Mesnill will not consent unto this re-union then to conjoyn them with that of Orbec And the Province shall annex that of Falaise unto such a Church as will with the greatest ease and readiness admit of it and in the mean while the said Churches shall be served by the Neighbour Ministers according to the Ordinance of their last Provincial Synod 2. Monsieur Belon Pastor of the Church of Gevaudan in the Lower Guyenne appealed from the Judgment of the Synod of Higher Languedoc which had declared that the Church of Montauban should not give him any recompence for his labours among them during the time of his Retreat and Sojourning in it The Synod ordaineth that the Judgment of the Province shall hold good 3. An Elder of the Church at St. Savinian appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Xaintonge which had set Monsieur des Oullieres at liberty so that he might joyn himself unto the Church of Tailleburg and contribute towards the Ministry there This Synod for divers reasons doth reserve to it self the cognisance of this Matter and reforms the said Sentence and confirmeth that of the Colloquy of St. John d' Angely held at Jarnac the Two and Twentieth day of April last 4. The Lord of Lodde together with the Consistories of the Churches of Treviers and Collumbieres appealed from the Decrees of divers Colloquies and Synods held within the Province of Normandy which had assigned the Pension given by the Lady of La Hay du Puy for the maintenance of a Proposan in Divinity unto the Son of Monsieur Basnage who had not as yet attained unto that Degree The Synod being not in a capacity to judge of this Affair because the Acts and Evidences necessary to be perused before a judgment can be given on it are not produced hath left it to the Consistory of the Church of Paris finally to dâ—â—ermâ—nâ— it within one Moneths space after the breaking up of this Synod And the said Province is ordered to send that Act of the said Ladies gift and the resolutions of the Colloquies and Synods thereupon thither unto that Church of Paris that so they may judge of it by the Authority of this Synod And whereas Monsieur Basnage declared that he would decline acceptance of the said gift the Synod confirming the payments which have been already made ordaineth that for the future no Money shall
have suffered us to have finished what we had begun since we had entred upon it But contrariwise we were censur'd by them and they rejected our Call of Monsieur Daillé without ever giving us any reason for it This most honoured Sirs did exceedingly astonish us and is very bitter to us that after so many Travels we should be blamed for that Action of which we protest before God Angels and your Holy Assembly we had none other end than the Glory of God and the Advancement of his Kingdom nor durst we believe that our Synod could have been guilty of such an Excess unless the Interests and Pretensions of some particular Persons had not been predominant For we are not convinced of having violated any Canon of our Church-Discipline whereas on the contrary those Gentlemen under the pretext of establishing it do sap and undermine its very Foundations For the Discipline having prudently ordained that no Church may call a Pastor from another Province till it have first communicated it unto the Provincial Synod hath thereby provided for two things first For the publick Edification of our Churches and for the maintaining of an holy Union between all the Churches of this Kingdom it doth permit a Church to chuse and call a Pastor to it from out of another Province And if this be permitted unto all the Churches and many of them have made use of this Priviledg it ought more especially be allow'd unto this Church of Paris whose Importance is sufficiently known This hath been our practice ever unto this day nor till now was it contradicted by any Person For thus was Monsieur du Moulin called off from the Service of her Royal Highness the Dutchess of Barr deceased and thus did we call Monsieur Durant from her Highness the Dutchess of Deuxponts The other is that the Discipline would hinder Churches from calling rashly and unadvisedly such Persons whose Doctrine was unsound or Lives scandalous or in whom there was an Insufficieney So that if any Church should call such Persons the Provincial Synod might very justly and warrantably obstruct and hinder it But when-as nothing can be urg'd against the Person called the Synod hath no power to hinder that Call such an absolute Power being condemned by the Word of God And 't is very improbable that the Composers of our Discipline should ever harbour such a Thought or Intention as to impose this Yoke upon our Churches or that they would place Pastors of Churches in worse Circumstances than Scholars who being sought after by Churches and presented unto Synods cannot be rejected whenas they have those Qualities which are requisite for their imployment in the Sacred Ministry Therefore in our Opinion we have not in the least swerved from the Canons of our Discipline For we have called a Person admitted into the Pastoral Office already in our Churches and who hath discharged his Duty with Applause and Commendation and not a Stranger utterly unknown to us And we gave notice of it unto our Synod as soon as possibly we could and craved their Approbation But contrariwise our said Synod breaketh the Links in the golden Chain of Communion between us and our Churches and would deprive us of that Blessing and Franchise wherewith our Discipline hath endowed us and of which we have had the Possession and Enjoyment to this present Day and this without alledging of any other Reason besides their meer and bare Will and Pleasure For in case these Gentlemen should pretend Ignorance of Monsieur Daillé and that they do not in the least know him We answer that they might better have been acquainted with him and inform'd themselves concerning him than to have deprived us of so great a Blessing and to reject a Person whom having once the happiness of his Acquaintance they would most highly caress esteem and value Besides were there any force in this Argument all Pastors might be rejected who are called from out of the Province But should they say the Synod disapproved absolutely of this Call because we were over-hasty in it and that we did not in the first place consult with them about it We answer That we imparted this Affair unto them as soon as possibly we could and in case we did it not sooner it was not out of any disrespect unto them These Gentlemen do very well know with how much Humility and cordial Affection we are wont to treat and deal with them But this must be imputed to the unhappiness of the Times and that Affliction wherewith God had visited us And suppose we had failed in this Particular which yet they will never be able to convince us of What Zeal what Charity is this to punish our Miscarriage with the loss of God's Glory and the Edification of so considerable a Church as ours is And if God had not out of his great Goodness excited the Charity and moved the Compassions of Churches far distant from us the Condition of our Church had been most lamentable for our Synod made no better Provision for us than to send us unto our Colloquy And whenas we thought of addressing our selves to it the very first Church from whom we demanded help gave us this answer That it could not afford us any till such time as the Colloquy had prescribed them the manner How thereby deluding our very Demand For you know Sirs how rarely our Colloquies are held and the trouble we have now-adays to assemble them Therefore whenas the Church of Saumur had the Charity to consent that Monsieur Daillé should come and serve us and the Synod of Anjou imitating their Zeal agreed to this Removal we did not make any scruple of calling Monsieur Daillé to our Assistance in which also the Blessing of God is very visible For this Church receiveth a most singular Edification by his Ministry and we are full of hopes that it will be continued and be daily more and more useful and fruitful and that we have exceeding great cause of praising God for putting it into our Hearts to make such a Choice We beseech you then most Honoured Sirs that considering our Sincerity and Zeal in this Affair but above all the Glory of God and the Edification of our Church you would be pleased to confirm this our Choice and to roll away that Reproach wherewith some would blast our Honours and Office and to take off that Censure which hath been denounc'd against us and to admonish our Province to carry it with more Love towards us In doing whereof you will inspire us with new Courage in the midst of those Travels sustained by us for the Service of our Church and of many others to whom upon all Occasions we are ready to perform all kind of good Offices And we beseech God most Honoured Sirs to preside in your Council by his Holy Spirit to preserve your Persons and to shower down his Blessings upon your Labours Being Paris August 20.1626 Your most humble and most