following the date hereof in the Town of Alanson but on this condition that there be none other Matters debated in it excepting those only which are allowed by the Edicts and that the Lord of St. Mars Counsellor to his Majesty in his Council of State be Personally present in the said Synod in Quality of his Majesty's Commissioner as hath been usual and customary in such Assemblies In Testimony whereof his Majesty bath commanded me to expedite this his present Writ which he hath seen and signed with his own Hand and caused to be countersigned by me his Counsellor and Secretary of State and of his Commandments Signed LOVIS And a little lower Phelippeaux Article 2. There came unto the said Assembly on behalf of the Provinces and Churches these Pastors and Elders deputed by them whose Names follow Article 3. For the Province of Normandy the Sieurs Benjamin Basnage Pastor of the Church of Ste Mere and John Maximilian de l'Angle Pastor of the Church of Rouen together with the Lords John Richer Lord of Cerisy Elder of the Church of Gaulé and Lawrence le Febure Advocate in the Parliament of Normandy and Elder in the Church of Rouen Article 4. For the Province of Dolphiny the Sieurs Paul Guyon Pastor of the Church of Dieu le fit and Stephen Blanc Pastor and Professor in the Church of Die together with the Sieurs James de Beaucastell Esq Lord of Auges Elder in the Church of Courtezon and Gaspard du Baeuf Advocate in the Parliament of Dolphiny and Elder in the Church of Grenoble Article 5. For the Province of Burgundy the Sieurs Aymedeé de Bons Pastor of the Church at Chaloons and Heliodorus du Noyer Pastor of the Church at Bussy together with the Sieurs John Roy Advocate in the Parliament of Burgundy Elder in the Church of Arnay le Duc and Charles Perreau Advocate in the said Parliament Elder in the Church of Autun and Couches Article 6. For the Province of Lower Languedoc the Sieurs Samuel Petit Pastor and Professor in the Church of Nismes and John Gigord Pastor of the Church of Montpellier together with the Sieurs Francis de Fonfrede Counsellor to the King in the Presidial Court of Nismes and Deacon of the said Church and John Browns Lord of Roussares Elder in the Church of St. Ambroise Article 7. For the Province of Xaintonge the Sieurs Daniel Chesnel Pastor of the Church of Marans and * * * There be two of his Sons Ministers and Exites here in England John Commarc Pastor of tie Church of Vertueil together with the Lords René de Saint Leger Esq Lord of Boiscond Elder in the Church of Clan and Mr. George Reveau Counsellor to the King and his Advocate at Rochel Elder of the Church in that City Article 8. For the Province of Provence the Sieurs Paul Maurice Pastor of the Church of Aigueres and John Monestier Elder in the Church of Lormarin Article 9. For the Province of Sevennes the Sieurs John Bony Pastor of the Church of St. John de Gardonengue and John Surville Pastor of the Church at Vigan together with the Sieurs Peter de Fons Lord of des Sabbatieres Elder in the Church of Quissac and Thomas Serre Esq Elder in the Church of Sauve Article 10. For the Province of Higher Languedoc the Sieurs Peter Charles Pastor of the Church of Montauban and Matthew Tissier Pastor of the Church of Mauvoisin together with the Sieur Sebastian de St. Fauste Elder in the Church of Mauvoisin and the Sieur David Fournes Advocate and Elder in the Church of Montauban who was absent having fallen sick on the way Article 11. For the Province of Anjou the Sieurs Daniel Couppé Pastor of the Church of Loudun and John Vigneux Pastor of the Church du Mans together with the Sieurs George Rabbotteau Advocate in Parliament and Elder in the Church of Pruille and Peter de Ceriziers Counsellor of the King in the Borough of Loudun and Elder of the Church in the same Town Article 12. For the Province of the Isle of France the Sieurs David Blondell Pastor of the Church of Roussy and John Daillé Pastor of the Church of Paris together with the Sieurs Peter de L'aunay Lord of La Mote and Peter Marbault Counsellor and Secretary to the King Elder in the Church of Paris Article 13. For the Province of Brittain the Sieurs Daniel Sauvé Pastor of the Church of Villevigne and Giles Lovyer Esq Lord of la Grestiere Elder of the same Church Article 14. For the Province of Orleans the Sieurs Jacob le Brun Pastor of the Church at Romorantin and John Taby Pastor of the Church at la Charité together with the Sieurs Claudius Bernard Bailiff of Chastillon upon the Loir and Elder of the Church there and Timothy Baignoux Elder in the Church of Mer. Article 15. For the Province of Poitou the Sieurs Samuel le Blanc Pastor of the Church at St. Maixant and Daniel Pain Pastor of the Church of Chastelheraut together with the Sieurs Charles de Gourgeaud Esq Lord of Pannieure Elder of the Church of Mougon and Francis Mauclere Esq Lord of la Mezanchere Elder in the Church of la Jandouiniere Article 16. For the Province of Vivaretz the Sieurs Alexander de Vinay Pastor of the Church of Annonay and Simeon de Hosty Pastor of the Church in St. Fortunate togethe◠with the Sieurs Andrew Paget Elder of the Church of Couxnear Privas and Anthony Regnet Doctor of the Laws Advocate and Elder in the Church of Aubenas Article 17. For the Province of Lower Guyenne the Sieurs John d' Alba Pastor of the Church at Agen and Daniel Ferrand Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux together with Daniel Descayrac Lieutenant in the Court of Justice at Pugeols Elder of the Church in the same place and James Charron Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux and Elder in the Church of Bergerac Article 18. For the Province of Bearn the Sieurs Simon Fuget Pastor of the Church of Carresse and Peter Margendie Doctor of Physick and Elder in the Church of Orthez Article 19. After Invocation of the Name of God the Reverend Mr. Benjamin Basnage was by plurality of Votes chosen Moderator and Mr. Couppé Assessor Mr. Blondel and Mr. Launay Scribes CHAP. II. The King's Commission to the Lord of St. Mars AS soon as the Officers of the Synod were chosen his Majesty's Letters Patents were read giving a Commission to Monsieur de St. Mars Counsellor in his Council of State to represent his Person in it the Form and Tenour of which was inserted into the Acts of this Synod A Copy of his Majesty's Letters Patents Louis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre To our beloved and trusty Counsellor in our Council of State the Lord of St. Mars Greeting WE having permitted our Subjects of the pretend Reformed Religion to hold in our Town of Alanson the 27th of May
which reason we are more bound than ever to use by an Unanimous consent and agreement such means as will most and best contribute to our just lawful and necessary preservation in the aforesaid Union under the Authority of Our Sovereign Lord the King and the Queen Regent his Mother We have in the name of all those Churches and for their wellfare and for the Service of Their Majesties sworne and protested and do swear and protest promising that we will see these our Protestations ratified in all our respective Provinces to continue inseparably United and Conjoyned in that Confession of Faith owned and professed by the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom confirmed approved and ratified by us all We swear as well in our own names as in the names of the Churches and Provinces which have Commissionated us to be their Deputies unto this Assembly that we will live and die in this Confession Moreover we do profess that we will keep inviolably that Ecclesiastical Discipline which is Established in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and observe its Cannons for the Government of the said Churches and the Reformation of manners owning and acknowledging that it is agreeable to the Word of God under whose Supream and Inviolable Authority we protest and swear to yield all Obedience and Fidelity to Their Majesties desiring nothing more than through the favour of their Edicts to serve our God without any violence offered to our Consciences Sworn and Subscribed by Peter de Moulin Moderator of the Synod Minister of the Church of Paris and Deputy for the Isle of France Picardy Champaigne c. By Lawrence Brunier Assessor Minister of Christ in the Church of Usez Deputy for lower Languedoc By Nicholas Vignier Minister of Christ in the Church of Blois Scribe of the Synod and Deputy of the Province of Orleans and Berry By Thomas Papillon Advocate in the Parliament of Paris and Elder of that Church Deputy for the Isle of France and Scribe of the Synod Sworn and Subscribed by Isaack de Juigne Pastor of the Church of Vassy and Deputy for the Isle of France Picardy Champaigne c. 2. By Samuel de L' Escherpiere Lord de la Riviere Minister of the Word of God at Roan by Daniel Massys Pastor of the Reformed Church in Caen by James de Montbray Elder of the Church of Conde upon Noireau and by Anthony Bridou Lord of Boissleroy Elder in the Church of Fescamp Deputies for the Province of Normandy 3. Sworne and subscribed by Paui Guyon Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Dieu le fit by Peter de la Croze Minister of the Holy Gospel in the Church of Courtozen in the Principality of Orange by Moses du Port Esq Doctor of Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of la Mure By James Bernard Doctor of Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Montlimart Deputies for the Province of Dolphiny 4. Sworne and subscribed by Paul Huron Pastor of the Church of Riez by Elijah de Glandeves Lord of Ajon Elder in the Church of Puymichel Deputies for the Province of Provence 5. Sworne and Subscribed by Daniel Venturin Pastor of the Church of Vigan by Peter Guillaumine Pastor of the Church of St. Andrews de Valborgne by John de Vignoles Lord of St. Bonnet and of Colegnuc Elder of the same Church by John Baudouin Doctor of the Civil Laws and Elder in the Church de la Salle Deputies for the Province of Sevennes 6. Sworne and subscribed by Ezechiel Marmet Pastor of the Church gathered