be none other Affairs debated in it than such as are warranted by the Edicts and that a Commissioner whom his Majesty shall be pleased to appoint do assist in Person in the said Synod as hath always been practised In testimony hereof his Majesty hath commanded me to expedite this present Writ which he was pleased to sign with his own Hand and caused to be conntersigned by me his Counsellor and Secretary of his Commandments and of his Treasury Signed LOVIS And a little Lower PHELIPPEAVX There appeared in the said Assembly with Letters of Commission from the Provinces which were read by the Sieur Des Loges and the Sieur de Fresnay Elder of the Church of Loudun and the Sieur de Mâ—â—sonâ—als these Persons following 1. For the Province of Normandy the Sieurs John Manimilian de L' Angle Pastor of the Church of Rouan and Samuel Boschart Pastor of the Church of Caen accompanied with the Sieurs Daniel Guesdon Elder of the Church of Rouan and Peter de la Musse Esq Lord des Roquettes Elder of the Church of Caen. 2. For the Province of Higher Guienne and Higher Languedoc the Sieurs John Louis Joussauld Pastor of the Church of Castres and Theophilus Arbussy Pastor of the Church of Milhaut accompanied with the Sieurs John de Besnes Esq Lord of Laseron Elder of the Church de Beraux and Master John Brassart Advocate in Parliament and Elder in the Church of Montauban 3. For the Province of Burgundy the Sieurs Amedeus de Chandieu Pastor of the Church at Pont de Velles and Peter Mussard Pastor of the Church of Lyon accompanied with Master Samuel Gentis D'anthial Advocate in Parliament Elder in the Church of Chaalons and Master Phillebert de Sage Advocate also in Parliament Elder in the Church of Autan 4. For the Province of Lower Languedoc the Sieurs David Eustache and Isaac de Bourdieu Pastor in the Church of Montpellier accompanied with the Noble Francis de Toulonge Lord of Foissac Elder in the Church of Vsez and Master Philip Besse Doctor of the Civil Laws Advocate and Elder in the Church of Beziers 5. For the Province of Orleans and Berry the Sieurs John Perâ—â—ult Pastor of the Church of Orleans and John Taby Minister of the Gospel and Pastor of the Church de la Charite accompanied with the Noble Denis Papin Counsellor to his Majesty and Receiver General for the Demeans of the County of Blois and Master Paul Tonnois Lord of Champs Advocate in Parliament Elders in the Church of Orleans 6. For the Province of Sevennes the Sieurs Henry Bâ—udan Pastor of the Church de la Salle and Stephen Broche Lord of Mejannes Pastor of the Church of St. Hippolite accompanied with Edward de Charlot Esq Lord and Baron of S. John de Gardonenque Elder in the Church of the same Place and Peter de Gallieres Esq Lord of Pont d' Arti Elder in the Church of Merveil 7. For the Province of Brittain the Sieur Isaac Guitton Pastor of the Church of Sion accompanied with Monsieur John de la Rochelle Lord of Mornay Elder in the Church of Roche Bernard 8. For the Province of Poictou the Sieurs Stephen le Blois Pastor of the Church of Fontenay le Compte and John Chabrol Pastor of the Church of Thouars accompanied with Sir Peter Prevost Knight Lord of La Javeliere Elder in the Church of Chantonnay and Puybelliard and Charles Prevost Esq Lord of La Simonie Elder in the Church of Champagne and Mouton 9. For the Province of Provence the Sieurs John Bernard Pastor of the Church de Velots and Marvelle and John Morius Esq Lord of Espasson and of La Bastide Elder in the Church of Manosque 10. For the Province of Anjou Touraine Le Maine Loudunois Vandosme and the Greater Perche the Sieurs Moyses Amyraud Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the Church and University of Saumur and James de Brissac Lord des Loges Pastor of the Church of Loudun accompanied with the Sieurs Daniel de Goyett Doctor of Physick Elder in the Church of Angiers and Master Stephen des Landes President in the Extraordinary Assizes of Vaudomois and Elder in the Church of Vandome 11. For the Province of the Isle of France Brie Picardy Champagne and the County of Chartres the Sieurs John Daille Pastor of the Church of Paris and Benjamin Tricotell Pastor of the Church of Calais accompanied with Master Thierry de Marolles Advocate in Parliament and Judg in the Praesidial Court of Vitry Elder of the Church in that Town and Peter Loride Lord of Galiniers Advocate in his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council and Elder in the Church of Paris 12. For the Province of Xaintonge Aunix and Augoulmois the Sieurs John Gommarc Pastor in the Church of Vertueil and Isaac Marchand Pastor in the Church of St. John d' Angely accompanied with John de Morell Esq Lord of Thiac of Vigier and of Salle and Francis Lacons Esq Lord of Courelles and Elder in the Church of Cognac 13. For the Province of Dolphiny the Sieurs Adrian Chamier Pastor of the Church of Montlimard and Alexander Dize Pastor of the Church of Grenoble accompanied with Master Francis Goudran Advocate in the Parliament of Grenoble and Elder in the Church of Grenoble 14. For the Province of Lower Guienne the Sieurs John Riccotier Minister of Bourdeaux and Jeremiah Viguier Pastor of the Church of Nerac accompanied with Master Jacob Maysonnais Advocate in Parliament and Elder in the Church of Bourdeax and with Sir James de Laumont Knight Marquess of Baisse Caumont Elder in the Church of Nerac 15. For the Province of Bearn the Sieur Arnald de Cazamajore Pastor of the Church of Olleron 16. For the Province of Vivaretz Velay and Forrest the Sieurs Isaac Homel he Died a most constant Faithful Martyr Pastor of the Church of Sajon and Valance and Peter January Pastor of the Church at La Gorse accompanied with Sir James D' Arlande Kt. Lord of Mirabel and Elder in the Church of Villeneufve de Bergues and with Master Timothy Baruil Doctor of the Civil Laws Advocate and Elder in the Church of Privas The Provinces of Bearn and Dolphiny shall inquire into the Causes why the Sieurs de Labadie Elder in the Church of Luibeite and Deputy for the Province of Bearn and de Montelar Elder in the Church of Beaufort Deputy for the Province of Dolphiny have absented themselves from this Assembly and shall give an Account thereof unto the next National Synod The said Sieurs des Loges and du Fresnay Elder of the Church in Loudun did together with the Lord Marquess of Rouvigny General Deputy gather the Suffrages of all the Deputies in this Assembly in Two Bills in Writing each of them having One for the Election of the Moderator Assessor and Scribes and there were chosen by plurality of Votes the Sieur Daille for Moderator the Sieur de L' Angle Assessor and the Sieurs Des Loges Pastor and de
a Professorship in the Universities determined 6. Pecuniary matters may be determined by another Province 8. two Deputies shall be sent and no more from contending Churches 12. Such at Marry Popish Wives shall bear no Office in the Churches 13. Two Canons about Monkes 15 16. The Baptism of Midwives null 18. Three cases about Marriage 19 20 21. Orders about Scholars Pensioners 24 Elenchus novae Doctrinae supprest 25. Professors of Divinity shall finish their course in three years 31. Cases about accused persons 37 39. Chap. VI. Of Accompts A Dividend of 135000 Crowns among the Churches and Universities and General Deputies Chap. VII Other Accompts of Moneys to be paid by the Lord of Candal Chap. VIII Memorials and Instructions given to the Lords General Deputies Chap. IX Appeals Two divided Churches healed 1 2. The Appeal of a Deposed Minister rejected 15. A great contention composed 19. Chap. X. Particular matters 3. Non resident Pastors ordered to their Churches 1 2. A great contention composed 6. Monsieur Primrose Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux recalled into Scotland 9. Dissentions in a Church made up 19. A case of Witchcraft 21. A case about a Donative 22. Moneys of two Churches for the Exiles of Salluces 23 24. A case about a Childs Baptism 35. The Insolency of a Capuchin Fryer 37. A poor Minister relieved 39. Censures taken off from a Church and Minister 43. A Petition to the King 52. Chap. XI Particular matters relating to the Isle of France Chap. XII The Roll of Deposed Ministers Chap. XIII Orders about Legacies Chap. XIV Political Acts the King's Letter to the National Synod 4. Chap. XV. The Lord of Candals Accompt The Third Synod of ROCHELL SYNOD XVIII 1607. In the Name of God Amen Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches in the Kingdom of France held at Rochell the first day of March and continued till the two and twentieth day of April in the Year of our Lord One thousand six hundred and seven CHAP. I Names of the Deputies and Synodical Officers Monsieur Beraut chosen Moderator Monsieur Merlin Assessor Scribes Monsieur Andrew Rivet and Monsieur Roy. THERE appeared in it as Deputies from their several Provinces the Pastors and Elders hereafter named For the Province of Xaintonge Aunix and Augoulmois Monsieur George Pacard Minister in the Church of Rochefoucaud Master James Merlin one of the Pastors of the Church of Rochel Monsieur Arthur de Partenay Lord of Genouille Elder in the Church of Tonney-boutonne and Mr. Daniel le Roy Elder in the Church of Xaintes with Letters from the said Province Mr. Gigord was a man of most singular Piety holy in his Life happy in his Death He died full of Peace and Joy in Believing ravished with the consolations of Gods Spirit For the Province of Lower Languedoc Master Christopher de Barjac Lord of Gasques Pastor of the Church of Vigan and Master John Gigord Pastor and Professor in the Church of Montpellier and Tristram de Brueis Lord of St. Chappe Elder in the Church of Nismes and Stephen du Vergier Ordinary President in the Chamber of Accounts of Languedoc Elder in the Church of Montpellier with Letters of Commission from their Province For the Province of Orleans Berry Blesois and Nivernois Master Joachim du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Orleans and Master Nicholas Vignier Pastor of the Church of Blois together with the Lords Daniel de St. Quintin Baron of Bellet Elder in the Church of St. Amand and Michael de Launay Lord de Filaines Elder in the Church of Blois Mr. Joachim du Moulin was the godly Father of that excellent man of God Mr. Peter du Monlin impowered with authority from their Province For the Province of the Isle of France Picardy Champagne Brie and the Land of Chartres Master Francis de Lauberan Lord of Montigny Pastor of the Church of Paris and Master Tobias Yoland Pastor of the Church of Vitry le Francois and Paul de Charites Lord of Plessis Chennelle Elder of the Church of Chartres commissioned by Letters from their Province For the Province of Lower Guienne Perigord and Limousin Mr. Paul Baduel Minister of the Church of Castillon Mr. Gilbert Primrose Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux together with John du Puis Lord of Cazett Elder of the Church of Castillon and Mr. Stephen Manial Elder of the Church of Bourdeaux For the Province of Anjou Touraine and the Maine Monsieur Abel Bede Pastor of the Church of Loudun and Master Peter Solomeau Pastor of the Church of Vandosme together with James Ridouett Esquire Lord of Sanzay Elder of the Church of Bauge and Bartholomew de Bruges Elder of the Church of Loudon For the Province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guyenne Master Michael Beraud Pastor and Professor in the Church of Montauban Daniel Raphin Pastor of the Church of Realmont John de Periott Elder of the Church of Montauban and Peter Philippin Elder in the Church of St. Antonine For the Higher and Lower Vivaretz and Velay Monsieur John Valeton Pastor of the Church of Privas and Master Christopher Gammon Elder of the Church of Nonnay bringing with them Letters of excuse for not having sent the number of Deputies prescribed by the Canons of former Synods which were in no wise admitted and therefore the said Province was censured However their Deputies were received for this time This Assembly declaring it should not be made a president for future neglects as also that if in time coming they did not send the full number of four Deputies they should have no power of Voting and this in pursuance of what had been decreed in the National Synod of Gap For Provence Monsieur Daniel Chanforan Pastor of the Church de la Coste and Peter Texier Elder of the Church of Lormarin with Letters of excuse for not having sent the number above-mentioned which because of the paucity of Ministers in their Province was for this time only received And they were enjoined for the future to send four Deputies or to incorporate themselves with some other Province For the Province of Higher and Lower Poictou Master James Clemencean Minister and Pastor of the Church of Poictiers and Andrew Rivett Pastor of the Church of Touars together with Samuel Mauclerc Lord of Marconny Elder of the Church of Poire and Belleville and Monsieur Joseph des Fontaines Elder of the Church of Mesle Mr. Perriâ— writ the History of the Albingezses He dedicated the Second Part to the Duke of Candale Eldest Son of the Duke of Espernon who became a Protestant For the Province of Dolphiny Mr. John Paul Perrinâ— Pastor of the Church of Nians and John Vulson Lord de la Columbiere Pastor of the Church de la Mure together with Charles de Veze Lord of Coucy Elder of the Church de Dieu le fit and Lord of the said place and Francois de la Combe Elder of the Church of St. Marcellin For the Province of
Paris And the two Writings prepared upon the aforesaid Memoirs presented to and answered before his Majesties Council together with the Letters Patents for the executing of those Answers with which Writings to wit Memoirs of Castelheraud Letters of Exemption and the Original of the answered Writings Monsieur de Mirande was intrusted to whom those who may need them shall apply themselves And the said Monsieur de Crois was acquitted and discharged of all those Writings and he farther engaged to put into the hands of the said Monsieur de Mirande the other Writings which remain at Paris and particularly those concerning our Affairs with Monsieur Palott of all which upon his delivery of them he shall be discharged These Acts were subscribed by Beraud Moderator Merlin Assessor Scribes Andrew Rivett and Roy The End of the Third Synod of Rochel THE Acts Decisions and Decrees OF THE XIXth National Synod OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE Held in the Town of St. Maixant in the Province of Poictou In the Year of our Lord 1609. The Contents of the Synod of St. Maixant 1609. The 19th Synod Cap. 1. DEputies to the Synod The Provinces of Dolphiny and Vivaretz censured Deputy of Sedan excluded Synodical Officers chosen A Canon about Pastors not deputed Cap. 2. Observations on the Confession approved and sworn Cap. 3. Observations on the Discipline A Canon for receiving proposans into the Ministry 2 3 4. Ministers not to study Chymistry 6. A Case about Baptizing of sick Children Notes on the 20th Article of the 14th Chapter 12. the Discipline sworn Cap. 4. Observations on the National Synod of Rochel Of Monks quitting their Convents 4. Monsieur Chamier commended 6. Mitigation of a Canon in favour of the Children of poor Ministers 8. Monsieur Vignier commended for his Theatre of Antichrist 9. Cap. 5. Of Appeals A deposed Minister never to be restored 1 13. A Deputy and no Deputy 5. the case of Monsieur le Blanc Minister of Lions 8. The Widdow of a deceased Minister shall be paid her Annuity from the day of his death 12. A difference between two Ministers composed 20. Three Churches to be visited 23. Divisions in the Church of Orleans cemented 27. A scandalous Minister censured 28. Cap. 6. General matters A Case of Conscience 4. Canon about briguing for Deputations unto Synods 5. A deposed Minister most severely censured 7. An Order for maimed Souldiers having the Cross on their back 10. Of Attestations 11. Act for a National Fast. 12. A subtle and crafty Schismatick to be carefully watched 14. A Case about Baptism administred by a deposed Minister whether valid 16. What to do when Marriage-banes are forbidden 17. A Pocket-Bible designed for the Press 18. Whether a Minister may press a person to discover a secret crime unto the Magistrate 20. Ministers appointed to study some particular Controversies in the several Provinces Cap. 7. Of Universities The Universities of Montauban Nismes and Montpellier censured 1 2. The Duke of Sully's Colledge of Boisbelle 8. Cap. 8. Particular Orders Letters unto the Judges in the mixt Court of Castres 5. A poor Minister relieved 8. the Seignory of Geneva can pretend no right to the Natives of their City Ministers in France 11. Complaints against the Ministers of Mants and Fontainbleau 23. Copies of the Acts of the National Synods not to be communicated 26. A Controversie moved by de Royer and terminated by this Synod 35. Cap. 9. An Order for calling the next National Synod Cap. 10. The Roll of deposed Ministers Cap. 11. Moneys divided among the Churches Cap. 12. A Catalogue of the Churches having portions out of the King's Money Cap. 13. Account of the Dividend for the three first Quarters Cap. 14. Account of Moneys given upon particular occasions THE Synod of St. Maixant In the Name of God! CHAP. I. The Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches in the Kingdom of France held at St. Maixant the 25th of May and divers days following in the Year of our Lord One thousand six hundred and nine wherein presented themselves as Deputies from all the Provinces the Pastors and Elders who are hereafter named to wit FOR Provence Provence Monsieur Peter Chalier Pastor of the Church of Seynise and Bartholomew Recener Pastor of the Church or Merindol together with Elias de Glandevez younger Son of the House of Puymichell Lord of St. Ajon Elder of the Church in Puymichell and Peter Texier Elder of the Church of Lormarin or Rouangis For the Province of Dolphiny Dolphiny Master John Vulson Lord de la Columbiere Pastor of the Church de la Mure and John Felix Pastor of the Church of Grenoble together with Charles Martyn Lord of Champoleon Elder of the Church of Champoleon and Francois de la Combe Elder of the Church of St. Marcelin chosen in the last Synod of their Province and the said Lord de Champoleon not appearing Monsieur Jacob Videl Elder of the Church of Brianson presented himself who was chosen in the preceding Synod but was not informed of the alteration made in its last Sessions Whereupon this Assembly judged the said Province worthy of Censure for not having acquainted the said Videl with their change And there having been given an honourable Testimony unto the said Videl by the Deputies of the Province he was admitted to give his deliberative Vote until the coming of the aforementioned Lord de Champoleon after which he may return to his own home but the expences of his jourrley shall be defrayed by the Province Yet at his intreaty the Synod gave him his choice either to tarry or depart Vivaretz and Vellay For the Province of Vivaretz and Vellay Monsieur Daniel Richard Pastor of the Church of Choillar and John du Roure Elder of the Church of Aubenas who Reporting the excuses mentioned also in the Letters of their Province for their repeated failure in the number of their Deputies they not sending four the Synod did not at all approve of them but upon promise made by them in the name of their Province to perform their duty in time to come they were on this condition admitted for this time though censure was past upon the Province and accordingly executed on them the said Deputies that for the three first days of Session they should be deprived of their deliberative Votes in it Lower Languedoc For the Province of Lower Languedoc Monsieur Jeremy Ferrier Pastor of the Church of Nismes and Monsieur John Chauve Pastor of the Church of Sommiers together with William Girard Lord of Moussac Elder of the Church of Nismes and John James du Crois Lord de la Combe Elder of the Church of Mompellier For the Province of Lower Guyenne â—erigort and Limousin Monsieur Jeremy Bauconis Pastor of the Church of Tonneins and Isaac Sylvius Pastor of the Church of Clerac together with John de Vertueil Lord of Mallerett Elder in the Church of Burdeaux and Jacob des Mais
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
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
knowledge might be had of their Call who sate and voted in this Assembly Monsieur Andrew Rivet Pastor of the Church of Thouars was chosen Moderator Monsieur John Chauve Assessor Pastor of the Church of Sommieres Monsieur John Jammet Pastor of the Church of St. Amand in Bourbonnois and Elijah Bigot Advocate in the Court of Parliament of Paris and Elder of that Church were chosen Scribes 2. The Synod examining the Letters of Commission Impowering the Deputies of the Provinces to sit and act in it began with those of the Isle of France Picardy c. for which appeared Monsieur John Baptist Bugnet Pastor of the Church of Compiegne Samuel Quinson Pastor of the Church de la Ferté au Vidame together with Elijah Bigot Advocate in the Parliament of Paris and Elder of the Church there and Philip de Cormieres Esq Lord of Fromentieres and of La Haye Elder in the Church of Chaltray 3. For the Province of Normandy Monsieur Obadiah de Mondenys Pastor of the Church of Fescamp Peter Paris Pastor of the Church of Pontoison together with Samuel le Cal Esq Lord of Beurevil Elder in the Church of Gisors and Michael le Petit Lord of la Joisiere Elder in the Church of St. Lo. 4. For the Province of Brittaine Monsieur Peter de la Place Pastor of the Church of Sion Guy le Noir Lord of Crevain Pastor of the Church of Roche Bernard and Croisis together with Elias de Goulaine Esq Lord of Laudouiniere Elder of the Church of Viellevigne and John Ravenell Lord of Boistillenil Elder in the Church of Rennes 5. For the Province of Berry Orleans c. Monsieur Daniel Jammet Pastor of the Church of St. Amand John Guerin Pastor of the Church of Baugeney together with John de Bussieres Controller of his Majesties Salt-Granary at Sancerre and Elder of the same Church and John du Plessis General-Assessor of his Majesties Subsidies at Pithinieres Elder of the Church of Chilleure 6. For the Province of Anjou Tourain c. Monsieur John Vigneu Pastor of the Church of Mans Renatus Conseil Pastor of the Church of Lassay together with Giles Bouchereau Lord of la Mothe Advocate at Saumur and Elder of the same Church and Hannibal de Farsy Lord of St. Laurence Attorney in the Exchequer of the Lordship and County of Laval Elder of the Church there 7. For the Province of Poictou Monsieur Andrew Rivet Pastor of the Church of Thouars Paul Geslin Lord of la Pilletiere Pastor of the Church at Chastelheraut together with Giles Begaud Esq Lord of la Begaudiere Elder in the Church of Mountague and Samuel Maucler Esq Lord of Marconnay Elder in the Church of la Ganache 8. For the Province of Xaintonge and Aulnix c. Monsieur Samuel L' ommeau Pastor of the Church of Rochel William Rivet Lord of Chanvernon Pastor of the Church of Taillebourg together with John Preverant Lord of Piterne Judge of Montignac and Elder of the Church there and Monsieur Elijah Dieu the Lord High Justice his Attorney in the Lordship of Soubize and Elder of the Church in the same place 9. For the Province of Lower Guyenne Monsieur Peter de la Musse Pastor of the Church of Nerac Peter Hefperian Pastor of the Church of Ste Foy together with John de Geneste Lord of La Tour Advocate in the Court of the Edict at Nerac and Elder of the Church of Sauvetat and Peter de Pichard Captain of Gironde and Castelmoran Elder of the Church of Gironde 10. For the Province of the Principality of Bearn Monsieur John de Capdeville Pastor of the Church of Navarrins together with John de Angerre Advocate in the Parliament of Pau and Elder of the Church in the same place 11. For the Province of Lower Languedoc Monsieur John Chauve Pastor of the Church of Sommieres James de Chambrun Pastor of the Church of Nismes together with William de Girard Lord of Moussac Elder of the Church in the same place and Peter de Calviere Lord of St. Cesaire Elder in the Church of Nismes 12. For the Province of Dolphiny Monsieur John Felix Pastor in the Church of Romans Denys Bouteroue Pastor of the Church of Grenoble together with Peter Guyon Lord of Salbetter Elder in the Church of Manars and Salomon Vulson Lord of Villette Elder in the Church of Mené 13. For the Province of Vivaretz Forest c. Monsieur Peter * * * He after revolted and prov'd a True Turn-Turk Marchat Pastor of the Church of St. Stephens John Mozé Pastor of the Church of Annonay together with James de Serres Doctor of the Civil Law Elder in the Church of Aubenas and whereas the Lord of Cussons Elder of the Church of Annonay was also chosen and named in the Letters of Commission but did not appear his absence was not approved by the Assembly Yet afterwards on the third of June the said Lord of Cussons returning from his Depuration unto the Assembly at Rochel was received into this Assembly 14. For the Province of Sevennes and Gevaudan Monsieur Lewes Courant Pastor of the Church of Anduze and Andrew de la Faye Pastor of the Church of St. German together with John de Barjac Lord of Villeneufre Elder in the Church of Vigan and John de Barjac Lord of Gasques Elder in the Church of St. Martyn 15. For the Province of Burgundy Lionnois Charlois and Gex Monsieur Lewes de la Coste Pastor of the Church of Dijon Peter Boulenat Pastor of the Church of Avalon instead of Monsieur Eliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Duke whose excuses were admitted and in case he should afterward come unto this Assembly the said Boulenat might if he please return together with Albert du Mars Esq Lord of Balenes Elder in the Church * * * Another Copy reads of Maringues of Vesle and Monsieur John Gravier Advocate in the Parliament of Dijon and Elder of the Church there 16. For the Province of Provence Monsieur Peter Maurice Pastor of the Church of Lormarin together with Charles de Bachy Esq Lord of St. Stephens Elder in the Church of Thouars And whereas Monsieur Samuel Toussain Pastor of the Church of Luke and Monsieur John Clement called Captain Cadet Elder of the Church there appeared also with Letters of Commission from the Synod held at Cabrieres the fifteenth of April last This Assembly having heard the said Deputies declared the Deputation of Monsieur Maurice and St. Stephens to be lawful and that of Monsieur Toussain and Clement illegal as being done contrary to the Canons and Forms of our Church-Discipline Yet nevertheless for divers important Causes and for the service of the said Province the said Toussain and Clement were both admitted as Members of it only the said Toussain was censured for accepting of the said Deputation and the rather because it appeared by the acts of St. Maixant that he is relapst into the same fault for
