persevere in our Faith and Discipline and to adventure their Estates their Lives and Fortunes for the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ expressing also their great desire that all the Members of our Churches might be preserved in a sweet and perfect Concord After thanks given them in the person of their Messengers Letters were ordained to be written unto each of them applauding their Zeal and Religious Affection and exhorting them to perseverance in this their godly Resolution and farther to assure them that this Assembly will do its utmost endeavour that their pious desires of uniting all the Members of the Church may be accomplished 4. This Assembly being informed that Mr. David Hume formerly Pastor in the Church of Duras in the Lower Guyenne was lately returned from his native Country of Scotland and as he passed through England his Majesty of Great Britain had charged him with a Letter to be delivered to us concerning differences sprung up in our Churches on several points of Doctrine The Assembly ordained that before it was read unto us a Copy thereof should be transcribed and sent unto the Lord de Rouvray our Deputy General at Court that so in case we should be suspected there he might immediately discover that it was nothing of State-Affairs but only a Point of Doctrine which concerned all the Reformed Churches gathered in divers Kingdoms and Republicks To Communicate in which Matters we had all freedom ever promised us and as for those of another nature we would never intermeddle with them unless we had an express and new permission from the King 5. Monsieur Hume being called in did by word of mouth relate what was given him in charge by his Majesty of great Britain who advised this Assembly as from him to procure and maintain a firm Union in points of Doctrine among the Pastors Professors and others the Members of our Churches without quarrelling with the Divines of Germany or any persons teaching otherwise who handled the point of Justification in a different manner from us and particularly that we would silence that controversy risen up between the Sieurs du Moulin and Tilenus and yet to prize and value those Gifts which the great God hath so plenteously bestowed upon them for his Churches Edifying Assuring us farther of his Majesties good will affection and purpose to defend the Churches of God and particularly ours Which also was the substance of his Letter See afterwards the 18th observ on the Synod of Privas This Assembly returned their most humble thanks unto the King of Great Britain speaking by the said Mr. Hume the bearer of his Letters and put off their consideration and resolutions about this affair unto its proper place viz. then to be debated when as the Acts of the Synod of Privas shall be reviewed 6. The Deputies of the Council for the Province of Lower Guyenne craving leave to be heard in this Assembly about matters of great importance which they were ordered to declare unto us being introduced they began to vindicate and justify the means used by them in their prosecution of the violations of the Edict by which their Churches had exceedingly suffered whereof they gave many and particular instances in divers Articles and concluded with an earnest suit unto this Assembly that we would by all lawful means prevent divisions among our selves and so obviate the Plots and practices of the enemies of our Religion in the present State of affairs which are now upon the wheel Whereupon the Assembly did assure them of that favourable construction it put upon their good intentions and on their proceedings as reported by them and of the ways and means they had used and it farther promised that every one of the Deputies of this Synod should remonstrate the same unto their respective Provinces that so none ill opinion might be taken up or entertained to their prejudice And as for those remedies craved by them for hereafter against our common publick evils and their particular sufferings the Assembly knoweth none more proper and fit than what is offered us viz. the next General Assembly granted us by their Majesties who therefore shall be most humbly thanked for it and yet most earnestly and humbly intreated to change the place of their meeting and to defer the time thereof unto the twentieth day of August next that so the Provincial Assemblies may sit the longer and have the more time and leisure to intend and perfect our desired Union And this Assembly seeth it self obliged to procure it because of what has been already Proposed and advanced which also it will do by all lawful and possible means And as for the Modifications and restrictions of the Writ it Judgeth that they ought to be sent over to the mixt Provincial and General Politick Assemblies which the Deputies unto this Synod shall every one of them at their return represent unto their respective Provinces and Monsieur de Rouvray our General Deputy shall be written unto out of hand to present our most humble thanks as also our before-mentioned Requests unto their Majesties that so this Assembly may receive an answer before its dissolution CHAP. IV. Observations made on Reading the Confession of Faith Article 1. THERE being found some difference about the 6th Article of the Confession in the Latin and French Copies the first restraining that approbation which had been determined in the Mystery of the Trinity unto the four first ancient Councils but the others extending it indefinitely unto the ancient Councils This Assembly decreed that nothing should be altered in the French Edition of it Art 2. On the 8th Article Because that in divers Copies there was a Typographical Error which altered the very sence of the Article Exprimant que Dieu fait Convertir au lieu de dire qui'l Scait Convertir this Assembly exhorts the Pastors of those Churches which have Printers to admonish them that they get some Judicious Person to oversee and correct the press that we may not be troubled any more with complaints of this nature and that once for all our Confession be Printed with the greatest exactness according to the Copies revised in the last National Synods and the like notice shall be given to the Pastors and Professors in the Church of Geneva Art 3. On the 9th Article instead of these words qui'l y ait there must be read qui'l ait Art 4. Montaubaâ— obs 6. Saumur obs 1.3 Rochel obs 13. On the 39th Article towards the close of it the words of Institution shall be added according to the Decree of former National Synods in the express terms of St. Matthews Gospel Take eat c. Art 5. The Confession of Faith of the Churches in this Kingdom having been read word by word was approved in all its Articles by the Deputies not only for themselves personally but generally for all the Provinces represented by them and by whom they were commissionated and all of them swore for themselves and for
Thomas at Cambridge in the Year 1586. The Confession which is commonly added to the End of the Bible and bound up with it and with the French Psalm-Books consists of Forty distinct Articles Yet there is an Edition of it by Justus Livius a Printer of Leyden and dedicated to the States-General of the Netherlands which hath Monsieur Chamier's Preface and is distinguished into Thirty five Articles in the Year 1616. I have consulted and compared several Printed Editions of the Confession as that of Hawtyn of Rochell in the Year 1616. and he was Printer to the National Synods which exactly agreed with several others printed since and with the Latin Edition in the Corpus Syntagma Confessionum printed by Chouet at Geneva in the Year 1654. And at Geneva was kept one of the three Parchment Originals of this Confession as the other two were reserved one at Paw in Berne and the third in the Archives of the City of Rochell and unless my Memory fail me there is one of these Originals in the City of Leyden in Holland and in the Custody of the French Church there But I will not be peremptory Sect. 11. The next thing which was done by this first National Synod was a Draught of their Church-Discipline The Canons of which at first were but a few yet they did in three and twenty Synods alter add amend augment and meliorate their first Plat-form 'till they had brought it to that compleat Form and System of Articles which was the established Order for the Conduct and Government of all their Churches I have heard very many of their most grave learned and judicious Divines magnifie it as a Master-Piece In truth their pious Reformers saw a great necessity of reviving and restoring the ancient Discipline and therefore at the same time that sound Doctrine and pure Scripture-Worship was introduc'd into their Churches they did also set up Discipline and that it might be effectually practised they did in the Synod of Orleans the sixteenth Article of General Matters ordain That the Canons of Church-Discipline should be read in the Consistories of the Reformed Churches in France on those Days when as the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administred and all Pastors Elders and Deacons all Moderators Assessors Scribes and Deputies of their Synods National and Provincial and all Members of Colloquies were expresly injoined according to their solemn Promises when they were first received into their respective Offices to see that it was diligently faithfully and vigorously executed And O! that the Generation which succeeded the first Reformers had not lax'd the Reins how happy might they have been In the Morning of the Reformation they were fair as the Moon clear as the Sun and terrible as an Army with Banners The greatest Princes of France submitted their necks to this golden Yoke of Christ A National Synod was formidable to the most daring Sinner Their Discipline duly and prudently managed preserved the Purity of Doctrine Worship and Morals among them And now I shall present it to me Reader SECT XII The Discipline of the Reformed Churches of France CHAP. I. Of Ministers CANON I. THAT such Persons may be chosen into the Ministery as are meet for so sacred an Employment Chap. I. Of Ministers let the standing Canon of the Apostle be observed That inquiry be made into their Doctrine whether they be apt to teach and also into their Conversation with all possible Diligence CANON II. Novices lately received into the Church especially Priests and Monks shall not be admitted unto the Sacred Ministry without a long and diligent inquiry and experience had both of their Life and Doctrine approved at least by the space of two Years since their Conversion and confirmed by good Testimonials from the places of their abode nor shall they be ordained no more than unknown Persons without the Advice of Provincial and National Synods CANON III. If any Bishop or Curate should desire to be employed in the Ministry of the Gospel he cannot be admitted till he be first a true Member of the Church and renounce all his Benefices and all other Dependencies on the See of Rome and make acknowledgment of all his Offences formerly committed by him according as he shall be advised by the Consistory and after long proof and experience had of his Repentance and godly Conversation CAN. IV. A Minister of the Gospel unless in times of Difficulty and Cases of very great necessity in which he may be chosen by three Pastors together with the Consistory of the Place shall not be admitted into this Holy Office but by the Provincial Synod or by the Colloquy provided that it be at least composed of seven Pastors which number being found in a Colloquy some of the Neighbour Ministers shall be called in to concur with it and the Minister elect shall be presented with good and valid Testimonials not only from the Universities and particular Churches but also from the Colloquy of that Church in which he had been most conversant CAN. V. The Minister presented shall be examined in this manner First by Propositions from the Word of God upon such Texts as shall be given him the one necessarily in French the other in the Latin Tongue if the Colloquy or Synod shall judge it expedient One whole day shall be granted him to prepare himself for each of these Exercises If by them he give satisfaction unto the Assembly there shall be tendered him a Chapter of the New Testament by which his skill in the Greek Language shall be known and as to the Hebrew they shall be careful to see that at the least he can serve himself of good Books for the understanding of the Scripture in that Original Unto these there shall be added an Essay of his skill in the most needful parts of Philosophy let the whole Examen be managed with singular Charity and without Affectation of any thorny or unprofitable Questions Finally he shall compose a brief Confession of his Faith in Latin on which he shall be opposed by way of Disputation And if after this Examination he be found capable then the Assembly remonstrating to him the Duty of that Office whereunto he is called shall further declare that Power which is given him in the Name of Jesus Christ See Obs 1. upon the Discipline in the Synod of Tonneins to minister both in the Word and Sacraments and he shall be fully and solemnly ordained in that Church unto which he is sent and the said Church shall be informed of his Election by the Act or Letters of that Synod or Colloquy which shall be delivered and read unto them by a Pastor or Elder CAN. VI. He whose Election shall be declared unto the Church shall Preach publicity the Word of God on three several Sabbaths but without power of administring the Holy Sacraments or of solemnizing Marriages in the audience of the whole Congregation that so they may know his manner of Teaching and the
its Minister and that Church having been twice informed which is suffered of the Day and Place when the Colloquy and Synod shall meet refuseth to appear The said Colloquy or Synod may proceed farther and determine finally about that difference notwithstanding the Absence of one of the Parties The Union of the Church must not be quitted for any Persecution XXVI The Churches and particular Persons shall be admonished never to depart from the Sacred Union of the Church whatever Persecutions may befal them nor shall they procure for themselves a separate Peace and Liberty distinct from the whole Body of our Churches And in case of failure â—â—â—â—in they shall be censured as the Colloquy or Synod shall judge expedient XXVII Appellants from Provincial Synods unto the National shall be bound personally to appear at those very National Synods â—â—â—â—as Appâ—â—al unâ—â— Synods must â—â—ther appear in Person or send their most â—â—â—le Meâ—â—â—rs or to send thither their most ample Memoirs and in case of default the Sentence of the National Synod shall he ratified And this Rule shall hold good in all Appeals from Consistories unto Colloquies and from Colloquies unto the Provincial Synods XXVIII Ministers shall be bound to Assist personally at Colloquies and Provincial Synods If Pâ—â—stors do not attend on Colloquies and Provincial Synods they may be deposed by them or to send their Memoirs and lawful Excuses and in case of disobedience to this Order the said Colloquy or Synod may judge difinitively of their neglect and dispose of their Persons CHAP. V. XXIX THE Province of higher Languedoc is ordered to call the next National Synod in the beginning of May 1579. However the said Province is intreated if the Lord be pleased to grant the Churches any further liberty to have respect unto the Conveniences of the far distant Provinces Which also their Deputies have promised shall be done XXX The fourth Canon in the Chapter of the Lord's Supper shall be couched in these words Beneficed Persons who bear the Name and title of their Benefices and do either directly or indirectly communicate with Idolatry and receive the Revenues of their Benefices either immediately with their own hands or mediately by the hands of others shall not be admitted to communion with us at the Lord's fable But such as enjoy those Benefices by his Majesty's Gift or Toleration and are downright Professors of the true Religion and do visibly own and maintain it they shall have the same priviledge with all other Members of our Churches to sit down with us at the Lord's Table Only they shall be exhorted to apply the Revenue of their aforesaid Benefices unto pious Vses And the Management of this Exhortation is left wholly to the Prudence of the Colloquies and Consistories CHAP. VI. XXXI UPon perusal of the Memoirs and Instructions produced in a late Assembly of many Deputies from sundry famous Reformed Churches Kingdoms and Provinces who met at Francfort and were invited thither by the most Serene and Illustrious Prince Elector John Casimir Prince Palatine and Duke of Bavaria in which were laid down several Means Expedients and most proper and effectual Remedies for uniting all the Reformed Churches of Christendom in one common bond of Union as also for suppressing and terminating the Differences which are risen up and fomented by their common Adversaries among them and for hindring some hot-headed and bigotted Divines from condemning and as they had menaced and protested they would condemn and pronounce an Anathema against the greatest and soundest part by far of the Christian Reformed Churches Now that such imprudent and wicked Designs might be obviated and prevented they did after mature Advice and Consultation had among themselves unanimously resolve and agree to draw up a Petition unto their most Illustrious Highnesses the Princes of the Empire who adhering to the Confession of Ausbourg Moreover they had given an express charge that one uniform Confession of Faith should be framed which was to be taken and accounted as the general and common Confession of all Protestants and to send several Copies of it unto all those Kingdoms and Provinces in which those Churches were gathered to be examined and approved by them and to be crowned with their joynt common and unanimous Consent and Approbation And they had also agreed upon the time when and place where the Deputies of those Kingdoms and Provinces might be convocated and particularly they had invited the Churches of this Kingdom to send thither some prudent Persons of great Experience well approved for their Piety and and Integrity and impowered by all the Churches with ample Authority to treat agree and decide all Points of Doctrine and other Matters concerning the Union Peace and Conservation of the Churches and of the pure Worship of God This present National Synod of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom blessing God for so good a Motion for such an excellent Proposal and applauding the Care Diligence and good Counsel of those worthy Deputies in the fore-mentioned Assemblies and approving the Remedies and Expedients propounded and prescribed by them doth now ordain that if the Copy of the said Confession be sent timely enough unto us it shall be examined in each of our Provincial Synods or in some other place and manner as will best consist with the Conveniences of our respective Provinces and in the mean while four Ministers most verst in all Ecclesiastical Affairs are constituted a Committee to intend this business to-wit Mr. Anthony de Chandieu Mr. John de Estre Ministers of the Word of God in the Church of Paris and Mr. Peter Merlin Minister of the Church of Vitre in Britain and Monsieur Gabert late Minister of the French Church at Francfort and they be expresly charged and commanded to meet at the day and place appointed with their Letters of Deputation and with a most full and ample Commission from all the Ministers and Elders deputed by the Provinces of this Kingdom and there will accompany them the most illustrious Lord Viscount of Turenne that so they may do all Matters as were above designed But in case the Provinces should neither have opportunity nor conveniency to examine the said Confession in their respective Synods 't is lest unto their Prudence and soundest Judgment to agree and come to a conclusion about all those Matters which shall be debated by them whether they be Points of Doctrine or any other Articles relating to the Peace Union Weal and Happiness of all the Churches XXXII These same Commissioners deputed as in the immediately foregoing Article unto the Conference in Germany are ordered to peruse that Treatise of Monsieur de Chandieu Intituled La Confirmation de la Discipline des Eglises Francoises and to prefix their manual Approbation of it and to dedicate it with a Preface unto the Church of Christ and to hasten with as much Expedition as they can its Publication XXXIII Monsieur Esnard having according to the Commission given him
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
rest they may write their thoughts about it unto that Province which is impowered to call the next National Synod and in case the matter be urgent it shall be couched in the Letters of Summons that so they may come prepared for it 9. The Province of Dolphiny moved whether if two or three Witnesses were brought by an Informer to give in evidence against a Pastor or Elder they might be admitted so that their testimony should be of sufficient force and vertue to condemn the accused altho there be none other crime objected against them This Assembly seeth no difficulty at all in the case 10. The Province of Anjou requesting it 1. Paris 27. this Synod injoineth all Consistories in their choice of Elders to cause such persons to be elected as are irreprehensible according to our Discipline and carefully to observe that Canon about the qualities necessarily required in them who are called unto those Offices And all Colloquies and Provincial Synods are charged to put to their helping hand that this Ordinance be duely kept and observed 11. The Province of Xaintonge moving it this Assembly ordained that such Persons who get themselves preferred unto the Government of our cautionary Towns or unto the office of Counsellors in the mixt Courts or shall obtain any other places granted unto Gentlemen professing our Religion without taking the necessary attestations according to the Letter and import of the Kings Writ for Governours and the particular Articles for Counsellors in Sovereign Courts they shall be declared Desertors of the Union of our Churches and prosecuted with all Church-censures And those of our Religion which are in possession shall be exhorted to keep still possession of those places and not to resign them but on this condition nor consent to their admission and reception who offer themselves without such a Testimonal And as for those other ways of complaints and remonstrances to be made unto their Majesties of the notorious violations of our Priviledges they shall be carried unto the next approaching Political Assemblies granted us by the Writ of their said Majesties But for the present our Lords the General Deputies are charged to require that some other person duely qualified according to the above mentioned orders may be substituted in the place of the Sieur Berger who is of late revolted from the truth And if that particular Government now become vacant by his Apostacy be not supplied before the next meeting of the general Assembly notice shall be given unto them of it that so they may prosecute it in the name of all the Provinces 12. At the request of the same Province of Xaintonge all Consistories be injoined to take special heed that Commanders in our Cautionary Towns do not admit into their familiar converse any debauched persons who be guilty of crimes deserving corporal punishment 13. And whereas the same Province hath desired that we would frame another form of excommunication besides that which is inserted in our Discipline we concur with them in their motion and shall take care that it be done accordingly 14. The Province of the Isle of France requested that an order might pass for our Readers to publish the Banes of Marriages out of their desks 3. Rochel observ 23. and not for Pastors to do it from the Pulpit But this matter was left to the prudence and liberty of Consistories 15. The aforesaid Province of the Isle of France demanding it this Assembly ordained that the Canons of former National Synods concerning Attestations should be most strictly observed and whatsoever Consistory presumeth to give one in any other form shall be most severely censured And therefore all Officers into whose hands such Attestations may fall are intreated to detain them and to present them unto the Provincial Synods or Colloquies upon whom the Churches which have given them are dependant 16. The Provinces of Xaintonge the Higher and Lower Longuedoc Privas of Colledges 23.2 Vitré of Colledges 1. and of the Isle of France all moving that it would be expedients lessen the number of our Universities in this Kingdom and to reduce them unto two only that so they might be rendered more compleat This Assembly doth not judge meet to diminish their number but adviseth that the Professors there employed do discharge their duty carefully and acquit themselves of their Offices faithfully and most conscientiously 17. Provincial Synods 2. Paris 3. Colloquies and Consistories are expresly forbidden to admit any Persons unto the Lords Table who directly maintain Idolatry or breed up their Children in it or have recourse unto the Pope for Dispensations that they may enjoy Benefices or others under their name And all such are judged utterly unworthy of obtaining Testimonials from our Churches whereby they may be advanced unto those important Charges in our Cautionary Towns 18. The Lord's General Deputies are ordered to give their Majesties the most humble Thanks of this Assembly for that they have been pleased to discharge our Churches of the Sous in the Liver which was formerly taken for paying the Salaries of our General Deputies out of the Moneys granted us by their Liberality Privas p. m. 20. and they are with all humility earnestly to request them to ease us of paying three thousand six hundred Livers which have been extraordinarily given unto the Inhabitants of the Baylywick of Gex by way of recompence for the loss of their Churches Stock whereof they were formerly in possession and that it may be paid them out of some other Fund than ours 19. Relation being made that divers Persons of eminent Note and Quality 2. Synod of Vitré g. m. 34. both within and without the Kingdom are designing how to bring the Orthodox Churches of France England Germany Switzerland the Low-Countreys and Geneva to a nearer Communication in some convenient place by Deputies sent from them all that so there may be a more strict and familiar Correspondence in Doctrine effected and kept up among them whereunto His Majesty of Great Britain expresseth a very great inclination It was resolved that those excellent persons who travail in this most pious Undertaking should have the Thanks of this Assembly and be intreated to persist in their laudable prosecutions of it And in the mean while this Design shall be imparted by the Provinces unto such as understand these matters that so this Proposal may be more seriously advised on in the next National Synod 20. For as much as the pernicious Doctrine of the Jesuits against the Lives Estates and Authority of Soveraign Princes is propagated and most impudently published to the World by the chiefest of that Sect Suarez having within a few months gone beyond all the Fellows of his Order in a Book newly published by him This Assembly detesting that abominable Doctrine together with its Authors exhorts all the faithful of our Communion to abhor and execrate it and all our Ministers and Professors are to Teach and Preach against it powerfully and
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
the grant of the half supernumerary Portion for the future which was allowed them by the Synod of Alez The Letters of the said Elders having been perused and the Deputies of the Province heard This Assembly confirms the past Payments and ordains that for the future the supernumerary Portions granted unto the said Province shall be wholly at their own disposal 37. Monsieur Le Pin Elder in the Church of Issurtille appealed from the Judgment of the Synod of Burgundy held at Gex in this present year but his Appeal was declared null and desert 38. That Appeal of the Elders of Aubenas and Annonay from the Judgment of the Provincial Synod of Vivaretz which had reunited the Colledge parted before betwixt those Two Cities and resettled it at Privas was declared null and void CHAP. XIV Of GENERAL MATTERS 1 THE Sieurs de Chambrun and Mestrezat Ministers of the Gospel de Jarlan and Rabboteau Elders who together with our General Deputies had been commanded by this Synod to wait upon His Majesty being now returned made report that they delivered unto the Lord Chancellor unto the Lord de la Vieuville and to the Lords Principal Secretaries of State the Letters of this Assembly of whom they had a very gracious and kind Reception and every one of those Lords assured them of the Kings sincere intentions to conserve the peace of the Kingdom and particularly for His Subjects of the Reformed Religion provided that they persisted in their Duty and Obedience and farther they advised the Pastors and Elders of this Synod upon their return unto their respective Provinces who had sent them that they would deal effectually with them to continue in their due Obedience After this they were introduced into His Majesties Presence who was then attended with My Lord Chancellor and the other Lords of the Privy Council to whom they delivered the Letter of this Assembly and assured His Majesty in the Name of this Assembly and of all the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom whom they represented of their Loyalty Submission and Obedience whereunto they were obliged by their Birth Religion and Benefits conferred upon them by His Majesty And farther they returned their most humble thanks unto His Majesty for that Peace he was pleased to vouchsafe unto his Subjects of the Reformed Religion and did with a most profound Humility petition His Majesty that they might through his Royal Goodness and Justice evermore enjoy and possess it Whereupon His Majesty did with his own Mouth give us this Answer That if his Subjects of the Reformed Religion did carry themselves well and lived in that Duty and Obedience which God and Nature required of them he would continue to them the Priviledges of his Edicts and that My Lord Chancellor should tell us his mind more amply and at large After which My Lord Chancellor bespake them in these words That His Majesty having been well informed of the Actions and Deportments of the Synod till now was exceedingly satisfied But that His Majesty would discover unto them his mind upon two points the first whereof concerned Foreign Pastors That it was His Majesties Will That the Churches should not serve themselves in the Ministry of any other Persons than such as were born in the Kingdom and were his Natural Subjects for some private reasons which he needed not to tell them but one of them was very evident because his Natural Subjects who are such by their Birth would be more tied unto his Service than any Foreigners The other related to the last Synod held at Alez yet was it not in the least intended by His Majesty to impair or alter the Liberty of the Churches with reference to their Faith or the Exercises of their Religion either in Doctrine or Discipline but it was very displeasing unto His Majesty that the National Council of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom held at Alez should oblige all Pastors by their Corporal Oath to approve a Doctrine defined in a Foreign State And that though His Majesty giveth protection to the Religion yet you must not mistake him he intends it not for a Novel and Exotick Faith When as his Lordship had finished his Discourse The said Deputies did most humbly petition His Majesty graciously to hear them upon those two points which His Majesty having favourably granted They declared as to the first That it was true That now as for a long time ago the Churches of this Kingdom had made use of some Foreign Ministers but that they ever had this honour to have kept themselves within the limits of all Duty and Service to His Majesty and that during the War His Majesty had left unto the Churches their Pastors without informing himself of their Country or Nation But since His Majesty did us the favour as to acquaint us with his Will and Pleasure in a time or Peace that we must have no Strangers to officiate in our Churches it would be so far from preserving our Churches that it would leave some of them destitute and some others desolate and allay very much of the tast and sweets of that ê™eace we now enjoyed Moreover that among those of the Church of Rome in this Kingdom there were a multitude of Ecclesiasticks of other Nations which enjoyed the most honourable and profitable Benefices and Dignities of the Gallican Church wherefore His Majesty was most humbly petitioned that he would be pleated not to make this severe distinction between his Subjects so as to permit those of one Religion to use Strangers and to deny it unto the other And as for the Second Point It was a truth that the Synod of Dort made up of the Deputies of divers Reformed Churches had decided some certain points of Doctrine whereby to oppose the Errors which troubled the Churches of the Netherlands But that this Decision did most harmoniously agree with the Confession of Faith in the Churches of this Kingdom and which had been presented to His Majesties Predecessors So that the substance of the Doctrine asserted arid maintained by that Synod was not new and that there was nothing novel in it excepting its Formality and Application as a Fence and Boundary to keep out divers Errors that were then rising and breaking in upon us So that His Most Excellent Majesty was most humbly intreated not to believe that his Subjects had any such design as to make him the Patron and Protector of a Novel and Foreign Doctrine After that the Deputies had finished their Discourse they were commanded to withdraw that His Majesty might consider and deliberate about what had been said by them and being a while after called in again My Lord Chancellor told them as to the first head that His Majesty having heard the Matters that were propounded by them would not remove the Foreign Pastors from their Flocks in this Kingdom who were now in Office and at present actually imployed But it was his pleasure that for the future no more should be
received Whereupon His Majesty taking the words out of the Lord Chancellors Mouth repeated it himself I will not that one of them that is now in the Ministry of their Churches be turned out Afterward My Lord Chancellor continuing his Discourse told them That as for the second point that His Majesty left us wholly at liberty to judge of our Doctrine and would not himself have the cognisance of it but only gave us to understand that no Man should be obliged to pin his Faith upon anothers Sleeve or to swear unto the Faith of a Stranger but that every one should believe as he would Whereupon these Deputies judging and believing that this Answer did not m the least prejudice them nor our Churches because no Person in the Reformed Churches swears unto anothers Faith after they had once again returned Thanks unto His Majesty for all His Favours and protested afresh of their most humble Obedience and inviolable Affection to His Majesties Service they departed And having before their return hither waited upon the Chancellor privately and rendred him thanks as also to the Lords de Pisieux and d' Herbant for that Audience and very kind reception they had by their means from His Majesty they were informed by them that His Majesty was very well pleased with them and that he retained his Intentions of keeping the Peace provided his Subjects of the Reformed Religion continued in their Obedience 2. When as the Deputies had ended their Report the Lord Galland Commissioner and Deputy for the King in this Assembly related what was given him in charge by His Majesty upon these two aforesaid points This Synod yielding all Obedience to His Majesties Will in what concerns the admission of Strangers for the future doth yet resolve to take all opportunities of petitioning His Majesty that our Churches may enjoy the same liberty they ever had in this matter And as for the second point concerning the Oath The Synod declareth that the Intention of that of Alez was not in the least to wound His majesties Authority of which they will be alwaies most tender and sollicitous nor did that National Synod design to bring into this Kingdom any Foreign Customs or Strange Doctrines or New Opinions but only to testifie the Union of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom with those of the Low Countries in certain points of Doctrine which have been in all times entertained and embraced by them and for their substance are comprehended in our Confession of Faith but upon which there fell out some Controversies in the Netherlands However that they may give all possible contentment and satisfaction unto His Majesty This present Synod considering that the City of Dort is a Dependance and Member of a Foreign Common-wealth it doth ordain that the Reference had in the said Oath unto that City shall be taken away nor shall it for the future be administred in the Churches and Universities of this Kingdom And the said Oath shall be hereafter taken in that form as is exprest in the close of the Canons decreed in this present Synod which by its special Order were printed and inserted into these present Acts. 3. The Province of Normandy moved that a Canon might be ordained to oblige all Pastors to visit once a year the respect Families of their Churches and to take notice of their progress in Piety and to press them to it by the most quickning motives Although this Synod doth not judge it necessary to make any New Canons on this occasion yet nevertheless doth it exhort all Pastors and Consistories carefully to oversee the Flocks committed to their charge according to the Rule of Gods Word and the Example of those Worthy Ministers who have been noted and renowned for their diligence and faithfulness in the House of God 4. That same Province also requested that the Moneys given us by His Majesties liberality might not for the future be distributed by the number of Pastors but of Churches This National Synod as that of Privas before it decreeth That the former course and practice shall stand and that the said Portions shall be distributed according to the number of our Ministers but withal it exhorteth the Provinces in their particular distribution of the said Moneys to have a special regard and compassion for the poor and weaker Churches 5. The Province of Anjou petitioned the Synod that some expedient might be found out for setling of a certain Maintenance upon our Universities But there could not be at present any thing done in it 6. The Province of Lower Guyenne moved whether it might not be expedient to add some Marginal Notes unto those Texts in our French Bibles and to be published in the next Impression of the Holy Bible which our Adversaries accuse us to have falsified and corrupted This Assembly did not judge it needful because our Translation of the Sacred Scriptures hath been sufficiently defended by our own Divines as will appear to any one that will but take the pains to consult their Learned and Orthodox Writings upon this Subject 7. The Province or Lower Languedoc demanding License for our Pastors to continue their receiving of Moneys belonging to the Colloquies This Assembly did very sharply reprove and censure the said Province for acting contrary to that Canon made at Alex and forbiddeth all Ministers so much as to intermeddle with that Receipt and the Deputies of the said Province immediately upon their return home are charged to give notice of this present Ordinance unto them and if any one of them for the future dare violate it this Assembly declareth him from this very instant suspended the Sacred Ministry which suspension shall continue upon him till the sitting of the next National Synod before which he shall appear in Person to give an account of his Actions And the Moderators of Colloquies and Synods are commanded to exert all their Power that this Canon be observed or else they shall answer for it in their own private Capacities 8. The Province of Burgundy moved that for the future no Church nor Minister might be admitted to bring in any Proposal or Petition unto the National Synod but by the way of the Provincial Synods and the Deputies of their Provinces This Assembly accepted and approved of the motion as agreeing with the Sentiments and Canons of former Synods and made it into a Canon 9. The Province of Dolphiny requesting of this Synod that some certain Persons might be selected to collect out of the Writings of the Fathers such passages as will be of use in that Controversie of Church-History This Synod because there have been published a vast number of Books on this Subject and a multitude of Collections already made by divers of our Orthodox Divines doth not judge it needful to imploy any one particularly on such a Task But yet withal it exhorts all them to whom God hath given those Abilities that they would improve them so as to frame and compose a faithful
Normandy in this case decreed that the said Monsieur du Bois shall be received and fixed in the Pastoral Office of the said Church of â—ontaines and Crocy until the next meeting of the Provincial Synod of Normandy 16. Monsieur Joly petitioning this Assembly for some Relief for himself and poor Family until the sitting of the next National Synod and that leave might be given him to aspire unto the Profession of the Hebrew Language in case there should be a vacancy This Assembly granted him the letter and because of his wants and the distressed Condition of his Family they do give him an Hundred and Fifty Livres and for the future do continue unto him one free Portion under the same Name as it was granted him by the National Synod of Alez CHAP. XX. N. B. This Curcelles was after fixed Pastor in the Church of Vitre le Francois in Champagne where having begot his Servant Maid with Child he forsook his Church and fled into Holland that the might escape the punishment due unto his crime which of his free will he had committed where he returned with the Dog unto his former Vomit and licke up his once Abpured â—rrorâ— and lived and dyed an implacable line my of the Truth and and of all its Professors When he was dead there was found among his Books a Manuscript written with his own hand against the Godhead of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the profession of the Truth 17 MOnsieur de Courcelles formerly Pastor in the Church of Amiens having refused to subscribe the Doctrine received in the Synod of Alez did freely and of his own accord resign his Pastoral Charge into the hands of the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France but now protesting in this Assembly that he had quite rejected those Arminian Dogmes and that he did own and acquiesce intirely in the Doctrine received of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and humbly petitioned this Synod that they would be pleased to restore him again unto his Charge upon the promises he did now make of retaining the form of sound words After that the Deputy of the Isle of France had related the proceedings of their last Synod upon the fact of Courcelles his quitting of his Place and Calling he was again called in and did plainly and clearly and with great earnestness avow and confess his consent unto the whole Doctrine taught and contained in those Canons decreed at the Synod of Alez and in this also holding and believing it to be the truth and agreeing with the Word of God and that he renounceth all Errors condemned in those aforesaid Canons and that he believeth those said Canons in every Branch and Article of them and was resolv'd to sign and defend them for the future to the utmost of his power during Life The Assembly having received this his Declaration and Protestation restored him again unto his Ministerial Office and remanded him back unto the Isle of France to be presented unto a Church and in case he could not meet with one in that Province then he might accept of a Call in any other And for his Comfort he had License given him in the interim to preach in any Church for its Edisication yea and in the Church of Paris also provided the Reverend Pastors of that Congregation did invite him to it Moreover this Assembly approved of all those former proceedings of the Province aforesaid in and about this business of Courcelles as having been done and managed with singular prudence Candor and Charity And it gives also unto the said Courcelles one Portion for his subsistence until such time as he be provided of a Church 18. Letters were tendred and read in this Assembly from the Lords Curators and Professors in the famous University of Leyden requesting that Monsieur Rivett who had been lent unto the said University by a former National Synod for their Divinity Professor might be confirmed and continued to them during Life by the Authority of this also The Letters of Monsieur Rivett writ unto this Assembly were in like manner perused and his Brother the Lord of Chamvernown declared that Doctor Rivett testified and expressed a continual Love and sincere Affection as in Duty he was bound unto his Native Countrey and that Cordial desire he had alwayes to serve it but that he could not at present be removed from the University of Leyden but to it s very great dammage and his own in particular for which cause he intreated this Assembly to continue him for some few years more in the aforesaid University of Leyden The Synod did hereupon grant him his request and ordered his continuance there until the next National Synod and that an answer should be written unto the Lords Curators and Professors there accordingly He lived there to his Death which fell out in the year 1651. His Works are Printed in Three Folio's 19. The Church of Alez petitioned that the Reverend Monsieur Chauve Minister of the Church of Sommieres might be coâ—ferred upon them for their Pastor After perusal of these Letters those of Monsieur Chauve were also considered who complained that his burthen was too heavy for his Shoulders and that he could not without assistance go through the necessary Duties of his Charge in either of those Churches The Deputies also of Sevennes and the Lower Languedoc and Monsieur L' Espeisses for the Church of Alez were all heard whereupon this Synod confirmed Monsieur Chauve in his Ministry of the Church of Sommiers and enjoyneth the said Province to take care that he have help and comfort given him in his great labours 20. The Church of Bourdeaux petitioned that Monsieur Alba Minister of the Church of Tonneins and Ferrand Minister of La Parade in the Province of Lower Guyenne might be bestowed on them for their Pastors Another Petition also was presented from the Lords President and Counsellors in the Court of Agen that they might be favour'd with the Ministry of the same Monsieur Alba. After perusal of several Letters from the Churches of Tonneins La Parade Bourdeaux and Agen and those of the Lords President and Counsellors there and hearing of Monsieur Coderois Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux and of Monsieur Alba and of the Provincial Deputies of Guyenne This Assembly presented Monsieur Ferrand unto the Church of Bourdeaux and Monsieur Alba unto that of Agen until the next National Synod And it does enjoyn the Colloquy and on their default the Synod of that Province to make some speedy provision for the Church of La Parade that they may be without delay supplied with a Pastor 21. Relation was made by the Province of Vivaretz concerning some Miscarriages of Monsieur des Maretz heretofore Pastor in the Church of Valet This Assembly not being able to judge of this Matter because of his absence hath dismissed the business unto the next Session of the Colloquy of Valentinois in Dolphiny to take cognisance of it and to
The Lord Commissioners Speech to the COUNCIL Proposals of the Lord Commissioner THIS Commission being read The Lord Galland declared fully and at large what Orders had been given him by His Majesty the Sum of which was an Assurance of His Majesties good Will towards His Subjects of the Reformed Religion and his Royal promise to preserve them in their Exercise and peaceable profession of it and that whilest they continued in their Duty and Obedience unto His Majesty he would take care that his Edicts should be strictly and punctually observed 2. And that the Foundations of their Obedience may be the more firm and solid His Majesty exhorted his said Subjects of the Reformed Religion to live in a greater Equanimity and Moderation with his other Subjects though differing from them in Religion So that the difference in Religion may cause no difference in their Affections which His Majesty assureth His said Protestant Subjects shall be accurately observed towards them that so they may not in any manner be troubled or prosecuted upon the pretext and ground of their Religion 3. The Professors also of the Reformed Religion ought on their part to promise that they will not hold any Intelligence Alliances or Correspondence with Persons abroad and without the Kingdom but only with His Majesty Reposing their intire Confidence in His Majesties Royal Word Grace and Favour He added farther That His Majesty commanded him to acquaint us that during the Wars he was never minded to abrogate or disanul the Edicts because he alwayes had a particular regard to the Repose of his Subjects For immediately upon his being declared Major he confirmed his Edicts renewed his Alliances increased and augmented his Bounty unto the Ministers and imployed in his most important Affairs of State the Lords and Gentlemen professing the said Religion and when as some special Occurrences necessitated him to act otherwise He did notwithstanding express and evidence the Effects of his Clemency by receiving and pardoning whole Communities and all such of His Subjects as submitted themselves unto his Authority he gave them a General Amnesty to Indemnifie them 4. And although the remembrance of those Actions be dead and buried yet 't is His Majesties Pleasure that the Canon past in the Synod of Realmont be put in Execution and an Information taken and brought in against those Ministers who had embrac't the Spanish Faction and that the Deputies unto this Council do Order a Declaration to this purpose to be drawn up not as if His Majesty intended an Hue and Cry should be issued out after the guilty or that they should be prosecuted for it but that all occasions of Troubles may be taken away and that the Lives and Actions of those who persisted in their Duty may not at all be blemished 5. The said Lord Commissioner added further That it was His Majesties Will as it had been Decreed in the last Synod at Charenton that Ministers should be confined to the proper Duties of their Calling and preach unto their People Obedience and not do as too too many did in the time of the late Troubles get into Political Assemblies and intermeddle with Affairs of State 6. And that Obedience and Subjection unto His Majesties Authority may be kept up inviolably and not be corrupted by any Foreign Manners or Way of Living It is His Majesties Pleasure and according to Laws in this case provided That no Minister shall depart the Kingdom without his Royal Licence first obtained nor live in a Foreign Land nor shall these National Councils lend any of their Ministers unto Foreign Princes or Republicks who may importune them to such a Loane either for a determinate time or during Life but they shall remit the demand unto His Majesty who in such cases will particularly consider his good Neighbours and Allies CHAP. IV. The Councils Answer to it The Answer made unto what had been proposed by the Kings Commissioner WHereupon the Council having given thanks to Almighty God for inclining the Kings heart to favour our poor Churches and to continue his protection to them they did also render their most humble and unfeigned thanks unto His Majesty for those most sensible Expressions of His Royal Favour unto His Subjects of the Reformed Religion for giving us our Peace and the accustomed Effects of His Goodness and Clemency And that His Majesty might have a manifest token and evidence of our Obedience unto his Commands now signified to us it was immediately and unanimously voted that a Declaration should be drawn up as in Conscience we were bound to discharge our Holy Religion of all blame and to testifie our fidelity and submission unto His Majesty from whose Authority Clemency and Justice next and immediately after God the Churches of France can only hope for support protection and preservation being ready and willing to lay down in His Majesties Service all that is dear unto us even our very Lives and Fortunes professing and calling â—od to witness that this is the Doctrine taught by our Pastors unto their Churches agreeable to the word of God in the Holy Scriptures and that Confession of Faith which is owned and embraced by all the Reformed Churches of France And the very first Vote which past was this that notwithstanding there have been ever found among our People professing the Reformed Religion the noblest Instances and Patterns of a true great and most Christian patience under the worst of usages and oppressions in all places and at all times sustained by them yet nevertheless all and singular the Consistories of our Churches shall continue their Counsels and Exhortations to them of abounding in Christian patience equanimity and moderation and to pay unto their Countreymen of the Romish Religion all Offices and Duties of Humanity Civility and Charity according to the Word of God and Intendment of His Majesty who also is most humbly petitioned to cast His Royal Eyes of Compassion upon the deep Afflictions of His Protestant Subjects who though they have alwayes labour'd to gain and keep the love and friendship of their fellow-Citizens and Countrey-men are yet notwithstanding in divers places of the Kingdom molested in their Persons disturbed in the Exercise of their Religion deprived of their Temples yea and see them demolished before their Faces even since the peace or else given away from them for dwelling houses unto the Româ—sh Priests and Ecclesiasticks and that they be dispossessed of their Burying Places and the Dead Bodies of very many Persons digged up most ignominiously that our Ministers have been barbarously beaten bruised wounded and driven away from their Churches although they have been the most innocent and inoffensive Persons in the World who neither injur'd the Publick in general nor any one in particular as our General Deputies shall more amply and at large make report hereof unto His Majesty Moreover the Council doth farther declare That as the Churches within the Kingdom have ever been united in the profession
well as in the Pres des Clerks by the Ladies Princes yea and by Henry the Second himself This one Ordinance only contributed mightily to the downfal of Popery and the propagation of the Gospel It took so much with the genius of the Nation That all ranks and degrees of Men practised it in the Temples and in their Families No Gentleman professing the Reformed Religion would sit down at his Table without praising God by singing Yea it was a special part of their Morning and Evening Worship in their several Houses to sing God's Praises The Popish Clergy raged and to prevent the growth and spreading of the Gospel by it that mischievous Cardinal of Lorrain another Elymas the Sorcerer got the Odes of Horace and the filthy obscene Poems of Tibullus and Catullus to be turn'd into French and sung in the Court Ribaldry was his Piety and the means used by him to expel and banish the singing of divine Psalms out of the prophane Court of France The Holy Word of God is duly truly and powerfully Preached in Churches and Fields in Ships and Houses in Vaults and Cellars in all places where the Gospel-Ministers can have admission and conveniency and with singular success Multitudes are Convinced and Converted established and edified Christ rideth out upon the white Horse of the Ministry with the Sword and Bow of the Gospel Preached Conquering and to Conquer His Enemies fall under him and submit themselves unto him O! the unparallell'd success of the plain and zealous Sermons of the first Reformers Multitudes flock in like Doves into the Windows of God's Ark. As innumerable drops of dew fall from the Womb of the Morning so hath the Lord Christ the dew of his Youth The Popish Churches are drained the Protestant Temples are filled The Priests complain that their Altars are neglected their Masses are now indeed solitary Dagon cannot stand before God's Ark. Children and Persons of riper years are Catechised in the Rudiments and Principles of Christian Religion and can give a comfortable account of their Faith a reason of that hope that is in them By this Ordinance do their pious Pastors prepare them for Communion with the Lord at his holy Table Here they communicate in both kinds according to the Primitive Institution of this Sacrament by Jesus Christ himself Sect. 7. Though the Churches of God walked in the Comforts of the Holy-Ghost and were multiplied throughout the whole Kingdom yet were they exercised with Fiery Tryals and underwent most cruel and inhumane Sufferings Satan stormed that his Kingdom was assaulted weakned and subverted this boileth up his Revenge and causeth him to throw out Floods of Wrath against the Church travelling under the pangs of Reformation Hence the Saints of God are imprisoned arraigned for their Lives and condemned by merciless unrighteous Judges for their Profession of the Truth unto the Flames Others are murdered in cold Blood and massacred without any legal forms of Justice in the least And yet in the sight of those cruel Deaths and most barbarous Executions the first National Synod is called and celebrated in the Metropolis of the Kingdom at the very Doors of the Court God inspiring with Zeal and Courage the Pastors of several Churches to meet and consult together about the arduous and most important Businesses of the Reformed Religion Sect. 8. Two things among others were dispatch'd in this Council 1. They publish the Confession of their Faith and tell the King and Kingdom what they believe and practise This was put into the Hands of their Young King lately come to the Crown upon the Death of his Father who though he had sworn to see that famous Martyr of Christ Annas du Bourg Counsellour in the Parliament of Paris burnt yet was at a Tilt by Count de Montgomery a Protestant wounded with a Launce in the Eye and died before he could perform his Oath How Francis the Second entertained this Confession when it was tender'd him is not my Business to relate I shall only give my Reader the Confession itself and I do the rather lay it before him because it is a brief System of the Protestant Religion constantly read at the opening of all their Synods and because of the frequent References unto it in and by all those National Synods which I now publish Sect. 9. The Confession of Faith held and professed by the Reformed Churches of France received and enacted by their first National Synod Celebrated in the City of Paris and Year of our Lord 1559. ARTICLE I. WE believe and confess That there is but one God only whose Being only is simple spiritual eternal invisible immutable infinite incomprehensible ineffable who can do all things who is all-wise all-good most just and most merciful ARTICLE II. This one God hath revealed himself to be such a one unto Men first in the Creation preservation and governing of his works secondly far more plainly in his word which from the beginning he revealed to the Fathers by certain Visions and Oracles and then caused it to be put in writing in those Books which we call the Holy Scripture ARTICLE III. All this holy Scipture is contained in the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament the Catalogue whereof followeth The five Books of Moses namely Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers and Deuteronomy Item Joshua Judges Ruth the first and second Book of Samuel the first and second Book of Kings the first and second Book of Chronicles otherwise called the Paralipomena one Book of Esdras Nehemiah Hester Job the Psalms Solomon's Proverbs or Sentences Ecclesiastes the Song of Songs Esaiah Jeremiah with the Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonas Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zachariah Malachi Item the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew according to St. Mark according to St. Luke and according to St. John as also the second Book of St. Luke otherwise called The Acts of the Apostles Item the Epistles of St. Paul the Apostle to the Romans one to the Corinthians two to the Galatians one to the Ephesians one to the Philippians one to the Colossians one to the Thessalonians two to Timothy two to Titus one to Philemon one Item the Epistle to the Hebrews the Epistle of St. James the first and second Epistle of St. Peter the first second and third Epistle of St. John the Epistle of St. Jude and the Apocalypse or Revelations of St. John ARTICLE IV. We acknowledge these Books to be Canonical that is we account them as the most certain Rule of our Faith and that not so much because of the common consent of the Church but because of the Testimony and Perswasion of the Holy Ghost by which we are taught to distinguish betwixt them and other Ecclesiastical Books upon which although they may be useful yet we cannot ground any Article of Faith ARTICLE V. We believe That the Doctrine contained in these Books is proceeded from God from whom only and not from men it deriveth