in the House of my Lord Duke of Rohan by Philip de Vassaut Esq Lord of Penmoncel Elder in the Church of Roche Bernard Deputies for the Province of Britain 7. Sworne and subscribed by Daniel Jamett Pastor of the Church in St. Amand in Bourbonnois by Galliot de Combis Lord of Soustelle Elder of the Church of Romorantin by John de Benes Advocate in the Parliament of Paris and Elder of the Church of Guyan Deputies for the Province of Orleans and Berry c. 8. Sworne and subscribed by Peter Heliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Due by Francois Perreault Minister of the Gospel in the Church of Mascon by Noel du Noyer Lord of Joncey Elder in the Church of Bussy Deputies for the Province of Burgundy Lyonnois Bresse c. 9. Sworne and subscribed by Daniel Chanet Pastor of the Church of Ars in the Isle of Re by John Constans Pastor of the Church of Pons by Pasquet Elder of the Church of Rochefoucault by Peter Formentin Esq Lord of Chastinat Sheriff of the City of St. John d' Angely Deputies for the Province of Xaintonge Aunix and Augoulmois 10. Sworne and subscribed by John de Voisin Pastor of the Church of Realmont in Albigeois by Anthony Garissoles Pastor of the Church of Puylaurent in Lauragais By Paul de Luffee Lord of Maravaut and Governour of Maulterin in Armagnac Elder of the same Church by James du Puy Elder of the Church of Montauban Deputies for the Province of higher Languedoc and the higher Guyenne 11. Sworne and subscribed by J. Chauffepied Pastor of the Church of Niort by John Carre Pastor of the Church of Chastelheraut by Giles Begaud Lord of la Begaudiere Elder of the Church of Mountagu Deputies for the Province of Poictou 12. Sworne and subscribed by Samuel Bouchereau Pastor of the Church of Saumur by Matthew Cottiere Minister of Gods Word at Tours by G. Raboteau Elder in the Church of Pruylly Deputies for the Province of Anjou Touraine and le Main 13. Sworne and subscribed by Peter de Abbadie Pastor of the Church of Pau by John de la Coste Lord of Badett Plaisance and of Monheim Elder of the Church in Monheim now mentioned Deputies for the Principality of Bearn 14 Sworne and subscribed by John du Luc Pastor of the Church of Castel jaloux by James Privat Pastor of the Church of Castelle upon the Dordogne by Francois Joly Elder of the Church of Bourdeaux by John de Boutiers Squire of the Kings Body and Lord of Artigues Elder in the Church of Grateloup Deputies for the Province of the lower Guyenne 15. Sworne and subscribed by David Agard Pastor of the Church of Vaylance and of Soyon by Danlel Richard Pastor of the Church of Chedard in Batiere by John de la Blache Lord of Blesset Elder of the Church de la Bastie by John de Rovre Doctor of the Civil Laws Lord of Esbonaud Elder in the Church of Aubenas Deputies for the Province of Vivaretz 16. Sworne and subscribed by Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier by Anthony de Raques Lord of Claussonnes Elder of the Church of Montfrin by Charles de Bouques Lord of Pons Doctor of the Civil Laws Elder of the Church of Montpellier Deputies for the Province of Lower Languedoc 17. Sworne and subscribed by John de Chal'ais General Deputy for the Reformed Churches of France near His Majesty The Sieurs Des Marez
of Lower Guyenne The Sieurs John Mizaubin Pastor of the Church of Sainte Foy and James du Fort Pastor of La Bastide in Armagnac together with Mr. John Joan Lord of Loullan Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux Elder in the Church of Duras and Mr. Isaack Grenouelleau Advocate also in the same Parliament and Elder of the Church of Castelsmoron in Albrett For the Province of Xaintonge the Sieurs John Constans Pastor of the Church of Pons and David Belot Pastor of the Church de la Rochechalais together with John Besne Esq Lord of Angoulins Elder in the Church of Rochell and Elijah Marlat Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux and Elder of the Church of Mirambeau For the Province of Poictou The Sieur Peter de la Vallade Pastor of the Church of Fontenay la Conte and Isaac du Soul Pastor of the Church of Lusignan accompanied with Gilles Begaud Esq Lord of La Begaudiere Elder in the Church of Montague and James Coxdel Lord of Soignon Elder in the Church of St. Maixant For the Province of Anjou the Sieurs Daniel Couppe Pastor of Loudun and Stephen le Bloy Pastor of the Church of Anger 's without any Elders because those who were Commissionated fell sick on their Journey which Excuse was admitted For the Province of Orleans and Berry The Sieurs John Guerrin Pastor of the Church of Baugency and John Taby Pastor of the Church of La Charite accompanied with James Pasquier Counsellor and Comptroller for the King in the Town of Baugency and Elder of the Church there and Peter Longuet Advocate in the Parliament of Paris and Elder in the Church of Issoudun For the Province of Normandy The Sieur John Baunier Lord of La Fresnage Pastor in the Church of Caen and Peter Erondelle Pastor in the Church of Roan Accompanied with Peter du Pertuis Esq Lord of Eragny Elder in the Church of Gisors and Mr. Francis Quillel Lord of La Briere Counsellor and Assessor in the Vi-County of Alenson and Elder of the Church gathered in that City For the Province of the Isle of France The Sieurs John Mestrezat Pastor of the Church of Paris and David Blondell Pastor of the Church of Houdan Accompanied with John de Gravelle Esq Lord of Beauterne Elder in the said Church of Houdan and Isaack d' Huisseau Elder in the Church of Paris For the Province of Bearn The Sieurs Peter Rivall Pastor of the Church of Nay and John de Pommarede Advocate in the Parliament of Navarre Elder in the Church of Mourlans who not having inserted in their Letters of Deputation that clause of submission required by the former National Synods were told that for this time they were born withal on those Conditions expresly mentioned in the Canons of the last National Synod but for the future they should not be admitted into these Assemblies nor have a consultive Vote in them excepting only when as the Confession of our Faith should be read in which indeed and nothing else they retain Union with our Churches The Second of October the Lord of Montmartyn General-Deputy for the Churches of this Kingdom unto His Majesty came into this Synod and took his place and voted in it according to the Canons of our Churches and the usual practise of former National Synods After Invocation of the Holy Name of God in Prayer Monsieur Chauve was chosen Moderator and Monsieur Bouteroue Assessor and Messieurs Blondel and Petit Scribes CHAP. II. The Kings Writt for the Calling of the Synod and ordering of Matters in it AS soon as the Synod was formed and the Election of its Officers past the Lord Galland presented His Majesties Letters Patents which being read they were transcribed and the Copy inserted into the Acts of this Synod the Tenour whereof was as followeth The Kings Letters Patents Louis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre to our Beloved and Trusty Counsellor in our Councils of State and Privy Council and Attorney General for our Dominion of Navarre the Lord Galland Greeting We having permitted according to our Edicts our Subjects professing the P. Reformed Religion to convocate and keep a National Council in our City of Castres in the Province of Languedoc this next September that they may as usual take care about matters of Discipline appertaining unto their Religion wherefore it being needful that there should be present in the said Council a Commissioner from us who might watch over our said Subjects that they do not treat of any other Affairs but such as are allowed them by our Edicts and knowing by past Experience that we could not pitch upon a more Worthy Person than your self of whose Fidelity and Affection to our Service Sufficiency and Abilities we are very well satisfied and remembring your singular care and vigilancy manifested in the last National Synod held at Charenton by our said Subjects in the Moneth of September and Year of Our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Three to the general contentment both of us and them also For which causes we have Commissionated Deputed and Ordained and do Commissionate Depute and Ordain you by these presents to go unto our said City of Castres and to sit in the said National Council in our stead and as our Representative and personally to be present at all their Consultations and Resolutions and to see use and exercise our Authority that nothing be proposed or debated but what doth truly concern the Discipline of the Religion aforesaid according to the Tenour of our Edicts and Declarations and particularly of those made and published by us in September Sixteen Hundred Twenty Three about their holding of Colloquies and Synods and you shall look to it also that none of our Subjects do keep any private Conventicles in that our said City You shall also have a special care that nothing be moved or debated in the said Council but what may contribute to the benefit of our Service and the upholding of our Authority and preservation of the Peace of our Kingdom And in case there should be any actings contrary hereunto we command you immediately to suppress them and in our Name and Authority to Act or to make such interdictions and prohibitions as you shall judge needful of which as generally of all Matters transacted in the said Council you shall form a good and ample verbal process That it being brought unto us upon your return we may advise of what shall be most expedient for our Service and the Tranquillity of our Subjects And for the doing hereof we impower you with full Authority and give you our Commission and especial Warrant by these presents For such is our Will and Pleasure Given at Nants Another Copy has the Tenth day this Twentieth day of July in the Year of Grace One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Six and of Our Reign the Seventeenth Signed Louis And a little lower By the King Philippeaux And Sealed with Yellow Wax CHAP. III.