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
le Cercler Lord of Chapeliere John Salben a Rocheller Peter Bosquillon to whom by this National Synod was also added Philip Vincent formerly Pastor of Isle Bouchard in Anjou 172. Nieul and Laleu Peter Menanceau a Rocheller 173. St. Martins in the Isle of Ré hath Louis Aubineau a Rocheller and John du Cray of Nismes 174. La Flotte in the Isle of Ré John le Chantre a Rocheller 175. Ars and Lois in the Isle of Ré are deprived of Daniel Chanet who is sent to Marans 176. La sarre Sales and Tairel Isaac Cotant of St. Martyns in the same Island 177. Marans Daniel Chanet a Rocheller 178. Bourgnauf and Angoulins Solomon le Feure 4. Colloquy of Xaintonge 179. Xaintes Theophilus Rossel 180. Pons John Constans 181. Gemozat and Lions destitute 182. Baigné John Marcon 183. St. Severin Peter Chase 184. St. Fort and Mortagne John de Clave the Elder 185. Clambois and Plassac Charles Chocquett 186. Jonzac Elizeus Prioleau Lord of Vienerie 187. Barbezieux Samuel de la Garie 188. Archiac Ezechiel Saget a Rocheller 189. Roche and Chalais David Bellot 190. Ozillac Montendre and Fontaynes John Hamilton a Scotchman 191. Mirambeau vacant 5. The Colloquy of Augoumois 192. La Rochefoucaud and Aindois Thomas Hog a Scotchman 193. Angoulesm Abraham Hyver 194. Cognac James Gaultier 195. Villefagnan Stephen Tixcul 196. Vertueil and Ruffett John Commarc 197. La Rochebeaucourt and Sales Isaac de Claux junior 198. Segonsac and Limieres Stephen de Boyenvall 199. Jarnac and St. Mesmes Isaac Patrus 200. St. Clos Champagne and Courteillas John Ferrand The Seventh Province and Provincial Synod The Province of Lower Guyenne divided into five Colloquies having seventy one Churches and seventy five Pastors 1. The Colloquy of Higher Agenois 201. Tonneins hath for Pastor Monsieur Tinell 202. Clariac hath Riccottier the Father 203. La Fitte Favieres 204. Grateloup Denis 205. La Parade de Betouille 206. Montsanson and Lussac Belon 207. Puymirol Lamoureux 208. Castlemoron Bout 209. Montflanquin Persy 210. St. Berthommiou hath Renerville 211. Montaud and Castlenaud Maturin 212. Govaudan de la Maul 213. Agen John d' Alba. 214. Galapian Decongueres 215. Tournon de la Fresnaye 2d Colloquy of Lower Ageuois 216. Eynuise de Maulans 217. St. Foy Hesperian and Mizaubin 218. La Souvelat Claude 219. Pujols Dulou 220. Pelegru Augier 221. Moncaret Bessotis 222. Saussignac Planteau 223. Castelmoron and Montsegur Renaud 224. Bourdeaux Daniel Ferrant 225. Courtras Monceau 226. Bazas le Vineaux 227. Teobon Salettes 228. Castillon Privat 229. Duras James Bertolin 230. Jensac Pornezac 231. Castels and Gironde Ricottier the Son 232. Miremont hath Bernardin 233. La Rocquette St. André Bauduell 3d Colloquy of Perigord 234. Bergerac hath for its Pastors Messieurs Pyneau and Beaujardin 235. Pomport Langlade 236. Limeuil Baisselance 237. La Linde Castabadie 238. Aymett Potet 239. Langnay David Hesperien 240. Mussidan Latané 241. Sigoules Chauveton 242. La Forcy du Puys 243. Salignac Debordat 244. Baynac Freron 245. Ysfigeac Goyon 246. Berbignieres Laffon 247. Mont Passier Bertau 248. Figeac Gast 249. Cour and Montbazillac Pagez 4th Colloquy of Limousin 250. Limoges de Barte senior 251. Chasteauneuf de Barte junior 252. Argentat Batul 253. Turenne Vition 254. Beaulieu Perecy 5th Colloquy of Condonnois 255. Casteljaloux Dubue 256. Nerac hath these three Monsieur Lanusse and Charles and D' Aubus 257. La Bastide and St. Justin du Fort. 258. Leyrac Sylvius 259. Montrignac Cazaulx 260. Vic and Montreal Brageme 261. Caumont Chardavenne 262. Puch Laguehaye 263. Labardac Monjoux 264. Espignet and Calignac Sassin 265. Mont de Marsan and Geauve du Fay. 266. Vastingues and St. John de Lux Lafite Solone 267. Pigone la Fitte 268. Venga Castilnau and Viellac Bordenave 269. Monserot Faillode 270. Cuse Nadal 271. Montraveau Bedat The Eighth Province And Provincial Synod The Province of Higher Guyenne and Higher Languedoc divided into seven Colloquies having seventy four Churches and sixty six Pastors 1st Colloquy of Castres 272. Castres hath for Pastors John Josion and Peter Savoys and Jonas Daneau 273. Realmont Peter Testas 274. Castelnau John Gerard. 275. Viane Samuel du Fresne 276. Coustat and Fevrierax Francis Rigal 277. Prouthes Peter Cahuzat 278. Brassac John Stephen Baberan 279. La Caze Theocryse Gau. 280. Poul de Lain Phillip Maroul 281. La Canne Francis Fabry 282. Vtabre Peter Comberasse 283. Angles John Balerand 284. Roque Courbe David Vic. 285. Sestigan and its three Annexes Paulin Teillet and Jeannes John Tremblay 286. Montredon Phillippes Rautonnier 287. Cabarade Stephen Cary. 288. Briteste Joseph Grasse the Elder 289. Lombez destitute of a Pastor 2d Colloquy of Rouergue 290. Milliau Isaac du Tail and Peter Bonnefoux 291. Cormu Samuel Jacques 292. St. Lever Peter Bachet 293. Aissence Jacob Aidebert 294. St. Rome Peter Melacarre 295. St. John du Breuil Balthazar Jacques Churches reduced to utter Poverty and thereby wholly deprived of Pastors in the same Colloquy 296. St. Afrique without a Minister 297. Le Pont de Cameretz without a Minister 298. St. Felix without a Minister 299. Severac without a Minister 3d Colloquy of Foix. 300. Pasmiers Paul Gailliard 301. Mezeras Paul Gautbyde 302. Saverdun Peter Violas 303. Caumont Joseph de la Fontayne 304. La Bastide de Leran and Belesta James Molineri 305. Carla David Bourgage 306. Savarac and Camarade John Morsolan 307. Mas d' Azill John Ollier 308. The Church of Fouy is destitute of a Pastor 4th Colloquy of Lauraguis 309. Sourexe Andrew Barangier 310. Puylaurens Paul Gauside 311. Mazamet Peter Violas 312. Reuel Joseph de la Fontayne 313. Carojang James Molineri 314. St. Amand David Bourgage 315. St. Paul Damiate John Villemur 316. Auxillon with its Annexes of Aignesfond and St. Albans Abel Violas 317. Cug Peter Baulx Churches destitute of Pastors in this Colloquy 318. Mas vacant 319. Stes Puelles vacant 5th Colloquy of Higher Quercy and Higher Auvergne 320. St. Cere 321. Glenat and Calumet in the Bailywick of Aurillac in the Higher Auvergne John le Voyer 322. Cazzare Anthony Peres 323. Tronguier as and its Annexes Stephen Candis 324. Figeac destitute 325. Cardillac destitute 326. Servienne destitute 6th Colloquy of Armagnac 327. Mauvezin Matthew Texier 328. Lisle Jourdain John Grasset 323. Leystoure John Dozé 330. Montfort and Puygasque with their Annexes destitute 321. Masgravier John du Mas. 7th Colloquy of Lower Quercy 332. Montauban hath for its Pastors Peter Ollier Peter Charles Timothy Delon and Peter Berauld all three Natives of the City 333. Negrepelisse 304. Le Bois de Realville 335. Caussade 336. St. Antonin 337. Campagnac 338. Bruniquel 339. Berlaic 340. St. Leophaire hath Corbarieux and Reyniers 341. Villemur 342. Meusac Villemade and la Garde 343. Moneng and Ravis destitute 344. Verseil destitute and seven Churches from Negrepelisse to Villamur all destitute The Ninth Province and Provincial Synod The Province of Lower Languedoc divided into three Colloquies having forty seven Churches and fifty seven
the Lords William Rivet Lord of Champrernown Pastor of the Church of Taillebourg and Peter Richer Lord of Vaudelincourt Pastor of the Church of Marennes accompanied with the Lords Denys Pasquett Esq Lord of Large Baston Elder in the Church of Angoulesme and Charles Constant Comptroller for his Majesty in the Election of St. John d'Angely and Elder of the Church in that City 8. For the Province of Brittain the Sieurs Josua de la Place Pastor of the Church of Nantes assembling for Religious Worship at Suffé without an Elder for the Lords Daniel de la Tousche Lord of la Ravardiere Elder in the Church of Ploer and Daniel Chastaigner Lord of la Grolliere Elder in the Church of Vielle vigne who was substituted in his Place did both send their Letters of Request that they might be dispensed with for their non-Attendance at the Synod and their Excuses were admitted and accepted 9. For the Province of Lower Guyenne the Sieurs James de Berdoline Pastor of the Church of Duras and Charles d'Aubus Pastor of the Church of Nerac accompanied with the Lords John de Mazilieres Advocate in the High Court of Parliament of Bourdeaux Lord of Grave and Elder in the Church of Nerac the Lord John Aymé de Friginet Advocate also in the same Parliament and Elder of the Church of Bergerac was chosen but fell sick and therefore was excused and in his stead there appeared Isaac de Geneste Lord of la Tour Advocate in the same Parliament and Elder in the Church of la Sauvetat who was substituted by the Suffrages of the Provincial Synod in his stead 10. For the Province of Vivaretz the Sieur Daniel Richard Pastor of the Church of Cheilar and Louis Santel Advocate and Elder of the same Church The Province excused it self for sending but two Deputies and their Excuses were admitted for this time and they were injoined for the future never to omit the Clause of Submission which was not sound in their Letters of Deputation tendred by them unto the Council 11. For the Province of Sevennes the Sieurs Moses Blasehon Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborgne and Antony Vincent Pastor of the Church of Merneys together with Stephen de Billanges Lord of Blanqfort and Elder in the Church of Vigan and Claudius d'Airebeldoze Esq Lord of Clairan Elder in the Church of Canoblet 12. For the Province of Anjou the Sieurs Matthew Cottiere Pastor of the Church of Tours and Moses Amyraud Pastor of the Church of Sanmur and Professor of Divinity in that University together with the Sieurs Philip Niett Counsellor of the King and Warden of his Majesty's Salt-garners in the said City of Saumur and Elder of the Church there and Josiah Poize Advocate in Parliament Elder of the Church at Previlly 13. For the Province of Dolphiny the Sieur Peter Pittard Pastor of the Church of Alben with the Sieur Francis de Montauban de Rambault Esq Lord of Villars Elder in the Church of Gap and the Sieur Stephen Gilbert Advocate Elder in the Church of Die the Sieur Denis de Bouteroue Pastor of the Church of Greenoble though chosen â—id not appear because of his Majesty's Prohibition yet afterwards he obtained leave to assist in this Council as will appear by its Acts and Records 14. For the Province of Lower Languedoc the Sieurs Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Cuurch of Montpellier and John de Croy Pastor of the Church of Bezieres together with the Sieurs Peter Cheyron Advocate and Elder in the Church of Nismes and Andrew Bruneau Advocate and Elder in the Church of Bagnols 15. For the Province of Higher Languedoc the Sieur Timothy Delon Pastor of the Church of Montauban with the Sieurs Peter de Villette Lord de la Jongniere Elder in the Church of St. Antonine and Paul Constans Counsellor for the King and Elder in the Church of Montaubon Master Peter Beraud Pastor of the aforesaid Church of Montauban and Professor of Divinity in that University did not appear at first because of his Majesty's Prohibition but afterward when it was taken off he did accordingly take his Place in this Council 16. For the Province and Principality of Bearn there appeared the Sieurs Peter Labadie Pastor of the Church of Pau and John de Pommerade Advocate in the Parliament of Navarre Elder of the Church in Morlas 17. For the Province of Normandy the Sieurs Abdias de Mondenis Pastor in the Church of Dieppe together with Laurence le Fevre Advocate in the Parliament of Normandy and Elder in the Church of Rouan and John Cardell Lord of Marettes Counsellor of the King and his Comptroller in the Election of Alencon and Elder of the Church in the same Place and the Sieur Benjamin Basnage Pastor of the Church of Quarentin though chosen yet did not at first appear because of his Majesty's Prohibition but as soon as it was taken off he came and took his Place in the Synod as will appear in the following Acts. 18. For the Province of the Isle of France the Sieurs John Mestrezat Pastor of the Church of Paris and David Blondell Pastor of the Church of Roussy together with the Sieurs John de Gravelles Esq Lord of Banterne Elder in the Church of Houdan and Charles Mayland Advocate Elder in the Church of Montdidier 19. The fifteenth Day of September the Lord Marquess of Clermont General Deputy for the Churches of this Kingdom unto his Majesty came according to the usual Order of these National Synods and took his Place in it having Precedency given him according to his Degree and Quality and as it was afterward decreed in the eleventh Article of General Matters 20. Prayers having been offered up unto God Monsieur Mestrezat Pastor of the Church of Paris was by Plurality of Votes chosen Moderator and Monsieur Jamet Assessor and Monsieur Blondel Pastor and Monsieur Armet an Elder Scribes of the Synod CHAP. II. The King's Letters Patents 21. AS soon as the Officers of the Synod were chosen his Majesty's Letters Patents were read a true Copy whereof is here inserted 22. Louis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre to our beloved and trusty Counsellor in our Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for our House of Navarre the Lord Galland Greeting We having given leave unto our Subjects professing the pret Reformed Religion to hold a National Synod at Charenton near our City of Paris the first Day of September next in which the Deputies of all the Provinces in this our Kingdom shall meet and consult about Matters concerning their Religion and we being to choose a Person sufficiently qualified and of approved Loyalty who may be present in the said Council as our Representative and Commissioner and calling to Mind the many Services you have done us in sundry and very weighty Imployments with which we have intrusted you both at home and abroad within and without the Kingdom all which
all humility submitting to his Majesty's good Pleasure and hoping that he will be graciously pleased to permit our ancient establish'd Order to take place doth earnestly intreat the Lord Commissioner to present our most humble Petitions unto his Majesty that he would be pleased to grant that our next National Synod may be held at the end of three Years in the Town of Aâ—anson in the Province of Normandy 8. Hereafter no Monies belonging unto the Churches shall be diverted to the printing of any Books unless such as shall be written by express Order of our National Synods 9. The Deputies unto this Synod having been on their Journey hither put unto extraordinary Expences by reason of the Contagion which reigneth universally in all parts of the Kingdom this Assembly exhorts all the Provinces to have respect unto it and therefore have rated the Charges of every day's Travel going and coming at an hundred Sous which is eight Shillings and eight Pence per diem 10. The Province of Burgundy having made report of the deplorable Necessities whereunto the Ministers and Pastors of Churches in the Colloquy of Gex are reduced for want of the Monies granted heretofore by his Majesty's Bounty for their Maintenance not one of their People contributing any thing towards their Subsistence This Assembly touched with a just Resentment of such base Ingratitude doth injoin all the Churches of that Colloquy to return unto their Duty and maintain their own Pastors or else they shall be deprived of the Ministry of the Blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus and this according to the 34th Canon in the first Chapter of our Discipline 11. Whenas the Lords General-Deputies shall assist in Person in these National Synods they shall take place above all the Deputies of the Provinces 12. The Synod enjoineth all the Provinces to distribute with their wonted Charity those supernumerary Portions attributed to them that they may redound unto the Benefit of the poorer Churches and of the more necessitous Ministers 13. The Consistory of the Church of Paris is ordered to administer the accustomed Oaths unto the Lords General-Deputies immediately upon their being accepted by his Majesty and to keep by them a Copy of their Warrant 14. The Lord Commissioner remonstrated that through the Prerogatives of Precedency claimed in the Churches of Noblemens Houses divers Quarrels had arisen and several Murders had been committed therefore his Majesty hath ordained That in such Places where the Publick Worship of God according to our Religion is exercised the Proprietors of those Houses may not under colour of that Propriety pretend to any Place of sitting than is otherwise due unto them by reason of the Dignity of their Birth or the Honour of their Offices and forbids all Ministers to pray for them in Publick by their particular Names or Qualities Whereupon his Lordship the Commissioner being intreated that after we had prayed for his Majesty it might be lawful for us in general terms to pray for those Lords under whose Justice the Church of that Place was gathered He replied that he would in no wise hinder it 15. The Deputies for the Province of Sevennes may receive their part of the Monies granted us by his Majesty's great Liberality for the defraying of our necessary Expences in this Synod without their having recourse unto the Lord of Candall's Deputy for it provided that they be accountable for that Sum so received unto their Province And all the other Provincial Deputies may likewise do the same if they please 16. After many and divers Delays and Shiftings this Assembly being at last come to a Treaty with Sir John Palot Counsellor and Secretary to the King about the Monies claimed by the Pastors of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom from him the said Palot for which a Suit was brought against him before his Majesty's most honourable Privy-Council and divers preparatory Decrees had out against him This Assembly hath commissionated and deputed the Lords Marquess of Clermont and Galland General-Deputies of our Churches the Lord of Candall Receiver-General of the Monies granted by his Majesty's great Bounty unto these Churches the Lords Banage and de Champvernon Pastors De Maschelieres Dupuy Gilbert and Beraud Elders and have given them full Power to treat with the said Sir J. Palot about the Monies so claimed by our Pastors on such Conditions and Clauses as they shall judg most advantagious unto our Pastors aforesaid and to sign Contracts and Articles of Agreement before Publick Notaries this Assembly promising that they will stand to approve and ratify whatever shall be so determined by the said Lords Commissioners 17. This tenth day of October in the presence of the said Lords Commissioners before-named by this Assembly to treat with the before-named Sieur Palot upon the Suit commenc'd against him for Monies claimed by our Churches from him After that the Contract pass'd by the said Lords was read in the Assembly it was agreed to approved and signed by the Moderator Assessor and Scribes thereof And there having been a thousand Livers promised unto the Lord Malat by a separate Act and with which he remained fully satisfied he was duly discharged of those Powers formerly given him for prosecution of the said Palot and lie shall deliver into the Hands of the Lords General-Deputies all the Papers Decrees and Memoirs in his custody concerning this Affair 18. The Lord of Candall having received from the said Sir John Palot the Sum of eight thousand Livers in pursuance of the Agreement made with him the said Sum shall be paid out in that manner as hath been ordered by this Assembly Nor may the Deputies of the Provinces lay any Claim or Pretence whatsoever of Right to the receiving of the said Monies 19. This Assembly authorized the Consistory of the Church of Paris to treat with the Lord Mallet and to discharge him from all Prosecutions of the Sieur Palot and to satisfy him for his past Travel and Pains to the Sum of thousand Livers which shall be paid him by the Lord of Candall and this in full of all Demands Debts Dues or Pretensions whatsoever either for himself or his late deceased Uncle the Lord Mallet the said Mallet bringing in an Inventory unto the Lords General-Deputies and depositing it with them of all Papers Decrees and Memoirs in his keeping concerning this Affair CHAP. XXIII Particular Matters Article 1. MR. * * * He is called in another Copy Lavent in a third Lavand Laurence heretofore Pastor in the Province of Bearn presenting himself in this Assembly with an Attestation of his Life Carriage and Conversation for these two Years now last past and most humbly and importunately petitioning to be restored unto the Holy Ministry This Assembly did not judg his Request meet to be granted but advised him to apply himself to some other Calling than the Ministry of the Gospel and to use such means for a Livelihood as the Providence of God may trace out and direct
John D' Angely 45. 47. John du Croy 48. Abraham Joyer Tonnay Charante 46. 49. Peter Charron Tonnay Boutonnay 47. 50. René Chesheau a Rocheller Soubize 48. 51. William Rivet Lord of Chamvernoun Taillebourg 49. 52. Thomas Guyott a Rocheller Pastor of Moise 40. 53. Sebastian Baldwyn Pastor of St. Savinian 51. 54. Peter Menauean a Rocheller of Fontenay Labatu 52. 55. James Morin Pastor of Tors Fresneau c. Mata 52. 3. Colloquy of the Islands Pastors Churches 56. Peter Richier Lord of Vandelincour Marents 54. 57. And Anthony Chardavoyn of 58. Claudius Herault a Rocheller of Cozes 55. 59. John Perreau a Rocheller of Saujon 56. 60. John du Menil of St. Just 57. 61 Anthony Bugnon a Rocheller Minister of St. John D' Angel 58. 62. John Papin At La Tremblade 59. 63. Oliver le Cercler Lord of La Monnerie of Arnot 60. 64. James de la Fontayn a Rocheller of Royan 61. 65. John Gruell Minister of Meschors 62. 66. Elijah Coustans the Younger of Mornoe 63. There be in this Colloquy these Churches interdicted Saujon St. Lierre 64. St. Denis 65. and the Castle of Olleroon 66. 4. The Colloquy of Xaintonge Pastors Churches 67. Theophilus Rossel and Ministers of Xaintes 67. 68. Charles â—â—uet 69. John Costans the Elder of Lons 68. 70. Elijah Prioleau Lord of La Viennerie Jonzael 69. 71. John Hamilton the Father and Ministers of Montendere Fontaynes Ozillae 70. 72. John Hamilton the Son 73. James Gaultier of Archiac 71. 74. Peter Bonyot of Fou St. German 72. 75. John Marcon of Baigne 73. 76. John Baduel of Mizabeau 74. 77. Peter Chaze of St. Severin 75. 78. Louis Aubouieneau a Rocheller of Moulieu and Monhuyon 76. 79. David Bellot of Chalais la Roche 77. 80. Francois Majou of Clanbois Classac 78. 81. Lazarus Cazaux of Barbezieux 79. 5. Colloquy of Augoumois Pastors Churches 82. John Ferran Minister of St. Claude Champagnemauton 80. 83. Isaac Clave Minister of La Rechefoucaud Lindois 81. 84. Isaac Patui Minister of St. Mesme Jarnac Charante 82. 85. Abraham Hivert of Angoulesme Montignac 83. 86. Samuel Lagarie of Cognac 84. 87. Stephen Tixueil of Villefaignan 85. 88. John Comarc of Vertuell Russet Castell Renaud 86. Elijah Constans at Numb 66. now of Bourg Charante 87. 89. Anthony Carrier of Legonzac Ligneres 88 90. Isaac Merchant of La Rochebeaucourt Sales 89. John Pascard without a Church Churches interdicted Mortaigne Lonzac 92. Churches Destitute of Pastors Gemouzac 73. Rieux 94. Niel,95 Hevert au Beterie 96. St. Aulay 97. The 4th Province of Burgundy 1. Colloquy of Gex Pastors Churches 92. John Tapé Minister of Chalais Sarconnay 98. 93. James Clerk the Father of Cessy 99 94. James Clerk the Son Colonges 100. 95. James Gaultier of Gex 101. 96. Dupré Minister of Vivonne 102. 97. Francois Perreaud Minister of St. Hoiry Fargues 103 98. Peter Despreaux of Crosset 104. 99. Joseph Prevost of Ornez 105. 100. David Paget Minister of Versoy 106. 2. Colloquy of Dijon Pastors Churches 101. Joseph Mauvin Minister of Arnay le Duc 107. 102. Isaac Durand of Issurtille 108. 103. Gideon Guyonnet Minister of Chastillon upon Seyn 109 St. John de Laune 110. Dijon 111. 104. Peter Bolenat Minister of Avalon Vaux 112. 105. John Comperat of Neyons 113. 106. Peter Heliot of Baulne 114. 3. Colloquy of Chalons Pastors Churches 107. Amed de Bons Minister of Chalons 115. 108. John Viridet Minister of Paray 116. 109. Noël Angeley Minister of Martingues 117. 110. Peter Jaimot Minister of Pont des Vaux Belle Ville 118. Moulins 119. Bourbon 120. 111. Heliodorus de Noyer Minister of Bussy Clugny 121. 112. Jeffery Bruny Minister of Antun Conches 122. 4. Colloquy of Lyon Pastors Churches 113. Esaiah Bailly and Ministers of the Church of Lions 123. 114. Alexander Rous 115. Senebriet 116. Francois Renaud L. of Mispillac Minist of Mascon 124. 117. Jacob Textor Minister of Bouage 125. 118. John Marcombes Minister of Pons de Voyles 126. Puillac 127. The 5th Province of Lower Languedoc 1. The Colloquy of Nismes Pastors Churches 119. John Bansillon Minister of Aigues Mortes 128. 120. John Chauvet Pastors of Nismes 129. 121. Phillip Codur 122 Samuel Petit 123. Claudius Rosselet and 124. Josiah Darnieu Pastors of 125. _____ Justamen Minister of Masillargues 130. 126. Francois Durand Minister of Galargues 131. 127. Quintin Rennoy and Ministers of Clavisson 132. 128. Abraham de Lare 129. Tobias Roux Minister of St. Laurens 133. 130. Silligorry Minister of Aimargues 134. 131. Andrew Basagne Minister of Bernis 135. 132. Tibaud Minister of Aubars 136. 133. Allegre Minister of Nayett 137. 134. Fourmer Minister of Cleronsae 138. 135. Brun Minister of Vauvert 139. 136. Gaultier Minister of Sommiere 140. 137. Savrin Minister of Aymargues 141. 138. Lichicres Minister of Vergescet 142. 139. Davin Minister of Beauvoisin 143. 140. Bertrand Minister of Bussinarques 144. 2. The Colloquy of Vsez Pastors Churches 141. Rally the Elder Minister of Barjac 145. 142. Arnaud Minister of Fons 146. 143. Nogueyer and in the Church of Vez 147. 144. Manuel Pastors 145. Du Cros Minister of Blansac 148. 146. Ravanel Minister of St. Ginicis 149. 147. Bonnier Minister of Lussan 150. 148. Chabaud Minister of BonCoiran 151. 149. Meinier Castanier Minister of Navacelles 152. 150. Paul Cheyron Minister of Genouillac 153. 151. Ponnier Minister of Les Vaus 154. 152. Desmarets Minister of Chambourrigaud 155. 153. Rally the Younger Minister of Mouteran 156. 154. La Saye Minister of Ambroise 157. 155. Thomas Minister of John de Marneiola 158. 156. Peter Serres Minister of St. Bagnols 159. 157. Ancet Minister of St. Monfond St. Quantin 160. 158. John Sobier Emeritus  3. Colloquy of Montpellier Pastors Churches 159. Vedrines Ministers of Montpellier 162. 160. Moses Baux 161. John Gigord 162. Carsenal 163. John de Croy Minister of Beziers 163. 164. Pucis Minister of Pinan 164. 165. Begon Minister of Clermont 165. 166. Atgé of Lunel 166. 167. Preudhomma Minister of Courvon 167. 168. Lavit of Bezarieux 168. 169. Second of Montagnac 169. 170. Rouze of Malquel 170. Lelache Vendamman 171. Gignac 172. Poussan 173. Forensac 174. 171. Moses Russel a Pastor Emeritus 6. Province of Poictou 1. Colloquy of the Vpper Poictou Pastors Churches 172. John Foran Pastor of Chavigny 175. 173. James Clemanseau Jun. of Courteilles 176. 174. John Masson a Rocheller of Civray 177. 175. Isaac du Soul Minister of Lusignan 178. 176. Isaac de Civille Minister of Couké 179. 177. Nicolas Bellin Minister of Parthenay 180. 178. James Clemanseau Sen of Poictiers 181. 179. James Cottiby a Rocheller 180. Isaac Chabrol Minister of Touars 182. 181. Daniel Pui and Ministers of Chastelheraud 183. 182. John Carre 183. Daniel Jaillard L. of Rosefleur of Aubanie Sause 184. 184. Peter Vinard a Rocheller of Montfermier 185. 185. Andrew Gourdery Minister of Montrevil Bonnin 186. 2. The Colloquy of Middle Poictou Pastors