way than he hath taught us by his Word that therefore all those Imaginations of Men about the Intercession of Saints departed is none other than an abuse and imposture of Satan whereby he may turn Men aside from the right method of Prayer We do also reject those Means which Men presumed they had whereby they might be redeemed before God for they derogate from the Satisfaction of the Death and Passion of Jesus Christ Finally We hold Purgatory to be none other than a Cheat which came out of the same Shop from which also proceeded Monastical Vows Pilgrimages Prohibitions of Marriage and the Use of Meats a Ceremonious Observation of Days Auricular Confession Indulgences and all other such like Matters by which Grace and Salvation may be supposed to be deserved Which things we reject not only for the false Opinion of Merit which was affixed to them but also because they are the Inventions of Men and are a Yoke laid by their sole Authority upon Conscience ARTICLE XXV And forasmuch as we are not made partakers of Christ but by the Gospel we believe that that good order in the Church which was established by his Authority ought to be kept sacred and inviolable and therefore that the Church cannot subsist unless there be Pastors whose office it is to instruct their Flocks and who having been duly called and discharging their office faithfully are to be honoured and heard with reverence Not as if God were tied unto such Ordinances or inferiour means but because it is his good pleasure in this sort to govern us So that for these reasons we detest all those Fanatical Persons who as much as in them lieth would totally abolish the preaching of the word and administration of the Sacraments ARTICLE XXVI Therefore we believe that it is not lawful for any Man to withdraw himself from the Congregations of God's Saints and to content himself with his private Devotions but all of us jointly are bound to keep and maintain the Unity of the Church submitting themselves unto the common instruction and to the Yoke of Jesus Christ and this in all places wheresoever he shall have established the true Discipline although the Edicts of earthly Magistrates be contrary thereunto and whosoever do separate from this Order do resist the Ordinance of God and in case they draw others aside with them they do act very perversly and are to be accounted as mortal plagues ARTICLE XXVII However we do believe that we ought to distinguish carefully and prudently betwixt the true and false Church because the Word Church is very much abused We say then according to the word of God That the Church is an Assembly of Believers who agree among themselves to follow God's word and the pure Religion which dependeth on it and who profit by it during their whole Life increasing and confirming themselves in the fear of God as being persons who do daily need a farther progress and advancement in godliness Yet notwithstanding all their indeavours they must have continual recourse to the grace of God for the forgiveness of their sins Nor do we deny but that among the Faithful there be some Hypocrites or despisers of God or Ill-Livers whose wickedness however cannot blot out the name of the Church ARTICLE XXVIII In this Belief we protest that where the word of God is not received and where there is no professed subjection to it and where there is no use of the Sacraments if we will speak properly we cannot judge that there is any Church Wherefore we condemn those Assemblies in the Papacy because the pure word of God is banished out of them and for that in them the Sacraments are corrupted counterfeited falsified or utterly abolished and for that among them all kinds of Superstitions and Idolatries are in full vogue We hold then that all those who meddle with such actions and Communicate with them do separate and cut themselves off from the Body of Christ Jesus Yet nevertheless because there is yet some small track of a Church in the Papacy and that Baptism as to its substance hath been still continued and because the efficacy of Baptism doth not depend upon him who doth administer it we confess that they which are there baptized do not need a second Baptism In the mean while because of those corruptions which are mingled with the administration of that Sacrament no Man can present his Children to be baptized in that Church without polluting of his Conscience ARTICLE XXIX We believe that this true Church ought to be governed by that Discipline which our Lord Jesus hath established so that there should be in the Church Pastors Elders and Deacons that the pure Doctrine may have its course and Vices may be reformed and suppressed that the poor and other afflicted Persons may be succoured in their necessities and that in the name of God there may be holy Assemblies in which both great and small may be edified ARTICLE XXX We believe that all true Pastors in whatever places they may be disposed have all the same authority and equal power among themselves under Jesus Christ the only Head the only Soveraign and only Universal Bishop and that therefore it is unlawful for any Church to challenge unto it self Dominion or Soveraignty over another however it is requisite that all care should be taken for the keeping up of mutual Concord and Brotherly Love ARTICLE XXXI We believe that it is not lawful for any Man of his own authority to take upon himself the Government of the Church but that every one ought to be admitted thereunto by a lawful Election if it may possibly be done and that the Lord do so permit it Which exception we have expresly added because that sometime as it hath fallen out in our days the state of the Church being interrupted God hath raised up some persons in an extraordinary manner for to repair the ruins of the decayed Church But let it be what it will we believe that this Rule is always to be followed that all Pastors Elders and Deacons should have a Testimony of their being called unto their respective Offices ARTICLE XXXII We believe that it is expedient that they who be chosen Superintendents in the Church should wisely consult among themselves by what means the whole Body may conveniently be ruled yet so as they do not swerve from that which our Lord Jesus Christ hath instituted And this doth not hinder but that in some Churches there may be those particular Constitutions which will be more convenient for them than for others ARTICLE XXXIII But we exclude all humane Inventions and all those Laws which are introduced to bind the Conscience under pretence of God's service And we do only receive such as serve to keep up Concord and to retain every one from the highest unto the lowest in due obedience In which we conceive that we are to observe that which our Lord Jesus Christ appointed concerning Excommunication which we
or Provincial Synod CAN. XIX Such as have abandon'd the profession of our holy Religion and adhere unto Idolatry if they persevere in this their Apostasie after serious endeavours used to bring them back again unto the Church they shall be publickly denounced Apostates to wit those who have of late times revolted unless the Consistory do judg that by such a nomination some great and considerable danger may redound unto the Church in which case nothing shall be done without consulting the Provincial Synod And as for those who have long since revolted the Execution of this denunciation is remitted to the prudence of the Colloquy CAN. XX. In publick Sins that is to say such as are really committed and known to a great number of People this Delinquent shall be restored by a publick acknowledgment of his offence although he had been punished by the Sentence of the Civil Magistrate CAN. XXI Forasmuch as Whoredome carries with it a brand of Infamy especially upon Women the Confession and Penance for such Scandals is wholly left unto the prudence of Consistories CAN. XXII Publick Penance shall be undergone in Person and the Delinquent shall give an open testimony of his Repentance CAN. XXIII The Delinquent who was suspended the Lord's Table by the Consistory although that suspension was concealed from the People shall demand his restoration from the Consistory and he giving evident tokens of his Repentance he shall be restored without undergoing any publick Penance CAN. XXIV But he whose Suspension had been declared unto the People producing Evidences of his Repentance before the Consistory by the fruits of good works and sufficient Testimonies shall be publickly reconciled unto the Church upon the acknowledgment of his offence CAN. XXV Those who for their obstinacy and hardness in their sins shall have been out off from the Church may not suddenly be restored unto their state and reconciled unto the Church but upon good and long tryal had of their Repentance they shall be heard in Consistory and if they Petition to be received unto the Churches Peace they doing Penance for their offences there shall be notice given of it unto the Congregation to stir them up to seek and praise God and after some time they shall be presented unto the whole Church to confess their former Trespasses and Rebellions and begging pardon of God and his Church they shall be in this manner reconciled with joy publick Prayers and Thanksgiving CAN. XXVI If the Members of a Church have fallen into Idolatry and thereupon removed their Habitation unto another place in which their offence is not known they shall only make acknowledgment of their Fall before the Consistory but with this Proviso that if they return unto the said Church where they had offended they shall do publick Penance for it However it is left unto the discretion of the Consistory to deal otherwise with them if they judge it to be more expedient for the Churches edifying The same judgment shall be made of all other sins deserving publick Penance CAN. XXVII All Sins acknowledged and repaired shall be razed out of the Consistorial Books excepting those which drawing Rebellion with them had been censured by Suspension from the Lord's Table or Excommunication out of the Church CAN. XXVIII Consistories shall not give in evidence unto the Civil Magistrate neither by instrument in writing nor any other way nor shall particular Members of the Consistories reveal unto any Person the Confessions of Penitents who voluntarily and of their own accord or by admonitions made them shall have confessed their offences to them unless it be in case of High Treason CAN. XXIX Such Persons shall be prosecuted with all Church-Censures yea and Excommunicated who professing the Reformed Religion do appeal the Pastors Elders or the whole Consistory before the Civil Magistrate by that means to enforce them to give in Evidence against Delinquents who confessed their faults unto them CAN. XXX Crimes secretly declared unto Ministers by Persons demanding their advice and comfort Ministers are forbidden to discover them unto the Civil Magistrate lest reproach should thereby redound upon the Ministry and Sinners be hindred from coming unto Repentance and making a free Confession of their Sins And this shall be a standing Rule for all Crimes revealed to them unless in Case of High Treason CAN. XXXI If one or more of the People stir up Contention and do thereby break the Churches Union in any point of Doctrine or of Discipline or about the form of Catechising or Administration of the Sacraments or of publick Prayers or the Celebration of Marriage and that private admonitions have not been effectual remedies to appease them the Consistory of that place shall immediately endeavour to compose and pacify the whole affair without noise and with all sweetness from the word of God and in case the Dissenters do not acquiesce therein the Consistory of that Church shall intreat the Colloquy to assemble at such a time and place as will be most convenient they having first ingaged the said Dissenters in express terms and upon record to promise that they will not spread their Opinions in any manner or way till the meeting of the said Colloquy upon pain of being Censured as Schismaticks excepting always freedom of Conference with Pastors and Elders in case they have not been instructed And if the said Dissenters shall refuse to give the said Promises they shall be censured for Rebels according to our Discipline And the Colloquy being met shall proceed as was before appointed them And if the said Dissenters having been patiently heard and confuted be fully satisfied the whole shall be registred unless the Provincial Synod be requested to assemble extraordinary necessity so requiring it at such time and place as the said Colloquy shall judge most convenient after that the Promises before-mentioned shall have been again repeated by the said Dissenters The Synod being assembled shall first advise and consider with great and mature deliberation of the matter places time and persons whether it will be expedient that a Conference should be held with the said Dissenters publickly before the People and with open Doors and that Audience be given unto any there present to speak or not However the Decision of the Points in Controversy shall not be left unto any other Judges besides the Delegates of the Provinces according to the known Canon of our Discipline And if the said Dissenters refuse to conform they shall then ingage in the same Promises as before and be dismissed over to the ordinary National Synod or if necessity so require that it must be extraordinarily assembled they shall be heard in it with all holy freedom Chap. VI. Of the Vnion of Churches and there it shall be finally and intirely determined by the word of God unto which if they refuse to yield full obedience and in express terms to disclaim their recorded Errors they shall be cut off by Excommunication from the Body of
our Church CAN. XXXII A Pastor or Elder breaking the Churches Union or stirring up Contention about any point of Doctrine or of the Discipline which he had subscribed or about the Form of Catechising or Administration of the Sacraments or of our Common-Prayers and Celebration of Marriage and not conforming to the determination of the Colloquy he shall be then suspended from his Office and be farther prosecuted by the Provincial or National Synod CAN. XXXIII In every Church there shall be kept Memorials of all notable and remarkable passages relating to Religion and in every Colloquy a Minister shall be appointed to receive them who shall carry them unto the Provincial and thence unto the National Synod CHAP. VI Of the Union of Churches CANON I. NO Church shall claim any Primacy or Jurisdiction over another nor one Province over another CAN. II. No Church shall assume unto it self a power of undertaking business of great consequence in which the interest or damage of other Churches shall be comprised without the advice and consent of the Provincial Synod if it may possibly be Convened And in case the affair be urgent it shall at least be Communicated by Letters unto some other Churches in the Province and they shall receive and take their advice about it CAN. III. Churches and particular Members shall be advised that whatever persecution may happen to procure for themselves a private peace and liberty they do not depart from the Sacred Union of the whole Body of our Churches And whoever acteth contrary to this Canon shall have such a Censure inflicted on him as Colloquies and Synods shall judge expedient CAN. IV. Disputes about Religion shall be so managed that none of ours may be the Aggressors and if they are ingaged in a verbal disputation they shall in no wise undertake it without laying down this for a Foundation-Rule That the Holy Scripture is the sole Judge of Controversies nor shall they yield the power of judgment and decision in points of Doctrine unto the writings of the Ancients nor shall they enter upon any Disputation unless the conditions of it be first agreed on by Writings mutually and respectively signed and executed Nor shall they attempt a publick Disputation but with the advice of their Consistory and of a select number of Pastors who for this purpose shall be chosen by the Colloquies or Provincial Synods They shall not adventure upon any dispute or general Conference Chap. VII Of Colloquies without the advice of all the Churches assembled in a National Synod upon pain if Ministers act otherwise of being declared Apostates and Deserters of the Churches Union CAN. V. Churches shall be informed that our Ecclesiastical Assemblies of Colloquies and Synods whether Provincial or National are the Bands and Buttresses of their Concord and Union against Schisms Heresies and all other inconveniencies that so they may discharge their duty in the use of means for the continuance and upholding of those Ecclesiastical Assemblies And in case any Churches or particular Person should refuse to contribute unto their expences who were obliged to be present in those Assemblies they shall be grievously censured as Deserters of that Holy Union which ought to be kept up among us for our mutual preservation And all Ministers who shall neglect the observation of this Canon shall be most severely censured by National and Provincial Synods N.B. That the Editions of the Discipline at Paris and Ronan in the Year 1663. have in the last line of this Canon National inserted but two other Editions of the Years 1666. at Geneva and 1676. at Quevilly do omit it and have only Provincial Synods CHAP. VII Of Colloquies CANON I. IN every Province the Churches shall be divided according to their number and conveniency of neighbour places into Colloquies or Classes And this Division shall be made by authority of the Provincial Synod And the next adjoining Churches shall meet in Colloquies twice or four times a year if it may be done as of ancient times it hath been ordained The appointment of time is left wholly to the prudence of Provinces and unto these Colloquies the Ministers accompanied each of them with an Elder from every Church shall give their personal attendance CAN. II. And the proper business of such Colloquies and Assemblies shall be to consult about composing differences and difficulties emerging in their Churches according to the Canons of our Discipline and in general to provide for whatsoever may be thought expedient and necessary to the weal and maintenance of our Churches CAN. III. And in these Colloquies Ministers in their turns shall make a Proposition from the Word of God that so their care and diligence in the study of the Scripture and their method and form of handling it may be known CAN. IV. As Consistories are subject and subordinate unto Colloquies so are Colloquies unto the authority of Provincial Synods CAN. V. Chap. VIII Of Provincial Synods Colloquies and Synods shall consult about the extent and bounds of those places in which each Minister shall exercise his Ministry CAN. VI. In the close of Colloquies there shall pass a friendly and fraternal Censure upon Pastors and Elders there present in all matters of which it may be thought fit to admonish them CHAP. VIII Of Provincial Synods CANON I. IN all Provinces the Pastors and Elders of every Church shall meet together once or twice a year if it can be done which is left unto the prudence and discretion of the Synod CAN. II. Ministers shall bring with them one or two Elders at the most chosen out of their Consistory And the said Ministers shall bring with them their Commissions But if a Pastor come alone without an Elder or an Elder without a Pastor there shall be no regard had of their Memoirs And this Canon shall be observed in all Ecclesiastical Assemblies If they cannot appear they shall excuse themselves by Letters on which the Brethren then and there present shall pass judgment and send their Memoirs subscribed by one Pastor and Elder Such as having no lawful excuse shall yet forbear their appearance at Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall be censured and the said Colloquies and Provincial Synods may judge definitively of their fact and dispose of their persons CAN. III. Churches which have many Pastors shall depute them by turns unto Colloquies and Synods CAN. IV. Ministers and Elders which are deputed unto Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall have their expences defrayed out of the common stock of their Churches CAN. V. Those Churches which refuse means unto their Ministers for their appearance at Colloquies and Synods shall be admonished of this their duty that they exhibit to them and in case of failure in it so that Ministers are inforced to come unto them upon their own charges after two or three admonitions they shall be deprived of their Ministry and the charges of those Ministers shall be defrayed by those Churches unto which they are sent and in
which they now serve saving always their power of prosecuting that ungrateful Church which prosecution shall be managed according to the judgment and direction of the Provincial Synod CAN. VI. If a difference fall out betwixt a Church and its Pastor and in order to its composing the said Church hath been twice advised of the day when and place where the Synod and Colloquy do meet and refuseth to appear notwithstanding the absence of one Party yet the Synod or Colloquy shall have power to proceed to judgment CAN. VII In all Synods Provincial and National one of the Pastors by common consent and a low voice shall be chosen President and one or two Scribes His Office shall be to guide and moderate the whole action to give notice of the places days and hours at which the Assemblies shall meet to begin the Synodical Sessions to propose and offer matters that are to be deliberated to gather the particular Suffrages of all the Members to declare the greatest number and to pronounce the Conclusion Item He shall see that every one do speak in due order and without Confusion He shall silence the Contentious and in case of Disobedience he shall command them out of the Synod that Consultation may be held about their Censure He shall make all the Remonstrances and Answers unto them who demand Counsel or send Letters unto the Synod Moreover he shall preside at those Censures which shall be made in the close of the whole Action and all by the advice of the whole Assembly and not otherwise His Office shall expire together with the Synod and the next Synod hath full Liberty to chuse him again or another And all Moderators of Colloquy shall be governed by this self-same Canon CAN. VIII Elders that are Deputies of Churches shall have an equal power of Voting with the Pastors and the Elders of that place where the Synod shall assemble may be present and propound matters in their turn Yet notwithstanding two only of them shall have power of Voting to avoid all Confusion CAN. IX Whatever hath been decreed by Provincial Synods for the Government of the Churches in their Province shall be brought up unto the National Synod CAN. X. Forasmuch as divers Persons who that they may decline or delay the effect of Church Censures passed on them for their offences do appeal from one Ecclesiastical Assembly unto another yea and unto the National Synod also which is by this means more incumbred about the decision of their matters than of any thing else It is now ordered that for time to come whatsoever differences may fall out within the Precincts of any Province shall be definitively judged and without Appeal by the Synod of that Province unless it be the Case of Suspension or Deposing of Pastors Elders and Deacons or the removal of Pastors from one Province unto another Item The changing of a Church in one Colloquy and joining it unto another as also whatsoever may concern the Doctrine of the Sacraments or the whole Body of our Discipline In all which Cases there shall be a gradual process observed till they come from the Colloquy to the Provincial and from the Provincial to the National Synod that then and there it may receive its last and final judgment CAN. XI If a difference fall out betwixt the Synods of two Provinces they shall pitch upon a third to reconcile them CAN. XII The Synods in every Province shall keep a Register of the Widows and Children of those Ministers who died in the service of their Churches that so they may be holpen and maintained by the common stock and joint charges of all the Provinces if their necessities do so require it And in case a Province prove ungrateful its Deputy shall make report thereof unto the National Synod that provision may be made for them by its authority CAN. XIII The Deputies of Churches shall not depart from the Synod without leave and they shall carry home with them the Synodical Decrees CAN. XIV The authority of a Provincial is subordinate unto that of National Synods According to the Governments shall the Orders which refer unto Colloquies and Provincial Synods be regulated without exalting one above another CAN. XV. At present the Provincial Synods shall be thus distributed 1. The Isle of France the Land of Chartres Picardy Champagne and Brie 2. Normandy 3. Brittaine 4. Orleans Blesois Dunois Nivernois Berry Bourbonnois la Marche 5. Touraine Anjou Loudunois Le Maine Vandôme and the Perche 6. The Higher and Lower Poictou 7. Xaintonge Aunix the City and Government of Rochel and Augoulmois 8. The Lower Guienne Perigord Gascony and Limousin 9. The Higher and Lower Vivaretz together with Vellay and Forest. 10. Lower Languedoc to wit Nismes Vsez Montpellier and as far as Beziers inclusively 11. The rest of Languedoc the Higher Guienne Tholouse Carcassonne Quercy Rovergue Armagnac and the Vpper Avergne 12. Burgundy Lyonnois Beaujolois Bresse the neither Avergne and Gex 13. Provence 14. Dolphiny and Principality of Orange 15. The Churches in the Soveraignty of Bearn 16. The Sevennes and Guevaudan CAN. XVI If it should so fall out that for the conveniency of a Church it should be divided into two or more or that more Churches should be united into one this shall be done by a Provincial Synod of which also the National shall be advised CAN. XVII If a Minister be deputed by his Provincial Synod to go unto the Synod or Colloquy of another Province about some common affairs he shall have his Consultive Vote in it and not only for that particular business about which he came but also in all matters transacted during that Sessions excepting always matters of his own private concern N.B. The two last Editions of the Discipline do make but 16. Canons in this Chapter and add the 16th unto the 15th Canon of the distribution of the Provinces as if it were a branch or member of it But the matter being diverse from it and my Editions of Quevilly and Paris in the Year 1663. making 17. I have therefore kept unto them CHAP. IX Chap. IX Of National Synods Of National Synods CANON I. NAtional Synods shall be held once every year if it can possibly be done and this Order shall be observed for its assembling That in the closing up of every National Synod a Province shall be chosen which shall be intrusted with the power of calling the next and shall be charged to acquaint all the other Provinces with the day and place of its meeting CAN. II. If difficult cases should be moved in any one of the Provinces it shall give notice of it unto that Province which is charged to assemble the National Synod and having ordered the time and place of its meeting the other Provinces shall be acquainted with it that so they may come unto the Synod ready and well-prepared for a Decision CAN. III. And forasmuch as at this time it is very difficult and dangerous
fears God to countenance them with his presence CAN. XXXi None of the Faithful shall be present at their Marriages and Banquets who that they may espouse a Party of the contrary Religion do revolt from the profession of the Gospel But as for them who have a long time ago Apostatized or have been always Papists 't is left unto the Prudence of the Faithful to consider with themselves whether it may be expedient for them or no. CAN. XXXII They that Challenge or cause others to be challenged unto a Duel or being challenged do accept of it and kill their Parties although they may have afterward obtained their Pardon or may be otherwise justified shall yet notwithstanding have the censure of Suspension from the Lord's Table inflicted on them and their Suspension shall be published without delay and in case they would be received unto the Churches Peace they shall first undergo publick Penance making acknowledgment of their great offence CAN. XXXIII These Articles contained in this Book of Discipline are not established among us in such a manner but that if the Churches benefit do require it they may be changed Yet shall not any Ministers Consistories Colloquies or Provincial Synods have power to add change or diminish without the advice or consent of a National Synod SECT XIII THis is the Discipline of those famous Churches This was their Canon-Law by which their Ministers Church-Officers and Church-Members were ordered and conduced As to their Ministers in the worst times it was strictly exercised upon them If any of them proved Scandalous in Doctrine in Conversation they were not spared The Church and House of God was soon rid of them Their Colloquies and Synods threw away the unsavoury Salt unto the Dunghill and it was very rare if the Deposed and ejected Ministers did not take up for good and all in the Dunghill of the Romish Synagogue There hath been a great Complaint of much looseness among their Members Certainly they had and still have as holy and truly gracious Souls in Communion with them as any Churches of Christ under Heaven and a vast multitude of most zealous and faithful Martyrs far more in number and quality of Sufferers for the Gospel than in any one of the Reformed Christian Nations in Europe When the Ceremonious Lutherans of Stutgard in the Dukedom of Wirtemberg Brentius Jacob Andreas c. cited Monsieur Toussaint who had been Pastor of the Church of Orleans which then lay desolate one part groaning in Prisons and Dungeons another burning in Fires and Flames and the poor remainders pining away in their Dispersions and Exiles to appear before them and give an account of his Preaching within their Jurisdiction and spreading his Zuinglian and Calvinistical Heresies as they were pleas'd to stile them for he assisted his Aged Father in the Ministry in the County of Montpelgart He return'd an Apologetical Letter to them in which he wondered at their quarrels with him and the Frenth Churches who abhorred those fierce digladiations with which the German Churches and Universities had abounded and told them that the poor Churches of Christ in France breathed after Peace with them and with all the Churches of the Augustane Confession and had written for it prayed for it and these last ten years had spilt no other Ink than that of their own blood in defence of the truth This silenc'd the pragmatical Lutherans at that time And the Argument is as good and valid now * * * See Monsieur Amyraut's Apologie pour ceux de la Religion p. 23 24 25 26 27 which is too long to be here inserted It is none of my business nor do those poor afflicted Churches of France need it to write Apologies for them The Staff under water seems crooked but is not so Those Galileans whose blood Pilate mingled with their Sacrifices were not the worst of the Galileans Nor those Jews upon whom the Tower of Siloam fell and crushed to pieces were they the greatest Sinners in Jerusalem Should we thus argue we should offend against the Generation of the righteous who from the infancy of the World to this very day from their youth upward until now have been perpetually afflicted they have passed out of one Furnace into another oftentimes from lesser into sorer and greater fiery Tryals An infinitely wise and gracious God taking this course with them to refine and preserve them For by these means they have lived and by them hath the Life of their Souls been preserved Yea God seems himself to justify them Because their most grievous Sufferings have wonderfully contributed unto his Glory The blood of the Martyrs having proved the Seed of the Church and the more they have been oppressed the more have they increased A Vine grows the more and better for being pruned and soak'd with blood And notwithstanding the Seas of blood drawn from this poor Vineyard of Christ yet hath it proved the more fruitful grown and spread exceedingly insomuch that after all the storms of Persecution which had made a most fearful havock of God's Saints in that Kingdom their Faith and Patience hath tired out and overcome their Persecutors So that in the National Synod of Rochel in the year 1571. Mr. Beza Presiding in it the Reformed could count then above two thousand one hundred and fifty Churches and in many of these above ten thousand Members and in most of these two Ministers in some they had five as in the year 1561. there served the Church of Orleans which at that time had seven thousand Communicants Antony Chanoriet Lord of Merangeau Robert Macon Lord des Fontaines Hugh Sureau Nicholas Fillon Lord of Valls and Daniel Tossane who afterwards died at Heydelberg in the Palatinate When the Colloquy of Poissy was held they had in the one only Province of Normandy three hundred and five Pastors of Churches and in the Province of Provence threescore And I remember the Author of Le Cabinet du Roy de France a Book Printed in the year 1581. and dedicated to Henry the Third makes a Computation of their Martyrs to have been in a very few years at least above two hundred thousand cut off for the Gospel and he makes up his account thus Allow saith he but an hundred Martyrs to every Church and you have the summ and yet 't is as clear as the Sun at Noon-day that the summ is vastly more For 't is a truth incontestable that there have been cut off by the Sword and Massacres for Religion from the Church of Caen above 15000 or 16000. from the Church of Alancon five thousand from the Church of Paris thirteen thousand from the Church of Rheims twelve thousand from the Church of Troye twelve thousand from the Church of Sens nine thousand from the Church of Orleans eight thousand from the Church of Angiers seven thousand five hundred from the Church of Poictiers twelve thousand Persons c. See Le Cabinet du Roy. Livre premier pag. 274
part in them In common civil matters as about a piece of Land an House a Debt between a Roman Catholick and a Protestant Religion must be one of the chief Heads of Accusation against the Protestants The Monks the Missioners the Confessors and that whole Crew of malicious fiery Zealots interessed themselves immediately in the affair They bawl out in Courts of Justice I plead against an Heretick I have to do with a Man of a Religion odious to the State and which the King will have extirpated By this means there was not any Justice to be expected Few Judges were proof against this false Zeal for fear of drawing down the fury of the whole Cabal upon themselves or passing for Favourers of Hereticks 'T is not to be imagined how many unjust Sentences these prejudices procured in all the Courts of the Kingdom and how many Innocent Families were ruin'd by them If any one complained of the wrong done them they were presently twitted in the Teeth You have the remedy in your own hands Why do you not become Catholicks Thus the Consciences Goods Honour and Lives of these poor Servants of God lie at the mercy of unrighteous Judges and of their merciless perfidious Enemies A Roman Catholick may at his pleasure destroy a Protestant Witnesses are never wanting the Kings Attorneys-General or their Deputies or the Agents and Syndicks of Bishops or Judges for Convents and Collegiate Churches will never fail to prosecute Some have been Condemned to the Pillory others to the Chain in the Gallies others to exorbitant Mulcts and Fines for but relating a story out of known Authors how a Priest cheated the World with a false Miracle by passing a Vine through the Head of an Image which being pierced in that Season of the Year when the sap ascends upward the sap would drop out of the Eyes whereat the deluded People believed that the Image did weep of it self Another Protestant was forced to stand in the Pillory and severely Fined for saying That God had buried the Body of a dead Saint lest his Bones should be adored and that when the Devil offered to take them up again an Angel from God opposed him with The Lord rebuke thee Satan Another was cast into Prison because he had said that the Roman Priests did hide their Lights under a Bushel Another had an Unconscionable Fine put upon him for saying That the Cross which they worshipped was but a piece of Wood. SECT XXIV Let the Protestants prove the Witnesses which swear against them to be suborned to have sworn falsly yea though they proved Perjury upon them they are either not punished at all or else their punishments be so slight and trifling that instead of terrifying they do embolden these malicious Villains to do the more mischief I shall produce a few Instances The Priest of Eymet in Guienne accused very many of the Inhabitants of that place for profaning the holy Mysteries of the Church of Rome The Judges examining this matter found his Accusation to be false a most malicious and mischievous Calumny which though it tended to the destruction of so many Innocent Persons of their Lives and Estates yet he escaped without punishment The Priest of Chastelheraut accused a poor harmless Damsel for speaking disrespectfully of the King For this she was in danger of having her Tongue cut out and being whipped by the Common Hangman But though the Judges discovered this Priest to be a Villain an impudent bloody false Accuser yet no punishment was inflicted on him Monsieur de la Touche was accused by the Abbot of La Chappelle before the Parliament at Rennes to have taken a Chalice out of a Church for this supposed Crime he was by Order of that Parliament burnt alive But though since this horrible Execution his Innocency hath appeared and he was found guiltless of the fact the real Offender having confessed when and how he stole it for which he suffered condign punishment yet they have done nothing to repair the injury done unto the name and memory of the Innocent Sieur de la Touche but declared That because he was an Heretick he deserved to be burnt to ashes as he was Monsieur Robineau Pastor of the Church in Pausange was also falsly accused by an Augustinian Fryar and a base Curate to have Preached Sedition and for this pretended Crime only he was kept many Months in the Prison at Poictiers and though at last his Accusers were convicted of Falshood Calumny and Perjury yet he could never get any satisfaction for his great Sufferings Monsieur Borie Pastor of the Church in Turenne for Preaching that none but Jesus Christ was born without sin was accused of blaspheming the blessed Virgin and yet this very Doctrine is that of the Dominican Fryars However this Godly Minister is handled most unmercifully he is thrown into a deep Dungeon bound with Iron Chains menaced with Death and treated after a most inhumane manner for a whole year and at last by an Order of the Parliament of Bourdeaux he was banished for ever the Land of his Nativity A Priest of Niort was Convicted before the King and Council for falsifying an Order to demolish the Protestant Church in that Town which was intended against the Church of Mer Never was there a more bold attempt before his Majesty and the Privy-Council Yet instead of punishing him according to his Deserts they turned the whole fact into a piece of Raillery and Laughter SECT XXV They gave all manner of freedom to the Priests and Monks whose Carriage was most insolent to insult over the poor Protestants and to execute the severest and most unrighteous Decrees and Orders of the King against them as in Poictou where the Priests of any were the most furious and industrious in demolishing of Temples and rasing their Foundations and over-throwing several private Houses plundering the Castles of Persons of Quality who professed the Reformed Religion If unhappily any Division were in private Families between Man and Wife or other Relations these Fomenters of strife these Firebrands of Hell would come and offer them the Protection of the Church against their adverse Party If a Man were poor and brought to Beggary they promise him the Protection of the Church against his Creditors and Mountains of gold if he will but change his Religion They will provide for his Children put his Daughters into Nunneries his Boys into Abbies or good Imployments but no sooner are they debauched but as the Priests said to Judas after he had betrayed his Lord See thou to it so they chouse and slight him leave him in the lurch never perform their Promises so that through despair some of them have ended their days as Judas did by laying violent hands upon themselves If a debauched Son would shake off his Father's Yoke they shall flock to him with the greatest profession of kindness imaginable pitying him and wheedling him with the deceitful Promises of what great matters they will
make of the Roman Church unto which they attribute Doctrines which are none of hers and beseech his Majesty to make some provision against it And farther they expresly declared that they did not desire the Revocation of the Edict Whereupon his Majesty did straitly forbid all Ministers to speak either good or hurt directly or indirectly of the Church of Rome in their Sermons supposing as every one may see that 't was his intention still to let them continue in the exercise of their Ministry But were there ever such illusions known or was there ever any greater than this which they have put into the Revocatory Edict we are now speaking of The King after having Cancelled and Disannulled the Edict of Nantes and all its Members Articles and Dependencies after that he had for ever interdicted all publick Religious Exercises of the Reformed Religion and had for ever banished all the Ministers from his Kingdom yet notwithstanding he doth peremptorily declare That 't is his will that his other Subjects who are not willing to change their Religion may remain where they are in all liberty enjoy their Estates and live with the same freedom as formerly without any trouble or molestation upon pretence of their Religion 'till it shall please God to enlighten and convert them These were the amusements and gins laid to intrap the poor Reformed as hath since appeared and is daily more and more notorious by those barbarous usages they suffer of which we shall give some few instances by and by leaving the larger and fuller account of them unto that Reverend and Learned Exiled Pastor Monsieur B. who will publish to the World very shortly his laborious Martyrology of the French Churches under this present Reign and Persecution SECT XXXIX But I shall add the sixth preparatory Machin used by the Persecutors for the ruine of the poor Reformed in that Kingdom which was an insensible and gradual disposing of the People by Declarations and Decrees to desire their utter extirpation or to approve of it when once done and to mitigate in their minds that Horrour which common Humanity hath of unjust and cruel Persecutions For this purpose they turn'd a great many Stones used various Means but the most common were the Sermons and Preachments of their Missionaries and of other controversial Predicators with which they had stock'd the Kingdom of late Years under the specious Title of Royal Missions These were choice Youths cull'd out for the nonce whose Education had nothing of moderation but were all fire and flame There was no difficulty to judge what kind of Actors these would be upon the Stage of the World when they were not only excited but knew themselves supported by Authority to blow the flames And these Incendiaries did acquit themselves so zealously of their Imploy that it was not long of them if Tumults and Seditions have not arisen in the greatest and most populous Cities of the Realm yea and in Paris itself for which the prudence of the Magistrate is to be thanked and commended Together with these Predicators we must yoke the Directors of Mens Consciences Confessors Monks Parish-Priests and all Church-men from the highest Dignitary to the meanest Curate For being acquainted with the Court's Intention they contended one with another to manifest the greatest zeal and aversion against the Reformed Religion because it was their interest so to do and the only Ladder by which to mount up unto Ecclesiastical Preferments and to acquire the fattest Benefices and most advantagious Fortunes in the Church Hence the Streets in most Towns rang every day with the publication of new Decrees Orders Edicts and Declarations against the Protestants as also of Satyrical Lampoons and Seditious Libels which hit the humour of the French and was most acceptable to them But this Engine gratified only the little People and the Persecutors had that mortification to see that the most sober persons who were a degree above the Mobile disallowed these Acts and Practices Wherefore they set the Pens of some Authors a work who had acquired by their Writings a reputation in the World and amongst others the Writer of the History of Theodosius the Great and of Maimbourg who was once a Jesuite He writ the History of Calvinism But hath done Penance for it ever since Monsieur Jurieu in his Parallel of Papism and Calvinism and in his Apology for the Reformation having exposed his Ignorance Falshoods and Malice to the learned World Monsieur Arnaud the Jansenist would make his Court also by venting his Choler against the Calvinists But tho' his Apology for the Catholicks was writ with as much gall fire and passion as the Bigots themselves could desire yet it did not take because his person was not acceptable The Old Man complained of it in a Letter to the Archbishop of Rheims Copies of which were dispersed through all Paris and aggravates his own Misfortunes for that another who had done far less Services was gratified with 20000 Livers from the King but He good Soul tho' he had deserved much more could not meet with so much as one Liart But we must not pass by another of their famous Authors Father Soulier who was bred a Taylor and had the wit to stitch and patch up An History of the Edicts of Pacification And Monsieur Nicole once a great Jansenist but now a Convert of his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Paris he sends forth a Child of his own begetting with this fine Name Protestants convinced of Schism Nor may we overlook the Author of the Journal des Scavans who in his ordinary Gazetts stoutly affirms that the Catholick Faith must be planted as Mahomet's Alcoran by Fire and Sword alledging this most unanswerable Argument That a King of Norway converted all the Nobles of his Country by threatning to kill their Children before their faces if they would not consent to have them baptized and to be baptized themselves For a long time in Paris and other Towns and Cities of the Kingdom we rencountred none but these kind of Writings to so high a pitch was their passion flown SECT XL. But tho' by these steps the Court advanced greatly in their Designs yet they had not attained their end For the Reformed were not wanting to their common Interest nor did they neglect their just and lawful Defence They sent frequently from the farthest and most distant Provinces their Deputies to the Court They asserted their Rights before the Privy-Council They bring their Complaints and Bills of Grievances from all parts of the Kingdom to that Honourable Board to be redressed They employ their Deputy-General to sollicit their Interests both with the Judges and chief Ministers of State and the King himself Sometimes they presented their General Addresses in which they exposed their Grievances with that profound humility and deference which Subjects owe their Soveraigns I do here tender to the Reader but one Instance among many viz. The Humble Address of the distressed Protestants
God is already established shall be sufficiently admonished to forbear and in case of their persistency they shall be declared Schismaticks and the same Admonition shall be given unto their Followers who also abiding contumacious and obstinate shall be denounced Schismaticks X. If A People not having the Ministry of the Word of GOD fixed and setled among them should choose unto themselves a Pastor The Neighbour-Church shall amicably and earnestly intreat him to confer with them and exhort him to subscribe the Confession of Faith and Church-Discipline established among us And in case of refusing such Subscription three or four Ministers of the next Churches shall assemble together with their Elders and shall then declare him a Schismatick and the People shall be advised to avoid such a Person But in case of Non-conforming to our Discipline he may not be declared Schismatick until such time as the Provincial Synod shall have ordained some other course to be taken with him None may Preach in another Church without the Pastâ—r or Consistoryâ—s leave XI The Minister of one Church may not preach in another without the consent of its Pastor but in his absence the Consistory may give Leave and Authority unto that Stranger And in case the Flock be scattered by Persecution or any other Trouble he shall endeavour to assemble the Elders and Deacons but if that cannot be effected he may notwithstanding Preach for the Re-uniting of the Flock A Minister may be intreated but not enforced to accept of the Call XII He that being called to the Holy Ministry and hath once accepted of that Call shall betake himself wholly to this Employment but in case he should afterwards change his mind and refuse it he shall be sollicited by fitting Exhortations to embrace it but he may not by any other means be enforced thereunto XIII Ministers that cannot discharge their Office in those Places whereunto they have been appointed if being sent elsewhere by the Advice of their Churches they do refuse it they shall then declare the Causes of such their refusal unto the Consistory who shall judge whether they may be admitted and if they may not be and they still persist in their not accepting the said Employment the Provincial Synod shall determine of it No Intruder into the ministry may be approved XIV Whoso intrudes himself into the Ministry of the Gospel although he may be approved by the People yet shall he not be approved by the Neighbour-Ministers nor others in case another Church excepts against him Wherefore e're they proceed farther the Provincial Synod shall be assembled as soon as conveniently it may for to determine about it And in case that Synod cannot be called if there be a Colloquy of six Ministers at the least established there the said Colloquy shall have Power to take Cognizance of this matter Ministers are such for their Life XV. Such as are once chosen unto the Ministry of the Word must know that their Call is during Life And as for those who were sent for a certain time and to whom for some special Reasons we gave admittance it is advised That the Church in which they are do make provision of a fixed Minister that so the others may intend their own Affairs But if the Churches cannot provide a Pastor for this Flock these shall not be permitted to abandon the Church for which Jesus Christ died An Exchange of Ministers for a time XVI If a Minister be personally persecuted so that he cannot without great danger unto himself discharge his Office in the Church whereunto he was ordained he may exchange for a time with another Church and this with Advice and Consent of both Churches And in case of the Minister's Disobedieâ—ce to the Judgment of their Churches the Cause shall be referr'd unto the next Provincial Synod There may be other Causes of changing which shall be proposed and judged in the Provincial Synod No Pastor shall forsake his Church without leave XVII No Pastor shall quit his Flock without leave first had and obtained from his Consistory and the Neighbour-Churches also shall approve the cause of his departure Yet on such occasions it will be fitting to admonish Churches to relieve their Pastors and to minister unto their Necessities And if necessary Relief be refused them when they have been advised to it in this case it shall be lawful for the Minister to ingage himself unto some other Church This is the Second Article in the First Chapter of the Discipline It is not lawful to â—â—car the Popish Preachers XVIII Novices received of late into the Church especially Monks and Priests shall not be chosen unto the Ministry without a long and diligent enquiry into and approbation had of their Lives and Doctrine XIX Forasmuch as it is not lawful nor expedient to hear the Sermons of Popish Preachers or of others introduc'd without a lawful Call in those Places where the Ministry of the Word is established Therefore the true Pastors are obliged as much as in them lieth to hinder their Flocks from going to them Causes for the Deposing of a Minister XX. Ministers teaching Evil Doctrine and not desisting upon sufficient Admonition and such as are disobedient to the Holy Orders and Counsels of God's Word given them by their Consistory as also they who lead a scandalous Life deserving Punishment by the Magistrates or Excommunication and they who are totally insufficient for their Office shall be deposed But those who be rendred uncapable by Age Sickness or any other Affliction or hindred by the Providence of God from the Exercise of their Ministry shall not yea their double Honour shall be continued to them and the Churches are required to maintain them and to provide another Minister to execute their Office Crimes for Deposing XXI Scandalous Crimes punishable by the Judges as Murder Sodomy and High-Treason or any other Sins which would redound to the great Dishonour and Scandal of the Church although they had been committed not only before his Call unto the Ministry but even in the time of his Ignorance merit the Deposing of such a Minister As for other Sins less scandalous the Judgment of them is left to the Prudence of the Provincial Synod XXII A Minister Convict of enormous and notorious Crimes shall be immediately deposed by the Consistory two or three Pastors of unstained Reputation being called into Counsel with them And in case the Delinquent Minister complain against his Accuser and of the Calumny laid upon him Presently by the Consistory the whole Matter of Fact shall be reported to the Provincial Synod If he has taught any Heresie or False Doctrine he shall be out of hand suspended by the Consistory two or three Ministers as before being called in until such time as the Provincial Synod shall have Decreed about it The Causes of Deposing unless necessity so require of which the Consistory shall judge may not be published
shall have power of Voting to avoid Confusion nor shall any Deputy depart the Synod without leave first had from the Moderator ART II. To the Fifth Article which ran thus A Minister accompanied with one Elder or Deacon at least from every Church shall meet together at least once a Year in every Province there shall be this added And they shall choose the most commodious Time and Place that may be for their Meeting ART III. The Sixth Article was thus altered and amended No Minister shall be now elected by one only Minister or his Consistory but with two or three Ministers together with the Consistory of the vacant Church or if it may be the Provincial Synod or by the Colloquy which shall be called to sit as much as may be in those places where Consistories be already instituted and unto this the Minister who is to be ordained shall make his Addresses and from the Colloquy he shall be presented unto the People to be accepted by them but in case any one oppose his Admission the Consistory shall judge hereof and if neither part consenteth senteth the whole shall be referred to the Provincial Synod which shall take cognisance as well of the Minister's Justification as of his Reception provided the Consistory and the greater part of the People do approve and consent unto it ART IV. There shall be this added to the Close of the Twelfth Article Vnless in in which those places where the Colloquy is made up of six Ministers at least case the Colloquy may take cognisance of this Intruding Minister ART V. Forasmuch as it is in no wise expedient that our People should bear Popish Preachers or any others who are not lawfully called to preach the Gospel in those Churches which have a settled and standing Ministry therefore all true Pastors are to hinder as much as in them lieth the wandring of their People after them ART VI. And whereas the Sixteenth Article begins thus Such as teach unsound Doctrine and being admonished will not forbear there shall be this Addition to it And those who shall disobey the godly Counsels of God's holy Word given them by the Consistory ART VII The Twenty Second and Twenty Third Articles of the said National Synod of Paris speaking of Elders and Deacons and of their Office were thus explained The Elders Office as now used by us is not perpetual And the Deacons Office is to Collect and Distribute the Poors Monies unto them and to the Prisoners and to the Sick and to Visit them in their Afflictions and to go from House to House and to Catechize the Members of those Families and in case any one of these Deacons be fit and qualified and promise to devote himself for life to the Service of God in the Ministry of the Gospel then he may be chosen by the Pastor and Consistory to Catechize publickly according to the Form received in our Churches and this by way of Tryal of their Gifts only without giving them any power of Administring the Holy Sacraments ART VIII Upon the Twenty Fourth Article it was said That it did not belong to the Office of Elders and Deacons to Catechize in publick and that their Office was not perpetual yet notwithstanding neither the one nor other may depart from it without leave first had and obtained from the Church ART IX Whereas the Thirty Third Article begins thus Marriages shall le propounded after those words Notary Publick shall be added Or sufficient Attestation where there is no Publick Notary CHAP. IV. New Articles added unto the Church-Discipline framed in the First Synod of PARIS May 1559. ART X. IT is now unanimously concluded That in the Close of every National Synod one certain particular Church shall be invested with full Power to call within the Year a General Council of all the Provinces in which there shall meet one Minister and one Elder or Deacon at least for every Province and other Ministers have liberty to come if they please and obtain leave from their Churches for so doing And this General Council shall determine of all Church-Matters nor shall there be any Appeal admitted from it excepting in such Points as itself shall judge needful to be turned over to the next General Council of all the Churches of this Kingdom and of other Persons who may think fit to come unto it And it is left wholly to the Prudence of the General Council in being to ascertain the time when the next General Council shall be Assembled which shall be according as the necessity of our Churches Affairs may require it ART XI And all Consistories shall be admonished by their Ministers that they do strictly forbid all Dancing Mummeries and Tricks of Jugglers ART XII And whoso is once denounced an Heretick or Schismatick shall also be declared such unto the other Churches that they may be aware of him ART XIII Item The Doctor in a Church may not Baptize nor Administer the Lord's Supper unless he be ordained a Minister as well as Doctor at the same time ART XIV In every Church the Candidates for the Ministery shall Preach upon Tryal and their Text shall be some certain Portion of God's holy Word and this as time and place may conveniently bear ART XV. Item Whatever shall be decreed by the Provincial Synods concerning the Suspension of Vagrant Ministers who intrude themselves into Churches it shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been ordained by the National Synod ART XVI All the Churches shall be admonished to Maintain and Relieve their Ministers in their Necessities And in case they should refuse a Competency unto their Pastors for their Subsistance and having been warned of this their Duty it may be lawful for those Pastors to remove from them and to engage themselves unto the Service of some other Church CHAP. V. General MATTERS ARTICLE I. IT is thought needful that in every Church there be a Consistory consisting of Ministers Deacons and Elders exercising their Offices who when Affairs so require may call in whom they think good to consult withal ART II. The Consistories of the respective Churches shall be advised that for time to come they do better discharge their Duty towards their Ministers by succouring them in their Necessities and raising Maintenance for them and their Families because Forreign Countries have been exceedingly scandalized at the Neglect and Ingratitude of divers Churches even in this particular ART III. No Matters shall be propounded unto the National Synods but such onely as could not be resolved in the Provincial nor shall any Cases be brought unto them but what are of general concernment to all the Churches ART IV. When as Contention or Debate may arise about Articles of Faith In Articles of Faith Doctrin or Heresie the Votes of Ministers Deacons and Elders equal But in Matters of Government the Votes of all shall be vallid notwithstanding the inequality of Numbers Doctrine or
Consistories of the Reformed Churches at such times at least when as the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administred XVII The Churches shall suppress Usuries and all manner of Extortions as much as lieth in their Power yet they may not condemn those who receive a moderate Profit for the Loan of their Monies provided it be conformable to the King's Ordinance and the Rule of Charity All Usury is sharply to be reproved See the Synod of Lyons p. 9. XVIII Priests Monks and other Ecclesiasticks of the Romish Church before they be received unto Communion with us at the Lord's Supper shall manifest their Repentance before the Consistory and for some particular causes if the Consistory do judge it requisite they shall testifie it before the whole Assembly Concerning Monitories See the Synod of Montpeillier Observations on the Discipline Art 24. The Faithful may do nothing that may favour Idolatry XIX The Faithful may not take out Admonitions or execute Excommunications from the Church of Rome nor obtain a Dispensation for Swearing from the Official or any other belonging unto that Church and though there hath been a Recompense given the Oath cannot hinder the Rescission of the Contract XX. Printers Booksellers Painters and in general all the Faithful especially such as bear Office in the Church shall be admonished not to exercise their Arts Office or Calling in or about the Superstitions of the Romish Church or their Dependencies nor in the least to savour them and the Cognisance of particular Matters that may happen hereupon and their Correction and Reformation shall belong unto the Consistories What Names may be given or rejected in Baptism XXI Concerning Names imposed upon Children Ministers shall reject those which yet remain of old Paganism nor shall they give unto Infants such as are attributed unto God in Holy Scripture nor Names of Office as Baptist Angel Archangel moreover Parents and Sureties shall be admonished as much as in them lieth to take those which are approved by God's sacred Word XXII Although a Church having lent a Minister for a time and that expired may re-demand him back unto its Service yet ought it to have respect unto the Necessities of that Church where the said Minister hath been sent and shall ordain herein what will make most for the Glory of God and the Edification of his Church XXIII No Church shall marry any Persons without having first received ample Information and Approbation of and about them XXIV The Inconveniencies which have already risen and may in time to come arise from the usual publick Catechisings by Deacons having been heard and consider'd the Council hath remitted the intire Decision of this Matter unto the next National Synod and in the mean while Exhorts those Churches which have not received that Custom never to admit it and in other places where it is practised the Churches are likewise exhorted to deal with their Deacons in case they be fitted for it to enter into the Ministry as soon as possible they can One may be adjured in Consistory to declare the Truth Booksellers may not print any thing against Religion nor may the Hawkers vent any scandalous ones XXV The Faithful may by their Consistories be adjured to declare the Truth because this doth not in the least derogate from the Authority of the Civil Magistrate XXVI Churches having Printers and Booksellers shall carefully advise them to print no Books concerning Religion or the Discipline of the Church before they have communicated them unto their Consistories because of the Inconveniencies that have arriv'd Nor may many Booksellers or Hawkers sell scandalous Books nor may they in the sale of their Books take unto themselves immoderate Gains CHAP. III. Discipline exercised upon Delinquents Particular Matters THe Council having heard and considered the Proceedings against James le Fevre his Excommunication and the publick Penance imposed on him by the Authority of the last Provincial Synod held at Gien and the Deportment of the said Le Fevre in undergoing publick Penance together with its Consequences and having understood the whole of that Affair partly from the Relation of the Brethren and partly from his own Confession the Council is of Opinion That the said James le Fevre hath not well nor duely made that publick Confession which was injoyned him nor given Testimony of his Repentance and for this cause the Excommunication denounced against him shall abide in its full power and vigour and therefore the Council hath declared and doth now again declare him a Man uncapable of serving the Church of God until such time as he shall have first undergone publick Penance in the Church of Bourges in which Penance shall be declared the Facts contained in the Article of the said Synod of Gien touching this matter And moreover this shall be added That by his Replies and Murmurings he had shewn himself Refractory and Disobedient to the Displine of the Church And whenas there shall be good Evidences of his Repentance he may be received into the Communion of the Lord's Supper II. As to those matters concerning David de Brosses who calling himself Minister of the Church of Melun after hearing the Charge brought in against him by the Deputies of the Church of Paris who had opposed his Election because of the wicked Doctrine formerly broach'd by the said David and because of the Troubles and Schisms excited by him particularly in the Church of Melun and because of his wicked and debauched Life which hath occasion'd a Process of Enormous Crimes to be commenced against him and from which he hath not purged himself before the Consistory the proofs of all these matters having been laid down in Writing read and diligently considered divers Brethren Ministers of God's Holy Word having been heard also both as to the Doctrine published by the said David and his Life and Conversation The Council judgeth the Opposition founded by the Church of Paris against him to be good and valid the Election of the said David made by the Church of Melun to be null void and of no force nor effect And farthermore the said Council hath declared and doth delare the said David uncapable of the Ministry of the Gospel until such time as he shall have manifested his Innocency before a National Synod of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom Yea moreover the said Council hath excommunicated him out of the Church until such time as he shall have testified publickly his Repentance by confessing publickly his Sin and that in the Church of Melun which he hath troubled by his Schism in case he return unto it or in any Church unto which he would hereafter joyn himself and that Church having good Evidences and Testimonials of his Repentance may receive him unto Communion with it in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper But and if the said David despising the present Decree of this Council shall hereafter intrude himself into any Church and cause new Troubles and Divisions