a third which we have termed Infractions of the Edict of Nantes under pretence of Explication Those who would know their Number and Quality need only cast their eyes upon the Books written and published on this occasion by Father Meisnier the Jesuit an Author famous for his Illusions and by one Baanard a pitiful Officer in the Presidial Court of Beziers in Languedoc There you will meet with all the Windings and Turnings the Shifts and Evasions which the silliest and most unworthy Sophisters could invent whereby to elude the clearest Text of the Edict and to corrupt and pervert its very heart sence and sincerest meaning And that I may avoid prolixity I shall only produce a brief Account of some few particular Instances of their Troubles As for example Was there any thing more clear evident and unquestionable in the Edict than this viz. That it was given with an intention to maintain those of the Reformed Religion in all the Rights that Nature and Civil Society give to Men Yet in 1681. there came out an Edict that Children might at the age of seven Years abjure the Reformed Religion and embrace the Catholick under pretence forsooth That the Edict did not precisely mark that at this age they should continue at their Parents disposal Who sees not but that this was a meer Trick seeing that at one hand the Edict forbad to take away Children by force from their Parents or by Flatteries and on the other hand the Edict supposed and confirmed all the natural Rights of which without controversie this is one of the most inviolable Was there ever a more notorious Infraction of the Edict than that which forbad those of the Reformed Religion who had passed over to the Romish to return unto that which they had quitted because forsooth That the Edict did not in express formal terms give them this Liberty For when the Edict permitteth generally all the King's Subjects Liberty of Conscience and forbiddeth to perplex and trouble them or to act and offer any thing contrary to this Liberty who seeth not this exception touching the Pretended Relapsers is so far from being an explication of the Edict that it is a most notable Violation of it Unto this we may add the Charge given unto the Roman Catholicks not to change their Religion and embrace the Reformed For when the Edict giveth Liberty of Conscience it doth in plain terms grant it unto all Persons whatsoever who are or shall be of the said Religion Yet if we believe the Clergy this was not Harry the Fourth's meaning for he intended that Grant only to those who then at that time when the Edict was made professed the said Religion SECT XXXII This Edict of Nantes also gave unto the Reformed the Priviledge of keeping small Schools in all places where they had the Exercise of their Religion and by common acceptation those were always understood Lesser Schools in which Children were taught Latin and Humanity This was the known received sense of these words throughout the Kingdom and it is thus taken when it doth concern the Roman Catholicks Yet by a new Interpretation this permission was restrained to the bare liberty of Teaching to read and write as if the Reformed were unworthy to learn any more And this on purpose to tire out the Parents and drive them to this extremity either not to know what to do with their Children or be forced to send them to the Roman Catholicks for Education The Edict gave them Liberty in all places where they had Churches to instruct publickly their Children and others in what concerns Religion and this did visibly establish them in the right of teaching them Philosophy and Theology especially Theology because this is nothing else but Religion Moreover the Edict of Harry the Fourth had promised unto the Protestants Letters Patents to be expedited in due form of Law for the Erection of Colleges in which their Youth might be educated and instructed in the Liberal Sciences For whence should their Churches be supplied with Ministers if they had no Seminaries nor Colleges And yet the Clergy supposed that the Edict gave no right to the Reformed to instruct them in Philosophy or Theology nor were they upon this supposition to have any Colleges Hence their Universities and Colleges were all condemned and suppressed that so the Ministery might be destroyed This was the very self same course that Julian the Apostate took of old to extirpate Christianity They had Colleges almost in every Province All these are supprest They had six Academies one at Die in Dolphiny another at Nismes in Languedoc a third at Pau ill Bearne a fourth at Montauban in Quercy a fifth at Saumur in Anjou and a sixth at Sedan This last though grounded on a particular Edict was suppressed as well as all the others yea and had the Honour to be first ruinated It led the Van to the other Universities and preached to them in its Rubbish what kindnesses they must expect from the Jesuitical Councils at Court They had been very fuitful Nurseries of many excellent Scholars furnished the Churches with some thousands of able godly and painful Ministers This was the great eye-sore of the Jesuits and cause enough for their bigotted Disciples at Court to procure their Ruine The Professors in these Academies were Men of most eminent Learning and Piety exceeding studious and laborious in their Calling They read four Lectures every Week publickly besides the private Colleges they had in their own Houses daily for a number of young Students would combine together to prosecute one body of Controversies and the Professor reads to them at home and they draw up their Theses and dispute upon it We have a world of these Exercises in the Foreign Universities Their Professors exercise their Scholars with publick Disputations and strictly examin their Proficiency once a quarter Their stipends were but mean never amounted to Seventy pound a year yet they were generally Men as of great parts so of great reputation and highly esteemed by their Churches Synods and the Nobility I shall insert here a Catalogue of the Prefessors in Divinity in the University of Montauban from its first foundation in the sixteenth Century unto the year 84. of the seventeenth when the University was suppress'd and all the Professors clapt up in the Prisons of Tholouse by a Decree of that Parliament where they were kept in duress till the month of October in the year 1685. and were then banished the Realm with all the other Ministers 1. Dr. Michael Berault was the Founder of and first Professor in the University of Montalban in the year 1590. 2. Monsieur Peter Sohuis was his Collegue in the same Office and at the same time 3. Monsieur Daniel Chamier that great Man and invincible Champion of the Truth The Jesuits could never stand before him He was killed upon the Lord's day when the City was besieged with a Cannon Bullet in the year 1621. 4. Monsieur John Cameron
made this Decree That if through want of will on their side they were not employed in the sacred Ministry they shall be bound to make restitution unto those Churches which had furnished them with necessary Supplies towards their Education as soon as God shall enable them XLIX The present Synod returns Thanks unto Monsieur Beraud Rotan and the other Pastors for their pious endeavours in maintaining the Truth at the Conference held at Mants with Monsieur De Perron and other Popish Theologers and ratifies their whole proceeding and that offer made by them to continue the said Conference at the pleasure and commandment of His Majesty In pursuance whereof the Synod hath nominated twenty Pastors out of whom twelve shall be chosen to confer with those of the Romish Church that so the Provinces may have notice and come prepared for the said Conference And in case the Provinces would recommend any other they are required to do it speedily and shall acquaint the said Beraud and Rotan with it Catalogue of those nominated for the General Conference The twenty Persons nominated are Monsieur Rotan of Xaintonge Monsieur Ceovt of Bourgogne * * * Mr Chauve See the Synod of Saumur Gen. Mar. 12. Monsieur De L'Estang Godion of Poictòu Monsieur D'aneau of Higher Languedoc Monsieur Pacard of Xaintonge Monsieur De la Noue of Anjou Monsieur Constans of Lyonnois Monsieur Cazenave of Bearn Monsieur De la Banserie of Normandy Monsieur De la Faye of Geneva Monsieur De Beaulieu of France Monsieur Des Alâ—ues of Tourain †††Another Copy hath Monsieur De Serres Monsieur Chamier of Dauphine Monsieur De Chambrisé of Brittany Monsieur Ricotier the Son of Gascony Monsieur Gigord of Lower Languedoc Monsieur Berault of the Higher Guyenne Monsieur | | | But Baron's Name was razed out Baron of England Monsieur Melanez of Gascony and Monsieur Junius of Leyden in Holland L. The Province of Lower Languedoc demanding our Advice What course should be taken with those Ministers who having been deposed did afterwards live soberly and religiously without giving any the least offence tho' a long time had past since their Deposition whether it were lawful to employ them again in the Dispensation of the Word and Sacraments in that self-same Province where they had been deposed or not This Synod answers That it is in no wise expedient because contrary to the very Letter of the Canons of our Discipline LI. The same Deputies having moved That there might be nothing innovated as to the Observation of Holy-days such as Christmas and the rest the Synod doth accord unto it LII This Assembly having seen Monsieur Daneau's Answer unto the first part of Bellarmin's Works doth judge them worthy to be made publick whereof Notice shall be given our said Brother by Letters from this Synod and he is entreated to intimate in his Preface that he designed brevity in his Answer because others had been more large and ample LIII Monsieur De Serres having requested by his Letters written to this Synod See Synod of Saumur Part. Mat. 3. that some learned Men might be appointed to revise his Collection out of the Fathers a Work undertaken by him to prove our Religion to be the most Ancient Catholick Religion and the Romish to be New and Particular This Synod hath ordained That the said De Serres shall cause three Copies of his Collection to be fairly