Churches 186. Second Chauffepied of Champdenis 187. 187. John de la Blacherie of Mougon 188. 188. John Chalmot of Chesboutonné Saveilles 189. 189. John le Chantre a Rocheller of Melle 190. 190. James de Cognac of Niort 191. 191. Jonas Chasgneau and of St. Maixant 192. 192. Samuel le Blanc 193. John Vatablé of Issoudin 193. 194. Nicolas Chagneau of Aunay Chize 194. 195. Theophilus Lesnier of Marsillac Aigre 195. 196. James Chalmot Lord of Tiel St. Gelaise Cherueux 196. 197. James Artuis Lord of Ville Saison La Motte St. Eraye 197. 3 The Colloquy of the Nether Poictou Pastors Churches 198. John Greslant of La Chaume les Sables 198. 199. Joshua d' Artois of St. Hillaire Foussay 199. 200. Anne Savonnet of La Joduiniere Mouilleron Bazange 200. 201. Thomas Johnson of Sezay Le Breuilbarret 201. 202. Josias Ollivier of Chantonay Puibelliard 202. 203. Louis Rocaer Lord of La Bariniere Minister of La Chastagneray 203. 204. René des Closses L. of La Touche of Mooschamp 204. 205. Gabriel Bouquet of La Chaise Bournezaux 205. St. Folgent 206. 206. John de la Place the Father of Bouzanges Bonpere 207. 207. James Prunier of Talmont 208. 208. James Ranconnet of Mareuil Versoy 209. 209. Isaac Vergnon of St. Hermine la Chappelle 210. 210. Charles Chauve Lord of Longechamp Minister of Montague La Forest Perigne Vandore 211.212 211. Charles Mallet of S. Giles Surviers laGanache 213 212. Elijah Boucherau of Fontenay le Conte 214. 213. Peter Cognart of Leguire St. Benoist 215. Belle Ville Aysenay 216. Lusson Coulonge les Reaux 217. Penet le Vigean 218.217.220 214. John Bonnaud formerly Pastor of Lusson but now without a Ch. 7th Province of Tourain Anjou and le Maine 1. Colloquy of Tourain Pastor Churches 215. Matthew Cottiere of Tours 221. 216. John Foran 217. John Roger of Preuilly 222. 218. Peter Fleury 219. Peter de Coudre a Rocheller of Chastillon on the Indre 223. 220. Isaac Le Pelletier of Vandôme 224. 221. Francois de la Gallere of Montoir 225. 222. James De Vascher L. of La Lasse of Lisle Bouchard 226. 2. The Colloquy of Anjou Pastors Churches 223. Stephen le Bloy of Angiers 227. 224. James Brissac Lord of Loges of Loudun 228. 225. And Daniel Coupé 226. 227. Moses Amyraud of Saumur Bourgneil 229. 228. Josuah de la Place 229. Isaac d' Huysseau 230. Peter Lassiere of Mirebeaux 230. 231. John Pyneau L. of LaQuantinage of Bouge 231. 3. The Colloquy of Mayne Pastors Churches 232. John Vigneux of Mans Ardenay 232. 233. Abel Amyraud L. of Beausoudan of St. Agnan Minbray 233. 234. Abel Barbier of Pringé Gallerande 234. 235. René Alin Minister of Belesine 235. 236. Aymé Tricot of Chasteau de Loir 236. 237. Rouveau of Lassey 237. Chasteau Gontier 238. Craon 239. La Barre 240. Pouligny 241. 8th Province of Vivaretz Forest and Vellay Pastors Churches 238. Alexander de Vinay of Annonay 242. 239. Antony Faucheur of Chambon St. Voy 243. 240. Antony La Motte of Chalauçon 244. 241. Blane of Vergnoux 245. 242. Peter Picorre of Baussé 246. 243. Marcelin Jardin of Desaigne 247. 244. Laurant of Vabance Soyon 248. 245. Simeon D' Hosty of St. Fortunate 249. 246. Paul Acorat of Privas 250. 247. Peter Marchat of Glurats 251. 248. Reboulet of Tournon near Privas 252. 249. Peter Guezé of Le Poussin St. Auban 253. 250. Bourset of Bais on the Bais 254. 251. David Chanat of Luccon â Pastor Emeritus Lagorce Vallon 255. Churches Destitute of Pastors Le Choylost 256. Aubenas Vales 257. Touch Metas 258. Villeneufve 259. Mirabel St. Pons 260. De Berg 261. Bonlieu 262. St. Stephen's in Forest 263. 9th Province of Bearne 1. The Colloquy of Sauveterre Pastors Churches 252. John Capdeville Minister of Sauveterrer 264. 253. Phillip Beque and of Salliers 265. 254. John L'esterneau 255. Simeon Faget of Carresse 266. 256. James Majendu the Son of La Bastide 267. 257. John Estandeau of Oray and its annexed Churches 268. 258. Raymond Toulouze of St. Gladie 269. 259. Benjamin Bourgade of Aranjuson 270. 260 Peter Sabbatier of Chares 271. 261. Peter Guillemin of St. Palais 272. 262. Bustanoby of Mauleon in Soulé 273. Audans and its annexed Congregations destitute 274. 2. Colloquy of Orthez Pastors Churches 263. Anthony Vispalie of Orthez 275. 264. Bernard Majendu the Father of Masloe 276. 265. La Fite of Logor 277. 266. Samuel Remy of Pardies 278. 267. Disserotte of Gouzé 279. 268. Minuielle of Artez 280. 269. La Pouble of Castillion 281. 270. Martyn of Castetins 282. 271. John Carsusin of Bereuy 283. 272. Tartan of Bellock 284. 273. Codelougne of St. Susanne 285. 274. Capelle of Castenay 286. 275. Cousture of Ville Segure 287. 3. Colloquy of Pau. Pastors Churches 276. John D'abadie and Ministers of Pau 288. 277. John de la Fiste 278. Vidal of Lescar 289. 279. Stephen Fabes of Morlas 290. 280. Palobe of La Seube 291. 281. Gruyer of Cescau 292. 4. Colloquy of Olleron Pastors Churches 282. Casse Bonne and Ministers of Olleron 293. 283. Casse Major 284. Andrew Majendu the Son of Navarreins 294. 285. La Tourette of Castelnay 295. 286. Chandieu of Mouveins 296. 287. Bedora of Viëille 297. 288. La Placette of Aradi Valeé de Sau 298. 289. John D'abadie Minister in the Town of Aspe 299. 290. Eusebius Barrubieres of Barretons Valle 300. 5. Colloquy of Nay Pastors Churches 291. Cabanes of the Church of Nay 301. 292. John Salfranquer of Arros 302. 293. Clavel of Nostin 303. 294. La Placette of Pontac 304. 295. Cassou of Assa 305. 296. Theophilus Brun of Asson 306. 6. Colloquy of Vibil Pastors Churches 297. John de la Garrigue of Lambeys 307. 298. James de la Puyade of Garlin 308. 299. Peter Rival of Noye 309. 300. David Abadie of Mouvans and Couches 310. 10th Province of Provence Pastors Churches 301. Paul Maurice of Eguieres 311. 302. Peter Maurice of Lormarin 312. 303. Andrew Bernard of Merindol 313. 304. James Recent of La Costé 314. 305. James Recent of Veleaux 315. 306. Anthony de Crosse of Cabrieres La Motte 316. 307. Paul Godemar of Riés 317. 308. John Bernard of Auluc 318. 309. Peter Challier of Sené 319. 310. Andrew Genoyer of Manosques 320. Gordes 321. Churches Destitute Jocas Muëtt 322. La Charge Curban 323. 11th Province of Sevennes 1. Colloquy of Anduze Pastors Churches 311. John Soleil and Pastors of Anduze 324. 312. Arnaud 313. John Bony of St. John de Gardonenque 325. 314. Paul Paul of Generarges 326. 315. Anthony Imbert of Meclet 327. 316. John Reboutier of La Sale 328. 317. Daniel Guerin of Sadorgnes 329. 318. Laurens Aymard of Lezan 330. 319. Guy Chavanon of Le Dignan 331. 320. _____ Robert of Vezenobres 332. 321. _____ Bouton of Alez 333. 322. John Poussac of St. Paul
Church of Beaulieu and Abraham Homel Elder of the Church of Soyon Article 10. For the Province of Berry the Sieurs John Taby Pastor of the Church of la Charité Daniel Jurieu Pastor of the Church of Mer Henry de Chartres Esq Lord of Clebes Elder in the Church of Marchenoir and Simon Milhommeau Lord of Barandieres Bayliff of Chastillon upon the Loin and Elder of the Church in that Town Article 11. For the Province of Poictou the Sieurs James Cottiby Pastor of the Church of Poictiers John Chabrol Pastor of the Church of Touars Sir Charies Gourjaut Knight Lord of Panieure Elder in the Church of Mougon and Peter Pesseurs Attorney Fiscal of the Dutchy of Touars and Elder of the Church in that City Article 12. For the Province of Bretaign the Sieurs John Boucherean Lord of La Masche Pastor of the Church in Nantes and Samuel de Goullaines Esq Lord of the Landoviniere Elder in the Church of Viellevigne Article 13. For the Province of Higher Guyenne and Higher Languedoc the Sieurs Anthony Garrissoles Pastor of the Church of Montauban and Professor of Divinity in that University Peter Ollier Pastor of the said Church Substituted in the place of Monsieur John Grasset Pastor of the Church of Viane who was hindered by reason of Sickness Anthony Ligonuiere Councellor and Secretary to the King Elder in the Church of Castres and John Darassus Councellor for the King in the presidial Court of Montauban and Elder of the said Church Article 14. For the Province of Lower Languedoc the Sieurs John de Croy Pastor of the Church of Beziers Abraham de Lare Pastor of the Church of Cauvisson the Noble Mark Dardouin Lord of la Caumette Elder of the Church of Nismes and the Noble James de Brueis Lord of Bourdie Elder in the Church of Blanzac Article 15. For the Province of Burgundy the Sieurs Peter Bollenat Pastor of the Church Assembling at Vau Salomon Roy Advocate in the Parliament of Dijon and Elder of the Church of Bussy and Francis Armet Advocate in Parliament and Elder of the Church of Loches the Sieur John Viridet was hindered by a very sore Sickness from coming unto the Synod Article 16. For the Province of Provence the Sieurs Francis Vallanson Pastor of the Church de la Coste and the Noble John de Castellane Lord of Caillez and Rigan Elder in the Church of Manosques 3. The Sieurs Drelincourt Pastor and le Coq Elder of the Church of Paris were chosen together with the Sieur Caillard Elder of the Church of Alanson and the Lord Deputy-General to gather the Suffrages of the Deputies in this Assembly which were taken in written Billets by each of them for Electing the Moderator Assessor and Scribes which was done Successively those Officers being Chosen one after another and by plurality of Billets Monsieur Garrissoles was chosen Moderator Monsieur Basnage Assessor and Monsieur Blondel and Monsieur le Coq Scribes and took their Seats in Order as they were Chosen CHAP. II. As soon as these Officers of the Synod were chosen the Lord of Cumont Councellor for the King in His Council of State and Parliament of Paris Deputed by His Majesty presented Letters Patents which did Commissionate him to Represent His Majesty in this Synod These being read were inserted into the Register of the Acts of this Synod The Tenor and Form of which is as followeth 4. A Copy of the King's Letters Patents containing His Majesty's Commission to Monsieur de Cúmont Lord of Boisgrollier LOUIS BY the Grace of God King of France and Navarré To Our Beloved and Trusty Councellor in Our Councel of State and Court of Parliament at Paris the Lord of Cúmont Greeting We having Granted our Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion to hold a National Synod in the Town of Charenton near Paris on the Six and Twentieth day of December next coming Composed of all the Deputies of the Provinces of Our Kingdom to Treat of Affairs concerning their Religion and being to make choice of a meet Person and of approved Fidelity to Vs who may preside in the said Assembly as Our Commissioner and Represent Vs in it We knowing the Services you have rendered Vs in sundry Honourable Imployments with which We had intrusted you which you have most Worthily and Faithfully discharged We thought We could not choose a fitter Person than your self being well assured that you will continue the Testimonies of your Affection unto Vs and Our Service as aforesaid Wherefore by Advice of the Queen-Regent Our most Honoured Lady and Mother We have Commissionated and Deputed you and We do Commissionate and Depute you by these Presents Signed with Our Hand to go unto the Town of Charenton and to sit in the said Synod there Assembled and to Represent Our Royal Person in it and to Propose and Determine whatever matters We shall give you in Command according to those Memoirs and Instructions We have now delivered unto you and you are to take heed that none other Affairs be there debated but such as ought to be in those Assemblies and which are permitted by Our Edicts And in case the Members of the said Synod should attempt to do any thing contrary thereunto you shall hinder them and interpose therein with Our Authority and give Vs speedy and timely notice of it that such course may be taken to prevent those inconveniencies which would arise as We shall Judge to be most convenient For the doing whereof We give you Power Commission and special Commandment by these presents Given at Paris the 28th of November in the year of Grace One Thousand Six Hundred and Forty Four and of Our Reign the Second Signed in the Original LOUIS And a little lower Phelippeaux The Speech of the Lord Commissioner unto the Synod together with his Propositions and Complaints made in Their Majesties Name against divers Churches Messieurs AS it is a very great Honour to me to be Commissionated by His Majesty to assist in your Synod and to acquaint you with His Will and Pleasure so also have I a great deal of Joy and Satisfaction to behold this Illustrious Assembly chosen out of all the Provinces of this Kingdom and that I can tell you by word of Mouth what was expresly Charged and Commanded me by the King and the Queen His Mother which is to assure you of Their Good Will unto you and Protection of you and of all your Churches and of the intire Execution of the Edicts of Pacification so long as you continue your selves within those bounds of Duty Subjection and Fidelity which you owe unto Their Majesties they being the Higher Powers set over you by God intrusted with the Supream Authority and your Lot and Portion being the Honour of Obedience to Them whereunto you stand Obliged by your Birth the Dictates of your own Conscience and the Favours you continually receive from Their Majesties and by all kinds of Considerations both General and
or others that may sing Masses for the Dead is he to be deposed from his Office We answer Let him be first heard in the Consistory speak for himself before they proceed unto his Deposal XXVII It was demanded Whether the Word of God might be preached publickly without Authority from the Civil Magistrate Answer was given That there should be special care had of the Time and Publick Peace and above all that there be no Tumults nor Sedition XXVIII The Churches of Paris Orleance and Rouan are deputed by this present Synod to Protest against the Popish Council now held at Trent and of the Nullity of all its Decisions and Decrees and their Protestation shall be done either by Printed Books or Oral Remonstrances unto the King's Majesty or by any other way as they shall judge needful XXIX It is now Decreed That the Deputies of the Provinces when they go to Court shall take with them our Confession of Faith and consult among themselves how to present it unto His Majesty together with the Petitions of our Churches and to this purpose they shall make Application unto those Lords who they know to be Favourers of our Cause and Religion XXX Whereas divers Persons do solicite this National Synod to supply the Congregations who have sent them hither with Pastors they are all answered That at present we are utterly unable to gratifie them and that therefore they be advised to set up Propositions of the Word of God and to take special care of Educating hopeful young Men in Learning in the Arts Languages and Divinity who may hereafter be imployed in the Sacred Ministry and they are most humbly to Petition the Lord of the Harvest to send Labourers who may get it in XXXI May he be admitted to communicate in the Bread only at the Lord's Table who hath an Antipathy against Wine Yes he may provided that he do his utmost to drink of the Cup but in case he cannot he shall make a Protestation of his Antipathy The End of the Synod of Poictiers THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE III. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At ORLEANCE in the Year of our LORD 1562. The Contents of this Synod Chap. I. A Moderator and two Scribes chosen Chap. II. General Matters The Synod to be called the General or National Church-Council of the Kingdom Chap. III. Discipline exercised upon Delinquents Chap. IV. Various Matters Cases of Conscience c. THE Synod of Orleance 1562. Synod III. SYNOD III. Articles of the National Synod held at Orleance the Twenty fifth Day of April in the Year One thousand five hundred sixty and two after Easter in the Second Year of K. Charles IX CHAP. I. Monsieur De Chandieu was a very learned French Divine His Works are 1. The Marks of the True Church 2. De L'Vnique Sacrifice 3. Contra les Traditions c. in Follo He was Lord of Chandieu and Baron of Chabot chosen by the Church of Paris to be their Pastor at Twenty Years of Age and Moderator of this National Synod at Twenty three A Gentleman of eminent Piety and Gravity He was desired by the King of Navary to be his Pastor and upon his Death removed to Geneva where he was called to the Pastoral Office in that City and discharged it with very great fidelity He never took any Wages for his Work in the Ministry He wrote himself Sadeel which is the Hebrew of Chandieu The Field of GOD. He died of an Hectick Fever in the 57th Year of his Age saith Mr. Du Thou but he was mistaken for it was in the 63d Anno 1591. Melchior Adams hath writ his Life among his Theolog. Exteri ANthony de Chandieu Minister in the Church of Paris chosen President Robert le Macon Lord La Fountaine Minister in the Church of Orleance and Peter Sevin Deacon of the Church of Paris chosen Scribes by General Consent of the Deputies CHAP. II. General MATTERS This Synod bears the Name and has the Authority of a General Council by the Advice of the Assembly I. THE Ministers and Elders Convocated in this Assembly of Orleance for the General Council of France following the Determination of the last Synod held at Poictiers are of Opinion That the present Assembly should have and bear the Name and Authority of the Council General of the Deputies of this Kingdom notwithstanding that several Deputies are absent who shall be sufficiently informed of Matters debated and resolved in this Council together with the Reasons for which notwithstanding their absence we were constrained to proceed without them all which shall be more largely declared in the next General Council where also shall be heard the Reasons of those absent Deputies for their Non-attendance and their Arguments if need be against the Decisions of the present Council Ministers of Princes and great Lords shall sign the Confession of Faith II. The Princes and other great Lords following the Court in case they would have Churches instituted in their Houses shall be desired to take such for their Pastors as are Ministers in Churches truly Reformed bringing with them sufficient Testimonials of their Lawful Call unto the Ministry who shall before their Admission subscribe the Confession of Faith of the Churches in this Kingdom and our Church-Discipline And that the Preaching of the Gospel may be more successful the said Protestant Lords shall be requested every one of them to erect a Consistory There shall be a Consistory in their Houses composed of the Ministers and other Persons most eminent for Piety in their said Family by which Consistory all Scandals and Vices shall be supprest and the Rules of Discipline observed Moreover those Ministers shall be present at Provincial Synods if it may possibly consist with their occasions And that this may be effected the Council hath ordained That the Province in which the Synod shall be assembled shall be obliged to call them to it And those Ministers especially or a part of them shall be there present being deputed by the rest unto the General Synods together with their Elders who may inform the said General or Provincial Synods of their Lives and Conversation And in case the said Lords and Princes have divers Houses they shall be advertis'd None to have preheminence over another that none of their Ministers may pretend domination or preheminence over another according to that Article of our Church-Discipline in this case expresly provided And when as the said Lords and Princes shall reside in those Houses of theirs where there is a Church already formed we desire for the preventing of all Divisions that the Church in their Family would joyn itself unto the Church of that place and for that time to make but one Assembly III. Whenas the Lord's Supper shall be celebrated in the close of every Synod according to the Fourth Article of our Church-Discipline in the Acts of the First National
transmitted Difficulties shall be maturely examined and the Arguments on both sides urged being fair and carefully written down shall be sent unto the National Synod And forasmuch as our present Circumstances will not admit any great Number of Ministers and Elders in this National Synod we are of Opinion that for this time only and during these Difficulties that the Brethren assembled in each Provincial Synod should choose from among them one or two Ministers and as many Elders of the ablest and most expert in Church-Affairs to be sent in the Name of the whole Province who shall come furnished with good Memorials and premeditated Thoughts upon those Difficulties which had been communicated to them The Provinces shall not prescribe any set time or term unto these their Deputies for returning but shall let them tarry in the said Synod as long as there may be need of them and the Charges of the said Deputies shall be defrayed by their respective Provinces And that the National Synod may be no more imployed in Matters already decided by former Synods the Provinces shall be advised to read over carefully the Acts of the past Synods before they prepare their Memorials and to send nothing but what is general â—nâ— of common concern to all the Churches or else that which merits the Resolution of the said National Synod And the Churches of Poictiers which is charged with the calling of the next National Synod shall be informed of all this that they may intend their Duty CHAP. XI General Advertisements unto the Churches XXIV THE Printers in every Province shall be advised That whereas at the end of Psalm-Books and Catechisms they do add the Confession of Faith of our French Churches that they do especially this which begins with these words We believe and confess that there is but One GOD c. and which hath an Epistle prâ—fixed to it dedicated to the King and not that other Confession which begins thus Forasmuch as the Foundation of Faith c. not but that both are conformable in Doctrine And hereof also Notice shall be given to the Printers of Geneva Elders not to be displac'd without great cause XXV Although the Elders Office as now used by us be not perpetual as is exprest in the 35th Article of the Discipline nevertheless the Churches shall be admonished not to discharge their Elders but for great Causes whereof the Consistories shall take Cognizance that so the Church may be be conducted after the bed manner by Persons well verst in her Government XXVI Ministers in places appointed by the King and in all others are advised not to receive the Members of any other Churches unto the Lord's Supper without a sufficient Attestation produced by them under the hand of their Pastors or Elders if it may be had No Books must be written ridiculously but Modesty is to be observed in them XXVII Ministers and others whom God hath endowed with Gifts and Abilities to write in Defence of the Truth are requested not to publish their Thoughts in a ridiculous or injurious manner but to keep to that Modesty and Gravity which becomes the Majesty of God's Word and to observe that self-same Modesty and Majesty in their Sermons and in their ordinary Stile to use the Language of God's Spirit in the Holy Scripture Schollars to be maintained by the Churches in the Universities XXVIII Because there is every-where a visible decay and a great want of Ministers and that some provision may be made for a Succession the Churches shall be admonished by our Brethren the Provincial Deputies that such as are rich would maintain some hopeful Schollars at the Universities who being educated in the Liberal Arts and Sciences and other good Learning may be fitted for and employed in the Sacred Ministry XXIX Altho' in our Churches for the most part the Lord's Supper is administred only sour times a Year yet the more frequent Celebration of it is very desirable due Reverence in approaching to it being always observed because it 's most beneficial for God's Children to be exercised and grow in Faith which is done by the frequent usage of the Sacraments as also because this was the Practice of the Primitive Church Nâ—â—â—e mâ—n may not carry with them in their Journeys the Ministers of the Churches leaving them â—â—â—upplied XXX Ministers being given to the Service of the Church and not to the Persons and Palaces of Great Lords altho' their Families may equallize in Numbers some Churches yet their Lordships shall be desired not to carry away with them in their Removals or Travels abroad with their Families the Churches Ministers least thereby they be left unprovided XXXI Lords and Gentlemen shall be censured according to the Discipline of our Churches if after frequent Admonitions they entertain in their Houses scandalous and incorrigible Persons especially if they suffer Priests to sing Mass or by Dogmatizing to debauch their Domesticks or if having cashiered them they shall again receive them into their Service XXXII The Churches shall be admonished to beware of a Book written by Mr. Charles Du Moulin Entituled Vnio quatuor Evangelistarum because in it there be divers Errors as about Limbus Free-will and the Sin against the Holy Ghost and the Lord's Supper and in particular about the Calling of Ministers and Church-Discipline which he treats with scorn and would totally subvert The Faithful also are warned not to assist at any of his Sermons or Sacraments it being against the Discipline of our Church Modesty to be kept in Attire See the Synod of St. Foy General Matters Art 2. The Faithful must use Charity towards their Brethren or Sisters that have forsook their Monastries XXXIII Ministers shall exhort their People to be modest in their Habits and that they themselves do in this and all other Matters give them the best Example forbearing all Gaudery in their own Persons and in their Wives and Children XXXIV They whose Brethren and Sisters have quitted their Monastery that they might serve God in freedom of Conscience shall be exhorted to admit them unto a part of their Estate at least they shall be compelled by all Censures to afford them Maintenance and a competent Pension according to their ability For they would otherwise shew themselves void of Natural Affection The End of the Second National Synod of Paris THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE VI. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE Held in the Town of VERTVEIL and Province of AVGOVLMOIS the First Day of September 1567. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Moderator Alterations and Annotations upon the Church-Discipline Chap. II. Marriage of Excommunicated Persons and Infidels Provincial Synods Reading of the Holy Scriptures Bread in the Lord's Supper to be taken by them who can't the Cup Church-Government Loan of Ministers Pastors deserting their Churches Rejection of Church-Officers Chap. III. A Case of Conscience about a Deaf and Dumb Man's