in it then this Council commands that Province in which the said David shall be and reside to Formalize itself against him and upon this account the Church of Paris shall be obliged to furnish the said Province with Proofs which it hath now or may have had heretofore lying by against the said David that so he may be proceeded against in such a manner as shall be thought most advisable for the Repose of the Church III. Touching the matter propounded by the Minister of Paris the Council is of Opinion That the Marriage pretended to be broken by reason of Spiritual Kinred doth remain firm and in its full power and therefore the second Marriage which hath since intervened is null and these second married Persons are excommunicated because of their Adulteries until such time as they have done publick Penance and shall have duely evidenced their Repentance IV. Whereas our Brother the Minister of Varennes in Picardy doth usually administer the Lord's Supper every Month the Council doth advise That our Brother of Mont-mejor do admonish him in the Council's Name to follow the general Practice of our Churches that so there may be no Diversity among us and our Uniformity may be preserved V. The Churches are advertised to take notice of a Fellow called Frederick Thierry formerly an Augustin Fryar as also of another called Marmande as being Vagrants VI. 'T is the Judgment of this Council That a Minister being imployed in the Church may not ordinarily exercise any other Calling nor receive Wages for it Our Brother of Britain moved this Question VII As to that Book entituled A Treatise of Christian Discipline and Polity composed and published by John Morelly the Council judges That as to the Points concerning the Discipline of the Church by which he pretends to condemn and subvert the Order received in our Churches sounded upon the Word of God that the said Book contains wicked Doctrine and tends to the Confusion and Dissipation of the Church and therefore the said Council cautions the Faithful to take heed of the aforesaid Doctrine VIII A Remonstrance being made by the Church of Poictiers about an Appeal brought by the People of the City of Loudun from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Poictou held at Niort concerning the Fact of Maturin Sibileau the said Appeal having been signified to the Church of Poictiers on behalf of the said People of Loudun the Decrees both of the Provincial Synod held at Partinay and of the Synod of Niort were read and considered Whereupon this present Council hath and doth send back the Knowledge of the said Cause unto the next Provincial Synod of Touraine which by the Authority of this Council shall pass a Definitive Judgment upon these Persons although they were absent provided their Absence be not out of Contumacy and they had been duely informed of the meeting of that Synod And in the mean while it is ordained That both the said Sibileau and the said People of Loudun shall yeild Obedience to the Synod of Niort And to this purpose the Church of Poictiers is required to signifie this present Sentence and the Church of Tours is to Assemble the said Provincial Synod IX A Petition being presented by Madam Margaret de la Voirie concerning a Marriage pretended to have been contracted between her and the Noble William de Schilhant The Council has approved and doth approve of that Sentence given by the Provincial Synod of Touraine held at Mans the last October by which the said Marriage was declared Incestuous because the said De Schilhant had formerly espoused the Sister of the said Petitioner whereunto it does injoyn the said Lady quietly to submit and to observe it with Repose and Tranquility of Conscience moreover the Council exhorts her to return unto her own Church there to make such Acknowledgment of her Fault as the Consistory shall think meet X. Having heard the Remonstrance made by our Brother the Deputy of Poictou concerning Peter Boulay who had intruded himself into the Ministry of the Church of Niort The Council ratifies and approves the Determination of the Provincial Synod held at Niort by which the said Boulay was declared uncapable and insufficient to be chosen into the Ministry of the Gospel until such time as he had given proofs of his Sufficiency before the Provincial Synod of Poictou Moreover this present Council hath ordained That this very Advice shall be signified both unto the said Boulay and to all those who do abett him by our Brethren La Forest and De Thire who making report unto the next approaching Synod of Poictou of the Obedience or Rebellion of the said Boulay and his Abettors a final Period shall be put unto this Affair according to the Rules of our Church-Discipline And the Council leaves it to the Wisdom of the next â—ynod whether it be expedient for the common Edification of the Church that our brother De la Fayole be not also removed from Niort XII There shall be no Alteration made in that Article of our Discipline touching the Choice of Ministers and the Council hath ordained That * * * In the Book of Niort he is called M John Viâ—ier Mr. John Rebitt do sign the Confession of Faith and Articles of Discipline and moreover doth expresly forbid him so Teach in his Lectures Doctrine contrary unto them that so there may be no Disunion in the Church and if he should refuse Submission to this Advise of the Council he shall be sent back to the Consistory of that City to be dealt withal according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline XII As to that Question moved by our Brother of Orleance the Council hath and doth leave it to the liberty of the respective Consistories to judge of those who may be sit to assist at the Examination of Candidates for the Ministry as may be most expedient for their Edification yet so as they shall not suffer any besides the Members of the said Consistory to examine them XIII The Council judgeth it inconvenient to publish from the Pulpit the Articles of our Discipline yet they may be given unto such as desire them by the Consistories XIV Whereas the Letters sent unto this present General Council of the Reformed Churches of France assembled at Orleance by * * * The Book of Niort calls him Jodâ—â— Maurice Joequin are fraught with heavy Complaints against David Vivian Minister of Bourges and divers others of the Consistory of the said Church and because both Parties are absent the said Council remands them unto the next approaching Provincial Synod Berry that there the said Vivian and the other Members of the Consistory may be dealt withal as is just and sitting In the mean while considering the outragious and prophane Words mentioned in the said Letters and the Contumacy of the said Joequin disdaining to come unto this present Council after he had been lawfully summoned and the Threatnings contained in his Answer divers of our
Body of Christ as also Celibacy and Praying towards the East and that Commentaries upon the Scriptures are needless and that Calvin did very ill in writing of Predestination and that Man may keep perfectly all the Commands of God He is a Fellow of mean stature a yellowish Beard and speaks somewhat thick plain in his looks and tawny face aged Five and twenty a Savoyard born in the Country of Bresse VI. One called Chevalier now Vicar at Chassaux near Janet aged Fifty Years having a great Red Nose he is a mercenary and most abusive Fellow VII One called Stephen Jenicot otherwise du Brevil saith he was born at Talmond upon Jard in Poictou and ordained Minister of the Word of God by the Classis of Neuf Chastel and shews a Certificate under the hand of Monsieur Christopher's which yet since he avows to have been made in Paris a little dwarfish Fellow CHAP. VIII General Advertisements given unto the Churches of France I. THere being different Copies of our Discipline the Church of Paris Orleans and Meaux are required diligently to revise and Examine whatever hath been ordained by us to this purpose and to reduce those Canons into an orderly and compleat System and that within four Months they deliver a Copy hereof unto all the Provinces II. Explaining the Second Article of the Discipline under that Head of Particular Orders it is resolved That all Carpenters Masons Glaziers and other Artisans shall abstain from all manner of Work in their respective Trades that may in the least favour Idolatry and if after Admonition they continue in such Practices they shall be subjected unto Censures III. Altho' it be in itself a thing purely indifferent to assist at the Feasts and Banquets celebrated by Papists at their Marriages or Birth of their Children yet the Faithful shall be advertis'd to do herein what will make best for Edification and to weigh well with themselves whether they be strong enough to resist those Dissolutions and other Sins ordinarily committed at such Meetings as also to reprove them IV. Such as being demanded for the Ministry of the Gospel and the Service of any particular Church shall be sent forth with a Testimonial of their Life and Doctrine unto the Colloquy or Provincial Synod of that place which requested them which Colloquy or Synod may if they think it fitting examine them and shall Commissionate three or four Ministers to present them unto the Church that sued for them which Church shall hear them two or three times if need be that so they may know whether they can well profit by them This being done the Ministers together with the Consistory of the Plaee shall lay their hands upon them and establish them in their Pastoral Office and in case of difficulty arising about their Admission those Commissioners and the Consistory shall take Cognisance of it and the Churches which demanded these Ministers are ordered to defray the Charges of their whole Proceedings V. Divers Persons complaining of that Article concerning publick Prayers in those places where the Word of God is constantly Preached and urging the Impossibility of it's being practiced and that it cannot be observed without a world of Inconvenience This Assembly doth judge that the Article is grounded upon very holy and sollid Reasons Yet nevertheless where it cannot be observed without apparent danger and damage unto the Churches the Business may be tollerated Yet all Ministers of the Gospel shall be obliged to do their best that the Article may be observed VI. There shall be no Alteration in that Third Article of the Second Synod of Paris concerning Farmers of Church-Lands And for the better Understanding of it this present Assembly doth take in all kinds of Farming by which in any manner whatsoever Idolatry may be maintained and therefore if any be perceived in taking the said Farms to use and help themselves by Quiddities and Subtilties that so they may escape the Censures of the Church the Consistory shall prudently consider what Abuses may have been committed VII Forasmuch as several of the Deputies do scruple the Tenth Article relating to Judges and Publick Notaries we will leave the Debate hereof unto the next National Synod that so it may be maturely deliberated and their Opinions together with the Grounds and Reasons of them maybe then produced Till which time that Article shall abide in it's full Power No Promises of Marriage to be made but in the presence of Parents c. VIII This Assembly judgeth that the Sixteenth Article of the Second Synod of Paris concerning Marriages beginning with these Words That all Promises c. shall be changed and couched in these Words The Faithful shall be Informed by the Ministers in Publick Church-Meetings not to make any Promises of Marriage but in the Presence of Parents Friends Neighbours or other Persons of good Repute And if any do otherwise they shall be censured for their Levity and Contempt of this Godly Counsel And it were very convenient that the said Promises of Marriage were made with solemn Prayers unto God None but Ministers if possible shall give the Cup. IX A doubt being moved by some of the Brethren whether any other beside a Minister of the Gospel might deliver the Cup in the Sacrament unto the People This Synod having duely ponder'd the Arguments on both sides doth determine that the Fourteenth Article decreed in the Synod of Lyons shall stand firm which was this That none but Ministers if possible shall give the Cup. X. To the Case propounded Whether the wronged party may be permitted to marry again after that the Adultery hath been verified by sentence of the Magistrate This Assembly answers that the Ninth Article of the Synod of Orleans under the Title of Marriages See Articl 29. of the 13. Ch. of the Discipline concerning Marriages shall be in force unless there be apparent danger unto the Church And whatever is couched in other terms shall be razed out of that Article of the Discipline XI Rich and Monied persons shall be exhorted by the most cogent Arguments to do their duty in contributing to the maintenance of the Ministry and in case of neglect the Consistory shall deal with them more effectually XII The Churches shall be advised strictly to observe the Fourth Canon of our Fifth National Synod held the second time at Paris about Certificates given unto poor Travellers and that their names shall be written in them at length and not in Cyphers XIII This Assembly being informed that the Member for some Churches being disgusted at their Consistories declare that they would not subject themselves unto their Censures and therefore to calm and pacifie them they thought good to leave the Election of the new Consistory unto the body of the people But this National Synod doth not approve in the least of this their action as being a very evil matter and of dangerous consequence And judgeth that the said Church shall be advised to
reform provided that he give not any Sign or Token of his Approbation a Gentleman may not hinder People from entring into the Chappel of his Castle when as Idolatry is Established by Publick Authority 8. Quest Whether we may feign to perform the abusive Sinful Will of a Testator that so we may remove the Abuse Answ Altho there would be no Sin in it to frustrate the abusive Sinful Intention of the Testator by detaining the Revenues ordained by him for chanting Masses yet notwithstanding this feigning and dissembling will be always evil and must be condemned when a Man doth make Semblance of paying Service unto Devils 9. Quest Whether we may limit or keep back those Gifts and Alms bequeathed by a Testator Answ We are not forbidden to bequeath any part of our Estate unto pious Uses after our decease no more than to give it away during our Lives provided we do it not out of Ambition to get a Name and renown by so doing For it cannot be said that a Man is in quest of Glory when as he shall oblige his Heir to do well according to that Estate he shall leave him as he himself would have done if he had lived longer To alledge that he never used to do thus in his life time it is a Bar put upon a Man's Liberty that he should have no Power freely to dispose of his own Goods If the Heir be dissatisfied woe unto him 10. Quest Whether we are bound to approve of that Minister who hath been examined by Persons of Judgment and Experience Answ As a Church is free to prove and try the Life and Doctrine of a Minister before they accept and receive him So neither is there any Tie nor Obligation upon them to the contrary but that they may confide and acquiesce in those who are qualified to examine him and have had a long time knowledge of him and so can best judge who and what he is Otherwise the Faithful in Foreign parts would be destitute of all means whereby to be supplied with able Pastors if this Door were shut up 11. Quest Whether a Pastor may forsake his Church and a Church their Pastor Answ A Pastor may not of his own head forsake his Flock but in case they will not make use of him he is free and may warrantably leave them because ho cannot be a Pastor without a People nor hold and exercise his Office among them against their Wills and Consent by meer force Or in case the Church should not count his Labours among them profitable or if he should have a Call unto another Church which hath greater need of him he may with the general Consent of his Flock freely go thither and serve it And look as every Pastor is bound to serve the Church of God especially his own so likewise is One Church bound to help another And would to God this mutual Assistance were better practiced for then we should be more enlargedly useful and beneficial one unto another 12. Quest Whether a private Christian may exercise the Office of a Minister unto his own Family Answ A Godly Man being the Head and Master of his Family ought to serve guide and instruct it according to the Measure of his Gifts and Graces and may so far supply the Pastor's Office and perform his Duty in it as to teach sound Doctrine and inculcate wholsome Counsels to it But forasmuch as also Persons indifferently are not allowed to Preach the Word and Administer the Sacrament it is but just and reasonable that a Man should first try and examine himself and be well assured that he is called of God before he attempt or take upon him so great and weighty an Office Yet nevertheless every particular Family ought to be a Little Church of Christ 13. Quest Whether it be lawful to hold a Commander's Place in any of the Popish Guilds and Fraternities Answ The immoderate Desire of Gain from all Quarters hath caused a multitude of Cases to be started by Conscience As this in particular which now lieth before me Whether it be lawful to hold a Commander's Place or Office in any of the Popish Guilds and Fraternities To which I answer That because there is a Foundation of Masses annexed unto such Offices and Commanderships and for that such Places are not in the King's gift but settled upon the Members of such and such a Guild and Fraternity who are recommended to it and for that they do all take an Oath repugnant to the true Reformed Religion they cannot with a safe Conscience hold it For were there no other Evil in it yet there is this that Sith they do not apply the Profits and Emoluments of the Commandership unto those very uses to which they were designed they be but Thieves and Robbers 14. Quest Whether it be lawful to antedate a Contract Answ Provided there be no falshood in it contrary to the Agreement in the Policy or Instrument private Persons are no more forbidden to antidate a Deed of Sale in which there is no Fraud than to change their Names or to date a Letter from Paris which was written at Lions In case it should be alledged that this would be a cheating the King of his Gabel and Impost I answer this is nothing to the Purpose because the Question is not moved about the Detention of Tribute but only how to avoid without Fraud a most violent Extortion and tyrannical Pillage But in case an Oath should be tendered unto the Parties then I must tell them that the Name and Honour of God should be more precious to them than all the Riches of the World 15. Quest Whether it be lawful and when I may put out my Money unto Interest Answ I would never advise any Man to put out his Money to Interest if he can employ it any ways else Yet when as a Man 's whole Estate doth lie in ready Money he may very well contract with such and such Persons that upon such and such terms it may be lawful for him to receive benefit and profit thereby But he must be very careful that he do not let loose the Reins to demand and take excessive Gains as is the Custom and Practice of too too many nor should he grieve or grind the Face of that poor Man with whom he hath contracted nor endammage the publick Interest by his own private Benefit Wherefore upon the whole I dare not approve of any Interest till I do first know how and upon what Terms Articles and Conditions and with what Persons you do transact herein CHAP. X. Orders and Decrees concerning Marriages Made by the Authority of the National Synod of Vertueil held in the Year l567 But drawn up at the Desire of the Fathers in this Synod by the R. Mr. Calvin Minister of God's Holy Word Pastor and Professor in the Church and Vniversity of Geneva These Orders were tacked together with Mr. Calvin's Answer to the forementioned fifteen Cases of Conscience
sworn a Promise of Marriage unto a Maid or Woman shall depart unto another Country and the Maid or Woman shall make her Complaints of it craving to be discharged from her Promise because of his disloyalty Let inquiry be made upon what occasion he left the City whether it be lawful and with the Consent of his Partner who is now the Plaintiff or whether it was not for Debauchery and because he was unwilling to accomplish the Marriage And if it appear that he had no sufficient reason for so doing and that he did it out of a wicked Intent let inquiry be made into what place he is withdrawn and how notice may be given him to return within a prefixed day and to perform his promise of Marriage unto his Partner and if upon notice given he do not appear then let Proclamation be made on three Sundays a Fortnight's distance intervening betwixt each Proclamation the last being made on the sixth Lord's-day and if he do not appear at the time assigned then let the Maid or Woman be declared free and set at liberty from him and let the delinquent Man be banished for his disloyalty In case he do appear let him be compelled to accomplish the Marriage out of hand But and if it cannot be known into what Country he is gone and that the Maid or Woman and his Friends and nearest Relations shall swear that they are all ignorant where he is then let the same Proclamations be made as if he had notice given him that the Maid or Woman is discharged acquitted and liberated from him But in case there was a just cause for his absence and that he had advised and acquainted his Partner with it then let the Maid or Woman use all possible diligence by her self and his Friends to recal and induce him to return and if he do not return within the Year then let Proclamations be made as was before directed in the fourth Article Article IX And let the same Course be taken with a Maid or Woman that shall offend as the Man excepting always that the Husband shall not be obliged to wait a full Year altho his Wife had lest him with his Knowledge and Consent unless he had given her leave for to be absent a longer time Article X. If a Maid being duely tied by promise of Marriage is frauduiently transported out of the Territory of this Republick that she might not accomplish the Marriage let inquiry be made whether some one or other in the City hath not aided nor assisted in this rape that so they may be compelled to return her under such a Penalty as shall be judged meet and if she be under Guardians and Trustees they also shall be enjoined to see her forth coming if possible Article XI If a married Woman have abandoned her Husband and he be silent and make no complaint of it or if the Wife thus forsaken of her Husband shall dissemble it without a word 's speaking and this afterwards come to light let them be cited both into the Consistory there to inform how matters have gone that so all scandals may be prevented and that no deceit nor collusion may be tollerated nor what is worse winked at and the true state of the Matter being come to light an effectual course may be taken to prevent all voluntary Divorces which Men and Women of their own head-strong Wills and without Authority of the Civil Magistrate would give unto one another Yet nevertheless the Wife at the request of her Husband shall be compelled to follow him when and wheresoever he pleaseth to remove his habitation whether it be out of choice or necessity provided he be not a debauched Person who will carry her God knows whether into some strange and unknown Country but if it be into a Land at some reasonable distance where he will make his residence and in some convenient place to follow his Calling and to live as an honest Man she must follow him Let all matrimonial Matters concerning personal Conjunction be first transacted in the Consistory but not Matters concerning Estate or Dower And here let there be a most friendly Agreement and Correspondency in God's Name But if there should need any judicial Sentence to be pronounced then let them go unto the Council and acquaint their Lordships with the Sence of the Consistory who may after judge finally in the Case The End of the Synod of Vertueil THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE VII National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE Held At Rochel in the Province of Aulnix and Year of our Lord 1571. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Moderator and Scribes Chap. II. General Matters Observations upon the Confession of Faith Hereticks in Poland and Transylvania opposed Cozain's Works condemned and the Bishops of England desired to suppress his and the Books of some other Hereticks Erastus condemned Three Originals of the Confession kept one at Rochel another in Bearn and the third at Geneva Chap. III. Observations upon the Discipline Form of Ordination Alterations and Emendations of several Canons of the Discipline Chap. IV. Continuation of those Observations A Motion for answering the Books of our Adversaries approved by the Synod Chap. V. Catalogue of Vagrant Chap. VI. A particular Matter about Elders and Deacons A Motion of the Lord High-Admiral made unto the Synod Chap. VII General Matters Of the Consistory Of Delinquents Of Provincial Synods and Baptism Chap. VIII Four Observations upon the Discipline Of the Lords-Supper Marriages More Observations upon the Discipline Chap IX Canons about Marriage Particular Orders Chap. X. Orders about Publishing of Books c. Chap. XI Particular Matters Chap. XII Matters relating to Monsieur Mercure The Church of Taillebourg A Case of Conscience from the Province of Poictou The Churches of Languedoc not conforming exactly to the Discipline THE First Synod of Rochel 1571. Synod VII SYNOD VII In the Name of GOD Amen CHAP. I. Canons ordained in the National Synod held at Rochel the second Day of April One thousand five hundred seventy and one in the Eleventh Year of the Reign of Charles the Ninth Theodore de Beza Minister of Geneva was chosen Moderator N. des Gallars and de la Rougeraye Scribes CHAP. II. General MATTERS Observations upon the Confession of Faith I. FOrasmuch as the kind Acceptance and Entertainment of Christian Doctrine is the true Foundation of Church Discipline we have decreed to open this Synod by Reading the Confession of Faith Received in the Churches of France II. Forasmuch as our Confession of Faith is Printed divers ways The Synod declareth this to be the true Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches in France which beginneth with these words We believe that there is but one God which Confession was drawn up in the first National Synod held at Paris May the 25th 1559. These Hereticks were Davidis Gentilis Blandrata Socinus c. III. The Confession being read
of Maiâ—ant 1609. 4th Article of Observations upon the Discipline Then shall be read in the hearing of the whole Assembly 1. Tim. 3. and 1. Titus Where the Apostle delivers the Characters and Qualifications of a true Minister and that the Elect Person may be enabled by divine Grace faithfully and conscientiously to perform the Duties of this holy and honourable Office a pithy and fervent Prayer suitable to the occasion shall be powred out before the Lord for him in the close of which he shall Impose his hands on the Head of the Elect Person beseeching God that as he is consecrated unto his Service So that from the year 1559. to the year 1609. there was no stated Form of Prayer to whose words the Minister in Ordination was tied up necessarily and invariably so he may be replenished with the Graces of his Holy Spirit and that he would vouchsafe to bless his Ministery and pious Labours unto the Glory of his great Name the Edification of his Church and the Salvation of this elected Minister V. Under the Ninth shall be added And the Church-discipline and Confession of Faith shall be signed and subscribed by the Minister Elect. VI. The Tenth and Eleventh Articles shall be explained and conjoyn'd in one and after these Words They shall be Ministers during life there shall he this Addition If they be not lawfully discharged upon good and sufficient Grounds and those approved by the Provincial Synod Moreover there shall be added And deserters of the Ministery shall be excommunicate by the Provincial Synod in case they repent not And after these Words And as for those who be sent unto any Church shall be added for a time VII The Twelfth which was the Thirteenth shall be thus corrected Altho ' a Minister do tell it publickly that he was forsaken of his Church or persecuted yet shall he not be received by another Church without evidencing unto the Colloquy or Synod his conduct in this Matter and the said Colloquy or Synod shall act therein according to their best judgment and discretion VIII Under the Fourteenth after these words Such who intrude themselves into the Ministery in lieu of Places shall be inserted Provinces IX Under the Seventeenth after these words or expecting the Determination instead of the Council there shall be put in of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod and before instead of Sent there shall be Lent X. To the Eighteenth shall be added with the good Will and Consent of the said Minister XI The Two and twentieth Article shall abide unchanged only with this Addition And all Advises and Letters shall be sent unto one particular Church and not unto any one particular Person This Article iâ— the 37th of the Chapter of Ministers in the Book of Discipline XII Under the Twenty Seventh in lieu of those words After he was summoned there shall be put Three Months being past the first Summons Also after those words It may be lawful for him to joyn himself unto some other Church shall be added by the Advice of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod which shall consider both the Poverty of the Church and the Estate of the Minister And in case of urgent necessity the said Colloquy or Synod may shorten the said Term of Three Months and it shall be lawful for them to censure those ungrateful People even with Excommunication CHAP. IV. Acts passed on Wednesday the Fourth day of the said Month. This Article is the 19th in the Chapter of Ministers in the Book of Discipline I. UNder the 11th Article of Ministers which had been lain by whilst the Princes sate among us there shall be these Alterations for General shall be put Provincial and National and at the end there shall be added As shall be Advised on in an amicable Conference of Ministers of both sides that so what is most expedient may be followed And this Article was approved by the Queen of Navar and by the Princes of Navar and Conde and by my Lords Count Lodwick and the Admiral II. Under the 31st there shall be this Addition The Provinces shall be informed by each other of the deposed Minister that so the Deposed may not be received into other Churches III. Under the 32th after those words During the time of his Ignorance shall be added And this in case the said Minister abiding in his Ministry do bring greater scandal than Edification unto the Church whereof the Synods shall take Cognizance IV. On Article the 38th Monsieur Beza having propounded according to the Commission given him by our Brethren of Geneva that there might be some certain Person chosen to answer those many Books published against our Doctrine and that those Answers might be brought into the Provincial Synods and there perused by them and so to be Printed either with or without the Author's Name as the Synod should judge most convenient This Motion was well approved by the whole Assembly And it was also ordered That in whatsoever Churches there were sound Books Printed against our Doctrine they should be sent unto the said Deputies CHAP. V. V. THE Catalogue of Vagrants being read the Names of these following Persons were rased out of it Torteveau P. Bouleu La Tornevie Roberty and there were inserted into it Le Breuil of Lazan together with Merillo Paul de Haye Rouseau John Bougayott Bavillardy an Albigensis And the Churches were warned by Monsieur Beza to beware of them and of John Tevignon a Burgundian c. Claudius Alexius who bore about him a Certificate under the Hand of Mr. Melancthon deceased and yet both deposed by the Classis of Monbelliard VI. Ministers must use no other Calling but their Ministery This Article was added unto the former concerning Ministers Ministers shall be forbidden to practice Physick or any other Calling Trade or Vocation whatsoever VII Another Article was also subjoined That Ministers who had Estates of their own might nevertheless receive Wages from their Churches but in so doing they ought to consider the Necessities of the Church and the Rules of Charity CHAP. VI. A particular Matter about Elders and Deacons VIII MOnsieur * * * He is called in two other Copies Vires and in a fourth Virel Vercelle Deputy of Brie declareth unto this Synod that the Elders and People of Meaux are dissatisfied with the first Article of particular Matters and complain that they be deprived of their Freedom and Priviledge in Elections Whereupon it was advised that inasmuch as they had been divers times heard and particularly that by the Synod of La Ferte under Joarre they had been largely instructed in the Will of God from his Holy Word in this Article Letters should be dispatcht unto them from this Assembly exhorting them to acquiesce in the Order of Discipline received in our Churches of France and in case they will yet have the Business heard over once again they shall apply themselves unto their own Provincial Synod about
saying of St. Augustin That Medicines which are more hurtful than profitable should be wholly forborn And sith in particular Facts many Circumstances occur concerning which a Special Law cannot be enacted we ought therefore to be the more discreet wary and considerate And the whole is left to the Wisdom of the Consistory VI. There shall be added to the Twenty Eighth Article concerning Ministers these words Nevertheless it were expedient that Ministers took Wages because of its consequence and that others may not be prejudiced VII The Sixteenth Article concerning Ministers shall begin thus The Minister who shall have intruded himself c. VIII After these words in the Thirty fourth Article concerning Ministers That have preached Heretical Doctrine there shall be added And does obstinately maintain it IX In the first Article of Provincial Synods instead of those words At least there she ll be put in As much as possible X. In the first Article of National Synods after those words Within a Year shall be added If it be possible XI Before the Title of Provincial Synods shall be put Titles with Articles of * * * Classes Colloquies And the first Article shall be this The Neighbour-Churches shall assemble themselves in Colloquies four times a Year if possibly they can and each Minister shall come accompanied with one Elder not only for this end that Ministers in their respective turns may handle a common place in Divinity from the Scriptures but that by mutual common Counsel they may compose those emergent Difficulties which trouble their Churches For it is thus ordained by the Discipline and generally to provide whatever they conceive expedient and necessary for the Conservation of the Churches XII The second Article concerning Elders shall be thus enlarged to wit after these words The Elders Office is to convene the People unto Publick Assemblies there shall be this addition And in general to watch but most especially over the Church And after these words To make Reports of Scandals there shall be added And in conjunction with the Ministers to judge and decide And after those words And other such-like Matters shall be added Which concern the Order Preservation and Government of the Church XIII At the end of the Title of National Synods this following Article shall be added That the Acts and Articles of Synods may be preserved and that they may be of use in time to come for the deciding Controversies resolving Cases that may be propounded in the Synods the said Articles of things past or to come and others concerning Synods as also the Articles of our Discipline together with the Confession of Faith of our Reformed Churches shall be all deposited with the Deputies of that Province which is impowered to call the next National Synod and is charged to bring them forth at their first meeting XIV At the end of the Twenty second Article of Marriages there shall be this added And the betrothed Woman shall have the same liberty with the betrothed Man in case the said Man shall have fornicated after the aforesaid Promises XV. The Article concerning Professors of Divinity shall be thus enlarged Doctor and Professors of Divinity shall be chosen by a Synod or †††Collâ—ay Classis after good proof and sufficient tryal had of their Life and Doctrine And they shall be acquainted that they be wholly dedicated for their Lives unto the Service of God and his Church and to be imployed according to the appointment of the Classis or Synods to whose Authority they shall yield Obedience Moreover they shall subscribe the Confession of our Faith and Church-Discipline And whenever any difficulty in Doctrinal Points does occur they shall be called forth if they be upon the place to assist at its decision The Regents also shall make the same Subscription XVI Towards the close of the Fifth Article concerning Elders there shall be this addition And Professors of Divinity lawfully and duly called unto their Offices XVII The Fourth Article concerning Consistories shall be couched in these words Deacons may and ought to be Memâ—â—â—s of Consistories The Ministers of God's Word together with the Eldership do constitute the Churches Consistory in which the Ministers ought to preside and Deacons may and should be present in the Consistory that so by their Advice the Church may be served as hitherto in these difficult times we have happily employed them in the Government of the Churches and called them forth into the Eldership And for time to come all Deacons thus chosen or continued shall joyntly together with the Pastors and Elders have the Rule and Conduct of the Churches CHAP. IV. This Article is the â—ast in the Chapter of Consistories XVIII THis following Article shall be plac'd next in order to the 10th of Consistories If one or more of the People stir up strife and thereby break the Churches Vnion in any Point of Doctrine Discipline or the Form of Catechising Administration of Sacraments How such are to be dealt with who raise Contentions in the Church about our Doctrine Discipline or Worship Catechising and Marriage or of Publick Prayers and Celebration of Marriage and that private Admonitions prove ineffectual to suppress them then the Consistory of that Church shall presently endeavour to compose and appease the whole without any noise and with all sweetness by the Word of God And in case the Dissenters should not acquiesce in their determination that Consistory shall intreat the Colloquy to meet at such time and place as may be most convenient having first of all oblig'd the Dissenters in express terms and those on Record not in any manner of way to spread abroad their Opinions until the meeting of the said Colloquy on pain of being dealt with as Schismaticks excepting always freedom of Conference with Pastors and Elders in case they have not been sufficiently instructed But and if the said Dissenters refuse to give those fore-mentioned Promises then shall they be censured as Rebellious Persons according to the Discipline And the Colloquy being met shall proceed as was above directed And in case the said Dissenters after a patient Hearing and Refutation rest fully satisfied the whole business shall be Registred But if not and extraordinary necessity so require the Provincial Synod shall be intreated to meet at such a time and place as the said Colloquy shall judge most convenient the former Promises having been once again repeated by the Dissenters And the Synod being assembled they shall with very great and mature deliberation advise and consider of the Matter Places Times and Persons whether it be expedient that another Conference be held with these Dissenters and publickly with open doors before the People and whether liberty of speaking may be granted unto any of the Assistants which if it be yet the determination of the Point in Controversie shall not be left unto them but to the Provincial Deputies according to the known Rules of our Discipline And
then if the said Dissenters refuse conformity they shall promising as before be dismissed over to the ordinary National Synod or if there be one at that time extraordinarily assembled they shall be heard in it with all holy freedom And here shall be the final and absolute Decision made of this Controversie from the Word of God whereunto if they refuse a full and entire Obedience and in plain and express terms do not renounce their recorded Errors they shall be cut off by the Sword of Excommunication from the Body of their Churches A Pastor or Elder breaking the Churches Vnion or stirring up contention about any Point of Doctrine or Discipline which he had subscribed or about the Form of Catechising Administration of Sacraments Publick Prayers or Celebration of Marriage and not conforming to the determination of the Colloquy shall be then suspended from his Office and either the Provincial or National Synod shall finally proceed against him CHAP. V. The manner of Electing Ministers XIX THE Fourth Article concerning Ministers shall be couched in these terms A Minister shall not be chosen by one only Minister with his Consistory but by two or three Ministers called into the said Consistory and if there be one in being by the Colloquy or if it may be by the Provincial Synod Afterward he shall be recommended to the People who shall hear him two or three weeks following or for some longer time if it be conceived fitting that he may be known to them and his Method in Teaching the Congregation also shall be expresly informed that if any one of them know a just cause or reason why the called Minister should not be chosen or if they be dissatisfied with them that they would declare it unto the Consistory who will readily receive and patiently and freely hear their Exceptions against him And in case there arise contention on one side or other the Election shall be suspended and the whole Affair shall be brought before the Provincial Synod who shall take knowledge both of the Justification and Reception of the said Ministers who though justified shall not however be imposed upon that People against their will or to the discontentment of the major part of them And on the contrary the Peoples Silence shall be taken for their full consent Finally the said Pastor shall be presented unto the People and be ordained by laying on of hands And if any Ministers be desired by particular Churches to be employed in their Service they shall be sent with good Testimonials of their Life and Doctrine unto the Colloquy or Synod of the Province whereunto the Churches that demanded them do belong and that Colloquyor Synod shall first hear them and in case the Ministers thus sent have never before exercised the Pastoral Office they may examine them and afterwards depute three or four Ministers to nominate and present them unto the Churches which desired them who having heard them preach shall finally receive them or if the People do oppose it the whole Affair shall be determined according to the Order before appointed and all at the Costs and Charges of the Churches which demanded them XX. At the close of that Article concerning Excommunication under the Head of Delinquents these words shall be added And during the Publication as well of the said Excommunication as of the Reconciliation it shall be lawful for those of the People who never consented to give Notice of it unto the Consistory and they have all holy liberty for so doing and the Consistory shall consider of it whereas the silence of others shall be taken for consent And in case of opposition or discontent they shall not proceed unto Excommunication without advising with the Colloquy yet nevertheless the said Suspension shall stand and remain in its full vigour and effect XXI To the first Article of Particular Orders there shall be made this short addition And to nourish Monks XXII In the 27th Article concerning Ministers after these words To shorten the Term of Three Months there shall be added And the said Colloquy shall consider how those ungrateful Persons shall be dealt with weighing maturely and considering seriously all Circumstances and above all having in their eyes the Glory of God the Edification of his Church and the Honour of the Ministry And what remains of that Article shall be razed out XXIII After the 18th Article concerning Consistories this present shall be subjoyned In those places where the Exercise of the Reformed Religion is not established the Faithful shall be exhorted by the Neighbour Colloquies to choose unto themselves Elders and Deacons and to observe the Discipline of the Church and the Colloquy shall advise unto what Church most commodiously both for Minister and People they may be annexed and this shall be done by consent of all or the major part of them and they shall not depart from that Church without having first consulted the said Colloquy Provincial Synods have Power of changing Ministers XXIV The 16th Article concerning Ministers shall be couched in these following words Authority is granted unto Provincial Synods for certain Causes to remove Ministers their Churches being first heard and their Reasons duly pondered but in case of difference the Cause shall be finally decided by the National Synod and till that Sentence be obtained Ministers shall abide where they were XXV There shall be this addition made unto the Article of Provincial Synods And the said Deputies shall come at the common Charges and Expences of their Churches XXVI To the sixth Article of Baptism this Clause shall be added And after they have made Profession of Religion XXVII To the third Article of Elders after these words As also the Sentences of Suspension shall be done there shall be this addition Without any mentioning of Name XXVIII Unto the end of the 7th Article of Elders shall be this added And they shall be diligently exhorted to continue in their Offices as long as may be because frequent changes brings damage unto the Church The Faithful may not be present at any Stage-plays XXIX There shall be this addition at the end of the 18th Article concerning particular Orders It shall not be lawful for the Faithful to be present at Stage-Plays Comedies Tragedies or Farces whether they be acted publickly or privately because they have been ever condemned by God's ancient Churches for corrupting of good Manners especially when as the Holy Scripture shall be profaned by them But if a Colledge judge it meet for their Youth to represent any History not comprised in the Sacred Scriptures which was never given us for our sport and pastime but to be preached for our conversion and comfort and provided this be done but very seldom and by the Advice of the Colloquy which shall first peruse the Composition it may be tolerated XXX The fifteenth Province shall be divided into two Forest Auvergna and La Marche shall make one Burgundy Lyonnois and Benujolois another and
be expressed conceived and offered up to God for them XXIII In the first Article concerning Delinquents after these words Cutting him off in the Name and by the Authority of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be added And of his Church Protestants possessing Tythes must wholly employ them in pious Uses on pain of being censured XXIV Whereas divers Persons professing the Reformed Religion do by their own Authority and Right possess Tythes which formerly were appropriated unto Church-men in Holy Orders they shall be advised to employ them wholly to pious Uses such as the Maintenance of the Ministry Relief of the Poor Education of Schollars who be the Seminary of the Church and in no wise unto their private Profits on pain of being suspended the Lord's Supper in case of non-observing this holy just and reasonable Counsel XXV That Article concerning Burials without Exhortations and Prayers at the Graves shall be punctually observed and such as act contrary to it shall be severely censured XXVI Against Dances See the Second Synod of Rochel Art 33. Ministers and Consistories are hereby admonished to see that Canon concerning Dances to be most strictly observed which is the 20th under the Title of Particular Orders forbidding expresly all Dances and also they shall prudently distinguish between such as be contumacious Rebels against this holy Advice and those who by their discontinuance of Dancing do manifest their having profited by it XXVII ‖ ‖ ‖ No suspended Person from the Lord's Supper may be Sureties for a Child at Baptism Suspended Persons from the Lord's Table shall not be admitted to present Children unto Baptism in quality of Sureties during the time of their Suspension XXVIII There shall be no change made in the present Division of the Provinces with reference to their particular Synods Yet are they advised all of them so to assign the Places of their Synodical Assemblies as will be most commodious for them XXIX Churches that in singing Psalms do first cause each Verse to be read shall be advised to forbear that childish Custom and such as have used themselves unto it shall be censured XXX Whereas divers Persons during Publick and Family Prayers do neither uncover their Heads Humility must be testified in Prayer nor bow their Knees expressing thereby the great pride of their Hearts and scandalizing such as fear the Lord that this their Irreverence may be amended and reformed all Pastors Elders and Governors of Families are advised and required to see carefully unto it that during the time of Prayer every one in their Churches and Families without exception be they high or low noble or base do testifie the humbleness of their Heart by those fore-mentioned outward marks of humility unless they be hindred by unavoidable necessity or malady in which cases we leave them to the direction of their particular and respective Consciences No Legal Formalities to be used in the Exercise of Church-Discipline XXXI In the Exercise of of Church-Discipline all Formalities and Terms of Law commonly used by the Civilians shall be forborn And forasmuch as divers Persons that they may avoid the Censure of their Crimes do ordinarily appeal from one Ecclesiastical Assembly unto another and then at last to the National Synod which is thereby more encumbred in the deciding their businesses than of any other Differences arising in any Province are to be definitively determined in that particular Province This Synod doth ordain That for time to come whatever Differences arise in any Province shall be definitively determined by that very Provincial Synod and no Appeal from it to be admitted excepting what concerns the Suspensions and Deposings of Ministers Elders and Deacons and the removal of a Minister from one Province unto another and Points of Doctrine in which cases they may be brought by degrees at last to the National Synod where they shall be finally judged and determined XXXII The Holy Word of God condemning that Custom introduced into certain Reformed Churches of enquiring into and generally censuring of Faults in the Publick Congregation both of Men and Women before the Lord's Supper those Churches that have used it are exhorted to forbear it for the future and in Point of Censures to acquiesce in the observation of that Order established in our Discipline and practised by all other the Reformed Churches of France And such Churches as shall refuse so to do shall be censured That the Complaints of Ministers and the dissipation of Churches may be avoided the Churches must advance a Quarter's Pay before-hand unto their Ministers XXXIII That the Ingratitude of divers Churches towards their Ministers who therefore deserve justly to be deprived of them may be hereafter prevented This Assembly doth ordain That every Church shall advance a Quarter's Stipend before-hand unto their Pastors of that Annual Maintenance they had ingaged to pay them And in case three Months be laps'd and his Quarteridge unpaid after Complaints made unto the Consistory or the more eminent Members of that Church the said Pastor may withdraw himself from the Service of his said Church appealing from its Consistory unto the two nearest Ministers before whom he shall declare the causes of his departure that so he may be discharged from all Calumny and the Pastor thus ungratefully dealt withal shall not be obliged to tarry for the Judgment of any Colloquy or Synod unless one of those Assemblies do meet in the same Month of his departure And that ungrateful Church shall not be provided of any other Pastor till it shall have first given plenary satisfaction unto its former Minister And he must in the mean while remember not to engage himself to any Church out of his Province unless he have first obtained License from his own Provincial Synod XXXIV The Censure incurred and merited by the ungrateful Members of particular Churches shall be inflicted on them by their own Consistories according to our Discipline XXXV The 11th Canon in the Chapter of Marriages shall be thus explained That whenas one of the Parties is of a contrary Religion the Marriage shall not be admitted in a Reformed Church until such time as that Party of the contrary Religion be sufficiently instructed and is enabled with a good Conscience to make a publick Protestation of his Renouncing all Idolatry and Superstition and that by the Grace of God helping him he will continue the rest of his Days in the purity of his Worship And the Consistory of that Church in which he is to make this Protestation shall take Cognisance or the sufficiency of his knowledge XXXVI All the Provinces are desired to take Notice that a certain Minister called German hath been deposed from his Ministry and declared a Vagrant for good and just Cause by the Provincial Synod of Orleans and Berry whose Sentence shall abide valid Saving always to the said German power to justifie himself before the National Synod if he think fitting The Confession of the Low
Countries approved XXXVII The Confession of Faith presented by the Churches of both Languages Dutch and French in the Low Countries hath been approved by this Synod and the Provincial Deputies have promised in the Name of their Churches to subscribe it if need be And it was consulted on by this Assembly A Project of Universal Confession of Faith for all the Protestant Churches what means would be most proper to re-unite the several Confessions of all those Nations which agree in Doctrine into one common Confession and which may be hereafter approved by all these Nations And this pursuant to the Project laid down in the late Conference at Neustadt September 1577. XXXVIII The next National Synod shall be called by the Province of Anjou about one year hence and the said Province shall give Notice thereof unto the Counties of Maine Loudunois and Touraine they being all incorporated into one with itself as also to all other the Provinces three Months before the Day and Place of Meeting Done at Figeac this 8th of August 1579. The End of the Synod of FIGEAC CHAP. IV. Remarks upon the DEPVTIES 1. MR. James Covet he in the Civil Wars retired into Switzerland and there writ against Socinus one of the first Books that was writ against his Heresie He was sometime Minister of the Church of Paris 2. Cayer he afterwards apostatized 3. Monsieur de la Faye the Moderator There was one of his Name but whether it were he I am not certain that was Pastor in the Church of Geneva a very learned Man THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XI National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD For the second time in the City of ROCHEL and Year of our Lord 1581. This Synod should have been Assembled at Loudun in the Province of Anjou but for some other Reasons was transferred unto Rochel The CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. 1. Names of the Deputies Synodical Officers chosen Chap. 2. Of General Matters The Deputies promise perseverance in the Vnity of Faith One Minister enough to ordain another Roll of Apostate Ministers Ministers practising Physick condemned Great Lords to observe the Discipline Canons about Ministers 7. to 11. Elders may read Prayers in the Church Parity of Elders and Deacons Of Certificates 16. The King of Navar Prince of Conde and all Lords desired to contribute to the Educating of Youth for the Ministery Acts Sufferings and memorable Events about the Churches to be Collected and Registred Gadding Professors censured Chap. 3. A Case about Censuring of Apostates resolved The Case of Lapsed Members inhabiting in another Church Publick Penance for Fornication how to be inflicted 25. Subordination of Synodical Meetings 28. A Book called the History of France censured 29. Brocard's Book upon Geness condemned Canons about the just Number of Deputies unto Synods 30.31 Dancings and other Dissolutions condemn'd Holding of Benefices by Bulls from Rome censured Impropriaters censured Care about Ministers Maintenance 36. Ministers out of the Kingdom to be called home 39. Psalm Books to be brought by all unto the Temples that all may Sing An Explication of the Canon about Habits The 14th Canon of Marriages explained 42. Vsuries condemn'd Printers to take care what Books they sell A Case resolved about Marrying the Widow of his Wife's Brother Licenses to Marry may be taken from the King tho' not from the Pope Baptism not to be deferr'd 47. Protestants must not be present at Apostates Marriages 48. Call of the next National Synod 1581. Synod XI THE II. Synod of Rochel SYNOD XI The Eleventh National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Rochel the second time instead of the City of Loudun in Anjou on Wednesday the 21th of June and ended the 10th of July in the Year 1581. In the 8th Year of the Reign of Henry the Third King of France and Poland CHAP. I. The Catalogue and Names of the Deputies THere appeared as Deputies of the Provinces unto this Synod the Pastors and Elders whose Names are hereafter registred Videlicet I. For the Province of Anjou Touraine the Maine Perche Vandômois and Loudumois Monsieur de la Plante Minister of the blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus in the Church of Pringay and Mathurin Peju his Elder in company with him II. For the Province of Poictou Monsieur Alexander de L'estang-Godion Minister of God's holy Word in the Church of Coue or Codue and Monsieur de Faux Minister of the Gospel at Chastel-herauld accompanied with Monsieur Colin Doctor of Physick and Elder of the Church in Fontenay III. For the Isle of France Monsieur de Beaulieu Minister of the Gospel in the Church of N. B. neither of my four Copies do note his Church yet there was a Gentleman of this Name Pastor of the Church of Senlis in this very Province in the Year 1603. which I suppose to be the same without an Elder IV. For the Province of Normandy Monsieur de la Four Minister of the Gospel and Pastor of the Church of Christ in the City of Rouan He came unto the Synod alone without an Elder Mr. Beraud was also the first Professor of Divinity in that University according to my Catalogue of its Professors V. For Xaintonge Monsieur dec Monstier Minister of God's Holy Word in the Town of St. John de Angely in company with the Sieur Paboul Elder of the Church of Pons VI. For the Province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guienne Monsieur Michael Beraud Minister of the Gospel in the Church and City of Montauban accompanied with Monsieur Bais Elder in the said Church VII For the Province of Perigord Gascony and Limousin Monsieur Berjat or Debordat Minister of God's Holy Word in the Church of Bergerac and Janicon Dedon Elder of the Church of Duras VIII For the Province of Britain Monsieur Nicholas Bernier Minister of the blessed Gospel of Christ Jesus in the Church of Vitre accompanied with Monsieur de Roussiere Elder of the Church in Vielle Vigne IX For the Province of Augolmois Monsieur La Croix Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Jarnac without an Elder X. For the Province of Champagne Monsieur Capell Minister of God's Holy Word in the Church of Sedan and Monsieur Pasquier Elder of the Church at Troys in Champagne XI The Province of Burgundy and Berry were absent but excused their absence by Letters XII For the Lower Languedoc Monsieur Brunier Minister in the Church of Vsez accompanied with Monsieur Fortin an Elder XIII The Provinces of Dolphiny Provence Forest and Auvergne were all of them absent and which was very much admired they had not the Civility to excuse their absence by any Letters written and sent from their respective Synods unto this National Assembly XIV Prayer being ended Monsieur de Nort Minister of the Gospel in the Church of Rochel was voted Moderator and Monsieur de la Place Minister of Pringey Assessor and