transcribed whereof one shall be sent into the Lower Languedoc and from thence into the Higher Languedoc Guyenne and Gascogny another into Xaintonge and from thence into Poictou and the Churches beyond the River of Loire and the third shall be sent unto Geneva that care may be taken about its Impression And till it be thus revised the said Monsieur De Serres is expresly ordered neither to print nor publish any thing of the said Collection LIV. The Synod being informed that several Sums of Money were collected in the Churches for their Service whereof no account hath been render'd This Synod ordereth That all Receivers of those Collections made in the said Churches do bring in their Accompts of those Moneys unto the next National Synod notwithstanding any Agreement past between these Receivers and particular Churches to the contrary And the Province of Lower Languedoc shall give Notice to Monsieur De Serres and John Chalais that they come and yield up their Accounts and pay in the remaining Moneys in their hands at the time appointed them before the six Ministers and six Elders or other Persons well skill'd in matters of Accompt which shall be deputed by the Synod of Lower Languedoc and these Accounts shall be audited in the City of Monpellier And in case the said Monsieur De Serres refuse so to do he shall be suspended from the Ministry and the said John Chalais from the Sacrament And both of them are required to appear in Person before the next National Synod But De Serres died the very day before it sat LV. The Deputies of Higher Languedoc demanding Whether Sinners who had committed certain Crimes for which by Sentence of the Magistrate they were punished with Brands of publick Infamy ought also to be censur'd by the Church so far as to do publick Penance in the face of the whole Congregation The Synod resolved affirmatively because they be two distinct Matters the Jurisdiction of the Civil Magistrate and the Ecclesiastical Cognisance taken by Consistories this relating to the Conscience and the interiour concerns of the Soul and that only to the Body and outward Man CHAP. V. Of APPEALS I. WHereas the Church of Rochel hath brought an Appeal from the Province of Poictou about Monsieur Esnard whom the said Church claims for its Minister by Vertue of an Order granted it by the National Synod celebrated in the Year 1581. It is now decreed That because the. said Church hath not produced the Grant of that Synod Monsieur Esnard shall remain where he is at present in the Province of Poictou and moreover the said Church shall be censured for having used Terms of Law in the said Appeal II. An Appeal being brought by the Colloquy of Angoulesme against the Church of St. Mesme about a Judgment past in the Synod of Xaintonge This Article was razed out in the Synod of Saumur Part. Mat. 4. this Assembly doth confirm that Judgment in the whole and in every part of it denounced by the said Synod which is also charged by the Authority of this Assembly to censure Monsieur De Bargemont and his Associates for troubling us with their Impertinencies III. The Church of Cognac and Monsieur De Bargemont having appealed from a Judgment given in the Synod of Xaintonge held at Pons This Assembly decreeth That the said Monsieur De Bargemont shall be appropriated to the Church of Segonsac with this Proviso that he serve alternatively the Church of Coignac and Segonsac and that
their dependencies and that the said Churches cannot long Subsist without a Good a Strict and Mutual Union and conjunction of one with the other and this better kept and maintained than formerly Therefore being desirous what in us lyeth for the future to remove all seeds of division and occasion of partialities between the said Churches and to obviate all Impostures Plots Calumnies and Practices whatsoever by means whereof divers Persons ill affected to our Religion do indeavour its utter Ruine and destruction For which reason we are more bound than ever by an unanimous consent and agreement to use those means which will most and best contribute to our just lawful and necessary preservation in the Union aforesaid under the authority of our Soveraign Lord the King and the Queen Regent his Mother we have in the Name of all those Churches and for their Weal and Happiness and for the service of their Majesties Sworn and Protested and do Swear and Protest yea we do also promise that we will see these our Protestation to be ratified in and by all our respective Provinces to continue inseparably United and conjoyned in the Confession of Faith owned and Professed by the Reformed Church of this Kingdom and confirmed approved and ratified by us all We Swear as well in our own Names as in the Names of all the Churches and Provinces which Commissionated us to be their Deputies unto this Assembly that we will live and die in this Confession as also we do protest that we will keep inviolably that Ecclesiastical Discipline which is established in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and to observe its Canons for the Government of these Churches and the reformation of manners owning and acknowledging that it is agreeable to the Word of God under whose supream and unviolable authority We Protest and Swear to yield all obedience and fidelity to their Majesties desiring nothing more than through the favour of their Edicts to serve our God without any Violence offered unto our Consciences Sworn and Subscribed by Gigord Moderator Gardesy Assessor Rivet and Scribes Maltrett Scribes And by all the other Deputies with their own hands CHAP. XVI An Act for the Meeting of the General Mixt Assembly THE Lord of Rouvray our General Deputy having sent unto this Synod his Majesties writ bearing date the 22d day of this present month by which at the request of this National Synod the time of meeting for the next National General Assembly is put off till the a 25th of August but without any change of place This Assembly judging the City of Grenoble to be a very inconvenient place because of its great distance and for being the Residence of a Parliament and for divers other great and weighty reasons ordered that Letters should be written unto the Lord Marshal Duke de Lesdiguieres and presented to him by the Deputies of Burgundy and Dolphiny who also by word of mouth should humbly intreat his excellency not only to take in good part the change of the place of meeting which all the Deputies convened at this Synod have unanimously desired and hold necessary but also that he would be pleased to joyn with them in their humble request and Petition unto their Majesties by the Lords our General Deputies who shall present unto them Letters from this Assembly in which with all humbleness it shall be declared that the late King of most happy Memory did usually make choice of the most meet and convenient places for the holding of those Assemblies And the said Lords Deputies shall use their utmost care and diligence to give notice and information of the success of this their undertaking before the 15th of July or sooner if may be unto the Provincial Assemblies in case of refusal This Assembly adviseth also that it would be expedient that they send each of them one Deputy chosen out of their whole Body to reiterate with all submissions and reverence their most humble Petitions unto their Majesties and by conjoyned Supplications to obtain this change from them Moreover the Lords General Deputies are most expresly charged to prosecute their complaints of that grievous Outrage Committed by the Lieutenant in the Government of Guise against Monsieur Sigart Pastor of the Church of Levall and to desire that justice may have its due Course upon that Officer they corroborating by word of mouth what hath been written unto their Majesties from this Assembly about it They be also exhorted according to the Canon made at Privas most humbly to petition their Majesties that we may be exempted from that necessity which is now more eagerly and violently prest upon us than ever yea and with greater severity rigour and exaction than heretofore and against that Liberty of Conscience which hath been so often promised us of styling our selves of the pretended Reformed Religion we rather choosing to suffer all kind of torments than to be compelled with our own mouths to condemn our own most holy and true Religion Moreover they be exhorted to assist the Church of Dijon whose place of Meeting for Religious Worship is removed four long Leagues distant from that City although by the Edict they may have their Temple in the Suburbs And yet this poor Church hath been frustrated of its expectations and earnest requests after ten years Prosecution and Attendance at Court for if They shall also complain of the Commissioners that were sent into Burgundy to see the Edict of Nants executed for that they refused to hear the Petitions tendered them for restoring the exercise of our Religion in seven antient Baily wicks and in the Cities of St. John de Laune and de Noyers where the Word of God had been duly and constantly Preached in the years 1576 and 1577. And they shall favour and stand by that opposition made by those of our Religion in Vivaretz against the Petition presented to the Council by the Judge of the Lower Vivaretz who would of his own head and authority bring into the Royal Courts of Villeneuve of Berg and Annonay Causes determinable in the Provosts Court which is expresly contrary to that Article of the Edict declaring that the Judgment of Declinators and Exceptions against the Jurisdictions of a Court shall only appertain to the Mixt Chambers of the Edict or to other Courts at the choice of the Professors of our Religion They shall complain also of letting decay the Fortifications of Clermont in the Lower Languedoc one of our Cautionary Towns and given us as a pledge and hostage for our security The Papists in the mean while fortifying the Town against the Castle They are also intreated to be careful of that business of Monsieur de la Garde Governour of Tonneins who being summoned and brought before His Majesty and Council after a world of difficulty was dismissed over to the Chamber of Grenoble from whence the Jesuits and other Clergy of the Romish Church would fain remove it back again to Paris And they shall use all