by him but meerly for the peace of it 6. The Elder of of the Church of Aulais in Sevennez complaining of the Synod of Lower Languedoc for imposing Monsieur Jarry as Pastor upon their Church against their will and this testified by him openly in their Synodical Metting That Province is censured for breaking of our Discipline And the next Colloquy which shall sit is to provide the Church of Aulais of another Pastor and the Sieur Jarry of another Church and the said Province shall defray the Charges of the said Jarry amounting to the sum of two hundred Livers 7. The Agreement made betwixt the Church of St. Antonine and that of Verfeuil upon their Appeal brought hither is approved by this Assembly which doth also confirm Monsieur Guerin in the Pastoral office of the said Church of St. Antonine 8. Monsieur Bayly Pastor in the Church of Lyons presented in this Assembly an Account of the difference between his Church and the Province of Burgundy And the Deputies of that Province being heard requesting that the Decree of their Synod concerning the fifth penny of the poors Money might be observed by the said Church of Lyons This Assembly ordered that they should punctually observe and practise that Canon of the National Synod of Rochell relating to this matter and it should also be done in and by all the other Churches of that Province 9. The Colloquies of St. Germain Anduze and Saulne demanding A separation from the Synod of Lower Languedoc that for time to come they might make a distinct Province The whole affair having been Seriously weighed and considered as also that the Synod of Lower Languedoc composed of an hundred Pastors and as many Elders are of an exceeding distance and that their great number brings the greater Confusion This Assembly judgeth the said separation to be very needful for their Ecclesiastical meetings And that for the future the six aforesaid Colloquies shall be divided into two Provincial Synods whereof the one shall consist of the Colloquies afore-mentioned viz. of St. Germain Anduze and Saulne and shall be called the Synod of Sevennes and Gevaudan and the other three Colloquies shall make another Synod called by the Name of the Synod of Lower Languedoc 10. Monsieur Gautier did by his Proctor Captain Pascall Appeal unto this Assembly from the Judgment given in the Synod of Bagnals against Monsieur Bansillon Fastor of Aiguemortes who considering his notorious Crimes had not dealt severely enough with him This Assembly approveth of his Appeal and judgeth that the Province for their lenity and gentle Censures of him are themselves worthy of the sharpest Censures And therefore it decreeth that upon this very account and for what hath been transacted in this Assembly concerning the said Bansillon and because he hath positively denied those matters which since his Repentance he owneth and acknowledgeth that he shall be suspended from his Ministry for the space of three months 11. An Appeal was brought in the Name of the Lord Mareschal de Lesdiguieres Viscount of Villemur from an Order of the Provincial Synod held at Revel which in pursuance of a Decree past in the preceding Colloquy had ordained Monsieur Charles Pastor of the said Town of Villemur to abide and live there notwithstanding the instant desires of the people to the contrary This Assembly having heard the Commissioners deputed to examine this Affair and perused their Evidences produced by them and having heard both the said Charles and the Lord of Bellujon Governour of the said Villemur sent by the said Lord Mareschal who also joyned with him in this Appeal it judgeth that the said Sieur Charles hath incurred the Censures of the Church for his pragmaticalness in intermedling with State-matters and for carrying unto the said Lord Mareschal a Libel fraught with defamatory Articles against the said Governour de Bellujon as also for bringing away with him Memorials of the said Mareschal quite contrary to his intention And in like manner is the said Governour de Bellujon censured for not having first of all formed his Complaints in the Consistory and thence gradually prosecuted them in the Colloquy and Synod according to the Rules of our Discipline and for that he suffered his Family to separate themselves from the Body of the Church of Villemur and to go and joyn themselves in Communion elsewhere And inasmuch as there is little hopes that the said Charles may for the future live quietly and exercise profitably his Ministry in that said Church it is ordered that the next Provincial Synod shall provide it of another Pastor and him of another convenient Church and this without any impairment to his Reputation or Ministry And these several Parties were mutually reconciled pledging their words to bury in oblivion the remembrance of all past-matters and that they would live for time to come in all Brotherly Love and Concord And whereas the said Charles complained that the Expences in this Appeal and Cause were too heavy a burden for his Church the Province was ordered to provide therein according to Charity 12. The Sieur Isaac Boiteux Minister in the Church of Bussy in Burgundy appealed His Father Mother and the Pastors of the Church of Geneva joyned with him in the said Appeal craving that he might be restored unto his aged Father who is a Pastor in the said City of Geneva their Letters also were tendered unto this Synod grounded upon this that he was only a Loane unto the said Province which yet avows the contrary and that the said Boiteux promised without any restriction or reservation to serve them during life But he not appearing in person in this Assembly the whole affair was dismissed over to the Province of Vivaretz with full authority from this National Synod to make a final decision of it 13. The Colloquy of Higher Poictou Appealed complaining of the Synod of Poictou held at Thouars for dismembring the Church of Marcillac from their Colloquy and joyning it to the Colloquy of middle Poictou Upon a full hearing of the matter this Assembly approved the Judgment of the said Synod 14. The Sieur Peyrol Pastor in the Church of Montpellier complained of an Order made by the Synod of Lower Languedoc importing that the Pastors of Montpellier should have a careful Eye over his Sermons in the Church and Lectures in the School But the Deputies of the said Province protesting that it was never the Intention of the Synod to make any such Order or that it should be executed and that they having razed it out of their Synodical Register which also was ratified by the very next subsequent Synod might well content him This Assembly judgeth that this Attestation of the Deputies may suffice him because for that good and laudable Testimony given him we believe that the Article was null both before and after the razing of it And the said Sieur Peyrol is exhorted to undertake couragiously and to discharge faithfully his Professorship of Divinity according to
broken with the din and complaints of their being surprized and of an usurped domination over Conscience and of reproaches for precipitancy and connivency as we are informed hath been the issue of that at Privas And in short we should think it best to leave your Confession alone immoveable and not as you often do dig it up and lay open this Foundation which though for the present it may be done with a good Intention and with laudable moderation yet may in after times produce a world of licentiousness Above all we most instantly request this of your Piety totally to extinguish those Accessory questions which being altogether needless and unprofitable do extreamly indanger Gods Church and are naturally apt to engender Heresies or Atheism among the ignorant people We very much fear that the Printing of Tilenus his book will be a great stumbling block and hindrance to this work and therefore we judged it necessary to obstruct the publication of its answer and are in great trouble what other lawful course we may take for the justifying of our Dear Brother whom he hath so grievously impeached However if it shall be thought good for the weal of the Church that he be silent and there be no more invectives or mutual recriminations left standing on the File we hope some other Expedients may be found out to salve the honour and the reputation of our Brother especially since the controversie is not about any point in it self fundamental which is to be defended but occasionally and in disputation where all sort of arguments and ways of proving though they be not always good and receiveable do not consequentially import a simple and absolute assertion because had it not been for their serviceableness to confirm the conclusions they had never been at all mentioned And we cannot think it any wise convenient to redeem the honour of a private dispute from the Laughter and Scorn of the Enemies of Truth by letting in upon us a swarm of perilous and curious Questions together with horrible scandals and scruples perplexing and tormenting Conscience Let 's labour rather to extirpate these animosities and to draw these divided Spirits nearer in love one unto the other And then the offendor who in our opinion cannot with any Conscience judge so unworthily of our Brother will be the first as in duty bound to acquit and clear him exchanging his Invectives into Brotherly admonitions We receive frequent and mournful relations of that accursed Practice of Duels yea and among persons of our Religion and tho we believe this violent and brutish Sin is so strongly rooted as to elude and reject all remedies yet because of its atrociousness and enormity we desire your holy Synod to consuls of the last and Soveraign Remedy even that dreadful power which the word of God hath given unto his Church to draws out the Spiritual Sword against such notorious delinquents without connivency dispensation or respect of persons that by its implacable severity against those daring Rebels the Lord blessing his own ordinance their feet which ran swiftly to shed innocent blood may be hereafter stopped and restrained At least let us weep and groan before the Lord that this evil may never be imputed to us that we may be delivered from the guilt of so much Blood as hath been wickedly spilt among us that it may never lie at our doors nor our Consciences may ever reproach us for having lent our heart or hands unto that murdering spirit and that we may never be marked with this brand of infamy which is peculiar to the enemies of God to have been Executioners of his vengeance upon themselves Finally most Honoured and Dear Brethren knowing the great care you have for us and how much you are allarumed with reports of Plots and Preparatives for War against us we give you to understand that through grace excepting Gods ordinary discipline of fears and threats he doth yet keep us in peace and lengthens out our tranquillity by which we are taught continually to conside in him who quickneth the dead and not to be puffed or lifted up with pride and carnal security but Religiously to improve our repose unto his service and glory and the general aid and benefit of all the Churches And we thank you heartily for your kind acceptance of our affection expressed in sending so great a number of your Scholars to Study in our University which is a very great honour to us and we shall do our utmost endeavours by all means to fit them for your future service by moulding them into the form of sound words and into that doctrine which is according to godliness weaning and withdrawing them as much as in us lieth from that vanity of Jesuitical knowledge wherein to our great grief so many gallant hopeful wits have through vain curiosity and affectation been wretchedly insnared especially in the endless Mazes and Labyrinths of Metaphysical terms and questions the true Siminaries of all novelties and heresies Help us as we shall you in united Prayers unto the throne of grace you have been exceeding helpful to us this way in our frequent distresses and we conserve the Memory thereof by us and ever shall as of a most pretious Jewel And may the most blessed God continue his divine grace and favours to you and us perfecting his strength in our infirmities uniting all our hearts in a perfect charity and grant us to keep the Faith unto the end and to finish our course with joy and to lay hold of Eternal Life and that we may all be to the praise and glory of his grace through our Lord Jesus Christ to whose power and Spirit we do with all our hearts recommend your holy Synod and all your Churches in general Subscribing our selves most sincerely Most Honoured and Dear Brethren Your most humble and most affectionate Brethren in the Lord the Pastors and Professors in the Church and University of Geneva and in their Names S. Goulart J. Diodati A Letter from the Lord of Plessis Marli unto the National Synod of Tonneins Sirs I Could not let the ' Deputies of this Province part from me without giving you assurance of my most humble and faithful service and to intreat you notwithstanding all the tricks and wickedness of this age to believe that I am speaking to you as one who is quitting this world and hath nothing left him to dispatch but his own Epitaph which through divine grace shall never give the lie to my past life and after all I shall never take my own private Interests for the Rule of my Life or actions nor so abound in my own sence as to counteract the common Resolutions of our Churches whose prudence I have always found safest because Conscience is its eye and guide Sirs All good men expect two principal blessings from your holy Synod the first is that you would be pleased by your Authority once for all to suppress those unnecessary Questions which trouble the
which reason we are more bound than ever to use by an Unanimous consent and agreement such means as will most and best contribute to our just lawful and necessary preservation in the aforesaid Union under the Authority of Our Sovereign Lord the King and the Queen Regent his Mother We have in the name of all those Churches and for their wellfare and for the Service of Their Majesties sworne and protested and do swear and protest promising that we will see these our Protestations ratified in all our respective Provinces to continue inseparably United and Conjoyned in that Confession of Faith owned and professed by the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom confirmed approved and ratified by us all We swear as well in our own names as in the names of the Churches and Provinces which have Commissionated us to be their Deputies unto this Assembly that we will live and die in this Confession Moreover we do profess that we will keep inviolably that Ecclesiastical Discipline which is Established in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and observe its Cannons for the Government of the said Churches and the Reformation of manners owning and acknowledging that it is agreeable to the Word of God under whose Supream and Inviolable Authority we protest and swear to yield all Obedience and Fidelity to Their Majesties desiring nothing more than through the favour of their Edicts to serve our God without any violence offered to our Consciences Sworn and Subscribed by Peter de Moulin Moderator of the Synod Minister of the Church of Paris and Deputy for the Isle of France Picardy Champaigne c. By Lawrence Brunier Assessor Minister of Christ in the Church of Usez Deputy for lower Languedoc By Nicholas Vignier Minister of Christ in the Church of Blois Scribe of the Synod and Deputy of the Province of Orleans and Berry By Thomas Papillon Advocate in the Parliament of Paris and Elder of that Church Deputy for the Isle of France and Scribe of the Synod Sworn and Subscribed by Isaack de Juigne Pastor of the Church of Vassy and Deputy for the Isle of France Picardy Champaigne c. 2. By Samuel de L' Escherpiere Lord de la Riviere Minister of the Word of God at Roan by Daniel Massys Pastor of the Reformed Church in Caen by James de Montbray Elder of the Church of Conde upon Noireau and by Anthony Bridou Lord of Boissleroy Elder in the Church of Fescamp Deputies for the Province of Normandy 3. Sworne and subscribed by Paui Guyon Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Dieu le fit by Peter de la Croze Minister of the Holy Gospel in the Church of Courtozen in the Principality of Orange by Moses du Port Esq Doctor of Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of la Mure By James Bernard Doctor of Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Montlimart Deputies for the Province of Dolphiny 4. Sworne and subscribed by Paul Huron Pastor of the Church of Riez by Elijah de Glandeves Lord of Ajon Elder in the Church of Puymichel Deputies for the Province of Provence 5. Sworne and Subscribed by Daniel Venturin Pastor of the Church of Vigan by Peter Guillaumine Pastor of the Church of St. Andrews de Valborgne by John de Vignoles Lord of St. Bonnet and of Colegnuc Elder of the same Church by John Baudouin Doctor of the Civil Laws and Elder in the Church de la Salle Deputies for the Province of Sevennes 6. Sworne and subscribed by Ezechiel Marmet Pastor of the Church gathered in the House of my Lord Duke of Rohan by Philip de Vassaut Esq Lord of Penmoncel Elder in the Church of Roche Bernard Deputies for the Province of Britain 7. Sworne and subscribed by Daniel Jamett Pastor of the Church in St. Amand in Bourbonnois by Galliot de Combis Lord of Soustelle Elder of the Church of Romorantin by John de Benes Advocate in the Parliament of Paris and Elder of the Church of Guyan Deputies for the Province of Orleans and Berry c. 8. Sworne and subscribed by Peter Heliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Due by Francois Perreault Minister of the Gospel in the Church of Mascon by Noel du Noyer Lord of Joncey Elder in the Church of Bussy Deputies for the Province of Burgundy Lyonnois Bresse c. 9. Sworne and subscribed by Daniel Chanet Pastor of the Church of Ars in the Isle of Re by John Constans Pastor of the Church of Pons by Pasquet Elder of the Church of Rochefoucault by Peter Formentin Esq Lord of Chastinat Sheriff of the City of St. John d' Angely Deputies for the Province of Xaintonge Aunix and Augoulmois 10. Sworne and subscribed by John de Voisin Pastor of the Church of Realmont in Albigeois by Anthony Garissoles Pastor of the Church of Puylaurent in Lauragais By Paul de Luffee Lord of Maravaut and Governour of Maulterin in Armagnac Elder of the same Church by James du Puy Elder of the Church of Montauban Deputies for the Province of higher Languedoc and the higher Guyenne 11. Sworne and subscribed by J. Chauffepied Pastor of the Church of Niort by John Carre Pastor of the Church of Chastelheraut by Giles Begaud Lord of la Begaudiere Elder of the Church of Mountagu Deputies for the Province of Poictou 12. Sworne and subscribed by Samuel Bouchereau Pastor of the Church of Saumur by Matthew Cottiere Minister of Gods Word at Tours by G. Raboteau Elder in the Church of Pruylly Deputies for the Province of Anjou Touraine and le Main 13. Sworne and subscribed by Peter de Abbadie Pastor of the Church of Pau by John de la Coste Lord of Badett Plaisance and of Monheim Elder of the Church in Monheim now mentioned Deputies for the Principality of Bearn 14 Sworne and subscribed by John du Luc Pastor of the Church of Castel jaloux by James Privat Pastor of the Church of Castelle upon the Dordogne by Francois Joly Elder of the Church of Bourdeaux by John de Boutiers Squire of the Kings Body and Lord of Artigues Elder in the Church of Grateloup Deputies for the Province of the lower Guyenne 15. Sworne and subscribed by David Agard Pastor of the Church of Vaylance and of Soyon by Danlel Richard Pastor of the Church of Chedard in Batiere by John de la Blache Lord of Blesset Elder of the Church de la Bastie by John de Rovre Doctor of the Civil Laws Lord of Esbonaud Elder in the Church of Aubenas Deputies for the Province of Vivaretz 16. Sworne and subscribed by Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier by Anthony de Raques Lord of Claussonnes Elder of the Church of Montfrin by Charles de Bouques Lord of Pons Doctor of the Civil Laws Elder of the Church of Montpellier Deputies for the Province of Lower Languedoc 17. Sworne and subscribed by John de Chal'ais General Deputy for the Reformed Churches of France near His Majesty The Sieurs Des Marez