Monsieur de Lestang-Godion Minister of Coue in Poictou and Monsieur de Chauveton Lord of Beauvois and Minister of the Church of St. Martins in the Isle of Re were also voted to be Scribes CHAP. II. General MATTERS I. ALL the Deputies protested in the Name of the Churches of their respective Provinces that they would persevere in the Union of that Doctrine and Confession of Faith which was formerly subscribed in the National Synod held in this City in the Year 1571. and now exhibited read and recognized in this Assembly Moreover the said Deputies certifyed and declared that they had not the least notice given them of any manner of opposition to it but a general Acquiescency in the said Doctrine and Confession of Faith in all their Churches For which they did unanimously praise God One Minister enough to ordain another II. The Book of Discipline being read It was ordained that the fourth Article in the Chapter of Ministers should remain entire as it was excepting that instead of three or four Ministers required to present the new elected Minister unto the Ministery one only should be sufficient III. In the Margent of the 5th Article this shall be inserted That the said Article was only appointed for such a time when as a Province had no Churches constituted in it and not for the present Day when as blessed be God every Province in the Kingdom hath divers of them IV. These were declared Apostates by the Isle of France and their Declaration approved of by this National Synod Toussainct le Gibou in Normandy Launay in Brie And Panctier in Picardy a Deserter Grenet a Minister of La Garnache in Lower Poictou a Vagrant and Quenet in the Colloquy of Vsez and Monsieur Beazer was ordered to make inquiry about one called du Plessis V. The 22d Article of the Synod of St. Foy concerning Ministers who Practice Physick having been read was Approved as being consonant to the Word of God And this Assembly being informed that divers Ministers do more employ themselves in Physick than in the Duties of their Ministery The Deputies of the Province in which they live were ordered to exhort them to intend and mind their Ministery and to yield plenary Obedience unto God's Word in this Article or otherwise the Colloquies and Synods shall proceed against them according to the Rules of our Discipline VI. Princes and great Lords shall be advised to observe the Articles of our Discipline and to send their Ministers to our National and Provincial Synods and Colloquies VII The 12th Article of our Discipline and the 21th and 33d of the Synod of Figeac were thus confirmed 'T is the Judgment of this Assembly that a Pastor being duely discharged from his Church if the Colloquy or Provincial Synod in which he served do not within a Month provide him another Congregation he may accept of the first Call given him by any other Province and this according to the Canons of our Discipline VIII The 15th Article of our Discipline concerning Ministers was confirmed but with this Proviso That these words Composed of six at the least shall be left out IX And that the said Article may be the better understood After these words Who shall have intruded into a Church this shall be added Altho' he had been afterwards chosen by the People X. And whereas in the 16th Article it was thus written The Reasons it shall be added And the Reasons being well examin'd XI And to that of Professors shall be added Regents and School-masters XII Elders in the Pastor's absence may warrantably perform that Duty of publick Common-Prayer especially if they have been thereunto appoint-by the Consistory XIII Whereas in the 6th Article concerning Elders and Deacons it is said that no Elders shall pretend to Primacy Let this be added neither in Election nor Precedency nor in order of Suffrages nor in any other thing belonging to their Office of Elders XIV The 7th Article concerning Elders and Deacons shall be most diligently observed XV. Ministers and Elders are required to use their utmost Endeavour that the Twelfth Article in the Chapter of Consistories be punctually observed XVI Advise was taken on the Third Article of Consistories which treats of Certificates given unto Passengers That for time coming good and vallid Causes moving us hereunto The first Certificates shall neither be kept nor broken until such time as they be come unto their journies end mentioned in them and then and there the said Certificates shall be detain'd and cancelled and Certificates shall be given very rarely unto any Persons XVII The Tenth Article of Figeac shall be closed up with this Addition If it be not with Consent of the Consistories no Offences shall be discovered to the Civil Magistrate The 5th Penny of all Charities shall be applied towards the Maintenance of Proposans XVIII His Majesty the King of Navar and his Higness the Prince of Conde and other Lords professing our Holy Reformed Religion shall be most humbly desired to contribute liberally towards the Maintenance of poor Scholars and Proposans designed for the Ministery And all Churches are exhorted to press this Duty vigorously upon their richer and more substantial Members that so every Colloquy may be able at least to give Subsistance unto one Proposan and if it can be conveniently the fifth Penny of all Charity-monies shall be allotted to this very purpose XIX That the 13th Article of Consistories may be executed concerning a Collection of all memorable Acts relating to the Church's Sufferings it is thought meet that every Colloquy do depute a Minister to whom all the Churches shall send their Memoirs that they may be brought unto the Provincial Synod and thence unto the National XX. Such Professors as range abroad to hear the Word in one Church and receive the Sacrament in another shall be admonished of their Duty to fix themselves to some particular Church of Christ and in case of neglect they shall be censured XXI In the first Article concerning Delinquents next after these words Nor the Cause of it shall be added this nor in like manner the Restitution and these words shall be razed out Lest they be defamed CHAP. III. XXII IT being desired that the 3d Article of the Synod of Figeac might be explained the Assembly voted that towards the close of it there should be this Addition viz. That it was left wholly to the Prudence of the Consistory whether they would mention by name or not those who had a long time since revolted but as for them who were but of late Apostates Censures shall be pronounc'd against them according to the Tenor of that Canon unless that by such a Personal Denunciation of those Sinners the Consistory might foresee some great and notable Danger like to betide the Church In which case nothing shall be done without the Advice of the Provincial Synod XXIII If the Members of one Church fallen into Idolatry happen to take up their abode in
another where their Crime is not known they shall only testify their Repentance privately before the Consistory but with this Condition that in case they return to that former Church whereunto they belonged they shall then and there also make a publick Acknowledgment of their Offence XXIV Publick Penances shall be undergone personally and by those only who have publickly offended the Sinner openly and sincerely with his Mouth from his Heart testifying his Repentance XXV Whoredoms when committed and come to publick â—â—owledge shall by their Actors be publickly acknowledged with evident Tokens of Repentance XXVI This Clause by the greater part shall be razed out from the end of the 17th Article of Figeac and there shall be this only inserted known by the greater part XXVII Both those Canons of the Tenth National Synod and of our ancient Discipline concerning the time of meeting for Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall remain in full force so that they be wholly left unto their Liberty to do therein as they may most conveniently XXVIII Forasmuch as Provincial Synods depend upon the National Colloquies also shall for the same Reasons be subject unto the Provincial Synods and Consistories unto Colloquies XXIX The National Synod of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom assembled in this City of Rochel under the Authority of the King's Edicts having seen a certain Book Intituled The History of France printed in this City upon divers complaints made unto us from all parts of the Kingdom against it and having took Cognisance of the proceedings of the Consistory of this Church against the find Book hath found that in many places the Author speaks exceeding irreverently and irreligiously of divine Things and that it is a heap of idle vain and prophane Matters full of Falshoods Lies and Calumnies to the great prejudice of God's glorious Power to the disadvantage and dishonour of our Holy Doctrine and Reformed Religion to the Dissamation of divers godly Persons dead and living And therefore hath thought good to advertise all the Churches that they beware of the said Book and inasmuch as in them lieth to disapprove it And this Synod doth judicially declare the Author of the said Book if he own himself a Protestant unworthy of our Holy Communion and not to be admitted to the participation of the Sacraments until such time as he shall have acknowledged his offence and by convenient means such as the Suppression of his History shall have repaired the Scandal that he hath given unto the Churches XXX The Synod also having seen and examined another Book written in Latin upon Genesis by a certain Fellow called James Brocan of Piedmont printed in this City hath declared and doth declare it to be fraught with Impieties and horrible Profanations of the Sacred Scriptures and pernicious Errors especially in Matters of Revelation of Revelation Prophecy and therefore exhorts all the Faithful to keep themselves carefully from being seduced by it XXXI The first Article of Provincial Synods being read it was decreed That all Ministers should attend in Person at their Provincial Synods or should excuse themselves by Letters in case of absence the causes whereof should be judged valid or otherwise by those Assemblies XXXII The third Article concerning National Synods shall abide in its full power But for the benefit of all our Churches there shall be this clause added That for time to come if possible it may be done there shall be two Ministers and two Elders deputed from every Province unto them XXXIII Forasmuch as Dancings and other Dissolutions do sprout up and increase every where yea and in these our Reformed Churches it was thought good to exhort the Consistories that for God's sake they would conscientiously observe the Six and twentieth Article of particular Orders decreed in the Synod of Figeac and in the Name of God and by the Authority of this present Assembly that it be read publickly in the Churches and all Colloquies and Synods are hereby expresly charged to censure those Consistories that neglect their Duty in this particular XXXIV All those who by unlawful means as by Papal Bulls or ready Money shall purchase or hold Benefices and such as cause Idolatry to be upheld and maintained either directly or indirectly shall be excluded Communion at the Lord's Table XXXV As to what concerns Impropriators and Farmers of Benefices the ancient Canons of our Discipline shall hold good and be in full force power and vertue against them Yet nevertheless the Deputies shall bring with them from their respective Provinces whatever Difficulties have occurr'd about those matters that so they may be debated in the next National Synod And whereas our Brethren of Languedoc Gascony and Perigord have desired have for the welfare of their Churches to censure such Farmers the business is left unto the prudence of their Provincial Synods XXXVI That Churches may not hereafter upon the death or removal of their Pastors be dissolved the Ministers who preside in the Colloquy for a new Election shall first of all enquire of every Elder in other Churches of the Colloquy what and how much Maintenance they exhibit unto their Pastors and what care they take for paying in unto them their promised Stipends that so provision may be made for them by the Authority of the Colloquies XXXVII These words The most eminent shall be blotted out from the 33d Article of Figeac XXXVIII Synods and Colloquies shall consult how to six the Limits and Extent of that Church wherein a Minister shall exercise his ordinary Calling XXXIX Ministers belonging to the Churches of France and now living abroad without the Kingdom shall be recalled by their respective Provinces XL. Forasmuch as there is a notorious contempt of Religion visible in all places yea also in our Religious Meetings we advise that Notice be given unto all Persons to bring with them their Psalm-Books into the Churches and that such as contemptuously neglect the doing of it shall be severely censur'd and all Protestant Printers are advised not to sunder in their Impressions the Prayers and Catechism from the Psalm-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
Emendations Chap. IV. General Matters One chosen in every Province to answer the Adversaries of the Truth 1. Care taken about Poor Schollars destined to the Ministry 2. The last Translation of the Bible to be used 3. Mr. Calvin's Catechism to be used in the Churches 4. No particular Set-Form of Prayer necessary to Ordination 5. The Complaints of Pastor and People one against another not to be regarded 7 8. Ministers must be resident on their Churches 10. Apocrypha not to be read in the Churches 11. Deacons may put the Poor's Stock out to Interest 12. A Canon about publishing of Apoâ—â—ates Naâ—es 14. Prayers for the King 's Contâ—eâ—sioâ—â— 15. Madam's Perseverance congratulated by the Synod 16. A Case of Conscience about Publick Penance 17. No Consistory shall be compelled to witness in Criminal Matters before the Judge 18. No alteration shall be made in the Liturgy 19. The Provinces to bring in their Quota's to which they were assessed for the Assemblies of â—â—aâ—tes and Sâ— Foy â—2 The 〈◊〉 of Maâ—tes to be sâ—orâ— â—3 Advice about Circular Letters 24. Ministers not coming to Colloquies and Synods censured 26. Infants tho' brought late unto the Church yet to be baptized 28. Vnscriptural Names may be given in Baptism 31. The Revenue of a Sine Curâ to be given to Pious Vses 32. Elders communicate with the Pastors 34. Children may marry if they have the Magistrates thô they have not their Parents Consent 35. The Case of Nicodemites 36. The Rise and Remedy of Marriage-Impotency 38. Publick Notaries to sanctifie the Lord's Day 41. A Case about taking Leases from Popish Landlords 43. The Case of Patronage 44. Painting and Naked Breasts'censured 45. The Names of all Church-Members to be Registred 46. A Case about Proposans diverting from the Ministry 48. The Ministers nominated for a general publick Disputation 49. Canon about deposed Ministers 50. Holy-days 51. Orders about Mr. Daneau and De Serre's Works 51 52. About Moneys collected 53. Case of publick Penance 55. Chap. V. Of Appeals A full Year of Vacation granted to Monsieur Beraud 5. Chap. VI. Particular Matters The Isle of France censured for proposing a politick Vnion with the Romanists 4. Two Delinquent Ministers censured 6. Corneille an Heretical Minister deposed 12. The Ministry interdicted by this Synod in the whole Colloquy of Rovargne 14. The Case of Duellers 16. Chap. 7. The Roll of Vagrants and deposed Ministers An Act for calling the two next National Synods THE Synod of Montauban 1594. Synod XIII SYNOD XIII Acts of the National Synod held at Montauban the Fifteenth Day of June in the Year of our Lord One thousand five hundred ninety and four in the Fifth Year of the Reign of Henry IV. King of France and Navarre Master Michael Berault chosen Moderator Master John Baptiste Rotan Assessor Scribes Master John Gardesy and James Thomas CHAP. I Of the DEPVTIES High Languedoc and Guyenne THere appeared for the Higher Languedoc and the Higher Guyenne Master Michael Berault Minister of the Church of Montauban and Master John Gardesy Minister in the Church of St. Antonin and Master Bernard Lovis Minister of Lectoure and Master Anthony D'Arroles Elder of the Church of Figedo James Thomas Elder of the Church of Montauban and John Bertrand Elder in the Church of Renel and Lauragais Xaintonge Aunis and Augoumois For Xaintonges Aulnis Augoulmois Master John Baptiste Rotan Pastor and Doctor in the Church of Rochel Master German Chauvetan Lord of Beauvais Minister in the Church of St. Martin's in the Isle of Reé chosen extraordinarily by the Colloquy of Aunis and approved by the Synod and Elijah Festineau Elder in the Church of St. John D'Angely Lower Guyenne For Lower Guyenne Gascony Perigord and Limousin Master James Lamqert Minister of St. Foy and Amanien de Beaupuy Elder in the Church of Toneins Poictou and Brittany For Poictou Master Francis Lóyseau Minister of Thouars and the Lord De la Cheuratiere Elder in the Church of Lusson who also by Procuration appeared for the Province of Brittany Berry Orleans Dunois and Nivernois For Berry Orleans Dunois and Nivernois Master John Berger Minister of Chasteaudun without an Elder for which they excused themselves and their Excuses were admitted though they were exhorted to come better assisted next Lower Languedoc For Lower Languedoc Master William Andrew de Villette Minister of Vallerague and John Chalais Elder in the Church of Nismes Anjou Touraine Maine and Vendomois For Anjou Touraine Le Maine Vendosmois M Felix du Tronchay Minister of Beaufort in Valeé and Monsieur Peter Coigneé de la Plante Elder of the Church in Saumur For Provence there appeared no one Provence And the exiled Members of the Churches there which had refug'd themselves in the Lower Languedoc excusing themselves by the Deputies of that Province 1594. Synod XIII the Synod resolved that Letters of Consolation from it should be written to them Forasmuch as the Deputies of Vivaretz and Vellay were absent and without excuse on their part Vivaretz and Vellay the Synod ordained Censures against them as also that they be advertised by the same hand to send their Messengers unto the General Assembly convened at St. Foy Notwithstanding their Excuses Dauphiné the Deputies of Dolphiny shall be most severely censured because of their absence as also of the Isle of France Those of Normandy did not appear Normandy but only excused their absence by Letters for which they shall be grievously censured Lyonnois and Auvergne Those of Lyonnois and Lower Auvergne did earnestly crave excuse by their Letters and their Excuses were received and approved The Deputies of Burgundy being absent Burgundy and no Letters of Excuse on their behalf shall be severely censured After Prayers Master Michael Berault was chosen Moderator and Master John Baptist Rotan Assessor and Mr. John Gardesy and James Thomas Scribes to Collect and Register the Acts of this Synod It was also decreed That the Lord's Supper should be celebrated in this Church before the breaking up of the Synod to testifie our Union in Doctrine and Church-Discipline CHAR II. OBSERVATIONS made upon reading the Confession of Faith of our Churches 1. THE Printers shall be informed that instead of Invincible they do place Invisible in the first Article because the Text of Scripture from whence 't is quoted doth require it 2. In the 18th Article the word peaceably shall be changed into that of Peaceable according to the Original and because the Adjective is more full and significant than the Adverb 3. In the 24th Article instead of this That there is there shall be altered according to the Original these words Whereby Men are turn'd out of the true way of calling on God 4. The word Vnity in the 26th Article shall be left out and that of Vnion placed in its stead as better explaining the Antithesis which is Those that keep themselves secret and worship God alone by
that he only accepted of that Call for a time and with this express condition That his Father were contented with it this Assembly doth assign the said Mark Antony unto the Church of Villemure in the Colloquy of Lower Quercy to serve them as their own peculiar Pastor yet on these Terms that he shall assist the said Church of Maruejoles by the space of three Months during which time the Colloquy of Givaudan and the Province of Lower Languedoc shall use their best endeavour to provide another Pastor for the Church of Maruejoles which Church also is ordered to satisfie the said Mark Antony Bennet within six Weeks of his Return all his Arrerages and the whole Stipend of the Quarter now current and in case of failure herein by them the said Bennet is left in full liberty to leave them immediately and to betake himself to the Service of his own Church of Villemure he advising with his Colloquy and they approving it according to the Discipline XVI Divers Provinces having consulted this Assembly what course they should take with those who challenge and with those who accept the Challenge to fight a Duel as also how to deal with the challenged who killing their adverse Party have since obtained His Majesties Pardon or have been afterward legally justified and discharged the Synod made this Decree That every such Person should be suspended the Lord's Table and this their Suspension shall be out of hand published to the Congregation and before ever they be re-admitted to the Churches Peace and Communion they shall undergo Publick Penance for those their Offences XVII The Consuls and Elders in the Church of Montauban petitioned this Assembly that during Monsieur Berault's absence their Church might be supplied for that Year by Monsieur De la Nove Minister of Beaufort in Anjou Answer was given them that according to our Discipline it could not be done 'till such time as both the Church and Province to which he stood related had been first acquainted with it And therefore they should send Letters unto that Church and Province and to the Lady Vaux and to the Lord Du Plessis intreating them because of the great importance of the Church of Montauban that they would be pleased either to grant or at least to lend their Pastor Monsieur De Nove unto the Church of Montauban during Monsieur Beraud's absence And till that the Synod of Anjou have gratified the said Petitioners the Colloquy of Lower Quercy shall take care that the said Church of Montauban be not left destitute without a Pastor but that they do from time to time send able Ministers unto them CHAP. VII The Roll of the Vagrants Deserters and Deposed Ministers 1. THE Vagrants are Isaac and Moyses Bouchars who wander up and down sowing false Doctrines they were of Poitiers the Elder of them is a little dapper Fellow red Face and Beard roaving Eye the younger is much of the same stature but blackish Beard pale and sad and roaving Eyes as his Brother 2. Costa or La Costa of Bearn who preacheth here and there without any Ordination He is a Fellow of low Stature a black Beard a swarthy Countenance a notorious Lyer Impudent and a Thief 3. Commission is given to Master Villette and Master Chalais Deputies of Lower Languedoc to make speedy enquiry about Monsieur Du Croix late Minister of Perigueux who hath forsook his Ministry for the Practice of Physick Vincentius Cordatus being sixty Years of Age a tall lubberly Fellow The DEPOSED 4. In the Province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guyenne Master Bernard Vaissy for preaching false Doctrine 5. Master Gaspar Olaxa a Spaniard for raising Troubles and Seditions in the Church of Castres 6. Master Peter Beaupoil otherwise going by the Name of Dumont or Damont 7. Master James Caza of Normandy Master Gabriel Roul otherwise La Sales De Coucher in Rouargue A Schism having fallen out in the Church of Saint Foy upon the score of the said Roul the Ministers of this Synod who are to meet in the Assembly of St. Foy are impower'd with full Authority from it 1594. Synod XIII to hear and judge fully and finally of that business Because of the Necessities and Dispersions of the Churches on the other side of Loire the Province of Anjou is appointed to call the next National Synod unto the City of Saumur in the Month of May two Years hence And forasmuch as the Province of Lower Languedoc to whom by Order of the last Synod held at Vitré it belonged to convocate this next ensuing Synod hath parted with its Right in favour to and for the benefit of that Province these things considered the next Synod shall be intreated to appoint that the National Synod which shall succeed it may be assembled and held within the Bounds of the Lower Languedoc Given at Montauban the 28th of June in the Year of our Lord 1594. The Original Acts of this Synod are kept in the Archives of the City Rochel and are thus signed Beraud Moderator Gardesy and Scribes of the Synod Rotan Scribes of the Synod The End of the Synod of Montauban THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XIV National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At Saumur the 15th Day of June in the Year of our Lord 1596. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Deputies Names An observation past on Monsieur Rotan a Deputy Moderator and Scribes chosen The Lords Supper to be celebrated June 16. Chap. II. Observations and Approbation of the Confession Chap. III. 26. Observations upon the Discipline Provinces to take care of Proposans 4. Colledges and Vniversities to be erected 5. Crimes which may expose Penitents to Publick Infamy or Death not to be confessed by them in their Publick Penance 8. Pastors to be sent alternatively unto Synods 11. Ministers not deputed unto Synods shall have no Votes 13. Gypfies Children may be baptized 15. Baptism must be administred in a Church 16. Two Names unto a Child indifferent 17. Marriage Promises de futuro indissolvable 18. The Discipline approved and sworn Chap. IV. General Matters A Caveat against a Scot who would reconcile both Religions 1. Latin Disputations better for Vniversities than Colloquies 3. Church-Members Names to be Registred 11. Ministers may preach on Holy-days 13. Duellers 14. The Vnion betwixt the Churches of France and the Netherlands to be maintained 15. None admitted to the Lord's Table living among the Papists without a Certificate from the Elders 16. The King and Constable's Letters to the Synod 18. Frauds of a Geneva Book-seller 19. A Case about Ministers being Deputies unto Politick Assemblies 20. Whether Contracts of Marriage should be seen before Publication of Banes 21. Idolatry to be abjured before Persons be admitted to Communion with us 22. The Local Magistrates of the Reformed Religion may assist at Colloquies and Synods 23. May a Protestant Judge swear a Papist upon his crucifix 24. Hautyn to print the Bible 25.
till it hath been first of all seen and approved by the Church XXVII To that Article of Players and Mummers shall be added Juglets Players of Hocus-pocus Tricks of Goblets Puppet-playing Morrice-dances and all Christian Magistrates are advised not in the least to suffer them because it feeds foolish Curiosity puts upon unnecessary Expences and wasts Time XXVIII A Lottery ordained by the Magistrates Authority for the Relief of Minors Debtors and poor Merchants shall not be condemned but others of a different nature such as that called The Wheel of Fortune and the like are peremptorily forbidden XXIX The Faithful ought not to Feast at those Banquets made by Priests when they first sing Mass XXX Forasmuch as Whoredom especially in Women brings with it a brand of Infamy this Assembly explaining the 21st Article of the fifth Chapter of our Discipline doth decree That the Penance of such Persons as have been guilty of those scandalous Crimes shall be left unto the discretion of the Consistory CHAP. IV. Of APPEALS I. THE Appeals of the Church of Rochel from the Synod of Anjou about their pretended Claim to Monsieur de la None as also that of the Church of Castle-Gautier are both evacuated and disannulled II. An Appeal being brought by the Colloquy of Higher Rouargue for that the Provincial Synod of Figeac and Castres had ordained the Provincial Synods to be held at this time in the Colloquies of Albigeois Lauragais and Lower Quercy only this Assembly declareth That for time coming the Discipline shall be expresly followed and that the next Provincial Synod shall be held in the Town of Millaud but on this condition that unless the said Colloquy do send their Deputies unto the said Provincial Synod they shall then forfeit their Right III. The Appeal of Monsieur Croiseit from the Synod of Guyenne was made void because it was against the Discipline and for that he hath not appeared at this Synod in Person IV. This Assembly declareth the Appeal of the Church of Metz and Verdun to be good and valid and ordaineth that they shall be incorporated with the Colloquy of Montauban V. Forasmuch as Monsieur Quentin receiveth a very small Salary from his Church and hath been many Years in their Service this Assembly confirms the Decree of the Lower Languedoc granting him a License to Teach Youth for his better maintenance VI. The Differences between the Synods of Higher Languedoc and the Lower Guyenne about the Churches of Nerac Leirac and others of the Lower Armagnac are dismissed over by this Assembly to be finally decided by the next National Synod VII Monsieur Galoy shall be returned to his Church of Barjac provided they pay him within three Months all his Arrears and therefore the Sentence past by his Provincial Synod against him is declared null and void VIII The Appeal of the Upper Poictou pretending Right to the Ministry of Monsieur Caynard was made void because the Elder of the Church of Figeac desisted of his own accord from prosecuting of his Appeal and that this Assembly had ordained his continuance in the Church of Fontenay IX The Elders of the Church of Montpellier appealing from their Provincial Synod because their Judgment was not demanded upon the Proposition made by Monsieur Peyrol their Proposant this Assembly declares That the Elders have not any Right of appealing in such a Case till they have first communicated it with their Pastors in Consistory and it ordains that in all Propositions the Suffrages of the Elders shall be gathered but whenas the Debate is about Points of Doctrine the decision of them is vested by the Discipline wholly in the Ministers X. Those of Florensack bringing their Appeal from the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc this Assembly judgeth That Monsieur De Croy doth of Right appertain unto the Church of Florensac as their own Minister but by reason of the great Necessities of the Churches it is decreed That he shall serve both his own and the Church of Beziers alternatively so that the Provincial Synod allow him an Assistant 1598 Synod XV. CHAP. V. Of General MATTERS I. BY reason of the great Difference in the Copies of our Discipline of the Emendations and Additions by the Synods of Montauban Saumur and this now sitting at Montpellier that it may be reduced into an exact Order couched in plain and significant expressions this Assembly ordaineth That two Pastors out of each Province whose Names are here mentioned shall undertake and finish this Work Viz. Messieurs De Beaulieu and de Montigny for the Isle of France Messieurs Picheron and Cartaut for Normandy Messieurs D'Orival and * * * Pountaine Fontanez for Orleans Messieurs Mermett and St. Hillary for Lower Guyenne Messieurs Gardesy and Olivier for Higher Languedoc Messieurs Valeton and du Croix for Vivaretz Messieurs Gasquetz and Villette for Lower Languedoc Messieurs Du Mont and Merlin for Xaintonge Messieurs Des Agues and Macifer for Anjou Messieurs Chamier and Vinay for Dolphiny Messieurs Eynard and Moureau for Poictou And having performed this their Task they shall communicate it unto their Synods that so they may come prepared unto the next National Synod to compleat and perfect it II. Forasmuch as 't is the Duty of all the Faithful heartily to desire the Re-union of all the Subjects of this Kingdom in the Unity of Faith for the greater Glory of God the Salvation of Millions of Souls and the singular Repose of the Commonweal yet because of our Sins this being rather a Matter of our Prayers than of our Hopes and that under this pretext divers profane Persons attempt openly to blend and mingle both Religions all Ministers shall admonish seriously their Flocks not in the least to hearken unto any such motions it being utterly impossible that the Temple of God should hold Communion with Idols as also for that such Wretches design only by this Trick to debauch easie credulous Souls from the belief and profession of the Gospel And whoever attempts such a Reconciliation either by Word or Writing shall be most severely censured III. This Assembly having read the Letters sent it from the Church of Geneva and considered the Arguments contained in them and others offered to us doth decree That nothing shall be innovated in the Liturgy of our Churches in the Singing of Psalms and Form of Catechising And whereas Monsieur de Beza did at the Request of divers of our last Synods translate into Metre the Scripture-Songs they shall be received and sung in Families thereby to dispose and fit the People for the Publick Usage of them in the Churches until the next National Synod IV. The Churches of Geneva Bearn Basil the Palatinate and many others from divers parts of this Kingdom complaining of several Writings published on design of Re-uniting the two Religions in one Doctrine to the apparent prejudice of God's Truth and in particular of a certain Book Entituled Apparatus ad fidem Catholicum and another bearing this
Inscription Avis pour la paix de L'Eglise Royaume de France This Synod having read and examined those aforesaid Writings and received the Judgment of the Colloquy of Nismes and of the Deputies from the other Colloquies in that Province as also the Censures of the above-mentioned Churches doth condemn them as containing divers Erroneous Propositions to wit That the true Doctrine was kept entire and sound among all that are called Christians That those of the Church of Rome having the self-same Articles of Faith with us the same Commandments of God Forms of Prayer Baptism and the same Means and Ordinances to attain everlasting Salvation as we have are consequently the true Church and that the Difference betwixt us is only verbal not real That they would have the Ancient Councils and Writings of the Fathers to be Judges of the Points in Controversie between us and that because they quote the Canons of Gratian under the Name of the Catholick Church therefore we are made the Authors of that Schism and of those Civil Wars which have happen'd in this Kingdom and several other such-like Matters And all the Churches are enjoyned to beware of them And whereas there is a Manuscript handed up and down with this specious Title Elenchus Novae Doctrinae the Colloquies of Montpellier and Nismes are charged to peruse it and in case they find nothing in it contrary to the Doctrine receiv'd and taught in our Churches they may giving it a Preface give it also a License to be Printed V. This Case of Conscience was propounded Whether a Soveraign Prince for certain Causes moving him thereunto may not grant a Pardon unto a Person guilty of those Crimes which had deserved Death or change his Punishment into a less or delay Execution of the Sentence past upon him This Assembly having carefully examined the Circumstances of this Case doth judge That by the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we be not bound unto the Political Laws of Moses but that all Punishments are now arbitrary and that from Scripture-Instances the Soveraign Magistrate may very well do it when the Publick Interest is concerned VI. Another Case also was moved Whether a Parent or Special Friend whatever his Condition or Quality be tho' it were that of a Minister of the Gospel might lawfully petition the Soveraign for his Relation or Friend's Pardon The Synod answereth That this Case is decided by the former for if it be lawful for the Soveraign to give it is lawful also for a private Person to take out a Pardon provided it be not by any indirect or sinful means VII Whoever hath maimed another unjustly so that he is thereby disabled from gaining his Livelihood or that of his poor Family if so be the Maimer be a Man of Estate he shall be urged by Church-Censures to allot him a Pension for his Subsistence altho' he be not condemned to it by the Civil Magistrate because he cannot better express the sincerity of his Repentance than by this Act of Charity VIII Promises of Marriage made by Persons of competent Age to be married and those Promises past with consent of Parents Tutors and Guardians and by words de praesenti are indissolvable IX It is not contrary to Christian decency for espoused Persons to lodge under the same Roof before Marriage X. That Obligation laid on Sureties in Baptism doth not only import their Education of the Children in Godliness but this also that in case of need they provide for their maintenance XI Churches having at their own Charges bred up Schollars to the Ministry and do now enjoy their Labours in the Word and Sacraments if they carry themselves unworthily towards them as in not giving them equal Stipends with their Colleagues shall be censured and in case they do not reform the Colloquy or Provincial Synod may grant a License unto those Ministers to forsake them and also to provide them of some other Church according to the Discipline XII The Deputies of the National Synods shall within one Month alter their Return advertise the Colloquies of their Provinces to take Copies of the Acts of these National Synods and this at the sole Expence of the said Colloquies XIII When a Province desireth some considerable alteration to be made in the Articles of our Discipline it shall give Notice thereof unto that which is charged to convene the next National Synod that by it the other Provinces being informed their Deputies may come prepared for the Debate However we do not hereby mean that the National Synods should be over-ruled by the Provincial XIV Master Chamier and Brunier having brought Letters from the Assembly of the Churches at Chastel-heraut together with the Edict granted us by His Majesty and understanding by them that had it not been for that good Union and Correspondence which is among us we had never got the Liberty of our Consciences in the Publick Profession of the Gospel and Service for our God nor Justice to be administred to us nor other needful Securities for our Lives This Synod considering former defects in this matter doth now protest and resolve That for the future that Union subscribed and sworn at Mants shall be better and more strictly kept and observed than ever that so the Articles of this Edict may be performed to us and all other things needful for our preservation in our Obedience to his Majesty and his Edicts and we will also take care that the Provinces do the same and that if any Person should in the least transgress them or prove disobedient to our Remonstrances herein they shall be prosecuted by all the Censures of the Church XV. The Provinces also shall be exhorted to receive and observe the Orders sent them from the Assembly at Chastelheraut and to defray the Charges of the Deputies they being necessitated to reside there to see to the Execution of the Edict unless His Majesty shall of His Royal Bounty provide for them XVI This Synod proceeding to distribute the 43333 Crowns and of the one third of them Granted by His Majesty towards the Relief of our Churdies hath and doth ordain that 3333 Crowns and one third shall be employed in the erecting of two Universities In the Copy from which this was translated the mark over the Sums was one of which shall be at Saumur and the other at Moutauban †††W and towards the Maintenance of each of them it doth assign 1111 Crowns 6 Sous and 8 Deniers and to the erecting of two Academies in Theology Which I have rendered Crowns because a Livre consisting but of twenty Sous and the French reckoning be Crowns as â—â—ll as Livres I have rendred Crowns ratâ—er than Livres the one at Montpellier the other at Nismes for Montpellier 500 Crowns and the rest for Nismes And the remaining 40000 Crowns shall be distributed among the Churches as well those which are already as those which may be hereafter constituted And a
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
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
Assembly commissionated Monsieur Vignier Minister of the Gospel and Monsieur des Fontaines Texier and le Fevrier Elders to examine and close up those Accounts which being done and report made by them it appeared that Monsieur Phillip Pinaut Receiver of the said Moneys stood indebted to them in the sum of 4292 Livers 15 Sous and 8 Deniers upon the whole which said Audit and final Reckoning is approved and ratified by this Synod and it 's further ordered that the said sum of 4292 Livers 15 Sous and 8 Deniers shall remain in the hands of the said Pinault to be employed in the Maintenance of the said University and about nothing else as we shall hereafter take care for And in so doing the said Receiver and Province shall be acquitted and discharged of the said Moneys And the Originals of the Accounts aforesaid shall be kept in the Consistory of Rochell and the Duplicates and Copies evidencing the whole shall be lodg'd in the hands of the said Pinault with the consent of the Deputies of that Province 29. The Province of Xaintonge moving whether it were not needful to make a compleat Answer to the Works of Bellarmine This Synod charged the Deputies of Dolphiny to intreat Monsieur Chamier to prosecute his worthy Labours begun by him upon this Subject 30. Every Province shall chuse one particular Church in it where the Original Acts of their Synods shall be conserved that in case of necessity they may have recourse unto them 31. The Professors of Divinity in the Universities of this Kingdom shall be advised so to contrive their Lectures and Common-places that they may be compleatly finished in three years time 32. The Province of Orleans and Berry demanding that the time for Proposans tendering themselves unto Synods and Colloquies with their Propositions might be fixed equally This Assembly judged that it were best and most convenient to leave it as before unto the liberty and prudence of those Meetings 33. Moreover at the request of the same Province it was ordained That Churches which had Ability should be desired to Erect Libraries for the service of their Ministers 34. Monsieur Perrin is intreated to finish his begun History of the True Estate of the Albingenses and Waldenses and to help him in it all persons having Memoirs by them either of the Doctrine Discipline or Persecutions of those poor Saints of Christ are charged to transmit them to him with all possible care and diligence 35. Into whose hands there may fall a little Treatise about the dispossession of the Devil out of a Demoniack in Soreze they are required to suppress it 36. No Scholars for the future shall be received by the Provinces as Pensioners and who be now maintained at the trivial Schools by the Moneys of his Majesties bounty till such times as they shall have finished their Studies of Humanity and have begun their course of Philosophy and shall give in good Security for repaying the sums received by them and expended on them in case that through their default they do not serve the Church in the Ministry of the Gospel 37. This Case was propounded by the Deputies of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne How they should deal with them who being accused of Crimes were absolved by the Magistrates and yet afterward new evidence appeared against them and the scandal continued The Synod leaves it wholly to the prudence of Consistories who shall comport themselves herein according to circumstances and take special care that the Lives and Reputation of the Brethren be not exposed to needless dangers 38. The Deputies of Normandy requiring that the proper Hebrew names of the Old Testament according as they be printed in this last Edition of our Bibles might be refined and pronounced as in the former Antient Impressions This Synod judgeth it more convenient that they remain as they are and that nothing be changed by our Printers in any of their After-Impressions 39. Monsieur Beraud propounded this Case Whether an Elder of the Church accused of some enormous Crime and justified by an Inferiour Judge and yet drawn by his adverse Party to a Superiour Tribunal may whilst this Appeal stands in force against him exercise his Office in the Church The Synod judgeth that he ought to refrain until such time as he be finally acquitted and discharged by due course of Law See the Synod of Gergeau p. m. 39. 40. The Provinces are exhorted to assist the poor Churches especially in their distribution of his Majesties Bounty conferred upon us 41. The General Deputies are charged not only to manage the general Affairs of all our Churches but the particular ones of every single Church especially when as a difficulty is started about the Erection and Conservation of it according to the Edict And this Order shall bind the Provinces to seek out diligently a Legal Title for the Erection of our Churches and to associate themselves with the Deputies in all Prosecutions at Law necessarily required that so their Erection may be obtained and confirmed A conditional Supersede as to the Article of Antichrist 42. Whereas since the last Resolution taken by us concerning that Article Antichrist and its insertion into the body of our Confession of Faith and in consequence thereof its being printed his Majesty hath notified unto us by our Deputies as also by Monsieur de Montmartyn that the publishing of this Article would exceedingly displease him This Assembly ordaineth That the Printing thereof shall be superseded unless any Member of our Church be molested for it or be brought before the Magistrate for his confession of it or any Minister for Preaching Teaching or Writing about it and his Majesty shall be humbly intreated to interpose his Authority that no one be disquieted for the Impression which is already past or for being possessed of any Copies received from the Press 43. The Deputies of Higher Languedoc crav'd the Advice of this Synod what should be done in that case of Moneys received by their Deputies sent unto the Assembly of Chastelleraut in the year 1605. and which had been given them to defray the Charges of their Journey and Abode there by the Churches and by his Majesties Liberality This Synod ordaineth That the Receivers and Detainers of the said Moneys not having given in their Accounts for them unto their respective Provinces nor having received from them good and vallid Acquittances and Discharges shall be bound to do it and in case of defailure they shall be prosecuted with all Church-censures and other due courses of Law if that the Provinces and Churches do so require it 44. In reading the Synod of Gap about Censures inflicted on the Violators of Marriage-promises without just cause several difficulties were related to have arisen in divers places upon this Subject Wherefore this Synod decreeth That neither private persons nor Consistories have any Authority to dissolve such promises but shall remand them back unto the Cognizance Order and Legal Judgment of the
Elder also of the same Church Lower Gayenne Perigart and Liâ—â—â—sin Burguâ—dy and Gix. For the Province of Burgundy and Baylywick of Gex Monsieur Peter Colinett Pastor in the Church of Parey le Moynean and Anthony le Blanc Pastor of the Church of Lions with James de Jaucourt Lord of Rouvray Elder of the Church of Chastillion seated upon the Seyn and John le Gras Elder of the Church of Lions whose reasons having been heard inducing them to transfer their right of calling the National Synod unto the Province of Poictou as was decreed by the last Article of the Synod of Rochel they were accepted and approved And they demanding that the priviledg of Convening the next Synod might another time be granted to them answer was returned that in due time they should be considered when as they could present us with a commodious and safe place Higher Languedoc and Guyenne For the Province of Higher Languedoc and the Higher Guyenne Monsieur William le Nautonnier Lord of Castelfranc Pastor in the Church of Venez and Mark Antony Benoist Pastor in the Church of Montauban with George du Bourg Senior Elder in the Church of Isle Jourdain and Levy de Barsac Lord of Breuil Elder in the Church of St. John du Breuil which said Lord du Bourg neither appeared in person nor sent his Excuse for Non-appearance whereof the Province shall have notice given it For the Province of Brittany Mr. David Richer Brittany Pastor of the Church of Blain and Andrew le Noir Lord of Beauchamp Pastor of the Church of Roche-bernard with Louis d'Avangour Lord du Bois de Cargrois Elder in the Church of Nants and Elias de Goulevez Lord of Loudauinieres Elder in the Church of Vielle Vigne For the Province of Normandy Mr. Abdias Denis Lord of Mondenis Normandy Pastor of the Church of Fescamp and Benjamin Banage Pastor of the Church of St. Mere Eglise with Charles de Fouquerett Lord de la Haye Elder in the Church of Rouen and John de la Rey Lord of Narsouquett Elder in the Church of Montivillier The Isle of France Beausse Picardy and Champagne For the Province of the Isle of France Beausse Picardy and Champagne Monsieur Samuel Durant Pastor of the Church of Paris and John Baptist Bugnet Pastor of the Church of Compeigne with Gideon de Serres Lord of Pradett Elder of the Church of Paris and James de Harderet Lord de Bijanette Elder of the Church of Blainville But the said de Bijanett neither appeared in person nor sent his excuse for non appearing whereof the Province shall have notice given them Orleans Blesois Berry and Nivernois For the Province of Orleans Blesois Berry and Nivernois Mr. Stephen de Mont-sanglard Pastor of the Church of Corbigny and Samuel de Chambaran Pastor of the Church of Lorges and Marchenoir with Francois Semelle Elder of the Church of Corbigny and Josiah Perrinett Elder of the Church of St. Amand. Anjou Tourain and Mayne For the Province of Anjou Touraine and the Maine Monsieur Samuel Boucherean Pastor of the Church of Saumur and Daniel Couppe Pastor of the Church of Tours and together with them Toussainct Lord of * * * Leard Leard Elder of the Church of Bauge with whom was deputed Bartholomew de Barge Elder of the Church of Loudun who yet neither appeared in person nor excused his absence by any Letters unto the Synod whereof notice shall be given unto the Province Xaintonge Aunix and Augoumois For the Province of Xaintonge Aunix and Augoumois Monsieur John Merlin Pastor of the Church of Rechel and Paul Bonnett Pastor of the Church of Saujon together with Arthur de Partenay Lord of Genouille Elder of the Church of Tonnay Boutonne and Peter Babouett Elder of the Church of Saujon But the Lord of Genouille being absent by reason of sickness Elias Glatinon Elder of the Church of Augoulesme being substituted in his stead was personally present at this Synod and afterward the said Lord de Genouille being recovered and coming to it the other returned unto his own habitation Higher and Lower Poictou For the Province of Higher and Lower Poictou Monsieur Jonas Chesuean Pastor of the Church of St. Maixant and Andrew Rivett Pastor of the Church of Touars together with Rene de Caumont Lord of Fiebrun Elder of the Church of Sansay and Stephen Chesneuert Lord de la Miletiere Elder of the Church of Talmond General Deputy Moreover the Lord de Mirande one of the General Deputies of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom appeared personally in this Synod and had his place and priviledge of voting in it according to the former Decrees passed in favour of those our said Deputies There also offered himself Monsieur d'Or Sedan one of the Pastors of the Church of Sedan with Letters from the Mareschall Duke of Bouillon and from the Pastors of the Principality of Sedan and Raucourt craving to be received into this Assembly to have priviledge of voting in it as well as the other Deputies But the Assembly gave them the self same answer which had been given them by former Synods that forasmuch as the said Churches were incorporated with the Colloquy of Champagne and the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France they judged it in no wise fit to grant them their demand Only they were Suffered as other Pastors not deputed unto the Synod to be present when points of Doctrine and Discipline were Debated but should not be otherwise heard in any other matters propounded by them than speaking by the mouths of the Pastors and Elders deputed by their Province And the said Churches were Censured for importuning the reception of this R. person among us because of their private deputation given to him after that an Order had past to the Contrary in the last National Synod And Letters shall be writ unto the Lord Duke of Bouillon to intreat his Highness that the order of our Churches may not in the least be interrupted but most inviolably observed yea and in those affairs which do more especially concern his own Principality Prayers being ended Monsieur Merlin was chosen Moderator and Monsieur Ferrier Assessor and Monsieur Rivett a Pastor and the Lord du Pradell an Elder were chosen Scribes of the Synod It was also decreed for the future that Pastors and Elders who were not deputed by their Provinces should not be admitted into the National Synods but only when as the Confession of Faith and Discipline should be read and observations made upon them during the said reading and that they should be excluded from all other affairs both General and Particular and this Ordinance should serve as a Declaration of the mind and sence of foregoing Synods about those Articles and Canons relating unto the said Pastors and Elders Non-commissionated And the Provinces shall be admonished that for great and weighty reasons they do henceforward by their own authority retain
might be Censured 3. The Lord of Barjac was Censured for not adhearing to the Resolutions taken in the Assembly of Saumur by plurality of suffrages Anno 1611. And for joyning himself unto their private Cabal who would have made the Lesser number carry it from the greater contrary to the Natural Order of all Synods But the said Lord of Barjac giving publick Testimony of his sorrow for this Miscarriage and protesting seriously for the future never in any wise to depart from the Universally received order of being Concluded by the Majority of Votes his Censure was taken off and his offence remitted to him To prevent all divisions in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom this National Synod framed an Act or Oath of Union to be taken by all the Deputies CHAP. III. The Oath of Vnion sworn by all the Deputies of the Reformed Churches of France assembled in the National Synod at Privas in Vivaretz and subscribed by them all the day month and year above-mitten WE whose Names are here under written Deputies for the Reformed Churches of France Assembled in a National Synod at the Town of Privas in the Province of Vivaretz knowing by past-experience that nothing is more needful to preserve the Weal Peace and good Estate of the said Churches than an holy Union and unviolable Concord both in Doctrine Discipline and their Dependencies and that the said Churches cannot long subsist without a good intimate and mutual Conjunction one with the other and better kept than formerly Being for this cause desirous to remove all seeds of disunion and occasions of divisions which may hereafter trouble the said Churches and to prevent all Impostures Calumnies private Factions Plots and Practices by which divers persons ill-affected to our Religion do endeavour to dissipate and ruine them Which quickens us more than ever to find out by joynt accord and Common Consent the proper and most effectual means of our just lawful and necessary conservation in the aforesaid Union under that obedience due unto his Majesty our Soveraign Lord and the Queen his Mother We have in the Name of all our Churches and for their good and for the service of their Majesties Sworn and Protested and we do Swear and Protest Promising also our utmost Endeavour that these very self-same protestations shall be ratified in and by all our Provinces to remain inseparably united and conjoyned in that confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom read in this Synod approved and ratified by every one of us Swearing not only in our own Name but also in the respective Names of all the Churches of our Provinces which have Deputed us unto this Synod that we will live and die in it As also we Protest in our own and their Names to keep inviolably that Ecclesiastical Discipline Established in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and to see its Canons observed for the better Government of these our Churches and the reformation of life and manners Acknowledging that it is Most agreeable to Gods holy Word whose Authority is Supream And we Protest and Swear to yield all obedience and fidelity to their said Majesties desiring nothing else but that under the Protection of their Edicts we may serve our God with Liberty of Conscience CHAP. IV. Observation on Reading the Confession of Faith 1. WHereas there is mention made in the 14th Article of the Heresies of Servetus some of the Deputies desired that the specifying of them might be removed because those his Heresies are now as it were dead and buried and the Deputies of the Provinces in pursuance of that Decree past in the last National Synod of St. Maixant having brought with them the Judgment of their respective Provinces upon this Subject it was thought meet that nothing should be innovated in that Article but that it should be entirely left as we found it 2. That Union in Doctrine may be preserved among us and no Errors may be suffered to creep into our Churches All Pastors in actual service and all Proposans who are to be received into the Ministry shall sign this following Article I Whose Name is here under-written do receive and approve the Contents of the Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom and do promise to persevere in it until death and to believe and teach agreeably thereunto And whereas some persons contend about the sense of the eighteenth Article treating of our Justification I declare and protest before God that I understand it in the same sense in which it is received in our Churches approved by our National Synods agreeably to the Word of God which is That our Lord Jesus Christ was obedient to the Moral and Ceremonial Law not only for our good but also in our stead and that his whole Obedience yielded by him thereunto is imputed to us and that our Justification consists not only in the forgiveness of sins but also in the Imputation of his Active Righteousness and subjecting my self unto the Word of God I believe that the Son of Man came to serve and that he was not a Servant because he came into the World I do also promise that I will never depart from the Doctirne received in our Churches and that I will yield all Obedience to the Canons of our National Synods in this matter And this Article shall be religiously observed in and by all the Provinces 3. Our Printers be forbidden henceforward to print the Confession of Faith with this Title The Confession of Faith revised and amended by the National Synod 4 The Confession of Faith being read and heard was approved by all the Deputies who protested that by the Grace of God they would live and die in it As was manifest by their Act in swearing the said Union CHAP. V. Observations upon Reading of our Church-Discipline Article 1. IN reading and revising the Discipline of our Churches this National Synod voted That whereas in the close of the second Canon of the first Chapter the time and manner of admitting Novices lately converted from Popery to the Reformed Religion are particularly specified Now instead of these words Unless in a Provincial Synod these ensuing shall be inserted Unless by the Advice of Provincial and National Synods and the said Canon shall be finished with this Sentence Nor shall they be Ordained by Imposition of Hands no more than if they were unknown persons without the Advice of Provincial and National Synods Article 2. On the third Canon of the first Chapter after these words which do almost conclude it And after long experience had of his Repentance and Godly Conversation There shall be nothing added but the last clause shall be blotted out viz. He being found meet and sit and sufficiently qualified to teach the Church may be chosen and called unto the Sacred Ministry Article 3. The Deputies of Burgundy demanding that they might not be bound by that Canon of the Synod of St. Maixant that seven Pastors should be
present at the Examination of that person who is called unto the Ministry because there is so great a distance between the Churches of their Province which renders its observation impossible and impracticable as also because the most of their Colloquies are composed but of five Pastors This Assembly for many and weighty reasons would not in the least change that Article and therefore advised them to defer the Examination of the Candidate until the Meeting of their Provincial Synod Article 4. On the * * * This is now the 19th in one Edit 1653. and in that of 1663. but that 20th in 1666. and in 1678. eighteenth Canon of the first Chapter which enjoyned Ministers to press their People to Modesty in their Garments and by themselves and their Families to be patterns of it unto their Flocks great complaints were made and brought in against many Ministers not only of their neglects but also of their opposition to it and that their Wives and Children were very vain and immodest in their Garbs and Dresses This Synod earnestly desiring to remove so great a scandal doth give express order unto all Moderators of Colloquies and Provincial Synods to reform those Excesses by the severest Censures and the refractory shall by the Authority of this Synod be suspended from their Ministry until such time as they have removed this scandal And that this Canon may be better and more strictly observed permission is given unto private persons according to the Rules of our Discipline to inform their Consistories of those aforesaid Excesses and to demand a reformation of them which in case it be denied they may address themselves unto the Colloquies who shall enforce them to it by Censures even both the Consistories and their Abettors Article 5. The fourth Canon of the fourth Chapter shall be couched in these terms That those disorders may be prevented which daily happen through Certificates given unto the Poor every Church shall endeavour to maintain its own Poor and in case any poor person should be constrained through the urgency of his Affairs to travel abroad then Ministers shall carefully examine him in their Consistories about the causes of his Journey and give him Letters directed to the next Church lying in the right way that he must go specifying his name age stature hair and place whereunto and the cause of his Travel and that assistance which was given him together with the date of the day and year which Letters that Church whereunto he is directed shall keep by it and give him others unto the next And all Certificates formerly given shall be torn in pieces Article 6. These words shall be added unto the 28th Canon of the fifth Chapter Unless in case of High Treason according to the known Judgment of former Synods Article 7. Unto the same words in the 30th Canon of the same Chapter Unless in case of High Treason these words following shall be added Revealed unto the Magistrate Article 8. The Deputies of the Isle of France demanded an exposition upon the 18th Canon of the fifth Chapter of our Discipline about Appeals from publick Suspensions that they might know whether a Consistory having decreed a publick Suspension against a delinquent Member or Minister and he appealing from it they might notwithstanding his Appeal yet proceed unto Suspension This Synod determineth that the Consistory ought not to proceed any farther but shall admit of the Appeal unless it be in case of publick Crimes notoriously known unto the whole Church And the next Colloquy or Provincial Synod shall judge finally of that Appeal Article 9. Express order is given unto the Provinces to see that the 33d Article of the fifth Chapter of our Discipline be punctually observed and obeyed Article 10. In pursuance of the Observations made by the National Synod of Rochel on the ninth Article of the fifth Chapter of our Discipline after these words Pastors and Elders these shall be added nor shall there be any Appeals admitted from full Consistories nor from the greater part of them yet the said Appeals shall be in force against particular members of the said Consistory whether Pastors or Elders provided those Appeals be received by the Consistory and being approved by it they may proceed farther Notwithstanding any Appeal brought in to the contrary upon the admission or rejecting of the said Appeals Article 11. A Case was moved whether in those Churches where there is but one Pastor and an Appeal is brought against him the Elders may judge of this controversy This Synod determines that Elders may judge of all emerging differences yea so far as of suspension from the Lords Table matters of Doctrine and of Excommunication only excepted In which two points Elders may not judge without their Pastor Article 12. The Deputies of Berry demanding how we should carry it towards malefactors accused of unpardonable Crimes by the Civil Laws and yet giving Laudable Testimonies of their Repentance did Demand the consolation of communion with us in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper This Synod judgeth that the Criminal giving plenary satisfaction unto the Church he may be received into Communion with us at the Lords Table although he cannot expert from the King any Pardon of his Crime One Jurisdiction not clashing with the other Article 13. The 24th Canon of the 5th Chapter shall be thus worded He whose suspension had been declared unto the Congregation and afterwards evidencing his repentance before the Consistory by good works and a godly life and sufficient Testimonies shall be received unto the peace and fellowship of the Church upon the acknowledgment of his offence Article 14. A difficulty was moved whether Promises of Marriage made in words de Futuro were as obliging and indissolvable as those by words de praesenti This Assembly judgeth they be not of equal force and vertue there being as great a difference between words de praesenti and de futuro as between promise and performance word and deed For 't is a clear case Espoused persons may on divers accounts be separated which cannot dissolve a Marriage already consummated as difference in Religion unknown before the promises impotency fallen out by some accident since the promises And this is farther evident by the publication of Banes after Betrothings which is therefore done that any one may have Liberty to bring in his reasons against it which are never admitted when Marriages are celebrated but only when they be designed and promised And often times it so falls out that one of the Espoused Parties retracting its promises takes up a Resolution never to marry whence it would follow that if Betrothed persons were bound by words de futuro then the Innocent and wronged Party should never marry which would intangle Conscience in very great Temptations and tho God hath ordained that whom he hath joyned together Man shall not in any wise part asunder yet they may be separated by the Civil Magistrate And that Authority of the