the Church of Loudun Anger 's Touars of the Isle Bouchart and Saumur and the late Monsieur Craig Professor of Divinity in the University of Saumur had been called in by him unto his Assistance in this affair from which at last there resulted a good Accord between both the Parties who were mutually reconciled in points of Doctrine notwithstanding that some harsh words if rigorously taken and badly understood might be drawn contrary to their avowed sense and sentiments Thanks were ordered in the name of this Synod to be returned unto the Illustrious Lord Du Plessis and to the R. Reverend Monsieur Rivet our Moderator now present and the same also should be rendered unto his Collegues by the Deputies of their Province and special notice hereof should be given by every one of them unto their Synodical Assemblies that so thanks might be offered up unto God unanimously and as it were with one mouth and humbly to beg of his most glorious Majesty that this sacred Concord might not only be confirmed by an uniform judgment between these two Eminent Members but also betwixt all the rest of our Body However afterward Tilenus deserted the Communion of our Churches and died in that of the Arminians 8. Letters shall be written from this Assembly unto the Lord Mareschall Duke of Lesdiguieres Gap g. m. â— Tonneins p. m. 39. intreating him to recommend unto his Royal Highness the Duke of Savoy the poor Protestants banished out of the Marquisate of Saluces beseeching him that he would be pleased to permit them out of his Royal Favour to return unto their Houses and Inheritance and that he would grant unto them their former Liberty of Conscience in the Service and Worship of God CHAP. VI. Appeals 1. AN Appeal being brought by the Church of St. Fulgent from the Sentence given out against them in the Provincial Synod of Poictou held at Touars which had ordained that Monsieur de la Beguadiere should continue with the Church of Montague This Assembly having seen the Memoirs of the said Church of St. Fulgent produced by the Provincial Deputies of Brittain and heard the said de la Begaudiere speak for himself judgeth that the Appeal ought not to be admitted and confirmeth the Decree of the said Provincial Synod of Touars yet it doth also ordain that the Province of Poictou ought to consider the necessity of that Church of St. Fulgent lest it should be at last dissipated for want of a Pastor 2. The Church of Rochefoucault Tonneins p. m. 8. appealing from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge held at Rochel which had ordained that the Colledge there established should be transferr'd unto the Town of Pons and the City and Church of St. John d' Angely appealing from the said Ordinance and demanding that the Colledge might be fixed with them This Assembly judgeth that the said Province ought not to have made the said Translation and therefore confirmeth unto the Church of Rochefoucault the Colledge until the sitting of the next National Synod when in case it shall appear that the said Colledge hath not been well-maintained nor the youth duly educated and instructed The said Synod may remove it unto that place where they conceive it will be most beneficial to the Church and Province and the Church of St. John d' Angely are exhorted to erect of themselves a Colledge since God hath blessed them with means and ability for so doing and the National Synod taking notice of their duty in this particular shall give them such Incouragement as in its wisdom shall be judged needful 3. Alez Observ upon this Synod Monsieur Beauchamp Pastor of the Church of Belin appealed from the judgment of the Province of Brittain and his Appeal was received although his affair were of that kind which might be decided finally by the Neighbour Province This Synod therefore amending the Judgment of the aforesaid Province ordaineth That Supplicatory Letters shall be written unto the Lord Duke of Rohan that the Intendant of his Houshold do perform the Agreement which was made with the said Monsieur Beauchamp and in case it be not done that then the Province shall see him satisfied because that during these four years wherein the said Sieur Beauchamp hath officiated as Minister in the Family of the said Lord Duke the Province received that portion of Moneys from the Kings Bounty which belonged to the said Monsieur Beauchamp This Mahaut afterward revolted 4. The Sieur Mahaut had his Appeal admitted against the Judgment of the Province of Brittain although he was freed from it and set in the Catalogue of Pastors to be disposed of and provided for by this National Synod and in case before the breaking up of this Assembly he be not presented unto a Church he shall be wholly at his own Liberty to dispose of himself in any Province of this Kingdom where God shall be pleased to call him And the Lord of Candal is requested to retain in his hands a portion belonging unto Ministers to be paid into that Province where ever he shall be imployed as a Pastor And for as much as the Province of Brittain hath received in his name the moneys granted us from his Majesty's Bounty they shall make him restitution and reimburse him all the arrears of his portion free of all Costs Taxes and Charges whatsoever deducting only what he hath received of that money from the time in which he quitted the Church of La Mussaye until now 5. The Church of St. Martyn appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Sevennes which had separated it from the Churches of Brenons and La Molouze This Assembly approved of that their Decree but yet injoineth the said Province to take care that the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ be constantly kept up in the Church of St. Martyn and that they do give them all necessary supplies out of the monies of his Majesties Bounty assigned unto the said Province 6. Monsieur Clemenceau Pastor of the Church of Poictiers appealing from the Synod of Poictou which in prejudice to the Colloquy of Higher Poictou had ordered 50 l. to be taken out of the 150 Livers assigned by the said Colloquy to the Son of the said Sieur Clemenceau and given unto the Son of Monsieur de Faure Pastor of the Church of Aubenas This Assembly ratifying the judgment of the said Colloquy reverseth that of the Synod which is injoined out of their own stock attributed to them to raise fifty Livers for the young le Favre Tonneins Observ 7. on the former Synod 7. The Church of Niort appealing from the Judgment of the Province of Poictou which refused to allow them their charges which they had disbursed in getting a supply during the absence of Monsieur Chauffepied their Pastor who was sent unto the last political Assembly This Synod declares that this affair is of that kind which ought to be finally determined by a Neighbour Province but yet
of Orleans Elijah du Bois Esq Lord of Senelieres Elder of the Church of Chasteaudun and John du Four Counsellor to the King and his Judge in the Sessions of Blois and Elder of the Church there For the Province of Anjou Mr. John Vigneux Pastor of the Church of Mans Isaac le Pelletier Pastor of the Church of Vandome George Rabboteau Advocate and Elder in the Church of Pruilly and Samuel Pruchieur Lord de la Mesnerie and of the Waters and Forests in the Sheriffdom of Anjou Elder of the Church of Bange For the Province of the Higher and Lower Poictou Mr. Isaac Caville Pastor of the Church of Cove James Cottiby Pastor of the Church of Poitiers Claudius Gourjault Esq Lord of Venoars Elder in the Church of â—usignun and Michael des Roulins Esq Lord of Bois St. Martyn Elder in the Church of Mouschamp For the Province of Xaintonge Mr. William Rivett Lord of Chauvernown Pastor of the Church of Taillebourg Theodore de â—ignon Judge Assistant in the Town of Rochefoucaut and Elder of the Church there and John Thomas Judge of Mirambeau Elder of the Church there as for Michael le Blanc Pastor of the Church of Rochell and deputed at the same time together with the said Lord of Chauvernown he fell sick just as he came to Paris and departed this Life on Wednesday the Thirteenth of this instant September and was buried the next day in the Church-yard of Charenton aforesaid For the Province of the Lower Guyenne Mr. John Alba Pastor of the Church of Tonneins James Berdolin Pastor of the Church of Duras Seigneron Buffoon formerly Lieutenant in the Seneschally of Castlejaloux Elder of the Church there and Mathias Capduroy Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux and Elder of that Church For the Province of Lower Languedoc Solomon Crubelier Pastor of the Church of Vauvert and John Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Nismes and Professor of Divinity in that University James â—esquet Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Montpellier and du Mas Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Lunel absent never came unto the Synod For the Province of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne Mr. Peter Beraud Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the Church and University of Montauban Peter Savoys Pastor of the Church of Castres John Mauzy the Kings Attorney in the Judicature of Ville â—ongue Elder in the Church of Puylaurens and James Herauldy Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Figeac For the Province of Burgundy Mr. Isaiah Bayly Pastor of the Church of â—ions James Clerk Pastor of the Church of Sessy Peter de L' Oriol Esq Lord of Zarlac Elder in the Church of Bourg and Albert de Mars Esq Lord of Balenes Elder in the Church of Maringues absent and did not come unto this Synod For the Province of Dolphiny Mr. James de Chambrun Pastor of the Church of Orange Adrian Chamier Pastor of the Church of Montlimart Moses du Port Esq Captain and Constable of the Castle of Lamure Elder of the Church there and Daniel Bois Advocate in the Parliament of Grenoble and Elder of the Church in that City For the Province of Sevennes Mr. James Berlie Pastor of the Church of Quissac Paul Paulett Pastor of the Church at Vazenobre Andrew du Crois Esq Lord of Vazenobre and Elder of the