fretted at the heart to hear an Impudent Jesuit abuse the good Nature of his King vvith such odious Equivocations and to laugh in his Sleeve at the simplicity of his over credulous Auditors Whereupon he intreated Monsieur de Modene at that time a Person utterly unknown to him to ask of Father Arnoux Whether Fryer James Clement that stab'd Henry the Third in the Bovvels vvith a poysoned Knife being a Prince Excommunicated by the Pope had killed his King And suppose the Pope should Excommunicate His Majesty novv reigning and declare his Throne and Kingdom vacant vvhether he vvould then ovvn Lewes XIII for his King And if at that time an Assassinate as John Chastel Peter Barriere or Francis Ravaillac all Disciples of the Jesuits should attempt upon His Majesties Life he would accurse and anathematize him as guilty of Treason in the last and highest degree for daring to lift up his bloody hands against the Sacred Person of his King The By-standers immediately comprehended the cheat and imposture of the Jesuit and how they had been gull'd by him for he could not make any Reply to the demand of this Protestant Minister Monsieur Primrose But though he could not ansvver his Arguments the Jesuit found out means and opportunity to cry him quitts and to be reveng'd upon him For ' t vvas be that sollicited the Parliament of Bordeaux and by his Interest got that Decree to pass in it That no Stranger not born in the Kingdom should be a Minister in France Monsieur Gilbert Primrose hereupon being outed of his Church passed into England and was chosen Pastor of the French Church of London in whose Service he continued till his Death And where now succeeds him though at some distance in the same Pastoral Office his Reverend and Worthy Grandson See this Relation in page 75 and 76 of his Panegyrique a tres grand tres puissant Prince Charles Prince de Galles 1624. CHAP. XVI 17 THE Lord of Galland required that for the future no Pastors might be deputed unto Political Assemblies declaring it to be His Majesties Pleasure expresly notified in his Letters written unto this Synod Whereupon it was unanimously voted that His Majesties Command should be absolutely obeyed and as it was injoyned so His Majesties Letter should be inserted into the Acts of this Synod the tenour whereof is as followeth By the KING Trusty and well-beloved we have heretofore made known unto you what was our intention concerning Foreigners being Ministers in the Reformed Churches of this our Kingdom and in particular about those Two Scotchmen the Sieurs Primrose and Cameron lately Ministers in our City of Bourdeaux And whereas in your last sent unto us you started some difficulties about it we do now once again declare it to you that it is our Will and Purpose that the said Primrose and Cameron shall neither of them in any wise he imployed in the Publick Offices of Ministers in the Churches or of Ministers and Professors in the Churches and Universities of the Reformed Religion in France not so much because of their Birth as Foreigners but for reasons concerning our Service Moreover you shall again move them That in obedience to our Command formerly notified to you no Ministers shall b e deputed unto Political Assemblies and they should of themselves have made a Canon against it because their Ministerial Calling is quite of another Nature and such Deputations must needs distract and hinder them if they do not wholly take them off from the Occupations and Duties of their Spiritual Function And in ca e they should make any difficulty to comply with our Will herein you shall give them to understand that they will enforce us to take some other course with them either by a Publick Declaration against them or else by those very Warrants which shall be issued forth in Our Name and Authority for the holding of those Assemblies However it s not our mind to exclude the Ministers of those places where those Assemblies do meet from sitting in them And let this our intention be inserted into the Register of your Assembly that so none may pretend ignorance in case of their failure and transgression For such is our Will and Pleasure Given at St Germans in Laye this 25th of September One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Three Signed Lewes and below L' Omenie And on the Superscription thus To Our Trusty and Beloved Counsellor in Our Council of State and Privy Council and Attorney General for our Dominion of Navarre The Lord Galland Our Commissioner unto the Synod of Charenton 18. The Synod being informed that the Publick Notary who received the Letters of Attorney given unto the Sieurs Durant Mestrezat Massocos Biggot and de L' Aunay had through inadvertency omitted the1 Revocation of the Letters of Attorney formerly granted by the preceding National Synods for the recovery of the Arrears owing to our Churches by Monsieur Palott it hath declared as it now doth and will again declare if need be that all former Letters of Attorney granted unto any Persons whatsoever by the former National Synods are revoked and we do will that they be esteemed null invalid and of none effect 19. The Assembly being desirous that the succeeding National Synods may have a particular knowledge of the number of Pastors imployed in the Churches of this Kingdom it doth ordain that there shall be now written a Roll and Catalogue of the Names end Sirnames both of Ministers in Actual Service in every Province and of their Churches as also of Ministers discharged and Emeriti and of all vacant Churches which Catalogue shall be attached to the Original Acts of this Synod and kept by that Province whose Priviledge it vvill be to convocate the next National Synod And this shall alvvay be continued in all subsequent National Synods And all the Provinces are injoyned to bring vvith them the Names and Surnames of every Minister in actual Service to vvhom a Dividend is allotted and that this may be done the more carefully and effectually they shall bring vvith them the Acts of their Provincial Synods subscribed and attested by the respective Moderators 20. The Sieurs Cottiby Pastor and du Bois St. Martyn an Elder vvho vvere deputed unto His Majesty from this Assembly most humbly to petition His Majesty that Monsieur du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris might have His Majesties Gracious Leave to return into this Kingdom and be restored unto his Flock and to the Exercise of his Ministry and that the Sieurs Primrose und Cameron might also be restored unto the Church of Bourdeaux and Church and University of Saumur vvhereof they vvere Pastors and Professors Those being novv returned from Court they reported that His Majesty received them vvith His vvonted Candor and Goodness and having given them Audience he did by the Lord Chancellor tell them that His Majesty had Graciously received their Message but commanded him to acquaint them that for divers
behalf of the Mayor Sheriffs and Free Burgesses of the City of Rochell Chap. XIII Approbation of the Confession of Faith Chap. XIV Observations on the Discipline Chap. XV. An Act against Debauchery Chap. XVI Observations upon the Acts of the last National Synod Chap. XVII No Minister to depart the Kingdom without the Kings License Chap. XVIII A Deposed Minister restored Chap. XIX Appeals Chap. XX. Discipline Exercised upon a Scandalous Minister App. 34. Chap. XXI Discipline exercised upon a Delinquent Minister App. 44. Chap. XXII A Scandalous Minister Deposed App. 51. Chap. XXIII Discipline exercised upon a vitious Minister App. 53. See also the very next Appeal Chap. XXIV General Matters Chap. XXV An Act to preserve Deeds Writings Evidences belonging to the Churches G. M. 13. Chap. XXVI An Act for a Publick National Fast G. M. 16. Chap. XXVII Differences between the Cities of Rochell Montauban and Castres composed G. M. 28. Chap. XXVIII Particular Matters Chap. XXIX Care taken for a poor Persecuted Church P. M. 29. Chap. XXX A Donative to Monsieur Chamier P. M. 44. Chap. XXXI Of Vniversities and Colledges Chap. XXXII The Accompts of the Lord du Candal Chap. XXXIII The Synods Letter to the King Chap XXXIV Dividends of Moneys among the Churches and Provinces Chap XXXV The Roll of the Deposed Ministers Chap XXXVI An Act for Calling the next National Synod Chap. XXXVII Catalogue of all the Churches and Ministers in Actual Imployment together with the Vacancies Chap. XXXVIII Letters from the Church of Geneva The Synods Answer to them and from the Church of Paris THE Synod of Castres 1626. The 25th Synod SYNOD XXV 1626. In the Name of God Amen The Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France and Bearne Assembled at Castres in Albigeois in the Year of Grace One Thousand Six Hundred Twenty and Six the Sixteenth day of September and the days following to the Fifth of November in the Fourteenth Year of the Reign of Louis XIII King of France and Navarre CHAP. I. AT the opening of this Synod there appeared the Lord Galland one of the Lords of His Majesties Most Honourable Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for his Dominion of Navarre as His Majesties Commissioner Deputed by His Majesty unto this Assembly with this Letter following By the KING Dear and well beloved we being fully resolved to keep and observe and see that our Edicts and Declarations be inviolably kept and observed and that you may injoy those Favours and Priviledges which are granted you by them we have freely and willingly suffered you to meet together in this National Synod Convocated by you in our Town of Castres September next where you shall only debate of such Matters as concern the Discipline of your Religion and have also at the same time made choice of our Trusty and Well-Beloved Counsellor the Lord Galland One of the Lords of our Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for our Dominion of Navarr to meet you from us and on our behalf in your said Assembly and to assist in person at all your Consultations and to give you plenary Assurance of our good and sincere Intentions for your Peace and Comfort Wherefore we will and require you to give him credit in all things and to rest assured that as long as you contain your selves within the Bounds and Limits of your Fidelity and Obedience which you owe unto us we shall alwayes treat you as good and Loyal Subjects and shall give you to resent the Effects and Fruits of our Favour and good Will unto you on all occasions that may occur as the said Lord of Galland shall in our Name more particularly informe you Given at Nantes this 24th of July 1626. Signed â—eveâ— and Lower Phillippeâ—ux And superscribed To our dear and well-beloved the Deputies of the National Synod of the P. Reformed Churches called by our permission unto the Town of Castres There appeared in the said Assembly for the Province of Provence the Sieurs Paul Maurice Pastor of the Church of Aiguieres and James Franc Notary Publick Elder of the Church of Lormarin For the Province of Vivaretz Forrest and Vellay the Sieurs Alexander de Vinay Pastor of the Church of Annonay and Paul Accaurat Pastor of the Church of Aubenas and Daniel Arcajon the Kings Notary and Elder in the said Church of Aubenas and Daniel Sabatier Elder in the Church of Villeneufve de Berg. These Persons were requested to see that for the future their Provincial Synod suffer not any Letters of Commission or Memoirs which shall be brought before the National Synods by the Deputies of the said Province to be form'd out of their Synodical Assemblies nor that they be subscribed by any others besides the Moderators or Assessors in case the Moderators of the said Synods shall be chosen Deputies For the Province of Britain the Sieurs Andrew le Noir Lord of Beauchamp Pastor in the Church of Belin and Philip de Vassant Esq Lord of Martimont Elder in the Church of Roche Bernard For the Province of Sevennes The Sieurs Nicolas le Blanc Pastor of the Church of Barr and Lawrens Aymard Pastor of the Church of Lezan together with Claudius de Gabriac Lord of Beaufort Elder in the Church of Avez and Charles de Calvet Lord of Aires Elder in the Church of St Privat For the Province of Dolphiny Denis Bouteroue Pastor of the Church in Grenoble and John Corel Pastor of the Church of Ambrun with David Chaluett Elder in the Church of Die and Anthony Brissett Elder in the Church of Montlimart For the Province of Burgundy The Sieurs Peter Bollenatt Pastor in the Church of Avalon which meets for Religious Worship at Vaux Alexander Rouph one of the Pastors of the Church of Lions together with Albert de Mars Esq Lord of Baleines Elder in the Church of Maringues and Lazarus du Puy Counsellor for the King in the Presidial Court of Berg in the Province of Bresse and Elder of the Church in the said Town For the Province of Higher Languedoc The Sieurs Peter Ollier Pastor of the Church of Montauban and Moses de Baux Pastor of the Church of Mazamet together with Mr. John de Portes Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate in Parliament Elder of the Church of Castres and the Lord John Brassar Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate in Parliament Elder in the Church of Montauban but he was detained by Sickness in the said City and whereas another was substituted in his place He also came not for want of Notice given him For the Province of Lower Languedoc The Sieurs John Chauve Pastor of the Church of Sommieres and Michael le â—aucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier with Francis Petit Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Nismes and Theophilus Ranchin Secretary of the Kings Chamber and Elder in the said Church of Montpellier For the Province
it necessary to make a Deputation unto His Majesty and voted the Sieurs de Bouteroue and de Baleines to carry their most Humble Petitions unto His Majesty who were charged with Letters and Instructions unto His Majesty and to the Chief Ministers of State CHAP. VII A Copy of the Councils Letter sent unto the King SIR The Synods Letter sent unto the King THE Sence and Experience we have of Your Majesties Royal Bounty unto our Churches and of their great Sufferings notwithstanding this your goodness through the Non-Execution of your Edicts in the Provinces of your Kingdom do compell us to depute unto Your Majesty the Sieurs Bouteroue and de Baleines to lay at Your Majesties feet together with the sincere protestations of our inviolable fidelity unto Your Majesties Service our most humble acknowledgments and thanks for your gracious favours and our just and necessary requests for the relief and comforting of our poor Churches We humbly trust that Your Majesty will be pleased to give them a favourable audience and to grant us our most Humble Petitions and to accept of the Devout and most hearty Prayers of many Thousands of Godly Persons for Your Majesties Prosperity who whilst they lie groaning under the most insupportable pressures in the World do notwithstanding live in a profound Obedience unto Your Majesties Authority And from the bottom of our Souls and with the greatest ardency imaginable we supplicate the Throne of Grace to bless and preserve Your Majesties Most Sacred Person and to augment and continue the happyness of Your Majesties Reign and Government being alwayes Most Dread Soveraign From Castres Septemb. 1626. Your most Humble most Faithful and most Obedient Subjects and Servants The Pastors and Elders of the Reformed Churches of France Assembled in their National Synod at Castres and for them all Chauve Moderator Bouteroue Assessor Blondel and Petit Scribes CHAP. VIII THE Eight and Twentieth day of October The Sieurs Bouteroue and de Baleines Deputies unto the King returned with Letters from His Majesty and the Lord d' Herbaut Secretary of State and reported that they had a very favourable Reception from His Majesty and Ministers of State and that having presented their Address unto the Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council they had obtained a Command unto the Parliament of Thoulouse to take away the Modifications put by the said Parliament upon the last Edict of Peace and were promised that Commissioners should be sent into the Provinces of Xaintonge the Higher and Lower Languedoc Rochell and the Land of Aunix to see that the Edict be duely executed They were also assured that the Assignations formerly given unto the Lord of Candal should be made good and valid and that they had an order for twelve hundred Livres to defray the Charges of their Journey besides the Summ of Ten Thousand Livres granted by His Majesty unto this Council to pay their Charges But as for the restoring of Monsieur du Moulin to the Church of Paris and a License for holding of a General Assembly His Majesty was utterly averse unto it and would in no wise yield thereunto and we should know more of his mind upon this Article and of his good intentions as to the nomination of our General Deputies by his Commissioner the Lord Galland Thanks were given unto our good God that he had granted us to find favour with the King and the Deputies also which were sent unto His Majesty had the thanks of the Council and were commended for their Conduct and Dexterity which was so acceptable unto the King and Lords of His Majesties Council and approved by this Assembly A Copy of the Kings Letter unto this National Synod DEAR and Well-beloved we received the Letters by the Sieurs Bouteroue and de Baleines your Deputies and understood from their Mouths and your Address presented to us what they were ordered by you to declare unto us Whereunto we have by word of Mouth and Writing given those favourable Answers which shall be related to you by those your Deputies to which we shall add with a willing mind the Effects or our Grace and Royal favour upon all occasions that may occur for the Weal and General happyness of Our Subjects of your Religion and of you all joyutly and severally as we also promise our selves that you will keep you within those bounds of Fidelity and Obedience which good and Loyal Subjects owe unto their King and that you will verifie by your actions the words of your aforesaid Deputies as we exhort you so to do and moreover to give credence unto the Lord Galland our Counsellor in our Council of State in all things whatsoever that he shall offer to you as from us Given at St. German in Laye this Fourteenth of October 1626. Signed Louis and a little lower Philippeaux And the Superscription was thus directed To Our Dear and Well-Beloved the Deputies of the P. Reformed Religion Assembled by our License in a National Synod in our City of Castres CHAP. IX A Copy of the Lord Herbaut's Letter unto this Council SIRS YOUR Deputies were favourably received by His Majesty and His Majesty heard with very great satisfaction those Assurances from their Mouths of your Fidelity and sincere intentions to the Publick Peace and Tranquillity When His Majesty granted it unto you it was with a full purpose inviolably to keep it with you and farther to give you with the injoyment thereof all other matters accorded to you by his Edicts What remains but that on your part you contribute whatever His Majesty might expect from your Prudence and Conduct and to measure by what is past that the duration and firm settlement of your Repose doth principally depend on your Obedience yielding unto his Majesty what is due unto him and is necessary for your well-being And you may believe that in so doing his Gracious Favours will be multiplyed upon you dayly and that I shall be ready to serve you in all good Offices with His Majesty that you may resent the comfortable Effects thereof according as you have deserved them In the mean while I rest Sirs Your most Humble and Affectionate Servant Philippeaux The Superscription was To my Lords My Lords the Deputies Assembled by His Majesties permission in a National Synod at Castres CHAP. X. Amore ample Declaration of the Kings Will upon several points demanded by the Deputies WHEN as the Letter of His Majesty but now recited was read My Lord Galland the Kings Commissioner declared that for the reasons given by His Majesty unto the Deputies and according to the import of the Articles answered by the Council he could not consent unto the return of Monsieur du Moulin nor for divers Considerations noted in those Articles now read could he at present give way for the meeting of a General Politick Assembly His Majesty reserving the grant thereof when as there shall be need of it and his Affairs of State may
those Commands and Orders shall be signed and copied out by those now-mentioned Overseers for the Poor And both they and the said Receiver shall be obliged to send the Certificate unto the next National Synod of the faithful Employment of those Moneys unto the common Uses and Necessities of their Poor and that they were not in the least diverted from the Intention of the charitable Donors nor of his Majesty unto the Benefit and private Profit of some few particular Persons either for defraying their Expences in Travel or Deputations or any other occasion whatsoever And the Council shall agree and pitch upon those aforesaid Receivers and Overseers And to facilitate the receiving of those Sums collected and to prevent all Delays Confusions Inequalities in receiving and other Inconveniences which may fall out in case the said Cities should send abroad unto the Provinces and particular Churches to gather in what had been granted them and above all to ease them of those great Charges which they must of Necessity be at in this Case it was thought best to order the Consistories of Paris and Lyons to choose a Person from among them to be the General Receiver of those Moneys And all the Provinces are enjoined to send speedily and if possible they can within a Month's space after the Return of their Deputies the Moneys collected by them viz. the Provinces of the Isle of France Normandy Brittain Anjou Berry Poitou and Xaintonge to those who are ordained to receive them in the City of Paris and those of Burgundy Dolphiny Provence Vivaretz Sevennes Higher and Lower Languedoc and Guyenne to them who shall be appointed in the City of Lions that so these Moneys being received by them may be transmitted to the particular Commissioners of the said Cities either by Bills of Exchange or any other way together with their Acquittances according to the Dividend before ordained 2. In Pursuance of this last-named Article the Lord of Angoulins was nominated to be Receiver for the Town of Rochel and for Overseers Monsieur de L' Hommeau and Monsieur Colomiez Pastors together with Mr. Paul Mervant and Nicholas Chesnell Peers and tree Burgesses and Elders of the City of Rochel And for the City of Montauban the Lord Roques first Consul was declared Receiver and the R. R. Mr. Ollier and Charles Pastors together with the Lords d' Assier Barrampere and du Bois Elders for Overseers And for the City of Castres Mr. Thomas was nominated Receiver and the Lords de la Gasquerie de Servoles de Lissac de Bernard the Elder de Legonier and Rony the Auditor for Overseers And all and every one of these now-mentioned Persons were agreed upon and approved by this Council which also enjoined them who received these Collections and Charities to deliver them unto these Receivers 22. In every Province there shall be reserv'd a Cahier of the particular Complaints and Grievances of particular Churches oppressed upon the score and account of Religion that so those Cahiers may be all transmitted to the Church of Paris which shall compile out of them one general Cahier to be left in the hands of our General Deputies CHAP. XXVIII Particular Matters 1. SOME having very cunningly and maliciously robbed the Deputies of Lower Languedoc of certain Papers quoted in an Inventory which they had brought to this Council giving an account of the Grounds and Reasons of that Judgment passed by the Provincial Synod on George Arbault the Council being well fatisfied of their Integrity and Fidelity and particularly of Monsieur Petit's with whom all those Writings were deposited did think it needful to give them this Attestation and fully to discharge them of all those Papers which were delivered unto Monsieur Aymard one of the Provincial Deputies for Sevennes who will exhibit them upon all Occasions excepting those relating to the Sieur Arbaut before-mentioned which he received from the hands of the Sieurs Mestrezat and du Puy who were commissionated by the Synod to peruse them he having given them a Receipt under his own Hand which was delivered by him unto the aforesaid Monsieur Aymard together with those Papers and two Inventories subscribed by the Sieurs du Cros and Petit. 2. In reading the Accusation of the Sieur Arbaut and some other Acts brought against him the Colloquy of Anduze was ordered to inform themselves of the Deportments of the Sieurs du Cros Pastor of the Church at Blansac and of Raly Pastor in the Church of St. John de Maruejoly and to proceed against them And the Commissioners deputed by the Province of Lower Languedoc were ordered to deliver unto the said Colloquy the whole Relation of their Proceedings And the said Colloquy should judg of those Differences which are risen up between the said Arbaut formerly a Minister and the Colloquies of Montpellier and Vsez all which shall be notified to them by their Scribe 3. Monsieur Tourtelon a Pastor Emeritus came unto the Synod bitterly complaining of his great Poverty and Misery and petitioned for some Relief Mr. Cooper was intreated to advance an hundred Franks before-hand unto this aged Gentleman payable out of that Portion assigned to him and which will become due out of the Dividend for the Province of Lower Languedoc to whose Charity we do in an especial manner recommend him 4. There was again read the Petition of John le Febure 1626. The 25th Synod a Bookseller in Geneva reiterating his former Complaints unto divers of our National Synods against Monsieur Manueill a Minister somewhere serving in the Province of Bearn After hearing the Allegations of the Deputies of that Province on behalf of Manueill the Synod not admitting their Excuses nor being able any longer to suffer that the Advice and Orders of our preceding Synods and the Complaints of the said Febure and of the Church of Geneva should be so wretchedly slighted and despised and that a Fellow blasted in his Reputation for an infamous Crime from which he hath not acquitted nor careth to acquit and clear himself should be continued in the Ministry in that Province and that Provincial Synod to have no regard at all unto the Proceedings had against him by that famous City of Geneva nor to take the least care that the said Manueill should purge and justify himself from the Crime imposed on him that so the Scandal might be repaired either by his compleat Absolution and Discharge or by an exemplary Punishment inflicted upon him for his said Offence A Decree past That in case the Synod of the said Province of Bearn did not give full Satisfaction unto the Requests of this and of the former National Synods of our Churches and produce undoubted Evidence thereof unto the next National Synod by valid Acts of their Duty and Obedience thereunto that then their Deputies should be utterly excluded these Synods nor should they have either admission or session consultive or decisive Votes in them 5. The Deputies of Bearn complaining that the Parliament