under the name of Captain Gautier Art 16. Privas App. 18. In executing that Decree of the National Synod of Privas about the Expences which the Province of Orleans had disbursed in the University upon Mr. Salomon and which the Province of Lower Guyenne now enjoying his Ministry stands obliged to return back again unto them The Deputies of Berry acknowledged that they drew out of the hands of the Lord du Candal the sum of five hundred Livers upon an Acquittance of the said Province of Guyenne which yet the said Deputies redemanded as having before paid it in unto the said Salomon for his encouragement This Synod ordaineth that the Moneys detained by the said Province of Orleans shall remain in their custody saving always to the said Province of Guyenne a power of redemanding from the said Salomon what they had disbursed for him Art 17. Privas App. 23. The Decree of the same Synod concerning the Charges of those Commissioners sent unto Orleans which were to be equally defrayed by all the Churches of that Province shall stand valid Art 18. Privas App. 34. Le Sieur de la Vienerie Pastor of the Church of Tonne-Boutonne in Xaintonge presented his Petition that the Canon of the Synod of Privas concerning his Book might be moderated and those words in it by which his said Writings were declared to be very suspicious and erroneous in the points of Justification Predestination Invocation of Saints departed c. might be obliterated Moreover he professed that he was not convinced in his Conscience to be guilty of those matters whereof he is accused and desireth they may be proved he having written nothing but what he believeth to be the truth This Assembly voted that the aforesaid Canon should remain still in force and that Monsieur Banage and Bouchereau should peruse his Book and give him instruction and make report thereof unto this Synod which they did accordingly whereupon this Assembly did once more enjoyn him to suppress that his Manuscript which tho' revised by himself cannot be approved of neither in his words nor in his manner of handling it And exhorts him in his way of teaching to follow the form of sound words contained in the holy Scriptures however we judge charitably of him and of his Opinions and Intentions believing that he is orthodox and sound in the Faith principally as to the Fundamentals of Religion Art 19. Privas obs 2. upon the Coufession Revising that observation made upon the 18th Article of our Confession of Faith especially about the Oath enjoyned to be taken by all Pastors actually employed and Proposans who are designed for the Ministry concerning Justification divers Provinces remonstrated that it needed some explanation See Art 5. after the Roll in this Synod The Assembly after mature deliberation and long debate had of the matter ordained that it shall be couched in these terms Forasmuch as divers persons demand an explanation of the 18th Article of the Confession of our Reformed Churches in this Kingdom wherein the Doctrine of Justification is freely asserted this Synod declareth that in this point the Form of Doctrine which ought to be received and taught in the Churches of this Kingdom according to the Scriptures is That Man not having in himself either before or after his Effectual Calling any Righteousness of his own by which he may subsist before the Judgment-seat of God he cannot be justified but by Jesus Christ our Saviour who being incarnate was obedient unto his Father from the first moment of his birth unto the last of his ignominious death upon the Cross having most perfectly both in his life and death fulfilled the whole Law given unto men and that particular Commandment imposed on him by his Father of suffering and giving his Soul a ransom for many By which most perfect Obedience we are justified because it is counted ours by the Grace of God and apprehended by that Faith which he gives unto us From which we are assured that through the merit of this whole Obedience we have and shall obtain the forgiveness of all our sins and be made worthy of everlasting life And all Pastors Professors in Divinity and all other the Members of our Churches are enjoyned to hold fast this Doctrine and in no wise to depart from it and they be forbidden either by word of mouth or writing to teach or preach publickly or privately any thing that may be directly or indirectly repugnant to it Moreover this Synod ordaineth that whosoever are chosen into the holy Ministry shall promise it before God and all Consistories Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall exert their whole Authority to see this Canon punctually observed inspecting their Ministers and all other persons that none act contrary hereunto and to prosecute such as do with all the Censures of the Church Art 20. Privas p. m. 12. see about this Saumur p. m. 32. Montp p. m. 4. Gergeau p. m. 2. Gap obs 12. on the foregoing Synod In obedience to that Decree of the National Synod of Privas the Province of Normandy hath paid in to Monsieur Vatable the hundred Livers by the hands of the Deputies of Poictou and took up from them their Acquittance CHAP. XVII Appeals 1. MOnsieur John Constans Pastor of the Church at Mazgravier appealed from the Decree of the last Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Mauvesin for refusing him leave to withdraw from that Town tho' requested by him because of his Wifes sickness which could not brook the Air of Maz and because of those many unkindnesses he hath for divers years received from them and the Sieur Darder for from the Decree of the same Synod which permitted the said Monsieur Constans to live at Montauban until the next Provincial Synod Both of them being heard and the Deputies of that Province declaring the reasons which swayed them to pass that Decree This Assembly doth discharge the said Monsieur Constans from all Pastoral relation unto the said Church of Mazgravier on condition that the next Colloquy do provide a Pastor for the said Church who shall reside with them and the said Constans of another Church And Ordaineth that till this can be performed he shall continue to serve the said Church as before but without being obliged unto residence and the said Church is injoyned to make full payment to him of all his Arrears of Salary or they shall not be provided of another Pastor 2. 3. Rochel g m. 2. and observat 11. The Appeal of some Elders in that Church of Mazgravier from the same Synod was rejected because it was of the Nature of those things which might be finally determined within the Province and the parties were told that they deserved a very sharp reproof for presenting unto this Synod Acts attested by a Publick Notary as also for that contrary to the Canons of our National Synods Elders going out of office had named their successors whereas they ought to be chosen by
to the Decree of the National Synod of Privas the Province of Normandy have payed their debt unto Monsieur Vatablé and the Moneys were deposited for him into the hands of the Deputies of Poictou See the 5th Article after the Roll of names 2 Vitré obs 7. upon the Synod 36. The Letters of the King of great Britain received at the opening of this Assembly and those from the Church of Geneva and those which were since its Session sent from his Highness the Prince Elector Palatine and from the Lord Mareschal Duke of Bouillon to it being read as also the Letters of Monsieur Moulin and Tilenus treating of the difference between them The Assembly deputed certain Pastors to peruse the Inventory transmitted us from the Professor Tilenus and Monsieur du Moulin's Confession of Faith about the effects of the Personal Union who made report that the said Inventory contained certain terms and modes of speech that were uncouth and improper yet imputed unto the said Monsieur du Moulin as his and extracted out of a Conference held with him at Paris whereof they could not make any Judgment unless they had sight of the Original or at least of a Copy of its Acts exactly and well collationed And as for the confession of the said Monsieur du Moulin sent unto this Assembly they do find it for its substance orthodox and wide enough from all suspicion of Eutychianism Nestorianism Samosatenianism and Ubiquitism Wherefore that this difference may be totally extinguished and a most sincere reconciliation effected between the divided Parties this Assembly ordained that all the Printed Copies of the Professor Tilenus his Book and that Manuscript before mention Styled the Inventory as also the Latin and French Books written by the said Monsieur du Moulin relating unto this Question shall be sent to Saumur and deposited with the Lord du Plessis Marly that so the remembrance of this contention may be for ever buried in oblivion And Monsieur du Moulin and the Professor Tilenus are exhorted by this Assembly to meet together on the same day and at the same place in Saumur where the Pastors of the neighbouring Churches together with the Pastors of that Church and the Professors of that University may be summoned in together who with the said Lord du Plessis shall endeavour a firm Union in Doctrine between these two persons and a sincere forgetfulness of all Matters past betwixt them And in the mean while Monsieur du Moulin is exhorted to continue his labors in his Church with that same zeal and greatness of Spirit as heretofore and to take courage and comfort unto himself from that Approbation and Testimonial which hath been and is still given him for the orthodoxy of his Faith and soundness of his Doctrin And report shall be made of these methods and means used by us unto His Majesty the King of great Britain to his Highness the Prince Elector Palatin to the Lord Duke of Bouillon in our Letters of answer to them particularly together with our humble requests unto his Majesty of great Britain to his Electoral Highness the Prince Palatin and to the Lord Mareschal Duke of Bouillon that they would be pleased by their Authority to oblige the said Monsieur Tilenus personally to ingage in this Interview and conference and to command that the before-mentioned Printed Books and Manuscripts which may have past out of this Kingdom into their Dominions may be all called in and suppressed And this also shall be inserted in our answer unto the Church of Geneva 37. This Assembly ordaineth that the portion of the Sieur du Moulin Pastor of the Church at Orleans shall be discharged of all Taxes and Costs upon the Provinces See the 4th Article after the names of the Deputies and paid in unto him full and free 38. Master Hume formerly Pastor of the Church of Duras having found on his return home from Scotland and England his said Church provided of another Pastor and the Province not calling him unto another Church he is declared free by this Assembly to serve in any other place where God shall call him either in the same or in any other Province of this Kingdom 39. This Assembly having been read and heard the Letters and arguments of Achilles Bonhout which prevailed with him not to remove his son from the Jesuites school and that the consistory of the Church of Lions cannot in the least compel him to it doth Judge them null and commands the said Consistory to inflict upon him and all others that shall be guilty of the like scandal the severest Censures of the Church according to our Discipline 40. The Church of Metz by their Letter bearing date the tenth of May and received the second of June petitioned this Assembly to send them such a Pastor out of the Churches of this Kingdom as It Judged would most contribute to their Edification and if It thought good either Monsieur Chevillette Minister of Vitry or Monsieur de la Cloche Minister of the Church of Moysi both of them in the Isle of France This Assembly left the consideration of this matter unto the said Province and prayed them in their next Synod to gratifie the Church of Metz CHAP. X. Of Colledges and Vniversities 1. MOnsieur Joly one of the Pastors of the Church of Montauban made report in this Assembly that for divers months last past he hath took upon him the profession of the Hebrew Language and for the benefit of the University and the assistance of Moniseur Tenant he desires to continue in it requesting that the hundred Livers remaining of the four hundred assigned unto Professors of the holy Language might be granted him Monsieur Tenant receiving only three hundred of those four The Council of the University having joyned with the said Joly in his Petition this Assembly granted them their demand and exhorted the said Monsieur Joly to acquit himself worthily of this his new Employment which he also promised See above 12. obs upon thè former Syn. 2. Monsieur Elias Alba Mayor of Bergerac having on behalf of the Corporation of the said Town performed the Condition proposed to them by this Synod and brought an Act of the Town-house dated the twelfth day of this month by which the whole Bench and Common-Council of that Town assembled together do give him full power to declare that upon our Order for payment of the sum of 1500 Livers out of the Moneys granted by His Majesty unto the Churches of this Kingdom they would yield up their whole Right in the King 's Writ of Grant of the said sum unto the disposal of this holy Synod which also is most humbly petitioned by them to give them the Grant thereof for the maintenance of their Colledge This Assembly commending their submission unto the Ordinance of our Churches and in consideration of their Importunity and for the benefit of their Colledge doth grant unto them the sum of twelve
12 Pastors 3 Proposans 5 portions supernumerary taking in those ordained for Issoire and Maruejolles in all 60 portions and the Colledge the sum of 12184 10 0 14. For Higher Languedoc and Guyenne for 78 Pastors seven Proposans one portion and a half for Leyran 16596 10 0 in all 86 portions and a half the sum of 16989 08 0 15. Lower Guyenne for 78 Pastors 5 Proposans one portion for Soules in all 84 portions 16596 10 0 16. Each 196 03 2 To the Sieurs Suffran and Heeme each a portion 00139 16 4 The total Sum 169973 10 0 All which sums the said Lord du Candal shall pay Quarterly both to the Universities and Commissioners of the provinces and at the terms and manner following To wit that part which belongs to the Provinces of the Isle of France Anjou Normandy Poictou Lower Guyenne Berry and Higher Languedoc taking in the Universities which are in those Provinces into the Commissioners hands whose names have been already or shall be given in unto him by those Provinces And the first payment shall be made the first of July the second on the 15th of October following and the third the last day of January next ensuing for the Isle of France in the City of Paris for Normandy at Roan for Berry at Orleans for Poictou at Poitiers for the Lower Guyenne at Bourdeaux for the Higher Languedoc at Montauban for Anjou at Tours As for the Lower Languedoc Sevennes Brittany Provence and Xaintonge the first payment shall be made at the latter end of July next and the second on the fifth of October following and the third in the end of February next ensuing For Provence Lower Languedoc and Sevennes in the City of Montpellier for Brittany at Nants for Xaintonge at Rochel For the Provinces of Burgundy Dolphiny and Vivaretz at the City of Lions viz. the two first payments at the Fairs in the next August and November and the third at the Fair of Twelfth-Tide which will be in January 1615. And the said Provinces shall be obliged to nominate and chuse some one certain house in each of these Cities whereunto the said Lord of Candal may be directed to make payment of those Moneys And the said Lord of Candal also shall pay in to the said Churches the last quarter of the year 1613 which he shall deliver in unto every one of the Provinces equally they abating the Sous in the Liver before the 15th of August 1615. And he shall give in to all the Provinces desiring it an Answer in writing of the Accompt and Dividend that shall be made by our General Deputies residing at Court Privas of Colledges Art 26. And out of all those sums which shall be actually paid by him the said Lord of Candal he shall detain in his hands a Sous in the Liver which was accorded to him excepting for the Universities of whose Moneys he shall only detain four Deniers in the Liver which is the right of the Sieur Vissouze And as for the Accompts of the last quarter three Deniers only This being according to the Contract and Articles of Agreement past between him and the Deputies of our Churches at the National Synod of Gap Moreover Gâ—gtaâ— p. 11.46 this Assembly enjoyneth the said Lord du Candal not to divert the Moneys of our Churches and Universities which shall be received by him unto any other uses whatever Orders he may receive from other hands but only by an Express Order of a National Synod otherwise it shall not be allowed him in his Accompts CHAP. XIV The Roll of the Deposed and Apostate Ministers 1. IN the Isle of France George Suisse alias Soulais formerly Minister at Fountainbleau suspended from his Office for his vicious and ungodly Life he is since revolted A fellow of a low stature black hair about forty years of age 2. Item one going by the name of Merlette born at Reims in Champagne deposed for his Insufficiency he hath since revolted a fellow tall of stature Chess-nut colour'd hair somewhat brown little or no Beard He was of the same Province 3. Esme de Beauvalet otherwise d'Aix and de Beauval formerly Pastor of the Church at Lavall in Picardy suspended from the Sacred Ministry for his vicious life and wicked conversation he is since revolted a fellow low of stature Chess-nut colour'd hair and bald about 45 years old 4. In Anjou John de Vassan low of stature Eagle-nos'd wide mouth'd little or no Beard deposed for his infamous Uncleannesses he is since revolted aged about 34 years 5. In the Lower Languedoc Jeremy Ferrier a tall fellow black and curled hair of an Olive-greenish Complexion wide open nostrils great lips censured and suspended for his leud carriage and wicked manner of living he hath since deserted the Ministry and was excommunicated out of the Church from which also he hath since apostatized aged about 38 years He was Pastor and Professor at Nismes 6. In Dolphiny Josias Montagne a middle siz'd fellow having a black and tufted Beard mixt hair open and roving Eyes about 40 year old sometimes Minister at Orpierre but since an Apostate The Churches in the Principality of Bearn shall have the priviledge of calling the next National Synod upon condition that they observe the resolutions and decrees of the National Synods of France and bring in their Appeals unto them as also that if any difficulty should arise about the Meeting of the said Synod in the said Principality that they shall within the space of an year give notice thereof unto the Province of Brittany that they may injoy the right of Calling the Synod unto the City of Vitre and no where else and this at the end of two years and about May. Saving always that it may be hastned or deferred as our General Deputies and the Neighbouring Provinces do think fit And in case the Synod be held in Bearn leave is continued unto the Province of Brittany to send but one Pastor and one Elder and the like Priviledge is granted unto Provence unto whatsoever place the Synod shall be convocated All what has been above mentioned was debated resolved and decreed since the second of May unto the third of June inclusively in the year of our Lord 1614. To whom be Honour Praise and Glory for ever more Amen Subscribed by Gigord Moderator Gardesy Assessor Andrew Rivet Scribes Denis Maltrett Scribes CHAP. XV. An Act of the Oath of Vnion Taken Sworn and Subscribed by all the Deputies of the Reformed Churches of France Assembled in their National Synod at Tonneins in the Province of Lower Guyenne in May 1614. WE whose Names are hereunder Written Deputies of the Reformed Churches of France Assembled in a National Synod held at Tonneins in the Province of Lower Guyenne knowing by past experience that there is nothing more needful for the preservation of the peace and wellfare of our Churches than an holy Union and inviolable Concord both in Doctrine and Discipline and
means possible to prevent it Latter end of May 1614. Subscribed by Gigord Moderator Gardesy Assessor Andrew Rivett and Scribes D. Maltrett Scribes CHAP. XVII A Memorial of our Grievances and Petitions exhibited and debated in the National Synod of Tonneins and judged meet to be presented unto the Mixt Provincial Assemblies and from them to be brought unto the National Political Assembly and recommended to their consideration by all the Provinces and particularly to the special care of our General Deputies till that Meeting 1. THE first grievance complained of by the Province of Orleans was that the Lord of Denonville having been fully justified by Decree and Proclamation of the Chamber of the Edict at Paris from all matters laid unto his charge yet he was nevertheless deprived of his Office of Lieutenan unto the the Lord Duke of Sully in the City of Gergean The Assembly enjoined all the Deputies to complain of this Act of Injustice unto the mixt Assemblies of the Provinces now at hand and to see this their complaint entred and registred in the Memoirs which shall be presented unto the said General Assembly And in the mean while the Lord our General Deputies are intreated to continue their pursuits and endeavours for restoring him unto his Office and to renew their request at Court for it unless there be some other Government conferred upon him 2. That change made in the City of Alez by Monsieur Riband a Popish Gentleman reported in the name of the Province of Sevennes by Monsieur des Marests a Pastor as found to be exceeding prejudicial to our Rights and Priviledges and to our cautionary Towns And it was ordered that this should be joined unto the former complaint 3. Also that bold attempt of the Franciscan Friars to join the new buildings of their Convent with the very Walls of Castel-jaloux to the damage of that our Cautionary Town 4. Item That affair of the Church of Montlimard who opposed the reception of the Friars Recollect into their Town because that in our Cautionary Town nothing should be changed but all things should continue as they were at first 5. Also that affair concerning the setling and establishment of the Church of Valence near unto the City which hath been hinder'd by dividing the Commissioners 6. Item the notorious Injustice used towards the Inhabitants of Landes in the Higher Languedoc the Apostate Senerac being made their Judge and having gotten a Commission to bring at any time all his affairs before the Privy Council by means whereof he tyrannizeth over all persons with whom he hath any Processes of Law or that shall have a Suit with him 7. That affair of the Church of Pousanges in Poictou who have endeavoured to take off the Prohibition laid upon them for building their Temple altho' they have an undoubted Right for so doing of above forty years standing and they have Preaching without any hinderance or denial in the Market-house 8. The Suspension of Monsieur de Valobsance Counsellor in the Presidial Court of Montpellier because he was of Counsel for the Province against them of Aiguesmortes is another just grievance 9. The Concern of the Son of Monsieur Ravy put by from his Office of Lieutenant in the Company of Montpellier although the Churches had a special Order for it under the late King 's own Signet and which he had enjoyed for divers years is another grievance 10. The grievances and troubles of Monsieur Cardett and other Gentlemen vexed by the Lady Countess of Auvergne who hath in direct opposition to the Edict by Letters of Evocation removed their business from the Court of Castres to that of Paris 11. The Complaints of those of Lower Languedoc about the Government of Pecquaire whereof Captain Gautier having been Governour by Commission and Letters Patent yet is now adjoyned unto that of Salines which belongs unto the Governour of Aiguesmortes 12. The Churches in the Principality of Bearn united with ours in Doctrine and Discipline received and admitted heretofore by their Deputies into our General Assemblies and into the last National Synod by their Deputies Dyserotte and Naguett reported their very uncertain estate and the many dangers surrounding them and wherewith they be menaced by the unhappy divisions in the House of Benac and others banded against the Lord Duke de la Force which will throw them into a very miserable condition especially since Popish Priests and Ecclesiasticks have full Liberty as they do to over-run their Countrey This Assembly doth now more cordially than ever imbrace their Union and Communion and deputeth from us the Sieurs de Vilarnou and de Chambaran unto the said Lord's to exhort them unto concord who having returned and given an account of their Commission reported the great difficulties they meet with to reconcile them by reason of the obstinacy of one of the Parties and the staggering condition of the said Churches which exceedingly need the Assistance of our's in France to be a buttress and support unto them It intreats therefore the General Deputies to have especial and particular respect and care of their concerns and to deal for them at the Council with the very self-same affection and diligence as for the Churches of France in all matters needful for them particularly to get for them some effectual order to redress the grievances with which they be so very much burdened and afflicted And this also shall be represented unto the Provinces and by them it shall be carried unto the General Assembly unto which also the Deputies of the Principality of Beans shall bring their Memoirs and Instructions as well about the affairs before-mentioned of the Lord Duke de la Force and Benac provided it be not since made up and composed as about all others tending to their preservation 13. The affair of Monsieur de Villemade about his pension promised him out of the Privy Purse in regard of his great sufferings shall be once more recommended unto the next General Assembly 14. The affair of the Sieurs de Labe Father and Son who contrary to the priviledge of their Profession were both by an Order of Council deprived of their Appeal and remanded over to the Parliament of Bourdeaux 15. The Sieurs de la Combe and Bigot having been discharged from that Commission given them at Privas this Assembly gave order unto the Provincial Deputies to report the true estate of our matters against Monsieur Pallot viz. That nothing else could be gotten besides a sorry answer unto a Petition presented from us that he might be compelled to make payment of the just debt owing by him unto our Churches upon the clearing up of his Account amounting to 24900 l. Which yet hath been fruitless and ineffectual And whereas the above named Commissioners had charged on him another greater debt of above 200000 l. The said Pallot defended himself from all payments with this Evasion that either those Moneys were diverted to other uses or they were Non-Valoirs being never paid
in unto him And therefore altho the said Commissioners Bigot and de la Combe have received the thanks of this Synod yet they were ordered to put into the hands of our General Deputies all papers in their Custody relating to this affair And that for the future the matter having been once laid open before the Provinces it shall be recommended to a General Assembly to embrace the prosecution of it and to follow their Majesties with our most humble requests that we may be paid the said sums according to the Intention of their warrants granted us at first and other orders in pursuance of their first truly and faithfully without any deductions for Non-Valoirs 16 The Inhabitants also of the Bareny de Combata in Sevennes who in seven Towns for the greatest part of them being Protestants are yet deprived of their Temples and all exercise of the Reformed Religion and constrained to travel many a long Journey and expose themselves to a world of inconveniences that they may worship God according to his holy word and all because they have a Popish Landlord who yet would not oppose the re-establishment of their Churches provided it were ordained by the supream Authority And let it be particularly observed that in one of the Towns of that Barony called Vie there was a Church and Pastor in the year 1561. 17. The other Provinces are exhorted to joyn with that of Dolphiny to obtain a sufficient time for the poor Communalties and Villages in the Bailywick of Gresivaudan to recover their just rights from their wicked Popish debtors and that all proceedings at law against them may cease and be vacated because the Commissioners appointed to judge between them were not the one half Protestants as they should have been and because that the Respit of three months allotted them to bring in their Appeal before the Chamber of the Edict at Grenoble was too short and could do them no service The Writ of Appeal not having past the Seal till the time was lapst and the three months already expired During which time the Syndick of the Communalties got a Writ of Foreclusion against the said Creditors 18. The affair of the Church of Monosque and Tourves who having got an Order of Council that of Monosques to build a Temple for the worship of God neat unto their place of abode and that of Tourves within their own bounds as being priviledged because a Bailywick yet could never obtain unto this day that those orders should be put in execution 19. Lastly there is recommended to them the affairs of the Churches of Antibe Forqualqâ—ier and Derbordes which although they had proved incontestably that the worship of God according to our Reformed Religion was publickly in use and exerecise among them in the year 1577. Yet notwithstanding Judgment is still suspended to their very great prejudice CHAP. XVIII Expedients for reuniting the Christian Churches which have shook off the Papa Yoak and for composing the differences which are already risen or may hereafter rise up amongst them offered and propounded to them 1. WE must lay down this as a foundation-principle that to endeavour an Union and Agreement between the Churches is a most useful pious and necessary work and very feasible As to its possibility we say that such an Union cannot be effected without the concurrence aid assistance and conduct of those Soveraign Princes who have withdrawn themselves from the obedience of the Pope among whom his Majesty of Great Britain as being the Chiefest and most Potent Monarch of a most clear anti piercing Judgment and most affectionately inclined hereunto can most effectually promote and advance it 2. This being presupposed we conceive that some certain place should be chosen of safe and convenient access whereunto two Divines shall be sent by his Majesty and two from the Churches of France and two from the Low Countries two from the Cantons of Switzerland and one or two from each of the German Princes embracing and professing our Faith 3. Zealand in our opinion would be the most commodious place for such a Treaty which is as it were the fore-door of England and easily to be aborded by the Messengers of the respective Princes and Churches 4. And when they meet at this place let there be no disputes about Religion for when once the Spirits are inflamed there will be no yielding on any side and all parties will return homeward with the imaginary Triumphs of their own Victories Wherefore it were better to lay before them on the Table the several Confessions of the Reformed Churches of England Scotland France the Netherlands Switzerland and the Palatinate c. And that out of all these Confessions there might be framed one in common to them all in which divers Points may be omitted the knowledge whereof is not needful to our everlasting happiness Among which the controversie moved by Piscator and several subtil opinions lately broached by Van-Armin about free Will the Saints Perseverance and Predestination may be reckoned It being a most certain Truth that all the Errors in Religion have sprung hence that men would either know too much or have too much that is to say either out of curiosity or from their avarice and ambition 'T is this last Sin that hath corrupted and ruined the Church of Rome But yet Satan doth use his utmost endeavours by the first to corrupt ours However could we but gain that authority and power over our selves so as to ignore divers matters and to rest contented with points only necessary to Salvation we should have gone a great and good part of the way and made a considerable progress in our WORK of UNION 5. This Confession being once prepared it must be subscribed not only by the Deputies then and there present but also by the several Princes and by our National Synod And let this Canon be enacted that if any controversie should hereafter be moved either in England France or Germany in the Low Countreys or Switzerland nothing shall be concluded or decided much less innovated in or about it without the general consent and concurrence of all the Provinces that have signed this Agreement 6. 'T is probable that thus far we shall meet with little or no opposition The Parties treating being the Reformed Churches agreeing in the fundamental Articles of Faith only dissenting from one another in the quillets of Ceremonies and Church-Government 7. Concerning which Ceremonies and Church-Discipline a mutual Declaration should be made and added unto the said Confession by which the said Deputies in the names of their Principa's do declare that the Churches shall not judge nor condemn one another for this difference it not hindering our mutual Agreement in the same true Faith and Doctrine and that for all this we may cordially embrace each other as true Believers and Joynt-Members of one and the same Body 8. It were fitting that after this Conference had as a pledge of their mutual Concord the Lords Supper
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
concord of our Churches in that Doctrine which notwithstanding the many evil times have past over us hath been preserved until now in its purity among us The other is that by continuing the Oaths injoyned by the last Synod of Privas you take the most proper and effectual course to heal the wounds which our unhappy divisions have these years last past made in the Vnion of our Churches and I see no Expedient more likely to suceed than unanimously and with joynt consent to agree and pitch upon one General end whereunto all and every one shall direct and aim I Salute most humbly every Member of your Assembly and beseech God Almighty to assist and fortify you by his holy Spirit for his own glory and for the Vnion Restauration and Propagation of his Church From Saumur April 20. 1614. Your most humble and most affectionate Servant Du Plessis The Duke of Rohan's Letter to the National Synod Assembled at Tonneins Sirs THOSE strong obligations which the Churches of France have laid upon me do ingage me to seek out all occasions whereby to testifie my gratitude 'T is this which causes me to write at present and to crave this favour of you to believe that I shall never forget those assistances I received from you in the last Synod of Privas and particularly from divers Churches of this Kingdom yea and from those I have never known Certainly Sirs I shall Confess it freely that the effects of your kindnesses have exceeded my services yet I hope that for the future you will know you have not have obliged an ungrateful person And that what you have kept for me shall be always chearfully employed for your selves We are fallen into such a time as need extraordinary Prayers unto God for his Guidance and Counsel We have been much afflicted since the Assembly of Saumur by divisions sown and fomented among us The Synod of Privas knowing it to be the most compendious Course for our Ruine did indeavour to prevent it But divers persons being unacquainted with our malady then there could not be a thorough cure effected But now every one knows it and may contribute something thereunto For my part I think it no difficult matter for us to use the true Remedy which consists in an entire re-union of all our Members that so we may be but one Body and the more fit to serve God the King and our Country and the more able to divert our enemies from enterprizing upon us from whom also we might take away the very will of doing it by its impossibility This Sirs is a work well-worthy of your Assembly I exactly conformed to the desires of the last Synod and I do now again renew my promises of observing your Orders not only in that but in whatsoever else you shall judge to concern the glory of God whom I ardently beseech that he would preside in your Councils and to give me that grace never to abuse his favours conferred upon me but that employing whatever I have received from his divine Majesty to the advancement of his Kingdom I may consecrate the remainder of my days unto his service My Lord Baron of Montausier hath particular orders from me to acquaint you with my intentions and proceedings and especially with that journey of the Lord of Hautefontain taken by my command unto his highness the Prince I desire you would believe him in what he shall inform you as if it were my self and I shall always approve my self to you all generally and particularly Sirs From St. John d' Angely this 24. of April 1614. Your most Humble and most Affectionate to do your service Henry of Rohan A Letter from the Lord of Caumont to the National Synod of Tonneins Sirs I Well hoped to have had strength enough to have been personally present with you and to have injoyed the honour and contentment of saluting your Holy Assembly and to have given you my self by word of Mouth the assurance of my fidelity and affection unto whatsoever the service of my God obligeth me for the support of his Churches and the advancement of his Glory But being at present detained by important businesses which the Sieur de Mailléz shall inform you of I intreat you therefore most humbly to be pleased with my absence and to believe that no person in the World is more ready to expose his life and the Lives and Estate of all his with greater chearfulness and willingness for Gods cause and yours than I shall be to adventure mine and the lives and fortunes of all mine And I pray God that by his Holy Spirit he would be pleased to preside in the midst of you and to conduct your Holy Wills in such manner as he knows to be most expedient for his Glory the Weal Repose and Conservation of his Church whereof having the honour to be a Member I shall ever remain in its Communion and subject my self wholly in all things unto it under the priviledge of the Edicts and the authority of their Majesties intreating you to lay your Commands upon me and to be assured that in whatsoever I may serve the publick and every one of you in particular you shall have evidence of my obedience and loyal affection The Lord follow you most Reverend Sirs with his choicest Favours and Benedictions I am From Paris May 2. 1614. Your most Humble and Affectionate Servant Caumont A Letter from the Lord of Chastillon to the National Synod of Tonneins Sirs MY past actions which through Divine Grace no Man hath just cause to complain of are I believe sufficient proofs of that care I ever had for the re-union and good intelligence of the great men of this Kingdom professing the true Religion and the fear of God as also of that respect I paid unto the desires of the last National Synod of Privas intimated to me by their Letters and what I have since done both at Court for our general concerns and since my return in this Province to conserve your Lives and Priviledges enjoyed by you during the reign of the late King will testifie that the true blood of the late renowned Lord Admiral de Chastillon is in my Veins and that I have managed all publick affairs fallen into my hands with all uprightness and justice as the Sieurs Gigord and Codur who have been Eye-witnesses of my deportments can more fully inform you if they please Sirs this my Letter drives at none other end than to let you see what deference I have for you and that my whole life shall be employed in the service of the Churches and I beseech you to believe that besides it and the service of the King and your preservation and advancement there is nothing in this world more dear unto me And if I can do you in my station any particular service either here or elsewhere you shall always find me ready for it Had it been as easy for me to have been personally present with you as
la Coste Pastor of the Church of Dijon was approved and the Appeal of the Church of Mascon made void and the said Sieur de la Coste is confirmed in his Ministry to the Church of Dijon 17. Monsieur de St. Stephens presented Memoirs from the Church of Cailla appealing from a Decree of the Synod of Lower Languedoc and offering several reasons for their Appeal demonstrating the singular benefit their Church would receive by the Ministry of Monsieur de Gassaigne and petitioned this Assembly to bestow him upon them and to remove the Sieur Terond unto the service of some other Church The Deputies of the said Province having been heard speaking for it the Appeal of the Church of Cailla was judged not receivable and Monsieur Terond was confirmed in his Ministry among them upon those conditions expressed in their Synodical Decree and the said Judgment is the rather confirmed because the Church of Manacelles will not consent that the said de Gaissaigne their Pastor should be taken from them 18. The Appeal of the Church de la Mote from the Judgment of the Province of Poictou was not received because the matter of it might be finally determined at home in their own Province and for that the Church had not sent any person nor Memoirs to maintain and prosecute this their Appeal 19. Samuel du Fresnay Student in Divinity appealed from the Decree of the Synod of Normandy held at Falaise in Aprill sixteen hundred and sixteen by which he was suspended the Lord's Supper and because they had ordained his suspension to be published unto the Congregation and lastly for that they had threatned him with Excommunication out of the Church for Errors in point of Doctrine maintained by him quite contrary to his promise made of abjuring them and that he would never any more vend and utter them cither by word or writing He appearing personally in this Assembly was heard speak for himself as also the Deputies of the Province on behalf of their Synod And this affair after a full hearing of both the Parties being found to be of very great Importance the Sieurs Josion Montdenys Courant Chambrun and Chamvernon Pastors were Commissionated to examine the said du Fresnay and to inform him of the matters reported and to bring in their report of the whole unto this Assembly Since that the said Commissioners having inform'd us that they had heard and convinced him by the word of God of Errors against the Article of Christ's last coming unto judgment this Synod did give him another hearing and convicted him of that and divers other opinions shaking the very foundation of our Christian Doctrine and he obstinately persisting in those his Errors and refusing to give glory unto God by abjuring of them This Assembly approving all former actings and proceedings against him and of that Sentence past upon him in the Synod of Normandy and as yet respiting their own judgment concerning him do give him the space of four days seriously to consider of those Instructions which have been now afforded him and that time expired the said Du Fresné presented himself before us and did by word of mouth and under his own hand-writing declare that he renounced all those aforesaid Erroneous Tenents asserted by him and that he was very much displeased with himself to have believed and published them and that he desireth to live and die in the purity of God's holy word taught in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom Upon which Declaration the Synod praised God for his acceptance of them and their poor indeavours and received the said du Fresné unto the Peace of the Church and did immediately take off his Consure and ordered all his Writings which were brought hither together with his Retractation should be deposited in the hands of Monsieur Rivet our Moderator and Pastor of the Church of Touars and though it doth not deprive him of his hopes to continue his studies in Divinity yet it doth not judge expedient that he be called out unto the Ministry till the sitting of the next National Synod in which he shall produce good and valuable Attestations from the places and Universities in which he shall make his abode how much he hath profited by those Instructions given him and in case he ratify his present protestations made in this Assembly who are Ear-Witnesses of them by his after actions and Conversation then we do ordain that out of the common Fund of the Churches moneys the Lord du Candal our Receivor General shall put into the hands of the Consistory of the Church of Saumur the sum of two hundred Livers to defray his expences in that City and for every year henceforward the sum of one hundred and fifty Livers until the sitting of the next National Synod and this for to support and incourage him in his Studies either at Geneva Saumur or any other of our Universities in this Kingdom 20. The Appeal of Monsieur de Bedaride from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Dolphiny is dismissed over unto the next Synod of Lower Languedoc unto which the Sieurs Bedaride and Maurice who was formerly Pastor of the Church of Orange and at present of that of Aiguieres in Provence shall give their personal presence that they may be heard on those matters they have to offer and that Synod shall by the Authority of this Assembly make a final determination of that affair as also of that Complaint of Monsieur Julian the Elder against Monsieur Maurice and those several Parties shall not be suffered in any wise to produce any Processes but what are purely Ecclesiastical 21. Master Paul Maurice Pastor of the Church of Aiguieres in Provence appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Dolphiny which had disannull'd the promise made by the Colloquy of Valentinois unto the said Maurice for receiving his Son into the Catalogue of Scholars Pensioners in the said Colloquy This Assembly ordaineth that the Canon made by the Province of Dolphiny about the reception of Scholars Pensioners shall for the future be observed and the Son of the said Maurice shall have the reversion of the next Pension for a young Scholar in whatsoever Colloquy of the said Province it becomes Vacant 22. The appeal of the Church of Breau and Aulais from the Decree of the Provincial Synod of Sevennes is declared null and the judgment of the said Synod is confirmed 23. The Church of Quissac appealing from the Synod of Sevennes their Appeal is declared null because they sent no Memoirs concerning it unto this Assembly and therefore the judicial Sentence of the said Synod was ordered to be put in Execution 24. The Church of Rochecouart was heard in their Appeal from the Decree of the Synod of Poictou and the Deputies of that Church were told that the Synodical Decree against them was confirmed and the Pastors of Rochebeaucourt and Vertueil and Monsieur Peterin an Elder deputed unto this Assembly from the Province of Xaintonge
m. 19. Alez Obs 6. upon this Synod touching the most proper means of entertaining a good Correspondence with all Orthodox Churches and to procure a good Union in Doctrine betwixt us and them and to invite over unto the same Communication even those that are of a different perswasion from us All the Provinces declared what had been done by them as to this matter This Assembly did thereupon judge expedient that we should make a little halt till such time as those who had first made these Overtures did prosecute this affair with more vigour And in the mean while Monsieur Rivett Pastor of the Church of Touars Chauves Pastor of the Church in Sommieres Chamier Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Montalban and du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris are nominated a Committee and to consult of such a project as will best conduce to the accomplishing of this design After which in case they be summon'd and called forth unto this work they shall all meet together at Saumur and conjointly with the Lord du Plessis and the Pastors and Professors of Divinity in that Church and University deliberate about it and shall draw put a Plot of it which shall be sent into every Province there to be perused and debated by their Synods that so their Deputies may come prepared for it unto the next National Synod 7. Whereas divers Provinces had charged their Deputies to demand of this Assembly a National Fast to be celebrated in all the Churches of this Kingdom Gergeau g. m. 13. Now for that it hath pleased God to turn away his wrath from us and to give us manifest tokens of his goodness it was not judged expedient at this time to proclaim a General Fast but according to the Canons of our National Synods that Province whose right it is to Convene the next National Synod is ordered to consult with our Lords the General Deputies about it who are intreated that in case any emergent Providence doth summon the Churches to sanctify an extraordinary Fast to confer with the Consistory of Paris about it and to acquaint the said Province therewith whose Synod being assembled and resolving on it they shall give notice of the time for its Celebration unto all the other Provinces 3 Rochel g. m. 9. and in the Roll. See at the Conclus of Tonneins above Art 3. after the Roll. 8. The Deputies of the Churches in the Principality of Bearn gave in their reasons wherefore they had not accepted that priviledge of calling this present National Synod which was at their request granted them by the last held at Tonneins and on those terms and condition mentioned in the Article of the said Synod This Assembly did not now â—â—dge it reasonable that those Churches should be subject to the Discipline of our Churches in this Kingdom or that for the present they should immedâ—â—â—â—y depend on our National Synods Privas p. m. 14. See the second Synod of Charenton 2 Obs upon the Acts of the former National Synod But nevertheless they shall give in their final resolutions what they intend to do unto the next National Synod and in case they be of the same mind then as they are now this Assembly declareth that their Deputies may have the priviledge of sitting and voting in our National Synods upon this Condition that they shall first ask leave of the Provinces to give in their Suffrages in such Cases as concern the Churches of this Kingdom 9. It was told in this Assembly how much the Church of Sancerre was oppressed by the Earl of Marans one of whose men had but a few days since assassinated a very Eminent Member of that Church It was immediately judged necessary to write unto his Majesty about it and that the Lord of Bertreville our General Deputy should deliver with his own hands unto the King this our Letter and most humbly Petition his Majesty that Sancerre may be kept up as one of our Cautionary Towns by his supream Authority and that the Inhabitants thereof may injoy peace and quietness since it hath pleased God to give it unto the rest of his Majesty's Subjects and our General Deputies shall be very urgent for it 10. That Canon of our Church-Discipline binding Ministers to a personal residence on their Churches shall be most exactly observed by all the Provinces 1 Paris 12. Montauban g. m. 10. Alez Obs 8. on the Synod And whereas this hath been broken by too many and principally in the Higher Languedoc divers of their Pastors living at Montauban and not with their flocks every one of these are injoined to depart from thence with their Families unto those places where their Churches are gathered and this at the farthest within three months after that this Canon of the present Synod shall have been signified to them and the Consistory of the Church of Montauban is ordered to give notice thereof unto all these Non-Residents inhabiting their City And in case they refuse to yield obedience unto it we declare them from this very instant suspended the holy Ministry And Colloquies and Synods shall immediately upon such suspension provide a supply of Pastors for those vacant Churches who shall oblige themselves personally to reside among them And the said Consistory of Montauban shall notify unto the Churches the suspension of their Pastors and that they have full power to chuse and call in any other according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline And the next National Synod shall be informed by the Provinces of their duty in this particular 11. To obviate the Complaint made by several Provinces how that their Commissioners having received their moneys from the Lord of Candal do keep it in their own hands longer than they ought denying many times that they have received any from him The said Lord du Candal is desired that either himself or his Commissioners would be pleased to send a Copy of their Receipts as soon as they be given him or them unto such persons in every Province as shall be named to him for this purpose That so the Province may be certainly informed at what time and to whom he paid in their moneys and the poorer Churches may not be left unpaid and unprovided for divers Months together as they have been by the wickedness of those Receivers Commissionated by the Provinces upon the pretexts but now mentioned 12. Forasmuch as divers Deputies in this Assembly declared that they brought not with them moneys enough to defray their Charges during this Session The Deputy of the Lord du Candal being how in Town was ordered to supply them and that out of the Dividend belonging to their Provinces for which sums so received by them they shall be accountable unto their respective Provinces 13. Whereas we are at present necessitated to be at unusual expences in dispatches deputations and extraordinary businesses for the Churches this Assembly requireth the Lord of Candal to pay in unto our
the good Providence of God sent them this worthy Minister This Assembly adjudgeth Monsieur Imbert unto the Church of Orleans for their proper Pastor and injoineth the Province of Berry to give unto the Isle of France between this and the next National Synod a Proposan sit to be imployed by them in the sacred Ministry 7. The Province of Sevennes declared unto this Assembly that they were ordered by the National Synod of St. Maixant to receive three Portions for the Churches of Auvergne and to pay them in unto them which they have done all along ever since from that of St. Maixant to those National Synods of Privas Tonneins St. Maixant p. m. 13. Tonneins p. m. 2. and this present Synod now sitting here at Vitré out of their own Purses but yet notwithstanding the Orders of those Synods their Receiver could never get one farthing of that moneys This Assembly ordained that inasmuch as the Deputies of Sevennes had not brought with them the Acquittances from those Churches evidencing their payment of those sums unto them that they should carry unto the next Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc the Catalogue of Pastors actually serving those Churches of Auvergne together with their Accounts of the aforesaid moneys distributed by them and attested by the subscription of the Moderators such as they tendered unto the National Synod of Tonneins as also the Acquittances given them by the Pastors that have been ever since actually imployed in those Churches And the said Provincial Synod shall put a final period unto this affair And till they have heard and determined it the Lord of Candall shall keep by him those demanded Portions but when as the Order of the said Synod shall be offered him then he shall make payment of them Or else the said Lord of Candall shall be accountable for them unto the next National Synod 8. The Deputies of the Isle of France made report how that Monsieur Perrery at present Minister in the Province of Higher Languedoc but formerly maintained by their Province had quitted the Church of Passavant in the Colloquy of Champagne which was assigned him and hath not since returned though the time allotted him by the Synod of Ay in the year 1613. be expired nor hath he reimburst them of the charges they had been at for his Education and Studies in the University for which cause he was summoned to appear before the said Colloquy of Champagne but he neglecting it and excusing his absence by Letters declaring his intent and purpose never to return more into the said Province he was thereupon suspended the holy Ministry for one year and this suspension was notified unto him as appears by his Letters dated the third of March of this present year 1617. written unto the Synod of the said Province This Assembly having perused the Letters of the said Perrery and heard the Deputies of the Higher Languedoc and maturely debated the whole affair finds that the Colloquy of Champagne has dealt too severely with the said Perrery and therefore amending and reforming their censure ordaineth that in case the said Perrery hath not forborn the exercise of his Ministry since the signification of that his suspension he shall abstain from it for the full space of two Months to commence from that very day on which the said suspension shall be notified to him by the Deputies of Higher Languedoc which shall be done by them immediately after their return home unto their own Province and they shall urge him to pay in the moneys owed by him unto the Isle of France within six months time it being injoined him by this Assembly And on default hereof the Province of Higher Languedoc shall be obliged to send him back again to the Province of the Isle of France there to exercise his Ministry And the Colloquy of Armagnac is grievously censured for having admitted the said Perrery unto a Pastoral Office among them contrary to the Canons of our Church-Discipline 9. The Deputies of the Isle of France complained that Monsieur Richer St. Maixant p. m. 9. Alez p. m. 44. who was maintained at their charges both at School and University and promoted in their Province unto the holy Ministry hath since abandoned the Church whereunto he was assigned and wherein he had served divers years without ever reimbursing them their expences in his Education and hath joined himself unto the Province of Xaintonge This Assembly having considered the whole affair as it was represented by the Deputies of the Isle of France and by those of Xaintonge declares that the Isle of France suffered the said Richer to depart too easily from that Church wherein he ministred And that the Province of Xaintonge is very much to blame in taking him into the Ministry among them as they did without an Attestation it being injoined by the Church Discipline And the said Richer is grievously censured for not having sought his Dismission lawfully and with Attestation which might have given Evidence of his Doctrine and Conversation and he is injoined by this Assembly to come to an accompt with the Isle of France and to give them satisfaction to a penny of all their expences on him before his Reception into the Sacred Ministry and this within the space of six months On default whereof the Province of Xaintonge is ordered to enforce him to perform this his duty by all Church-Censures 10. The Lords of Laudouiniere and of la Begaudiere Gergeau p. m. 15. Above Obs 3. upon the Syn. of Tonneins Elders in the Churches of Mountagu and Viellevigne were heard speak about the differences betwixt those two Churches Whereupon this Assembly granted the Church of Mountagu its demand that one half of the Portions of the Kings money received under the Seal of Monsieur Ferguson who was equally Pastor unto both those Churches of Mountagu and Viellevigne lying in the Provinces of Poictou and Brittaine from the year 1599. until the month of December in the year 1616. when they were separated and had each of them distinct Pastors should henceforward be paid in unto them and therefore it ordaineth that out of the remaining stock of those Portions in the hands of the Elders of the Churches of Mountagu and Viellevigne there shall be a Dividend made and the one half only shall be allowed to the payment of the Salary of Monsieur Ferguson according as the accounts shall be cleared up betwixt them by the Acquittances and Papers to be produced by the said Ferguson and the Elders of those Churches and this moity shall take in not only the moneys of his Majesty's bounty but all other contributions made by particular Persons towards the maintenance of the said Pastor And it ordaineth farther that by this means the Church of Viellevigne shall give full satisfaction unto that of Mountagu for the overplus of the moity paid in by them towards the maintenance of the said Pastor 11. The Province of higher Languedoc demanded Tâ—â—nâ—ins p. m.