Church of St. German and Calbergue and Anthony Despeces Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Alez For the Province of the Isle of France Mr. Samuel Durant and Mr. John Mestrezat Pastors of the Church of Paris Peter de Launay Counsellor and Secretary to the King Elder of the said Church and James de Herouard Esq Lord of â—osseuse Elder in the Church of Baillolett The Lord of Montmartyn Deputy General for the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom to His Majesty took his Place and sate personally in this Synod according to the Canon of our Churches in this case provided Eight Dayes after the opening of the Synod there came and craved admission into it The Sieurs Bertrand d' Avignon Lord of Souvigne Pastor of the Church of Rennes and John de Gennes Lord of la Baste Elder in the Church of Vitre Deputies for the Province of Britain and being demanded the reasons of their delay and late coming they answered that it arose hence that their Provincial Synod could not be held early enough because that His Majesty having given Order to some particular Persons to send an Officer who might assist in Person in it they put off his Nomination and Commission so long that they have lost all this time which Excuses of theirs were accepted by the Assembly Twelve dayes after the Synod had sate there came into it Mr. John D' Isserotte Pastor of the Church of Moneings Deputy for the Principality of Bearn who declared that the Letters of Convocation unto this present Synod came not into their Province but very lately so that they could not assemble their own Synod timely enough for the Deputies to meet at the opening of this Assembly and that Mr. Samuel Campaigne Elder in the Church of Olleroon who was deputed together with him fell sick just as they were beginning their Journey so that he had not time to acquaint the other Person with it who was ordered in case of such an Accident to succeed him in this Office and therefore he humbly requested this Synod to accept of these his Excuses which it also did and gave him his priviledge of sitting and voteing in it But forasmuch as in his Letters of Commission the clause of submission was couched in those very self-same terms and under those conditions wherewith the Deputies of the said Principality had been hitherto admitted into these Assemblies and that the Synod of Alez had suffered those Conditions because of the juncture of Affairs then and by provision only until this present Synod therefore this Assembly doth ordain in pursuance of the limitations and restrictions made in the foregoing National Synods the Provinces shall have full liberty to require that the said Sieur D' Isserotte may not in some cases concerning the Churches of this Kingdom not be permitted either his deliberative or decisive Vote and that before the breaking up of this Synod he do produce the reasons why the Churches in the Principality of Bearne have so long deferred their full and intire subjection to the Discipline of the Churches in France and of which this Assembly will consider and give judgment The Sixteenth day after the Synod had sate there came unto it for the Province of Vivaretz Mr. Joseph Villou Pastor of the Church of Chambon Solomon Faure Pastor of the Church of Privas Anthony Perrottin Advocate Elder in the Church of Villeneusve de Berg and John Faure Lord of Champlas Elder in the Church of Tournon near Privas who related that through the delays and difficulties caused by the Governours and
behalf of the Mayor Sheriffs and Free Burgesses of the City of Rochell Chap. XIII Approbation of the Confession of Faith Chap. XIV Observations on the Discipline Chap. XV. An Act against Debauchery Chap. XVI Observations upon the Acts of the last National Synod Chap. XVII No Minister to depart the Kingdom without the Kings License Chap. XVIII A Deposed Minister restored Chap. XIX Appeals Chap. XX. Discipline Exercised upon a Scandalous Minister App. 34. Chap. XXI Discipline exercised upon a Delinquent Minister App. 44. Chap. XXII A Scandalous Minister Deposed App. 51. Chap. XXIII Discipline exercised upon a vitious Minister App. 53. See also the very next Appeal Chap. XXIV General Matters Chap. XXV An Act to preserve Deeds Writings Evidences belonging to the Churches G. M. 13. Chap. XXVI An Act for a Publick National Fast G. M. 16. Chap. XXVII Differences between the Cities of Rochell Montauban and Castres composed G. M. 28. Chap. XXVIII Particular Matters Chap. XXIX Care taken for a poor Persecuted Church P. M. 29. Chap. XXX A Donative to Monsieur Chamier P. M. 44. Chap. XXXI Of Vniversities and Colledges Chap. XXXII The Accompts of the Lord du Candal Chap. XXXIII The Synods Letter to the King Chap XXXIV Dividends of Moneys among the Churches and Provinces Chap XXXV The Roll of the Deposed Ministers Chap XXXVI An Act for Calling the next National Synod Chap. XXXVII Catalogue of all the Churches and Ministers in Actual Imployment together with the Vacancies Chap. XXXVIII Letters from the Church of Geneva The Synods Answer to them and from the Church of Paris THE Synod of Castres 1626. The 25th Synod SYNOD XXV 1626. In the Name of God Amen The Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France and Bearne Assembled at Castres in Albigeois in the Year of Grace One Thousand Six Hundred Twenty and Six the Sixteenth day of September and the days following to the Fifth of November in the Fourteenth Year of the Reign of Louis XIII King of France and Navarre CHAP. I. AT the opening of this Synod there appeared the Lord Galland one of the Lords of His Majesties Most Honourable Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for his Dominion of Navarre as His Majesties Commissioner Deputed by His Majesty unto this Assembly with this Letter following By the KING Dear and well beloved we being fully resolved to keep and observe and see that our Edicts and Declarations be inviolably kept and observed and that you may injoy those Favours and Priviledges which are granted you by them we have freely and willingly suffered you to meet together in this National Synod Convocated by you in our Town of Castres September next where you shall only debate of such Matters as concern the Discipline of your Religion and have also at the same time made choice of our Trusty and Well-Beloved Counsellor the Lord Galland One of the Lords of our Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for our Dominion of Navarr to meet you from us and on our behalf in your said Assembly and to assist in person at all your Consultations and to give you plenary Assurance of our good and sincere Intentions for your Peace and Comfort Wherefore we will and require you to give him credit in all things and to rest assured that as long as you contain your selves within the Bounds and Limits of your Fidelity and Obedience which you owe unto us we shall alwayes treat you as good and Loyal Subjects and shall give you to resent the Effects and Fruits of our Favour and good Will unto you on all occasions that may occur as the said Lord of Galland shall in our Name more particularly informe you Given at Nantes this 24th of July 1626. Signed â—eveâ— and Lower Phillippeâ—ux And superscribed To our dear and well-beloved the Deputies of the National Synod of the P. Reformed Churches called by our permission unto the Town of Castres There appeared in the said Assembly for the Province of Provence the Sieurs Paul Maurice Pastor of the Church of Aiguieres and James Franc Notary Publick Elder of the Church of Lormarin For the Province of Vivaretz Forrest and Vellay the Sieurs Alexander de Vinay Pastor of the Church of Annonay and Paul Accaurat Pastor of the Church of Aubenas and Daniel Arcajon the Kings Notary and Elder in the said Church of Aubenas and Daniel Sabatier Elder in the Church of Villeneufve de Berg. These Persons were requested to see that for the future their Provincial Synod suffer not any Letters of Commission or Memoirs which shall be brought before the National Synods by the Deputies of the said Province to be form'd out of their Synodical Assemblies nor that they be subscribed by any others besides the Moderators or Assessors in case the Moderators of the said Synods shall be chosen Deputies For the Province of Britain the Sieurs Andrew le Noir Lord of Beauchamp Pastor in the Church of Belin and Philip de Vassant Esq Lord of Martimont Elder in the Church of Roche Bernard For the Province of Sevennes The Sieurs Nicolas le Blanc Pastor of the Church of Barr and Lawrens Aymard Pastor of the Church of Lezan together with Claudius de Gabriac Lord of Beaufort Elder in the Church of Avez and Charles de Calvet Lord of Aires Elder in the Church of St Privat For the Province of Dolphiny Denis Bouteroue Pastor of the Church in Grenoble and John Corel Pastor of the Church of Ambrun with David Chaluett Elder in the Church of Die and Anthony Brissett Elder in the Church of Montlimart For the Province of Burgundy The Sieurs Peter Bollenatt Pastor in the Church of Avalon which meets for Religious Worship at Vaux Alexander Rouph one of the Pastors of the Church of Lions together with Albert de Mars Esq Lord of Baleines Elder in the Church of Maringues and Lazarus du Puy Counsellor for the King in the Presidial Court of Berg in the Province of Bresse and Elder of the Church in the said Town For the Province of Higher Languedoc The Sieurs Peter Ollier Pastor of the Church of Montauban and Moses de Baux Pastor of the Church of Mazamet together with Mr. John de Portes Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate in Parliament Elder of the Church of Castres and the Lord John Brassar Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate in Parliament Elder in the Church of Montauban but he was detained by Sickness in the said City and whereas another was substituted in his place He also came not for want of Notice given him For the Province of Lower Languedoc The Sieurs John Chauve Pastor of the Church of Sommieres and Michael le â—aucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier with Francis Petit Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Nismes and Theophilus Ranchin Secretary of the Kings Chamber and Elder in the said Church of Montpellier For the Province