Mercurin and that by Authority from this Council 54. There is given an hundred Livers unto Mr. Repasseau for the Supply of his present Wants and to help transport his Houshold-Goods unto Paillac and the said Sum shall be paid him out of the common Mass of Moneys belonging to all our Churches 55. Whereas Monsieur Barre Doctor of Civil Law and Advocate at Montlimard hath composed a Treatise concerning Antichrist and which hath been perused by several Divines commissionated thereunto and they giving a very laudable and good Account thereof it was approved also by this Synod 56. Monsieur Sarazin Pastor of the Church of Campagne had leave given him to quit the Province of Higher Languedoc and to accept of a Call from any Church in the Province of Burgundy but always upon this Condition That he do not leave the Church of Campagne before the Sessions of the Colloquy of Lower Quercy who are impowered fully to discharge the said Sarazin and to take care that that Church be not left destitute 57. The Lord Commissioner Galland was humbly intreated to write unto the Lord President of the Parliament of Tholouse on behalf of divers Inhabitants of Briteste because Warrants were issued out to apprehend them and make them Prisoners although the Matter for which they are in Trouble hath been pardoned by his Majesties Act of Grace and Indemnity 58. The Memoirs of Monsieur Rennoy Pastor of the Church of Coluisson were presented unto this Assembly by Monsieur Petit and were delivered unto the Deputies of Lower Languedoc who were to carry them unto their next Provincial Synod which was charged in an especial manner to consider of them 59. Thirty Livers were ordered unto Nicolas Severin out of the common stock of our Churches but on this Condition that he never trouble us with his Petitions more and the Provinces shall take care to detain their Poor at home that these National Synods may be no more urged with their Importunities 60. There was given as a Gratuity out of the best Moneys belonging to the Churches four hundred and fifty Livers unto Monsieur Cooper Deputy to the Lord of Candall 61. An hundred Livers were ordered unto Sir Augustus Galland his Majesties Commissioner in this Council out of the clearest Moneys of our Churches to defray the Charges he was at in the Business of the Church of Froqualquier 62. Out of its supernumerary Portions the Province of Lower Languedoc shall pay the Sum of thirty Livers unto Monsieur Noguier at which the Charges of his Journey hither have been assessed by the Council 63. Over and besides what he may else need to get off the Writ of Imprisonment issued forth against him by the Privy Council and which had turned over his Cause to be heard in the Court of Beziers there was granted the Sum of one hundred Livers unto Monsieur Pontel which he shall receive out of the common Stock of the Churches Moneys 64. Twenty Livers out of the same Fund was given unto the common Crier of the City of Castres 65. Sixty Livers were given to the Door-keeper of the Council out of the same Stock and he is recommended unto the Lords Consuls and Magistrates of this City of Castres that they would be pleased to restore him unto his Office of Regent which he hath formerly exercised in their Colledg 66. The Lord of Candall is intreated to advance out of the half Portion granted unto Monsieur Mercurin Pastor of the Church of Grasse as much as will be requisite to take off the Writ of Arrest against him in the King 's Privy Council that so the Parliament of Provence may be deprived of the Knowledg of those Matters for which he is in Trouble and do so very much hinder him in the Discharge of his ministerial Duties and Calling 67. The next Synod of Higher Languedoc are charged to present Monsieur Grasset Pastor of the Church in the Isle of Jourdain unto the Ministery and pastoral Care of the Church of Mazamet and to provide the Church in the aforesaid Island of another Minister 68. The Matters concerning the Church of Sarverettes were particularly recommended unto the Lord of Montmartyn our General Deputy 69. The Province of Higher Languedoc is intreated to consider the Losses sustained by Monsieur Daneau Pastor of the Church of Castres in the former and latter Wars that so out of their Charity he may receive some Relief and Comfort 70. Seven hundred Livers were given unto the Children of Monsieur Cameron deceased as a Testimony of that Honour we have for his Name and Memory and they shall also receive a yearly Portion from the Lord of Candall until the next National Synod Moreover Monsieur Olier who pleaded for the Church of Montauban was told by the Council that in case the said Church did not pay the eight hundred Livers in unto his Children which they owed unto Monsieur Cameron their Father and who was sometime Pastor and Professor in their City and University the like Sum should be detained from them by the Lord of Candall out of the Moneys settled upon their University that so their just Debts might that way be pay'd unto these poor Orphans and the Moneys now given them and those others due from Montauban shall be deposited with their Guardian for their Use 71. An hundred Livers were ordered to be paid unto Monsieur Bansillon a worthy Minister in Consideration of the many Damages he hath sustained and they shall be paid him out of the general Stock of our Churches nor shall this occasion the lessening of his Relief from the Province who shall assist and help him in the Prosecution of his Suit the Accompt whereof shall be brought in to the next National Synod to be perused and considered by them 72. The Church of Vezenobre is recommended to the Charity of the Province of Sevennes 73. Monsieur | | | Another Copy calls him Merlat Mercat petitioning the Council to consider the Charges the Church of Pons have been at in getting the Inlargement of their Pastor Monsieur Constans their Petition was remanded back unto the next Provincial Synod of Xaintonge which is exhorted to assist that poor Church out of the supernumerary Portions couched in their Dividend 74. In like manner the poor Churches of Masedazill le's Bordes Savarat and Camarades are recommended to the Charity of the same Province as is also Monsieur Marsillon who hath been a very great Sufferer that they would consider him more than ordinary 75. Monsieur Baux informed this Synod that if he should go to Nismes and exercise his Ministry there he had no certain Stipend promised him and the Lords Petit and Duranty their Deputies did tell him as much that they had no Order from that Church to make any Agreement with him about it and the said Petit did confirm the same in open Council Whereupon the Church of Nismes was exhorted fully to content and satisfy the said Mr. Baux and in case
Plants which have been sent you from divers Provinces of this Kingdom that through your well-deserving Pains and Counsels they may be prepared and made fruitful Ministers of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus And to these our Thanks we shall add our most ardent Prayers unto God that he would pour out upon you his most precious and saving Blessings and that he would always make you a most eminent Example of his Grace and Mercy in the Churches of his dear Son covering you and your Common-wealth wherein you live with the Wings of his Protection to the Glory of his Providence and to the Honour of his Holy Name as also to the Consolation of our Churches In whose Name we are From Castres this 6th of September 1626. Most Honoured Lords and Brethren Your most humble and most affectionate Servants in the Lord the Pastors and Elders of the Reformed Churches of France assembled in our National Synod and for them all The Superscription was thus To our Lords the Pastors and Elders in the Church of Geneva at Geneva Chauve Moderator Bouterove Assessor Scribes of the Synod O. Blondel Petit A Letter from the Church of Paris to our most Honoured Lords the Pastors and Elders assembled in the National Synod at Castres Most Reverend and very Honoured 'T IS with very great regret on our part that we are enforced to complain unto you against our Province but we have too just cause for out so doing We have ever held a fair and Christian Correspondence and Fraternal Union with it And indeed Sirs if it had been only our own particular Interest that was concerned we should much rather have chosen to suffer all manner of ill Usages than to have interrupted you in your most holy and important Occupations But the Honour of our Functions and the Glory of our God and the Advancement of the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ are all concerned Therefore we implore with the greater freedom the Assistance of your Charity and the Help of your Fatherly Protection because we are well assured of your Zeal to the Well-being and Edification of our Church You know Sirs that great Affliction wherewith our â—od hath of late visited us in calling unto himself that most excellent Person Monsieur Durant whose Gifts and Graces and singular ministerial Abilities were universally known throughout the whole Kingdom During his Sickness which lasted near sour Months and six Months since his Decease those two astors which were left us were so surcharged with hard Labour that they both fell dangerously Ill and must have infallibly funk under the weight of their Burden had they not been extraordinarily assisted and supported by God As soon as God had took into his Joys our late famous Pastor we faw immediately the great necessity we had to relieve and ease those two which survived and this was the unanimous Prayer and Desire of the whole Church It was utterly impossible for us to find in our Colloquy a Minister every way qualified for us for besides that none of those Pastors had a Voice strong enough for our Auditory and those other Abilities requisite for the edifying so great a People There were some afflicted with Sickness and divers Churches were destitute of Pastors and so far were we from being holpen by them that several of the Neighbour-Churches have importuned us to lend them our help To assemble a Synod for their and our Relief was out of our Power For besides the bitterness of the Season the rigour and sharpness of the Winter we were then in the very hottest and deepest of the late Trouble and without any hopes of Peace which since our good God out of his infinite Mercy hath bestowed upon us Being then obliged to provide for our selves elsewhere we were not in any great trouble on whom to sasten our Eyes for so had the gracious Providence of God ordered it that in the extremity of Monsieur Durant's Sickness Monsieur Daillé preached three Sermons to us which so much affected our whole Church that from that instant it was the common Discourse that as God afflicted us on the one Hand so did he seem to comfort us on the other by pointing out unto us such a Person as might he easily and speedily obtained by us because the Province of Anjou was well enough provided of able Pastors and of divers Proposans of very great Hopes Monsieur Durand resting from his Labours in Abraham's Bosom we believed it our Duty to concur with those ardent Desires that many of our Members had expressed for Monsieur Daillé and the rather because we were well inform'd of his singular Piety Probity and rare Learning who by reason of those excellent Gifts and Graces of God's Holy Spirit in him had been already sought after far and near by many of the greatest and most famous Churches in the Kingdom But the Lord out of his abundant Goodness had reserv'd him for us And that we might handsomly and regularly proceed in giving him a Call to the Pastoral Office in our Church we resolved at first to demand him by way of Loan as we can easily prove by our Letters written unto the Church of Saumur and to the said Monsieur Daillé and by the Acts of our Consistory But the Person whom we deputed to Saumur and to whose Prudence and wise Conduct we had confided this Affair having been refused as to the Loan advised us by an express Messenger that there was more hopes of gaining him as an absolute Gift because the Church of Saumur could more easily procure it self a fettled Pastor than borrow one for a few Months Whereupon he demanded of us new Letters and a more ample Commission The Quality of the Person imployed by us in this Negotiation and our most pressing urgent Necessity made us resolve to demand the Ministry of Monsieur Daillé purely and absolutely We in the mean while taking it for granted that our Synod would have approved and consented to what we had done as we on our parts were disposed to break off the whole Treaty in case they could make it appear that we were out and mistaken in our Choice and that there could be any thing opposed against the Doctrine Life and Conversation of him to whom we had sent our Call As soon as we had notice that our Synod should be assembled we to render all due Honours to it delegated the Sieurs Mestrezat Bigot and d' Huysseau to it and charged them to make report of our Conduct in this Affair and to petition that Assembly to approve of the calling Monsieur Daillé into Office among us though at that time we had no promise of him made us by the Church of Saumur We well hoped that those Reverend Gentlemen would have considered the great importance of our Church and the Kindnesses they continually receive from it and that they would have comforted us in our Affliction and would have praised our Proceedings or at least would
following the date hereof in the Town of Alanson but on this condition that there be none other Matters debated in it excepting those only which are allowed by the Edicts and that the Lord of St. Mars Counsellor to his Majesty in his Council of State be Personally present in the said Synod in Quality of his Majesty's Commissioner as hath been usual and customary in such Assemblies In Testimony whereof his Majesty bath commanded me to expedite this his present Writ which he hath seen and signed with his own Hand and caused to be countersigned by me his Counsellor and Secretary of State and of his Commandments Signed LOVIS And a little lower Phelippeaux Article 2. There came unto the said Assembly on behalf of the Provinces and Churches these Pastors and Elders deputed by them whose Names follow Article 3. For the Province of Normandy the Sieurs Benjamin Basnage Pastor of the Church of Ste Mere and John Maximilian de l'Angle Pastor of the Church of Rouen together with the Lords John Richer Lord of Cerisy Elder of the Church of Gaulé and Lawrence le Febure Advocate in the Parliament of Normandy and Elder in the Church of Rouen Article 4. For the Province of Dolphiny the Sieurs Paul Guyon Pastor of the Church of Dieu le fit and Stephen Blanc Pastor and Professor in the Church of Die together with the Sieurs James de Beaucastell Esq Lord of Auges Elder in the Church of Courtezon and Gaspard du Baeuf Advocate in the Parliament of Dolphiny and Elder in the Church of Grenoble Article 5. For the Province of Burgundy the Sieurs Aymedeé de Bons Pastor of the Church at Chaloons and Heliodorus du Noyer Pastor of the Church at Bussy together with the Sieurs John Roy Advocate in the Parliament of Burgundy Elder in the Church of Arnay le Duc and Charles Perreau Advocate in the said Parliament Elder in the Church of Autun and Couches Article 6. For the Province of Lower Languedoc the Sieurs Samuel Petit Pastor and Professor in the Church of Nismes and John Gigord Pastor of the Church of Montpellier together with the Sieurs Francis de Fonfrede Counsellor to the King in the Presidial Court of Nismes and Deacon of the said Church and John Browns Lord of Roussares Elder in the Church of St. Ambroise Article 7. For the Province of Xaintonge the Sieurs Daniel Chesnel Pastor of the Church of Marans and * * * There be two of his Sons Ministers and Exites here in England John Commarc Pastor of tie Church of Vertueil together with the Lords René de Saint Leger Esq Lord of Boiscond Elder in the Church of Clan and Mr. George Reveau Counsellor to the King and his Advocate at Rochel Elder of the Church in that City Article 8. For the Province of Provence the Sieurs Paul Maurice Pastor of the Church of Aigueres and John Monestier Elder in the Church of Lormarin Article 9. For the Province of Sevennes the Sieurs John Bony Pastor of the Church of St. John de Gardonengue and John Surville Pastor of the Church at Vigan together with the Sieurs Peter de Fons Lord of des Sabbatieres Elder in the Church of Quissac and Thomas Serre Esq Elder in the Church of Sauve Article 10. For the Province of Higher Languedoc the Sieurs Peter Charles Pastor of the Church of Montauban and Matthew Tissier Pastor of the Church of Mauvoisin together with the Sieur Sebastian de St. Fauste Elder in the Church of Mauvoisin and the Sieur David Fournes Advocate and Elder in the Church of Montauban who was absent having fallen sick on the way Article 11. For the Province of Anjou the Sieurs Daniel Couppé Pastor of the Church of Loudun and John Vigneux Pastor of the Church du Mans together with the Sieurs George Rabbotteau Advocate in Parliament and Elder in the Church of Pruille and Peter de Ceriziers Counsellor of the King in the Borough of Loudun and Elder of the Church in the same Town Article 12. For the Province of the Isle of France the Sieurs David Blondell Pastor of the Church of Roussy and John Daillé Pastor of the Church of Paris together with the Sieurs Peter de L'aunay Lord of La Mote and Peter Marbault Counsellor and Secretary to the King Elder in the Church of Paris Article 13. For the Province of Brittain the Sieurs Daniel Sauvé Pastor of the Church of Villevigne and Giles Lovyer Esq Lord of la Grestiere Elder of the same Church Article 14. For the Province of Orleans the Sieurs Jacob le Brun Pastor of the Church at Romorantin and John Taby Pastor of the Church at la Charité together with the Sieurs Claudius Bernard Bailiff of Chastillon upon the Loir and Elder of the Church there and Timothy Baignoux Elder in the Church of Mer. Article 15. For the Province of Poitou the Sieurs Samuel le Blanc Pastor of the Church at St. Maixant and Daniel Pain Pastor of the Church of Chastelheraut together with the Sieurs Charles de Gourgeaud Esq Lord of Pannieure Elder of the Church of Mougon and Francis Mauclere Esq Lord of la Mezanchere Elder in the Church of la Jandouiniere Article 16. For the Province of Vivaretz the Sieurs Alexander de Vinay Pastor of the Church of Annonay and Simeon de Hosty Pastor of the Church in St. Fortunate togethe◠with the Sieurs Andrew Paget Elder of the Church of Couxnear Privas and Anthony Regnet Doctor of the Laws Advocate and Elder in the Church of Aubenas Article 17. For the Province of Lower Guyenne the Sieurs John d' Alba Pastor of the Church at Agen and Daniel Ferrand Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux together with Daniel Descayrac Lieutenant in the Court of Justice at Pugeols Elder of the Church in the same place and James Charron Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux and Elder in the Church of Bergerac Article 18. For the Province of Bearn the Sieurs Simon Fuget Pastor of the Church of Carresse and Peter Margendie Doctor of Physick and Elder in the Church of Orthez Article 19. After Invocation of the Name of God the Reverend Mr. Benjamin Basnage was by plurality of Votes chosen Moderator and Mr. Couppé Assessor Mr. Blondel and Mr. Launay Scribes CHAP. II. The King's Commission to the Lord of St. Mars AS soon as the Officers of the Synod were chosen his Majesty's Letters Patents were read giving a Commission to Monsieur de St. Mars Counsellor in his Council of State to represent his Person in it the Form and Tenour of which was inserted into the Acts of this Synod A Copy of his Majesty's Letters Patents Louis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre To our beloved and trusty Counsellor in our Council of State the Lord of St. Mars Greeting WE having permitted our Subjects of the pretend Reformed Religion to hold in our Town of Alanson the 27th of May
next ensuing the Date hereof a National Synod composed of all the Deputies of the Provinces of our Kingdom to treat of Matters concerning their Religion And being to chuse a Person of sufficient and requisite Abilities and of approved Loyalty to Us to be present in our stead and to act in quality of our Commissioner in the said Assembly Now we being well acquainted with those Services you have done us in sundry and honourable Employments wherewith you have been intrusted by Us and of which you have acquitted your self most worthily we judged that we could not make a better choice than of your Person being well assured of the continuance of your Affection to our Service For these Causes we have Commissionated and deputed and do commissionate and depute by these Presents signed with our own Hand you my Lord of St. Mars for Us and in our stead to go and sit in Person on our behalf in the said Synod convocated in the said Town of Alanson there to propose and resolve whatsoever shall be commanded you by us according to the Memoirs and Instructions we have to this purpose put into your Hands taking heed that none other Matters be there proposed but such as ought to be treated in such Assemblies and are permitted by our Edicts And in case they should attempt any thing to the contrary you shall hinder them by the interposal of our Authority and you shall speedily give us advice thereof that we may apply those Remedies which are convenient in â—â—uch cases And for the doing hereof we give you Power Commission and special Command by these presents for such is our Pleasure Given at Paris the sixth Day of January in the Year of Grace One thousand six hundred thirty and seven and of our Reign the seven and twentieth Signed Louis and a little lower Phelippeaux And sealed with the Great Seal of yellow Wax CHAP. III. The Commissioner's Speech THE said Letters Patents being read the Lord Commissioner acquainted the Synod with what his Majesty had given him in charge to them in these very words SIRS I Am come into your Synod to declare unto you his Majesty's Pleasure you all know it and have preach'd and taught Obedience unto the Higher Powers All Authority is of God and therefore by consequence on this immoveable Foundation you must needs be infallibly obedient besides you are obliged to it by his Majesty's Bounty and by that Care he takes of you the favourable Effects whereof you shall always experience whilst you be obedient His Clemency and Power are your two firmest Supporters And as touching the former his Majesty hath charged me to assure you of the perpetual continuance of his Affection to you and of his maintaining his Edicts as long as you continue faithful Subjects And as for his Power Strangers themselves have felt it and do every day more and more feel and experience it We have with our Eyes seen those Successes of his which are more than Human by which God publisheth to the World that he upholdeth our King with his own Hand and maketh him a Terror to all about him I shall not remember those many Fortresses and Places of Surety which once you had and where you reposed too much Confidence all which are now reduc'd to nothing whereas since you depended on the sole Favour of his Majesty your Condition is much more happy and your Security much more fix'd and stable I doubt not in the least but that you have often reflected upon that admirable Providence of God in making his Majesty's Royal Authority to be your Preservation You be destitute of all Support yea you have in the midst of you against you a World of People subject as the Sea unto various Troubles and Commotions and yet notwithstanding the King upholds you in the Liberty of your Consciences and in the peaceable exercise of your Religion The fixedness and stability of the Earth ballanced in the Air is as great a Miracle as the Creation and Subsistence of the Universe God sustains it by the self-same Power with which he did at first create it and you also in like manner are preserved by the Word of his Majesty's Power Therefore Sirs you that are Ministers should shine in Wisdom and good Conduct in your respective Stations and Churches Among many signal Effects of his Majesty's Goodness received by you this is not the least yea it is a most remarkable one that you can meet in this Assembly and that too in a time of War All the Provinces of the Kingdom like so many Lines drawn from the Circumference can center in this Synod in Peace Could you ever demand a greater Testimony of his Majesty's Goodness than this Confidence he reposeth in your Loyalty and Fidelity This should engage you to submit your selves with greater reverence than ever unto his Royal Pleasure And I in no wise doubt but you will so govern your Words and Actions and chiefly your Affections that his Majesty shall have a most entire and perfect and dutiful Obedience from you 2. And that you may depend on the Protection and soveraign Authority of the King and may be wholly and solely fixed to his Service his Majesty doth in the first place forbid you all Intelligence and Correspondence whether Foreign or Domestick And his Majesty being informed that the Synod of Nismes and Mr. Rousselet a Minister have received Letters from the Canton of Bearn they are admonished not to commit the like Offence for the future For the Statutes positively forbid the King's Subjects to receive Letters from Foreign States yea they are not so much as to see any Foreign Embassadors though residing near his Majesty much less should our Synods or private Ministers receive Letters or hold Correspondence with Foreign Synods or Provinces The Lords of Bearn are Allies of the Crown and are of the same Religion with you united in Religion with you but there must not be any Union betwixt you and that Common-wealth for the least Correspondence even in Ecclesiastical Affairs with Foreigners though Confederates of the King doth raise a Suspicion and beget a Jealousy of Designs against the State The said Synod nor the said Minister Rousselet ought not to have received those Letters or if they had before they had opened them they should have communicated them to the Governour of the Place or the said Synod should have delivered them to his Majesty's Commissioner who was then present in it 3. And as for Domestick Correspondence within the Kingdom you must know that inasmuch as Provincial Councils are forbidden you therefore consequentially all sort of Communication by which such a Council might be promoted is expresly forbidden also His Majesty forbiddeth you to nominate any Ministers or other extraordinary Deputies whereby one Province may communicate with another about Political Affairs because you be no Body Politick no nor at this time whilst you are assembled in a National Synod may you communicate with another about