Richard Pastor of the Church of Cheilar John de Blache Lord of Blesset Elder of the Church in Bouffres and John de Roure Advocate Elder of the Church of Aubenas 20. For the lower Languedoc Mr. Laurence Brunier Pastor of the Church of Vsez Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier Charles de Bouques Lord of Pons Doctor of the Civil Law and Elder of the Church of Montpellier and Antony de Roques Lord of Clausonne Elder in the Church of Montfrin 11. For the higher Languedoc and Guyenne Monsieur John de Voysin Pastor of the Church of Realmont and Antony Garissoles Pastor of the Church of Puylaurent Paul de Luffee Lord of Maraval Governour of Mavesin and Elder of the Church there James du Puy Deputy-Lieutenant in the Seneschalsy of Montauban and Elder of that Church 12. For â—urgundy Mr. Peter Helliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Due Francis Pereault Pastor of the Church of Mascon and Noel du Noyer Elder of the Church of Bussy Monsieur Salmasius was nominated Deputy unto this Assembly but excused himself by Letters as also did Monsieur Guichard and Forest who beigg Elders were both substituted in his place whose excuses were remanded back unto their Province that it might judge of their validity 13. For the Province or Provence Mr. Peter Huron Pastor in the Church of Reis Elias de Glandeviâ— Lord of Anjou Elder in the Church of Puymichel 14. For the Province of Dolphiny Mr. Paul Guyon Pastor of the Church of Dieu le sit Peter de la Croze Pastor of the Church in Courtezon James Bernard Advocate Elder of the Church in Montlimart and Moses du Port Elder of the Church de la Meure the Lord of Champoleon was also nominated in the Letters of Commission but excused himself by Letters unto this Assembly 15. For the Province of Sevennes Monsieur Peter Guillamin Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborgne Daniel Venturin Pastor of the Church of Vigan John de Vignoles Lord of Bonnet Elder in the Church of Colegnac and John Baldwin Doctor of Laws Elder in the Church of la Salle 16. There came also for the Churches in the Principality of Bearne Monsieur Peter L' abbadye Pastor of the Church of Paw and John de la Coste Lord of Padet Elder of the Church of Moneing In whose Letters of Commission there being wanting the clause of Submission that Article of the Synod of Vitre was read unto them relating to it Whereupon they offering their reasons why they could not intirely subject themselves unto the Discipline of our Churches in France principally because of the present juncture of Affairs They were admitted to a consultive Vote under the limitations expressed in that Act of the Synod of Vitre that it should be left to the Will of the Provinces Whether they should have a decisive Vote in certain Cases concerning the Churches of this Kingdom and this by provision only until the next National Synod 17. The Sieur Chalas one of the General Deputies of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom near His Majesty was present also in this Assembly according to the Charge given the said Lords General Deputies in the last general Assembly held at Loudun and Order of our Church After Invocation of the Name of God the Reverend Monsieur Peter du Moulin was chosen Moderator Mr. Brunier Assessor and Messieurs Vignier and Papillon Scribes CHAP. II. Remarks and Passages of the First Session LEtters were presented from the Lord Duke of Rohan unto this Assembly whereby he assured them of the continuance of his Zeal and Affection to the Glory of God and to the weal and happiness of our Churches for which he had the thanks of the Assembly returned him in their Letters 2. Messieurs des Maretz and Ollyer Pastors of the Church of Alez petitioning to be admitted into this Assembly and to assist at the reading of our Confession of Faith and Church Discipline it was granted them as also unto two Elders whom the Consistory should appoint but as for such Ministers as were not commissionated hither by their Churches and all other Persons the Canons of the Third Synod of Rochel and that last of Vitre should be punctually observed Vitre Act 4. after the List of the Deputyes 3. Every one of the Deputies in this Assembly took the Oath according to the Decree made in the Synod of Privas that they had not brigued their Deputation unto this place neither directly nor indirectly Privas Act. 1. after the Names of the Deputyes neither for themselves nor for any others And this shall be observed in like manner for the future in all our National Synods 4. Monsieur â—uretin Pastor and Professor in Divinity in the Church and University of Geneva having brought Letters from the Pastors and Professors there fully testifying and expressing their Holy Affection to the Churches of this Kingdom and of their most near and intimate communion with us was intreated by this Assembly to give us his presence during his abode in this City and to take place among us and to communicate his Counsels and Votes in matters that should be proposed which he also did And after mature and exact consideration of the several clauses in those Letters tender'd by him an Answer was made unto them 5. The Letters of the Lord * * * But he somtime after revolted Duke of Desdiguieres were also presented unto this Assembly expressing his desire for the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Letters of Thanks were ordered to be sent unto His Excellency 6. Monsieur Bansillon Pastor in the Church of Aiguemortes having brought Letters from the Lord of Chastillon and by word of mouth given this Assembly the Protestations of the said Lord after the Heroick Example of his Famous Ancestors to spend himself and Estate in the advancement of Christ's Kingdom was desired to carry back Letters of Thanks from this Synod unto that Noble Lord. CHAP. III. An Act of the Oath of Union subscribed by all the Deputyes both Pastors and Elders The same Oath was Enacted at Tenneins 1014. WEE whose Names are hereunder written Deputies of the Reformed Churches of France assembled in our National Synod in the City of Alez in the Province of Sevennes knowing by experience of what is past that there is nothing more necessary to preserve the peace and wellfare of the said Churches than an holy Union and inviolable consent both in Doctrine and Discipline and their dependencies and that the said Churches cannot long subsist without a good strict and mutual Union and Conjunction of one with another and this better kept and maintained than heretofore Therefore being desirous 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 which divers Persons ill-affected to our Religion do indeavour its ruine and destruction for
and in the respective Consistories of the Churches of those fore-mentioned Ministers by the Deputies of the Province of Lower Guyenne at the Charges of the Province of Higher Languedoc and they shall be allowed Six and Thirty Livres to defray their Charges which shall be payd them in by the Lord of Candal out of the Moneys belonging to the Province of Higher Languedoc And that Province is commanded to see the Discipline more exactly observed especially in the point of Pastors Residence in their Churches 9. Samuel du Fresne Student in Divinity in obedience to the Order of the last Synod held at Vitâ—e presented himself before this Assembly bringing with him Testimonials from the Consistory of the Church of Saumur certifying of his Piety Religious Conversation Soundness in Doctrine diligence in visiting and comforting the Sick and of his Silence when admitted to assist at their Consistorial Sessions and the Rector and Proâ—â—ssors of the University attesting the same things also and that on all occasions whether by Theses publickly defended or private Conferences and Discourses and by Propositions from the Word of God he hath manifested his good Learning and Proficiency in the Languages and Divinity This Assembly giving Credence to his Attestations hath granted to the said Samuel du Fresne the Summ of One Hundred Livres for his Journey hither and Two Hundred Livres more for his maintenance for One Year in which time he may be called out unto the Ministry in some one of our Churches 10. The Sieur Chauveton having been condemned by the Synod of Vitre to pay the Summ of Three Hundred Livres to the Province of the Isle of France 2. Vitre p. m. 17. which had maintained him in his Studies or in case of his default the Provinces of Lower Guyenne in which he is now Minister was to make satisfaction for him The Letters of the said Chauveton were read by which he humbly requesteth to be discharged from paying that great Summ because it was not long of himself that he returned not within the time prescribed unto his Church of Claye where he once served but because of the many heavy Domestick Burdens that lay sore upon him And the Province of Lower Guyenne being heard in their Remonstrances made by them upon this Account The Assembly confirmed the Decree of the former National Synod and that it might be Executed the Lord of Candal is ordered to keep the said Summ of Three Hundred Livres in his own hand out of the Moneys belonging to the Lower Guyeune from the Kings Liberality that so they may be restored unto the Province of the Isle of France and Monsieur de Chauveton may be acquitted from all Payment because of his great Poverty which was fully notified unto this National Synod 11. On that Affair of the Sieur d' Anglade concerning Arrearages of Sallary pretended to be due unto him by the Province of Lower Languedoc for his possession of the Hebrew Tongue in the University of Nismes 2 Vitre p. m. 18. his Letters having been read and the Judgment of the Province of Seventies on the Accompt produced by him This Assembly decreeth Four Hundred Livres unto the said Sieur d' Angtade to witt Three Hundred Livres to be paid him out of the Moneys appropriated to the University of Nismes and owing to him as Professor of the Hebrew Tongue there and an Hundred Livres more out of the Common Stock of the Province of Lower Languedoc and these Monies arising from both these Funds shall be paid in unto him by the Lord of Candal 12. Whereas the Province of Berry hath yielded that the Church of Moulins should be incorporated with the Province of Burgundy this Act of theirs is confirmed by the Authority of this National Synod And as to that difference between the said Church of Moulins and the Province of Berry about Moneys due unto it from the Province 2. Vitre p. m. 22. as Monsieur John Durand their Pastor had made report thereof unto this Assembly They shall accompt with the Deputy of the said Province at their next Synod who shall come into Burgundy on purpose to terminate this Affair And in case they should not agree the Province of Anjou shall put a final period to it by the Authority of this Assembly 13. Reading that Article concerning the Sieur Guerin Pastor of the Church of Baugencey who together with divers other Persons of the Province of Orleans and Berry stand bound in a very great Summ of Money 2. Vitre p. m. 26. The Deputies of the said Province having remonstrated that notwithstanding all their Urgencies and Importunities with the Marquis of Rosny and the repeated instances of our General Deputies at Court with the said Lord they could never get from him so much as one Farthing by reason whereof the said Monsieur Guerin and his Sureties are in great trouble and threatned that they shall be compelled will they nill they to make payment or else to lie and die in Prison Wherefore they most humbly petition this Assembly to have compassion on the said Guerin and his Suretyes and to continue unto him that self-same Charitable Assistance until the next National Synod which was granted him in the last This Assembly would most cordially have complyed with their Desires But being bound up by His Majesties Order It cannot divert the Moneys given our Ministers for their Ministerial Labours unto any other Uses 14. Upon that complaint of John le Febure Bookseller and Citizen of Geneva against the Sieur Menuielle the younger 2. Vitre p. m. 21. at present Minister and Pastor of the Church of Orthez whose Judgment had bin dismissed to the Synod of Bearn which also was advised to injoyn him to go unto Geneva and there to justifie himself from the Crime imputed to him before the Magistrates of that City and in default thereof that Synod was to suspend him from the Ministry Now after hearing the Relation of all passages done at Geneva both before the Magistrate and Consistory at the instance of the said le Febre and the Mediation of the said Menuielle's Friends to compound the matter with him and the Letters written by the said le Febure unto the Synod of Bearn the Shifts and Subterfuges of the said Menueille and the Reasons inducing the Synod of Bearn not to suspend him being all urged by their Deputies This Assembly not brooking that a Man blasted in his Reputation and accused of the Crime of Fornication should be Countenanced in his Sin and incouraged in the Functions of the Sacred Ministry to the great Dishonour and Reproach of so High and Holy a Calling doth once more Exhort the Synod or Colloquie of Bearn to interdict the said Menuielle the Exercise of the Ministry until such time as he shall have fully cleared himself from the Crime imputed to him And notice hereof shall be given by Letters in our name unto the Synod of Bearn as also of some other matters
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
force them to reimburse him or else they shall make it up out of the Common Stock of their Province And in case the Colloquy of Nismes or any other of that Province shall be Assembled before their Synod they shall take care to settle the said Sieur de Jacornais in such a Church as in which he may fulâ—l the Ministry he hath received from the Lord. 81. The Lord of Antrague Picheron complained by Letters of the outrage done unto Captain Peter Stephens It was ordered that these Letters should be delivered to the Provincial Council of Sevennes who are to take care about it and this Affair also shall be immediately recommended unto the Lords General Deputies 82. The Sieurs Fitz Eymar and Paulett having sojourned in this City a considerable time at the Command of this Assembly the Province of Sevennes is ordered to reimburse them all their Expences 83. Susanna Morrice Daughter of Monsieur Morrice Deceased formerly a Pastor in the Church of Dieu le fit in Dolphiny was dismissed over to the said Province to be relieved in her poverty 84. Advice being given of divers Defaults in the Province of Lower Languedoc particularly that the Moderators in one Synod are ever after Assessors in another contrary to that freedom required by our Discipline in the Election of Synodical Officers And Secondly That certain Pastors are Commissionated to receive the Moneys belonging unto Colloquies which in time may draw Reproach upon the Ministry and divert our Pastors from their Studies and other Duties of their Calling And Thirdly The way of Communicating one to another by Circular Letters Matters of Importance instead of calling the Colloquies and there imparting those Affairs unto them And Fourthly The Brigues in the choice of Elders falling out too too often in many of their Churches Wherefore this Assembly commandeth the said Province of Lower Languedoc to remove those Disorders and to give an Account of their Obedience to this Canon at the next National Synod CHAP. XV. Of COLLEDGES and UNIVERSITIES 1 PRofessors of Philosophy in handling Physical or Metaphysical Questions which have a Correspondence with Divinity shall take care that they so do it as not to injure in the least the Principles of our True Religion and that they infuse not any Scruples contrary to Piety into the tender minds of our Youth And Doctors and Professors in Divinity shall abstain as much as in them lieth from all Curious and Unprofitable Questions though much in vogue among the Romish Church-men nor shall they inlarge in the Confutation of unknown Heresies nor any more than is barely necessary for the right Interpretation of the Holy Scriptures in expounding whereof they shall keep themselves to that gravity and simplicity which shineth forth so conspicuously in the Writings of those Famous Divines whom the Lord raised up to kindle in the last Century the Flambeau of the Gospel in these and the Neighbour Nations 2. A Motion was made by the Province of Poictou that no Professors nor Principals in our Colledges or Universities should practise Physick lest they be taken off from attendance on their Profession but rather that their Sallaries should be augmented that so they might apply themselves wholly to the Duties of their Office and Calling This Assembly foreseeing the difficulties which will occur in case that such a Canon as is now desired should be framed and enacted doth therefore leave the matter unto the prudence of our University-Councils to aft therein as they shall conceive will redound most to the Profit and Honour of the Universities 3. No Professors of Divinity although they be Pastors also unless they be sent with Letters from their Churches or called by Colloquies and Synods when as matters relating to their University or important points of Doctrine be handled shall ever appear in Colloquies or Provincial and National Synods 4. A Minister may at the same time be Professor in Divinity and of the Hebrew Tongue But it is not seemly for him to profess the Greet also because the most of his Employment will be taken up in the Exposition of Pagan and Prophane Authors unless he be discharged from the Ministry Nevertheless Professors in Divinity and of the Hebrew Tongue which are in Holy Orders shall ever be reputed Pastors of that Church in which their University is Erected and where they do ordinarily reside provided the Church do consent unto it and shall take their turns in preaching only they shall be discharged from the Exercise of Church Discipline and from other burdensome Imployments of the Ministry And whereas several Ministers are at this day actual Professors in those Faculties in our Universities and yet are not reputed Pastors there though it be the place of their constant and ordinary Residence they shall be tolerated until the next National Synod unto which they shall make Report of the Churches consent and choice of them for Pastors where they sojourn or else they shall be provided of Churches of their own 5. A Motion was made about reducing the Number of our Universities that so they might be the better furnished with all needful Professors both in Divinity and in the other Arts and Sciences It was not thought good at present to make any change or alteration lest it should occasion any difference and breach in that good Correspondence which ought by all means to be kept up among us But nevertheless the Provinces are exhorted to bring with them unto the next National Synods their mature and well-digested Thoughts on this Subject As also all those Cities which have Universities Erected in them shall bring into the next National Synod an account of what means they have or Fund sufficient for the maintenance of a compleat and perfect University See the First Synod of Charinton Observ 18. upon this Synod 6. Divers Proposals were set on foot by Monsieur Beraud both from himself and from the University of Montauban As for the First The said Monsieur Beraud is confirm'd in his Professorship of Divinity in that University because of the laudable Testimonials which the Deputies of Higher Languedoc have given of his Academical Exercises these Two years last past Yet nevertheless that said Province is censured for not having observ'd the Formalities required by our Discipline in the Call of the said Monsieur Beraud unto the Professors Chair in Divinity Although the said Monsieur Beraud had undergone a very rigorous and severe Examination as the Deputies themselves of that Province had attested For the Second it is Decreed That the said Monsieur Beraud over and above the Seven Hundred Livres which he receiveth from the University shall also have one free Portion out of the Kings Moneys belonging unto the Province of Higher Languedoc as all other Pastors have which are Ministers in our Universities And whereas the said Monsieur Beraud hath not injoyed his said Portion ever since his Professorship at Montauban the Province shall be obliged to restore unto him all his just
pur-blind about eight and thirty years of Age Deposed by the aforesaid Synod held at Nay for his un-natural and un-dutiful Carriage unto his Aged Parents for very great and shrewd suspicions of Adultery from which he could never clear himself and because in his common Deportments and Conversation he acted as one altogether unworthy the Sacred Ministry 12. John Perrier formerly Pastor in the Church of Paillac in Auvergne low of Stature red Hair copper-Nos'd about fifty years old Deposed by the Synod of Burgundy for deserting his Church and a great many other Crimes All these afore-mentioned Acts Decsiions and Canons were past in the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France and Principality of Bearne assembled at Charenton St. Maurice near Paris from the First of September to the First of October in the year 1623. As also was sworn the Oath of Union in Doctrine and Discipline and of fidelity to His Majesty as was practised heretofore in these National Synods and in the very words of that Oath framed by the Synod of Alez Thus Subscribed by Durant Moderator Bailly Assessor Faucheur Scribes and de Launay Scribes And there was this Appendix written by the hand of the Lord de Launay at the close of this Synod A True Copy sent unto the Colloquy in the Land of Chartres attested by the Manual Subscription of De L' Aunay one of the Scribes of the said Synod and one of the Deputies for the Province of the Isle of France and by these Deputies whose Names follow William Rivett Berlie Pastor of the Church in Quissac J. Clerc De Chambrun Chamier Pastor of the Church at Montlimart St. Amblier Jurieu Pastor of Chastillion on the Loir Villon Havres M. de Langle Pastor in the Church of Rouen P. Paulett Pastor of Vezenobre D' Avignon Pastor at Rennes P. Beraud Pastor and Professor in the Church of Montauban Savoye Pastor in the Church of Castres Isle Pelletier Pastor in the Church of Vandome Cottiby Pastor at Poictiers CHAP. XXVI CANONS and DECREES Made and Establish'd in the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Charenton near Paris September l623 inviolably to be observed by all the Churches and Vniversities in that Kingdom CHAP. I. Of Predestination Election and Reprobation CANON I. FOrasmuch as all Mankind sinned in Adam and are thereby become liable unto the Curse and Eternal Death God had done them no wrong in case he had left Men in their Estate of Sin and under the Curse and Damn'd them for evermore Thus speaketh the Holy Apostle Rom. 3.19 22. All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God And Rom. 6.23 The Wages of Sin is Death CANON II. But in this hath God manifested his Love that he sent his onely Son into the World that whosoever believeth in him may not perish but obtain everlasting Life 1 John 4.9 John 3.16 CANON III. And that Men may be brought to believe God sendeth the glad tydings of Salvation in the Gospel to whom he pleaseth by the Ministration whereof Men are called unto Repentance and Faith in Jesus Christ crucified For how shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard And how shall they hear without a Preacher And how shall they preach unless they be sent Rom. 10.14 15. CANON IV. Such as believe not the Gospel the Wrath of God abideth on them but such as receive and embrace Christ Jesus the Saviour with a true and lively Faith they be delivered by him from the wrath of God and Damnation and are made partakers of Everlasting life CANON V. God is in no wise the Cause nor guilty of Mens unbelief they themselves are as of all other their Sins But Faith in Jesus Christ and Salvation by him is the free gift of God according as it is written Ephes 2.8 You are saved by Grace through Faith and this not of your selves but the gift of God and also Philip. 1.29 To you it is given freely and graciously to believe in Christ Jesus CANON VI. That God giveth Faith in his time unto some and not unto others this proceeds from his Everlasting Decree for known unto God from the beginning are all his works Acts. 15.18 And he doth all things according to the Council of his own Will Ephes 1.11 And in the Execution of this Decree he doth by his grace soften the hearts of the Elect though they be never so hard and stony and maketh them to believe but he doth in his Righteous Judgment leave the Non-Elect in their Wickedness and Obduracy And from this do we principally discover the profound depths of his Mercy and also that just distinction among the Children of Men who were all equally forlorne lost and undone Sinners And as the Decrees of Election and Reprobation revealed by Gods Holy Word doth administer unspeakable Consolation to Pious and Devout Persons so as the Ungodly and Unbelievers take it it must needs be wrested and perverted to their destruction CANON VII Now Election is the unchangeable purpose of God by which according to the most free and good pleasure of his Will out of mere Grace he hath chosen in Jesus Christ unto Salvation before the foundation of the World out of Mankind fallen by their own fault from their first Integrity into Sin and Destruction a certain number of Men who were in themselves not better than others for they were all alike plung'd into the same gulph of Misery And this Jesus Christ God hath also constituted from all Eternity the Head and Mediator of his Elect and the Foundation-stone of their Salvation and so decreed to give them unto Christ that he might save them and call and draw them effectually by his Word and Spirit into Communion with himself and to give them true saving Faith in him to justifie and sanctifie them and having kept them by his Mighty Power in Communion with his Son to shew forth the Sovereignty of his Mercy and the praise of the Riches of the Glory of his Grace he will at last glorifie them as it is written Ephes 1.4 5 6. God hath chosen us in Christ before the Foundation of the World that we might be Holy and unblameable before him in love having predestinated us unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ unto himself according to the good pleasure of his Will to the praise of the Glory of his Grace wherein he hath made us accepted in his Well-Beloved And Rom. 8.29 Whom he predestinated them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified CANON VIII This Election is not divers for kind but one and the same only as to all that shall be saved in the Old and New Testament For the Scriptures doth teach and preach but one only good Pleasure Purpose Decrees and Counsel of Gods Will by which he hath chosen us from Eternity both to Grace and Glory to Salvation the End and to the way and means
since the fall that by his good usage of them he may by degrees obtain a far greater Grace to witt Evangelical and Saving Grace yea and Salvation it self and so by this means God is ready on his part to discover himself and to reveal Jesus Christ unto all because he doth sufficiently and efficaciously administer unto all those necessary means whereby they may attain the Knowledge of Jesus Christ and of Faith and Repentance But that this is notoriously false besides the Experience of all Ages it is evident also from Scripture Testimony Psal 147.19 20. He declared his words unto Jacob his Statutes and his Judgments unto Israel he hath not dealt so with every Nation and as for his Judgments they have not known them Acts. 14.16 And in times past God suffered all Nations to walk in their own wayes Acts 16.6 7. And they were forbidden viz. Paul and his Company by the Holy Ghost to declare or preach his Word i. e. the Gospel in Asia and when they were come into Mysia they essayed to go into Bithynia but the Spirit of our Lord Jesus suffered them not CANON VI. Who teach that when God doth truely and savingly convert Man it cannot be that he should put into his Will new Qualities Habits or Gifts and that therefore Faith by which we be first of all Converted and from which we be called Believers is not a quality or gift infused into us by God but an Action of Man only and that it cannot be called a gift unless it be upon this Account that Man can of himself attain it For these are palpable Contradictions to the Divinely inspired Scriptures which do in plain terms declare That God sheddeth abroad into our Hearts the new Qualities of Faith Obedience and the sence and feeling of his Love Jer. 31.3 I will put my Law in them and I will write it in their hearts Esaiah 44.3 I will pour my Spirit upon thy Seed Rom. 5. ver 5. And the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who is given to us And these Opinions be repugnant to the Prayers and Practice of Gods Church in all Ages who have ever cryed with Jeremy 31.18 Convert me O God and I shall be converted CANON VII Who teach that Converting Grace is no other than a sweet perswasion or as some others of them explain it that the most noble manner of working in Mans Conversion and most suitable to his Humane Nature is that which is done by swasion and that nothing can hinder but that the Grace which they call Moral that is to say Arguments simply perswasive may change the Natural Man into Spiritual yea that God doth not any way else induce the Will to consent but by this way and manner of perswasions and herein consisteth the efficaciousness of Gods operation by which he doth so much surmount the operation of Satan Sathan only promising temporal good things but God such as be Eternal For this is rank Pelagianisme and crosseth the whole tenour of Sacred Scriptures which besides this way of operation by Moral Swasion in the Conversion of Man doth yet acknowledge another to wit that of Gods Holy Spirit which is far more Divine and efficacious as in Ezek. 36.26 I will give unto them a new heart and a new spirit will I put within them and I will take away the heart of stone and give unto them an heart of Flesh CANON VIII Who teach that God doth not exert in the Conversion of Man all the Majesty of his Omnipotency so as thereby most powerfully and infallibly to bow his stubborn and rebellious Will to believe and convert but notwithstanding Gods exertion of all those operations of Grace which are used by him in Mans Conversion yet Man may resist God and the Holy Ghost even then when as God purposed and had resolved to convert him yea and that in very deed Man doth oftentimes resist God in such a manner as doth totally and intirely hinder his Regeneration yea that it is still in his own power whether he will be regenerated or not For this is nothing else but to rob God of the efficaciousness of his Grace in our Conversion and to subject the Action of God Almighty to the will of the weak Man which is contrary to the Apostolical Doctrine Ephes 1.19 learning us That we believe according to the efficacy of his Mighty Povver And 2 Thessalon 1.11 And God fulfilleth and accomplisheth in us all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of Faith with power 2 Pet. 1.3 And by his Divine power are given unto us all things appertaining to Life and Godlyness CANON IX Who teach that Grace and Free Will are Con-Causes and act though each his part yet jointly together in the first point of Conversion and that Grace as a Cause doth not in order precede the efficiency or motion of the Will that is in plain English God doth not efficaciously help the Will of Man to convert it self before the Will of it self doth first move and determine it self But Gods Ancient Church hath many Ages since anathematized this Doctrine of Pelagius by the words of the Apostle Rom. 9.16 'T is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth Mercy 1 Cor. 4.7 And who is it that maketh thee to differ from another And vvhat hast thou vvhich thou hast not received And Philip. 2.13 'T is God vvho vvorketh in us vvith Efficacy both to vvill and to do according to his ovvn good pleasure CHAP. IV. Concerning the Perseverance of SAINTS CANON I. THOSE whom God calleth according to his determinate purpose unto the Fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and regenerateth by his Holy Spirit he delivers them from the Dominion and Slavery of Sin but not wholly from their Flesh and Body of Sin in this Life CANON II. Hence it is that we dayly see so many sins of Infirmity and that the best Works of Saints are not without their Spots which is a continual ground for their deep humiliation before God and of recourse unto a crucified Jesus and dayly more and more to mortifie the Flesh by the Spirit of Prayer and the Sacred exercises of Piety and to breath after perfection till that being rid of this Body of Sin they may for ever Reign in Heaven with the Lamb of God CANON III. By reason of the Remainders of Sin indwelling in them and of the Worlds and Satans Temptations those who be converted could not persist in this Grace if they were left unto their own Strength But God is faithful who through the Riches of his Mercy doth confirm them in that Grace which he hath once given them and will keep them by his power unto the end CANON IV. Now although this power of God strengthning and preserving true Believers in their Estate of Grace be so very great that it can never be surmounted by the Flesh yet so is it that
of no moment confirmed Monsieur Horle in the Pastoral Office of that Church and gives it leave to provide themselves of a second Pastor either within or without the Province as the Lord shall offer them an opportunity and farther it decreeth that the said Church shall attend their next Provincial Synod and gain an Order from it for re-uniting the Church of Tornas now joyned unto that of Lezan unto themselves and the said Synod shall comply with them in this their request and use some other means for the maintenance of that Church of Lezan when as that of Tornas shall be again incorporated with that of Anduze as it was heretofore 25 The Decree of the last Synod of the Isle of France notwithstanding the Letters and Complaints of Monsieur Richard Pastor and and of some certain Elders of the Church of Vandieres to the contrary was confirmed and the said Richard was injoyned by the Synod to exercise his Ministry in those Churches unto which he was assigned on pain of being suspended from his Office and that Province is requested to compassionate his great wants and to extend unto him their wonted Charities 26. Whereas Monsieur Razes appealed from a Judgment of the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc This Council rejected his Appeal and to put a period unto the contentions of the said Razes about the precedency of Monsieur Martyn an Attorney at Bezieres it decreed that for the future no businesses of this Nature should ever be presented unto these Assemblies 27. The Appeal of the Church of Mazamet was also rejected because it was not of the Nature of those businesses which ought to be decided in these Councils and because the Provincial Deputies of Higher Languedoc offered to take care that both the Appealers and their Partners should have full satisfaction given them 28. The Appeal of Monsieur Rossel Pastor in the Church of Issoire about pecuniary matters is according to the Canons in that case provided dismissed over to the Judgment of the Province of Lower Languedoc 29. The Several Appeals of Monsieur Genoyer Pastor of the Church of Riez in Provence are devolved on the Colloquy of Ambrun who shall call upon the Church of Luc to produce what they have to say for themselves and to threaten them that notwithstanding their Appeal in case of their absence or refusal to obey this Order and to bring forth the Book of their Consistory whereby the justice or unreasonableness of what is demanded of them may be discovered Judgment shall pass upon them 30. Report was made in full Council of the Contents of Monsieur Sauceux his Memoirs who appealed from the Judicial Sentences of the Synod of the Isle of France and of their Commissioners sent on their behalf unto the Church of Bayolett and the Deputies of that Province were heard also Whereupon without invalidating the Judicial Sentences of that Synod or of its Commissioners They were told that the form of their proceedings was wrong that the said Synod should have cited Monsieur Sauceux to have appear'd before them and have omitted in that Act concerning him the mentioning of His Majesties Edict and that the bottom of the business may be found out the Council decreed that the Provincial Deputies of Normandy shall in their return homewards pass over unto the Church of Bayolet and shall examin the said Mr. Sauceux and his Consistory and after hearing both Parties they shall pronounce a final Judgment on them 31. Whereas Monsieur des Maretz Elder of the Church of Oysemont hath sent neither Letters nor Memoirs to defend his Appeal from the Judgment of the Province of the Isle of France his Appeal was therefore declared null 32. That Appeal from the Judgment of the Province of Burgundy brought by the L. L. Renaut and Fronevill in the Name of the Sieur L' Advise touching a certain Declaration delivered unto the Sieur de Villemenat to be kept by him is declared null 33. The Lord of Fournivall Elder in the Church of Beaune appealed in behalf of its Consistory from a Decree past in the last Synod of Burgundy held at Issurtilles which had censur'd the said Consistory for not observing all requisite Formalities in receiving a Person of the contrary Religion into Fellowship and Communion with us but his Appeal was declared null and the said Consistory was censured for appealing unto this Council upon the score of a single Censure CHAP. XXI Discipline Exercised on a Scandalous Minister This Peris did afterwards by flight save himself from being prosecuted by the Lord Commissioners for a Libel which was found upon him and for which he was condemned to the Gallows 34 PEter Peris formerly Pastor in the Church of Estray in the Colloquy of Aunix complained personally unto the Synod against the Province of Xaintonge for that having discharged him the Service of his Church they refused him an Attestation of his Life and Doctrine The Deputies of that Province immediately assigned the reasons of their refusal grounded upon the scandalous Conversation of the said Peris and his Method of teaching which was exceeding offensive unto divers Churches And the said Peris Apologizing for himself The Council took thence occasion to interrogate him on divers Articles of which he was accused and convicted as 1. For desertion of his Ministry 2. Of haunting and over-much familiar and scandalous Acquaintance and Communion with our Adversaries particularly with Apostates revolted from the True Religion unto Romish Idolatry and with Persons cast by the dreadful Sentence of Excommunication for Errors and Blasphemies out of these our Reformed Churches 3. Of Prophaneness Insolency and Vanity 4. Of Lyings Slanderings and Plottings against our Churches and several of their Members And forasmuch as he had about him even now whilst he was under examination a most execrable Libel against His Majesties Honour and the Tranquillity of the State compos'd by some mutinous Spirits disturbers of the Publick Peace which was delivered into the hands of His Majesties Commissioner the Lord Galland to dispose of it as his Lordship in his Wisdom should think fit The Council Deposed the said Peris from the Sacred Ministry and debarring him all hopes of ever being again restored to it decreeth that he shall be suspended all Communion in the Sacraments until such time as he giving Glory unto God and confessing his Offences shall have manifested to the World the Gracious Fruits of a serious and sound Repentance And this Act shall be notified unto all the Churches 35. Mr. Peju a Pastor Baignouâ—â—n Elder and Rousseau all deputed by the Heads of Families in the Church of Mer declared the grievances for which they appealed and on the contrary the Provincial Deputies of Berry vindicated the Sentence of their Synod The Letters and Acts also of both Parties were produced and read both by Monsieur Peju and by the Province Upon the whole the Council judged that the Province ought not to have brought before this Assembly Acts and Memoirs
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
Favour and Royal Benignity towards the Churches who have none nor desire to hold any Intelligence or Correspondence with Strangers but do protest unanimously that they will next and immediately under God depend wholly and solely on his Majesty's Protection and Soveraign Authority And it was resolved that as to the first Particular propounded by the Lord Galland his Majesty's Commissioner that although the Cause of sending those Royal Commissioners into our Ecclesiastical Synods was from divers false Reports spread abroad and taken up against those Synods most unjustly and to their great prejudice and damage and that it had occasioned the former National Synods most humbly to petition his Majesty that he would be pleased to leave the Churches in their ancient State of Liberty yet forasmuch as his Majesty hath ordained that no more Petitions should be presented him to this purpose the Churches do acquiesce in his Majesty's Pleasure sith he will have this his Ordinance inviolably observ'd and this Synod doth yield an intire Obedience to the King's Will and the Order prescribed by his Majesty whereof the Churches hope to reap the Fruits promised them in their Establishment and better Subsistence for the future and approbation of their Innocency and the rather because the last National Synods of Charenton and Castres have already tasted of them and been in a more especial manner aided by the Prudence Equanimity and good Conduct of his Lordship the Lord Galland Therefore a Decree past That conformably to his Majesty's Intention our Synodical Assemblies should subject themselves to a precise observation of his Majesty's Declaration made in the Year 1623 about sending Commissioners unto Synods and Colloquies And his Majesty shall be most humbly petitioned to enjoin those his Commissioners whom he shall be pleased to send into the Provinces not to abuse his Majesty's Name or Authority to the raising of new Difficulties which may deprive the Churches of the Effects of his Royal Bounty 29. And whereas his Majesty by his Declaration of the Year 1623 hath forbidden our Churches to receive into the Pastoral Office such Persons as are born in foreign Countries out of his Jurisdiction and divers Provincial Synods conceived that those Persons were excepted who were born in those States allied unto his Majesty and under the Covert of his Royal Protection wherein also they were confirmed by the Commissioners in whose Presence and no where else some few of those Ministers had been received Now our said Lord Commissioner having at this instant assured us that as it was his Majesty's Intention to comprehend under the name of Strangers all Persons born out of the Kingdom without exception so also that he is pleased to deal favourably with all those who have been admitted since the Year 1623 and to repute them as his natural born Subjects this Assembly intreateth the said Lord Commissioner to continue his good Offices unto our Churches and chargeth the Deputies which shall be sent unto his Majesty to present him our most humble Requests that those aforesaid Pastors may be comprized in that his Act of Grace and that for the future all others so born may be instituted and inducted into the Pastoral Cure of our Churches in the Presence of his Commissioners as if they had been natural born Frenchmen 30. And as for the third and fourth Articles in his Lordship's Speech the Synod hath upon very just Grounds intreated his Lordship to assure his Majesty that the Churches sixing themselves more and more in the observation of those Reglements taken up in the two last National Synods and with which his Majesty is fully satisfied will take all possible care that no Complaints upon those Accounts may be ever hereafter brought unto his Majesty And as for that particular Business of Monsieur Salbert this Assembly deferring all Obedience to his Majesty's Pleasure and leaving the said Salbert in that Estate wherein he is at present doth yet notwithstanding judg themselves bound by the Laws of Charity to have recourse unto his Majesty's Goodness on his behalf And therefore we most humbly beseech his Majesty out of his innate Clemency to remove the Tokens of his just Indignation against him and to let him share and participate in that same Royal Favour which he has vouchsafed and extended unto others involv'd with himself in the Miseries of the late Troubles 31. And whereas a certain Book hath been seen by us bearing Monsieur Beraud's Name whose Preface is already condemned by the Lords of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy-Council and that we are required to examine and censure both it and him After hearing of the said Professor Beraud he did ingenuously acknowledg himself the Author of it but also that it was extorted from him by mere Force and through the Malignity of the Times in the late Confusions and that it was never in his Thoughts or Intention to grant a License unto Ecclesiastical Persons to shed Blood and those Words of which he is accused having occasioned an Exposition quite contrary to his Judgment he declareth with all possible Sincerity and as in the Presence of God that he disapproveth of the Ambiguity in which those Expressions are there couched and detesteth from his very Soul the Consequences which are thence deduced protesting that his Belief is intirely conformable to that of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom which have according to the holy Scriptures decided in our former National Synods that Pastors should in no wise intrude themselves into the Administration of State-matters because they he wholly alien and foreign to their Profession and therefore the Argument is more valid that they cannot without contradiction to God's holy Word and the Confession of our Churches founded upon it stretch out their Hands to draw Blood from any one or engage in any military Factions This Assembly therefore confirming the Decrees of former National Synods and grievously censuring the said Beraud for having rashly and to ill purpose used those scandalous Expressions tending to establish an erroneous Doctrine declared once again That it doth reject and condemn that Proposition extracted out of the Book of the said Beraud and forbiddeth him and all other Professors in our Universities and Ministers in our Churches to teach or write any such Doctrine for time to come upon pain of incurring all Ecclesiastical Censures 32. And as for those sharp Words mentioned by his Lordship the Commissioner the Churches are utter Strangers to them having declared the Word of God with all Modesty and Meekness however they have been ill handled in divers Places and tho oftentimes our Adversaries have most licentiously perverted the most innocent Expressions of our Faith to render us more odious and criminal 33. The Lord Galland his Majesty's Commissioner requiring that Monsieur Bastide may be removed from the Church of St. Africk in the Province of Higher Languedoc because his Deportments in the said Church have been destructive to the Publick Peace and Tranquillity The Assembly being informed
the Provinces but with these Conditions First That they be not bound to send more than two Deputies unto our National Synods Secondly That Judicial Sentences past by and in the Province until now shall not be revoked nor reversed Thirdly That Pastors serving in the said Province shall not be translated into another Province Fourthly That the Appeals of private Persons may not be received in these National Synods The Synod absolutely granting the two first Conditions doth nevertheless exhort the said Province to send equal number of Deputies with the other Provinces unto the National Synod whenas his Majesty shall be pleased to permit one to be held in the Provinces bordering on that of Bearn And as for the two other Conditions provided that the said Deputies shall promise on behalf of their Province to own the Authority of our National Synods and to take out their Appeals in the Form specified Canon the 10th of the 8th Chapter of our Discipline the Synod yieldeth unto their Demand assuring them that it will take a most particular Care of their Edification and as it intendeth not to lose its Right unto divers Pastors born in the Provinces of the Higher and Lower Guyenne who are now actually employed in that of Bearn so also it will never use it to their evident Prejudice but in every Matter and especially in that of removing Pastors either from the Churches they are now serving or from out of the Province the National Synod will give full proof of their fraternal Charity and Affection Article 2. Upon this Debate the Lord Galland his Majesty's Commissioner remonstrated That the Conjunction of the Churches of Bearn with those of this Kingdom and particularly their Submission unto the Discipline of the Reformed Churches of France and the Power of appealing from Bearn unto the National Synods here were Matters of that Nature that they could not be done without the King's Permission because such Conjunctions depend upon Soveraign Authority that the late King Henry the Fourth of happy Memory had already determin'd this Question having in the Years 1602 and 1604 permitted the Churches of Bearn to assist at the National Synods of France hereby to conserve an Union in Doctrine but he also decreed that they should bring in their Cahiers of Complaints distinct from those of France And in the Year 1615 whenas the Political Assembly of Grenoble demanded this Union it was denied in that Answer given to the 22d and 23d Articles in these Words That the late King did never permit nor approve of the Vnion of the pret Reformed Churches of Bearn with those of France nor will his Majesty now permit it until such time as the said Principality shall be re-united and re-incorporated with the Crown of France But yet in the mean while the Deputies of Bearn may bring in their Petitions by themselves which shall be answered according to Reason Against which Answer the Assembly of Rochel having took great Exceptions and in a particular Article at the Conference of Loudun in the Year 1616 there was returned an Order little differing from the Cahier of Grenoble so that the Land of Bearn not having since had any Permission from the King to join it self unto the Churches of France it cannot be done but must be confined to the plain and simple terms of Petition Besides the Consequences of this Union have been formerly resented for the Churches of Bearn shrowded with the shadow and hope of a powerful Assistance were transported to such dismal Excesses as make a very mournful History in that of our Times And all Authors are agreed that the Land of Bearn was originally a Member of the Kingdom of Navarre lying on the other side of the Pyrenean Mountains though subject to our Kings of the Merovingian Line as is evident from Gregory of Tours who relateth that the Bishops of the said Territory came unto the Council of Agde in the Year 506 and to that of Mascon in the Year 588. And the Lord of Bearn acknowledged the Kings and Kingdom of France for his supream Lord and did Homage to them and to their Sovereign Authority But in the Year 1512 Louis the twelfth King of France to make some Compensation for and to sweeten the Loss of the Kingdom of Navarre usurped by Ferdinand King of Arragon granted unto John of Albret and Katharine of Navarre his Wife that the Land of Bearn should enjoy its Charters and Priviledg of Soveraignty until such times as it should be otherwise determined by meet and competent Judges And since that the Country of Bearn hath been accounted a Principality distinct from the Kingdom and independent without any reservation That in the Year 1571 Jane Queen of Navarre set up a Church-Discipline whose Execution is limited within the Bounds of that Principality and the Laws are all enacted and sworn to by the States of the Country and maintained to this very day from the observation whereof the Subjects cannot withdraw themselves nor without the permission of their Prince may they take upon them to constitute Judges in Church or State much less to enlarge the Bounds of Appeals whenas by the Laws of Bearn they are to be terminated by its Provincial Synods and within the Country it self as is in like manner done in the City of Metz and Principality of Sedan And should this Conjunction be admitted Causes would be drawn out of the Province which would be an Innovation of dangerous Consequence to his Majesty's Authority and to this little Province and contrary to its Union which hath preserved the Country in its Laws Forts Customs and domestick Prerogatives The Deputies of Bearn to give some colour unto this Union say That this Union was permitted by the King that it hath been exercised by his Majesty since the uniting of Bearn with the Crown of France that it was approved by the said Lord Commissioner in the National Synod of Castres in the Year 1626. But here are divers Mistakes The Truth is that Henry the Fourth of happy Memory and the King now reigning most gloriously have not permitted nor promised the Union of the said Churches nor was it permitted by the Cahier of the Year 1615. But the Answer unto the Union demanded was deferred till after the Country was united with that of France so that the victorious Arms of his Majesty having subjected the Land of Bearn to his Obedience and the Union of the Country made by his absolute Authority notwithstanding all former Grants and Priviledges the Subjects are bound to have recourse anew unto his Majesty And although by the Cahiers of the Year 1615 the Union of the Churches was put off till the Union of the State yet none may therefore assert that because the State is united with the Crown of France the Union of the Churches must therefore of Right be made also but that it may be obtained there is need of a new Address unto his Majesty that he would by his Sovereign Authority