the Lords William Rivet Lord of Champrernown Pastor of the Church of Taillebourg and Peter Richer Lord of Vaudelincourt Pastor of the Church of Marennes accompanied with the Lords Denys Pasquett Esq Lord of Large Baston Elder in the Church of Angoulesme and Charles Constant Comptroller for his Majesty in the Election of St. John d'Angely and Elder of the Church in that City 8. For the Province of Brittain the Sieurs Josua de la Place Pastor of the Church of Nantes assembling for Religious Worship at Suffé without an Elder for the Lords Daniel de la Tousche Lord of la Ravardiere Elder in the Church of Ploer and Daniel Chastaigner Lord of la Grolliere Elder in the Church of Vielle vigne who was substituted in his Place did both send their Letters of Request that they might be dispensed with for their non-Attendance at the Synod and their Excuses were admitted and accepted 9. For the Province of Lower Guyenne the Sieurs James de Berdoline Pastor of the Church of Duras and Charles d'Aubus Pastor of the Church of Nerac accompanied with the Lords John de Mazilieres Advocate in the High Court of Parliament of Bourdeaux Lord of Grave and Elder in the Church of Nerac the Lord John Aymé de Friginet Advocate also in the same Parliament and Elder of the Church of Bergerac was chosen but fell sick and therefore was excused and in his stead there appeared Isaac de Geneste Lord of la Tour Advocate in the same Parliament and Elder in the Church of la Sauvetat who was substituted by the Suffrages of the Provincial Synod in his stead 10. For the Province of Vivaretz the Sieur Daniel Richard Pastor of the Church of Cheilar and Louis Santel Advocate and Elder of the same Church The Province excused it self for sending but two Deputies and their Excuses were admitted for this time and they were injoined for the future never to omit the Clause of Submission which was not sound in their Letters of Deputation tendred by them unto the Council 11. For the Province of Sevennes the Sieurs Moses Blasehon Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborgne and Antony Vincent Pastor of the Church of Merneys together with Stephen de Billanges Lord of Blanqfort and Elder in the Church of Vigan and Claudius d'Airebeldoze Esq Lord of Clairan Elder in the Church of Canoblet 12. For the Province of Anjou the Sieurs Matthew Cottiere Pastor of the Church of Tours and Moses Amyraud Pastor of the Church of Sanmur and Professor of Divinity in that University together with the Sieurs Philip Niett Counsellor of the King and Warden of his Majesty's Salt-garners in the said City of Saumur and Elder of the Church there and Josiah Poize Advocate in Parliament Elder of the Church at Previlly 13. For the Province of Dolphiny the Sieur Peter Pittard Pastor of the Church of Alben with the Sieur Francis de Montauban de Rambault Esq Lord of Villars Elder in the Church of Gap and the Sieur Stephen Gilbert Advocate Elder in the Church of Die the Sieur Denis de Bouteroue Pastor of the Church of Greenoble though chosen â—id not appear because of his Majesty's Prohibition yet afterwards he obtained leave to assist in this Council as will appear by its Acts and Records 14. For the Province of Lower Languedoc the Sieurs Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Cuurch of Montpellier and John de Croy Pastor of the Church of Bezieres together with the Sieurs Peter Cheyron Advocate and Elder in the Church of Nismes and Andrew Bruneau Advocate and Elder in the Church of Bagnols 15. For the Province of Higher Languedoc the Sieur Timothy Delon Pastor of the Church of Montauban with the Sieurs Peter de Villette Lord de la Jongniere Elder in the Church of St. Antonine and Paul Constans Counsellor for the King and Elder in the Church of Montaubon Master Peter Beraud Pastor of the aforesaid Church of Montauban and Professor of Divinity in that University did not appear at first because of his Majesty's Prohibition but afterward when it was taken off he did accordingly take his Place in this Council 16. For the Province and Principality of Bearn there appeared the Sieurs Peter Labadie Pastor of the Church of Pau and John de Pommerade Advocate in the Parliament of Navarre Elder of the Church in Morlas 17. For the Province of Normandy the Sieurs Abdias de Mondenis Pastor in the Church of Dieppe together with Laurence le Fevre Advocate in the Parliament of Normandy and Elder in the Church of Rouan and John Cardell Lord of Marettes Counsellor of the King and his Comptroller in the Election of Alencon and Elder of the Church in the same Place and the Sieur Benjamin Basnage Pastor of the Church of Quarentin though chosen yet did not at first appear because of his Majesty's Prohibition but as soon as it was taken off he came and took his Place in the Synod as will appear in the following Acts. 18. For the Province of the Isle of France the Sieurs John Mestrezat Pastor of the Church of Paris and David Blondell Pastor of the Church of Roussy together with the Sieurs John de Gravelles Esq Lord of Banterne Elder in the Church of Houdan and Charles Mayland Advocate Elder in the Church of Montdidier 19. The fifteenth Day of September the Lord Marquess of Clermont General Deputy for the Churches of this Kingdom unto his Majesty came according to the usual Order of these National Synods and took his Place in it having Precedency given him according to his Degree and Quality and as it was afterward decreed in the eleventh Article of General Matters 20. Prayers having been offered up unto God Monsieur Mestrezat Pastor of the Church of Paris was by Plurality of Votes chosen Moderator and Monsieur Jamet Assessor and Monsieur Blondel Pastor and Monsieur Armet an Elder Scribes of the Synod CHAP. II. The King's Letters Patents 21. AS soon as the Officers of the Synod were chosen his Majesty's Letters Patents were read a true Copy whereof is here inserted 22. Louis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre to our beloved and trusty Counsellor in our Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for our House of Navarre the Lord Galland Greeting We having given leave unto our Subjects professing the pret Reformed Religion to hold a National Synod at Charenton near our City of Paris the first Day of September next in which the Deputies of all the Provinces in this our Kingdom shall meet and consult about Matters concerning their Religion and we being to choose a Person sufficiently qualified and of approved Loyalty who may be present in the said Council as our Representative and Commissioner and calling to Mind the many Services you have done us in sundry and very weighty Imployments with which we have intrusted you both at home and abroad within and without the Kingdom all which
Church of Beaulieu and Abraham Homel Elder of the Church of Soyon Article 10. For the Province of Berry the Sieurs John Taby Pastor of the Church of la Charité Daniel Jurieu Pastor of the Church of Mer Henry de Chartres Esq Lord of Clebes Elder in the Church of Marchenoir and Simon Milhommeau Lord of Barandieres Bayliff of Chastillon upon the Loin and Elder of the Church in that Town Article 11. For the Province of Poictou the Sieurs James Cottiby Pastor of the Church of Poictiers John Chabrol Pastor of the Church of Touars Sir Charies Gourjaut Knight Lord of Panieure Elder in the Church of Mougon and Peter Pesseurs Attorney Fiscal of the Dutchy of Touars and Elder of the Church in that City Article 12. For the Province of Bretaign the Sieurs John Boucherean Lord of La Masche Pastor of the Church in Nantes and Samuel de Goullaines Esq Lord of the Landoviniere Elder in the Church of Viellevigne Article 13. For the Province of Higher Guyenne and Higher Languedoc the Sieurs Anthony Garrissoles Pastor of the Church of Montauban and Professor of Divinity in that University Peter Ollier Pastor of the said Church Substituted in the place of Monsieur John Grasset Pastor of the Church of Viane who was hindered by reason of Sickness Anthony Ligonuiere Councellor and Secretary to the King Elder in the Church of Castres and John Darassus Councellor for the King in the presidial Court of Montauban and Elder of the said Church Article 14. For the Province of Lower Languedoc the Sieurs John de Croy Pastor of the Church of Beziers Abraham de Lare Pastor of the Church of Cauvisson the Noble Mark Dardouin Lord of la Caumette Elder of the Church of Nismes and the Noble James de Brueis Lord of Bourdie Elder in the Church of Blanzac Article 15. For the Province of Burgundy the Sieurs Peter Bollenat Pastor of the Church Assembling at Vau Salomon Roy Advocate in the Parliament of Dijon and Elder of the Church of Bussy and Francis Armet Advocate in Parliament and Elder of the Church of Loches the Sieur John Viridet was hindered by a very sore Sickness from coming unto the Synod Article 16. For the Province of Provence the Sieurs Francis Vallanson Pastor of the Church de la Coste and the Noble John de Castellane Lord of Caillez and Rigan Elder in the Church of Manosques 3. The Sieurs Drelincourt Pastor and le Coq Elder of the Church of Paris were chosen together with the Sieur Caillard Elder of the Church of Alanson and the Lord Deputy-General to gather the Suffrages of the Deputies in this Assembly which were taken in written Billets by each of them for Electing the Moderator Assessor and Scribes which was done Successively those Officers being Chosen one after another and by plurality of Billets Monsieur Garrissoles was chosen Moderator Monsieur Basnage Assessor and Monsieur Blondel and Monsieur le Coq Scribes and took their Seats in Order as they were Chosen CHAP. II. As soon as these Officers of the Synod were chosen the Lord of Cumont Councellor for the King in His Council of State and Parliament of Paris Deputed by His Majesty presented Letters Patents which did Commissionate him to Represent His Majesty in this Synod These being read were inserted into the Register of the Acts of this Synod The Tenor and Form of which is as followeth 4. A Copy of the King's Letters Patents containing His Majesty's Commission to Monsieur de Cúmont Lord