Maeil Elder in the Church of Dieppe being chosen by the common Votes of the Pastors Elders and Heads of Families there and sent unto the Deputies of the Province of Normandy to move and intreat them to request that Mr. Texier who was freed from the Church of Mauvesin in the Province of Higher Languedoc might be given to them absolutely and the said Lords Deputies having introduced him into the Assembly to make his Demand in which also they joined with him After that Mr. Texier had been heard on the one part declaring how that for the Ingratitude of his Church he accepted of the Call given him by the Church of Dieppe upon Condition that his Province should judg it reasonable to set him at Liberty and with Design to oblige his Church by the Authority of the National Church to give him a full Satisfaction and on the other part the Deputies of Higher Languedoc complained that they were not in due time and place acquainted with his Intention and requesting that the Right of their Province might be intirely secured it having many Churches to be supplied which were destitute of Pastors and particularly the Church of Mauvesin which had sufficiently assured the said Texier that he should be paid the Arrears of his Wages The Assembly decreed that he should apply himself unto his Synod which is exhorted to see that he be fully satisfied and in case he be set free from his Church and that he cannot be commodiously provided for within his Province that then leave shall be given him to depart where he best liketh 3. The Assembly conserving to the Province of Berry the Right they have hitherto had over the Church of la Selle ordaineth that as long as it shall be supplied by the Pastors of the Isle of France it shall be under the Jurisdiction of the said Province which shall continue their Contributions towards the Subsistence of the Colledg of Chastillon 4. Forasmuch as the Assembly is not now in Possession of any Fund out of which those who have Recourse unto it might be relieved by its Charities Monsieur Falquet whose Necessities are very great is recommended unto the Province of Berry to be assisted and comforted by them either by allowing him some certain Portion out of their Alms or by recommending his afflicted Condition to be relieved by the more rich and populous Churches 5. The Deputies of the Province of Vivaretz relating the extream Poverty whereunto Monsieur Zuccond a Pastor emeritus hath been for several Years last past reduced by reason of his great Sicknesses Losses Expences and Imprisonments suffered from the Lord of Chanal and la Motte and that the precedent National Synods had in Consideration of his great Afflictions granted him a free Portion out of the Monies of his Majesty's Liberality and requested this Assembly that they would be pleased to vouchsafe him some sensible Tokens of their Charity and Compassion Answer was made them that forasmuch as the Churches had no Monies at all of their own nor now to be disposed by them the said Province was exhorted to take care of him for his comfortable Subsistence and Relief from among themselves 6. Whereas the Province of Sevennes had formed a Complaint against Monsieur James Pasquier Pastor in the Church of St. John de Breuil this Affair was turned over to the Judgment of the Province of Higher Languedoc 7. The Deputies of Bearn requesting that the Divisions which have been judged and condemned in the Church of Morlas maybe totally and effectually remedied and that there may be an End put unto the Complaints brought in by Monsieur Fabas against his Province and sundry particular Persons on the one hand and of divers others against him on the other that therefore some Deputies may be sent with an express Charge to take Knowledg of and give a final Judgment on all those Articles which could not possibly be examined or clearly inspected into in this Place and at so great a Distance The Assembly accepting the Offer of the Deputies of the Province of Bearn promising to bear their Charges who should to this Purpose be sent unto them did nominate the Sieurs Ferrand and Charles Pastors and Charron an Elder to receive the Information drawn up at the Request of Monsieur Rival by the Lord D'abbadie the Decrees past in Parliament against the Lords D'abbadie Rival and others who by Order of their Colloquy had admitted unto Communion at the Lord's Table some particular Persons of Morlas and generally all Papers whatsoever which have given Birth and Fewel unto this Fewd and Contention that so they may proceed to a final Judgment on the remaining Matters yet under Debate and Controversy And they shall bring in their Accompt hereof unto the next National Synod 8. To regulate the Pretensions of the Churches of Alanson St. Aignan and Mans about the Donative given for their Benefit by the Lady de la Harangere and destined to the Maintenance of some poor Scholars This Assembly ordaineth that according to the Tenor of the said Legacy the Administration of the Monies arising from it ought to be left in the Hands of the Church of Alanson and those two other Churches shall agree with it about the choice of him to whom the Pension shall be exhibited and that the first of these three Churches which shall be unprovided may proceed to receive and imploy him and that the Son of Monsieur Vignier Pastor of the Church of Mans who hath already received some Fruits of the aforesaid Pension shall injoy it and be preferred before all others in the Injoyment of it 9. Forasmuch as the Sieur de la Milletiere hath sent unto the Pastors deputed by the Provinces the first Part of a Book written by him intituled Les Moyens de la Paix Chrestienne en la Reunion des Catholiques Evangeliques sur les differends de la Religion divisé en quatre parties and the Title of the first Volume La Refutation de la procedure de Monsieur Daillé en son Examen and Letters also in which he asserts that he is moved hereunto by the sole Spirit of God for to reconcile the Differences in Religion He takes for granted that what he hath offered or may hereafter offer will be received without any Contradiction by all the Churches and presupposeth that all our first Reformers and their Successors were abused and do abuse themselves through a Misunderstanding which cannot be discovered but by them who shall admit his new conceited Lights And whereas he hath been too long even for the space of three Years tolerated and that the Church of Paris hath used all Endeavours to reduce him unto his Duty and that in the Articles contained in his first Script he hath designedly concealed his Opinions though under the very Phrases used by the Doctors of the Romish Religion and with which they are accustomed to express their own Sentiments and that in the second which he hath sent abroad
Sevennes shall be paid unto those Professors who have served in the University of Nismes aforesaid CHAP. XIX The Accompts of our Universities Article 12. THe Province of Anjou brought in two Accompts for the University of Saumur which were past in the Synods held at Chastillon upon the Lindre in June 1635. and at Saumur in April 1637. for the years 1632. 33. 34. 35. and for one qùarter of the year 1636. which having been Examined were verified and approved Article 13. The Province of Dolphiny exhibited for the University of Die five Accompts passed in the Assembly held at Cort Montlimart Vinsobres Ambrun and Orpiert for the years 1632. 33. 34. 35. 36. which having been Examined were verified and approved Article 14. Whereas the Province of Higher Languedoc hath not brought in the Proofs of their Accompts tendered by them since the year 1631. they shall do it in the next National Synod that so they may be verified and approved A Dividend of those Moneys which shall be hereafter borrowed from the fifth Penny of the Alms gathered in our Churches and to be Employed in the Maintenance of our Universities and Colleges Article 15. That our Universities may be kept up and Maintained it was Advised and Resolved on by the Unanimous Consent of all the Provinces that the Province of Normandy should Contribute yearly the Sum of Fifteen Hundred Livres and the first Payment to be made the first of October now next ensuing 2. and Dolphiny the Sum of 1500 l. 3. Burgundy 161. 4. Xaintonge 960. 5. Lower Languedoc 975. 6. Higher Languedoc 1000 l. 7 Anjou 850 l. 8. Brittain 130 l. 9. The Isle of France 1600 l. 10. Berry 345 l. Poictou 975 l. 11. Lower Guyenne 900 l. 12. Seventies 250 l. 13. Bearn 50 l. All which Sums amounting to Eleven Thousand one Hundred Sixty and Six Livres Five Sous shall be paid in and distributed in manner following Article 16. To the University of Montauban for two Professors in Divinity one in Hebrew and two in Philosophy and for the College 3000 l. of which Sum the Province of Higher Languedoc shall furnish 1000 l. Lower Guyenne 900 l. Bearn 50 l. Xaintonge 385 l. And Normandy 665 l. Article 17. To the University of Saumur for two Professors in Divinity one in Hebrew and two in Philosophy 2606 l. for the Principal of the College 100 l. For the First Regent 400 l. For the Second 300 l. For the Third 250 l. For the Fourth 210 l. For the Regent of the Fifth and Sixth Classis 210 l. For the Door-keeper and Beadle 60 l. In all 4130 l. of which Sum the Province of Anjou shall furnish 850 l. Brittain 130 l. Poictou 975 l. Xaintonge 575 l. and the Isle of France 1600 l. Article 18. To the University of Nismes for two Professors in Divinity whereof one shall receive 700 l. and another but 400 l. because he hath a Stipend also as Pastor of which Sum the Province of Lower Languedoc shall furnish 975 l. and Sevennes 125 l. The whole being Eleven Hundred Livres Article 19. To the University of Die as well for the Professors as the College the Sum of 2936 l. 5 s. whereof the Province of Dolphiny shall furnish 1500 l. Sevennes 125 l. Burgundy 131 l. 4 s. Berry 345. and Normandy 835 l. CHAP. XX The Accompts of the Lord du Candall MR. Cooper Agent of the Lord du Candall having brought in his Accompt the Assembly nominated Mr. John de Survile Pastor of the Church of Vigan and Peter Marbaut Councellor and Secretary for the King and Elder of the Church of Paris Claudius Bernard Bayliff of Chastillon and Elder of the Church of the said Chastillon on the. Loin Lawrence de Febur Advocate and Elder in the Church of Rouen Gaspard du Beuf Advocate and Elder in the Church of Grenoble John Brun Lord of Roussais Elder in the Church of St. Ambrose Daniel Descairae Lieutenant in the Judicature of Pujols and Elder of the Church of Gatherde that Town and Charles Perreau Advocate Elder in the Church of Couches to be a Committee to Inspect and Examine the said Accompt which being done by them they Reported unto the Assembly That it could not be well Audited as it was now Stated without a Personal Conference with the said Lord du Candall because it was not in the ordinary form of Accompts which used to be tendered unto our National Synods The Assembly Discoursing with Mr. Cooper about it ordered the aforesaid Committee or any four of them should go unto Paris and visit the said Lord du Candall and thank him for that good Affection he hath always born and expressed by unquestionable proofs unto the Churches and to intreat him to continue and persevere in it and that he would be pleased to discharge the Churches of the Sum of 25125 Livres 12 Sous of the remaining Accompts rendered by him unto his Majesty on February the third 1633. and of all Interest for Moneys advanced by him or at least that he would be pleased to make some easy and favourable Composition And in case he shall so do that then the said Committee shall by Virtue and Authority of this Assembly give unto the said Lord du Candall an Acquittance and discharge him of all those Sums which he shall make appear to have been paid by him according to the Accompt Stated and Expedited in the last National Synod held at Charenton Afterward they shall proceed to the auditing and finishing of his present Accompt and allow all such Sums as they shall Judge reasonable And farther they shall treat with him or with any other Person that shall offer himself to Deal with them about the Rents Offices and other Rights and Reprisals belonging unto our Churches for such a Price and at such Conditions as they shall Judge meet And also if an opporty should present it self and they conceive it expedient they shall assist at the clearing of the Accompt of the said Lord du Candall with the Lords Commissioners appointed thereunto by His Majesty or else shall substitute in their stead some other Persons whom they shall think proper for it upon the place And they shall demand also of the said Lord of Candall to deliver unto them all the Offices of the Commissioners for Seisures which are yet in his hands that so they may be disposed of to the benefit of the Churches in such a manner as they shall advise on And this Assembly doth promise to allow and approve of whatsoever shall be done or performed by the said Committee in these aforesaid matters or by any four of them for which purpose they give unto them their full Power and Authority but nevertheless without allowing them their Expences And in case they should be obliged to return unto their own homes before they can have dispatched and finished all that is as before intrusted with them this Assembly doth then Impower and Authorise them to sub-delegate in their place and
the Church of Rome in the Article of Justification 17. The Dutchess of Tremoville appears in the Synod Differences between two Pastors and a Church made up 21. A Church Projector Censured 27. Chap. XII Of General Matters A Decree against Swearing of young Scholars 2. All Deeds and Evidences belonging to particular Churches carefully to be preserved 3. No Canon to be made about things indifferent 6. Care for the Redemption of poor Captives in Turkey 7. A Canon against Independents 9. Chap. XIII The Heads and Articles of Agreement between the Presbyterians and Independents Chap. XIV Books and Manuscripts against Original Sin Censured Act 10. Of General Matters An Act against any manner of Worship yielded to the Popish Host when carried in Procession 11. An Act for a National Fast 12. Chap. XV. Millitiere and his Business before the Synod His Excommunication Particular matters 1. The Province of Normandy may not be divided into two 11. Mr. Drelincourt hath the Thanks of the Synod for his Book against the Worship of the Virgin Mary 18. A poor Minister and Emeritus relieved but with a Check 23. The Case of Mr. Arnaud a Persecuted Minister 24. An Account of Mr. Blondel his Works Office and the Synod's Honour for him 26. Monsieur Gauter Compiles the Canons of the National Synods into one Body and applieth them to the Canons of the Discipline 28. Monsieur Catelon doth the same 29. Chap. XVI Of Vniversities Care taken for the Vniversity of Montauban and the other Vniversities 1. The Province of Bearn Exposed for neglect of their Duty and Promise 2. The Generosity of a Professor in Divinity 10. An Ordinance of the Synod to several Ministers and Professors to compleat Monsieur Chamier's Works and to Publish their own 23. The Contribution of the Provinces to the several Vniversities 25.6.7.8 Chap. XVII Accompts of the Vniversities Chap. XVIII An Act for calling the next National Synod Chap. XIX A Decree about the Validity of the Synodical Acts. Chap. XX. The Roll of Apostate and Deposed Pastors Chap. XXI Remarks upon some of the Deputies to this Synod D. Blondel c. THE Synod of Charenton 1644. and 1645. The 28th Synod SYNOD XXVIII 1644. 1645. In the Name of God Amen Acts of the Eight and Twentieth National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France Assembled by His Majesty's Permission at Charenton St. Maurice near Paris on Monday the Six and Twentieth Day of December 1644. and ended Thursday the Six and Twentieth Day of January 1645. CHAP. I. 1. Monsieur Drelincourt Pastor of the Church of Paris opened the Sessions with Prayer and then the Lord Marquis of Clermont General Deputy Presented the Writ given forth by His Majesty's Command for calling the Synod The Tenour of which is as followeth THis day being the Twelfth of February 1644. The King being then at Paris upon the most humble Petition of his Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion to permit them the Calling and Holding of a National Synod there having been none since that of Alanson in the year 1637. His Majesty by the advice of the Queen-Regent His most Honoured Lady and Mother desiring to Gratifie and Treat Favourably His said Subjects hath permitted and doth permit them the Convocation of a National Synod in December next at Charenton but with this Condition that they Treat in it of none other matters but of those which be allowed them by Their Majesties Edicts and that the Commissioner whom His Majesty shall please to appoint be Personally present in the said Synod as hath been accustomed In Witness whereof His Majesty hath Commanded me to Issue out this present Writ which he hath Signed with His own Hand and caused to be Counter-signed by me His Councellor and Secretary of State and of His Commands Signed in the Original LOVIS And a little lower Phelippeaux 2. There met in the said Assembly with Letters of Commission which were read by my Lord le Coq Elder in the Church of Paris sitting at the Table together with another Elder the Sieur Caillard who were both Chosen by Common Suffrages unto this Office these Persons hereafter named Article 1. For the Province of Anjou Monsieur Isaac Pelletier Pastor of the Church of Vandome and Stephen le Vacher Pastor of l' Isle Bouchard together with the Sieurs George Raboteau and Joseph Roisay Advocates and Elders in the Church of Previlly Article 2. For the Province of the Isle of France Monsieur David Blondel Minister of God's Holy Word and formerly Pastor of the Church of Houdan but now residing in Paris by express Order of his Provincinal Synod and of this Assembly and Charles Drelincourt Pastor of the Church of Paris and Theodorus le Coq Elder of the said Church He was alone because the Lord had called home unto himself the Sieur John Bazin Elder of the said Church who was joyned in Commission with him Article 3. For the Province of Normandy the Sieurs Benjamin Basnage Pastor of the Church of Ste. Mere Eglise John Maximilian de L'Angle Pastor of the Church of Rovan Daniel Guesdon Elder of the same Church and Isaac Caillard Elder in the Church of Alanson Article 4. For the Province of Dolphiny the Sieurs Francis Murat another Copy calls him de Maras Pastor of the Church of Grenoble Simon Coin Pastor of the Church of Bessey Peter du Clog Esq Lord of Chastillon and du Serres Elder in the Church of Veyne and David Albert Elder in the Church of Brianâ—on Article 5. For the Province of Sévennes the Sieurs Nicholas Blane Pastor of the Church of Sumaine Anthony Button Pastor of the Church of Alez the Noble John de Bringniere Lord de la Roque Elder in the Church of la Salle and David Rouviere Doctor of Physick Elder of the Church of Alez Article 6. For the Province of Bearn the Sieurs John de la Fitte Pastor of the Church of Pau and the Noble Alexander de la Fibre Baron of Riquam and Lord of Cadellon Elder in the Church of Couches Article 7. For the Province of Lower Guyenne the Sieurs James Privas Pastor of the Church of Ste. Foy Simon de Goyon Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux the Sieurs de Cazes and de Sauvage tho' they were Deputed by their Synod appeared not the Cognisance whereof was remanded back unto that Province Article 8. For the Province of Xaintonge the Sieurs Philip Vincent Pastor of the Church of Rochel Theophilus Rossel Pastor of the Church of Xaintes Stephen Soulard Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux Elder in the Church of Xaintes and Daniel Texeron Lord of Cresper Counsellor nominated by His Majesty for the Circuit of St. John d' Angeley and Elder of the Church in that Town Article 9. For the Province of Vivaretz the Sieurs Alexander de Vinay Pastor of the Church of Annonay Paul Annard another Copy calls him Accaurat Pastor of the Church gathered near Privas James Gautier Esq Lord of Gourdanel Elder in the
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
Loride an Elder for Scribes of the Synod who being Chosen did all of them take their Places accordingly CHAP. II. AS soon as the Officers of the Synod were nominated and seated the Lord de Magdelaine Counsellor to his Majesty in his Court of Parliament at Paris and Deputed by his Majesty to sit as his Commissioner in this Assembly deliver'd the King's Letters patents for his Commission which being Read they were Transcribed and Inserted into the Body of the Acts of this Synod whose Form and Tenor was as followeth Copy of his Majesties Letters Patents given to the Lord Commissioner LOVIS by the Grace of God King of France and of Navar To our Trusty and Beloved Consellor in our Courts of Parliament of Paris the Lord of Magdelaine Greeting We have permitted our Subjects of the Protestant Religion to hold in our Town of Loudun on the Tenth Day of November next a National Synod composed of all the Deputies of the Provinces of our Kingdom for to treat of matters concerning their Religion and being to choose a Person fitly qualified and of known Loyalty and Fidelity to us to assist in it and as our Commissioner to represent our Person in the said Assembly we well knowing those Services which you have rendered us in sundry Honourable Imployments wherein we had Commissionated you and which you have most worthily Discharged We have therefore judged that we could not make a better choice than of your self being well assured that you will continue to us the Proofs and Evidences of your Affection to our Service For these causes we have Commissionated and Deputed and we do now Commissionate and Depute you the said Lord of Magdelaine by these Presents signed with our Hand to pass over unto our Town of Loudun and in our place and stead to assist in the Synod there Convocated that you may then and there propound and answer all those things which we have given you in Commandment according to those Memoirs and Instructions we have delivered to you And you are to take special care that no other matters be there proposed nor debated but such as ought of right to be treated of in those Assemblies and which are permitted by our Edicts and in case they should enterprise any thing to the contrary you shall hinder it and by Interposing of out Authority suppress it or you shall speedily advise us of it that we may by such courses as in our Wisdom we shall judge most fit obviate and prevent it And for so doing we give you power commission and special command by these Presents for such is our Pleasure Given at Bourdeaux this Sixth day of September in the Year One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty and Nine and of our Reign the Seventeenth Signed LOVIS And a little Lower PHELIPPEAVX And Sealed at the lower end with the Great Seal and Yellow Wax CHAP. III. AFter reading his Majesty's Letters Patents the Lord Commissioner made this ensuing Speech unto the Assembly A Copy of the Lord Commissioners Speech Sirs ALthough my many Defects of which I am very conscious and my great Age might have well deterr'd me from accepting of this Commission with which it hath pleased his Majesty to grace and honour me and from coming hither and declaring his Will and Pleasure unto this eminent Assembly made up of the most able and considerable Persons of the Kingdom chosen out of the Body of the Professors of our Religion yet nevertheless I can boldly speak it that according to that Inclination which God hath given me for serving the King and the Publick unto which I have applied my self along time I did not in the least hesitate on this Occasion but did over-look all other Considerations hoping for Supplies from the Supreme Goodness to enable me to the performance of my Duty and from yours also that you will be readily disposed to facilitate what is desired of you And hence it is that I conceive with Joy a good issue of our Affairs even now when as I begin to speak unto you from his Majesty and you also have already took notice of it in that Grant vouchsafed you for your Assembling in this place according to your request which is a most remarkable effect of his Majesty's especial Favour to you which the good Providence of God hath now inspired into him for you after so many other signal Acts of his Royal Bounty you have formerly received from him for which I do not in the least suspect or question your Gratitude and Duty nor the sense of that Obligation which lieth upon you on many Accounts of yielding to him all Obedience according to the revealed Will of God who is the Sole and Sovereign Lord of all Men and of all things whatsoever And when I thus speak of his Majesty you know very well that we must understand all Persons acting by Authority from him according to the same revealed Will of Almighty God and the matter being so notorious we cannot but observe it in this place even that kindness and Justice you have upon many and sundry occasions had proof and sensible experience of from the Hands of his Majesty's first and Principal Minister of State his Eminency the Lord Cardinal Mazarin Nor need I enlarge on this Subject only let me add but one Reflection of my own about this last Favour the Convocation of this Synod which you believed to be at this time so needful for you you stand highly indebted unto his Eminency for it and the best and chiefest Fruit you can gather from its Consultations and Resolutions will be this to be more united among your selves and to maintain in Peace and Concord the whole Body of those of our Religion who are represented by you and to terminate and pacifie those Differences and Dissentions which are among you For sith they are produced through the Vice and Weakness of our Humane Nature and State and begin in the noblest Parts where the whole Body receiveth an alteration we may very much fear a Dissipation if only topiual Remedies be applied for these alone do seldom operate or contribute but a little to the Union and Conservation of the whole And whereas all Assemblies of whit kind soever do depend upon his Majesty who as supreme Lord hath a Right and Jurisdiction over all Persons and Actions and to ordain even in and about matters concerning the Church which was always consider'd as a Part of the State His Majesty was therefore pleased to vouchsafe you this Synod so earnestly desired by you that you might regulate past matters and re-establish among you that Order which you ought to keep for the future and the rather because there be many years lapsed since you had an Assembly of this nature Sirs It is most certain that your Enemies who design your diminution and ruin could never meet with a more favourable means and opportunity to attempt it than by maintaining and fomenting your Divisions and Dissentions for these will