be pleased to enact such Laws about it as will be most agreeable to him And the Synod wanting this Sanction of Royal Authority the Union now desired is null nor can the said Lord Deputies gather from any one act of his Majesty that he approveth of the Union of the said Churches since the submission of Bearn And if in any Cahiers presented by the Churches of France since the Union of that Country the Petitions of those of Bearn have been made use of against the reservation set down in the Cahier of 1615. This Error must not be drawn into practice because the Churches have not to this very day made any absolute Declaration of Union and such important Actions require Concessions and solemn Declarations and Preliminaries animated by Verifications in the Parliaments of Paris and of Pau. Nor ought the presence of the Deputies of Bearn in the political Assemblies of this Kingdom where they laid the first Foundations of their Attempt against his Majesty's Authority and which hath been since most exemplarily chastised be made a Precedent nor ought the appearance of the Ministers of Bearn in the National Synods of France before and since the establishment of Commissioners who were imposed in the Year 1623 be took as an advantage to them in any-wise because they appeared upon doubtful and uncertain Conditions not as to the Point of Submission to the Discipline of the Reformed Churches of France or unto the National Synods or for the drawing of Appeals without the Limits of that Principality all which were contrary to the Laws made by Jane Queen of Navarre but only to testily their Union in Doctrine which is evident by perusing the Acts of those Synods The first Synod unto which the Deputies of Bearn presented themselves was that of Rochel in the Year 1607 and the Quality of the Times gave an occasion for it And as that Introduction was a meer Novelty there being but one Minister sent so they were enjoined for the future to commissionate together with him an Elder In the Year 1612 four Deputies assisted in that of Privas but this their Presence was floating and wavering nor had it any other end than to testify their Consent and Union in Doctrine as his Majesty had willed them so to do in the Year 1602 and 1604. They came also unto that of Tonneins in the Year 1614 under the same Conditions and they then had granted to them the priviledg of calling the next National Synod which was a great expression of Love unto that Principality and an oblique Means to bind them more strictly to the Discipline of France And because the Churches of Bearn would not submit themselves thereunto they resigned their right of Convocating the National Synod unto the Church of Vitré in Brittain where also it conven'd accordingly in the Year 1617. And in the six and thirtieth Article of General Matters there passed this Decree This Assembly doth not conceive it meet considering their present Circumstances that the Churches of Bearn should subject themselves to the Church-Discipline of this Kingdom nor that they should depend upon these National Synods But nevertheless they shall give in their final Resolutions what they intend to do unto the next National Synod and in case they be of the same Mind then as they are now this Assembly declared That their Deputies may have the priviledg of sitting and voting in the National Synods of this Kingdom upon this condition that they shall first have leave given them by the Provinces to give in their Suffrages in such Cases as concern the Churches of this Kingdom which Terms are totally contrary to the Pretensions of the said Deputies and evidently prove that their admission into the Synod was wholly precarious and only to testify their mutual Church-fellowship And in the Synod of Alez called in the Year 1620 whenas the Deputies of Bearn had remonstrated that they could not wholly subject themselves to the Discipline of the Churches of France because of the present juncture of Affairs they were admitted under that restriction of the Synod of Vitre That they shall first have leave from the Provinces to vote in certain Cases concerning the Churches of France and this too with this Proviso that it should only be till the next National Synod An Argument unanswerable of the Difference between the Church-Discipline of Bearn and that of this Kingdom although the Deputies to ingratiate themselves with this Synod do urge that they be both alike one and the same Thus I have given you the true History of this Union till the Conquest and Submission of Bearn at which time by special Letters-Patents his Majesty granted unto the said Principality that they should be maintained and live under their own particular Laws Which Laws are partly made up of the Constitutions of the Lady Joan Queen of Navarre who had enacted That all Differences in Church-Matters should be finally determined within the Province Since the Submission of Bearn the Churches have lived under the same form and never pretended to be united to those of France but by virtue of his Majesty's Answer to the Cahier of the Year 1615 or some others of a later date For in the Synod of Charenton September the 2d in the Year 1623 upon the appearance of the Deputy of Bearn an Ordinance passed as formerly That according to the Restrictions of former Synods the Provinces have liberty to demand that the Deputy of Bearn shall not have power of voting in some certain Cases concerning the Churches of this Kingdom and that before the Separation of this Synod he shall produce the Reasons for which they defer their plenary Submission to the Church-Discipline of France And this is another certain Mark of the Difference between the Discipline of France and that of Bearn In the last National Synod held at Castres in the Year 1626 which was four Years after that of Charenton because in their Letters of Commission there was wanting the Clause of Submission required by the foregoing Synods the Deputies of Bearn were told in open Synod that for this time they were admitted but for the Conditions expressed in the Acts of the last National Synod they should not for the future have a consultive Vote in the National Synods of this Kingdom excepting only at the reading of the Confession of Faith in which they were united with the Churches of France Until that time the Churches of Bearn neither pretended nor demanded Union with the Churches of France nor till then did his Majesty's Commissioners contend with them about it but now whenas against so many preceding Instances to the contrary they demand without his Majesty's permission to be admitted it cannot it ought not to be granted to them CHAP. XVIII The Reply made by the Deputies of Bearn unto this Opposition of the Lord Commissioner 3. BUT the Deputies of the Province of Bearn return'd this Answer That the Union of the Churches with those of this Kingdom in
respect of Doctrine and Discipline was not only granted to them by his Majesty's Goodness but also by his own express Consent done and executed with his actual Approbation For although by the Answers set in the Margin of the Cahiers in the Years 1602 1604 and 1611 his Majesty hath thought good to suspend and put off the filing of it till after the uniting and incorporating of Bearn with the Crown of France yet nevertheless through the most humble Petitions of his Subjects his Majesty anticipated this Matter and granted that for Doctrine Confession of Faith and Church-Discipline they should be joined and united with the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom yea and his Majesty permitted them to send their Deputies unto those Ecclesiastical Assemblies convocated in it according to his Edicts And this is undeniably proved by that Answer given unto the Cahier at the Intercession of the Assembly of Loudun and pursuant to that Grant the said Province hath from time to time sent their Deputies unto the National Synods and particularly to that of Tonneins Vitré Alez the first of Charenton Castres and unto this present Synod who had priviledg of sitting and voting in them and were therein supported even by his Lordship the Commissioner And in execution of the said Union their Remonstrances concerning the well-being of their Churches were presented unto his Majesty by the General-Deputies inserted by them into their Cahiers jointly with the Demands and Petitions of the Churches of this Kingdom and through the Clemency of his Majesty received a gracious Answer As for Instance Those relating to the Restoration of the Pastors Wages and the Maintenance of the Colledg of Ortez which will be justified by the Cahier presented in the Year 1625 after that Bearn was united with France yea and after his Majesty's Journey into that Country from which it will be manifested that his Majesty was pleased with and granted that we should be united and he favoured in the execution of it his poor Subjects inhabiting the said Province with his Royal Promises Nor should the incorporating of our Churches with those of this Kingdom be envied to us nor be reputed a general or particular Grievance for the Censures which some private Persons may deserve will be issued forth against them by the Consistories and Colloquies and in Cases of Appeal they will be confirmed and executed in the Province by the Sentence of the Provincial Synods only And as for our Pastors their Appeals cannot be received out of the Province but in some particular Case as of Suspension and Deposition from the Ministry and their removal from one Church unto another or from one Colloquy unto another In which case 't is but just and reasonable that they be subjected to and judged by the Synod of that whole Nation into which Bearn is now incorporated by his Majesty's Edict and that the Ministers residing in it should be governed in the same manner as those of France And therefore the said Union having been promised by his Majesty approved by his Grants and executed in the Presence of his Commissioners as not derogating in the least from his Authority nor to the Publick Weal it could not but be reputed sufficiently authorized and therefore we do once again most humbly petition his Majesty that he would be pleased to allow of it and this National Synod is most importunately desired to espouse and uphold it and the rather because that the Province of Bearn and their Churches do submit themselves to the Discipline of the Churches of this Kingdom acknowledging that it doth most intirely accord and agred with theirs and that both of them are extracted out of God's Holy Word But whatever the Result and Issue of this Affair may be they resolved to make a faithful Report of the whole unto their Province as well for their own Discharge as for the great Importance of the matter CHAP. XIX The Protestation of the National Synod upon the Conjunction of the Churches of Bearn with those of France in Church-Discipline and their Submission to the Authority of our National Synods 4. IN like manner the Synod did solemnly protest that they never had any such Intention or Design as to withdraw his Majesty's Subjects from their Obedience either to the Laws of his Majesty or of his Royal Predecessors nor to ordain any new Judges or Degrees of Appeals nor to make any Innovations in the least Jot or Tittle to their Prejudice much less was it in our Thoughts to conjoin the Churches of Bearn to these of France without his Majesty's Permission but we did as in Duty bound believe it a thing already granted by his Majesty His Majesty having expresly declared in his Answer to the Cahier from the Assembly of Grenoble and renewed in the Conference at Loudun that he would allow and be well-pleased with the said Conjunction as soon as Bearn should be reunited unto the Crown of France which was actually effected in the Year 1620. 5. Upon Report made by the Deputies of the Isle of France of their Care and Pains taken to recover the manuscript Works of Monsieur du Tilloy deceased from them into whose Hands they are now fallen and the Unlikelihood of their ever being published The Assembly was well satisfied with the Indeavours and Inquiries of the said Province 6. Upon the Remonstrance of the Province of Anjou the Printers of Geneva Sedan and Saumur are advised to print most correctly the Catechisms Confession of Faith and Liturgy of our Churches and to see that all the Editions of them do intirely agree one with another that so we may have no more Complaints against them for the future about their Omissions and Negligence herein 7. Although the Church of Rochechouard doth of right belong unto the Province of Poictou yet because of the Weakness of the Colloquy of Limouzin which requireth that the said Church be joined to it This Assembly ordaineth that the Decree made in the 25th National Synod held at Castres shall be observed and that the Deputies of Bearn as they return homeward by the Way of Limoges and Rochechouard shall take Cognizance of the Differences which have hapned between Monsieur Barthe and the Consistory of Limoges of which they shall give an Account unto the next National Synod 8. Whereas by reason of the late Troubles and the Difficulties of the present Day the Sieurs Chauve and Bouteroue who were commissionated by the National Synod of Castres to pass over unto the Provincial Synod of Provence have not been called to it This Assembly ordaineth that that particular Pastor of Provence who is charged with the Power of summoning the next Synod in that Province shall give seasonable Notice of the Time and Place of its Meeting that so they may assist at it and execute the Commission which was given them 9. The Synod of Sevennes shall give account unto the next National Synod of the Conduct of Mr. Repasseau and of his Carriage and
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
Vivaretz making Report that the said Province was indebted to him the Sum of two thousand one hundred Livers paid by him before-hand unto the Churches for the Relief of their Pastors as is manifest from the Finito of his Account rendred unto the Synod held at Mirabel in the Year 1625. This Assembly to do him Justice upon his Complaint decreed That if he will be pleased to quit his Expences Damages and Interest for Forbearance claimed by him and the Province of Vivaretz restoring him to his Office of Receiver upon the same Conditions that were accorded unto the present Possessor of it that then he shall pay himself the whole Principal in the two next ensuing Years and as for the Arrearages due unto him provided he do make them appear to be real Debts and that he hath not been satisfied for them out of the Obligation given him by the said Province upon the Lands of Toulant and Baffre they also shall be put upon Account in Order to his Satisfaction Article 14. The Province of Higher Languedoc and Monsieur Berauld one of its Deputies were censured for violating the Canons which had taken Care that the Pastors of particular Churches should be deputed unto Synods alternatively and that none should be received into Provincial Synods without Letters of Commission and that no Professors of Divinity should appear in Synods although they were Pastors without being sent thither by their Churches or called by the Synods whenas Matters relating to their Universities or important Points of Doctrine were handled and debated Article 15. The Lords General Deputies are ordered to assist the Churches of Bearn in their Petition presented unto his Majesty for the re-establishing of their Colledg Article 16. Mr. Robertson Principal of the Colledg of Rochefoucauld reporting the considerable Sums he had advanced out of his own Pocket towards the Maintenance of the said Colledg This Assembly ordained That out of the Monies belonging to the Province of Xaintonge upon the Account of that Colledg the Lord of Candall shall keep in his own Hands so much as shall be found due unto the said Mr. Robertson who was praised for his Angular Affection unto the publick Weal of the Churches and is intreated to continue his Affection good Service and Faithfulness therein as formerly Article 17. This Assembly ratifying what was done by the Consistory of Montpellier in the Cause of Monsieur Ginmoux which had been turned over to them by the Synod of Castres in the Year 1626 judgeth that the Complaints of the said Ginmoux were groundless and this shall be signified to him by Letters Article 18. The Deputies of Normandy and Xaintonge petitioning that some certain Sum of Monies taken out of the Churches Stock might be imployed towards the Redemption of many poor Protestants kept in hard Captivity by the Turks This Assembly having no Power to grant them their Request because of that small Stock which is at its Disposal doth advise them to petition all the Churches in those and the Neighbour-Provinces to contribute their Alms liberally for the Comfort and Deliverance of those poor afflicted Christians whole Misery is extream and cries aloud for the Bowels of our Compassion Article 19. The Lady Dutchess of Tremouille having by Letters recommended Mr. Jouars unto the Care of this Assembly and demanded that the Call she had given him to be her Pastor might be ratified by our Authority A Vote passed that the said Lady should be commended for her Piety and exhorted by Letters more and more to continue her Zeal for the Glory of God and the Advancement of his Kingdom Article 20. Mr. Godfroy the Civilian Professor of the Laws in the University of Geneva having writ unto this Assembly that he would compose a Body of Church-History which would discover the Untruths in the five first Volumes of Cardinal Baronius and this in Compliance with that Motion made him by the National Synod of Castres in the Year 1626. A Vote passed that the Thanks of this Assembly should be returned him by Letters and that he should be intreated to bless the Churches with the Fruits of his Promises as soon as possible Article 21. Report being made in this Assembly of the grievous Persecutions undergone by Monsieur de Surville Pastor of the Church of Vigan the Sum of three hundred Livers was immediately voted him for his present Subsistence and to be paid in to him by the Lord of Candall out of the best and clearest Monies in his Hands and out of the rest which we hope to recover another Sum of three hundred Livers more and that one supernumerary Portion out of the Dividend for the Province of Sevennes shall be offered to him free of all Taxes and Charges Article 22. This Assembly considering the Expences that Mr. Chambauld hath been necessitated unto by means of the Accusation brought against Mr. Louis du Bois Order was given unto the Province of Vivaretz to inquire into the Truth of his Complaints that in case they be made good and verified the said Province shall betwixt this and the next National Synod give him one free Portion more to be added unto those supernumerary ones already assigned to him Article 23. The Lord of Candall having freely remitted the Sum of eight hundred Livers which were his proper Right and due unto him from the Sous in a Liver out of the Sum of sixteen thousand Livers granted by his Majesty unto the Churches for defraying the Expences of this Assembly and he having also quitted out of the Reprisals which he might have taken in his Accompt the Sum of fifteen hundred Livers This Assembly did unanimously render his Lordship their most hearty Thanks for his generous and Christian Charities to our poor Churches And there was voted out of the said Sum of fifteen hundred Livers three hundred Livers to be given unto Monsieur de Tremblay Pastor in the Church of Paulin and three hundred Livers more were to be delivered unto Monsieur de la Fon Pastor of the Church of Glenat and Calvinat in Consideration of their pressing Wants and fifty Livers to Daniel Chabord for his Assistance who came on purpose to this Synod to implore our Help towards the Redemption of his Son who hath been ever since the last Troubles kept in Slavery aboard the Gallies and the other eight hundred Livers remaining of the said fifteen hundred shall be paid in to the Lord Ramboullet Elder of the Church of Paris to be imployed by his Agent at Marseilles for the Comfort and Deliverance of the Faithful who for Religion and a good Conscience Kept by them have been there detained in Chains ever since the last Commotions Article 24. Forasmuch as Mr. Duncan hath served in the Profession of the Greek Tongue in the University of Saumur by Order of the Provincial Synod of Anjou which had divided the said Profession betwixt him and Mr. Benoist who did formerly enjoy it This Assembly ordainineth that one half of the Wages
belonging unto the Professors of the said Language shall be paid him in Consideration of the Service actually performed by him Article 25. Mr. Savoix Pastor of the Church of Castres having complained by Letters unto this Assembly of his being interdicted the Ministry and that Act of the Consistory of the Church of Castres being read attesting That he had preached none other Doctrine but what was agreeable to our Confession of Faith and Church-Discipline This Assembly ordered the Lords General Deputies to prosecute in his Majesties most honourable Privy Council for the disannulling of the Decree of Interdiction past against him in the Court of Castres and to bestir themselves in this Affair with that Vigour as becomes them it being a Case of great and general Importance to all the Churches Article 26. Those free Portions which were granted the Churches of Auvergne by the 24th National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1623 shall be detained in the hands of the Lord of Candall's Deputy and be distributed by him among all the Pastors which have been sent by the Province of Sevennes proportionably to the Service performed by them of which they shall bring good and valid Attestations Article 27. Out of the first Monies that shall be distributed to our Universities the Lord of Candall shall pay in four hundred Livers unto Mr. Robertson Principal of the Colledg of Rochefoucauld to reimburse him in part of his own Monies advanced by him towards the Maintenance of the said Colledg but with this Condition that he do give them satisfaction who have had reciprocal Promises from him Article 28. The Synods of Lower Guyenne are most strictly charged to call unto an Account Mr. Bustanoby for the Sum of three hundred Livers delivered unto his deceased Father and to deduct from the said Sum the Charges of his Impression of the Catechism in the Biscayan Language according to that Promise made by the said Mr. Bustanoby some time before his Death unto the former National Synods Article 29. Mr. Froger presenting Letters from the Church of Pammiers and declaring the deplorable Condition whereunto that poor Church is now reduced This Assembly did in a more especial manner recommend the Concerns of that afflicted Church of Christ unto our Lords the General-Deputies and to help defray the Charges of the said Froger there was order'd the Sum of one hundred Livers to be paid unto him immediately by the Lord of Candall Article 30. The Portion of Monies accruing from the Composition made with Mr. Palot and appertaining to the Province of Sevennes shall be deposited into the hand of Mr. Blachan one of the Deputies of the said Province who having paid himself what he had advanced before-hand for the Churches of Auvergne shall be accountable for the Remainder unto the next Provincial Synod CHAP. XXIV Of Universities and Colledges Canon 1. THE ninth Article of general Laws for the Universities made in the 23d National Synod at Alez shall be couched in these words The Doctors and Professors of Divinity having been first chosen by the extraordinary Council of the Vniversity the said Election shall be brought unto the Provincial Synod to judg thereon and in case it be approved by them then Order shall be taken for the examination and reception of the Elect Professors according to the third Canon in the second Chapter of our Church-Discipline Canon 2. Forasmuch as hitherto our Professors of Philosophy in the Universities of this kingdom have not publickly taught Metaphysicks when they read their Course of Philosophy although that be one of the most principal Sciences and which demonstrateth the Principles of all the rest and that it is now more needful than ever to restore it unto its true Lustre and Purity because it hath been for so long a time exceedingly corrupted by the evil Artifices of the Doctors in the Romish Church who have abused its Maxims to the depravation of Theology and have blended with it their false Principles which they endeavour to the utmost of their Power daily to establish to the great prejudice of Divine Truth Wherefore this Synod enjoineth all Professors of Philosophy to teach during their Course together with the other parts of Philosophy the said Science And all University-Councils are ordered to exert their Authority that the first Elements of Logick be taught in the first Classes that so whenas Scholars depart the Colledges they may be prepared for higher Learning And that Professors of Philosophy do look to it that they do not in the least invade the Profession of Theology but do contain themselves within their own Bounds without roving abroad in the handling of unprofitable Questions Canon 3. And since the knowledg of the Greek Tongue is absolutely necessary for all Proposans who aspire unto the Sacred Ministery and for that the profession thereof is a singular Ornament unto Universities we therefore wish it might be continually upheld in them but because the present Wants of our Churches are very great and our deep Poverty will not permit a Maintenance to be now allowed unto the Professors of that Language this Synod leaving the Care thereof unto the next National Synod that so the Instrustion of our Youth may not be retarded doth order all University-Councils to have a careful Eye upon the Regents of the first and second Classes that the Greek Tongue be taught diligently by them and that our Scholars when they are promoted unto the Publick Lectures may be of sufficient capacity to read and understand Authors in their Original Language and be able to give a satisfactory account of them Canon 4. This Assembly being not in the least able to approve the Actings of the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc which instead of proceeding to examine Mr. Codur according to the requisite Solemnities and Forms prescribed by our Church-Discipline had satisfied themselves with a bare Confirmation of him in that conditional Settlement which was done by the Colloquies of Nismes and Vsez who called him to exercise the Profession of Theology in the University of Nismes doth injoin all the Provinces for the future to keep themselves to a precise observation of so necessary a Canon and especially it injoineth the Province of Lower Languedoc punctually to perform what hath been omitted with respect to Monsieur Codur as also to exert their Power that his Successor in the Hebrew Tongue be duly examined and all Formalities most accurately and exactly observed Canon 5. After that the Opinions of all the Provinces had been taken upon that Article charged on them by the last National Synod of Castres Whether it were expedient to lessen the number of our Universities at present This Assembly unanimously resolved to maintain them all as also those Colledges which are already established in every Province because they be the Seed-plot and Nursery of the Church of God and that without their subsistence it will be utterly impossible to provide for the Instruction of our Youth and the growing Wants of
slandering and calumniating us and by divers Pamphlets and Libels fraught with lying Stories do their utmost Endeavour to make the Loyalty and Fidelity of our Churches to be suspected and called in question and that there is an absolute Necessity we should justify our selves not only by Sermons preached in the Pulpit and by Books composed and published from the Press unto the whole World to this very End and Purpose but also by our most humble Remonstrances unto his Majesty that he would be pleased graciously to account all the Members of our Churches as his most obedient and loyal Subjects and to have an intire Confidence in their Fidelity unto his Service the Welfare of his Estate and the Augmentation of the Glory of his Crown The Assembly imbraced this Remonstrance as a sacred thing consonant to Reason and Justice and perfectly correponding with those Propositions tendred us from his Majesty by the Lord Commissioner and ordained That all Pastors in the Churches of this Kingdom should give all religious and conscientious Satisfaction herein according to the Word of God and the Confession of our Faith which are punctual and most express on this Subject Article 7. Whereas for divers Years last past War and Mortality have overspread with a Deluge of Woes the far greatest part of Europe and made the unrepenting Nations sensible what a dreadful thing it is to fall into the Hands of the Living God justly incensed against those hard-hearted Sinners who despise the Riches of his Grace the Abundance of his Goodness and Long-suffering The National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France assembled by the King's Permission in the Town of Alanson beholding in the continual Plagues with which all the Provinces of this Kingdom are scourged evident Threatnings of new impendent Judgments Wherefore that those affrightful and approaching Storms may be averted and the Bowels of God's fatherly Compassions may be moved and that we may obtain from his infinite Mercies and Goodness the Preservation of his Majesty's sacred Person a Blessing upon his Armies the Return and Re-establishment of Peace and Prosperity in the State and a quiet Settlement for his poor afflicted Church tossed with Tempests and not comforted We do exhort all the Faithful by a deep Humiliation of Soul and a sincere and serious Conversion of Heart to seek after the Help Grace and Favour of God And to this Purpose the Synod decreeth That a publick Fast shall be kept and solemnly observed in all the Churches of this Kingdom on Thursday the nineteenth Day of November next coâ—â—ing which shall be notified unto them by reading of this present Act. Article 8. That the Purity of Doctrine may be intirely preserved and all Misunderstandings between Pastors Professors and Churches may be avoided and to prevent those many Inconveniences which would thereupon happen and to tie and maintain more strictly and strongly the spiritual Bonds of brotherly Charity and Union among the Faithful This Synod doth most rigorously forbid on Pain of all Church-Censures yea and of Deposal from their Ministry all Pastors of Churches and Professors in our Universities to treat of in their Sermons Lectures or Writings those curious Questions which may occasion the Fall or Stumbling either of Students in Divinity or private Christians it being most necessary that both they their Scholars and Flocks should keep themselves to the Simplicity and Plainness of the Holy Scriptures and to the common Expedition of the Orthodox Creed grounded thereupon and approved by the National Synods particularly by that of Charenton held in the Year 1623. They be also forbidden the using of any new Expressions subject to ill Constructions and Misinterpretations or contentiously to dispute one with the other upon such Questions or Interpretations or to draw reciprocally the Saw of Controversy betwixt them in Polemical Writings nor shall they violate directly or indirectly the Canons made either in this or former Synods about printing of Books for whose Contents the Licensers of the Press shall be responsible as much as the Authors unto the Provinces And those Provinces within whose District and Jurisdiction our Universities lie shall take a most especial Care of them and see them visited from time to time by Persons chosen to that Purpose and to oblige all Professors both in Philosophy and Divinity to send every six Months unto the Examiners of Books in the Neighbour-Provinces one or two Copies of the Theses disputed and defended in the publick Schools And the Neighbour-Provinces are impowered with full Authority together with those in which our Universities are erected to take a particular Knowledg of their Estate And in case any Pastor or Professor or any Member of our Churches in reading or perusing the Books printed with Licence of our Examiners shall find any matter of Importance which they shall count worthy of Reprehension we order that they apply themselves to the Authors of the said printed Discourses or to the Examiners and Licensers of them and to demand Satisfaction from them and in case they refuse to give it then they shall address themselves unto their Colloquies and Synods And that Church and Province out of which the said Complaint cometh forth is forbidden as are also all other Persons whatsoever from intermeddling with this Affair or to take upon them to judg and decide it or to inflame this Controversy or to spread it farther but according to the Canons of our Discipline they shall leave and resign it intirely unto those Assemblies to whose Jurisdiction the Authors of these Disturbances do belong and against whom the Opposition is formed Article 9. The Lord Marquess of Clermont our General Deputy and the Sieurs Ferrand Gigord and Cerisy who were particularly delegated to lay at his Majesty's Feet the most humble Supplications and Complaints of our Churches having immediately after their Return from Court delivered his Majesty's Letters and given an Account of that gracious Audience and most kind and favourable Reception they had from his Majesty and our Lords his principal Ministers of State and how well they approved of the Conduct of this present Synod and had promised that as soon as it was concluded and separated an Answer agreeable to our Desires expressed in the Cahier presented to them should be given us and that they would assign for the defraying the Charges and Expences of this Synod the same Sum of Monies as was granted unto the last National Synod which was also confirmed by my Lord Commissioner who had received Letters concerning it and required that this Assembly would dissolve it self speedily The Synod having testified their great Satisfaction in the Wisdom Faithfulness and Affection manifested by these their Deputies in their whole Negotiation and finding that they had Hopes given them by his Majesty that his poor oppressed Subjects of the Reformed Religion should sense and experience the comfortable Effects of his Sacred Royal Promises and that according to his wonted Goodness he would take care that they
Doctrine and Writings of the Sieurs Amyraud and Testard Pastors and Professor of Divinity in the Vniversity of Saumur The Sieurs Testard Pastor of the Church of Blois and Amyraud Pastor and Professor of Theology in the Church and University of Saumur came in Person unto this Synod and declared That they understood from common Fame how that both at home and abroad and by the Consutations and Proceedings of sundry Provinces as also from divers Books written against them and their printed Labours they were blamed for that Doctrine which they had published to the World that therefore at the first opening of the Synod they presented themselves before it not knowing but that their Cause might be debated whenas the Confession of Faith came to be read and that they appeared to give an account of it and such Explanations of their Doctrine as the most Reverend Synod should judg needful and to submit themselves unto its Judgment and consequently to demand its Protection for the support of their Innocence hoping that this Favour would not be denied them because they were fully perswaded in their Consciences that they had never taught either by Word or Writing any Doctrine repugnant to the Word of God to our Confession of Faith Catechism Liturgy or Canons of the National Synods of Alez and Charenton which had ratified those of Dort and which they had signed with their Hands and were ready to seal even with their Heart-Blood Article 13. And the Sieur de la Place Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Saumur reported also from the said University That he was charged by it to render an account of the Grounds and Reasons which induced him to approve and license the Works and Writings of Monsieur Amâ—â—aud which he did according to the Priviledg granted by the Discipline unto our Universities Moreover the Sieur Ouzan Elder in the said Church of Saumur being admitted into the Synod declared that the said Church understanding that Monsieur Amyraud one of its Pastors was brought into trouble for his Doctrine though both by it and and his most exemplary and godly Conversation they had been always exceedingly edified had given him an express Charge to testify unto it before this grave Assembly and most humbly to commend unto their Reverences the Innocency and Honour of his Ministry Article 14. There were also tendred unto the Lord Commissioner the Letters but not opened which were sent unto the Synod from the Churches and Universities of Geneva and Leyden and from the Sieurs du Moulin Pastor and Professor in Theology at Sedan and Rivet Pastor and Professor at Leyden together with the Treatises composed by them and the collationed Copies of the Approbations given by the Doctors in the Faculty of Theology at Leyden Franequer and Groningen unto the Treatise of the said Professor Rivet Which Letters being opened by the Lord Commissioner and their Contents perused by him he allowed the reading of them unto the Assembly The Assembly did likewise read the Letters writ by Monsieur Vignier Pastor in the Church of Blois and by Monsieur le Faucheur Pastor in the Church of Paris in which they offer their Sentiments for reconciling the Controversies arisen about the Writings of the said Testard and Amyraud and their Opponents Article 15. Moreover the Apologetical Letters of the Sieurs Vignier and Garnier Pastors of the Churches of Blois and Marchenoir were read who informed the Synod that by virtue of a Commission given them by the Province of Berry to examine the Theological Writings which might be composed either by the Pastors or others of their Province they had given their Attestation and Approbation to the Book of the said Monsieur Testard and had given an account of this their Judgment unto the Provincial Synod assembled in the Year 1634 and the Extracts of those their Writings were produced Article 16. Those Papers having been all read and the aforesaid Sieurs Testard and Amyraud having been divers times heard and the Assembly having in a very long Debate considered the Difficulties of those Questions raised by them did constitute the Sieurs Commarc Pastor id the Church of Vertueil Charles Pastor in the Church of Montauban de L'angle Pastor in the Church of Roan Petit Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Nismes le Blanc Pastor and Professor in the University of Die de Bons Pastor in the Church of Chaalons upon Saone and Daillé Pastor in the Church of Paris a Committee to digest and reduce into Order the Explications which had been given or might hereafter be given by the before-mentioned Testard and Amyraud and that they should accordingly as soon as it was finished bring in their Report Article 17. And the said Committee having discharged their Trust and made their Report unto the Synod the before-mentioned Mr. Testard and Amyraud were again introduced and did with the deepest Seriousness protest before God that it was never in their Thoughts to propound or teach any Doctrine whatever but what was agreeable to the known and common Expositions of our Creed and contained in our Confession of Faith and in the Decisions of the National Synod held at Charenton in the Year 1623 all which they were ready to sign with their best Blood Article 18. And pursuant hereunto explaining their Opinions about the Universality of Christ's Death they declared That Jesus Christ died for all Men sufficiently but for the Elect only effectually and that consequentially his Intention was to die for all Men in respect of the Sufficienâ—y of his Satisfaction but for the Elect only in respect of its quickning and Saving Virtue and Efficacy which is to say that Christ's Will was that the Sacrifice of his Cross should be of an infinite Price and Value and most abundantly sufficient to expiate the Sins of the whole World yet nevertheless the Efficacy of his Death appertains only unto the Elect so that those who are called by the Preaching of the Gospel to participate by Faith in the Effects and Fruits of his Death being invited seriously and God vouchsafing them all external Means needful for their coming to him and showing them in good earnest and with the greatest Sincerity by his Word what would be well-pleasing to him if they should not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ but perish in their Obstinacy and Unbelief this cometh not from any Defect of Virtue or Sufficiency in the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ nor yet for want of Summons or serious Invitations unto Faith or Repentance but only from their own Fault And as for those who do receive the Doctrine of the Gospel with the Obedience of Faith they are according to the irrevocable Promise of God made Partakers of the effectual Virtue and Fruit of Christ Jesus's Death for this was the most free Counsel and gracious Purpose both of God the Father in giving his Son for the Salvation of Mankind and of the Lord Jesus Christ in suffering the Pains
into the World under Pretence of producing Methods of Reconciliation he hath insinuated divers Novelties which are of no Concern at all to our present Controversies and sided with the Church of Rome And whereas Monsieur Daillé who was expresly ordered to refute him hath used him with a great deal of Equity and singular Moderation for which he is generally approved And forasmuch as in his third Book he endeavours might and main to overthrow the Orthodox Doctrine of Justification by Faith betraying the Cause unto the Champions of Merits and of Justification by Works The Assembly ordaineth that Letters shall be written him to acquaint him with the Unreasonableness and Injustice of his Presumption and the Unprofitableness of his Design and to threaten him that unless he do quit and abandon it and contain himself within the Bounds of his Vocation and make Declaration of it within six Months unto the Consistory of Paris he shall be cut off from all Communion with our Reformed Churches N. B. The Letter sent him by the Synod bore Date the 6th of July 1637. but La Millitiere did afterward revolt unto Popery and died a Papist 10. After the Lord Commissioner had opened the Letters of Mr. Diodati Pastor and Professor in Theology at Geneva the Assembly considering the Contents thereof and having examined the French Translation of the Books of Ecclesiastes and of the Song of Songs which had been notified to them by him ordered that Letters should be written unto the said Mr. Diodati and to represent unto him the Reasons why we cannot depart from the Canon of the Synod held at Alez 11. The Professor Amyraud petitioned the Assembly that they would be pleased to ordain that the Author of two Books intituled Antidote and Les Ombres d' Arminius in which his Doctrine and Reputation were most odiously traduced and the Memory of Monsieur Cameron deceased is wickedly defamed might be cited before them to answer for his Fact And Monsieur de la Place in the Name of the University of Saumur joined with him in the same Petition But forasmuch as the Author of the said Book is unknown and absent these two aforesaid Professors were advised to carry the Proofs they have of this Action unto the Synod of Poictou which having condemned the Impression of the Antidote would do them Justice upon their Complaint 12. Monsieur de Vinay having remonstrated that the Province of Vivaretz had not satisfied nor made Payment of those Monies advanced by the Church of Annonay for the defraying of his Expences during his Deputation unto the National Synod of Castres and demanding a Rule and Order for those Charges the said Church should be now necessitated to be at on the same score Monsieur D'Hosty joined with him in the said Request on behalf of the Church of St. Fortunate This Assembly confirming the Decree of the Synod of Tonneins in the 7th Article of Observations upon the Discipline ordaineth That the said Province of Vivaretz should conform it self thereunto both for the present and what is past 13. Whereas Monsieur Fabas hath been afflicted with Sickness all the time of his sojourning in this City the Assembly doth freely give him the Sum of an hundred Livers to be taken out of the Debet of the Lord du Candall 14. The Lord du Candall having offered to advance for defraying the Expences of the Sieurs de l' Angle and Gigord deputed unto the Court the Sum of three hundred Livers he is intreated to allow them at the rate of an hundred Sous by the Day during the time of their Abode which is limited unto one Month or more 15. There shall be allowed in the Lord of Candall's Accompt the Sum of four hundred and fifty Livers advanced by him unto the Sieurs Ferrand Gigord and Cerizy who were first deputed by this Assembly unto his Majesty for the defraying of their Expences in their Journey and Attendance at Court 16. In case his Majesty should hereafter grant any Sum of Monies for the maintenance of our Ministers the Provinces of Lower Guyenne and Bearn shall agree together in the choice of one Scholar who may be hereafter fit to serve in the Ministry in the Land of La Bour and shall allow him yearly the Sum of one hundred Livers and shall pay in unto Monsieur Guillemin the Sum of an hundred and fifty Livers according to the Decree made by the last National Synod of Charenton 17. Forasmuch as the Professors present in this Assembly have protested that they would inviolably observe the Canon framed in it beginning with these Words For the preserving of c. The Deputies of Higher Languedoc and Anjou are charged to demand and receive the like Protestations from the other Professors resident in the Universities of Montauban and Saumur CHAP. XVII Of VNIVERSITIES The Order taken for upholding and Maintenance of our Universities Article 1. WHereas the Universities of Montauban and Saumur have complained that by reason one of the Provinces hath retrenched part of its Contribution they have been deprived of that Assistance which was destined unto their Maintenance and requested that some Course might be took herein by an Order of this Synod looking forward and backward to what is past and to come The said Province was heard speak in its own Defence which urged for it self that it had been over-rated by the last National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1631. This Assembly did greatly condemn the aforesaid Province for attempting to violate the Canons of that Synod and for giving an evil Example unto others of committing the like Crime and forbiddeth that and all other Provinces of being guilty for the future of such Offences on Pain of forfeiting their Priviledg of entring into these National Synods and ordaineth that they make good and full Payment of all Arrears due by them unto those before-mentioned Universities Article 2. The Provinces which are indebted unto our Universities are exhorted to use their best Endeavours to pay in unto them their Arrearages according to the Rate before made Article 3. The University of Nismes demanding her just Dues and that the Sum granted her by the last National Synod of Charenton might be actually paid in unto her this very Day and requesting that the Sum of sixteen hundred and thirty nine Livers three Sous paid to her Prejudice by the Synod of Lower Guyenne unto that of Montauban which applied unto its own particular Profit what belonged unto another This Assembly generally condemning all such Proceedings ordaineth that the Sum of sixteen hundred thirty nine Livers three Sous shall be reprised by the said University of Nismes out of what is owing by the Province of Normandy and others who should have brought in their Contributions for the Subsistence of the University of Montauban and the University of Nismes shall receive its full Maintenance according to the Number of Professors who have been in actual Service there since the last National Synod of
Charenton until now Article 4. Although it be as clear as the Sun at Noon-day that the Instruction of Youth and the upholding of Schools in those Places where they have been erected be absolutely necessary for the Churches Subsistence the maintaining of Godliness and the propagating of the Doctrine of eternal Life in it and that all the Faithful are obliged by that great Concern they should have for God's Glory the Love of his Truth and their common Edification to use their best and utmost Skill and Endeavours to find out the most proper and convenient means for the promoting and furthering a Design so evidently just and profitable yet nevertheless forasmuch as divers Persons have been discouraged either through the Difficulties of the Times or from their inordinate Affections to the World preferring their own private Interest to the publick and thereby have cooled in their Zeal and neglected the Execution of the Canons before enacted for this Purpose Now that this very great and prejudicial Defect may be remedied and that the Ministry of the Gospel may be perpetuated in the Church of God and that this most important Trust of Divine Verity may be religiously conserved among us The National Synod assembled by his Majesty's Permission in the Town of Alanson doth exhort all the Churches all Lords Gentlemen and all Persons in particular to prefer the Service of God the Glory of his Holy Name and the re-established Order of his House before all other humane Considerations whatsoever and every one of them according to their Abilities to consecrate unto his Divine Majesty their Free-Will-Offerings and to levy among themselves those Charges necessary for the Subsistence of our Universities and Colledges and to use and exercise therein their Christian Charity and Piety in supporting those which are more feeble And all Provincial Synods Colloquies and Consistories be in joined to take among themselves the most proper Expedients for gathering in those Sums assessed upon them respectively and actually in their own Persons to sollicit the Payment of them and to put to their helping Hand that all Professors and Regents who serve in the said Universities and Colledges may annually receive their appointed Sallaries and so discharge the Duties of their Place and Calling with Chearfulness and this shall be notified unto all the Churches by reading of this present Act. Article 5. In the Accompt of the University of Saumur there was the Sum of one hundred Livers owing by the Province of Xaintonge who shall make actual Payment thereof unless they can produce an Acquittance Article 6. The Province of Berry having brought in three Accompts of their Colledg rendred by them unto their Provincial Synods assembled the 22d of April 1632 at Chastillon upon Loir the 30th of April 1634 at Mer and the 26th of May 1636 at Chastillon aforesaid and by the close of the Accompt it appearing that the Sum of four hundred and forty Livers is owing unto the said Colledg This Assembly injoineth that Province to put carefully in Execution the Canons made in the last National Synod for the Maintenance of our Universities and Colledges as well for the time past as for what is to come CHAP. XVIII An Account of Arrearages due unto the University which shall be paid by the Provinces within the space of one year Article 7. THe Province of Higher Languedoc stands indebted to the University of Montauban over and above what it owes for this present year the Sum of Seven Hundred Ninety and Eight Livres Ten Sous Eight Deniers and that of Normandy besides the Deduction of Sixteen Hundred Thirty and Nine Livres and Three Sous re-demanded by the University of Nismes as well for this year now current as for the years past stands indebted One Thousand Four Hundred Twenty and Seven Livres Nineteen Sous All Errors in the Accompt excepted Article 8.  l. s. d. There is due from the Province of Normandy to the University of Saumur 1149 05 03 From the Province of Xaintonge 265 02 10 From the Province of Poictou 1624 11 00 From that of Berry 335 14 00 From that of Anjou 531 15 00 From that of Brittain 041 05 00 Article 9.  l. s. d. There is due from the Province of Sevennes unto the University of Die for the years past besides what is due for this now Current the Sum of 0887 10 00 And from that of Burgundy taking in the year now Current 0262 10 00 Article 10.  l. s. d. There is due from the Province of Lower Languedoc both for the year now Current and those past unto the University of Nismes the Sum of 4950 But whereas they have paid to Monsieur Petit the Sum of 300 l. and to some other Persons whenas the said Petit and those Persons shall bring in their Accompts the said 300 l. shall be deducted and allowed them in Accompt  l. s. d. The Province of Sevennes oweth 0300 00 00 The Province of Lower Guyenne deducting the Sum of 1639 l. 3 s. paid by them unto the University of Montauban the Sum of 3610 17 00 Article 11. Now this is the true Accompt of the Payments that are to be made unto the said University of Nismes out of the Sum of 1800 l. Decreed unto that University by the Six and Twentieth National Synod held at Charenton in the year 1631 for six years ending the first day of this next October  l. s. d. Monsieur Petit Professor of Divinity shall receive for six years expiring at the said Term viz. the last of September 4200 00 000 Monsieur Cadur for having exercised the Profession of Theology to the first of April 1634. 1750 00 00 The Heirs of Monsieur Peyrol who exercised the Profession of the Hebrew Tongue till he Deceased April 1st 1634. 1000 00 00 The whole is 6950 Livres three Sous whereof Sixteen Hundred Thirty and nine Livres three Sous shall be reprised out of the Sum of Two Thousand One Hundred and Seventy Seven Livres and Two Sous owing by the Province of Normandy to the University of Montauban the said University having employ'd the like Sum unto its own usage which the Province of Lower Guyenne ought to have payed in to the University of Nismes And the remaining Sum of Three Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Livres shall be laid up in Bank for the benefit of the University of Die and to help to maintain it but with this express Condition that they do their endeavour to disengage the Stock of Three Thousand Livres which had been granted them by the National Synod of Alez And therefore the said University of Die shall receive from the Provinces of Lower Guyenne and Sevennes the said Sum of 3850 l. proportionably to their Debts for the Subsistence of the University of Nismes to wit from the Lower Guyenne 3610 l. 10 s. and from that of Sevennes Two Hundred Thirty and Nine Livres three Sous And what is more owing by the Lower Languedoc and
enjoyment of their respective Functions and that your Majesty would be pleased to Abrogate and Revoke all Decrees and Judgments given to the contrary 18. In the year 1617. by the Edict of Restauration made in Favour of the Reformed Churches of Bearn Confirmed by Your Warrant for the Peace of Monpellier Your Majesty was pleased to maintain those Churches aforesaid of Bearn in the Liberty and full Enjoyment both of their Doctrine and Discipline without Changing or Innovating of any Article or Canon in either of them yet nevertheless Your Court of Parliament of Navarre in prejudice of their Liberty of Ordaining and Deposing of Continuing or Removing their Pastors from those Churches unto others where they be sent by their Synods doth forbid them to Proclame or Celebrate any Fasts without its permission or to make Appeals in matters purely Ecclesiastical elsewhere than unto the said Parliament or to Toll any Bell at any time for the Convocation of our Church Assemblies in that Province as is evident from the Decrees of the said Parliament Wherefore Your Majesty is most Humbly Requested to continue unto those Churches their Liberty granted them in those matters and to forbid the said Parliament of Navarre from intermeddling with such things for the suture and that You would be pleased to Abrogate and Disannul all those Decrees which have been made on this occasion 19. Your Majesty was pleased by all Your former Declarations made in favour of Your said Subjects to promise the continuance of that Bounty granted them by the late King Henry the Great of Glorious and Immortal Memory and divers times since Confirmed by Your Majesty for the Maintenance of our Ministers and Universities which was in Compensation of the Tythes paid by Your Subjects aforesaid unto the Popish Parish Curates Yet nevertheless for divers years last part they have been totally deprived of this Liberality And whereas several Assignments were made them for the former years there is yet remaining due unto them a very considerable Sum And although this Favour hath been again and again Promised and was Granted to them in the year 1629. whenas the Towns of the Lower Languedoc submitted themselves to Your Majesty's Authority and the said Promise was since confirmed by Your Majesty's Answer at Montauban to our Bill of Grievances we then tendered You yet nevertheless those very Assignations given them for the year 1627. have been revoked nor have there been any given them for the following years therefore Your Majesty is most Humbly intreated in pursuance of Your Royal Promises to continue unto Your Subjects aforesaid the enjoyments of those former Favours and Liberalities and to ordain and cause them to be paid all Arrears due for the years past and to continue them for the future The End of the Bill of Grievances CHAP. XXVIII The Copy of a Letter from the Pastors and Professors of Geneva sent unto the National Synod of Alanson touching the Doctrine and Books of the Sieurs Amyraud and Testard Messieurs and our most Honoured Brethren THe Return of another Holy Synod to be held by you giveth us a new ground of adoring the infinite Mercy of our God who having for divers Ages chosen your Nation above many others wherein to erect his Kingdom with the Glorious Ensigns of sundry and long continued Combats and Sufferings and with the peculiar Priviledges of Purity Union and a Holy Discipline doth now also in these woful turbulent times through that Clemency and Equity which he hath inspired into your Sovereign Lord the King vouchsafe unto you that excellent means for your Subsistence and the Conservation of his unvaluable Gift the Blessed Gospel among you even your Synodical Meetings whereby your way and course may be kept even without stumbling and your Possession of the Divine Faith safe and lasting And verily all Ages have judged this Ordinance the only Powerful Profitable and most Effectual means for the preservation of the Church and the Reducing of it back again when fallen from unto its first pure and holy Principles But yet the best Canons that were ever framed and established have not been so constantly practised nor observed as among you tho' it is our daily Prayer and we hope in God that through his Divine Grace those of your Discipline shall be continually observed for many Ages That part we have in your Communion and which we have by reason of your singular Affection to us causeth us to recognize so great a mercy with thankfulness and the rather because the dangers of the times had left us quite hopeless of it And tho' considering your Eminent Abilities Prudence Zeal Godliness and Knowledge we can contribute very little if any thing besides our Consent Prayers and Vows unto God for you yet in as much as you ever accepted kindly of our Lines we shall presume once more with our wonted freedom to unbosom our selves to you and to give you the thoughts of our Hearts upon the present State of your Churches according to that general knowledge we have of it and so leave on Record as we are perswaded the mutual Harmony of our Sentiments and inward motions with yours This offers it self first unto us that when we contemplate your condition and compare it with that of very many other Churches which for a long time together have been lying and groaning under deep and extream Oppressions both Corporal and Spiritual we cannot but bow the knee of our Souls before the Throne of the Heavenly Majesty who changeth Times and ruleth Hearts and turneth them as the Rivers of Waters which way soever he pleaseth who bringeth into Temptation supporteth under it and granteth a joyful issue and deliverance from it and who hath shortned the days of your Trial having seen as 't is reasonable for us to believe the promptitude of his Gracious Remnant among you for Repentance and Conversion and their improvement of the day of their Visitation and hath therefore put a period to your Desolations and not suffered the Fiery Trials of some of your Members to be without seasonable refreshments nor those terrors which had generally possessed you to be without the dawnings of some renewed Hopes and Comfort And we cannot but unite our Affections and Zeal with yours whereby to invite you and our selves to Consecrate this inestimable Mercy of your Peace vouchsafed you of God to the Glory of his Great Name the Celebration of his Wonders and to the renewal and reinforcement of our Obedience and Service to him that as you have been the first in these last General Calamities of the Churches in deliverance so you may also have this advantage above them all to walk before them in a most illustrious example of a Serious and Holy usage of it employing your selves Religiously in all thankfullness unto God who is the Sole and Sovereign Author of it and demeaning your selves according to your bounden Duty in all Obedience and Subjection to the Instruments thereof and in an inoffensive peaceable