of Boisgrollier LOUIS BY the Grace of God King of France and Navarré To Our Beloved and Trusty Councellor in Our Councel of State and Court of Parliament at Paris the Lord of Cúmont Greeting We having Granted our Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion to hold a National Synod in the Town of Charenton near Paris on the Six and Twentieth day of December next coming Composed of all the Deputies of the Provinces of Our Kingdom to Treat of Affairs concerning their Religion and being to make choice of a meet Person and of approved Fidelity to Vs who may preside in the said Assembly as Our Commissioner and Represent Vs in it We knowing the Services you have rendered Vs in sundry Honourable Imployments with which We had intrusted you which you have most Worthily and Faithfully discharged We thought We could not choose a fitter Person than your self being well assured that you will continue the Testimonies of your Affection unto Vs and Our Service as aforesaid Wherefore by Advice of the Queen-Regent Our most Honoured Lady and Mother We have Commissionated and Deputed you and We do Commissionate and Depute you by these Presents Signed with Our Hand to go unto the Town of Charenton and to sit in the said Synod there Assembled and to Represent Our Royal Person in it and to Propose and Determine whatever matters We shall give you in Command according to those Memoirs and Instructions We have now delivered unto you and you are to take heed that none other Affairs be there debated but such as ought to be in those Assemblies and which are permitted by Our Edicts And in case the Members of the said Synod should attempt to do any thing contrary thereunto you shall hinder them and interpose therein with Our Authority and give Vs speedy and timely notice of it that such course may be taken to prevent those inconveniencies which would arise as We shall Judge to be most convenient For the doing whereof We give you Power Commission and special Commandment by these presents Given at Paris the 28th of November in the year of Grace One Thousand Six Hundred and Forty Four and of Our Reign the Second Signed in the Original LOUIS And a little lower Phelippeaux The Speech of the Lord Commissioner unto the Synod together with his Propositions and Complaints made in Their Majesties Name against divers Churches Messieurs AS it is a very great Honour to me to be Commissionated by His Majesty to assist in your Synod and to acquaint you with His Will and Pleasure so also have I a great deal of Joy and Satisfaction to behold this Illustrious Assembly chosen out of all the Provinces of this Kingdom and that I can tell you by word of Mouth what was expresly Charged and Commanded me by the King and the Queen His Mother which is to assure you of Their Good Will unto you and Protection of you and of all your Churches and of the intire Execution of the Edicts of Pacification so long as you continue your selves within those bounds of Duty Subjection and Fidelity which you owe unto Their Majesties they being the Higher Powers set over you by God intrusted with the Supream Authority and your Lot and Portion being the Honour of Obedience to Them whereunto you stand Obliged by your Birth the Dictates of your own Conscience and the Favours you continually receive from Their Majesties and by all kinds of Considerations both General and
Appeal from a Censure which he pretended was inflicted upon him by the Synod of that Province held at Mauze July 5 1656 because he refused to Baptize the Child of the Lord of Cyre at his Castle on an extraordinary Day The Assembly considering the Terms of that Censure which he produced mentioned no Censure at all it could not be perswaded that he had any ground of complaint in the least nor that such an Appeal should have been brought into this Assembly because Pastors should in all Affairs of this nature be guided by their Consistories and the custom of the Provinces And forasmuch as this Assembly is informed that the said Gaultier hath been for a long time without a Church the Province of Xaintonge was commanded to get him some Employment 4. Mademoiselle d' Argier Widow of the Deceased Pastor of that Name complained against the Judgment of the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Vsez in the Year 1659 which had rejected her Petition and demand of the Annuity of her Widowhood from the Churches of Cormes and Florensac but her Appeal was rejected because the matters of that nature ought to be finally decided in the Provinces 5. The Sieur Bourdieu Pastor of the Church of Montpellier having presented unto this Assembly the Evidences and Memoirs of Mr. Peter Caffarel Syndic of the Inhabitants in the City of Montpellier professing the Reformed Religion by which he defends himself from the Appeals brought by the Sieur John Guillard and Mademoiselle Colombâ— and Esther Thalodiere de Degan about a difference between them concerning Seats in the Temple These Differences were remanded back again unto the Consistory of Montpellier there to be finally determined if they are not so already according to the Ordinances established in the last and in this present National Synod of Charenton 6. There were produced in this Assembly the Memoir of Monsieur David Blanc late Pastor of the Church of Vernoux who departed this Life about Two Years since and presented by his poor Children in behalf of their Dead Father to defend an Appeal of his from the Provincial Synod of Vivaretz held at Vals in April 1650. And they complained that the said Synod had removed him from his Church of Vernoux without so much as hearing him speak for himself so that he was for sometimes altogether destitute of Employment and without any Maintenance or Care had for him or his poor Families Subsistence After that the Deputies of the said Province were heard the Assembly did very much blame the Province of Vivaretz for removing the said Mr. Le Blanc from his Church without suffering him to defend himself and for not providing for his Subsistence all the while he was out of imployment and Ordained that there should be paid in unto his Children within the space of one Year the Sum of Two Hundred Livres by the said Province and by the Churches of Vernoux and of Velay each of them One Third And the Synod of Vivaretz is charged to see that the said Sum be paid in to the Children of the said Deceased Mr. Le Blanc within the time prefixed 7. On sight of the Letters and Memoirs of Monsieur Thubert the Father Pastor of the Churches of Cassagnoles and Marnjolles appealing from a Judgment past in the Synod held at Alez in the Year 1658 against him and for refusing to restore him unto his Church of Vezenobres from whence he was removed without any valid Reason given him and that because he had a right to re-enter into his said Church they to keep him out would pay him Fifty Livres a Year for his Life After that the Deputies of Sevennes had been heard and that the Memoirs containing the Reasons and Grounds of the Appeal brought from the said Judgment by the Church of Vezenobre which was ordered to pay Fifty Livres a Year unto the said Monsieur Thubert The Assembly vacated the said Appeal and hath also vacated the Judgment past against the said Church for the Yearly payment of Fifty Livres and dischargeth it from the said Payment without Restitution of any part of the said Monies to be made by the said Monsieur Thubert in case he hath received any 8. There was an Appeal brought by the Church of Xaintes from an Act of the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge held at Cazes in June 1659 for that as they were informed they had over and besides the great Catechism which is ordinarily used every Lord's Day ordained another to be used between the Morning Sermon and the great Catechism for Children in a familiar way by Questions and Answers and yet though this be not practised in any one Church of the Province the Church of Xaintes is called upon to conform to Order and to keep to Uniformity This Assembly being obliged to commend the Zeal and Diligence of the said Church in providing for their Instruction who are committed to its care judgeth that it had been much better if the said Province had left this Church in full Liberty or that when they gave it their Advice upon the difficulty which was discovered in the Order of the said Church and that for a long time hath been upheld and maintained in it about the time chosen by them for their Catechisings the Province it self had found out some other means more meet and fit to produce those good effects and fruits which they have yielded and which might have been exempted from those inconveniencies which it hath found in the said Church and whereunto it might have conformed And therefore exhorteth the said Church and all other Churches in this Kingdom to strengthen themselves and to be incouraged in this laudable Design and to promote to the very utmost of their Power the instruction of particular Members according to that Canon made and established in this present Assembly 9. The Letters and Memoirs of the Sieurs Vulson Des Grands Prez Dâ— Bâ—â—f and Calvet Doctors of Physick Fellows of the Colledg of Physicians Fellows of the Colledge of Physicians at Grenoble and Professors of the Reformed Religion were Produced and Read in this Assembly by which they complained of Monsieur Gros Pastor of the Reformed Church at La Mure for having transgressed the 18th Article of the first Chapter of our Ecclesiastical Discipline which forbiddeth Ministers to practise Physick and that the Synod of Dolphiny held at Vegnes in September last of this Year 1659 had not took an effectual course to restrain him The Letters also of the Sieurs Gros were opened and perused and the Deputies of the Province of Dolphiny were heard speak on this matter After all Parties had been heard this Assembly not finding any proof against the said Mr. Le Gros that he had of late transgressed nor since that Act of the Consistory of Grenoble June 17 1659 he was only injoyned precisely and exactly to observe the sense and intention of that Eighteenth Article of our Church-Discipline under the Penalties therein contained 10. The Sieurs