Lord do expect and wait for this Fruit of your Eminency's great Goodness and whatever shall be received by us it shall be as a most refreshing Shower that shall cause our Hearts to fructifie more abundantly yea and the Hearts of all those of our Religion in that Love and Affection which they have ever had and which our Religion and our Interest inspireth us to have above all other his Majesty's Subjects for his Service and to have the Praise of being true Frenchmen firmly devoted to the Advancement of the State and to that respect which all France oweth unto your Eminency But whatever may be my Lord we invocate incessantly our common Redeemer that he would preserve your Eminency's Person in all Prosperity and bless your Counsels given unto his Majesty and cause them for the future as they have in times past to succeed to the Advantage of the State the Glory of his Majesty and the immortal Honour of your Eminency These are their Vows and Prayers who will conserve inviolably the Quality which they have ever had to be my Lord of your Eminency The most Humble and most Obedient Servants the Pastors and Elders Assembled in a National Synod at Loudun and for them all Daille Moderator c. 6. The Sieurs Eustache and Mirabel who were Deputed from this Assembly unto his Majesty being returned from their Journey gave an Account of their Deputation and delivered Letters from the King his Eminency and the Lord de la Vrilliere unto this Assembly and they received the Praise and Thanks of it for their Care and Labour A Copy of His Majesty's Letter DEar and Well Beloved We were very glad at the Receipt of your Letters dated the 18th Instant and to hear from the Mouths of your Deputies the Sieurs Eustache and de Mirabel the Thanks you have rendred us for our permitting you to hold this National Synod in our Town of Loudun and the Protestations of your inviolable Fidelity and Obedience to us and being well satisfied therewith we were willing to give you the knowledge of it by this our Letter and to exhort you to persist in your Godly Purposes and Duties and to afford us upon all occasions which may offer themselves for our Service the Evidences of your good Conduct And we farther assure you that whilst you continue your selves within the Bounds we require from your Synod and upon all other Occurrences which you may meet withal to maintain as much as in you lieth the publick Peace and Tranquility you shall also receive from us all good and favourable Usage and we shall be delighted to protect you under the benefit of our Edicts and of those of our most Honoured Lord and Father the late King as we have done until now and as we shall yet again once more assure you more particularly by your Deputies whom we return unto you very much satisfied In the mean while we do the more willingly allow the Continuation of the Lord Marquess of Ruvigny in the Office of General Deputy for your Churches near our selves because we are fully perswaded that he will always acquit himself with Care and Faithfulness of that Employ Given at Tholouse the Tirteenth Day of November One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty and Nine Signed LOVIS And a little Lower PHELIPPEAVX The Superscription was To our dear and well-beloved the Pastors and Elders Deputed unto the Assembly of the National Synod of our Subjects of the Protestant Reformed Religion held at Loudun Copy of his Eminency's Letter Sirs YOur Deputies delivered me the Letter which you took the pains to write me I owe you Thanks for your Civilities and the more because his Majesty being perswaded as he is of your inviolable Fidelity and of your Zeal for his Service 't is but needless and superfluous to mention any good Offices for you with his Majesty I pray you to believe that I have a very great Esteem for you as you do deserve it being such good Servants and Subjects of the King I have nothing more but to leave my self to what shall be related of me by your own Deputies and by the Dispatches of the Lord de la Vrilliere I remain Sirs Your most Affectionate to do you Service The Cardinal Mazarin The Sieur de la Morinaye was Deputed by this Assembly with Letters to my Lord Chancellor and to my Lord de Bertueil Comptroler General of the Exchequer and ordered to ride unto Paris and there to take up the Sixteen Thousand Livres Gratuity which his Majesty hath been pleased to bestow upon this Assembly for defraying the Expences of it's Deputies to which purpose the Orders of the Accomptants and the Assignment of my Lord High Treasurer was delivered into his Hands which was under Signed by the Sieur Eustache 7. The Assembly considering that since the Death of the Sieur Bazin General Deputy of our Churches for the Third Estate unto the King that there is no one to supply his Place so that my Lord Marquess of Ruvigny our General Deputy is even born down with the Duties of his Office at Court which is a very great Inconveniency to our Churches it was decreed That a most humble Petition should be tender'd unto his Majesty that he would be pleased to put us again into the Possession of this Priviledge And the Assembly hoping that this their Petition would not be unacceptable unto his Majesty and my Lord Commissioner not in the least opposing it was resolved that we should proceed immediately unto the Election of such Persons as should be presented unto his Majesty according to the usual Forms Which being done it was found that the Sieurs Loride des Galinieres Advocate in the King's Council and in Parliament Jassaud Advocate in the mixt Court of Castres and des Forges Le Coq Counsellor and Secretary to the King had the Plurality of Votes Whereupon it was decreed that my Lord Marquess of Ruvigny shall be intreated to notifie it unto the King as soon as possible together with the most humble Petition of this Assembly that his Majesty would be pleased to chuse one out of these Three according to Custom and to assign him the Salary which his Majesty and the Kings his Predecessors have given unto those who have exercised the said Office of General Deputy 8. Letters being Addressed to this Assembly by the Pastors and Professors of Divinity in the Church and University of Geneva and other Letters from the Pastors and Professors of Divinity in the Churches and Universities of the Cantons of Zurich Berne Basil and Schapheusen joyntly Signed by them they were delivered unto my Lord Commissioner who having first perused them did afterwards order them to be communicated unto the Assembly and to be read in it The Contents of which were large Expressions of their Affections to the Peace of the Churches of this Kingdom and their Joy at the Liberty which it hath pleased the King to give us and the Priviledge of Assembling
by the said Lady then the Deputies of the Churches of St. Aignan and Mans shall go unto the City of Alanson to agree with that Church about the Proposan on whom the said Pension is to be conferred And in case of Disagreement between those Churches aforesaid about this Election in which those of St. Aignan and Mans shall have but one Vote the Election shall be done alternatively to wit the first time by the Church of Alanson which shall have the preheminency but the time the Churches of St. Aignan and Mans conjoyntly shall take place before that of Alanson and thus consecutively one after another And in this choice and nomination those aforesaid Churches shall see that the Will of the said Lady of La Harangere be faithfully observed who expresly ordered that the Children born in lawful Marriage of the Sieurs Bourdieu de Bloic de Portevize and du Hamel being Proposans and destinated to the Holy Ministry should be preferr'd before all others whether those Children born or to be born were descended from their Sons or Daughters Nor may any Proposan chosen to receive the said Pension injoy it any longer than the term of Four Years And when as the said Proposan shall be found fit and qualified for the Ministry and be admitted thereinto the Church of Alanson shall have the first choice to retain him in their Service and next the Church of St. Aignan and lastly the Church of Mans and in case neither of these Three should pitch upon him for their Minister he shall then be assigned unto one of the nearest Churches Moreover this Assembly doth for certain Reasons Ordain that the said Sieur L'arpent shall receive the said Pension for Four Years commencing from the Day of his Election which Term being expired they shall proceed unto a new Election according to the Canon aforesaid And this Assembly hath discharged and doth now discharge the said Church of Mans of all Demands Claims and Pretensions whatsoever that might be brought against it upon the account of those Sums which either Mr. Vignier the Father or his Son have received for that Pension during several Years excepting only what the said Churches may demand of the Heirs of the said Mr. Vignier And in case there should be any difference between the Churches of St. Aignan and Mans about those Elections which they are bound to make they shall be composed and terminated by the Synod of Anjou And the said Sieur de L'Arpent and all other Proposans receiving the said Pension shall be bound to give Security that in case through their default or neglect they do not attain to be Ministers of the Gospel or that they change their purpose and divert to some other Studies and Employment they make Restitution of the Monies they have thus received and this agreeable to the Canons of our National Synods 12. This Assembly having heard Mr. Le Croix du Val Deputy from the Heads of Families in the Church of Alanson who declared that he was sent by them to oppose a Proposition set on foot by some particular Members of the said Church and to be tendred unto this Assembly about changing of their Consistory and its ancient Order and that being come unto this City he met with the like Proposition made to their Provincial Synod of Normandy held in the Year 1655 and the Assembly having perused the Memoirs of the Deputies of that Province had remitted the whole affair unto the Synod of that Province Yet nevertheless having waited to see if any one should move about this matter and observing that none had done it he that he might discharge the Trust committed to him did tender unto this Assembly according to his Duty the Letters and Memoirs with which he was charged and opened before this Assembly the cause of his Deputation and the Arguments they had against any such Alteration and he did in behalf of those Heads of Families Petition and doth now again Petition that the Deputies of the said Province may declare whether they be ordered to set on Foot that new Proposition and whether they intend to speak of it who answered that they had no such design because that Affair had been remanded back unto their Provincial Synod The Assembly hath dismissed over the Letters Memoirs and the Act now presented by the said Sieur de la Croix du Val Deputed by the Heads of Families in the Church of Alanson together with the Cognizance and Judgment of this Affair unto the Provincial Synod of Normandy according as was before decreed 13. The Assembly being informed of the great Disorders in the Church of Sauvetat by reason of the difference between the Sieur de Carbon and the Inhabitants of that Town who compose the Church in that place Letters were voted to be written unto the Lord Duke of La Force to intreat his Grace that he would be pleased by his Prudence and Authority to terminate those unhappy Dissentions which menace that poor Church with no less than its utter Ruin and Destruction 14. The Assembly having received honourable Testimonials from divers parts of the singular worth of Monsieur Charles Pastor of the Church of Gap and taking into consideration his numerous Family great Deserts and low Estate in the World and the Inabilities of his Church doth highly applaud his Zeal Pains Care Diligence and Perseverance in his Masters Service having served the Lord and his Churches most faithfully for many years and eminently in this Church wherefore that he may have a competent Maintenance to supply his Necessities this Assembly judgeth him every way worthy of the Cares and Respects of his Province and of his own Congregation which is commended for the Tokens of their Love and Affection to him for his own and his Subsistence And whereas the said Church did agree and bargain at first with him to pay him during his Life the yearly Sum of Three Hundred Livres only they are now most earnestly intreated to extend their Charity and Thankfulness unto him and to augment his Maintenance by raising it up unto Four Hundred Livres a Year for his Life 15. The Province of Vivaretz received the praise of this Assembly for their fervent kindness to Monsieur Chenat formerly Pastor of the Church at La Gorce but now employed in the Service of that of Charenton and it is most earnestly exhorted to continue the yearly Sum of 150 Livres to him for the comfortable Subsistence of this good Servant of Jesus Christ whose Labours and Travels have been very great in the Work of the Lord. 16. The Memoirs and Letters of Monsieur Gabet Pastor of the Church at Osselon having been read and examined in this Assembly his Affair was dismissed over to the Province of Dolphiny which was commended for their Charity and Support extended to him and the said Province was intreated to continue their Cares for the Comfort and Repose of this poor Minister and to hear him in those matters which he shall
National Synod belongeth according to the Canons of our Discipline unto the Province of Power Languedoc And this Assembly Ordaineth that with the good Pleasure of his Majesty it shall he convoked about Three Years hence in that Order prescribed by our Discipline and the Deputies shall meet from all the Provinces of this Kingdom at the City of Nismes CHAP. XIX An Act for the validity of all Acts which shall be Delivered and Signed IT is Decreed That as great Credit shall be given to those Acts which are signed either by the Moderator or Assessor or one of the Scribes of this Assembly as if they had been Signed and Subscribed by the Moderator Assessor both the Scribes and all the Deputies conjoyntly The Sieurs Dize Pastor of the Church at Grenoble and De Foissac Elder in the Church of Usez are nominated to wait upon his Majesty and to deliver the most humble Thanks of this Assembly to him together with the Bill of our just Grievances and Petitions and to assure his Majesty that we shall continue in his Majesty's Service with an untainted and inviolable Fidelity Done and Decreed at Loudun this Tenth Day of January One Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty Signed in the Original by Daille Moderator J. M. D'Angle Assessor Scribes J. De Brissac Pastor Loride des Galinieres CHAP. XX. Commissions Executed WHen as the National Synod held at Loudun November 10 1659 was broken up the Sieurs Guitton and du Bourdieu went unto Sanmur according as they were ordered add Monsieur Guitton made this Speech in the University Messieurs THE National Synod which is now ended at Loudun being Informed by the Complaints of divers Provinces that for a long time together very many and great Disorders have crowded in among our Students of Divinity and that to the great scandal of all Godly Persons there is a visible defect of Modesty and Christian Integrity in their Deportments that Venerable Assembly judged that in prudence it was bound to exert its Authority for the retrenching and removal of them And having made a Canon which we shall read unto you immediately it did straitly charge us to assemble your whole Body before the Senate of this University that we might re-inforce it upon your Consciences by our oral Exhortations and Remonstrances Give Sirs your Attention unto the Synodical Decree The Deputies of all our Provinces complaining with one common Voice of the great Corruptions crept in among Scholars in our Universities especially among Students in Divinity of their wearing Long Hair of their Cloaths after the new fangled Fashions of the World of their wide Floating Sleeves Gloves stuft with Silk and Ribbans that they frequented Taverns haunted the Company of Women walk'd Abroad with their Swords that their Style savour'd more of the Romance than of God's Holy Word and many other Vanities and Excesses of this Nature The Assembly touched with a most sensible grief for these great Disorders and being zealously concerned for the House of God doth most earnestly exhort the Professors and all other Governors in our Universities as also the Consistories of those Churches in which they are to exert all their Care Power and Authority for the suppression of these Abuses which redound to the disgrace of our Religion and give great Scandal unto Persons truly fearing God and open the Flood-Gates to a deluge of Prophaneness to break in upon the Sanctuary And farther it enjoyneth them to suspend the Refractory from the Lords Table and to blot their Names out of the Matricular Book of Students and to deprive Proposans of all hopes of ever being admitted into the Ministerial Office And all Scholars are most straitly enjoyned and most especially Students in Divinity to refrain all those Abuses before-mentioned and to keep themselves at the greatest distance from such things as are contrary to Christian Modesty and true Sanctity which Vertues should shine forth most conspicuously in their Lives whom God is calling to be Pastors in the Church of Christ And that there may be no sinister Opinions conceived of them they be commanded to perfume the House of God betimes with the sweet Odours of an Early Religious Conversation every way becoming that Sacred Employment whereunto they be designed on pain of Exemplary Punishment in case of Rebellion Moreover this Assembly Ordaineth that those Provincial Synods to whose care and charge our Universities are intrusted and in which they be erected shall depute every Year some Pastors to inspect and visit them and take notice of the Progress made by our Scholars in their Studies of Philosophy and Divinity and by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ and of this Assembly to redress whatever Disorders shall be particularly notified to or observed by them And to this end those Visitors commissionated by this Assembly shall as soon as possible go and visit them to wit the Sieurs Guitton and de Bourdieu Pastors and Monsieur Des Champs an Elder shall visit the University of Saumur The Sieurs Chamier and Vignier Pastors de Pontperdu and Maisonnet Elders shall visit that of Montauban the Sieurs de Boudan and de Mesjannes Pastors and the Sieurs de St. John de Gardonnengues and de Pontperdu Elders shall visit that of Nismes and the Sieurs Homel and January Pastors with the Sieurs de Mirabel and Baruel Elders shall visit that of Die And these Visitors shall give notice unto all Students in Divinity that they read the Scriptures publickly in the Desk before Sermons in all our Church-meetings You have heard Sirs the true and just cause of all those Complaints which are form'd against you in the several Provinces of this Kingdom You have heard what the Synod hath declared on this occasion and the Punishments it hath decreed against the Transgressors I beseech you to make good use of this important Admonition sent you by an Assembly whose Canons and Orders should be had in singular Veneration by you Reflect seriously upon your Selves and consider a while unto how great a work you be destinated and weigh well those means by which you may accomplish as well as desire it and I am confident you will then have no need of any Teachers and you your selves will judge what is best befitting your Profession and overlooking the punishments threatned which belongs unto Servile Spirits and wholly inslav'd to their own Vanity you will devote your Selves to the Love and Practice of Vertue for those very Reasons upon which it is recommended to you You have consecrated your Labours your Time your whole Man unto the Service of the Sovereign Monarch of the whole World of that Lord who is adored by all the Angels Your own Consciences Sirs as well as mine must needs tell you you cannot bring with you too much Humility nor too much Self-abasement nor too much Self-annihilation nor too much Symplicity and Syncerity when you come into his Presence whose Eyes are as a Flaming Fire and who searcheth your Hearts and
trieth your Reins and offer your selves to be inrol'd in the number of his Menial Servants and Gospel-Ministers Our great Lord Redeemer neither loveth the World nor the things of the World The design and end of his Coelestial Empire is to make all Men new Creatures and he serves himself of the Doctrin of the Cross that thereby be may Crucifie the World in you and you unto the World Sirs your own Consciences must needs reproach you that it is an affront unto the pure Eyes of his Glory that it saddens the Spirit of his Holiness that it must needs irritate his indignation when the Sons of the Prophets shall present themselves before him in the garb and habit of the World stuffed up and big-swoln with Vanities Pride and Indecencies and attended with its wonted Excuses Artifices and Deportments The Mysteries which our most blessed Saviour delivers unto his Servants that they may dispense them unto his People retain nothing of Earth savour nothing of this lower World they are all Divine and Heavenly And you cannot but acknowledge that it would be a darkning of their Lustre a Profanation of their Glory to manage them with impure Hands to vend and expose them in a strange Language and to search rather from the Wisdom of the World a Buttress to support their Authority than from the Eternal Verities of God's Wisdom and from the Lights of the Sacred Scriptures If none but the Spirit of God can reveal and manifest unto us the things which are given us of God is it possible we should make any considerable Progress and Proficiency in this Holy Study when we shall intend and prosecute it with the Spirit of the World and with Hearts filled and prepossessed with its Vanities To be short Sirs you be destinated unto an Employment in which there be no Advancements made but by Prayer and Prayers are never heard nor answered by God farther than they be sincere and they be not in the least sincere where the Hearts are not guided and purified by the Truth of God's Holy Word and Spirit who dictateth our Prayers and quickens and sanctifieth our Affections Do you imagin Sirs that God will give you his Holy Spirit without whom you are nothing and can do nothing unless you ask him of God And are you then qualified and fitted for Prayer a most holy Duty whenas your Spirit is stuffed up occupied and distracted with your Youthful Lusts and replenished with the provoking Objects of your Vanity Or can you bring unto this Sacred Ordinance to this most Religious Exercise that Attention Assiduity and Perseverance which is needful to the getting of gracious Answers and Returns from Heaven when as the better and far greater part and portion of our Time is wasted and consumed in worldly Companies and Conversations Certainly Sirs you will find it exceeding difficult to disintangle your selves from those Impressions you have first received and to empty your selves of the Vanities you have imbibed that you may be at Liberty to reflect and meditate upon God's Holy Word My Dear Brethren Honour and adorn that Profession whereunto you be devoted and it will reflect Beams of Honour again upon you Consider Sirs what is decent and becoming you and God will communicate what is needful for you to every one of you Let his Name and Glory be the principal Mark and Butt of your Condition and Studies and it will bring down toe choicest and chiefest Blessings of God upon you Let your Lives and Conversations be accompanied and crowned with all the Vertues and Graces of Reformed Christians with that Humility which becometh the Servants of God with that universal Modesty and Simplicity which God requireth from the Ministers of his Sanctuary in their Lives Actions Habits Language Behaviour and in your whole Course And then Sirs this your Sanctification will be most acceptable unto God and saving unto your selves it will bring your Profession into Credit and Reputation it will attract upon you the best Blessings of Heaven it will render your Studies and Employments prosperous successful edifying The Churches will be the better for you and the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus will be promoted and advanced by you In pursuance of an Order of the same Synod Messieurs Guitton and Bourdeau being at Saumur to pacifie the differences which were between some Members of that Church and Messieurs Amyraut and D'Huisseau Monsieur Guitton made this Speech Messieurs and most dear Brethren MY most honoured Colleagues together with my self were ordered by the Nationol Synod which was lately held and dissolved at Loudun to visit this Church and to assemble the Heads of its Families into this Consistory and to read unto you the Judgment of that venerable Assembly about the Differences fallen out among you and to endeavaur by the Grace of God and your Obedience your re-union which if already most happily begun between your two Pastors upon whose account you were divided and to ratifie that reconciliation of the Deputies of both Parties which you had sent unto it You shall hear their Judgment and the Act of our Commissions The Sieurs D'Huisseau Pastor accompanied with the Sieurs de Haumont Benoist and Favre did petition for themselves and on behalf of others the Heads of Families in the Church of Saumur that Monsieur d'Huisseau might be confirmed in his Ministry unto the said Church They appealed also from the Decrees of the first Synod held at Beauge in the Year 1656. and at Saumur in the Year 1657. and at Preuilly in the Year 1658. and in the second held at Beauge in this year 1659. and from the Orders of the Consistory of Saumur bearing Date the 16th and 27th Day of March 1659. And they complained of all that had been done in pursuance of those Synodical and Consistorial Decrees On the contrary part the Sieur Amyrald Pastor and Professor of Divanity in the said Church and University of Saumur together with the Sieurs Druett and Royer as well for themselves as for the other Deputies of that Consistory and of divers Heads of Families in the said Church together with the Deputies of the Province of Anjou did abet and maintain all the Acts Ordinances and Decrees of those Synods and Consistories before-named They were also heard declaring the Grounds of their Differences The Committee also who were appointed to examin and verifie the Acts of both Parties brought in their Report and at the same time Monsieur de Bois jardin Pastor of the said Church had Audience given him by the Assembly Upon the whole Debate this National Synod censured the Consistory of Saumur for that in stead of blaming the Deputies of the Assembly of the greater part of the Heads of Families held without their Order the 17th of September 1655. they did contrarywise receive them and at their instant earnest Suit had enjoyned the Sieur D'Huisseau to withdraw himself from the Service of the said Church against his Will and in contempt of