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
Amyraud and Testard Messieurs and most Honoured Fathers and Brethren UNderstanding from good Hands That my Pains and Labour in the Defence of the Truth is very much blamed by persons of a contrary Perswasion I believed that as that Treatise Composed by me through the occasion of these new Controversies was submitted unto your Judgment so it was my Duty to undertake my own Justification and to wipe off those Reproaches wherewith I had been aspersed They say that I might have done well not to have medled with this Quarrel and that I am a Fellow who love to be embroyl'd and to fish in troubled Waters and who do presumptuously take upon me to prescribe my own private Notions as infallible Oracles You know Sirs that Messieurs Amyraud and Testard have kindled this fire which hath caused all this noise and hubbub and that 't is they who have fill'd all our Churches with those Books which in a very ill hour do remove the antient bounds by their new fangled Doctrines about the most important points of our Religion and that Monsieur Amyraud hath sent forth his Book of Predestination without ever submitting it to be examined by his Province or so much as waiting for its Approbation by them and that since that time contrary to the Advice of two Provinces and contrary to the Promise made by him unto Messieurs Vincent and du Soul he hath caused some certain Sermons of his containing the very self-same Doctrine to be Printed It was a long time before I stirred hoping that this Commotion would have calmed of it self and have found none to approve it But being well informed That this Distemper grew worse and worse and that this Sparkle might cause a great Conflagration I feared lest my Silence on such an urgent occasion might be interpreted for want of Zeal unto the Truth and be taken for an Approbation of their Errors I have none nor will I have any Quarrels with the Persons of those Gentlemen but only with their Doctrines It cannot be but ill resented that they should be permitted to Publish unto the World from the Press a new Doctrine and that it should be a Crime in me to Refute it in Manuscript I went about this Work with a great deal of Grief having nothing that lay heavier upon my heart or was more contrary to my Temper than to contend with my Brethren in the Work of the Lord especially now that my Age calls for Repose and that I am daily waiting for my Dissolution But I saw the Evil to be so great and its consequences so dangerous that I counted my self bound in Conscience to defend the Cause of God and to endeavour to discover the very bottom of the Imposture and the hidden Nature of it I very well know that your Assembly is made up of Persons of clearer and more piercing Judgments than my self nor would I be so presumptuous as to take upon me to be your Teacher but in what I have done I have satisfaction from my own Conscience nor durst I be wanting in my Duty unto God and the defence of his Cause But these Gentlemen who complain of me were not contented to keep within these Limits For besides the Printed Books wherein they have spread abroad their Doctrine they have now very lately Published a Treatise against me under the Name of Monsieur Vignier a Copy of which was sent unto the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France And I do not question but that they have disperst them elsewhere far and near I am also advised That Messieurs Amyraud and Testard do complain very much of a little Script of mine dictated not in the Publick School but in my private Chamber unto some few Scholars wherein I have changed their Names one of them into Greek and the other into Latin which I did out of fear lest if it should fall into the hands of any of the Romish Church they might understand my Discourse and learn out the Persons with whom I disputed of which little Treatise I never Communicated a Copy unto any one And understanding that these Gentlemen take this exchange of their Names in ill part I have Composed another more ample and exact than the former unto which I have set their Names that so I might give them content You be too Prudent not to observe that these Gentlemen do play at Tarriers with you and whilst they amuse you with Triftes their design is to take you off from diving into the bottom of their Doctrines and to divert you with idle Stories of my Practice and Custom instead of maintaining their own Cause 'T is but a small matter to change a French Name into Latin if compared with what they have done in changing the very Nature of God of the Law and of the Gospel I am informed that they make great out-cries for that in certain Letters written by me to Monsieur de la Millitierre I told him they endeavoured to make a new Religion a Hotch-potch of Popery and Cameronianism But let me not be misapprehended 't was never in my thoughts to charge the Doctrine of Monsieur Cameron who is now at rest with Heresy or that he intended to Model out a new Religion I only spake the Sence and Intention of de la Milletierre and the mark at which he aimed For he endeavours from the Doctrine of Monsieur Cameron to frame a new Religion and never speaks of him but as of an Oracle as of a most incomparable Person When we say that the Lutherans are equally bent both against Popery and Calvinism we do not thereby understand that Calvin was the Author of a new Religion I Honour the Memory of Monsieur Cameron and when there was need I defended it But yet I am truly of that mind That he had done very well if he had never over-turned the Order of God's Decrees as they were Explained and Asserted by the Synod of Dort and Approved by all the Reformed Churches of Europe and particularly by three National Synods at home which he had never done if he had soberly and seriously considered the consequences of his own Tanents For this new Method of his is that very Foundation upon which the Arminians have built all their Doctrines Nor can any one deny it but that one third part at least of all Cameron's Works is spent in the Confutation of Calvin Beza and the rest of our most Famous Doctors Yet notwithstanding these his Blemishes we are not to despise those Gifts and Graces God had so plentifully bestowed upon him and when I read his Works I cannot find that Doctrine which is now vented by those who boast themselves to be his Disciples and Followers and cover themselves with the Shield of his Authority I cannot find where he saith That the distinct knowledge of Jesus Christ is not necessary to Salvation nor that he saith That Jesus Chrict died equally and alike for all Men nor doth he Teach That the Reprobates may
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
about an Hundred Years agoe before any Edict was granted in favour of our Religion and was presented by them unto Francis the Second who then Reigned to give his Majesty a reason of their Hope and account of those Corruptions which they firmly believed to be in that Faith professed and Retained by the Church of Rome and that therefore it needed Reformation Insomuch as none of out French Protestants did at first nor can they now without being guilty of gross Prevarication change that form of Expression which hath from its very beginning been inserted into our Confession whereby to declare sincerely and in truth their common Belief authorised in the Year 1561 by the Edict of January and since by that of Nantes granted us by Henry the Great and Confirmed by the Late King and his Majesty now reigning Thirdly The whole Roman Catholick Creed was never nor can ever be truly qualified an Abuse and Deceit of Satan seeing that both the Church of Rome and the Protestants have no difference about the Doctrin of the Trinity and of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus which are the principal points of Christianity yet together with these Fundamental Verities and own'd by all Christians in France Germany and elsewhere there have been divers other Articles of Faith brought into the Romish Creed to which we cannot yield any Assent or Consent such are those of the Intercession of Saints of Purgatory of the Pope and sundry others which though they have been in Vogue in that Church for many Ages have notwithstanding been constantly opposed and contradicted by all Protestants both in France and other Countries So that should we abandon the Profession of our Faith permitted us by the Edict and that Confession we have made and declared of it with all Imaginable Sincerity and Truth in the Presence of God who searcheth our Hearts and cannot endure Hypocrisie nor an Evil Conscience we should render our Selves Guilty of a most inexcusable Imposture we should dissemble and Counterfeit in Religion and utterly ruin all our Hopes of Heaven and Everlasting Life by means of a Sacrilegious Profession not in the least believed by us Wherefore it is the hope of our pour Churches that his Majesty imitating the Examples of his Predecessors who granted to their Faithful Subjects the Liberty of their Consciences will the rather favour us with his Royal Support and Protection for that open Profession we do make of our Faith than if we had dissembled it or kept it secretly and close in our own Bosoms or uttered it in Ambiguous and Equivocating Expressions which would have turn'd our Religion into a Cheat and through a Fallacious Compliance full of Fraud and Imposture would have perfidiously Betray'd the Holy Faith of our Fellow protestants and be the Bane of our own Consciences Fourthly As to the Printer of Geneva he does not depend on the National Synods of this Kingdom nor hath he any Orders from us nor received any Command from his Superiors to use those Terms which he did and we wish he had forborn them though yet he Speaks and Prints nothing but what is the common Sense and Opinion of all Protestants in Europe who have all unanimously from the very first with One Consent impugned that Council of Trent as to the form of its Convocation the Proceedings Decrees and Anathema's thereof which also sundry Roman Catholick Princes have done who by their Ambassadors made and entred their Solemn Protests against it and its Decrees So did the Emperor Charles the Fifth from whom our King is Descended by his Mother's Side by the Lord of Mendoza So did Henry the Second by the then Lord Abbot of Bellozonne who was afterward Bishop of Auxerre And so did Charles the Ninth by Monsieur Ferrier who describing this Famous Assembly resembled it to a Scorpion pricking the French Church and used an Expression every way at Emphatical as that of the Geneva Printer whose Liberty is yet so displeasing unto their Majesty Fifthly Nor have our Churches been ever so unmindful of their Duty and Subjection as audaciously to assume unto themselves a power of being Judges in their own Cause and doing themselves right But the naked truth of the matter is this that being favoured with his Majesties Declaration which ratified the Edict of Nantes and those secret Articles and Concessions included in it which had been granted by our former Kings several particular Churches being restored unto their Ancient Right fully and compleatly they believed that it was no Crime on their part to make use of them according to the Intention of his Majesty Sixthly And it was upon this Innocent Supposition and which had not in it any the least tendency unto Disobedience against the Publick Government that the Exercise of our Religion accustomarily performed at Ribaute for Seventy Years together without any Interruption being violently hindred by the Lady of that Place and Monsieur Arnaud Pastor of Anduze who was invited by the People offering himself to Minister to them for their Edification according to the ancient Practice was driven away by meer Force by a Company of Soldiers commanded thither by the said Lady and he thereupon was imprisoned by Order from the Lord Lieutenant of Languedoc and notwithstanding his Appeal unto the Court of the Edict yet he was actually Condemned for which Grievance he is now prostrate at his Majesties Feet humbly imploring his Majesties Clemency and Justice according to the Edict Seventhly The Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc for the acquitting and discharge of their Churches which hath sent them do maintain that those Three Cities of Nismes Vsez and Montpellier having deputed the Sieurs Peyrol Vestrie and Fournier to tender in their Names with all possible speed their First and Bounden Duties unto his Majesty and their most Humble and Unfeigned Thanks for the grant of his Declaration They did also Petition for his Majesties Protection and Justice and with the lowliest Submission and Respect they demanded also a Reparation of the Infractions of the Edict according to the constant practice of our Churches so that they cannot be perswaded that those said Cities are fallen from the Duty which becomes good Subjects and whereunto they are obliged by their Consciences Nor are they at all to be blamed for Addressing themselves unto his Majesty against the Prohibition of the Lord Intendant though he used his Majesties Name directly contrary to his Majesties Intention notified to us and to the World by his publick Declaration Eighthly Nor is the City of Vsez guilty of violating the Edict no not in that particular Capitulation with his Majesty nor doth it need a new Grant for an ancient Usage which was never taken from them by any Previous Inhibition That Bell of which there is so much Noise and so loud Complaints made unto his Majesty was ever placed in the Steeple of the Temple from its first Foundation and continued there till a little before the Capitulation when the
should be united as it hath been for divers Years last past with it this Assembly doth approve both of their Reunion with the said Province of Vivaretz and of its being incorporated with that of Bonlieu 2. In Confirmation of the promises made by the National Synods of Charenton held in the Year 1631 the Second time at that Place and of Alenson in the Year 1637 unto Monsieur Chamier this Assembly resolveth stedfastly as soon as God shall have inabled the Churches that they shall be punctually performed 3. A Decree past that the Sieurs Constant and Bellot should be effectually paid what had been promised them by the foregoing Synods as soon as ever the Churches may recover a Fund for it and it shall be returned unto the Province of Xaintonge who had advanced before-hands the said Monies 4. For as much as the whole written Will and Testament of Monsieur Scoffier the Father produced in this Assembly hath not been in the least fulfilled although the National Synod of Alanson had strictly injoyned his Executors to perform it the Consistory of the Church of Nismes is ordered once again to call before them the Widow of Mr. John Scoffier Deceased who had applied to his own private uses the Monies belonging to Jaquemine his Sister tho she was by their own Father made Joint-heir with him that so she may make Restitution of what she had unjustly taken to her self and that by a false Information brought in by her unto the National Synod of Castres And in case she refuse to Discharge her Conscience in this particular then shall the said Consistory prosecute her with all the Censures of the Church according to the Discipline 5. Monsieur du Fresne producing Testimonials from the Province of Higher Languedoc of his Godly Life and most exemplary Conversation ever since the last National Synod and out of respect to his most Humble and Importunate Petition this Assembly granteth him his Desire and restoreth him to the Honour and Exercise of his Ministry of which he had been deprived these Fourteen Years And it was farther Decreed that the Act of the National Synod of Alanson relating to him shall be Rased and whereas his Name was enrolled among the Deposed it shall be now taken off the File and he shall be sent unto the Churches of Issoire Paillac Chazelle and Gazelle to serve them as their Ordinary Pastor All which shall be signified unto him by Letters 6. Complaints being brought in against Monsieur Amyraud Pastor and Professor in Theology at Saumur for Violating the Canons of the National Synod of Alanson by Printing his Book of Reprobation and some other of his Works and the Province of Anjou and the said Monsieur Amyraud who was deputed by the said Church and University of Saumur and charged with the Delivery of their Letters having remonstrated unto this Synod many and sundry Transgressions of those very Canons by several Provinces And the Provincial Deputies of Poictou being heard and also the said Amyraud both as to the Publishing of his Books and the Doctrin contained in them this Assembly being very well satisfied with his Explications and Sense given of his Doctrin agreeable to that of the Synod of Alanson and judging it best to bury in the Grave of Oblivion all those reciprocal Complaints brought in from all Parties hath as formerly dismissed the said Sieur Amyraud with honour to the Exercise of his Professorship wherein he is exhorted to employ himself with Courage and Chearfulness Moreover this Synod desirous for the future to settle a good arid lasting Peace in all the Churches and to satisfy the Requests of all the Provinces which have unanimously demanded the strict and punctual Confirmation and Observation of the Canons of the National Synod of Alanson doth most expressly forbid on pain of all Church Censures yea and of being deposed from their Offices all Pastors and Professors to go beyond those bounds in Writing Preaching or Disputing one against another upon those points declared and explained in the said Synod of Alanson or to publish any Books on those Subjects Moreover the said Professors shall be responsible for all their Lectures Theses and Disputations and their Provincial Synods shall be accomptable for them onto the National And all Students in Divinity are most expresly injoyned upon pain of being declared unworthy of ever serving in the Sacred Ministry to raise any Stirs or Debates about unnecessary Questions as concerning the Order of God's Decrees of Universal Grace by the Preaching of Nature which may lead and bring Men unto Salvation Points only propounded and advanced by pure Curiosity and for the Exercise of Mens Wits And all Examiners of our Proposans in order to the Ministry shall proceed in that business with very much Charity exacting from them nothing but what is demanded by the Canons of our Discipline and provided they give that Satisfaction which is requisite by signing the Confession of Faith the Liturgy of our Churches and the Canons of Alez Charenton and Alenson and this present Act they shall be approved and admitted 7. After Reading of this Canon which Monsieur Amyraud promised to observe and obey he petitioned the Synod that in case his Works might be opposed by Books printed in Foreign Parts without the Kingdom to the blasting of his Reputation License might be given him to defend his own Innocency and to make use of his Natural right in repelling injury and purging himself from all Blame and Reproach An Order passed that if any such thing fell out he should demand leave to vindicate himself from the Provincial Synod of Anjou who shall consider whether it will be expedient for his Consolation and the Churches Edification 8. Monsieur Grace producing his Accompts of Monies received and distributed to the Churches of Rochel Montauban and Castres shall carry them to the next Provincial Synod of Burgundy where upon his Bringing forth of the Acquittances this Accompt shall be concluded and past by the Authority of this Assembly CHAP. XI APPEALS 1. THE Churches of Divonne and Grilby in the Land of Gex appealing from a Judgment in pecuniary matters their Appeal is according to the Discipline sent unto the Province of Burgundy And the Deputies of that Province are Ordered to take into their Custody all Papers of both Sides relating to it 2. That right may be done the Church de la Fite upon their Appeal this Assembly judgeth that the Province of Lower Guyenne hath exceeded the stated Rules First In removing Monsieur de Bourdieu from the Church in that Town unto which he was by a particular Covenant obliged and without hearing the Church as is evident from the Acts of the said Provincial Synod 2. For fixing the said Monsieur de Bourdieu absolutely in the Church of Bergerac notwithstanding the Appeal of that of La Fite 3. That when the said Church of La Fite re-demanded their ancient Pastor they provided for them Monsieur Belon a Person never
injurious he was unto the Protestants in oppugning as erroneous their common Confession that so to their prejudice he might advantage the Romish Church which doth notoriously confound Two of the greatest Blessings of God and inseparable one from the other though yet always distinct in themselves to wit The Sinners Absolution before the Tribunal of God upon the account of the Merits of Christ Jesus his Obedience imputed to him and Regeneration wrought in the Heart of Man by the Sanctifying Operation of the Holy Ghost And Lastly how much an Enemy he was unto himself in Forsaking his Ministry and the Cure of Souls to become an Advocate of such a Vile and Ungodly Cause as is this of the Papacy which is altogether unreasonable in him for that he undertakes things impossible But he still protesting that he never intended to and never would depart from the Orthodox Creed professed in our Churches and offered to purge and acquit himself from all Suspicions that might be had of him by his Voluntary Subscribing the principal Articles of the Doctrin of Truth from which he was supposed to have swerved and declined They were thereupon offered to him which when he had as freely and in general Signed and Subscribed as he had offered to do it yet it being done with hesitation for some time and this also attended with ambiguous Expressions the Assembly was constrained to doubt of his Sincerity and it was the rather feared for that after the Subscription required he resolutely refused to follow his Vocation and the Counsel of his Brethren discovering an unworthy Disdain and Scorn of that Holy and Honourable Employment in the Ministry of the Gospel whereunto in his Younger Days he was called by God All which considered the Synod interdicted him all the Offices of the Sacred Ministry and of the Profession of Theology and injoyned both the Province and that particular Church where he constantly Resideth to Watch over his Deportments and to give an accompt of him and his Conversation unto the next National Synod which may according to what Testimonials they shall receive of him and his future Carriage proceed unto his Restauration 18. The Sieur Roux coming with Letters and Memoirs written by Twelve Persons or thereabout in the Name of the Consistory of Aymargues to sustain their Appeal which he and others who had Deputed him had made from the Judgment past against them in the Synod of Lower Languedoc and on the other side an Appeal of Monsieur Sigillory Pastor of the Church of Aymargues being read and the Deputies of that Province heard giving an Account of the Reasons of their Judgment this Assembly Declared that those Appeals ought not to have been brought unto it nor should the Provincial Synod have suffered it and doth therefore dismiss the Cognizance of their Affair to the Provincial Synod of Sevennes And whereas divers matters have been alledged but not proved against Monsieur Sigillory concerning violent Actions pretended to have been done by him bitter and injurious Words uttered in his ordinary Talk and Discourses Sermons fraught with Invectives Perverse and Unworthy Wrestings of the Word of God the Consistory of Sauva is Commissionated to send Deputies unto his Church and to inquire and inform themselves of these things upon the Places where they have been said to be uttered and acted and to make report of the whole unto the said Synod which shall have full power to dispose of the Ministry of the said Sigillory according as will most contribute to the Edification of God's Church 19. The Church of Duras having demanded of the Province of Lower Guyenne that Monsieur Thoroud might be bestowed upon them for their Pastor and being denied their Request they brought in an Appeal from them unto this Assembly but sent no Memoirs at all for the upholding of it The Church of Leyras also opposed their Petition and requested of that Provincial and of this National Synod that it might not be deprived of the Ministry of their Pastor the said Monsieur Thoroud Upon the whole the Judgment of the Provincial Synod was Confirmed and the Sieur Thorold fixed in the Pastoral Office of the Church of Leyras and the Appeal of the Church of Duras declared null and void 20. Whereas the Lord de la Baume complained by Word of Mouth and produced Letters and Memoirs from Four Elders and a great many Heads of Families living at Saint Foy and who were Appellants with him opposing the Settlement of Monsieur Privat in the Pastoral Office of their Church and petitioning that Monsieur Alba who was set at Liberty by the last Synod of Lower Guyenne to officiate in his Majesties Army in Germany under the Conduct of his Excellency the Lord Mareschal de Turenne as his Chaplain might be given to them as their Pastor And the Sieur Guyon Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux being heard speak on behalf of his Province and the Sieurs Privat and Alba for what particularly concerned themselves And the Assembly being well assured of the Consent of Mademoiselle de Bouillon who remitted in her Brothers Name the Lord Mareschal of Turenne whatever right he could lay claim unto in the Ministry of the said Alba and condescending to the desire of the Plaintiffs and to put a final end to all their Complaints did Ordain that those Ministers aforesaid the Sieurs Privat and Alba should serve joyntly the said Church of St. Foy and that the said Church may be fully settled and its divided Members mutually and perfectly reconciled among themselves in a cordial Peace and Union the Sieurs Garrissoles and Darashus are Commissionated and Expresly ordered as they return unto their own Province to ride over unto St. Foy and to use all possible means for the Peace and Repose of the said Church and in case they be not able to remove all the Obstructions and to surmount all the Difficulties which may occur the Synod of higher Languedoc is nominated and appointed to hear all Parties and to put a final Period to their Contentions by his last Judicial Sentence from which there shall be no Appealing 21. The Sieur Pejus Appealed from divers Judgments past upon him by Synod of Berry in pursuance of an Act made on his Account in the last National Synod of Alanson This Assembly declareth his Appeal not admittable and ordaineth that the next Synod of Berry shall exert their Authority and see that all his Arrerages due from the Church of Argenton be paid him Honestly and without delay at the rate of Three Hundred and Twenty Livers a Year and that for the future they do constantly furnish him with Three Hundred and Fifty Livers Yearly And in case of any default herein that then the said Pejus shall be set at Liberty to provide for himself in any other Church either within or without the Province 22. The Lady Dutchess of Trimouille having desired Audience of this Assembly which was granted her she proposed that it was very
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
their Establishment and Edification whereby they are under the Pastoral Care and in case of Scandalous or Offensive Walking may be authoritatively admonished or censured for their Recovery and for vindication of the Truth and the Church professing it 9. That a Visible Professor thus joyned to a particular Church ought to continue stedfastly with the said Church and not forsake the Ministry and Ordinances there dispensed without an orderly seeking a Recommendation unto another Church which ought to be given when the case of the Person apparently requires it 2. Of the Ministry 1. We agree that the Ministerial Office is instituted by Jesus Christ for the gathering guiding edifying and governing of his Church and to continue to the end of the World 2. They who are called to this Office ought to be endued with competent Learning and ministerial Gifts as also with the Grace of God found in Judgment not Novices in the Faith and Knowledg of the Gospel without Scandal of Holy Conversation and such as devote themselves to the Work and Service thereof 3. That ordinarily none shall be ordained to the work of this Ministery but such as are called and chosen thereunto by a particular Church 4. That in so great and weighty a matter as the calling and chusing a Pastor we judge it ordinarily requisite that every such Church consult and advise with the Pastors of Neighbouring Congregations 5. That after such advice the Person consulted about being chosen by the Brotherhood of that particular Church over which he is to be set and he accepting be duly ordained and set apart to his Office wherein 't is ordinarily requisite that the Pastors of Neighbouring Congregations concur with the Preaching Elder or Elders if such there be 6. That whereas such Ordination is only intended for such as never before had been ordained to the Ministerial Office if any judge that in the Case also of the removal of one formerly ordained to a new Station or Pastoral Charge there ought to be a like solemn recommending him and his Labours to the Grace and Blessing of God no different Sentiments or Practice herein shall be any occasion of Contention or breach of Communion with us 7. It is expedient that they who enter on the work of Preaching the Gospel be not only qualified for Communion of Saints but also that except in Cases extraordinary they give proof of their Gifts and fitness for the said Work unto the Pastors of Churches of known abilities to discern and judge of their Qualifications that they may be sent forth with solemn Approbation and Prayer which we judge needful that no doubt may remain concerning their being called to the Work and for preventing as much as in us lieth Ignorant and Rash Intruders 3. Of Censures 1. As it cannot be avoided but that in the purest Churches on Earth there will sometimes Offences and Scandals arise by reason of Hypocrisie and prevailing Corruption so Christ hath made it the duty of every Church to reform it self by Spiritual Remedies appointed by him to be applied in all such Cases viz. Admonition and Excommunication 2. Admonition being the Rebuking of an Offending Member in Order to Conviction is in case of private Offences to be performed according to the Rule in Matth. 18. ver 15 16 17. and in case of Publick Offences openly before the Church as the Honour of the Gospel and nature of the Scandal shall require And if either of the Admonitions take place for the Recovery of the fallen Person all farther proceedings in a way of Censure are thereon to cease and Satisfaction to be declared accordingly 3. When all due means are used according to the Order of the Gospel for the restoring an Offending and Scandalous Brother and he notwithstanding remains impenitent the Censure of Excommunication is to be proceeded unto wherein the Pastor and other Elders if there be such are to lead and go before the Church and the Brotherhood to give their consent in a way of Obedience unto Christ and unto the Elders as over them in the Lord. 4. It may sometimes come to pass that a Church Member not otherwise Scandalous may sinfully withdraw and divide himself from the Communion of the Church to which he belongeth In which case when all due means for the reducing him prove ineffectual he having hereby cut himself off from that Churches Communion the Church may justly esteem and declare it self discharged of any further inspection over him 4. Of Communion of Churches 1. We agree that Particular Churches ought not to walk so distinct and separate each from other as not to have care and tenderness towards one another But their Pastors ought to have frequent Meetings together that by mutual Advice Support Encouragement and Brotherly Intercourse they may strengthen the Hearts and Hands of each other in the ways of the Lord. 2. That none of our particular Churches shall be subordinate to one another each being endued with Equality of Power from Jesus Christ And that none of the said particular Churches their Officer or Officer shall exercise any Power or have any Superiority over any other Church or their Officers 3. That known Members of particular Churches constituted as aforesaid may have occasional Communion with one another in the Ordinances of the Gospel viz. the Word Prayer Sacraments Singing Psalms dispensed according to the Mind of Christ unless that Church with which they desire Communion hath any just Exception against them 4. That we ought not to admit any one to be a Member of our respective Congregations that hath joyned himself to another without endeavours of mutual Satisfaction of the Congregations concerned 5. That one Church ought not to blame the Proceedings of another untill it hath heard what that Church charged its Elders or Messengers can say in Vindication of themselves from any Charge of irregular or injurious Proceedings 6. That we are most willing and ready to give an Account of our Church-Proceedings to each other when desired for preventing or removing any Offences that may arise among us Likewise we shall be ready to give the Right Hand of Fellowship and walk together according to the Gospel Rules of Communion of Churches 5. Of Deacons and Ruling Elders We agree the Office of a Deacon is of Divine Appointment and that it belongs to their Office to receive lay our and distribute the Church's Stock to its proper Vses by the Direction of the Pastor and the Brethren if need be And whereas divers are of Opinion that there is also the Office of Ruling Elders who labour not in Word and Doctrin and others think otherwise We agree That this difference make no Breach among us 6. Of Occasional Meetings of Ministers 1. We agree that in order to Concord and in any other weighty and difficult Cases it is needful and according to the Mind of Christ that the Ministers of several Churches be consulted and advised with about such matters 2. That such Meetings may consist
Goodness that when the Office of General Deputy became void by the Death of the Lord Marquess of Arâ—illiers that his Majesty was pleased to fill it up with the Person of my Lord Marquess of Ruvigny a Noble-man endowed with all Qualities requisite for it and who will undoubtedly discharge it faithfully And if our Churches had chosen for themselves as was accustomed they could never have made an Election more advantagious And we also have cause enough to be thankful unto his Majesty for granting us the Liberty of Deliberating about his Confirmation in this Office without imposing on us in this juncture any Force or Necessity And for as much as our Churches are intirely satisfied with the care and pains which the said Lord Marquess of Ruvigny hath taken in our Affairs and that they believe he will always continue to acquit himself most worthily in this Imployment and because his Majesty hath given us to understand that it would be very pleasing to him that he should be Confirmed this Assembly not knowing how or where to make a better Choice do continue him in this Office and resign into his own Hands the Writ by which he was Establish'd and after that Solemn Protestation which he hath made unto this Assembly of discharging his Deputation with all possible care and faithfulness we gave him his Priviledge of Sitting and his deliberative and decisive Votes among us as all General Deputies his Predecessors have had according to his Majesty's desire And the Act hereof shall be inserted afterward into the Body of the Acts of this Synod As for the rest This Assembly being purely Ecclesiastical we know very well that none other matters but such as are Ecclesiastical and which concern the Religion and Discipline of our Churches ought to be treated in it and we are absolutely resolved that we will not in any wise swerve or depart from the Rules of our Duty and Callings nor will we suffer any other Assembly whatsoever to be held wherein any of our affairs shall be debated or any Election made of Deputies And we believe that there is not so much as One Man among us who is one of our Members that hath the least inclination thereunto And as for the Proclaiming of General Fasts by the Provincial Synods it being expresly Ordained by our Canons that the Province whose right it is to call the National Synod may publish a General Fast if there be a necessity for it and the King having permitted us the Exercise of our Discipline and the putting of our Canons in Execution This Assembly hopeth that his Majesty's Equity and Goodness will not deprive us of the Power and Liberty to reduce them into act and practice And the rather because our extraordinary humbling of our selves before God is not design'd only for this end that we may obtain from his Sovereign Mercy a peculiar Blessing on those of our Communion but also we do then wrestle with our God for the prosperity of the whole Nation and for the Preservation of his Majesty's own Person And as for that Discreet Carriage required from our Ministers in the Exercise of their Pastoral Office in their Books and Sermons printed or preached in Defence of our Religion our Fathers before ever the Exercise of our Religion was permitted by the Edicts and in the very midst of Fire and Faggot had Christian Charity in that great Esteem and Commendation that they by a most plain and Express Article of our Discipline did prohibit the Usage of any injurious reproachful Terms which might in the least exasperate Men's Spirits so that the Times in which we now live being more calm and peaceable through the Grace of God and the Goodness of our King his Majesty may be fully assured that on this Account he shall always find us yielding a most perfect Obedience a most exemplary Moderation And it were to be wished that the Preachers in the Romish Communion were as circumspect then should we not be so much torn in pieces as we are continually by them both in Print and Pulpit But as for those Words Antichrist in our Liturgy and Idolatry and Deceits of Satan which are found in our Confession they be Words declaring the Grounds and Reasons of our Separation from the Romish Church and Doctrins which our Fathers maintained in the worst of Times and which we are fully resolved as they through the Aids of Divine Grace never to abandon but to keep faithfully and inviolably to the last Gasp Whilst his Majesty's Predecessors were pleased to permit our Churches the choice of Foreigners for their Pastors we made use of that Priviledge and none of our Synods either Provincial or National ever knew one of them to deport himself otherwise than a Native of this Kingdom all of them when invested with the Ministry in our Churches have lived and acted and preached as natural born French-men But since that Interdiction made us by the late King of Glorious and Immortal Memory we never received any but have utterly forborn it and we have most humbly petitioned his Majesty now reigning that he would be pleased to put a distinction between those who are wholly Strangers and others who tho the Sons of Strangers are yet born in the Kingdom and are under the Protection and Government of his Crown and whom our Parliaments in all Questions about Inheritances and Successions to them and other Priviledges of this Nature have equalized with all other his Majesties Subjects And although some of them have been Educated in Commonwealths yet their Religion learns them to subject themselves with all Reverence to the Superior Powers under all Forms of Government whatsoever and that Protection which they have from this Kingdom doth incline their Affections upon Principles of Gratitude and Interest unto a Monarchical Government And in case his Majesty should be pleased to allow them the Exercise of their Ministry among us in this Kingdom as we most humbly petition his Majesty so to do he would have full and clear and sufficient Proof of their Loyalty in his Service As for Letters which may be sent by Strangers unto this Assembly although there is none of our Religion in any Nation that doth sollicit us unto Actions contrary to our Duty and in case they should go about to do it all and every Individual Member of this Assembly at the first sight of such a Letter would reject the Motion with Horror and Execration And we cannot but acknowledge that in some respects as for publick Orders sake the Lords Commissioners deputed to us and set over us by his Majesty are to receive and dispose of them according to his Majesty's Will But yet as to matters concerning our Religion we hope that his Majesty will suffer us to hold Communion and Correspondence with our Brethren For other Letters coming from his Majesty's Subjects to this Assembly and relating to Ecclesiastical matters wherein they be concerned his Majesty having graciously permitted us
themselves to that Canon of the National Synod of Gorgeau on the Tenth Article of the first Chapter of our Discipline which declared that it was resolved for the future that when Ministers were ordained they should not be sent any more for one Year unto a Church but that the Method prescribed in our Discipline should be most strictly and closely followed All which shall be notified unto all the Churches by reading of this present Act. 23. In all our National Synods this Order shall be observed that after the Moderator Assessor and Scribe who is a Pastor shall have given their Opinions on the Question propounded then the Scribe who is chosen from among the Elders shall give his in the next place and after him my Lord the General Deputy and then the whole Body of Pastors and next to them the Elders who are Deputed by the Provinces and then lastly the Moderator shall collect the Votes and conclude with his own Suffrage and all Provincial Synods are likewise to observe and practise this self-same Method in Debates and Suffrages without swerving from it in the least 24. Sundry Provinces complaining that the Sieurs Daille and Amyrald had violated the Canons made in the National Synods of Alanson 1637. and of Charenton 1644. about the Doctrin of Grace This Assembly having heard those two Eminent Ministers of the Gospel Daille and Amyrald speak in their own Defence and found that they were clear and sound in their Judgments and that they might be well enough discharged from all Blame for having thwarted and transgressed the said Canons and that they had not incurr'd those Censures which were decreed against the Infringers and Violators of them And it being evident that the said Book of Monsieur Daille was not only printed without his knowledg but also against his Will which he proved by his express opposing of it's Publication and that the said Mr. Amyrald hath not written any thing since those Synods aforesaid but according to that License which was granted him by the Synod of Charenton 1644. in case any one should write against him nor have any Writings of his been since published till others had first provoked him by clamouring against his Doctrin For these Causes this Assembly doth unanimously decree nemine contradicente that all that is past on this occasion unto this very Day shall be buried in the Grave of a deep and holy Oblivion and the said Sieurs Daille and Amyrald are exhorted to continue in their Faithful Imployment of those rich Talents which God hath bestowed upon them to the advancement of his Glory and the edifying of his Church 25. And whereas the Happiness of our Churches consisteth very much in their Peace and that all kind of Contentions and Divisions may be obviated and prevented this Assembly treading in the Footsteps of their Predecessors and that Satisfaction may be given to the Requests of all the Provinces who have unanimously demanded a punctual Observation of the Canons made in those Synods of Alanson and Charenton doth confirm those said Canons and absolutely forbids on pain of the last and greatest Censures of our Discipline all Pastors and Professors to transgress them either by publick Lectures Sermons Disputes or Writings against the Natives of our Kingdom or the Subjects of Foreign States nor shall they suffer any of their Scholars to hold any Disputations about them And finally that a strict Conformity may be upheld among us All Colloquies and Provincial Synods when they receive Proposans into the Sacred Ministerial Office shall not use with respect unto these points any particular Forms but shall acquiesce in the Signing and Swearing our Confession of Faith and Church Discipline by these Proposans and in causing them to protest with Hands uplifted unto Heaven calling God to witness upon their Souls that they do reject all Errors rejected by the Decrees of those National Synods of Alanson and Charenton about the Doctrin of Predestination and of Grace the Tenor whereof is as followeth Articles extracted out of the Acts of the National Synods of Alanson and Charenton THat the Purity of Doctrin may be entirely preserved See the Synod of Alanson G. M. Art 8. c. and all misunderstandings between Pastors Professors and Churches may be avoided and to prevent those Inconveniences which would happen thereupon and to tie and maintain more strictly and strongly the Spiritual Bonds of Brotherly Charity and Union among the Faithful this Synod doth most rigorously forbid on pain of all Church-Censures yea and of Deposal from their Ministry all Pastors of Churches and Professors in our Universities to treat in their Sermons Lectures or Writings of those curious Questions which may occasion the Fall or stumbling either of Students in Divinity or of private Christians It being most necessary that both their Flocks and Scholars should keep themselves to the simplicity and plainness of Holy Scripture and to the common Expositions of the Orthodox Creed grounded thereupon and approved by our National Synods particularly by that of Charenton held in the Year 1623. They be also forbidden the using of any new Expressions subject to ill Constructions and Mis-interpretations or contentiously to dispute one with the other upon such Questions or Interpretations or to draw reciprocally the Saw of Controversie betwixt them in Polemical Writings nor shall they violate directly or indirectly the Canons made either in this or former Synods about Printing of Books for whose Contents the Licensers of the Press shall be responsible as much as their Authors unto the Provinces And those Provinces within whose District and Jurisdiction our Universities lie shall take a most especial care of them and see them visited from time to time by Persons chosen to that purpose and to oblige all Professors both in Philosophy and Divinity to send every six Months unto the Examiners of Books in the Neighbour Provinces one or two Copies of the Theses disputed and defended in the publick Schools And the neighbour Provinces are empowred with full Authority together with those in which our Universities are erected to take a particular knowledge of their Estate And in case any Pastor or Professor or any Member of our Churches reading or perusing the Books printed with the License of our Examiners shall find any matter of importance which they may count worthy of Reprehension we give order That they apply themselves to the Authors of those printed Discourses or to the Examiners and Licensers of them and to demand Satisfaction from them and in case they refuse to give it then shall they address themselves unto their Colloquies and Synods And that Church and Province out of which the said Complaint cometh forth is forbidden as are also all other persons whatsoever from intermedling with this Affair or to take upon them to judge and decide it or to inflame and spread this Controversie any farther but according to the Canons of our Discipline they shall leave and resign it entirely unto those Assemblies
to whose Jurisdiction the Authors of these Disturbances do belong and against whom the Opposition is formed The Sieurs Testard Pastor of the Church of Blois and Amyrald Pastor and Professor of Theology in the Church and University of Saumur came in Person unto this Synod and declared that they understood from common Fame how that both at home and abroad and by the Consultations and Proceedings of sundry Provinces as also from divers Books written against them and their printed Labours they were blamed for that Doctrin which they had published unto the World that therefore at the first opening of the Synod they presented themselves before it not knowing but that our Cause might be debated whenas the Confession of Faith came to be read and that they came to give an Account of it and such Explanations of their Doctrin as the most Reverend Synod shall judge needful and to submit themselves unto its Judgment and consequentially to demand its Protection for the support of their Innocency hoping that this Favour would not be denied them because they were fully perswaded in their Consciences that they had never taught neither by Word nor Writing any Doctrin repugnant to the Word of God to our Confession of Faith Catechism Liturgy or Canons of the National Synod of Alez and Charenton which had ratified those of Dort and which they had Signed with their Hands and were even ready to seal with their Hearts Blood And the Sieur de la Place Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Saumur reported also from the said University that he was charged by it to render an account of the Grounds and Reasons which induced him to approve and license the Works of Monsieur Amyraud which he did according to the Priviledge granted by the Discipline unto our Universities Moreover the Lord Ouzan Elder in the said Church of Saumur being admitted into the Synod declared That the said Church understanding that Monsieur Amyraud one of their Pastors was brought in trouble for his Doctrin tho both by it and his most exemplary Godly Conversation they had been always exceedingly edified they had expresly charged him to testifie unto it before this Grave Assembly and most humbly to recommend unto their Reverences the Innocency and Honour of his Ministry There were also tender'd unto the Lord Commissioner the Letters which were sent unto the Synod from the Churches and Universities of Geneva and Sedan and from the Sieurs du Moulin Pastor and Professor of Theology at Sedan and Rivett Pastor and Professor at Leyden together with the Treatises composed by them and the collationed Copies of the Approbations given by the Doctors in the Faculty of Theology at Leyden Franequer and Groningen unto that Treatise of the said Professor Rivett which Letters being opened by the Lord Commissioner and their Contents perused by his Lordship he allowed the reading of them unto the Assembly The Assembly read the Letters writ by Monsieur Vignier Pastor in the Church of Blois and by Monsieur Le Faucheur Pastor in the Church of Paris in which they offer their Sentiments for reconciling the Controversies arisen about the Writings of the said Testard and Amyraud and their Opponents Moreover the Apologetical Letters of the Sieurs Vignier and Garnier Pastors of the Churches of Blois and Marchenoir were read who informed the Synod that in vertue of a Commission given them by the Province of Berry to examin the Theological Writings which might be composed either by the Pastors or other persons of their Province they had given their Attestation and Approbation to the Book of the said Monsieur Testard and had given an account of their Judgment unto the Provincial Synod assembled in the year 1634. and the Extracts of those Writings were produced Those Papers having been all read and the aforesaid Sieurs Testard and Amyrald having been divers times heard and the Assembly having in a very long debate considered the difficulties of those Questions raised by them did constitute the Sieurs Commarc Pastor in the Church of Vertueil Charles Pastor in the Church of Montauban De L'Angle Pastor in the Church of Rouan Petit Pastor and Professor in the University of Nismes Le Blanc Pastor and Professor in the University of Die de Bons Pastor in the Church of Chaalons upon Saone and Daille Pastor in the Church of Paris a Committee to digest and reduce into order the Explications which had been given by the before-mentioned Testard and Amyraud and that as soon as it was finished they should bring in their Report And the said Committee having discharged their trust and made their report unto the Synod the before-mentioned Mr. Testard and Amyraud were again introduced and protested with the deepest Seriousness before God that it was never in their Thoughts to propound or teach any Doctrin whatsoever but what was agreeable to the known and common Expositions of our Creed and contained in our Confession of Faith and in the Decisions of the National Synod held at Charenton in the Year 1623 all which they were ready to sign with their best and purest Blood And pursuiant hereunto explaining their Opinions about the Universality of Christ's Death they declared that Jesus Christ died for all Men sufficiently but for the Elect only effectually and that consequentially his Intention was to Die for all Men in respect of the sufficiency of his Satisfaction but for the Elect only in respect of its quickening and saving vertue and efficacy Which is to say that the Will of Christ was that the Sacrifice of his Cross should be of an infinite price and value and most abundantly Sufficient to expiate the Sins of the whole World yet nevertheless the efficacy of his Death appertains only unto the Elect so that those who are called by the Preaching of the Gospel to participate by Faith in the effects and fruits of this Death being invited seriously and God vouchsafing them all external means needful for their coming to him and shewing them in good earnest and with the greatest sincerity by his Word what would be well-pleasing to him if they should not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ but perish in their Obstinacy and Unbelief this cometh not from any defect of Vertue or Sufficiency in the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ nor yet for want of Summons or serious Invitations unto Faith or Repentance but only from their own Fault And as for those who receive the Doctrin of the Gospel with Obedience of Faith they are according to the irrevocable promise of God made partakers of the effectual Vertue and Fruit of Christ Jesus his Death For this was the most free Council and gracious purpose both of God the Father in giving his Son for the Salvation of Mankind and of the Lord Jesus Christ in suffering the pains of Death that the efficacy thereof should peculiarly belong unto all the Elect and to them only to give them justifying Faith and by it to bring them infallibly